1. business and industrial
2. agriculture and forestry
3. farms and ranches

Happy Easter!
The Only Weekly A Busy Rancher Needs To Read.
Billings, Montana
Thursday, April 2, 2015
by the publisher
Pat Goggins
As I See It
The last few issues of
the Reporter, including
this one, have brought
to you readers many of
the outstanding, recordsetting sales in the beef
cattle breeding business
in the world! We’ve been
bringing you, through the
hands of our fieldmen,
reports on these many
events. We’re so proud,
here at the Reporter in the
last 60 years, to have been
the apparent spokesman
for internal performance
testing across America.
We’ve sat in on the
formula-making ideas at
the very beginning from
which many, if not most, of
the beef breed associations
have followed to bring you
data that’s meaningful,
that’s real, that’s moved
our beef industry leagues
ahead of others across the
world. We’re proud of you
readers, who accepted this
performance data and are
using it in your everyday
business of breeding better
beef cattle.
We also congratulate
the many breed associations across America that
are using this data and
the formula that was developed basically by the
original Montana Beef
Performance Association.
This was a stalwart move
for the beef cattle industry
worldwide.
I know this might sound
a little braggadocious, but
it really is not; it’s a matter of fact. We stand on
our record, and we stand
on the record that our advertisers and breeders of
outstanding livestock have
used through the years to
develop the most potent,
predictable, performance
data available anywhere
in the world. It appears
as though it’s just the
…Cont. on pg 4
Food for Thought:
“The short memories of American voters is what
keeps politicians in office.” -- Will Rogers (18791935)
Sortin’ Pen
By Leesa Zalesky
Death Tax repeal?
Several U.S Senators -- including John Thune (R-SD),
Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and John Barrasso (R-WY) -- have
introduced a bill similar to legislation introduced in the
House of Representatives that would permanently repeal
the federal estate tax, commonly known as the death tax.
Supporters say the bill would abolish the death tax on
family farms, ranches, and businesses. On March 18, the
House Ways & Means Subcommittee on Select Revenue
Measures held a rare public hearing to examine the burden
the estate tax places on family businesses and farms. It was
the first hearing on the subject of death tax repeal since the
1990s, and it provided an opportunity for leaders of the
repeal movement to gauge where congressional members
and parties stand on the issue. It is being speculated that a
House floor vote on the estate tax repeal bill could be held
in April and that it would be the first House vote on standalone repeal legislation since 2005. The U.S. currently has
the sixth-highest estate tax rate in the world.
Volume 7
No. 27
Wolf attack: a cow man’s worst nightmare
By Mack Birkmaier
Wolves attacked and stampeded 250 head of very pregnant cows (calving start date:
March 1) on the Birkmaier
private land on Crow Creek
pass February 12. The cows
were wintering on the open
bunchgrass range, receiving
one-half feed of alfalfa hay.
This 1,700-acre piece of land
is about 10 miles northeast
of Joseph, Oregon. These
cows were to be moved to
the Birkmaier home ranch at
the mouth of Crow Creek the
last of February (the ranch is
about 20 miles north).
With no warning from
agency people, who normally warn producers of wolves
in the area, the wolves attacked in the night. The herd
split into three groups. One
group of about 70 cows went
east, running in total panic,
obliterating several barbwire
fences. These cows ran about
two miles to the Zumwalt
road, then south and west
NDFU: We will refer
corporate farming
exemption bill to voters
By Leesa Zalesky
North Dakota Farmers
Union (NDFU), the state’s
largest farm organization,
voted last week to refer the
legislature’s recently passed
corporate farming exemption bill, commonly known
as the corporate farming bill,
to voters statewide. NDFU
President Mark Watne made
the announcement from the
slush-covered steps of the
state capitol in Bismarck on
March 27 before a rally of
about 150 farmers and other
supporters, saying he had
submitted the referendum
petition paperwork to the
Secretary of State’s office
earlier in the day. The bill,
which passed the ND House
…Cont. on pg 5
about five miles down the
OK Gulch Road to the Wallowa Valley, then north to
the Birkmaier ranch land
-- about three miles, and then
reversed and ran about three
miles south where they were
stopped. These cattle were
wet from the condensation of
cold air on their overheated
bodies. Their tongues were
out, gasping for air.
Another bunch went north
through several fences to the
Krebs ranch -- about four
miles, then back, and were
going in a large circle, still
running when they were
stopped. A third bunch
stayed in the pasture, but
were in a high state of panic.
The cattle could not be fed
for two days. They ran away
from hay and the pickup trying to feed them. None were
killed; no broken legs or
stifled joints; some cuts from
barbed wire, not serious. We
thought we were lucky.
The rest of the story, we
…Cont. on pg 5
Proposal to limit farm
payment loophole...
The USDA on March 15
announced a proposed rule
to limit farm payments to
non-farmers, consistent
with requirements Congress mandated in the 2014
Farm Bill. The proposed
rule limits farm payments
to individuals who may be
designated as farm managers
but are not actively engaged
in farm management. In
the Farm Bill, Congress
gave USDA the authority
to address this loophole for
joint ventures and general
partnerships, while exempting family farm operations
from being impacted by the
new rule USDA ultimately
implements. “We want to
make sure that farm program
payments are going to the
farmers and farm families
that they are intended to help.
So we’ve taken the steps to
…Cont. on pg 6
ADT clarification:
Selling at a livestock auction market
The Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) rule went into
effect on March 11, 2013.
However, after a two-year
grace period, the final component of the rule went into
effect this March. Many
producers have been asking
questions recently to ensure
they are complying with the
rule. In some cases, there
has been a misconception
that the rule prohibits producers from traveling to a
market across state lines to
sell cattle. This is NOT true.
In fact, in most cases, when
selling at market, producers
do not need to do anything
different because the auction
market owners can help ensure the rules are followed.
It is important to note that
state rules still apply and
that they are not consistent
across the United States.
Any questions about ship-
ping to another state can
be answered by the State
Veterinarian’s office in the
receiving state.
The 2015 Phase-in..._
As of March 11, 2015, ear
…Cont. on pg 6
Feds extend Dietary
Guidelines comment period...
The comment period for the public to offer input on the
federal nutritional guidelines has been extended for an
additional 30 days -- until May 8. The recommendations,
issued earlier this year by the Dietary Guidelines Advisory
Committee (DGAC), will be used to form the 2015 dietary
…Cont. on pg 4
Isn’t this one dandy photo? Thanks to Colleen Gustafson, who took this nice shot of Owen Gustafson on
his saddlehorse River trailing cattle south of Browning, Montana. Like many a cowboy riding drag, Owen
is entertaining himself by doing a little roping practice.
INDEX
Farm & Food...................... 7
On A Side Note................. 15
Agri-Kids.......................... 11
Comments........................ 12
It’s the Pitts...................... 13
Prairie Ponderings............ 9
Bill’s Warbag.................... 16
Cooking in the West........ 14
Letters............................. 2-3
Ramblings.......................... 8
Classified......................... 34
Down Dirt Roads........ 13, 15
Markets............................. 35
Sale Reports......... 20, 26-33
2
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Letters
We are delighted to print letters from
our readers on ag and livestock
issues. However, the letters are
subject to editing for length, grammar,
libel, and pertinence to the industry
and/or subject at hand.
Editor
to the
Hit the mark...
Linda, Susan’s poem in a recent column was marvelous.
The filler quotes you use from famous TRUE Americans
really hit the mark. And our dear Editor’s quips below
numerous articles are to die for... I love ‘em! Keep up the
excellent work!
Stephen Anderson
Alma, KS
LG, don’t feel bad about being un-electable. There’s
only 1 out of the 4 on Mt. Rushmore that could be elected
today, and that would be Teddy because the “Greenies”
would love him.
Change of subject... how wonderful to see Stella Blue’s
picture on page 2 of the March 19 paper and to know that
God answers prayer.
Now that lead article on page one of the March 19 issue,
the CSKT article by Walter Morris... this is the first time
that I’ve read these articles and really see what’s going
on. It took a 71-year-old rancher from the school of hard
knocks to write an understandable letter on this issue. The
reason that I’m writing this is because this CSKT situation
sounds exactly like Agenda 21, which I have written letters about in the Western Ag Reporter before. You need to
check out americanpolicycenter.org website, which would
be Tom DeWeese on Agenda 21. We always focus on the
side issues, and it’s like fighting a lion by pulling hairs out
of its tail. We need to look at the big picture.
Yours for the truth,
Barry Borg
email
Changes...
Linda, I have read your paper for many years and appreciate the work it takes to get things done for it every week.
I have seen a lot of changes in farming and ranching the
past 80+ years, not all of them for the better. The sound
principles that are needed to give proper direction are still
the same. That which my grandfather and father lived by
are still the sound basis to live by today.
I will pass along a few quotes that men of the past have
2015
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Midland Bull Test Sales, Columbus, MT
A & B Cattle Co. Angus Bull Sale, Bassett, NE
Arntzen Angus Production Sale, Hilger, MT
Bowles J5 Reds Production Sale, Glasgow, MT
Pieper Red Angus Spring Production Sale, Hay Springs, NE
Dethlefs/Treffer Angus Bull Sale, Loup City, NE
Gardiner Angus Ranch Production Sale, Ashland, KS
Brooks Chalky Butte Ranch Angus Sale, Bowman, ND
DeBruycker Charolais Bull Sale, Great Falls, MT
Reisig Cattle Co. Production Sale, Hardin,MT
Windmill Angus Ranch Production Sale, Haigler, NE
R. Math Farms Production Sale, Whitewater, MT
Gollaher Ranch Angus Production Sale, Cascade, MT
Hinman Angus Production Sale, Malta, MT
Bar JV Angus Production Sale, Sidney, MT
Pass Creek Angus Production Sale, Wyola, MT
Northern Premier Angus Sale, Chinook, MT
Brevig Charolais Production Sale, Lewistown, MT
Regency Acres Angus Production Sale, Sidney, MT
5L Red Angus Production Sale, Sheridan, MT
Rambur Charolais Bull Sale, Sidney, MT
Ludvigson Stock Farms Red Angus Sale, Shepherd, MT
Jocko Valley Angus Production Sale, Missoula, MT
Bullis Creek Ranch Annual Bull Sale, Wood Lake, NE
Baker’s LeMar Angus Production Sale, St. Onge, SD
Treasure Bull Test Sale, Great Falls,MT
Beckton Red Angus Production Sale, Sheridan, WY
Diamond J Angus Production Sale, Mandan, ND
Hilltop Angus Production Sale, Lewistown, MT
Milk River Angus Sale, Chinook, MT
Big Dry Angus Ranch Production Sale, Glasgow, MT
Pine Creek Angus Production Sale, Faith, SD
DeGrand Angus Sale, Baker, MT
Lindskov-Thiel Charolais & Angus Bull Sale, Isabel, SD
Stuber Ranch Hereford Production Sale, Bowman, ND
Cobb Charolais Production Sale, Great Falls, MT
Justin Holt “Hybrids for Profit” Bull Sale, Aberdeen, SD
Medicine Rocks Ranch Angus Sale, Bowman, ND
Opp Angus Production Sale, Dickinson, ND
North Country Angus Sale, Glasgow, MT
Herring Cattle Co. ‘High Country’ Bull Sale, Encampment,
WY
ND Angus Assn. Bull Test Sale, Dickinson, ND
McDonnell Angus Beef Country Genetics Sale, Bowman,
ND
MAY
4
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Spickler Ranch Angus Production Sale, Glenfield, ND
Hoyt Angus Ranch Annual Production Sale, McHenry, ND
Shaw Cattle Co. Female Sale, Caldwell, ID
Duppong’s Willow Creek Farm Production Sale, Glen Ullin,
ND
JUNE
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Diamond McNabb Horse Sale, Douglas, WY
Full House Elite Horse Sale, Newcastle, WY
I’ve always felt the writer’s great weapon
is the truth and integrity of his voice.
And as long as what you’re saying
is what you truly, honestly believe to be the case,
then, whatever the consequences, that’s fine.
That’s an honorable position.
Salman Rushdie
given. May you have wisdom in that which you print so
that readers will have a sound basis for running their outfits.
Harold Davidson
Cody, WY
Editor’s note: Thanks for the kind words - never too many! And
thanks for the great quotes. I saved them to run in upcoming
issues. LG
A 50-year-old Pat Goggins...
