Volume 36 Number 43 • February 15, 2025
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The Weekly News Source for Ranchers, Farmers and AgriBusiness Community • www.wylr.net
NCBA outlines 2025 policy priorities
A Look Inside Strong demand, high prices in the cattle market outlook, according to CattleFax............ ................................ Page A10 Continued drought conditions contribute to wildfire, water and ag issues.. Page B1 Test your ag knowledge with this month’s crossword puzzle. .................................. Page B4 67th Annual BHSS draws Western enthusiasts from far and wide......... Pages B10-B11
Quick Bits Snow Report In the ninth snow report for Water Year 2025, the state’s snowpack telemetry data reads 96% of median, with a basin high of 110% and a basin low of 42%. Last year, the state was at 84% and at 116% in 2023. The report and a map displaying basin snow water equivalent percentages of median may be found at wrds.uwyo.edu/ wrds/nrcs/nrcs.html.
During CattleCon 2025, held Feb. 4-6 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Executive Committee approved the organization’s policy
priorities for the coming year. Overall, NCBA’s focus for 2025 is to engage with the new Trump administration and Congress to expand opportunities for producer profitability.
“NCBA will continue advocating for passage of a long-term farm bill and pushing to extend the critical tax provisions in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which expire at the end of the year,” states Buck
Wehrbein, NCBA’s newlyelected president and a cattle producer from Nebraska. “We will also be continuing to fight for more flexibility for grazing and voluntary conservation work Please see NCBA on page A4
Unleashing American Energy Rock Springs RMP shut down as part of Trump administration’s effort to reverse harmful regulations
After nearly a year and a half spent fighting against the Biden administration’s controversial Rock Springs Resource Management Plan (RMP), newlyappointed U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum was granted authority to review and revise all relevant RMPs in the state, announcing the Rock Springs plan would be shut down for further review. The action comes as one of many under President Donald. J. Trump’s Unleashing American Energy
Executive Order (EO), which aims to reverse harmful and burdensome regulations on the development and use of the nation’s energy and natural resources. In a joint statement published on Feb. 6, Wyoming Sen. Stacy Jones (R-S13) and Reps. J.T. Larson (R-H17) and Cody Wylie (R-H39) state, “This decision paves the way to reverse an unworkable and restrictive proposal which would devastate Wyoming’s Please see ENERGY on page A15
Ewe Sale
The Wyoming Wool Growers Association invites the public to the Third Annual Wyoming Select Bred Ewe Sale on Feb. 22 in Gillette. The sale will offer high-quality bred Targhee, Rambouillet and crossbred ewes, as well as a free lamb lunch at 11:30 a.m. provided by the Campbell County Wool Growers Auxiliary and Campbell County Cattlewomen. For more information, visit wyowool.com/ consignor-into-ewe-data.
AI Clinic
Over the course of 43 years, 7 Triangle 7 Cattle Company LLC has trained 7,057 individuals from 39 states and eight countries at their annual artificial insemination (AI) spring training. This year, the ranch is encouraging interested individuals to book their dates early. Trainings will be held March 15-17, April 25-27, May 16-18 and June 13-15 in Akron, Colo. For more information or to register, visit 7triangle7.com or call 307-481-3921.
Confirmation In a show of bipartisan support, with a vote of 72 to 28, the U.S. Senate confirmed Brooke Rollins to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as the chamber continues its quick pace to confirm President Donald J. Trump’s choices to head his administration. This move means Trump has had 16 nominees approved in less than four weeks – a total which far outpaces that seen during his first term of during Biden’s time in office.
WYLR photo
Code of the West UW’s Ranching in the West series kicks off in Riverton The University of Wyoming (UW) Ranch Management and Agricultural Leadership (RMAL) Program’s Ranching in the West Seminar Series kicked off on Feb. 6 at Central Wyoming College’s Rustler Ag and Equine Complex in Riverton. This UW College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources series includes three inspiring seminars held across the state, culminating in a transformative all-day symposium on ranching stewardship this April in Laramie. The seminar series provides a platform for current and future agriculturalists to learn more about Wyoming’s agriculture industry and connect with one another and will feature a range of speakers. According to UW RMAL Associate Director Randall Violett, “We want to create opportunities for existing ranch managers to come to town, network with our students and be part of the ranch management program. We’re trying to promote lifelong learning Please see UW on page A9
UW CALSNR celebrates research achievements The University of Wyoming (UW) awarded and honored the research and innovation of several members of its faculty in celebration of the impact, relevance and importance of their respective work. Awardees included faculty from the UW College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources (CALSNR). UW’s annual Celebration of Excellence in Research and Innovation Awards Scott Seville event, which was held at the Courtesy photo Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center, featured distinguished researcher, innovator and research service awards given to three faculty members. An award also featured a standout UW school for demonstrating exemplary research culture. The event designated several faculty members as honorees for research and innovation excellence and recognized faculty members from select UW schools and colleges for their respective contributions to research excellence. “We are incredibly fortunate and proud to have such prodigiously productive and impactful researchers here at UW,” UW President Ed Seidel says. “The work researchers being Please see AWARDS on page A7
FEATURED YOUNG PRODUCER Local PRCA bull rider represents Newcastle Dylan Rice, the son of Duane and Tamra Rice, was born and raised in Flandreau, S.D., along with his two sisters. Growing up in South Dakota, Dylan spent a lot of time working alongside his dad on a local farm where they grew row crops. However, he was lucky enough to have some great friends with a small ranch just outside of town where he first got to know and love horses. “At an early age, I was bitten by the horse bug,” Dylan stated. “I discovered
my passion for horses. This love has only grown stronger and will remain a constant in my life.” As a determined young 4-H rodeo athlete, Dylan initially started in team roping, and at just 10 years old, he confidently took on the challenge of riding his first steer. Dylan shared, “I was young and, just being a kid, I thought it would be fun to try. It turns out I was good at it and could stick to them.”
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Please see RICE on page A6