Volume 36 Number 42 • February 8, 2025
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The Weekly News Source for Ranchers, Farmers and AgriBusiness Community • www.wylr.net
A Look Inside Lee Zeldin verified to head the EPA.............................Page A8 Doug Burgum confirmed as DOI secretary...........Page A14 Winter tree and shrub maintenance tips provided by UW Extension....................Page B3 Wyoming sheep and cattle numbers down............Page B7
Quick Bits Correction
State legislature continues to review and advance bills As the 2025 Wyoming Legislative General Session approaches its midpoint, state lawmakers are diligently reviewing a wide range of House Bills (HB) and Senate Files (SF), but are mindful time is running out. A total of 93 HBs and two House
Joint Resolutions (HJ) were not brought forward for introduction, resulting in their expiration as the looming Senate deadline was observed last week, and the House’s deadline was Feb. 3. Among the bills that died were
HB0099, which would have allowed public land corner crossing and HJ0006, which would amend the Wyoming Constitution to provide for the election of judges and to repeal conflicting constitutional provisions Please see LEGISLATURE on page A11
REPRESENTING THE COWBOY STATE
An article titled “Making History: NWSS ends on a high note with recordbreaking livestock sale,” published in the Feb. 1 edition of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup, misspelled the name of World Champion Auctioneer John Korrey. We sincerely apologize for this mistake and any confusion it caused.
Snow Report In the eighth Snow Report for Water Year 2025, the state’s snowpack telemetry data reads 93% of median, with a basin high of 112% and a basin low of 43%. Last year, the state was at 77% and at 119% 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.
Lease Sale
The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Wyoming State Office opened a 30-day public scoping period to receive public input on 38 oil and gas parcels totaling 46,118 acres which may be included in a September 2025 lease sale in Wyoming. The comment period ends on March 3. The parcels BLM is analyzing, as well as maps and instructions on how to comment are available at eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/ project/2036327/510.
Budget Gov. Mark Gordon visited with hundreds of affected landowners, local elected officials, emergency responders and the public in Sheridan, Gillette and Wheatland on Jan. 27 to outline his $130 million supplemental budget request for wildfire restoration and recovery efforts. During his visits, the governor heard loud and clear from the 200plus attendees that landowners need grants, not loans, to help rebuild from the historic impacts of the 2024 fire season. The supplemental budget is currently being debated in the Wyoming House and Senate.
WyFB members gain insight, vote on policy at national convention Thirty-one Wyoming Farm Bureau (WyFB) members traveled deep in the heart of Texas to attend the 106th American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Annual Convention Jan. 24-29 in San Antonio. Although Kerin Clark has traveled to past AFBF conventions, this is the first time she has served as the role of WyFB executive vice president, having been elected during the WyFB convention in November when Ken Hamilton retired. “It was an honor to serve WyFB members at the
national convention, and this year it was rewarding to look around and see volunteer members being part of this grassroots process,” said Clark. Clark noted there were many highlights during the event. One was seeing Wyoming county farm bureau members being involved at the national level and seeing the larger picture of what AFBF represents with its wide variety of commodities. “Although how we farm and ranch might differ, we Please see WYFB on page A5
Wyoming well represented – The Wyoming Farm Bureau was well represented during the 106th American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention last month in San Antonio. Courtesy photo
Super Bowl LIX Ag industry plays a vital role in the biggest game of the season The National Football League’s (NFL) season will culminate in the biggest game of the year this Sunday when the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. While agriculture may be far from top of mind come game day, it is hard to ignore the industry’s importance in one of America’s most celebrated days of the year. From the football tossed around on the field to the food consumed by fans across the nation, agriculture is everywhere on Super Bowl Sunday. Food facts According to the National Retail Federation, 113.7 million people plan to throw or attend a Super Bowl party, while another 17.6 million plan to watch the game at a bar or restaurant. Total spending is estimated to reach a recordbreaking $18.6 billion or $91.58 per person. While some of these expenditures are expected to go toward team apparel, Please see GAME on page A6
NASDA sets 2025 policy priorities With the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) set to hold its 2025 Winter Policy Conference Feb. 24-25 in Washington, D.C., the agency recently released a statement outlining the five issues members, state commissioners, secretaries and directors of agriculture agreed upon to serve as the organization’s primary policy focus for the coming year. These include the farm bill, food systems, pesticide regulations, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and state cooperative funding. “NASDA members have specified these areas as necessary to work on to best support farmers, ranchers and communities nationwide,” notes NASDA Chief Executive Officer Ted McKinney in a Jan. 29 press release. “Further, we believe these areas represent critical opportunities where state departments of agriculture can lead impactful change and champion effective policy solutions this year.” The farm bill In regards to the upcoming farm bill, NASDA believes there are 10 critical issues which need to be addressed. First, NASDA recommends significantly increasing funding for research on U.S. food security and natural resource protection, especially through programs like Extension. The agency also supports increasing funding for the Specialty Crop Block Grant program and programs to prevent and manage invasive species, as well as expanding the Market Access Program for trade promotion and the Food Please see NASDA on page A9
FEATURED YOUNG PRODUCER Herring represents Wyoming values Brenna Herring is a dedicated fifthgeneration rancher from Veteran with deep roots in her family’s ranching legacy. She grew up raising and selling registered Black Angus bulls alongside her family and proudly continues her agricultural traditions. “My family has been raising bulls for over 90 years,” she explained. “It all began with my great-great-grandpa George F. Haas, who was the first purebred Black Angus breeder in Wyoming.” Growing up in this environment has
instilled in her a strong work ethic, a sense of responsibility and pride in her work. “One of my favorite parts of ranching is branding season. Brandings bring people together in a way that feels both productive and celebratory,” she said. “Friends, neighbors and fellow ranchers gather to help, transforming hard work into a day filled with camaraderie, laughter and shared meals. It’s a tradition highlighting the best aspects of rural life and Wyoming’s strong sense of community.”
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Please see HERRING on page A7