It took a 71-year-old rancher...
Sales Calendar WESTERN AG REPORTER
Just a few lines from an 80-year-old-don’t-know-whathe-is-talking-about rancher to let you know how much I
enjoy your paper. You tell it like it is.
On the COOL deal, I don’t know why anyone would
not want it passed. I have a tractor made in Canada and a
pair of Wranglers made in Mexico... Why are they not a
“Product of North America”?
Another worry I have for this great country of ours is the
way our government is running us so far in debt that our
grandkids will never pay it off. If we ran our ranches like
that, the banks would sell us out instantly.
Of the candidates running for President in 2016, no one
impresses me. What we need is a 50-year-old Pat Goggins
running for President!
Jim Duncan
Dixon, WY
Some facts...
Linda, I am sick and tired of people calling federal land
“public” land.
There are NO PUBLIC LANDS in the United States. In
1976, Congress stole all of the public lands and gave them
to the federal government. In 1976, Congress passed the
Federal Land Policy Management Act (FLPMA) 43 USC
1701 (a) The Congress declares that it is the policy of the
United States that (1) the public lands be retained in federal
ownership... How much plainer can you get?
This was the biggest land grab in history. When it was
public land, it was for sale or disposable. FLPMA repealed
the homestead laws. When the federal government owned
half of the land in the U.S., they realized that they owned
NO water... and land without water is worthless. That is the
reason they are using the Indians, settlement agreements,
adjudications, courts, and every other means to steal our
water. Then we will be screwed.
Wayne Klump
Bowie, AZ
Tell Your Friends
You Saw It In…
Western Ag Reporter
Oh, ye, I agree with its premise!
Linda, I’m pretty sure you’ve read this as it’s been around
a long time. It’s one of those things I wish I’d wrote! It
may be too long for publication in WAR? A warning:
some folks get pretty upset about it. Could be a guilty
conscience!? Anyway, I’m pretty sure you will agree with
its premise, as do I.
Keep up the good fight!
I’m also pretty concerned about the can of worms that is
about to be opened in regards to the CSKT
Ralph S. Larson
Corvallis, MT
Editor’s note: Oh yes, “THE TRUE PRICE OF FREE CORN”
is one of my FAVORITE things! I’ve printed it numerous times
in the paper, and it bears printing once again elsewhere in this
issue. LG
The facts are clear...
I am writing in regard to a recent opinion article published here, in the Western Ag Reporter on March 12. In
that letter the author states, among other things, that the
litigation that will result if the CSKT Water Compact fails
is nothing more than a threat - a scare tactic to get people
to vote for the Compact.
I, however, disagree. The fact of the matter is that the
Tribes don’t have a choice in whether or not they file these
claims. The CSKT are required by Montana law to file their
claims if an agreement isn’t made and if the Compact isn’t
passed. The Compact ratified by SB 262 is exactly that - a
negotiated agreement. Because the filing of these claims
is mandated by law, the idea that failure to pass the Compact will result in litigation is not a threat - it’s a reality.
And yes, it is frightening because, if the Compact doesn’t
pass, thousands of farmers and ranchers will be forced to
litigate their water rights, which will take decades, cost
individual farmers and ranchers thousands of dollars, and
cost Montana taxpayers millions. Montana’s farmers and
ranchers should be able to spend their hard-earned dollars
as they see fit, not be forced to spend their resources on
unnecessary and avoidable litigation.
Another point brought up in the March 12 letter is that
the Compact will somehow change the procedure that individuals will go through to apply for a water right. This
assertion is not at all accurate. The Compact doesn’t change
the way we apply for water rights or any other procedure
dealing with existing water rights. In fact, existing water
rights are protected under the Compact. The same cannot
be said if the Compact fails, which would expose the water
rights of many Montanans to litigation and uncertainty.
There is no question that the Compact benefits farmers
and ranchers across our state, which is a lot more than I
can say for the alternative, which would be to throw the
future of our water resources to the wind.
Dave McClure
Lewistown, MT
Water rights are essential...
It is no secret that water rights are essential to many
Montanans.
This is why the CSKT Water Compact is so important.
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3
Thursday, April 2, 2015
WESTERN AG REPORTER
In 1855, when the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes
(CSKT) entered into a treaty (The Treaty of Hellgate) with
the U.S. government, the Flathead Indian Reservation was
established. Along with the reservation, the treaty also established that the tribes had certain other rights, including
what the U.S. Supreme Court has held are certain instream
flow water rights. The CSKT Water Compact, or SB 262,
would define these rights through a negotiated agreement,
rather than through litigation that would subject Montanans
to years of water right uncertainty.
The deadline for these rights to be defined is June 30 of
this year, which means that this is the last chance our legislators have to pass an agreement that will protect water
right owners from being forced to defend their rights in
the Montana Water Court. Without the Compact, the tribe
is required by state law to file their claims, and there will
be thousands of them that span the state, impacting water
users from the Kalispell to Billings and beyond.
Litigating these claims won’t be cheap. It will cost Montana taxpayers millions of dollars to resolve these claims
in court, and that doesn’t include the thousands of dollars
that individual farmers and ranchers will be forced to pay
in order to defend their water rights. For many, the cost
of years (possibly decades) of litigation could even mean
bankruptcy.
It’s clear that passing the CSKT Water Compact will prevent unnecessary litigation and protect the existing water
rights (and pocketbooks) of Montanans.
Legislators, support your constituents and their livelihoods - support the Compact!
Karen & Glen Raisland
St. Ignatius, MT
The choice is clear...
The future of our water resources hangs in the balance.
The decision that legislators make on the CSKT Water
Compact will either provide water and property rights
certainty or condemn thousands of farmers, ranchers, and
irrigators to decades of legal battles and millions of dollars of unnecessary legal costs. Unfortunately, out-of-state
activists are spreading misinformation about the Compact
to further their own agenda. They think they know what’s
best for our state and are trying to dictate the future of our
water resources by bullying Montana legislators into voting against the Compact. Representatives, don’t give in to
their scare tactics and fear mongering.
The MT Farm Bureau Federation, MT Stockgrowers
Association, MT Water Resources Association, Farmers
& Ranchers for Montana (FARM), and a host of other
ag and water use organizations have aligned in support
of the Compact. Why? Because it protects existing water
rights, will prevent litigation, and will ensure the availability of our water resources now and into the future. If
the Compact fails, the tribe is required by state law to file
claims in court. While some say this is a threat, we all
know that, if we as irrigators were in the same position,
we would file our claims. A simple risk benefit analysis
makes it clear. A Compact that protects Montana water users from call vs the potential of thousands of claims being
filed to which we would have to object - the vote seems
easy. Sadly, some legislators claim that their “principles”
prevent them from supporting the best interests of their
constituents - the Compact.
The choice is clear - passing the Compact will make
Montana stronger. I encourage our elected officials to pass
the Compact and stand by those who stand by Montana’s
farmers, ranchers, and water users.
Walt Sales
Manhattan, MT
Sale Report Index
Cole Creek Angus..................................................................33
Connealy Angus....................................................................20
Gartner-Denowh Angus........................................................32
Hidden Valley Angus.............................................................29
L Bar L Angus........................................................................30
Lisco Angus...........................................................................29
Lost Lake Ranch....................................................................31
M Diamond Angus.................................................................29
McCumber Angus..................................................................33
Mt. Rushmore Angus............................................................31
Nelson Angus........................................................................30
Editor’s Note: Well, Walt, having read literally barrels of ink
on ALL SIDES of this contentious and controversial issue for
months, I simply do NOT find the choice to be clear. To make
matters worse, I have respected friends on both sides of the issue.
I do wonder what Reno would have thought... LG
Poss Angus............................................................................29
Consider the facts
and support the Compact...
Rust Mountain View Ranch..................................................31
The choice that our elected officials in the Montana State
House will be making on the CSKT Water Compact will
have far-reaching impacts for water users across our state.
Their choice will either protect the water rights of Montanans or subject our citizens to long and costly litigation.
Looking at this issue in context of the Gallatin River system
only, failure to ratify the CSKT water Compact will result
in senior water right owners in the Gallatin losing their
first-in-time first in right priority to Gallatin River water
during periods of low flow. Without the Compact, water
right owners across the state will face similar scenarios.
Given this effect to constituents who own senior water
rights (irrigators and municipalities), why would any legislator oppose the CSKT Compact? The only answer to date
that I have heard from opponents of the Compact is they
“believe” or “feel” the CSKT treaty language does not create
a valid water right for instream flows. Unfortunately, what
someone “feels” or “believes” won’t protect them in court.
In adopting this position, such opponents are choosing, for
whatever reasons, to ignore extensive well-settled federal
law to the contrary. Worse, opponents of the Compact, if
successful, are forcing senior water right owners who sup-
Premium Sourced Cattle.......................................................33
Pumpkin Creek Ranch..........................................................32
Riverbend Ranch...................................................................33
Sinclair Cattle Co...................................................................30
Treasure Test.........................................................................26
Valley View Charolais............................................................32
Vermilion Ranch....................................................................31
Westphal Red Angus.............................................................30
Wheeler Mountain Angus.....................................................32
port the Compact to re-litigate these issues at their expense.
Furthermore, such opponents are completely ignoring or
forgetting the Compact as drafted results in the CSKT
waiving its right to file water right claims in the Gallatin
and in many other areas.
Ratifying the Compact will secure and protect existing
senior water rights in the Gallatin and prevent a tremendous
waste of senior water right owners’ time and resources. I
urge our elected officials to consider the facts and support
the Compact.
Dave Weaver
Bozeman, MT
USCA Praises North
American Meat Institute
concluded, and the request
for “observer status” will
close on June 5.
Peterson praised the North
American Meat Institute
(NAMI) for its work on this
issue. In conjunction with
utilizing beef checkoff dol-
lars, he says NAMI is very
optimistic about reaching
out to top-notch professionals on the topic and having
them share that information
with IARC.
- By Haylie Shipp, Northern Ag Network, 3/27/15
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WRS
Recent dietary guidelines
in the United States have angered the beef industry, but
there may soon be a battle
of epic proportions on the
global scale. Jess Peterson,
Executive Vice President
of the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, told Haylie Shipp
in a recent interview that the
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is
looking this year at whether
or not red meat is linked to
cancer. IARC is the cancer
agency within the World
Health Organization.
According to Peterson,
declarations from the agency are often vague. In a
recent study on glyphosate,
IARC stated that “it could
cause cancer.” While you
COULD also win a million
dollars next year, Peterson
stressed that this scares
consumers. “Cancer” is all
they hear.
The meeting in which
IARC will bring forth this
discussion on red meat is
scheduled for October 2015.
It will be held in France. As
they continue the investigation, the call for data continues through September. The
call for experts has already
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4
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Sortin Pen
cont. from pg. 1
guidelines for Americans and will also be used to shape
government food programs. “This extension gives the
public additional time to provide comments on the DGAC
report,” said a USDA spokesman. To date, more than 4,500
comments have been submitted.
The DGAC’s 571-page report recommended more plantbased diets and a reduction in red meat consumption, and
for the first time, it discussed environmental impacts and
sustainability of certain food products, including meat.
“The report of the DGAC not only went way out of scope
in dealing with non-nutritional science issues, but also
the advisory committee potentially excluded influential
scientific studies when crafting their recommendations,”
said House Ag Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway
(R-TX). “Our constituents will use this additional time to
ensure that all pertinent studies are submitted for review
by the Secretaries of Health & Human Services (HHS) and
Agriculture.”
More than 30 U.S. Senators have written Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, expressing similar concerns, criticizing
the committee for “going beyond its purview” by focusing
on sustainability, and requesting an extension of the public
comment period. HHS and USDA held a public meeting
to receive oral comments on March 24 in Bethesda, MD.
AZ passes controversial law
classifying livestock separately...
The Arizona Legislature passed House Bill 2150 last
week, creating a new classification of cruelty toward livestock and poultry, separate from cruelty to other animals,
and eliminating the option of felony charges. The measure
has generated backlash from any number of directions,
pitting the Arizona Humane Society, the American Civil
Liberties Union of Arizona, and Sheriff Joe Arpaio against
proponents of the bill.
