the progressive rancher april 2015

April 2015

NCA 2009 President’s

Award Recipient

Ads sent to or built by The Progressive Rancher become property of this magazine.

The Progressive RancherOwner/Editor/Publisher – Leana Stitzel

[email protected] Design/Layout/Production – Joshua Rinard

[email protected]

Published 9 times each year, The Progressive Rancher is mailed to more than 7,000 approved addresses, and has digital and print readership reaching more than 30,000.

The Progressive Rancher is published monthly. The views and opinions expressed by writers of articles appearing in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor. Letters of opinion are welcomed by The Progressive Rancher.Rates for advertising are available upon request. Advertising in The Progressive Rancher does not necessarily imply editorial endorsement. Liability for any errors or omissions in advertisements shall not exceed the cost of the space occupied by the error or omission.The Progressive Rancher is free to people working and active in the livestock industry. The Progressive Rancher is donated to the agricultural industry. If you are not currently receiving this magazine on a regular basis, and would like to be a part of The Progressive Rancher family, contact us by e-mail at [email protected], today, so we can include you on our mailing list. If you have moved or changed addresses, please notify us, by e-mail, so we can keep you informed. All requests for the magazine must be made by e-mail.

Leana Stitzel, Owner/Editor1188 Court St., #81, Elko, NV 89801

(208) 733-1828 • [email protected]

Cover Photo: by Stacey Butler

WWW.PROGRESSIVERANCHER.COM

In this Issue...Riding for the NCA Brand ............... 3

Nevada Cattlemen’s Assn. ............... 4

NRRC ............................................... 8

Eye on the Outside ......................... 10

NV CattleWomen ........................... 11

Beef Ambassador ........................... 12

Cattleman’s Connection ................... 15

Nevada Farm Bureau ..................... 16

Fumes from the Farm ..................... 18

In the Mind of a Millennial .............19

Beef Checkoff ................................. 20

Nevada FFA .................................... 22

Weather Variability ....................... 25

Snyder Bull Sale Report................... 27

Win Ranch Hand Rodeo .................. 28

Show Down at Fish Creek Corrals...30

Horses on the Highways ........ .......31

Range Plants For the Rancher..........32

Coloring Page ................................. 33

NWMA President Column .......... 34

Look Up .......................................... 35

Precipitation Monitoring ............... 36

Secretary Jewell ............................. 38

NPAW Leafy Spurge .................... 40

Centennial Awards ......................... 44

Ramblings ...........................................46

Edward Jones Financial Focus ........47

ELKO FEDERAL CREDIT UNION•ShareDraftAccounts•TimeshareCertificates•ATMCards/DebitCards•IRAs•Visas

•ConsumerLoans•MoneyOrders•ShareSavingsAccounts•FreeNotary

ELKO2397 Mountain City Hwy.

Elko Junction Shopping CenterElko, Nevada 89801-1496Phone: (775) 738-4083

Fax: (775) 738-2582

SPRING CREEK559 W. Spring Valley Ct., Ste. 7

Spring Creek, Nevada 898015-6811Phone: (775) 753-6272

Fax: (775) 753-6280www.elkofcu.org

Pray for

The Progressive Rancher www.progressiverancher.com 2 April 2015

Food Supply

FASCINATING may be the best adjective to describe how a mere 2% of the population in the United States is responsible for producing the bulk of our nation’s food supply. For the most part it is because of this incredible food supply that U.S. citizens have become somewhat accustomed to the abundance of high quality, safe and wholesome foods. Grocery bills today make up less than 10% of the average U.S. household’s disposable income, far less than what is spent in other parts of the world. It’s been documented that many Americans will spend more on taxes in 2015 than they will col-lectively on food, clothing and housing. This is unlike generations gone by.

Grocery bills during the Great Depression represented over 30% of dis-posable income. Yester-year citizens had a real appreciation for food and fiber production during that time of food shortage. Finding half a worm in one’s apple was commonplace prior to the application of tested and proven-safe pesticides. The only fruits and vegetables available during the winter months in the northern states were canned or frozen. Milk and eggs were produced and consumed on the farm or marketed locally without any of the USDA safety inspections that exist today. Meat was raised and consumed at the ranch level or marketed in entirety through the local butcher shop as swinging quartered beef.

Today we drive to the local grocery store on an as-needed basis for these essentials. Our purchased food products come with a guaranteed fresh “sell by” date and an USDA food inspection stamp indicating the safety of the product as it traveled through the production chain. We purchase fresh fruits and vegetables in the middle of the winter and often complain how they are not quite as tasty as they were during the summer months. The United States today has the most plentiful, safe and wholesome food supply in the world. This can be attributed to the advanced and sustainable farm-ing and ranching technologies utilized by our agriculture community today along with the progression of transportation infrastructure and innovative processing and packaging methods. These practices are environmentally friendly and sustainable.

A huge amount of credit for our country’s food supply must be given to each segment of agriculture and the people they employ including the farmers, ranchers, stocker and feedlot operators, packing industry and re-tailers. It is estimated that only $0.16 of every dollar spent by the consumer on food in 2015 will go to the farmer. The other $0.84 goes to these other segments of our industry. Farmers and ranchers are part of a team. This team forms an entire food chain. This food chain takes our product, BEEF, from the farm to the plate. The $0.84 pays for the diesel, truck and driver to move agriculture commodities from one ranch to the next segment of the industry, then on to the next and the next, until it reaches the retailer who presents it to the consumer.

As an example, light-weight Nevada calves shipped from our ranch in December often travel to California grass for the winter. In May they are

shipped back to Nevada grass as a seven-weight stocker. By August a nine-weight animal travels to the feedlot, then to the processor, on to the break-ing plant, ending at the retail store. Along these various segments of the food chain (of which cow-calf producers are the very first link) a tremendous amount of money and energy is spent in an effort to get a safe and whole-some product to the consumer in a timely manner.

Imagine for a minute the businesses and people that are reliant upon our product, BEEF, to make a living…grain and hay farmers, landowners who sell grass, veterinarians, pharmaceutical companies, video auctions, truck drivers, satellite and databases to track shipments, forklift operators, butchers, meat counters at the grocery store, restaurant chefs, servers…the list goes on and on. My point is that as beef producers we cannot lose sight that we are the very first link in a food chain that is very complex yet efficient.

We are the envy of the world when it comes to our food supply and the infrastructure we employ to move BEEF through the production chain. In reality the U.S. is a bread basket of safe and wholesome food of all kinds. Nowhere else in the world can the citizens of that country eat for 10% of their disposable income and eat well, confident it is wholesome, safe and healthy. We even have product left over to make energy such as corn for ethanol.

For the Nevada Beef industry the story does not end here. What I find most fascinating is that the very first link of this food chain, the cow-calf segment, produces that initial calf utilizing a renewable natural resource: Grass. We produce this calf in an environmentally friendly manner that is sustainable and contributes in a big way to local and rural communities of the driest state in the nation. I know of no other method to harvest this renewable natural resource from our rugged rangelands than by utilizing grazing ruminants. The alternative is a range fire.

One final personal note of fulfillment for me and my wife related to our business as seed stock producers and custom artificial insemination. Like so many of you, we are the first step in the first link of this food chain. For every cow we artificially inseminate and with every bull we sell to our customer, we are contributing in a big way to our nation’s food supply. Our chosen profession makes us the very first step in the very first link of this fascinating food chain. Proven genetics influences all segments of our in-dustry through improved efficiency. We provide those superior genetics to our customers and ultimately to the consumer. I am sure you will agree, beef production is a fascinating industry and it is rewarding to play a role in it.

