Volume 37 Number 33 • December 6, 2025
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The Weekly News Source for Ranchers, Farmers and AgriBusiness Community • www.wylr.net
A Look Inside USDA continues efforts to combat NWS........................... Page 7 ASI, PLC provide national updates during annual WCSWG convention...................... Page 10 LCC Ranch Horse Team sees success, sets sights on growth.... ....................................... Page 11
Meteorologist provides upcoming weather outlook Cattle producers from across the West gathered in Cheyenne Nov. 10-11 for the 2025 Range Beef Cow Symposium, where Meteorologist Brian Bledsoe delivered a forecast for upcoming weather patterns.
Bledsoe, founder of Bledsoe Weather – a company which advises ag producers through private forecasting – opened his presentation with a joke about the “17 weather apps” individuals often scroll through when trying to
understand the upcoming forecast. He said, “My job is to take all of that information and make it actionable and usable in a real-life setting for farmers and ranchers.” Please see WEATHER on page 13
Quick Bits
Water Rule Rewritten
WSGA Event
FEDERAL AGENCIES REDEFINE WATERS OF THE U.S.
Role of artificial intelligence in ag discussed by local rancher..... .......................................Page 20
The 2025 Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) Winter Roundup and Trade Show is just around the corner. Themed “Enabling Technology in Ranching,” the event will take place Dec. 8-10 at the Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center in Casper, featuring educational breakout sessions, industry updates, committee meetings, guest speakers and networking opportunities. It will also feature the popular Progressive Rancher Forum, Make It With Wool Fashion Show and live and silent auctions. For more information, visit wysga.org/events/winter-convention.
On Nov. 20, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) published a proposal to revise the Clean Water Act’s (CWA) regulatory definition of “waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS). According to the EPA’s corresponding press release, the proposal was written in alignment with the U.S. Supreme Court’s May 2023 decision in Sackett vs. EPA, which narrowed the scope of CWA jurisdiction and rejected broad applications of the significant nexus test in some instances. The agencies say the new rule seeks to confirm regulatory language in the court’s reasoning and provide a predictable, administrable test for field staff, landowners and regulated parties. EPA and USACE further note the proposed rule
was developed using input from multiple sources and “delivers on the Trump administration’s commitment to protect America’s waters while providing the regulatory certainty needed to support the nation’s farmers who feed and fuel the world.” Key changes proposed Described by the EPA and USACE as a “clear, durable and commonsense definition,” the proposed revision ultimately narrows and clarifies which waters are federally jurisdictional under the CWA. Key changes in the proposal include a clear definition of terms like “relatively permanent,” “continuous surface connection” and “tributary” to properly align WOTUS with the CWA and the precedent set by the Supreme Court in Sackett vs. EPA Please see WATER on page 5
Cancelations Out of an abundance of caution, the Wyoming State Fair (WSF) has made the decision to pause all equine activities due to the EHV-1 outbreak. Winter ropings, open rides and all winter arena rentals are currently canceled. WSF will continue to monitor the situation and will revisit the decision frequently to determine when they will be able to resume equine activities. For more information, contact the WSF Office at 307-358-2398 or info@wystatefair.com.
DEQ Meeting The Wyoming Department of Quality (DEQ) Air Quality Advisory Board meeting, which was originally scheduled for Dec. 15 in Cheyenne, has been canceled and will be rescheduled for a later date. For more information, contact Jon Chenchar at 307-777-2068.
Wyo Photos In celebration of its 85th anniversary, the Wyoming CattleWomen organization is asking members to share their brands, as well as photos and/ or videos of themselves working on their farms and ranches or at an ag-related event. Photos will be shown at the Wyoming Stock Growers Association Conference Dec. 8-10 in Casper, on their website and on their Facebook page. For more information or to submit photos, visit wyocattlewomen.org.
WYLR photo
Prairie to Peak WACD celebrates 80 years during annual convention Since 1945, the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts (WACD) has served as a unifying voice for Wyoming’s 34 local conservation districts, working closely with local, state and federal agencies to advocate for sound conservation policy and support on-theground projects which make a lasting impact. “Prairie to Peak – 80 Years of Wyoming Conservation” was the theme of the WACD 80th Annual Convention, hosted by the Campbell County Conservation District in Gillette Nov. 19-21. The convention brought together members for three days of sessions featuring comments from agency personnel and partners, as well as several guest speakers. Additional highlights included the unveiling of WACD’s new official logo, a trade show and an awards luncheon honoring exceptional district employees and key partners from across the state. New logo To kick off the convention, WACD President Ryan Please see WACD on page 12
Leadership program graduates Class 18 Fourteen Wyoming agricultural producers and agribusiness men and women from across Wyoming recently graduated from the Wyoming Leadership, Education and Development (L.E.A.D.) Program. According to Wyoming L.E.A.D. Program Director Cindy Garretson-Weibel, throughout the program, Class 18 participants attended 11 educational seminars to enhance their leadership skills and understanding of all aspects of agriculture and policymaking. Nine seminars took place in Wyoming, and one was held in Washington, D.C. In addition, the group went to Peru for their international study seminar. “The diverse backgrounds and experiences of participants enhanced their learning experience. The skills, knowledge and personal growth they gained through the L.E.A.D. Program will be a great asset to Wyoming agriculture,” stated Garretson-Weibel. Among the Class 18 participants were Acacia Acord, vice president and agriculture and commercial loan office for First National Bank of Gillette. She and her husband Shawn run a cattle ranch and train horses in Weston. Acord is involved in her local cattlewoman’s group and is a 4-H leader. Seth Allen is a ranch hand for Jack Pfister Ranch, Inc., a cow/calf operation in Lusk. He is currently serving on the Young Farmers and Ranchers Board for the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation. Cody Alps is an owner and operator on his family farm Please see L.E.A.D. on page 6
RMFU convenes in Cheyenne The Rocky Mountain Farmers Union (RMFU) 2025 Annual Convention was held Nov. 20-22 at the Little America Hotel and Resort in Cheyenne. A division of the National Farmers Union (NFU), RMFU is a grassroots organization representing family farmers, ranchers and rural communities in Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico. The organization’s annual convention provides a platform for members to come together to celebrate achievements, foster community, discuss important policy and hold elections. Preconvention speakers The gathering kicked off on Nov. 20 with a series of preconvention speak-
ers representing agricultural initiatives throughout Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico. First, a panel of Wyoming producers spoke about the opportunities afforded by the Food Freedom Act, which allows for direct-to-consumer sales of homegrown foods throughout the state. As stated by Wyoming Department of Agriculture (WDA) Division Manager Justin Latham, the act “supports small scale agricultural entrepreneurs; encourages the growth of farmers markets, ranches and farms; fosters a vibrant local food economy and promotes agricultural sustainability and community well-being.”
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Please see RMFU on page 9