Volume 36 Number 48 • March 22, 2025
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The Weekly News Source for Ranchers, Farmers and AgriBusiness Community • www.wylr.net
A Look Inside
USDA offers positive outlook for 2025 farm income forecast
National Ag Day celebration takes place in Washington, D.C............................. Page A8
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) held its 101st Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum Feb. 27-28 as a hybrid event online and in person at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va.
College rodeo athletes have their sights set on 2025 CNFR. ................................... Page A9 Tips offered to set baby chicks up for success............ Page B1 Chicken meat prices hold steady despite rising egg costs. ................................... Page B8
Quick Bits Snow report In the 14th snow report for Water Year 2025, the state’s snowpack telemetry data reads 99% of median, with a basin high of 112% and a basin low of 48%. Last year, the state was at 99% and at 122% in 2023. The report and a map displaying basin snow water equivalent percentages of median for the state may be found at wrds.uwyo.edu/ wrds/nrcs/nrcs.html.
WLSB meeting
On the first day, USDA Economic Research Service Farm Income Team Lead Carrie Litkowski shared the agency’s farm income forecast for 2025, which seems positive overall.
Litkowski noted information in her presentation was compiled using the Jan. 10 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates and was up-to-date as of Feb. 6.
Net farm income First, Litkowski noted net farm income and net cash farm income reached record highs in 2024, and while it has since fallen some, USDA Please see USDA on page A15
Designed to Perform Elm Creek Ranch specializes in function and performance Elm Creek Ranch (ECR), situated in Hebron, N.D., has proudly remained a family-owned and operated establishment since 1937. In 1983, ECR established its registered Salers herd under the leadership of Stan Sayler and the dedicated support of his wife Rebecca. Over the years, Stan and the ECR team – Forman Joe Nelson and South Ranch Manager Clint Baker –
have expanded their efforts to uphold the tradition of raising quality Salers, striving to establish a reputation for integrity and producing functional cattle with exceptional performance. “We select for the most growth and require structural soundness from easy-natured cattle born early in the breeding cycle,” Sayler stated. “Salers make up Please see ELM CREEK on page A5
Courtesy photo
The Wyoming Livestock Board (WLSB) has scheduled a public meeting for March 25, beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Turntable Room of the Thyra Thomson Building in Casper. Zoom is also available. Topics include approval of February minutes, a director’s updates, legislative updates, animal health updates and more. For more information visit, wlsb.state.wy.us.
WSGLT award The Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust (WSGLT) is seeking nominations for the 2025 Bucholz Conservation Award. This award is meant to recognize an individual or family who advocates for conserving Wyoming’s farms and ranches, are stewards of the land and defenders of water conservation, have a personal commitment to habit conservation and are proponents of hunting and wildlife protection. Nominations must be submitted by May 2. For more information or to apply, visit wsglt.org/ bucholz-award/.
Scholarship Certified Angus Beef (CAB) is awarding $100,000 in scholarships through the 2025 Colvin Scholarship Fund to support students pursuing careers in food and agriculture. Applications are open through April 14 across three categories, with top winners receiving $7,500 and a trip to the CAB Annual Conference. Learn more and apply at certifiedangusbeef.com/en/ brand/colvin-scholarship.
Check Out the 2025 Midland Bull Test Edition Inside EPA plans to revise WOTUS On March 12, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administer Lee Zeldin announced the EPA will work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to deliver on President Donald J. Trump’s promise to review the definition of Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS). According to the EPA press release, the agencies will move quickly to ensure a revised definition follows the law, reduces red tape, cuts overall permitting costs and lowers the cost of doing business in communities across the country, all while protecting the nation’s navigable waters from pollution. The recent landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in Sackett vs. EPA presents an appropriate opportunity for the EPA to thoughtfully address this matter. By doing so, the agency can offer American farmers, landowners, businesses and states clear and simplified guidance moving forward. “We want clean water for all Americans, supported by clear and consistent rules for all states, farmers and small businesses,” Zeldin states. “The previous administration’s definition of WOTUS placed unfair burdens on the American people and drove up the cost of doing business. Our goal is to protect America’s water resources consistent with the law of the land while empowering American farmers, landowners, entrepreneurs and families to help power the great American comeback.” “Farmers and ranchers are the best stewards of the land and need water regulations that are clear and practical, not burdensome,” states U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins in the press release. “Thank you Administrator Zeldin, Please see WOTUS on page A4
Women in ag history Women have long played essential roles in the ag industry Agriculture is one of few industries where women have always played a major role. In fact, research shows women have been involved in the process of growing and harvesting food since nearly 10,000 B.C. Today, women serve in a variety of capacities throughout the industry, with more than 1.2 million female producers scattered across the country. In honor of Women’s History Month, here is a quick look at the role of women in agriculture throughout history. A look in the past Often considered “silent contributors,” many sources indicate women have long played an essential role on the farm, undertaking tasks such as bookkeeping, gardening and caring for livestock. At the turn of the 20th century, women began utilizing their social skills and sense of connection to trade goods at local markets. However, as family farms began to dwindle and make the transition into agribusinesses, women took a back seat to men as far as leadership roles were concerned, as they were only Please see WOMEN on page A7
Appeals court backs corner crossing case On March 18, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit located in Denver ruled in favor of four out-ofstate elk hunters who were sued for corner crossing to access public land in Carbon County. A three-judge panel, comprised of David Ebel, Timothy Tymkovich and Nancy Louise Moritz, unanimously upheld a 2023 ruling from Wyoming U.S. District Judge Scott Skavdahl, siding with the hunters. Court decision A 49-page decision, written by Tymkovich, concluded the Missouri hunters did not trespass on Iron Bar Holdings LLC ranch property in 2021.
The court ultimately based its decision on a provision of the 1885 Unlawful Inclosures Act (UIA), passed by Congress to “harmonize the rights of private landowners and those accessing public lands.” The court concluded, based on case law and language in the law, “any inclosure of public lands is prohibited, and no one may completely prevent or obstruct another from peacefully entering or freely passing over or through public lands.” “The Western checkerboard and UIA reflect a storied period of our history,” Tymkovich writes. “Whatever the UIA’s merits today, it and the case law interpreting it remain good federal law. Applying
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Please see RULING on page A6