Under the bill, only the Arizona Department of Agriculture would be allowed to investigate livestock cruelty
allegations, instead of local law enforcement, and counties
or municipalities would be prohibited from passing more
restrictive ordinances. Livestock abusers would be charged
with a high-level misdemeanor, a lighter punishment that
the low-level felony currently in place. Those who have
photo or video evidence of animal cruelty would have five
days to report the evidence to authorities or otherwise would
be guilty of a misdemeanor. The bill also prohibits animal
hoarding and gives the Arizona Ag Department full control
over investigations.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who has made fighting animal cruelty
a priority, says he takes issue with the portion of the bill that
takes enforcement powers away from local agencies. The
Arizona Humane Society says the bill is “designed to make
Arizona a safe haven for massive, industrial, internationallyowned corporate livestock factories that may destroy our
long, rich traditions of responsible and sustainable farming.”
According to USDA statistics, Arizona has about 900,000
head of cattle and about 150,000 market hogs and pigs,
ranking the state 30th in the nation for cattle and 23rd for
pigs and hogs. The state also has about 140,000 sheep and
55,000 goats. Opponents of the bill are asking Arizona
Governor Doug Ducey to veto the legislation.
FDA looks at animal feed standards...
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) says it will
begin reviewing the list of animal feed ingredient definitions
used by industry and state regulators in an effort to increase
transparency, assure the safety of the animal food supply,
and realign its regulator processes in order making them as
uniform as possible from state to state. Agency officials say
they intend to publish a proposed rule establishing certain
definitions as the agency’s standards while its scientists will
evaluate other additives. There’s no word yet on when FDA
intends to publish its proposed rule.
Obama administration unveils $1.2 billion
plan to fight drug-resistant bacteria...
Last week, the Obama Administration announced a national plan to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria, something
President Obama called “one of the world’s most pressing” public health issues. The effort will require Congress
to double the country’s current spending on the matter.
Administration officials say that there are parts of the plan
that can be implemented right now and that wherever the
administration can do so, it will. Dr. Tom Frieden, director
of the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC),
spoke with members of Congress last week and urged them
to step up and fund the expanded program. The newly
released plan is the result of months-long discussions by
the President’s Council of Advisors on Science & Technology. Oversight of the program will be handed off to the
newly-created Presidential Advisory Council on Combating
Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, which will include up to 30
members managed by the Department of Health & Human Services. “We’re seeing an increase in drug-resistant
organisms that are affecting every community and getting
worse and worse and are at risk, really, to undermine much
of modern medicine,” Frieden said.
The new program will put heavy pressure on the ag industry
to reduce antibiotic use, though officials say they have not
yet set reduction targets for ag use. The administration’s
$1.2 billion funding request is not included in the recentlypassed Republican budgets in the House and Senate, though
the two will now head to a conference committee where
changes can still be made.
WESTERN AG REPORTER
As I See It
cont. from pg. 1
beginning. Many of the scientists across the world are
perfecting this data as well,
and they are developing
“the wand” with additional
uses in predictability and
accountability. Look for it
to be on the market in a big
way for you down the road
because, if you follow the
instructions, you will have
at your fingertips the best
database available to assist
you in your endeavor of
better performance breeding cattle.
Is it any wonder then that
records are being broken
each week across America
in many ways? Data is being
compared to accuracies and
predictability, and through
this data comes a better
animal and a better performance table from which you
can learn.
I want to congratulate all of
our breeders and advertisers
who are using this data to
move their herds and their
results forward. It didn’t
just happen, believe me;
there’s been a tremendous
amount of data work done
by individual breeders, associations, and universities
across the world, especially
in the United States.
I’ve been asked the question many times a week,
maybe for a year now: “Pat,
how long can this cattle
business move forward,
getting higher and higher
each week?”
My answer is simply: “As
long as we have cattle breeders who are next to being
their own scientists at the
helm and using this data to
move their cattle and their
record keeping forward!”
Consider that the largest
importer of beef in the world
is now China. If they could
be convinced to consume
an additional quarter of a
pound of beef per person per
year, we in America could
not produce enough beef
to fill the void. And that’s
just one country! There are
many, many other countries
that are now seeking and
wanting to buy and willing
to pay for animal protein...
and the best source is beef.
As we are able to produce
that in abundance, we will
continue to see an advance
in the price structure and
demand for our product. It’s
just as simple as the supply
and demand theory.
We are and have been
enjoying a supply demand
market for quite a while, and
that supply is not ample to
fill the demand worldwide.
As long as that situation exists, we will see an advancement and continued success
within the performance data
field of production.
I’m not suggesting to any
of you to throw away phenotype. In other words, when
you sell calves, commercial
feeder calves, commercial
yearlings, or commercial
breeding cattle, what is one
of the first things that has
to satisfy a buyer? Yes, it’s
phenotype. What do they
look like? Do you like what
you see? If you like what you
see along with performance
data, you will move your
herd and your customers’
herds forward. I’m so looking forward to the next half
century and what it might
add to the productivity of
beef cattle worldwide!
During our next half century in America, we must
look at is our political
machine. When are we going to be able to move that
machine into a formidable
and demanding situation?
In other words, when is
common sense going to
set in again in our political
world? When are we going
to realize that first common
sense must prevail and that
it must dictate!
We in America must demand leadership with common sense because, without
common sense, we will not
have formidable, accurate
leadership. Running a country as large and as important
as the US of A is a formidable
challenge. We are one of
the largest businesses in the
world, and our business has
to be run with common sense
because that creates success.
The best advertising that
a country or business can
have is success. That’s the
best advertising that can be
achieved in life.
Yes, it is called success! If
your business and your way
of doing business are consistently successful, that will be
the best advertising you can
create. Believe what I tell
you: it will be recognized,
admired, and continued to
be admired by your peers,
your customers, and your
competitors.
We are so proud that this
publication, since 1940, has
been an integral part of keeping track of performance
testing and of assisting our
readers in their performance
testing and readiness and
willingness to accept new
data, new machinery, new
computers, and increased
usage of this data in everyday living.
Keep using this data that
your breed associations
makes available to you. It
will help you in so many
ways, and it will be for real...
it won’t be something that’s
a dream, something that’s
not done without knowledge. It will be done with
success. And success, as
I’ve said before, is and will
always be the best advertising that you as a person
can have throughout your
life. Without success, don’t
worry: you won’t have very
good advertising.
Tell Your Friends
You Saw It In…
Western Ag Reporter
www.westernagreporter.com
Wolf Attack
cont. from pg. 1
feared, would be told at calving time and maybe before.
By the way, the attacking
wolves, from the Umatilla
Pack, were at Dug Bar on
the Snake River the next
day (32 air miles away and
over a mile climbing and
descending).
Fladry...
Now about fladry and why
it wasn’t used. Fladry was
not an option under these
conditions on a large area
with cattle grazing out in
the winter time. Fladry is
an electric wire with strips
of colored plastic attached.
Wolf cheerleaders, both local and everywhere, claim
this cure-all is the answer
to end all wolf depredations.
Our experience: It may have
a place on small acreages;
we find it hard to keep it
electrified. Wet snow will
take it to the ground, wind
blows tumbleweeds and
mustard plants into it, and
if you use existing fences to
put it on, wind blows it into
the wires of existing fence
and shorts it out. To use it
on larger acreages requires
a separate fence and many
electric fence controllers,
and it’s just impractical.
In the early days of the wolf
debate, fladry was offered as
a tool by the agencies and
enviro groups to suck stock
producers into thinking they
could use this to protect their
animals. If it was practical,
it probably wouldn’t be
stacked up in the courthouse.
Talking to other ranchers in
other states confirms our
belief that most ranchers
know it doesn’t work, and
so does the wolf.
Worst fears...
As I write this on the 11th
day of March, 50 cows have
calved. Our worst fears are
coming true: one aborted a
few days after the attack;
three backwards, hind feet
first; one upside down and
backwards (the hind leg of
this calf penetrated both the
vaginal and rectal walls);
one more upside down and
backwards; one tail first
(breech); two with legs
turned back; and one with
head turned back. Several
vaginal prolapses probably
caused by improperly positioned calves. Is this indirect
loss or what?
My son Tom and his wife
Kelly have had to deal with
this horrible task night and
day, 31 miles from vet clinics
and assistance.
Mad and bitter...
What kind of people sup-
WESTERNAGREPORTER.COM
Corporate Farming
cont. from pg. 1
of Representatives on March
16 in a 56:37 vote, exempts
dairy and swine operations
from compliance with the
state’s 83-year-old anticorporate farming law. The
new law -- supported by
the legislature’s Republican majority -- will allow a
non-family corporation or
limited liability company to
own a dairy farm or swine
production facility on up
to 640 acres of land or one
square mile. The operation
must start within three years
of when the land is acquired,
be permitted by the state
Department of Health, and
have at least 50 cows or 500
swine. The state’s current
anti-corporate farming law
-- approved by voters in
1932 -- allows for family
corporations and limited
liability companies with up
to 15 related shareholders.
Governor Jack Dalrymple
has already signed the new
legislation into law.
“I’m disappointed that
legislators passed this bill,
ignoring the majority of
North Dakotans, who want
farmland ownership and ag
production to be in the hands
of families making a living
off the land,” said Watne.
“There were a number of
amendments made to this
bill to address loopholes
that exist with the 640-acre
limitation per facility. We’re
not convinced by a long
shot that the amendments
fully address our concerns
or those raised by the Secretary of State’s office.
The bill gives the ND Ag
Department the authority
to set rules for corporate
compliance, which is nothing short of the fox guarding
5
Thursday, April 2, 2015
WESTERN AG REPORTER
the henhouse, and it puts an
inappropriate burden on the
state health department to
determine who can and can
not incorporate in North
Dakota.
Ultimately, the vote was
about land ownership, and
56 Representatives cast their
vote in favor of corporations
rather than family farmers
and ranchers. It’s a sad day
for North Dakota.”
Watne says NDFU has
begin recruiting volunteers
to seek petition signatures,
which will begin after Secretary of State Al Jaeger issues
approval for the petition.
Jaeger has until April 8 to approve the petition language.
Supporters must gather
13,452 signatures by June
18 in order to put the question before North Dakota
voters in June 2016. NDFU
says they will try to collect
16,000 to 17,000 signatures.
Watne said a Farmers Union
poll showed that 75% of
North Dakotans surveyed
opposed the legislation and
would oppose the law, given
the opportunity to vote.
National Farmers Union
President and former North
Dakota Ag Commissioner
Roger Johnson said this
isn’t the first time there has
been an effort to repeal the
anti-corporate farming law,
adding that many times
before, an ailing dairy and
hog industry has been the
argument to do so. “We all
go through cycles, and we all
hurt,” said Johnson, adding
that dairy needs capital and
price stability rather than a
new corporate structure in
order to recover. He added
that those stabilizing measures were not included in
the legislation. Johnson
encouraged rally-goers to
get more than the neces-
sary signatures to force the
referendum so they could
be guaranteed more support
at the polling booth. The
NDFU has nearly 41,000
members.
ND Ag Commissioner
Doug Goehring testified in
support of the bill and told
the Associated Press that
the Farmers Union referral
could lead to a legal challenge and put the entire
anti-corporate law at risk
of being ruled unconstitutional. Goehring and other
proponents of the measure
say it will give family farmers access to more capital
to start or expand dairy
and swine operations and
foster investment in failing
industries while giving other
business additional markets.
Johnson told rally-goers
that it seems every generation goes through a fight to
protect the state’s anticorporate farming law, and
the rationale for changing
the law this time “was the
same tired stuff that we’ve
heard before.”
If you’d like to see how
your North Dakota legislator
voted on the bill, go to www.
ndfu.org for a complete
listing.
port turning the terrorist of
the animal kingdom loose
on these defenseless animals
and inflicting this kind of
pain and loss? When I think
of my family out in the barn
trying their best to save these
poor animals - it takes hours
with good luck to straighten
and get those calves out - I
get damn mad. Whom do I
blame? After devoting about
10 years of my life to fighting this invasion of wolves
from neighboring states
through the political system,
attending numerous ODFW
hearings and workshops all
over the state, participating
in the largest “no wolf” hearing in the state of Oregon at
Enterprise, and losing it all
when we were slam-dunked
by the ODFW commission
in Troutdale (that, by the
way, didn’t have guts enough
to attend the Enterprise
hearing)... yeah, I’m bitter.
We lost eight calves this
summer; we were compensated for one. If we aren’t
compensated for indirect
loss from wolves, our ranch
and all others are in serious
tuesday, apRil 7, 2015
We’ve got your back!
