Volume 35 Number 34 • December 16, 2023
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The Weekly News Source for Ranchers, Farmers and the Agribusiness Community • www.wylr.net
A Look Inside Four state leaders honored at Governor’s Business Forum .......... .............................................Page 6 University of Wyoming discusses differences in net cash flow versus net present value ...........Pages 8-9 Postcard from the Past shares a unique idea for Christmas giving.... ...........................................Page 10 Check your answers on this month’s crossword puzzle .............. ...........................................Page 15
Quick Bits Public Input The Bureau of Land Management opened a 30-day public comment period to receive public input on a proposed gen-tie electric line project in Carbon County. The bureau’s environmental assessment analyzes two different options for a transmission line which would support the Rock Creek Wind Facility. To view associated documents and to participate in the public comment period, visit eplanning. blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2027409/510. The public comment period will conclude Jan. 5 at 4 p.m.
Gov. Gordon gives address at WSGA convention Gov. Mark Gordon and First Lady Jennie Gordon made an appearance at the Wyoming Stock Growers Association’s Annual Reception and Auction, held during the organization’s Win-
ter Roundup Convention and Trade Show in Casper on Dec. 5. During the event, the governor offered remarks on some of the pressing issues in the state and thanked con-
vention attendees for their good work in Wyoming agriculture. A challenging administration “This administration has been a real challenge, but
I think you all know that,” Gordon began. “Westerners – regardless of whether they are Republican or Democrat – are under threat from Washington, D.C. right now.” Please see WSGA on page 5
Winter Feeding Considerations
UW SAREC DIRECTOR DISCUSSES FORAGE OPTIONS AT WSGA CONVENTION During the Winter Roundup Convention and Trade Show, held in Casper Dec. 4-6, the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) invited Dr. Steve Paisley, director of the University of Wyoming’s (UW) Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension Center (SAREC), to discuss winter feeding options for cow/calf producers. Paisley attended UW, where he studied animal science and stayed for his master’s degree, later pursuing a doctorate at Oklahoma State University in ruminant nutrition. After completing his PhD, Paisley worked at Kansas State University for nearly four years as a beef specialist before returning to UW in 2001, then transferred to SAREC, located in Lingle, in 2007 and has served as the
director since 2019. Understanding forages Feed efficiency has become increasingly important, and reducing winter feed costs in a cow/calf operation can generate savings for producers. “The best place to start is with a forage analysis,” Paisley said. “I would encourage you to use a probe and gather a sample from inside the bale, rather than just grabbing a hand sample because we don’t need just the outside of the bale.” Reviewing the forage analysis report can give a producer a general idea of the protein level and the energy values for the particular forage. “Remember to test for nitrates. If you have forages Please see FEEDING on page 4
Payments On Dec. 13, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it will begin issuing more than $223 million in Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program payments. These payments help producers who suffered a decrease in allowable gross revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic for the 2020 calendar year. For more information, visit usda.gov.
DEQ Grant The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is now accepting grant proposals for emissions reduction projects across the state. Applicants must submit their proposals to DEQ on Jan. 31 by 5 p.m. For more information or to apply, visit deq.wyoming.gov.
Scholarship Wyoming CattleWomen is now accepting applications for two $500 scholarships to be awarded to women in agriculture. This scholarship is available for accredited college, university or trade school programs, but there is no age limit. The deadline to apply is Feb. 29. Winners will be notified by April 15 and announced at the June 2024 Wyoming CattleWomen Meeting in Douglas. In addition to scholarship funds, winners will receive a one-year Wyoming CattleWomen membership. For more information on how to apply, e-mail wyocwsecretary@gmail.com.
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Thriving in Wyoming WBC provides update and discusses business opportunities On Dec. 5, during the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) Winter Roundup Convention and Trade Show held in Casper, Wyoming Business Council (WBC) Chief Executive Officer Josh Dorrell discussed future business opportunities in Wyoming. WBC approaches economic development by identifying problems and breaking down barriers, which builds a more resilient economy. “How do we ensure Wyoming communities are resilient in the future? This is something really important to think about,” Dorrell stated. “We want to make sure the boom-and-bust cycle our state has experienced is not so much of a boom-and-bust.” Looking to the future In order to do this, Dorrell noted Wyoming needs to ensure its communities have the skills and tools they need to “weather these storms” and succeed. The goal of WBC is to create opportunities and jobs for Wyomingites now and into the future, and it recognizes what makes Please see WBC on page 15
NCBA discusses priorities During the second day of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association Winter Roundup Convention and Trade Show, held in Casper Dec. 4-6, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Chief Executive Officer Colin Woodall gave a presentation on the state of the beef industry. To begin, Woodall noted despite continuous attacks from anti-agriculture activists and stubborn lawmakers, cattle producers continue to make strides. Woodall concluded his discussion by sharing NCBA’s priorities for the new farm bill and current challenges faced in the beef industry. Foreign animal disease “We have several high priorities at NCBA, but our top priority is the foot and mouth disease (FMD) vaccine bank, which is something we were able to get placed in the 2018 Farm Bill,” Woodall began. “This is another tool to help protect ourselves from what I believe is the eventual reintroduction of FMD,” he added. “I believe it is a matter of when we get it, not if we get it, and we need to be prepared.” Woodall noted the vaccine bank is just one piece of NCBA’s preparedness initiative for foreign animal disease. He shared NCBA is also building relations with the White House and Department of Homeland Security (DHS), since food security was officially deemed a national security issue nearly a year ago. “This designation opened up the opportunity to deal with people in the federal government who we historically have not had the opportunity to engage with – the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the National Security Council, the Please see NCBA on page 4
Private and state land update provided During the Winter Roundup Convention and Trade Show, held in Casper Dec. 4-6, the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) invited Budd-Falen Law Offices, LLC Senior Partner Karen Budd-Falen to speak during the Private and State Lands Committee meeting. Following Budd-Falen’s presentation, WSGA Executive Vice President Jim Magagna gave a brief update on state land challenges. Budd-Falen has assisted local governments in asserting their rights in federal agency decisions, protecting private property owners and is currently providing services for WSGA, who filed an amicus brief in a case involving the Wyo-
ming corner crossing dispute. Wyoming corner crossing case A federal judge ruled in favor of hunters in a case which tested the legality of “corner crossing,” or stepping from one parcel of public land to another over a common corner shared with private property. “Chief U.S. District Judge Scott Skavdahl found the hunters did not trespass when they corner crossed and passed through private airspace,” Budd-Falen explained. “In my opinion, this was more of a political decision than a legal one.” “It’s a big deal as far as private property rights go,” she continued. “We are
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Please see LAND on page 6