The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association’s mission continues to be to pro-mote, preserve and protect a dynamic and profitable Nevada beef industry. Should you like to visit with NCA staff or leadership feel free to contact NCA at 775-738-9214 or my NCA e-mail address [email protected]

By Ron Torell, Nevada Cattlemen’s Association President

The Progressive Rancherwww.progressiverancher.com April 2015 3

By Stephanie Licht, Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Executive Director

Spring Renews Everything!

Shaking off the winter grumps is sometimes hard to do.Cold n’ dark gray mornin’s, don’t help cure those winter “blues”.Most winters… snow is on the ground, the troughs are filled with ice.Staying snuggled in my comfy quilt would certainly be nice.

But cows don’t have a turn-off switch to hold them in a trance;So we crawls from bed, drags on our bibs, and starts the feeding dance.We coffee up, helps open th’ eyes, catch RFD’s weather, n’ their news,Thank our stars it’s not snowin’ or blowin’– n’ go on a quest fer r’ our shoes.

No matter what – th’ dogs r’ charged, to git started with the day,They smile n’ pant, n’ wiggle n’ jump, a’wantin’ to git on their way.Already dressed in fine fur coats they nudge my knee in glee,Wished I could be jist half as glad fer a day starting off a cool -3°F.

Our feed truck’s seen much better days… that t’was back in ’46…But she coughs to a start, runs pretty good, an’ don’t take a computer to fix!After yesterday’s run we stacked up the load, to deliver on this mornin’s tour.We climb in the ride, down th’ lane we glide, th’ dog’s happy to start chores du jour.

The cows see us comin’, to us they start runnin’, their breakfast’s a short time away.It’s now that I’m glad of the idea we had for the cattle-guard we installed one fall day.Rockin’ over th’ bars, we put’er in low, n’ out o’er the feed ground we bump,Glad it’s stacked tight, ‘cause t’aint a good sight to see th’ load on the ground in a lump!

Down there on the flat place r’ several new moms, their calves bedded down in old hay.Trailin’ in behind us is the rest of the “girls” – a-waddlin’ along in their “family way”.Ol’ “Nellie” th’ truck has some slack in the wheel, but her course on that flat place is true.Put in waaay Granny low, she moves jist’ right slow, so we kin let’er foller’ her own truck rule.

Swingin’ up on th’ bed we start cuttin’ strings, spreadin’ hay flakes in long fluffy rows.The sweet smell still stays in last summer’s hays, n’ cows bury their face past their nose.A long sweeping arc, leaves most all th’ hay, in the great breakfast-bowl of our field.Tis’ then Nellie finds a depression, jist right… to catch n’ hold ‘er front wheels.

Th’ engine grunts n’ then quits, n’ there’s where we sits, takin’ in mornin’s sunrise and dew;A meadowlark’s call… th’ cow’s soft, frosty bawls… a time to take in the spec-tacular view…Sun’s warming rays chase frost n’ the haze… sleepy calves awaken… n’ take a long stretch…Then one bucks and jumps! Now it’s calfy head-bumps! N’ they’s off runnin’ n’ bowin’ their necks!

Cross the fence-line next door r’ sheep n’ their lambs galore… baby’s spring loaded, n’ ready fer fun!At th’ cue from th’ calves, th’ lambs start their pa-zazz, n’ its’a racey, lamb-packed, NASCAR run!A few feet away… somethin’ tiny n’ gray… squatted low… eyes closed… ever so tight…Why it’s Cotton-Tail’s baby… thinkin’ at motionless, maybe… she’s hidden n’ way outta sight.

Up from the crick… comin’ thru th’ thick, cattails, tall grass stands, n’ weeds…Waddle fuzzy baby ducks, following Mama Duck’s clucks… who’s calling them all out to feed.In grass under a tree… quite hard to see… is another pile of… unmoving spots.As I squint to focus… it’s then that I notice… a deer fawn… camoed by her dots.

In the field’s springtime quiet… new life all around… I feel spring… wellin’ up in my chest...Don’t like to admit it… but I can’t make’em quit it… drops of rain down my face on my vest…Fer shur spring is here… blues n’ grumps disappear… I see Ma Nature’s again takin’ good care…Renewin’ th’ earth… with her plan of rebirth… n’ allowin’ my soul its fair share…


Results February 13 2015 Open Draw Handler Dog Placing Handler Dog Score Time Fetch Time1 Billy Lewis Houdini 120 6.59 0.292 Bill Renihan C-Zar 105 7.26 0.403 Shannon Wood Kat 80 8.00 0.28 Rancher Placing Handler Dog Score Time Fetch Time 1 Lance Knudsen Bill 100 7.52 1.052 Logan Sampson Poncho 60 8.00 0.213 Janece Stitser Pearl 50 8.00 0.43 Intermediate Placing Handler Dog Score Time Fetch Time 1 Kevin Hancock Ethel 6.22 0.352 Janece Stitser Pearl 4.24 0.093 Lance Knudsen Bill 4.43 0.15 Futurity Placing Handler Dog Score Time Fetch Time 1 Dustin Wood DSW Dos 120 5.20 0.262 Buster Kyte Spud 120 7.05 0.253 Tom Blasdell Shelby 110 6.35 0.50

NCA Fallon Bull Sale Stock Dog Trial held Feb 13 2015This is an invitational event that we raise money to help someone

who is in the livestock industry that has cancer.This years recipient was Rochelle Evans from Vale OR. she has had

cancer since 2008 and has just finished another round of chemo. We raised over $6000 for her. Tom Blasdell donated a started dog

that was auctioned off at the dinner. All the money from the sale of thedog went to our recpient. $1325) Dan Wells from Millville Ca also

donated $1000 to her. We had many others that stepped up and do-nated at the dinner.

Thank you for your generosity. We raised over 2900 from our dog trial contestants. There was no pay out all entry fees went to help Rochelle. A special thank you to Monte Bruck and Fallon Livestock Exhange for allowing us to use his facility to hold our event, Ron Giova-netti for donating the cattle. and to all our volunteers.- Andrea Zeller, Ben Matley, Flint Lee, Nancy Chapman, Pete Delmas, Wyatt MacKen-zie, Dalton Lowry, Kevin Hancock, Ron Giovanetti,Sherry Giovanetti, Anthony

Cory Nowalk, Sqwueezy’s Cafe - Jim & Gail Kerr, & Dee. Thank you so much for your help we couldn’t do it without you.

Thank you to our Sponsors.

Pinenut Livestock SupplyDave & Chris MatleyEH HurshChoice CellularDSW Cowogs Dustin & Shannon WoodChurchill County CowbellsBerney RealtyBig RHoof Beats Gates and PanelsFallon Convention and Tourism AuthorityBilly Lewis Stockdogs

Bonanza Casino - Super 8 MotelGary HutchingsTuf Stockdogs Silver State BeefmastersIndian Oaks Ranch - Bill & Sandy RenihanSqueezeys CafeFallon Livestock Exchange- Monte BruckRon GiovanettiKevin Hancock

Thanks to all who helped with our event. Billy Lewis and Gayle Hybarger


3 0 1 S I LV E R S T R E E T E L K O , N V 8 9 8 0 1

For a complete review of your insurance needs and details on coverage and credits available, contact our Farm & Ranch specialist:

775.777.9771

Farm ■ Ranch ■ Agribusiness

coverage o�ered through:

Oregon MutualInsurance Company

Protecting families and businesses in the West since 1894.