Note: Mack Birkmaier, a
past president of the Oregon
Cattlemen’s Association, is
a lifetime rancher on Crow
Creek and Joseph Creek.
tuesday, apRil 28, 2015
RegulaR cattle sale
hunt cReek angus Bull sale
STOCKCOWS
DROUGHT REDUCTION
H Dillon - 45 ST Red Angus pairs. Feb 25-March 15 calves.
Tagged Alike. One iron cows. Age branded. Slick calves.
Calves have had 7 way w/selenium and banded at birth.
Cows 1300-1350. Calves 100-150.
H Dillon - 40 Mixed Aged Red Angus Cows. April 15th
Calvers. 5L Bloodlines. One iron cows.
tuesday, apRil 14, 2015
“Back to gRass” ReplaceMent
heifeRs & feedeR special
cuRRant cReek angus
Bull sale
tuesday, May 5, 2015
RegulaR cattle sale & cow/
calf paiRs
Date
RegulaR cattle sale
UPCOMING BULL SALES
Location
Breeder
tuesday, apRil 21, 2015
RegulaR cattle sale
RepResentative sale • tuesday, MaRch 31, 2015 • 1167 head sold
Bulls
Steve Thoeny ......................Rosebud.........1 ....1,336 ......144.00 .............. blk
Sheep Mtn Rch LLC ...........Terry ...............2 ....1,701 ......142.00 .............. blk
Andy Zook...........................Miles City .......1 ....1,911 ......141.00 .............. blk
71 Ranch .............................Martinsdale ....2 ....2,033 ......140.00 .............. blk
Pat Murphy .........................Miles City .......1 ....2,296 ......137.00 .............. blk
Hathaway Ranch Corp .......Hathaway .......1 ....1,961 ......124.00 .............. blk
Robert Cosgriff ...................Jordan ............1 ....1,856 ......122.00 .............. blk
Cows
Raymond Leatherberry ......Volborg ...........1 ....1,186 ......129.00 ..............red
Haglof Ranch Corp .............Angela ............1 ....1,101 ......127.00 .............. blk
P V Ranch Co LLC ..............Hysham ..........2 ....1,163 ......126.00 .............. blk
Rod Coulter.........................Brusett ...........4 ....1,184 ......120.50 .............. blk
Robert Gibbs ......................Jordan ............2 ....1,388 ......119.00 ..............red
Pluhar Ranch Co.................Cohagen.........2 ....1,336 ......118.00 .............. blk
Rod Coulter.........................Brusett ...........1 ....1,351 ......114.00 ..............red
Connie Schmock ................Martinsdale ....1 ....1,406 ......113.00 .............. blk
Griffin Ranch Co. ................Ismay ..............4 ....1,418 ......112.50 .............. blk
David Leidholt.....................Miles City .......1 ....1,911 ......111.00 .............. blk
Robert Gibbs ......................Jordan ............3 ....1,426 ......110.00 ........red/blk
Thomas Ostendorf..............Powderville ....1 ....1,236 ......110.00 ..............red
Larry Rau.............................Rosebud.........1 ....1,331 ......109.00 ............. bwf
William Janssen ..................Volborg ...........2 ....1,383 ......108.00 .............. blk
David Leidholt.....................Miles City .......1 ....1,576 ......106.00 .............. blk
Walter Taylor III ...................Fallon..............1 ....1,801 ......105.50 ............here
J.D. Anderson .....................Froid ...............1 ....1,241 ......104.00 .............. blk
Alroy Solle ...........................Terry ...............1 ....1,441 ......101.00 .............. blk
Heifer Calves
Taylor Beardsley .................Miles City .......2 .......383 ......315.00 .............. blk
Mobley Land Inc. ................Olive .............10 .......409 ......312.50 .............. blk
Bernard Hansen..................Forsyth ...........2 .......436 ......282.50 ..............red
Jennifer Hafla......................Cohagen.........4 .......478 ......282.50 ..........charx
Mobley Land Inc. ................Olive .............33 .......485 ......279.50 .............. blk
Marjorie Knobloch ..............Birney .............5 .......518 ......256.00 ........red/blk
Eayrs Ranch LLC ................Fallon............17 .......590 ......248.00 .............. blk
Robert Moor........................Brockway .......7 .......553 ......247.00 .......blk/bwf
Slaughter Cows
Slaughter Bulls
Yield Grade 1-2
John Beardsley ...................Miles City .....16 .......598 ......238.00 .......blk/bwf
Marjorie Knobloch ..............Birney ...........32 .......623 ......235.00 .......blk/bwf
Milliron Triangle Cattle........Miles City .......5 .......614 ......233.00 .............. blk
Steve Thoeny ......................Rosebud.......10 .......600 ......229.00 .............. blk
Marjorie Knobloch ..............Birney ...........50 .......678 ......226.00 .............. blk
Steve Thoeny ......................Rosebud.......14 .......687 ......218.00 .......blk/bwf
John Beardsley ...................Miles City .....20 .......747 ......215.00 .............. rwf
Tim Ehman ..........................Fallon............12 .......764 ......213.00 ............. bwf
Heiferettes
Hougen Land, Inc. ..............Melstone ........1 .......826 ......214.00 ..............red
Wayne Rolf ..........................Miles City .......6 .......871 ......209.00 .......blk/bwf
Daniel Doran .......................Miles City .......2 .......941 ......201.00 .............. blk
Mallett Cattle Co.................Powderville ....7 .......965 ......199.00 .............. blk
Ryan Rolf ............................Miles City .......3 .......906 ......195.00 .............. blk
J.D. Anderson .....................Froid ...............1 ....1,031 ......179.00 .............. blk
Raymond Leatherberry ......Volborg ...........1 ....1,001 ......164.00 ..............red
Pluhar Ranch Co.................Cohagen.........1 ....1,106 ......160.00 .............. blk
Robert Gibbs ......................Jordan ............3 ....1,114 ......151.00 ..............red
John Heppner .....................Forsyth ...........1 ....1,061 ......145.00 ..............red
Steve Thoeny ......................Rosebud.........1 ....1,136 ......144.00 .............. blk
Steer Calves
Donald Cameron.................Ingomar ..........2 .......396 ......342.50 .............. blk
Taylor Beardsley .................Miles City .......3 .......424 ......339.00 .............. blk
Donald J Cameron..............Ingomar ..........7 .......500 ......294.00 .......blk/bwf
Robert Gray ........................Plevna ..........56 .......607 ......272.50 ........red/blk
Rodney Kelly .......................Ismay ............12 .......641 ......257.50 .............. blk
Marjorie Knobloch ..............Birney .............6 .......638 ......255.00 .............. blk
Bernard Hansen..................Forsyth ...........2 .......533 ......250.00 ..............red
Robert Gray ........................Plevna ........136 .......666 ......248.50 ........red/blk
Eayrs Ranch LLC ................Fallon..............2 .......656 ......242.00 .............. blk
David Olson ........................Hysham ........24 .......722 ......241.00 .............. blk
Marjorie Knobloch ..............Birney .............6 .......703 ......239.00 ........red/blk
Del Warren ..........................Hysham ........10 .......765 ......231.00 .............. blk
Steve Thoeny ......................Rosebud.......13 .......740 ......223.00 .......blk/bwf
Marjorie Knobloch ..............Birney .............1 .......636 ......220.00 .............. blk
USDA Report Summary:
Average Dressing
High Dressing
Low Dressing
1800 - 1910# . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105.5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111.000
1303 - 1585# . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106.00 - 113.00
885 - 1465 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104.00 - 111.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93.50 - 102.00
Average Dressing
High Dressing
Low Dressing
1210 - 2295# . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133.00 - 137.50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139.00 - 142.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119.00 - 126.00
Field Representatives
Bart Meged
Collin Gibbs
Andy Wemmer
Charles Hellickson
406-421-5377
406-939-0645
406-853-0539
406-853-6037
406- 951-3005
Mark Zehms, Yard Foreman • 406-853-1945 ~ Amanda Kincheloe, Office Manager • 406-234-1790
Visit our website at www.milescitylivestock.com
1-800-755-5177
1-406-234-1790
STUBER RANCH’S SATURDAY,
47th ANNUAL PRODUCTION SALE APRIL 18,
2015
1 P.M. MDT • At The Ranch
PROGRAM BASED ON PRODUCTION, PRODUCT AND PROFILE
Joe Goggins, Auctioneer
102 Yearling Bulls
12 Polled Yearling Bulls
58 Yearling Registered Heifers
85 Home Raised Commercial Heifers
35 BWF F1 Heifers
1 Black Hereford Heifer - She is Good
Leading Genetics By Sensation (Calving Ease)
& Navarro (Producing The Rancher’s Kind)
With Support By: INDIGO, YANKEE, FACTOR, STERLING,
0130X, 0132X, 1161Y, 1181Y, & MAC’S RENDITION
Nationwide Influence…
…Regional Saturation
Western Ag Reporter is known, read, and referred to by
livestock and agricultural people all over the U.S.
Without a doubt, its heaviest and greatest impact is in
the Northwest, but if you want to reach out to top notch
and progressive beef and livestock industry people all
over the country, use the advertising power and prestige
of Western Ag Reporter–
jeopardy.
- By Mack Birkmaier,
www.wallowa.com, 3/17
LOT 121
Smooth polled, extra muscle, wide based, pigment
BW
2.1
WW
54
YW
89
M
28
REA
0.47
MARB
0.09
10 Miles North Of Bowman Or 16 Miles South Of Amidon
On Hwy 85, Then 5 Miles West, ½ Mile South
STUBER RANCH
7606 149th Ave SW • Box 56 • Bowman, ND 58623
ROGER 701-523-5371 • DUANE 701-523-3496 •
LAUREEN 701-523-5297
Contact us at ddstuber@ndsupernet.com or visit us at
stuberranch.com or stop by anytime
More pictures and pedigrees
Sale live on
on our website: www.stuberranch.com
DVAuction
Ultrasound data and video available. Catalog on request
LET US PUT YOU ON OUR MAILING LIST ~ VISITORS WELCOME ANYTIME
6
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Farm Payments
cont. from pg. 1
ADT Clarification
cont. from pg. 1
tags applied to cattle on or
after this date must have an
animal identification (ID)
number beginning with the
840 or other prefix representing a U.S. territory in
order to be recognized as
official ID. The tag must
also bear an official ear tag
shield. This does not change
what animals require official
ID or when official ID is
required. Rather, USDA
simply allowed a two-year
phase-in period to ensure ear
tags being used as official ID
would meet the standards
listed above.
The ADT rule...
The ADT rule only applies
to cattle moving from one
state to another and not those
staying in state. For cattle,
the following animals must
be identified with official
ID if traveling in interstate
commerce:
All sexually-intact cattle
and bison over 18 months
of age,
All female dairy cattle of
any age,
All dairy males (intact or
castrated) born after March
11, 2013, and
Cattle and bison of any
age used for rodeo, shows,
exhibition, and recreational
events.
Cattle requiring official
ID must have an Interstate
Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (ICVI), commonly
called a health certificate,
or alternate documentation
agreed on by the state to
move across state lines.
Shipping to market or
slaughter...
There is some flexibility
built into the rule. Cattle
requiring official ID may
move across state lines
directly to an approved
livestock facility, including
many livestock markets,
without a health certificate if
moved on an owner-shipper
statement. Information required to be included on
an owner-shipper statement, such as the location
from which the animals are
moved interstate and the
destination of the animals, is
spelled out in the ADT rule.
In some cases, an existing
document such as a tag-in
slip at livestock markets
have been used as an ownershipper statements.
Additionally, cattle can
move to an approved tagging site, including many
livestock markets, prior to
being identified as they will
be identified at the approved
tagging site.
In another exception, cattle
moved direct to slaughter
can move with approved
back-tags instead of official
ID, even if moving between
states.
State Veterinarian
decisions...
State Veterinarians also
have the ability to make
some key decisions under
the rule. While official ear
tags always qualify as official ID, State Veterinarians
may accept the use of brands
or tattoos accompanied by
breed registration documents as official ID when
agreed to by both the shipping and receiving states.
State Veterinarians may also
accept movement documentation other than an ICVI, as
long as both the shipping and
receiving state agree on the
alternative document.
Other rules still apply...
The ADT requirements are
in addition to state requirements for livestock identification, documentation, and
disease testing for cattle
movement in their states.
