Volume 34 Number 46 • March 11, 2023
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The Weekly News Source for Wyoming’s Ranchers, Farmers and AgriBusiness Community • www.wylr.net
A Look Inside Lamb outlook for 2023 provided by LMIC........... Page B1 Rising transport costs for cattle analyzed.......... Page B2 Managing hypothermic calves discussed by university experts..................... Page B11 March water supply outlook released by USDA NRCS........ ................................ Page B15
Quick Bits Snow Report
The 13th snow report for Water Year 2023 shows the state’s snow telemetry data reads 116% of median, with a basin high of 149% and a basin low of 78%. In 2022, Wyoming was at 85% and at 91% in 2021. 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.
Wyoming Legislature's General Session wraps up Cheyenne – After convening the 2023 General Session of the Wyoming Legislature in early January, Wyoming’s citizen legislators have returned home, and a handful of bills await the signature of Gov. Mark Gordon.
Members of several of Wyoming’s agriculture organizations agreed session was different than normal, with a large portion of new legislators. Overall, Wyoming Stock Growers Association
Executive Vice President Jim Magagna noted, “This year was a successful session from the agriculture perspective.” Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation Director of Public and Governmental Affairs
Brett Moline agreed, saying, “Overall, it was a pretty positive session. The mood was pretty good, but this is the way it often is when we have the money to fulfill our needs and some of our wants.” Please see BILLS on page A8
Optimistic Outlook USDA analyst provides 2023 livestock and poultry outlook during annual ag forum
On the second day of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) 99th Annual Agriculture Outlook Forum, held Feb. 24, Dr. Justin Choe, a livestock and poultry analyst for the World Outlook Board in USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist, provided an update on the outlook for livestock and poultry for the rest of the year with a resounding tone of optimism as agriculture begins to recover from drought implications, high input costs and
disease outbreak. First, Choe noted it is important to take a look at the global economic outlook, which is forecast to be slower and steadier, compared to 2022. He said real disposable income is projected to be slightly lower, as interest rates get higher and inflation pressures continue into 2023. “The U.S. dollar has weakened slightly, but it’s still Please see OUTLOOK on page A9
APHIS Data
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is giving stakeholders an additional 30 days to submit comments on public handling of wild and exotic animals for licensed exhibitors, training of personnel who handle wild and exotic animals at licensed facilities and changes to all regulated animals’ environments to promote their psychological well-being. All comments must be received by April 10. For more information, visit aphis.usda.gov.
WWPC Meeting The Wyoming Weed and Pest Council (WWPC) State Allocations Committee is scheduled to meet in Casper and via Zoom March 14-15. The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. on March 14 at the Thyra Thomson State Office Building. On March 15, the meeting will begin at 9 a.m., and there will be an opportunity for public comment. To view an agenda and access the Zoom link, visit agriculture.wy.gov. For more information, contact Lindsey Woodward at lindsey. woodward@wyo.gov or call 307-777-6585.
EPA Webinar
On March 15, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region Eight, which includes the states of Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming, will host a webinar from 10:30-11:30 a.m. focused on environmental grant opportunities associated with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. For more information, visit epa.gov/ grants/region-8-march-2023grants-webinar.
WYLR photos
Ranch management UW highlights ways to manage human resources on the ranch during seminar Sheridan – The University of Wyoming (UW) College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources held its second seminar in a five-part series on Feb. 16 at Sheridan College. The series, titled “Ranching in the West,” focuses on ranch management and agricultural leadership through four educational sessions held at community colleges throughout the state, which culminate into a one-day leadership symposium at UW campus in Laramie. During the second seminar, titled “Managing Human Resources on the Ranch,” presenters discussed challenges associated with hiring and managing employees, how to implement best practices and what to do when something goes wrong. The first section of the seminar hosted panelists Trey Patterson, chief executive officer and president of the Padlock Ranch; David and Terri Kane, owners and operators of the Kane Please see UW on page A7
FSA offers loss assistance U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Wyoming State Executive Director William Bunce announced March 9 that producers who suffered livestock and/or honeybee feed or grazing losses due to the recent winter storm could be eligible for assistance through the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP). “The recent winter storm affected many livestock operations, leaving livestock stranded and producers with snow removal costs as well as increased feed expenses,” said Bunce. “ELAP provides emergency relief for losses due to feed or water shortages, disease, adverse weather or other conditions, which are not adequately addressed by other disaster programs,” he said. Associated costs ELAP assists producers with additional livestock feed purchased above normal quantities. Associated equipment rental fees for hay lifts and snow removal may be eligible as a part of a producer’s additional feed expenses. ELAP covers up to 150 lost grazing days. If a producer has been forced to remove livestock from a grazing pasture due to an eligible disaster condition, FSA can assist with eligible grazing losses if they are greater than eligible additional feed expenses. Assistance with transportation costs of livestock, forage and/or water are only for drought events. Producers are required to maintain records and receipts, which include but are not limited to, the costs of transporting livestock feed to eligible livestock, receipts for equipment Please see ELAP on page A9
USDA announces new labeling rule On March 6, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the proposal of a new rule regarding “Product of USA” labeling for meat, poultry and eggs. Under the proposed rule, voluntary “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA” label claims will be allowed only on meat, poultry and egg products derived from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the U.S. Additionally, the label would continue to be voluntary and would remain eligible for generic label approval, meaning it wouldn’t need to be preapproved by USDA’s Food and Safety Inspection Ser-
vice (FSIS) before being used on regulated products. However, it would still require supporting documentation to be on file for agency inspection personnel to verify, according to USDA. The proposed rule would also allow other voluntary U.S. origin claims, including a description on the package of all preparation and processing steps occurring in the U.S., seen on meat, poultry and egg products sold in the marketplace. “Today’s announcement delivers on one of the key actions in President
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Please see LABEL on page A6