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Hometown Solutions_EighthPageAd_sans.pdf 1 7/21/11 2:21 PM

Nevada Water Solutions LLC

Thomas K. Gallagher, PEHydrologic Engineer

775•825•1653 / FAX 775•825•1683675 Sierra Rose Dr., #109 / Reno, NV [email protected]

Water Rights / Resource Permitting Expertise

Over 31 years of experience with the Nevada State Engineer’s O�ce500 Commercial St.Elko, NV 89801

GarciaBits & Spurs

The gift that won’t be re-gifted!

Bit #122 $475NV. Sales tax 6.85%S&H $12

Spur #273 $475NV. Sales tax 6.85%S&H $12

Phone: (775) 738-5816Fax: (775) 738-8980

capriolas.com

Rose Feed and Supply Under New Ownership

and Management

Monday-Friday 8 a.m. -6 p.m.Saturday 10 a.m. -4 p.m.

775-625-1515 • 775-421-68164320 W. Winnemucca Blvd., Winnemucca, NV 89445


For details call (530) 347-3793 or the representative nearest you:

or email us at [email protected] for the catalog and pictures on

our website www.wvmcattle.com

Marketyourcattlewiththeprofessionals!

MarkVenturacciFallon,NV

(775)427-8713

SteveLucasParadiseValley,NV(775)761-7575

GaryNolanelko,NV

(775)934-5678

Brad Peek— — (916) 802-7335

WATCH & LISTEN TO THE SALE on the Web at:

UPCOMING SALES

THURSDAY, APRIL 30TH

Shasta Livestock, Cottonwood CACatalog Deadline: April 15th

THURSDAY, MAY 21ST

Cottonwood CACatalog Deadline: May 6th

NEVADASTALLION STAKES

&elkoCountyNRChA

Stallion Nomination Deadline: August 1st

ForMoreInformationcontact:[email protected]

Nomination fee: $200.00

“Allclasseshaveherdwork”Judge:DarrenMiller,AQhA•NRChAAAA

NRCHA Rules

www.elkocountyfair.com

Nominationdeadlineforinclusioninadvertising-May1stLateNominationswillbeacceptedfromAug2nd-28thwithanadditional

$100latefee.

Entries forms available at www.elkocountyfair.com E-mail entries to [email protected]

Mail entries and payments to:Elko County Fair Board, PO Box 2067, Elko, NV 89803

Nevada Stallion Stakes Show Entry deadline: August 15thwith late entries accepted to Aug 28th with additional penalties

ECNRCHA Show Entry Deadline Aug 28th.

elkoCountyNRChASPeCTACULAR

NEVADA STALLION STAKES

AGED EVENTSFuturity - Derby - Hackamore

Two Reined / Green Bridle and Bridle Divisions

August 29th-30th, Elko, Nevada


Over the past 5 years the Nevada Rangeland Resources Commission (NRRC) has funded a series of documentaries which have addressed the many obstacles affecting public land ranchers. The series has been produced by Dennis Golden and broadcasted by KNPB Channel 5 in Reno, NV. The series includes the four DVD’s pictured. To request a copy of the DVD from any of the Stewards of the Rangeland series please contact the NRRC at 775-738-4082 or e-mail [email protected].

Nevada RanchersCaretakers of ourRangelands

Nevada Rangeland Resources Commission was created bythe State of Nevada to promote responsible public land grazing. Representatives come from Nevada state grazing boards, Nevada

Woolgrowers, Nevada Farm Bureau, and Nevada Cattlemen’s Association.

4780 East Idaho Steet, Elko, NV 89801 • 775-738-4082WWW.NEVADARANGELANDS.ORG

Sheep often graze on steep terrain and can control cheatgrass, a

major fuel for wildfi res.

Grazing cattle and sheep coexist peacefully with native wildlife and, in fact, make a friendlier

habitat for many species.

Cowboys and sheepherders produce food and fi ber for the nation. Growing food

on Open range is a natural biological process.

Grazing actually benefi ts the land with hoof action and natural fertilization. Plants are healthier and regenerate faster after the

herds move to a new range.

Antelope and other game animals and birds take advantage of the

improvements made by ranchers.

This ad is funded through the NRRC’s assessment of 10 cents an AUM paid by public land ranchers.

Carol L. Buckner, ABR, Broker /Salesperson • www.Carol Buckner.com

700 Idaho Street, Elko, NevadaCell: 775-777-4235 • Offi ce 775-738-4078

Extraordinary 43+ acre High Desert Oasis

Beautiful 31+ acre Gentleman’s Ranch-

414Shadybrook,SpringCreek,Nevada

Ruby Mountain Livestock, Lower Lamoille Road, Lamoille, Nevada

Perfectlysetupforthesmallrancher/farmertoraiselivestock.

• 4Bedroom,3½Bath,6,348sq.feet

• FullyFencedandGated• GoodhorseProperty

• PrivateLandscapedGrounds

• PanoramicViews• WetBar

• CustomWoodwork• LoftOfficeandLibrary• GourmetKitchen

• 3Bedroom,2BathSpacioushome

• OutstandingViews• Waterrights

• Outbuildings• Fenced&Crossfenced

$1,300,000MLS# 20141263

$475,000


We have 4 cattle trains available for your cattle

hauling needs.We can haul approx. 80,000# of cattle

per load either to our sale or in the country. Give us a call for pricing.

TO ALL OF OURCONSIGNORS & BUYERS

NEXTFeederSALEinconjunctionwithour

RegularWednesdaySale

Feed Buck CaféOpen on Sale Days from 8-2

DailyspecialsalongwithourfamousTriTipsandwiches.

Full-Service Cattle Sales & Marketing serving the Fallon, Nevada and Outlying Areas.

OFFICe:775-423-7760JACKPAYNe Cell:775-217-9273

Alt:775-225-8889

email:[email protected]

Small Barn at 10:30 AMButcher Cows at 11:30 AMFeeder Cattle at 1:00 PM

SALEEvery Wednesday

Thursday, April 16th

Seller City #Head Desc.Type Weight Price CWT

Lamar Roche Parma 1 BLK HFRT 885 $145.00

Chris Hicks Fallon 1 RED HFRT 605 $140.00

Tyson Torvik Fallon 1 BLK HFRT 945 $133.00

Karl Weishaupt Fallon 1 BLK HFRT 1105 $123.00

Lynn Broyles Fallon 1 BLK COW 1660 $116.00

R & E James Wadsworth 1 CHAR HFRT 1340 $111.50

John and Jhona Bell 1 BLK COW 1195 $107.00

TJ McCauley Reno 1 LHNX COW 870 $107.00

Giovacchini Family Trust Genoa 1 WF COW 1615 $106.00

Roger and Nancy Johnson Win 1 BLK COW 1200 $106.00

Karl and Dana Weishaupt Fallon 1 BLK COW 1195 $105.00

Bruce Humphrey Fallon 1 RED COW 800 $104.00

Roger and Th eresa Lambert Fallon 1 LHNX HFRT 785 $100.00

Richard and Mary Bradbury Midas 1 BBF COW 1185 $98.00

Jessie Rose Dairy Fallon 1 HOL COW 1135 $118.00

Mike Olsen Fallon 1 JER COW 885 $109.00

Whitaker Dairy Fallon 1 HOL COW 1585 $108.00

Hi Test Products Fallon 1 HOL COW 1730 $106.50

Oasis Dairy Fallon 1 HOL HFRT 1270 $105.00

Lacas Vacas Fallon 1 HOL HFRT 1405 $100.00

Joe Gomes Fallon 1 HOL COW 1745 $100.00

Th ayne Gomes Fallon 1 HOL COW 1150 $98.00

Lance Gomes Fallon 1 HOL COW 1910 $97.00

Sandhill Dairy Fallon 1 HOL COW 1460 $96.00

Nick Gomes Fallon 1 HOL COW 2320 $96.00

JM Gomes Fallon 1 HOL BULL 2365 $130.50 Karl Weishaupt Fallon 1 BLK BULL 2205 $130.00