Veterinarians shipping to a
state where they are unsure
of import requirements
should contact the State
Veterinarian’s office in the
receiving state for specific
requirements.
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about the requirements,
USDA will also pursue penalties in situations where an
individual repeatedly fails to
comply with the regulatory
requirements. USDA stated
its priorities as follows:
1. Official ID of Cattle
2. Proper Administration
of Interstate Certificates
of Veterinary Inspection
(ICVI)
3. Collection of ID at
Slaughter
Amaz
You
CLASSIFIEDS
e
B
W i ll 406.259.4589
Cattlemen testify in
COOL hearing
BIG SKY
IRRIGATION, INC.
THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR CONFIDENCE!
Lloyd J. Perkins
P.O. Box 22064 • Billings, Montana 59104-2064
Phone 406-656-3670 • Cell 281-2458
523 Roxy Lane
Billings, MT 59105
MARK FRISBIE
406-252-8175
888-540-8175
Washington, Oregon, Idaho,
Utah, California
© 2013 Lindsay. All rights reserved. Zimmatic,
FieldNET, Growsmart, Greenfield and
Watertronics are trademarks or registered
trademarks of the Lindsay Corporation.
On March 25, Mike Smith of Harris Ranch in California
testified before the House Ag Livestock Subcommittee on
the effects of COOL on the cattle industry. While proponents
of the COOL rule tout consumer favorability, Smith pointed
out that Harris Ranch’s experience has mirrored the findings of the Kansas State University Study: that COOL is
a mandatory marketing program that consumers pay little
attention to and that has had no impact on demand for or
the price of beef. “The K-State study actually measured
how Americans vote,” said Smith. “Americans vote with
their pocketbook by purchasing beef, and the vast majority don’t consider COOL in their purchasing decision.
Why then would we incur the costs of a program that the
consumer is not demanding? As a cattle feeder and packer,
Harris Ranch has experienced the costs associated with
implementing COOL. From burdensome recordkeeping to
line sorting and segregation and to the actual label itself,
we have been paying the costs of COOL since it went into
effect in October of 2008.”
Smith pointed out that, in addition to costs to comply with
the rule, cattlemen and women have also faced discounts
for cattle that originate in either Canada or Mexico ranging from $35 to $60 per head. Canada and Mexico are two
of our largest trading partners, importing over $1 billion
each in 2014, accounting for nearly one-third of all beef
exports. “Why would our own government want to hurt
our industry for a simple marketing program that the vast
majority of the industry does not want and the consumer
does not use?” asked Smith. “COOL is a failed experiment.
It has added to the costs of production of beef and resulted
in discounts borne by American ranchers. The U.S. has been
found out of compliance with our WTO trade obligations
three times and soon to be a fourth; and our two closest
trading partners are potentially months away from instituting retaliatory tariffs against multiple industries, damaging
our economy and costing jobs.”
Smith urged Congress to repeal COOL, once the WTO
makes its ruling, expected in mid-May, before retaliation
is implemented.
- National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, 3/30/15
Due to domestic responsibilities, my only
former product will be my SUR-FLO SILAGE
INOCULANT. The formula was given to me
by a previous supplier's heirs after his
decease and without charge.
I increased the bacteria count by 55% and
expedited attaining Anaerobic phase or
depletion of oxygen for more enhanced
fermentation.
I truly am convinced I have a product second
to none and at a cost which reflects a no
pyramid sales organization. It is just me!
We will deliver free in the Billings trade area
and over 150 miles at cost.
I am a WW2 veteran with some disability.
THE LINDSAY ADVANTAGE
THE LINDSAY
ADVANTAGE
Enforcement...
For the first year under
ADT, USDA focused its
efforts on education about
the rule. On March 4,
2014, USDA Animal &
Plant Health Inspection
Service (APHIS) administrator Kevin Shea sent out
a bulletin about the next
phase ADT implementation.
While USDA will continue
to work with people not in
compliance to educate them
ed !
do that, to the extent that
the Farm Bill allows,” said
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack.
“The Farm Bill gave USDA
the authority to limit farm
program payments to individuals who are not actively
engaged in the management
of the farming operation
on non-family farms. This
helps close a loophole that
has been taken advantage of
by some larger joint ventures
and general partnerships.”
The current definition of
“actively engaged” for managers, established in 1987, is
broad, allowing individuals
with little to no contributions
to critical farm management
decisions to receive safetynet payments if they are
classified as farm managers,
and for some operations,
there were an unlimited
number of managers that
could receive payments.
The proposed rule seeks to
close this loophole to the
extent possible within the
guidelines required by the
2014 Farm Bill. Under the
proposed rule, non-family
joint ventures and general
partnerships must document
that their managers are making significant contributions
to the farming operation,
defined as 500 hours of
substantial management
work per year, or 25% of the
critical management time
necessary for the success
of the farming operation.
Many operations will be
limited to only one manager
who can receive a safety-net
payment. Operators that can
demonstrate they are large
and complex could be allowed payments for up to
three managers BUT only if
they can show all three are
actively and substantially
engaged in farm operations.
The changes specified in the
rule would apply to payment
eligibility for 2016 and subsequent crop years for Ag
Risk Coverage (ARC) and
Price Loss Coverage (PLC)
Programs, loan deficiency
payments, and marketing
loan gains realized via the
Marketing Assistance Loan
program.
As mandated by Congress,
family farms will not be
impacted. There will also
be no change to existing
rules for contributions to
land, capital, equipment, or
labor. Only non-family farm
general partnerships or joint
ventures comprised of more
than one member will be impacted by this proposed rule.
Stakeholders interested
in commenting on the
proposed definition and
changes are encouraged to
provide written comments
at www.regulations.gov by
May 26. The proposed rule
is available at http://go.usa.
gov/3C6Kk
This proposal was made
possible by the 2014 Farm
Bill, which builds on historic economic gains in
rural America over the past
six years, while achieving meaningful reform
and billions of dollars in
savings for the taxpayer.
Since enactment, USDA has
made significant progress to
implement each provision
of this critical legislation,
including providing disaster relief to farmers and
ranchers; strengthening risk
management tools; expanding access to rural credit;
funding critical research;
establishing innovative
public-private conservation
partnerships; developing
new markets for rural-made
products; and investing in
infrastructure, housing, and
community facilities to help
improve quality of life in
rural America.
For more information, visit
www.usda.gov/farmbill
To learn more about Farm
Service Agency, visit www.
fsa.usda.gov
WESTERN AG REPORTER
Field Editor
11851 Fantastic Drive
Melba, ID 83641
Cell: 208-890-4517
Home: 208-495-2601
E-mail
markfrisbie@msn.com
&
Farm
Food
by Alan Guebert
Oink if it smells like free
trade
Here’s what everybody
knows about Paul Krugman:
The openly partisan, twiceweekly columnist for the
New York Times won the
2008 Nobel Memorial Prize
in Economic Sciences.
Here’s what hardly anyone
knows about Paul Krugman:
The fiercely liberal Democrat and an unrepentant
Keynesian is an avowed
supporter of free trade.
No way, right? Oh yeah,
way. In fact, some of Krugman’s most biting commentary has been aimed
at “public intellectuals,”
who “somehow find this
particular idea impossible to
grasp.” To him, opponents of
free trade choose to remain
ignorant of its irrefutable
truth because they “refuse
to sit still for the 10 minutes
it takes to explain Ricardo,”
the political economist David Ricardo, a British contemporary of Adam Smith,
who developed free trade’s
core theory, comparative
advantage.
It’s a classic Krugman putdown because, of course, all
economists studied Ricardo
and comparative advantage;
to him, they just might be too
dense to get it. One, David
Henderson, however, probably explained it better than
Krugman or Ricardo ever
did when writing a tribute to
Krugman on his 2008 Nobel
award. “For example,” explained Henderson, “though
you can rake leaves faster
than the teenager next door,
it still makes sense to hire
him because you have a
comparative advantage in
writing software programs.”
So comparative advantage - and free trade - is
simple, right? In Ricardo’s
1820s London it certainly
was, and as Krugman has
argued loud and long since
the early 1990s, so it has remained. Big Ag and almost
every American farmer and
rancher would agree. To
them, free trade is both as
simple and as divine as an
American flag aflutter on a
Fourth of July breeze.
Given today’s global economy, poisonous politics,
and trans-national interests,
however, many of Big Ag’s
biggest trade backers don’t
see it as simple or divine.
In fact, free trade’s newest
star, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, may never
rise (like the comatose,
14-year-old Doha trade
talks) because of deep political and legal concerns both
here and abroad. For example, the highly integrated,
corporately structured U.S.
hog industry wants Japan,
the world’s biggest pork
importer, to slash pork import tariffs from about $2
per pound to zero as part of
any TPP deal between the
12 nations now negotiating
the pact. Japanese farmers
offer cuts of $1 per pound
but no lower.
Can Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe defend the
high-but-not-as-high tariffs
demanded by his farmers in
TPP talks? Will the White
House accept the 50% pork
tariff cut in return for deeper
tariff cuts by Japan in, say,
imported rice or cars? Will
U.S. hog titans oppose the
TPP if Japanese pork tariffs
aren’t cut bone deep?
All are important questions as TPP talks stagger
toward a finishing line. Not
one, however, offers even
a wink or nod to comparative advantage. In fact, all
are far more political and
corporate than economic.
As such, trade deals like
the TPP (Doha, too) transform Ricardo’s theory into
something almost rustic or
quaint when inserted into
today’s 24/7 trans-national
pursuit of profit. Long-time
free trader Paul Krugman
acknowledged as much in
We’re with you from the word go.
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Circle, MT . . . . . . . . Brett Schillinger . . . 406-974-1432
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Choteau, MT. . . . . . Hodgskiss Seed. . . . 406-466-5553
Ft. Benton, MT. . . . Taylor Aviation . . . . 406-662-5682
7
Thursday, April 2, 2015
WESTERN AG REPORTER
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Ronan, MT . . . . . . . . . Lake Seed . . . . . . 406-676-2174
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a February 2014 Times column titled “No Big Deal.”
In it, the free-trading, liberal
economist declared that he’d
be “undismayed and even a
bit relieved if the T.P.P. just
fades away” because “there
isn’t a compelling case for
this deal, from either a global
or national point of view.”
Indeed, what the TPP does,
he explains, “is increase the
ability of certain corporations to assert control over
intellectual property... Is this
a good thing from a global
point of view? Doubtful.
The kind of property rights
we’re talking about here can
alternatively be described as
legal monopolies.”
And legal monopolies,
dressed up as “free trade”
deals but still smelling like
lard, are a long way from
hiring the neighbor kid to
rake leaves.
(c) 2015 ag comm
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Classified Advertising
Environmental groups
urge feds to consider
beef’s cost in U.S. diet
Front page ads appeared in the New York Times and
Washington Post on March 24, urging the federal government to adopt dietary guidelines that call for less meat.
Environmental groups are urging U.S. policymakers to
adopt recommendations that Americans eat less meat. The
ads, sponsored by more than 100 health and environmental
groups, come as U.S. policymakers evaluate evidence that
meat, particularly beef, takes a toll on the environment, and
as they consider adjusting the nation’s dietary guidelines
accordingly.
On March 24, policymakers held a public hearing in
Bethesda, Maryland, to take input on how a revision of
the federal food guidelines should read. The guidelines
help shape school and military meals as well as the more
consumer-oriented food pyramid, which was recently recast
as a plate. At the heart of the dietary debate is an opinion by
an advisory panel that people should eat less meat because
of its destructive impact on the planet, a suggestion that the
meat industry and its allies in Congress have taken to task.
The ads this week serve to counter opposition to the
advisory panel and involve such groups as the Center for
Biological Diversity, the League of Conservation Voters,
and the Sierra Club. “As Americans, we rely on our government to provide accurate, science-based information that
promotes the health of our families and our environment,”
the ad reads. It urges the public to support the inclusion of
sustainability in the federal guidelines and to weigh-in during the public comment period, which goes through May 8.
While the advisory panel that’s helping rewrite the guidelines did not say that meat should be eliminated from the
American diet, it does recommend cutting back for health
and environmental reasons. According to the panel’s 571
page-report released last month, beef production uses up
a disproportionate share of water, land, and energy and is
responsible for spewing greenhouse gases.
Panel members say that, as the climate warms and humans
put more stress on the planet, environmental issues ought
to factor in food decisions.
