Volume 36 Number 47 • March 15, 2025
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The Weekly News Source for Ranchers, Farmers and AgriBusiness Community • www.wylr.net
A Look Inside
Gov. Gordon provides overview of Wyoming Legislative session
Economic analysis of livestock predation offered by UW Extension............. Page A5
On March 12, Gov. Mark Gordon held a press conference with members of the media to share his thoughts on the recent Wyoming legislative session. During the press conference, Gordon offered insight and expressed some reservations.
NWS tool helps producers protect newborn livestock.............. ................................... Page A8 Canadian super pigs pose threat to American agriculture.. ................................... Page B1
The Wyoming Legislative Service Office reports 178 bills were passed in 2025, which is similar to the number of bills passed in 2021. Approximately 500 bills were discussed. “I was also disappointed less than 50 percent of the committee bills
brought in this year’s session passed into law and 13 were killed immediately without ever being heard,” Gordon stated. Gordon went on to note, he believes a lot of time during the session was Please see SESSION on page A20
Gaging capacity cuts could be devastating for the West...... ................................... Page B5
Quick Bits Snow Report In is the 13th snow report for Water Year 2025, the state’s snowpack telemetry data reads 99% of median, with a basin high of 110% and a basin low of 50%. Last year, the state was at 97% and at 117% 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.
Producers should plan now for dry conditions in 2025 If drought conditions continue, experts suggest it’s time to develop a drought plan for the upcoming growing season for those who desire to retain their cow herd. In the March edition of University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s (UNL) BEEF Magazine, an article by UNL Beef Systems Extension Educator Aaron Berger explains, “Dry conditions have persisted across much of the state throughout the winter, and while there is still time to get significant precipitation this spring, many locations will need above average moisture between now and grass turnout to get back to a long-term average.”
Even with sufficient spring moisture, ranges and pastures would benefit from delaying turnout, allowing stressed grasses to grow and develop root reserves before grazing, Berger says. With corn, distillers’ grains and hay still available at prices below average compared to recent years across the Midwest, and cattle prices remaining stable, many cow/calf producers are eager to maintain their herds, capitalizing on expected strong prices for calves and feeder cattle which are anticipated to remain over the Please see FEED on page A6
Discussion
The Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust, Laramie County Conservation District and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service will cohost a community discussion on conservation easements and land programs on March 20 from 5-8 p.m. at the Pine Bluffs Community Center in Pine Bluffs. Light appetizers and drinks will be served. For more information, call 307772-2600.
Workshop The Washakie County Conservation District and Washakie County Emergency Management will cohost an essential training workshop on emergency planning and disaster response tailored to citizens of Washakie County. The event will take place on April 23 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Washakie County Fairgrounds in Worland. Registration includes lunch. For more information or to RSVP, e-mail wccd@rtconnect.net or call 307-3472456, ext. 101.
Simpson Former U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson passed away early on the morning of March 14 at the age of 93, leaving behind a remarkable political and cultural legacy across the state of Wyoming. A native of Cody, Simpson was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1978, serving as both Minority and Majority Whip until his retirement in 1997. He previously served in the Wyoming House of Representatives from 1965-77.
WYLR photo
Celebrating agriculture National Ag Day recognizes the agriculture industry’s nationwide importance Every year, National Ag Day acknowledges and celebrates the abundance provided by U.S. agriculture, as well as the critical role the industry plays in the economy and in ensuring the nation’s safe, high-quality food supply. “On National Ag Day, we celebrate the people who work every day to feed, fuel and sustain a growing world. After all, farmers and ranchers have one of the toughest – and most important – jobs in the world,” writes Corteva Agriscience in a March 6 blog post. “With the global population surpassing eight billion, the need for sustainable, efficient and resilient agricultural solutions has never been greater.” With the theme of “Together We Grow,” this year’s national ag day will take place on March 18, marking the holiday’s 52nd year and falling in the middle of National Ag Week, Please see AG DAY on page A7
USDA NRCS forecasts March water supply On March 1, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) released the March 2025 Wyoming Basin and Water Supply Outlook Report, which analyzes snowpack, precipitation, streamflow and reservoir storage across the state of Wyoming. The report assesses the water supply outlook for the entire state of Wyoming as well as individual basins including the Snake River, Madison Headwaters, Yellowstone River, Wind River, Big Horn River, Shoshone River, Powder River, Tongue River, Belle Fourche River, Cheyenne River, Upper North Platte River, Lower North Platte River, Laramie River, Sweetwater River, South Platte River, Little Snake River, Upper Green River, Lower Green River and Upper Bear River basins. Snowpack and precipitation According to the report, as of March 1, snow water equivalent (SWE) across Wyoming was 94 percent of median. The highest SWE in the state was reported in the Lower Green River Basin at 109 percent of median, while the South Platte River Basin had the lowest SWE at 66 percent of median. Additionally, the Upper Green River Basin saw the highest amount of precipitation over the past month at 203 percent of median, and the Belle Fourche River Basin had the lowest amount of precipitation at 33 percent of median. Streamflow yields For April through September, USDA NRCS forecasts Please see WATER on page A11
Ag leaders testify at subcommittee hearing On March 4, House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) delivered the opening statement at the first hearing of the Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Subcommittee in the 119th Congress. Thompson states, “The timing of this hearing is critical. Our producers are dealing with a historic highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak, harmful state mandates like Proposition 12 (Prop 12) and difficult market conditions, among a slew of other issues.” During the hearing, experts discussed effective strategies to address these issues and provided a comprehensive overview of current on-the-ground conditions.
Testifying before the committee and offering an honest evaluation of what is and isn’t working were representatives from the National Turkey Federation (NTF), National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), United Egg Producers, American Sheep Industry Association (ASI), Montana Farmers Union (MFU) and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. NTF testimony Providing testimony from the NTF was second-generation Minnesota Turkey Producer and NTF Past President John Zimmerman. Zimmerman states, “While the turkey industry faces many challenges, my
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Please see HEARING on page A18