Sales Results fromMARCH 18th 2015

REGULAR BUTCHER COW AND BULL SALE Seller City # Head Desc. Type Weight Price CWTLynn Broyles Fallon 1 Pair Young 350# Calf 3,050.00 HDDavid and Corine Buckingham PV 5 BLK STR 427 $330.00Cave Valley Horse and Cattle Ely 7 BLK STR 367 $328.00Renfroe Ranch Lovelock 3 BLK STR 435 $322.50Renfroe Ranch Lovelock 4 BLK STR 453 $315.00Jersey Valley Cattle Co Win 10 BLK STR 431 $320.00Steve Medlin Alamo 14 MIX STR 350 $315.00Steve Medlin Alamo 29 BLK STR 400 $310.00Windy R Ranch Washoe V 1 RED STR 345 $312.50Kylie Amos Fallon 2 BLK STR 448 $311.00Crawford Cattle Co Win 26 BLK STR 513 $305.00Crawford Cattle Co Win 51 MIX STR 584 $293.00Crawford Cattle Co Win 18 MIX STR 688 $240.00James and Bethany Th ompson 11 BLK STR 453 $304.00Ted Renfroe Fallon 1 BLK STR 465 $300.00Robert and Barbara Baker Fallon 1 BLK STR 335 $300.00Wesley Viera Fallon 3 BLK STR 508 $277.00Jared Brackenbury Caliente 8 BLK STR 581 $275.00Branton Genco Alamo 1 MIX STR 376 $275.00Tami Blasingame Alamo 4 MIX STR 376 $275.00David Lima Fallon NV 4 CHAR STR 570 $270.00Peraldo Brothers Fallon 5 MIX STR 583 $270.00Seven Dot Cattle Co Golconda 6 MIX STR 556 $270.00Aaron and Donnell Williams Fallon 7 MIX STR 560 $266.00Stix Cattle Co Fernley 81 MIX STR 602 $264.50Trevor and Jake Wade Alamo 8 MIX STR 630 $264.00Les Northcutt Malin 2 BBF STR 303 $255.00Linda Bowmer Fallon 3 BLK STR 525 $230.00Glorene Guerrero Wadsworth 1 CHAR STR 625 $230.00John Guerrero Wadsworth 2 MIX STR 608 $230.00Luz Coronado Fallon 1 BLK Bull Calf 650 $220.00Randy Osterhoudt Round M 2 BBF Bull Calf 763 $211.00Ed and Greta Moreda Yerington 13 BLK HFR 796 $209.00Borsini Ranch Inc Yerington 6 BLK STR 828 $201.00Kenny Smith Win 2 BLK STR 903 $180.00Robert James Wadsworth 1 CHAR STR 860 $177.50JM Gomes Fallon 12 HOL STR 436 $180.00JM Gomes Fallon 10 HOL STR 578 $161.00Tri T Farms Yerington 2 BLK Bull Calf 1085 $158.00James Estill Lovelock 1 RBF STR 780 $147.50Kunzler Ranch Park Valley 1 BLK STR 975 $132.00Cave Valley Horse and Cattle Ely 4 BLK HFR 196 $395.00Cave Valley Horse and Cattle Ely 12 BLK HFR 278 $360.00Renfroe Ranch Lovelock 5 BLK HFR 374 $309.00Jersey Valley Cattle Co Win 14 BLK HFR 437 $300.00Crawford Cattle Co Win 42 BLK HFR 491 $292.00Mathews Farms Panaca 25 BLK HFR 556 $284.00Mathews Farms Panaca 10 MIX HFR 581 $265.00Jared Brakenbury Caliente 9 BLK HFR 537 $277.00Seven Dot Cattle Co Golconda 11 MIX HFR 545 $268.00Pinson Golconda 2 MIX HFR 545 $268.00James and Bethany Th ompson Win 22 MIX HFR 455 $268.00Juniper Mountain Fallon 11 BBF HFR 517 $264.00Wesley Viera Fallon 2 BLK HFR 443 $262.50Trevor and Jake Wade Alamo 8 MIX HFR 619 $247.00Grace Iratcabal Sparks 4 MIX HFR 561 $246.00Marge Shepard Fallon 1 BLK HFR 595 $235.00Jake Northcutt Malin 6 MIX HFR 619 $231.00Roger and Margot Mills Fallon 4 RED HFR 598 $230.00Woodrow and Linda Cunrod Reno 1 BBF HFR 590 $230.00David and Corine Buckingham PV 5 BLK HFR 621 $229.00Chance and Jay Guerrero Wadsworth 2 CHAR HFR 658 $211.00Richard Hucke Fallon 10 BLK HFR 861 $200.50Matthew Torvik Fallon 1 RED HFR 695 $170.00John and Vella Torvik Fallon 1 RED HFR 895 $152.00

Sales Results fromMARCH 19th 2015

Feeder Sales


By Joseph Guild

Legislatures and Congresses take on unique qualities from their predecessors. The Mitch McConnell led United States Senate will very soon be perceived as much different than the Harry Reid Majority Leader Senates.

Likewise the 2015 Nevada Legislature is already taking on a unique face of its own after just a little over 30 days in action. The pace was quick from the start with hearings on bills and passage of those bills in very short order compared to other experiences I have had in over 30 years of dealing with Nevada’s legislative branch.

As many of you already know, Republicans are in charge of both houses of the Legislature for the first time over 20 years. With power comes respon-sibility and an ability to do things which have been thwarted for a long time while being in the minority party. For instance, the Republicans are pursuing an agenda which has been criticized as anti- union by some observers. The Republicans in both houses say some pro- business reforms are long overdue. And so it goes, politics is always interesting if you take the time to delve into the specifics of the issues and observe closely the diverse personalities who occupy the seats voters elected them to serve.

An example of the above difference of opinion played out recently in the efforts to pass SB 119. This bill eliminated the requirement in the law that “prevailing wages” be paid on school construction projects. Prevailing wages are those paid for a majority of workers within a particular area and which are set by a government agency such as a State Department of Labor. They usually reflect union wages which are sometimes generally higher. The argument against paying this wage, especially in a rural area, is there are not enough qualified workers and the wage that has to be paid by law is more reflective of an urban area.

The bill also contained a bond rollover provision which would let school districts construct projects under bonds approved by the voters within the last 10 years so that every new project did not have to go back through a voter approved process every time. Rather than comment on the merits of these conflicting positions, my real purpose is to point out when there are radical political changes, the pent up frustrations of being in a minority for a long time naturally spill out and produce radical reactions from the other side. In an earlier column right after the election I mentioned that a form of restraint should be employed by the new majorities because too much move-ment to the right could come back to haunt those new to power as early as the next election.

Where this will really be a challenge for the new majorities is in the realm of taxes. The reason for this is the chief proponent of taxes and what the agenda is for the use of those new revenues if they become law.

The Governor is that chief proponent and his agenda is for a great deal of education reform and enhanced funding for existing programs. There is irony laced throughout this whole legislative effort like so many sequins on a western singer’s performance togs- seeming to evoke a cowboy tone when such clothes are the last thing a real cowboy would wear.

The most Republican Nevada government since the 1920s should evoke “normal” republican images. But the majority is led by a Republican who ran on a platform advocating defeat of a tax proposal on the ballot championed by the state teacher’s union; that same Republican Governor is about to roll out a very aggressive tax plan as I write this to bring in more revenue from Nevada business. These are the same businesses which spent a great deal of campaign contributions to try and elect as many pro- business officials as possible.