The USDA and the Department of Health & Human Services are expected to issue a final revision of the dietary
guidelines by the end of the year.
- By Kurtis Alexander, San Francisco Chronicle, 3/24
8
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Ramblings of a
Conservative
Cow Doctor
by Rep. Krayton Kerns, DVM
www.kraytonkerns.org
The divorce that
could save our Republic
Even though divorce devastates American families,
there is one relationship
where it is not only acceptable, but also it is preferred.
Here is the rub. A free and
independent press served as
the critical fourth branch of
government during America’s founding and for nearly
two centuries thereafter.
However, beginning in
the mid-1900s, once noble
journalists transitioned into
not-so-noble propagandists
mostly because freshly
indoctrinated college graduates fully accepted university teachings of collectivism. Over 50 years, the
old-school, nonpartisan
news reporters died out,
leaving only leftists with an
agenda. Today, pom-poms
and a cheerleader’s skirt has
replaced the printer’s visor
and press pass as the props
best symbolizing progressive American journalism.
Three recent events prove
my point.
- Event one: On March
23, Senator Ted Cruz announced his 2106 presidential campaign at Liberty
University. Consistent with
the motto of “faith, family,
and freedom,” the Christian
student audience enthusiastically cheered Sen. Cruz
as someone sharing their
values over those of the
current occupant of the Oval
Office. The electronic vortex
buzzed with strong support
from Cruz followers, tepid
acknowledgement from the
Rand Paul and Scott Walker
crowds, and outright visceral attacks by establishment
Republicans, Democrats,
and the state-run media.
The View co-host, Whoopi
Goldberg, set the tone for
the upcoming presidential
campaign by rhetorically
chiding Senator Cruz: “Are
you talking for the Cuban
side or the white side?” Such
racist comments are only acceptable when liberal, black
celebrities attack Christian,
conservative, white politicians. You may claim Ms.
Goldberg is an inappropriate
example of the media, but
far too many Americans rely
on propaganda programs
such as The View or The
Colbert Report for news. It
fits just fine.
- Event two: Demonstrating marked contrast on that
very same day, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
spoke at an event honoring
WESTERN AG REPORTER
excellence in journalism. In
a room filled with reporters,
Ms. Clinton joked about her
recent e-mail scandal to the
uproarious laughter from her
mainstream media minions.
Refusing questions, she left
the room embraced by a
warm standing ovation from
the very people at which
she was thumbing her nose.
They just love her, and life
is good when you are the
queen.
- Event three: Representative Peter King (R-NY), an
establishment Republican,
speaking on Senator Cruz’s
presidential run, dismissed
the senator as a “sideshow
entertainer” and said he did
not want the “Republican
Party going in that direction.” Here is why. When
establishment Republicans
attack the conservative wing
of the GOP, the mainstream
media heaps sugary praise
on them for being such openminded mavericks. Like a
bride on her wedding day,
progressive Republicans
glow at the adoration... never understanding that their
betrothed, the mainstream
media, is passionately in
love with the Democrats
and will dump them before
they cut the wedding cake.
This brings me to my point.
The relationship between
moderate Republicans and
the mainstream media is
the relationship worthy
of divorce. Here is the
newsflash to establishment
Republicans nationwide:
Today’s media does not,
never has, and nor ever
will love you, so a divorce
is in order. Journalists are
using you as a political
pawn or useful idiot; choose
whichever moniker stings
the least. The sooner you
ignore their fawning words
and honor your oath of office to “support, protect, and
defend the Constitution,”
the sooner our American
republic can begin her long
journey to restoration. The
Democrat Party has adopted
the collectivist principles of
Marx and Engels so compromising to advance their
agenda may make you feel
special, but it only deepens
America’s despair.
VISIT US ONLINE AT:
www.westernagreporter.com
“Waters of the United
States” proposed rule...
Subcommittee reviews
definition & impact on
rural America
On March 17, Rep. Glenn
Thompson, Chairman of
the House Ag Committee’s
Conservation & Forestry
Subcommittee, held a public
hearing to review the definition of “waters of the United
States” proposed rule and
its impact on rural America.
Enacted in 1972, the
Clean Water Act (CWA)
established a federal-state
government partnership to
better regulate and manage
the nation’s waters through
a range of pollution and
control programs. The CWA
states that it is the “policy of
the Congress to recognize,
preserve, and protect the
primary responsibilities and
rights of States to prevent,
reduce, and eliminate pollution; to plan the development and use (including
restoration, preservation,
and enhancement) of land
and water resources; and to
consult with the [EPA] Administrator in the exercise of
his authority under this Act.”
Members of the House Ag
Committee asserted that the
Administration has acted on
its own, without input from
the states and stakeholders, to broaden the scope
of the CWA, threatening
the livelihood of farmers,
ranchers, and rural America.
“Despite strong bipartisan
opposition from Congress
and the public, the Obama
Administration has acted to
expand its federal authority.
The EPA’s proposed rule
could have serious consequences for our nation
and prove to be a severe
detriment to our economy,
with a particularly strong
impact in rural counties.
Hasty movement from the
EPA will only invite costly
litigation, burden states and
counties with compliance
costs, and create obstacles
to building and replacing
our national infrastructure,”
said Chairman Thompson.
“Rather than strengthening
the law, this rule creates
more confusion. These actions highlight a disturbing
pattern of an Administration
that is out of touch with
farmers, ranchers, and rural
land owners. The testimony
received today further outlines the need for the EPA to
either pull the rule and move
for further consultation with
states, counties, and stakeholders, or re-propose the
rule and allow a new round
of public comment. There
is too much on the line to
continue down the current
path.”
Chairman Conaway said at
the hearing, “I strongly support legislation to block the
Waters of the United States
rule and hope we can put legislation to this effect on the
President’s desk, whether
as a stand-alone bill, as
part of a larger measure, or
both. The better route, of
course, is for the EPA and the
Corps to pull this regulation,
work with state and local
stakeholders to develop a
new and proper set of recommendations, and submit
these recommendations to
Congress for consideration
and approval.”
- Ted Monoson, 202-2252171, 3/17
9
Thursday, April 2, 2015
WESTERN AG REPORTER
Prairie
Ponderings
by Lisa Schmidt
Ready and waiting...
My patience can be measured in microns. I’m not good
at waiting. Yet my husband Steve and I have no choice at
the moment.
The calves and lambs have not hit the ground, but we
know they are coming. It’s a lot like waiting for each of
my kids to look me in the eye, only I don’t have to endure
labor. During pregnancy, I fixed up the baby’s bedroom,
made a few meals ahead of time, and waddled a lot. This
spring, Steve and I are finishing up projects that we know
we won’t have time to do for the next month.
This year, we will calve and lamb at the same time, starting
at the end of March and all during April. In past years, we
planned to calve in March and April, but wait until May
to lamb. This year, we will jam all of our crises into about
six weeks instead of three months.
We are trying to finish shearing, but wool stays wet after
a rain or snow for at least a couple of days. Clippers don’t
cut wet wool so that project has been delayed with several
snow showers. The yearling calves love to reach through
the fence to taste that succulent new grass so we run around
behind them fixing holes they make. Phone calls from the
neighbors to report errant cattle have helped prioritize our
fencing efforts. I finished the taxes last week, even though
the sunshine called at me through my windows all day long.
We need to take the bulls to some rented pasture before
calving so they don’t begin next year’s calving season
before the end of March.
We are making progress on our to-do list while we wait,
but I don’t think we will cross every job off the list before
new babies hit the ground. The other day, that list grew
right after Steve pulled up in the fencing truck. “Good
morning,” I greeted him.
“No, it’s not,” he replied.
My mind raced through potential catastrophes that ran
the gamut from another torn-down fence to a health emergency for a far-off relative. “Heifer Number 9 has afterbirth
hanging out, and it is not right,” Steve clarified. He saddled
the horses while I finished a few chores. We might as well
gather the bulls if the heifer did not need much attention.
Horses love the sunshine and green grass as much as we
do. Both expressed that love in playful jumps and bucks
while we laughed at them. My horse Spirit stomps the
ground harder when she lopes than when she bucks. At least,
I think she was trying to buck. Most of the time, it’s a bit
hard to tell. We enjoyed the ride in spite of the reason for it.
We found the heifer about half way down the pasture.
She definitely needed attention. She was uncomfortable
-- pushing, but dilated very little. We walked her the mile
to the chute and put her in the head-catch. I was about to
trot down to the barn for supplies when Steve pulled a
long plastic glove from his pocket... I carry Blistex in my
pocket. Steve carries an obstetrical sleeve. He grinned. I
wondered what else was in that pocket. Then I realized
I’m not sure I want to know.
The calf’s head was positioned to come out the birth canal,
but both front feet were pointing back - definitely not the
diver’s form that is necessary for a successful unassisted
birth. Steve found one leg and pulled it into position. The
hoof was tiny. “I can’t find the other leg.”
“Let me try.” I reached in, sans glove, to feel the heifer’s
uterus shrinking around a very premature calf. The last time
I felt a uterus like that, I ended up calling the veterinarian.
He worried about tearing the heifer’s uterus loud and long
enough to make a permanent impression on me.
I washed my arm, and we hauled the heifer to the clinic,
where it soon became obvious that the calf’s umbilical
cord had been pinched or kinked. The calf had been dead
for a few days.
Heifer Number 9 is now happily keeping company with
our new milk cow Maija, who still has yet to drop her calf
on the ground.
The bulls are at our neighbor’s pasture.
Steve restocked his pocket.
We are ready and tired of waiting. Let calving and lambing season begin!
Lisa Schmidt and her husband Steve Hutton raise grassfed beef and lamb at the Graham Ranch near Conrad. She
can be reached at L.Schmidt@a-land-of-grass-ranch.com
www.westernagreporter.com
If you find some MISTAKES in this publication…
Please consider that they are there for a very good purpose.
We publish something for everyone…
and some people are always looking for MISTAKES!
41st Annual Performance Angus Sale
Wednesday
April 22nd 2015
Stockmen’s West – Dickinson, ND
Selling
95 Yearling Bulls
40 Yearling Replacement Heifers
OPP 4925 In Focus 436
Connealy In Focus 4925 x Connealy Impression
CED
+12
BW
63
BW
-1.9
WW
+71
Adj WW
738
YW
Milk
+121
+27
WW Ratio
106
$W
$B
+55.31 +127.16
Dam’s WR
2-105
• Volume Discounts
• Fertility Tested
• 400 Miles Free Delivery
• Many Bulls Suitable For Heifers
• No Creep Feed
• First Breeding Season Guarantee
OPP Upward 405
Sitz Upward 307R x FAR Krugerrand 410H
CED
BW
WW
+10
+0
+60
BW
Adj WW
78
723
YW
Milk
+121
+26
WW Ratio
103
$W
$B
+36.65 +124.44
Dam’s WR
5-105
OPP Consensus 463
Connealy Consensus 7229 x Connealy Impression
CED
BW
WW
+5
+2.4
+65
BW
Adj WW
89
728
YW
Milk
+118
+30
WW Ratio
104
$W
$B
+42.49 +114.94
Dam’s WR
3-111
OPP 4925 In Focus 433
Connealy In Focus 4925 x FAR Krugerrand 410H
CED
BW
WW
+3
+3.8
+72
BW
Adj WW
99
766
YW
Milk
+126
+24
WW Ratio
110
$W
$B
+39.58 +128.63
Dam’s WR
5-101
Selling Sons of:
Connealy In Focus 4925, S Summit 956, Sitz Upward 307R, PA
Power Tool 9108, Connealy Confidence 0100, Vin-Mar O’Reilly
Factor, Connealy Consensus 7229, Sitz RLS Rainmaker 11731,
Connealy Mentor 7374, Rito 6EM3 of 4L1 Emblazon, WMR
Timeless 458, CAR Efficient 534, and more!
OPP Timeless 490
WMR Timeless 458 x TC Bextor 725
CED
BW
WW
YW
Milk
+9
+1.9
+65
+122
+29
BW
Adj WW
WW Ratio
84
757
108
$W
$B
+40.71 +119.79
Dam’s WR
2-103
Watch and
bid online at
Stop by anytime to see the cattle!