So the Democratic agenda has been taken over by the other party and all the Ds can do is watch and applaud from the sidelines. What amazes me is the lack of interest in politics by the bulk of our population especially among our younger generations. What about the above ironic rendition of the politi-cal climate in Nevada is not interesting?

It is hard to argue our educational system doesn’t need more resources. When Nevada shifted from a property tax based educational funding system in 1981, what was mostly lost was a stable source of funding for education. We were forced to rely on less stable funding which was tied to discretionary spending. Also, in that same tax reform era voters in Nevada passed a Consti-tutional Amendment which forbade an income tax. This desire of the voters effectively took an option off the table to help legislators decide on a more stable tax system. Believe me, I am not complaining or advocating here. I am trying to give the readers some context and point out what I think is the obvi-ous- politics is neither predictable nor is it always what the voters thought they were getting when they voted what they thought was an obvious scenario.

How will all this turn out? Please refer to the above paragraph re: predictability and obviousness. There are a group of Republican Assembly members who are unalterably opposed to new taxes. By different accounts they are as many as 15 and as few as 8 or 9. Under Nevada law it takes a 2/3 majority in each house of the Legislature to pass new taxes and fees. This means 15 members of the Assembly can defeat a tax. So, the proposal for significant new taxes is by no means a foregone conclusion.

The Senate Majority Leader has already said the legislature will stay in session until a tax package funding the needs the Governor has identified is passed and he is prepared to stay all summer until the goal is achieved. Meanwhile, not much has been heard from the almost 80% of voters who defeated the tax the Governor campaigned against in the last election. And so the political wheel turns but we know not where it stops. I’ll see you soon.


Greetings from the Elko County CattleWomen

Greetings from the Elko County CattleWomen. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to our new Of-

ficers that were sworn in on October 9, 2014:

Shelly Satterthwaite-President Ruthe Agee- President Elect Kimberly Satterthwaite-SecretaryRachel Buzzetti- TreasurerKathi Wines-HistorianJanice Connelly-Parliamentarian

The Elko County CattleWomen is comprised of a dedicated, hard-working group of women that care deeply about the ranch-ing community and the beef industry. We have several fundraising events that we put on through the fall and winter, and would like to share what those events are and what the funds are used for.

Starting in November we had the Machi’s Fundraiser Dinner, chaired by Angie Heguy, in which tickets were sold and Machi’s restuarant owner, John Lemich, puts on an amazing dinner using recipes from the Elko Co. CattleWomen’s Cookbook. The proceeds then go to purchasing beef roasts for our Beef for Seniors char-ity, chaired by Lorey Eldridge. The beef is personally delivered by Lorey Eldridge to our Senior Centers throughout Elko County in December.

December is a busy time for our members. This is when we host the Holiday Tour of Homes Fundraiser, chaired by Rachel Buzzetti and Kathi Wines. It was featured on KENV Chanel 10. This is a very popular and well attended fundraiser. We have had the most gen-erous and gracious homeowner’s kindly volunteer to decorate and share their charming homes with the public every year. The tickets are sold at designated locations in mid-November. Ticket holders are then given a map and addresses to the 4 homes showcased in the tour. The event took place on December 6, 2014 in the evening. Ticket holders arrived at the homes and were greeted with beef appetizers, hot chocolate and more, provided and served by the ECCW and the homeowners, along with the tour of these festive and beautifully decorated homes. It always makes for an inspiring evening and creates an environment that gets everyone into the holiday spirit. The proceeds from this event go into our budget for purchasing future donation items, expenses and scholarships.

On to January where we celebrate the birth of Elko’s First Baby Born in the New Year, chaired by Sidney Wintermote. The family

and new baby were presented with a gift basket full of goodies at the hospital. Our 2015 Baby New Year belongs to Eddie Lewis and Mariah Mouse of Elko. A daughter born at 10:09am New Year’s morning, weighing 8lbs, 6oz and measured 21 inches. A picture of the proud parents, baby girl, their NNRH nurse and Sidney Win-termote was featured in the Elko Daily Free Press.

We were also involved during the Cowboy Poetry Gathering that took place the last week of January this year. Elko Co. Cattle-Women don our traditional red aprons to provide and serve our famous “Cowbell’s Meatballs” in three mouthwatering flavors, BBQ, homemade Marinara and homemade Sweet and Sour Sauces. This event is for the Western Folklife Center Member Appreciation Reception held in the GThreeBar Theater, chaired by Shelly Sat-terthwaite. It’s an evening full of good food, drink, laughter and entertainment. For many that we serve this is an event that they wholeheartedly look forward to, as we are told, there are no meat-balls as good as ours! We sincerely appreciate the support from Amy Mills and the staff at the Western Folklife Center every year.

February is set as our “Beef Month” Promotion. This is a perfect time for us to advertise on the radio and through social media to bring awareness of the goodness of beef. Not to mention the hard work and sacrifice that is involved in raising cattle and what goes into getting it from the ranch to your dinner plate. As part of this promotion the Mayor of Elko, Chris Johnson, read a Proclamation during a meeting at City Hall, proclaiming February 2015 as Beef Month. ECCW member and past president, Sidney Wintermote and current ECCW president, Shelly Satterthwaite presented the Mayor with a Tri Tip Roast to commemorate Beef Month and in appreciation of his support.

On March 7, 2015 the Elko County CattleWomen provided sal-ads and desserts for AG in the Classroom for Elko County teachers who chose to participate. Sharon Slagowski was in charge of this event. The luncheon was held at the Gallagher Ranch in Lamoille. Barbequed Tri Tip Beef was served by Mike and Tana Gallagher. We appreciated being part of this wonderful opportunity to share in the education of farm and ranch life with our area teachers.

We have Scholarships! We are currently accepting applications for 3- $500 scholarships to be awarded to eligible Elko County High School seniors. We ask that interested seniors contact their school guidance counselors for more information. We also have the requirements posted on our Facebook page under Elko Co. CattleWomen.


April brings us to our annual Mother of the Year/Business-man of the Year Banquet. The officers of the ECCW voted at our January meeting and decided on a CattleWoman who we felt best deserved the Mother of the Year award and also voted on who we felt best deserved our Businessman of the Year award. The Banquet will held on Wednesday April 22nd at 5:00pm at the Western Folklife Center in Elko. There will be a catered dinner thanks to Ramone Zugazaga, previous owner of the Basque res-taurant, Biltokis. Plaques will be presented to those nominated for the award. This Banquet is reserved for our award winners, their families and members of the Elko Co. Cattlewomen exclusively.

It must be mentioned that in our group of amazing and tal-ented ladies, we are fortunate enough to have several that are “Tech Savvy”. As a result of their dedication to CattleWomen’s we are now active on the social media sites Facebook and Instagram! Please take a few minutes to check us out and like our page/fol-low us and let us know what you think! We are posting great in-formation on beef as well as our own news and upcoming events.

We have a limited number of our Elko County CattleWomen’s Cookbooks available for sale. They make a memorable gift or favor-ite addition to your cookbook collection. All the recipes gathered within are from local ranch families. This unique cookbook is full of old photos, historical information, stories and poems. Please call Shelly Satterthwaite at 775-340-1050 for more information. They are also available for purchase at the Northern Nevada Museum, the Western Folklife Center, Evergreen Floral Shop or Cucina Fresca.

Lastly we would gladly welcome any women, involved in ranch-ing or not, to join us in becoming a member of the Elko County CattleWomen. We are always looking for women who share our ide-als and have an interest in supporting ranching, agriculture, farm-ing and local/national policies that affect our lands and our rights. Contact Shelly Satterthwaite at 775-340-1050 for more information.