David 701-878-4222 home
701-471-2862 cell
Joel 701-878-4804 home
701-260-3279 cell
7650 43rd Street
Hebron, ND 58638
joelopp@yahoo.com
OPP Power Tool 445
PA Power Tool 9108 x SAV Final Answer 0035
CED
BW
WW
+7
+2.3
+67
BW
Adj WW
87
789
YW
Milk
$W
$B
+122
+38 +46.41 +110.09
WW Ratio
Dam’s WR
113
2-108
“Registered Angus Cattle Since 1951”
10
Thursday, April 2, 2015
WESTERN AG REPORTER
NCBA works to sustain water rights for ranchers
Cattle producers understand, perhaps better than
many others, the importance
of water and the effect that
federal legislation can have
on their business’s profitability and sustainability.
During the Land & Water
Rights Issues in the U.S.
session at the 2015 National
Cattlemen’s Beef Association Cattlemen’s College,
Dustin Van Liew, executive
director of the public lands
council and NCBA federal
lands, addressed regulations
that could impact cattle
producers and ranchers. Van
Liew began with the Clean
Water Restoration Act,
which would have amended
the Clean Water Act to
clarify federal jurisdiction
over waters of the United
States. “This is basically, in
a nutshell, implementing the
waters of the U.S. regulation
that this administration currently has on the table,” Van
Liew said, “which legislatively removes those limits
on federal control, takes
the word ‘navigable’ and
changes it to ‘waters of the
United States,’ and then goes
a step further and regulates
CATTLE SALES EVERY THURSDAY AT BLS
SINCE 1934
Live Stock Commission
CATTLE SALES EVERY THURSDAY AT BLS
REPRESENTATIVE SALES FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015 • 825 Head Sold
Good strong market on all classes here for our Thursday sale.
Thanks for your business!
Shari Gardner
Shari Gardner
J C N Cattle LLC
Quarter Circle Cattle Co
Floyd Frey
Flying U Ranch
Floyd Frey
J C N Cattle LLC
Rockie McCaffree
Craig Finley
Robin Frey
Bill Klinkosh
Robin Frey
Lee Schanaman
Kesler Land & Cattle
Hoodoo Ranch
John Patterson
Sigrid Pugrud
O Lazy K Ranch
John Small
Hoodoo Ranch
EzraL Grantham Jr
X - X Ranch LLC
Hailstone Ranch Co
O Lazy K Ranch
Kesler Land & Cattle
BULLS
Winnett
3 Bk
Winnett
1 Bk
Wilsall
1 Bk
Billings
2 Bk
Harlem
2 Bk
Choteau
1 Charx
Harlem
7 Bk
Wilsall
1 Bk
Columbus
1 Bk
Bridger
1 Bk
BULL CALVES
Harlem
4 Bk
Wyola
2 Bk
Harlem
9 Bk
Hardin
4 Bk
COWS
Choteau
1 Bk
Cody
1 Charx
Custer
1 Bk
Winnett
1 Red
Hysham
10 Bk
Busby
1 Bk
Cody
16 Charx
Shepherd
1 Bk
Parkman
7 Rd/Bk
Big Timber
1 Bk
Hysham
16 Bk
Choteau
4 Bk
891
821
886
1,121
1,148
2,066
2,051
1,916
1,611
1,916
187.00
185.00
182.00
169.00
155.00
146.00
139.00
138.00
137.00
135.00
457
601
586
711
340.00
266.00
263.00
220.00
1,276
1,366
1,126
1,406
1,377
1,476
1,250
1,251
1,204
1,386
1,551
1,566
122.00
122.00
122.00
117.50
116.50
114.00
113.50
113.00
111.50
110.00
109.25
107.50
Hailstone Ranch Co
Patterson Lnd & Lvstk
Hoodoo Ranch
Leslie Evertz
Bill Klinkosh
Shari Gardner
Ronald Benzel
Ronald Benzel
Prairie Angus
Fred Hopkin
Kesler Land & Cattle
Harkis Ag
Carolyn Knox
Scott Ohmstede
Dale Bilyeu
Hoodoo Ranch
Thompson Cattle Co.
Bill Klinkosh
Hoodoo Ranch
Mike & Misty Arnio
Floyd Frey
Hoodoo Ranch
Mike Arnio
Ronald Benzel
Quarter Circle Cattle Co
Prairie Angus
Big Timber
7 Bk
Custer
4 Bkbwf
HEIFERS
Cody
14 Mxd
Busby
1 Bk
Wyola
9 Bk
Winnett
5 Bk
Hardin
5 Bk
Hardin
6 Bk
Bridger
9 Bkbwf
HEIFERETTES
Powell
13 Bk
Choteau
4 Bk
Hardin
1 Rwf
Denton
3 Bk
Hardin
1 Bk
Ballantine
1 Bk
STEERS
Cody
44 Mxd
Billings
1 Bk
Wyola
11 Bkbwf
Cody
22 Mxd
Busby
3 Bk
Harlem
10 Bk
Cody
22 Mxd
Busby
1 Bk
Hardin
1 Bwf
Billings
12 Bkbwf
Bridger
9 Bk
1,456
1,424
105.00
105.00
332
391
452
531
568
712
757
310.00
300.00
277.50
260.00
250.50
225.00
215.00
929
1,148
1,111
1,111
1,131
1,206
195.50
165.50
162.00
159.00
153.00
151.00
416
391
427
355
466
528
516
526
556
622
741
372.00
370.00
365.00
347.50
327.50
304.00
303.50
289.00
280.00
250.00
232.00
LET ’EM ALL BID — BRING ’EM TO BLS!
THURSDAY, APRIL 9
THURSDAY, APRIL 16
ALL CLASS
CATTLE
SALE
Expecting
800 Head
FEEDER SPECIAL
with All Class Cattle Sale and
Northern
Internet
Auction
Th e
LIV
f Northern Ca
Best o
ttle!
EST
O
TIO
CK VIDEO AUC
N
Expecting
1500 Head
Call for information or to consign, or consign online 24 hours a day:
Bill (406) 670-0689
Ty (406) 698-4783
Dan (406) 671-7715
MARCH HORSE
SALE REPORT
626 horses, 9 no sales
CATALOG HORSES
Top 5 average
$11,260
Top 10 average
$9,420
Top 20 average
$7,655
Top 50 average
$5,698
Top 100 average
$4,429
LOOSE HORSES
Top 5 average
$1,730
Top 10 average
$1,575
Top 20 average
$1,337
Top 50 average
$1,019
To 100 average
$836
Loose horses rock it—#1 processing horses bring 60¢/lb.
Next Sale: April 25-26 • Call For Information: Bill 406-670-0773 • Jann 406-855-1947
“We will continue to monitor the Forest Service on
that front and ensure that
they are not requiring illegal
forfeiture of water rights
when issuing use permits,”
Van Liew said.
Other entities continue to
pursue regulation on water
rights, including U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service and
the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, which could eventually
impact cattle producers.
Van Liew noted NCBA
policies on water rights
detailed local and state jurisdiction for water rights
issues as opposed to federal
jurisdiction. These policies
guide Van Liew and other
NCBA staff members as
they work with lawmakers.
“That is what dictates what
we work on Capitol Hill
to push back against these
legislative and regulatory
attacks,” he said.
- By Stuart Estes, www.
hpj.com, 3/23
clip & save
Thurs, Apr. 9 � � All Class Cattle Sale
Thurs, Apr. 16 Feeder Special w/All Class Cattle Sale & Northen Livestock Internet Auction
Thurs, Apr. 23 All Class Cattle Sale
Sat., & Sun, Apr. 25, 26 … April Horse Sale
Thurs, Apr. 30 Annual Grass time Cattle Special w/All Class Cattle Sale
Thurs, May 7 � � Pair & Feeder Special w/All Class Cattle Sale
Thurs, May 14� All Class Cattle Sale
Thurs, May 21� All Class Cattle Sale
Sat, May 23� � � May Horse Sale – Loose Horses 8:00am
Thurs, May 28� Annual Turn-Out Cattle Special w/All Class Cattle Sale &
Northern Livestock Internet Auction
filed comments about their
wayward direction with
this proposed guidance,”
Van Liew said, noting that
NCBA was hopeful that the
attorneys at the Department
of Justice would remind
the Forest Service of the
limits to federal control on
groundwater.
Van Liew also spoke
about proposed regulation
from the Forest Service
that would impact grazing
rights. “To be reissued a
10-year term grazing permit,
they were going to require
ranchers to forfeit 50% of
their water rights,” he said.
This would effectively grant
the Forest Service a sizable
portion of water rights for
much of the federal lands in
the U.S. “Much of the water
on federal lands is owned by
individual ranchers, either
through the ‘beneficial use’
application or based on
riparian rights,” Van Liew
said.
The Forest Service has
backed down on this regulation as of late because of
pressure from the ski industry, which would also face a
similar fate as ranchers; the
majority of the ski industry
operates on land associated
with use permits granted by
the Forest Service.
✃
clip & save
UPCOMING SALE SCHEDULE
any activities affecting these
waters.”
This act would have essentially provided the federal
government with discretion and control over water
in the U.S., allowing it to
regulate the activities that
could occur on or near
those waters, according to
Van Liew. This act never
made it through Congress,
despite what seemed like
opportune timing. “This
act has thankfully never
advanced with Congress,”
Van Liew said. “When the
Democratic Party had control of the House, Senate,
and presidency early on in
the Obama administration,
we were able to, with multiple industries, effectively
kill that legislation from
advancing.”
Despite not making it
through Congress, Van Liew
noted how the legislation
has managed to resurface.
“America’s Commitment to
Clean Water Act in the 111th
Congress... it’s the same bill,
just under a different name,”
Van Liew said. “They tried
to give these pieces of legislation nice-sounding names
in order to advance them, but
again, we were successful in
ensuring that legislation did
not move forward.”
These bills were driven
largely by the Environmental Protection Agency and
the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, according to Van
Liew, but these two groups
are not the only ones grappling for control of water.
“The U.S. Forest Service
currently has a groundwater
directive that is being developed,” Van Liew said. “The
Forest Service has proposed
a guidance on the management of groundwater.”
While the EPA and the
Corps did not include
groundwater in their assessments of the waters of
the U.S., the Forest Service
saw fit to take on this issue,
according to Van Liew. “The
Forest Service went ahead
and said, ‘We will manage
the groundwater under all
national forest systems
lands,’” Van Liew said.
This directive is currently
pending, but it could have
far-reaching effects on land
adjacent to national forest systems lands, which
would include much of the
western U.S. and significant
portions elsewhere. “NCBA
✁
View, Bid and Buy At All Of Our Cattle Sales LIVE ✱ At www.billingslivestock.com
Compare Our Market & Give Us A Call.
We Would Be Glad To Help!
Check Out What’s Happening at BLS & See Market Reports At
www.billingslivestock.com
2443 North Frontage Rd. • Billings, MT 59101 • Ph: 406-245-4151 • Fax: 406-245-0391
Ty Thompson: Cattle Sale Manager & Auctioneer • 406-698-4783 Dan Catlin: Yard Foreman & Field Rep. • 406-671-7715
Bill Cook: Auctioneer & Field Rep. & Promotions • 406-670-0689 Bill & Jann Parker: Horse Sale Managers • 406-670-0773
Montana’s Pioneer Market - Call To Consign 1-800-635-7364
(888) 919-4738
11
Thursday, April 2, 2015
WESTERN AG REPORTER
Agri-News 4 Kids
Hey, kids, Banjo is a three-legged ranch dog. He lives on a big ranch in Montana with his two-legged family
(Hannah & Tate) and his four-legged friends (Rascal, the pesky raccoon; Mrs. McBauck, queen of the hen house;
Cowsuela, head mother cow; & Horse Chief Ben, boss of the cavvy). This page is for you kids out there in the
rural countryside. Why not send us a picture of yourself doing something fun? Write to Agri-News 4 Kids, PO Box
30755, Billings MT 59107.
Osage to the rescue...
“Hear that?” asked Banjo.
Tuff and Osage tilted their
heads so their ears could
tune into what Banjo was
hearing. They looked at
each other with a peculiar
glance after they realized
they heard nothing. The
three animals were still
prisoners in the makeshift
lodge of the wolverine,
and the skunk was still the
henchman.
“Um, what’s that we’re
hearing?” said Osage.
“Listen hard,” said Banjo,
“and you’ll hear them.”
The animals mocked their
previous attempt.
“Sandhill cranes?” asked
Tuff. Banjo nodded yes.
“What’s so special about
Sandhill cranes?” said
Osage.
“It’s a good sign,” said
Banjo. “They’re a sign of
spring and new beginnings.”
“And that’s going to help
us out of here how?” said
Tuff. “Do you fail to see the
boiling water over the fire
meant for Osage’s grand
finale?” Osage quacked at him
angrily. “I’m not going in
that hot tub,” said Osage.
“I already have a plan.”
“See,” said Banjo. “A good
sign.”
“Yeah,” said Tuff. “But is
she planning on sharing
her grand plan with us so
it turns into your ‘pocket
of positiveness’ and ‘new
beginnings’?”
Osage waddle back and
forth and then rooted her
bill deep into her breast
and under her flank. “What
is she doing?” asked Tuff.
“Just wait,” said Banjo.
Osage yanked a string of
objects from beneath her
feathers.
“What?!” said Tuff. He
looked at Banjo. “You knew
about this, didn’t you?”
Banjo nodded. “Yes,” he
said. “We talked about it.”
“Why am I always in the
dark?” said Tuff.
“Because you choose to
see the glass half empty
rather than half full,” said
Osage as she swung the
string back and forth in
her bill.
“Don’t let them see you,”
said Banjo. Osage tucked
it a little lower.
“What’s on that?” asked
Tuff.
“Teeth,” said Osage.
“Really?” said Tuff.
“That’s a little disturbing.”
“I’m an omnivore,” said
Osage. “How is that disturbing?”
Banjo shook his head.
“Keep going with your plan.
Let’s not worry about this
other stuff.”
Osage continued. “This
necklace is adorned with
teeth, which were all from
an archeological dig at our
old ranch. That’s one of the
reasons we had to leave.
These teeth were part of an
ancient Native American
ceremony. There’s grizzly,
wolf, and none other than
wolverine teeth on here.”
“Wow, that’s really neat
actually, but I’m missing
the ‘how this is going to
help us’ theory,” said Tuff.
“Watch,” said Osage.
Banjo slid over and dug a
straight line with his paws
into the dirt floor. Osage
bit hard on the necklace
to break the string. She
then lay the necklace
with the pointed, jagged
edge of the teeth straight
in the mini trench Banjo
had dug. She and Banjo
covertly covered the trench
and packed the dirt hard
against the teeth. Only the
sharp-angled ridges of the
giant teeth protruded from
the ground. “Like that,” said
Osage. “Now you run out
of the door on my signal.”
“And what’s that going to
be?” asked Tuff.
“You’ll know,” said Osage.
She winked at Banjo with
her big black eye.
“Ready?” he said.
“Ready!” she said.
“Hey!” called Banjo. “You
going to let that water boil
all day and give yourself
a spa treatment in here
or are you going to do
something?”
The wolverine looked at
Banjo with casual surprise.
“Well, you must be tired of
listening to her quack, too,”
said the wolverine.
The skunk sauntered over
and snatched Osage by the
tail feathers. “QUACK!
HELP ME! QUACK!” she
wailed.
“Don’t hurt her!” yelled
Tuff.
“Quiet,” muttered Banjo.
“Let her quack all she
wants; its part of her plan.”
Tuff crinkled his brow.
“Trust me,” whispered
Banjo. “Get ready.”
Osage quacked and
flapped as the skunk pulled
her to the boiling pot. But
the skunk let go for a split
second to attempt to grab
her neck and plop her in.
The split second was just
long enough. Her feathers
fluttered and flung in circles
twirling around the skunk.
“Pwat, spat,” went the
skunk, spitting out feathers. Osage began to run
with her wings out towards
the door. Her crown feathers lifted, showing her
www.westernagreporter.com
aggravation as she turned
to face off with the skunk.
He was in pursuit. The
wolverine had stopped
stirring the water and adding spices to watch and
wait for the skunk to finish
this nonsense hullabaloo.
Osage stood as tall as she
could on her webbed feet,
flapped her wings, and
stuck her neck out as high
as she could. “QUACK! You
can’t get me, you stinky
varmint,” she hollered.
“Now!” said Banjo. While
Osage had been a distraction, Banjo was able to
gnaw through the rope on
their hind legs, which was
holding him and Tuff. It
slipped down as the two
dogs jumped up and raced
for the camouflaged door.
Osage’s display of quackcraziness hid the dogs’
escape from immediate
sight until, “They’re getting away!” rumbled the
wolverine as he dropped
to all fours and began
to head off the escape.
Osage flapped her wings
in their faces and waggled,
waddled, and flew towards
the door with the skunk
snapping at her tail feathers, but as she headed
toward the door she veered
to the side, flew over the
trench, and kept going.
Just as she had planned,
the skunk followed like her
like a shadow and then
“YEOW! OW! YEOW!” he
screamed. The surprise
had him grabbing at his
paws and instantly rolling to the ground in pain.
Osage looked over her
shoulder as she dodged
through the door just in
time to see the yellow cloud
of stench illuminate the
lodge like a thick fog. The
wolverine was struck with
the overpowering poison
of the stink and was immobilized. He was blinded
and couldn’t breathe. Staggering amongst the skunk
spray, he stepped right
where she had hoped he
would. “OW!” he growled
deep. Blood oozed from
his paw. He pulled it to
his mouth and nose; even
through the skunk’s reeking odor, he could smell
the ancient scent on the
tooth. He yanked it out with
his own jagged teeth and
knew it was one of his kind.
Osage was long gone now.
“Keep running as fast
and hard as you can,” said
Banjo. He was giving into
his own trials of running on
three legs. “We’re almost
home.”
“I can see the silo,” said
Tuff. A shadow soared
above them.
“You made it!” called
Banjo.
Osage smirked. “Of
course, I did,” she said.
“And we left them in one
stinky situation!”
“And they won’t be out
and about on those paws
for a while either,” said Tuff.
“Ah, home.”
The animals ran down
the lane and instantly
knew something was different. Pudge zipped by in
a streak of tri-colored cat.
“What’s gotten into you?”
yelled Tuff.
“Gotta catch him!” she
called. Banjo turned and
raced after her, and then
he saw it.
“Uh!” he gasped. There
was Rascal with three
cans of spray paint, happily
spraying pastel polka-dots
all over the side of the barn.
“Looks like an Easter
basket exploded on the
wall,” said Tuff.
“Well, if it’s not one thing,
it’s another,” chuckled
Banjo. “After all, it is the
Easter season.”
“And what a symbolic
Easter season it has been
so far,” reflected Osage.
“Out of the dark and into
the light of spring.”
Banjo laughed. “For a
duck, you sure are insightful,” he said.
Osage shrugged. “Yeah,
well, what can I say?” she
said confidently. “I’m a
duck of all trades... master
escaper, ranch wrangler,
scholar...”
“Now look what you’ve
done,” said Tuff. “She going to fluff and puff with
so much pride that she
wouldn’t ever be able to
fly home.” “Maybe I’ll just stick
around a little longer,”
said Osage. She winked
and smirked her bill at both
of them. It was good to
be home, even if part of it
looked like an Easter egg.
BECKTON’S 70th Anniversary
BULL and HEIFER SALE
HERD STAYABILITY
Beckton is the #1 Herd in the breed for Stayability, and has been for many years. Of the top 10% of the
breed’s sires for Stayability, 1 out of 3 is either a Beckton sire, or descended from Beckton sires.
High reproduction rate and cattle that work for their owners, rather than the other way around.
EASY CALVING
The #1 herd for easy calving, with the best average Calving Ease EPD of any
major herd. 15 of the top 20 sires in the breed for low Birth Weight EPD
are Beckton sires. No other genetics come close.
70 Years of Satisfied
Customers – Industry
leading genetics and the
highest quality cattle.
LOW MAINTENANCE ENERGY
This has also been the #1 herd for Low Maintenance Energy
requirements for many years. 5 of the top 10 sires in the
entire breed for lowest Maintenance Energy EPD are
Beckton sires. No other cattle will do a better job cutting
your cowherd maintenance requirement and saving
you money.
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Selling 300 Red Angus
250 Bulls and 50 Heifers
1:00 pm at our ranch 10 miles west of Sheridan
Delivered free anywhere in the continental U.S.
Video of sale animals will be available on our website.
Direct line telephone bidding will be available.
Call, write or email for a catalog
www.becktonredangus.com
becktonwyo@gmail.com
37 Beckton Drive • Sheridan,WY 82801
307-674-6095 • 307-674-8162 - Evenings
Fax: 307-672-7281
Cam and Trish Forbes
GROWTH from Birth to Market
Beckton bulls are leaders in total rate of growth,
from birth to market weight. The average birth
weight EPD of our sale bulls last year was minus
4.1, and the average yearling weight EPD is plus 80.
This year’s bulls are even better. Beckton cattle
start with low birth weight and reach a high
yearling weight - for marketability and less
time and cost to market.
12
Thursday, April 2, 2015
AGRI-KID
of the Week
Well here we are already into April 2015! The month of
March certainly “Came-in-like-a-Lion,” but it definitely
“Went-out-like-a-Lamb” around most all of Reporter Country. Temperatures have been well into the 60’s and 70’s
around my traveling area for the past few days, and things
are really starting to green up and grow.
Everyone that I have been visiting with surely appears to
have spring fever as it seems everywhere I go I see tractors
and spray coups in the fields, and as I pass through towns I
see people raking and mowing their yards to get rid of last
year’s old grass with the new grass trying to peak through.
The bull sales that I have attended the past couple of weeks
have seen the bulls shedding and rubbing on anything they
can to try to get rid of their winter coats!
The bulls sales around the readership area continue to
be absolutely amazing, for the most part. I am really fortunate that I am able to attend sales of all breeds of cattle,
and all breeds have been setting records for the operations
Turn out half-brothers...65 Defender sons
sell - All top 5% Marbling!
WESTERN AG REPORTER
that have been putting on
production sales.
When I really sit back
and study pedigrees, performance data, EPDs, etc.
for all of the various breed
sales that I work, one thing
continues to become more
and more evident with the
passing of each and every
year. Let me start out by
saying that I receive numerous calls this time of the
year from people all over
the country asking me what
sire groups I have seen in
my travels that I like that
are “different.”
Because of all the data
and numbers that we see in
all of the breeds these days,
the bloodlines that have
excelled in performance,
carcass traits, maternal,
birthweight, etc., have been
used heavily for many, many
years. This has caused the
gene-pools for many of
the breeds to get tighter
and tighter as it seems like
people are using many of
the same bloodlines. Thus, Here’s how we teach Work Ethic 101 ... we start ‘em young, and we show ‘em
I receive a lot of calls from how! On the head is Grandpa Ellis Doney of Lavina, Montana, and the team on
registered and commercial the heels is 5-year-old Blake McAndrews and his 22-month-old sister Lorelai.
breeders looking for something “different,” but they still want all the data and numbers their eye and don’t just look at the numbers, but look at
to be at certain levels.
the particular animal and evaluate the phenotype as well.
There is so much data available through all of the breed
I guess to sum it all up, what I am really saying here is
associations and it seems like more and more numbers are that those breeders of all breeds that might somehow come
being made available each and every year. Things get more up with a bull that truly does have an outcross pedigree
and more scientific with the passing of each and every year. that numbers up really good are going to make a boatload
I am a big believer in data, but with that said, I am even of money!
more of a believer that cattle people still need to trust
5L
Spring 2015’s largest
“One-Iron”
Red Angus Bull Sale
Best 8% Calving Ease - with WideBody
shape - over 100 heifer bulls sell!
Friday, April 10, 2015 • Noon MDT
350 Bulls • 25 Open Yearling Heifers
• Over 100 Heifer Bulls!
• Over 120 bulls rank in the top 5% for Marbling
• Over 110 bulls rank in the top 10% for REA
• Over 120 bulls in the top 10% for HPG
• Over 90 bulls in the top 9% for Maternal Calving Ease
“Greater Selection = Greater Value”
No Sale is Final!
Profit Plus = Black Angus Genetics with
Red Angus EPDs...70 like him sell!
• Volume Discounts!
• Unconditional 1st breeding
season bull warranty
• Free Trucking
(with min. purchase)
10 CED Heifer bull by Defender with Top
1% Marbling with best 5% Yield Grade
“Right for the Times”
5L Red Angus - Spring Bull Sale
Larry & Lisa Mehlhoff & Family • 406.842.5693
5lranch@3rivers.net • www.5lredangus.com