We are thankful for the legacy that has been left to us to continue. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow as members and to serve our families, friends and community.

My yearlong term as the 2014 Nevada State Beef Ambas-

sador is quickly coming to an end. I cant express how thankful I am to have been given the opportunity to represent the state. It may sound a bit cliché but competing for the title has been one of the most life changing decisions I have made. Throughout the year I have traveled thousands of miles, met hundreds of people, and continue to learn new informa-tion about an ever-changing industry. When I first decided to apply for the competition I was a full time college student taking 17 credits along with working a part time job in the Nevada Department of Agriculture Livestock Identification office. I questioned the amount of dedication I would be able to give to the state but somehow I managed it. Here is what I’ve done throughout the year:

A YEAR IN REVIEWAshley Buckingham

Consumer Promotions• April 7th, 8th, and 9th. Clark County Fair-Nevada Beef Council Booth • May 9th. Great Basin College Aggies Fundraiser- One of the speakers and

had handouts available. • June 15th. Paradise Valley Fireman’s Father’s Day BBQ- Helped announce

raffleticketwinners,tookmealtickets,andhaddisplayboardwithhand-outs available.

• July30thand31st.SuperiorLivestockSale-Helpedsellraffleticketsandassistedwiththegolftournament.

• August 7th and 8th Ruby Mountain Relay- Prepared over 600 beef infor-mationpacketsthatwasaddedtorunnerandvolunteerregistrationbags.Set up booth at one of the main exchange points. Handed out beef sticks and brochures to approximately 600 consumers including runners, volun-teers, and supporters.

• September6thand7th.Sam’sClub--BytheendoftheweekendIhaddis-tributedover150recipecardsofthefeaturedtopsirloincut,alongwithallofthe75confidentcookingbrochures.IalsohandedoutnumerousBeefMag,Beefman,andbumperstickerstokidsthatwereshoppingwiththeirparents.Theconversationsandinterestfromconsumersweregreat!


Ashley Buckingham

The Beef Council and the Nevada Cattlemen fund the Beef Ambassador Program. Nevada has not had a state beef ambassa-dor for many years. I hope that producers will feel more confident as to where our beef check off dollars are going. After my year I have made many great connections and was able to network with leading individuals within the industry. I am now working for the Nevada Beef Council as the Nevada Education Coordinator where I will continue to travel and share the beef story.

There are many individuals and organizations that I could list thanking them for their support such as the Nevada Cattle-Women and The Nevada Beef Council but I feel there are two groups that deserve to be given the most thanks. Thank you to the cattle producers and the cowboys. Without you there would be no story to tell. Thank you for continuing to live out the ranch-ing lifestyle while raising a safe, wholesome, and nutritious product!

Education/Youth Outreach: • April 7th, 8th, and 9th 2014. Clark County Fair-Proctored 4H Skill-athon and

judged project record books• April25thGreatBasinCollegeDateNight-Taught lesson I createda lesson

focusingoncattleingeneral,beefbyproducts,andlocationofcutsonthecow.IreadoneoftheseriesoftheChaneyTwinsAgSeries,titled“OurStarGoesWesf’.Ithendonatedthebooktothepreschoolfacilitywewereat.

• July 21st Lake Tahoe 4H Camp-Taught a lesson focusing on beef nutrition.• July 21st. Carson City Boys and Girls Club-Taught a lesson focusing on beef

nutrition.• March6-7thBullsforthe21stCenturySale-SpokewithFFAandcollegestu-

dentsontheMaster’sofBeefAdvocacyProgramalongwiththeBeefAmbas-sador Program.

Media Interview• July7th.PhoneInterviewdonebyHumboldtSunNewspaperreporter,Joyce

Sheen.Myinterviewmadethefrontpage.Theheadlinewas,LocalYouthtoAttendNationalCompetition.Isharedinftormationaboutthebeefstory,myfamily’sranchandresourcesforconsumerstofindmoreinformation.

• August5th.InterviewwithJillSchofield,NevadaBeefCouncil,featuredinTheAdditional

• May 29th. Nevada Beef Council Executive Board Annual Dinner• July 10th. Elko County CattleWomen’s Meeting- Beef Ambassador update.• August5th.BeefAmbassadorTrainingwithCalifornia/NevadaBeefCouncil• September 26th and 27th National Beef Ambassador Competition- Denver, CO• October 9th Elko County CattleWomen’s Meeting- Beef

Ambassador update. • Blog, From the Mind of a Rancher’s Daughter, ashhbuckk@

blogspot.com• Completed the Master’s of Beef Advocacy Program.


Livestock Exchange, Intc.

FALLON

Fallon Livestock Exchange, Inc.2055 Trento Lane • Fallon, Nevada 89406 • 775-867-2020

See you and your Friends at Ringside Soon!

www.fallonlivestock.com

TOP OFFERINGSWeight Steers Heifers

300-400 325.00-362.50 307.70-350.00400-500 324.00-350.00 267.86-307.00500-600 268.47-310.00 238.15-260.00600-700 241.85-256.00 209.17-224.00700-800 194.16-214.00 194.00-204.00800-900 185.59-196.00 183.90-189.00Lite Holstein (under 600#) 130.00-156.00Heavy Holstein (over 600#) 110.00-122.00

*Single, small framed or plainer cattle40.00 to 70.00 less than top offerings

BUTCHER COWS & BULLSBreakers (Fat Cows) 92.00-100.00Boners (Med Flesh) 100.00-110.00Cutters (Lean) 70.00-80.00Holstein Cows 60.00-80.00Butcher Bulls 95.00-128.50Shelly (Thin) Bulls 75.00-85.00Shelly Cutters (Thin) 20.00-40.00Young Feeder Cows 95.00-117.00Heiferettes 95.00-120.00Holstein Heiferettes 102.00-125.00Holstein Bulls NTFeeder Bulls 85.00-95.00Cutting Bulls 95.00-120.00Used Roping Steers 80.00-100.00Preg Tested Cows(3, 4, 5 yr. old solid mouth) 1700.00-2350.00

Bred Heifers (6 to 7 months bred) NTPairs (solid mouth) 4-5 yrs NTPairs (older) NT

CALVES-SHEEP-GOATS-PIGS-HORSESBeef Calves (HD) 150.00-585.00Dairy Calves 2.00-70.00Feeder Lambs 150.00-190.00Fat Lambs 140.00-170.00Ewes (CWT) Top End 40.00-70.00Bucks (CWT) Top End 40.00-60.00Small Goats (under 65 lbs.) (HD) 30.00-95.00Large Goats (over 70 lbs.) (HD) 95.00-150.00Weaner Pigs 45.00-110.00Feeder Pigs 60.00-130.00Top Hogs 75.00-91.50Butcher Sows 20.00-45.00Horses (under 1100 lbs.) 10.00-20.00Horses (over 1100 lbs.) 25.00-35.00

TODAY’S COWSAvg. Wt Avg. Cost

Top Cow 1560 117.50Top 10 Cows 1396 114.67Top 50 Cows 1220 106.23Top 100 Cows 1119 101.64Top Butcher Bull 1905 127.00Top Holstein Cows 1600 96.00

MARKET TREND:Feeder cattle sold on extreamely hot market, $10.00-$30.00 higher, 100% country, one owner cattle, quality ran deep where the buyers liked what they saw on the same kind de-pending on quality, fl esh and fi ll. Fallen livestock is a key mar-ket for the industry, where buyers and sellers meet each week with a professional staff with over 50 years of experience in marketing livestock.PLEASE call us ahead with your consignments. It helps us market your cattle. We talk to buyers all the time - they want to know what’s coming in. We are seeing good demand on weigh up cows & bulls. It sure makes a big difference on how they are sorted. Ranchers, don’t send your cows directly to kill right now, most cows will bring a premium over kill price. To feed or go back to the country call us for details! Let our crew sort and class your cows. This will help you receive full market value for your cows.

MARKET REPORTMarch 10th, 2015

The market is strong right now. Buyers are looking for cattle, so call us today and consign your

good cattle.Call for further information or toarrange your trucking needs.

11th Annual Spring TurnoutSpecial Calf and Yearling Sale

Tuesday April 21st at 1:00pm

Ship ’Em To

ORFallon Livestock Exchange, Inc.775-867-2020

Monte Bruck,Manager

775-426-8279


Spring Cove Ranch & JBB/AL Herefords • 150 Angus bulls averaged $7775• 42 Registered Angus yearling heifers averaged $2689• 15 Commercial yearling Angus heifers averaged $2083• 12 2 yr. old Hereford bulls averaged $5291• 6 Fall yearling Hereford bulls averaged $6450• 22 Yearling Hereford bulls averaged $5022• 17 yearling Hereford heifers averaged $2520• 3 Red Angus bulls averaged $4256• 3 Red Angus heifers averaged $2100

High selling Angus bulls:Lot 33, Spring Cove Broken Bow 4205, selling to ABS Global, Madison , WI for $20,000Lot 52, SCR Cedar Ridge DVB 4206, selling to Stucky Ranch, Kingman ,Kansas for $19,000Lot 107, Spring Cove TL Consensus B37 , selling to Spring Ridge Farm, Hartwell, GA for $17,500Lot 64, Spring Cove Emblazon 4214, selling to Rabbit Creek Ranch, Elko, NV for $15,500Lot 15, Spring Cove Longevity 4319, selling to P Lazy J Livestock, Elko, NV for $14,000Lot 24, Spring Cove Longevity 4713, selling to Morgan Ranches, Jordan Valley, Oregon for $14,000Lot 34, Spring Cove Broken Bow 4021, selling to Morgan Ranches, Jordan Valley , Oregon for $14,000Lot 13, Spring Cove Longevity B24, selling to Miles High Angus, Altamont, UT for $14,000Lot 2, Spring Cove Longevity 4033B, selling to Sierra Del Rio Ranch, Murphy, ID for $13,500Lot 35, Spring Cove Broken 4015, selling to Rabbit Creek Ranch, Elko, NV for $13, 500Lot 67, Spring Cove Emblazon 4208, selling Rabbit Creek Ranch, Elko, NV for $13,500Lot 10, Spring Cove Longevity 4105, selling to Morgan Ranches, Jordan Valley, OR for $13, 500Lot 69, Spring Cove Emblazon 4232, selling to Rabbit Creek Ranch, Elko, Nevada for $13,000Lot 3, Spring Cove Longevity 4060, selling to Salmon Falls Land & Livestock, Hagerman , ID for $12,000Lot 31, Spring Cove Broken Bow 4239, selling Russ Abbott, Utah for $12,000Lot 149X, Spring Cove Horizon 4564, selling to Morgan Ranches, Jordan Valley, OR for $12,000 The high selling bred Angus heifer was Lot 166, Spring Cove Star 339,selling to Jack Clark, Blackfoot, Idahoand the high selling yearling Angus heifer was Lot 175 TL Rachel 4174, selling to Kristi Tomera,,Spring Creek, NV for $3400. High selling Hereford & Red Angus Lots:Lot 228, JBB 1101 About Time 4038, selling to Salmon Falls Land & Livestock, Hagerman, ID for $7500Lot 210, JBB 0152 Domino 3089, selling to Wolfe Ranches, Dell, MT for $7250Lot 212, JBB/AL 0152 Domino 3093, selling to Wolfe Ranches, Dell, MT for $7250Lot 223, JBB Mr Bennett 4023, selling to Sun Eagle Farms, Ontario, OR for $7250Lot 215, JBB/AL 153T Prince 3126, selling to Salmon Falls Land & Livestock, Hagerman, ID for $7200Lot 239, JBBC Thor 2809Z 4072, selling to Yolo Land & Cattle, in Woodland, CA for $7000Lot 201, AL 3027 Dom 3025, selling to Petan Ranch, Tuscarora, NV for $7000Lot 236, AL 2809 Thor 4062, selling to Jeff Phillips Ranch, Baker City, OR for $6750High selling Red Angus bull was Lot 247 JBB/AL Conquest 2683Z 4061 selling to Funkhouser Livestock, Fairfield, Idaho $4250Second high selling Red Angus bull was BHAR Pinnacle 4049, selling to Diamond A Livestock, Gooding , Idaho for $4500 High selling Hereford female was Lot 250, AL MS 88X Ribeye 4009, selling to Devin Timm, Callao, UT for $4250.Second high selling Hereford female was Lot 258, JBB MS 3027 DOM 4056 selling to Barry Hereford Ranch, Madras, OR for $3500High selling Red Angus Heifer was Lot Lot 267 JBB/AL MS Conquest 2683Z 4074 selling to Quarter Circle Spear, Bliss,ID for $2100

2015 Sale Report


Nevada Farm Bureau

Water Curtailment Limits Farmers in Mason and Smith Valley

Nevada Farm Bureau

By Jessica Fagundes, Nevada Farm Bureau Director of Communications

A recent decision by the Nevada Division of Water Resources will dramatically impact farmers in

Mason and Smith Valley this year. The division issued an order Feb. 3, 2015 that required a cur-

tailment of 50 percent of all supplemental irrigation groundwater rights in both valleys for the 2015 irrigation season.

“We have just finished up three years of drought and it ap-pears we are about to enter our fourth. We’ve seen unprecedented groundwater level drops to the tune of 30 to 40 feet over the last three years alone. That equates to eight to 10 feet per year,” Nevada State Water Engineer Jason King says. “Given these facts, we felt like we had to take immediate action. When you talk about those levels of declines, you have the possibility of wide spread well failure.”

According to King, curtailment of supplemental groundwater rights was not a personal attack on agriculture but rather the most logical solution to help prevent the water table level from dropping.

“Supplemental water is the lion share in the basin. We’ve issued about 55,000 acre feet of water rights in Smith Valley and 43,000 of that 55,000 are supplemental groundwater rights,” King says. “In Mason Valley, we’ve issued 149,000 acre feet and of that 100,000 are supplemental groundwater rights. This is the biggest group of pumping and it is occurring at the times when there is drought.”

King and others at the Nevada Division of Water Resources hope that the curtailment will prevent the aquifers in those valleys from dropping even more than they currently have in the last three years.

“We believe that in doing this, we will hopefully help the aquifer to recover despite entering the fourth year of the drought,” he says.

The decision has left many farmers in both valleys worrying about their ability to grow crops in the coming year. For Peri & Sons Farm owner David Peri in Yerington, the curtailment will force him to farm only half of his 10,000-acre operation.

“We are going to fallow 5,000 acres and put all of our water sources toward the vegetables. So we’ll roughly be farming half the acres,” Peri says, adding that Peri & Sons Farms will be not growing any rotational crops in 2015 as a result of the curtailment.

Peri & Sons employs nearly 750 full and part-time employees at their operation. According to Peri, his focus will be to keep as many people employed at his operation as he can and to continue to positively impact Mason’s Valley’s economy.

Peri’s situation is somewhat unique to the valley as the farm primarily grows vegetables, which use less water than rotational crops like alfalfa.

“We are in a little different situation than most because we are vegetable growers, and some of our crops use less than an acre foot

of water. Very few use the full four feet,” he says. “We’re fortunate that we are going to survive, but it’s going to hurt. And most guys, they are growing cattle or alfalfa; they are going to get hit the worst.”

For Lyon County President and farmer Darrel Pursel, the cur-tailment will more than likely limit him to farming less than 50 percent of his operation.

“They were looking at a zero percent allocation for our surface water from the Walker River. So the guys that have wells now with a fifty percent curtailment, basically they are going to be only able to farm about half of their ground,” Pursel says. “And in some cases, not even that much because some farmers’ wells may not be for the total acres that they farm.”

Pursel’s operation is 160 acres, but his well is only permitted to pump for 121 acres, meaning he and some other farmers in the area will farm less than half of their land this irrigation season.

Despite the cutback, Pursel says that the curtailment could ac-tually help his operation.

“The water table has dropped so much that my well isn’t pro-ducing as much. So if the water table comes back or doesn’t drop anymore, it will actually be better,” Pursel says, adding that his situation is unique to the area.

This curtailment is the first one to be issued in Smith and Ma-son Valley, making it more difficult for farmers who have never experienced this situation before.

“It’s unprecedented that you’re not going to be able to use your supplemental water like you have in the past during a drought,” Peri says.

According Peri, the curtailment could affect more than just the farmers who are immediately impacted.

State Engineer King recognizes the negative impact the deci-sion will have on farmers and sympathizes with their situation.

“We understand that people’s livelihoods are tied to water use and for those farmers that use supplemental water rights, this is going to impact their businesses,” Kings says.

And despite the dramatic curtailment this year, King is opti-mistic that the curtailment will only last for 2015 and says that a decision about the 2016 curtailment would be made early next year.

“Let’s see how the aquifer recovers; let’s see what kind of winter we have next year,” King says.

“The economic impact to Smith and Mason Valley, because we are two ag communities,

is going to be devastating,” Peri says.


Nevada Farm Bureau

Farmers & Ranchers of Nevada: A Holistic Management Approach to Ranching

Nevada Farm Bureau

A typical day for White Pine County rancher Jacob Carter begins bright and early with irrigation. After that, Carter

and his crew start the daily rotation of moving his cattle from one pasture to the next. Moving cattle from pasture to pasture is the most important part of Carter’s operation. This process is a practice used in holistic management and is often referred to as rotational grazing. However, for Carter, the term rotational grazing does not explain his entire approach.

“I use the word rotational grazing because it’s easy,” Carter says. “But indi-viduals that teach holistic management don’t call it rotational grazing. It’s really all about timing. It’s all about rainfall and how you do it.”

Using this approach, Carter is able to maximize the number of animals per acre while also ensuring his pasture can regrow daily. This process is largely done with fences and involves partitioning livestock to a specific part of a pas-ture at any given time. While cattle graze in one part of the field, the other parts of the field are allowed some time to regrow.

“We’ve been able, in many cases, to double our forage base because of that type of grazing, and we do it, not only on our private land, but also on BLM land,” Carter says.

Although the idea of rotational grazing seems straight forward, Carter goes on to explain that in practice, it takes a great deal of knowledge and experience to be able to read the land.

“After you’ve been doing it so long, you can just tell how the land is,” he says. “And it’s not easy to get started. It takes a lot of time on the ground knowing your land, knowing grass and knowing how it all works.”

Carter built this knowledge and experience through a life growing up on the ranch. A fifth-generation rancher, Carter’s family originally started ranching in the White Pine Valley as early as 1898.

During the late 1890s, his grandfathers settled the valley and began to split up the land. Throughout the next 20 years, one of Carter’s grandfathers bought out the others in order to grow his operation. By the early 1970s, his operation had grown from 100 cows to 300 cows. In the early 1980s, it increased to 800 cows. Now that operation stands at about 1000 to 1200 cows. Carter credits a large part of this progress to methods the ranch started to adopt in the 1980s.

“We started studying Allan Savory,” Carter says. “That’s what really helped us move forward as we started to run holistic management and those princi-pals of managing your land properly and managing your operation with low overheads.”

Holistic management involves managing all available resources in a con-nected, systematic way. Ranchers that use this practice manage land, wildlife and cattle together. By taking not only the cattle but also the other factors, animals and environments affected by grazing into consideration, the health of the land and cattle is benefited, and a larger profit can be obtained.

Although holistic management is a main goal for Carter’s operation, it does not address the most pressing issue facing Ne-

vada ranchers today in his opinion. Regulation constraints and a lack of young and upcoming ranchers are the problems Carter finds most alarming.

“We don’t have a lot of young people coming up to fill those positions in fed-eral government and other agriculture agencies for whatever reasons,” Carter says. “Sometimes I wonder if I should have done it. It is a lot of work, but you have to have a love and enjoyment for it.”

Carter offers young people a chance to come work and learn about ranch-ing by hiring high school students during the summer months. Their job duties include helping with fencing, irrigation and farming.

Carter made the decision to be a rancher at the age of 22. Before ranching, he attained his associate degree in business administration. Later, he also at-tended Texas Christian University where he studied ranch management. He returned to run his family’s ranch in 2005.

Carter tries to stay active in his community and has been an Nevada Farm Bureau member since 2008. Since then, he has been involved in various ways, including serving as a White Pine County board member.

While Carter is busy on the ranch, his wife, Aubrey Carter, is busy raising their five children – Isabelle, Neil, Dallin, Jenevieve and Legrand – and getting them ready for life on the ranch.

“She’ll come out and ride with the kids. She is trying to teach the kids how to ride, how to work the horses and how to work the cattle,” Carter says adding that his wife also supplies support by occasionally cooking for the ranch crew.

Despite the challenges facing young ranchers, Aubrey feels hopeful for the next generation and is very proud of how her kids are being raised. Unlike Jacob, Aubrey was not raised on a ranch and is excited that her kids are get-ting that opportunity. She sees the knowledge her children are learning as an invaluable resource.

“I feel very encouraged that my kids get to learn these skills and talents especially while growing up,” Aubrey says. “I’m excited for them to learn pro-cesses of animals and plants and have a better understanding of where food comes from. I think that’s very important.”

Carter is also excited for where his ranch is going and sees a positive future ahead. Attending trainings every year, his main focus is on moving his business forward, increasing profit and keeping up with the future.

“We have a really good private land base as well as some BLM land,” Carter says. “We have really good relationships in our community, the cattle market is phenomenal, and I continue to believe that food is going to be scarce in the next 10 to 15 to 20 to 100 years,” Carter says. “As farmers and ranchers, we are going to be the biggest contributors to the world.”

Written By Austin Wright, Nevada Farm Bureau Intern


Boy, this old age is coming at a really bad time. At my age, getting lucky is walking into a room and remembering what I came into the room for. The biggest lie I tell myself is that it’s a waist of time to

write it down; I’ll remember it. Since they whacked part of my pancreas off, the amount of insulin

and enzymes flowing into my digestive system is no longer adequate. Adjusting my, already compromised, “age challenged”, life style is not all that bad. I can eat meat, dairy products, eggs and then a bunch of fruit and vegetables. Maybe I am becoming a carnivorous rabbit. Also does this make me a part time vegan? Well, if you can call a horse, a quarter horse, have I become a quarter vegetarian?

Every three months, I must go to the hospital and have blood drawn so my doctor can see if my blood sugars are staying in the proper bal-ance. The lab technician draws about four little vials of blood for the Doc and the hospital takes about four quarts of blood out of my insurance company. No wonder there are more heart attacks now days. It’s kind of a form of population control. You get the bill and you either have to slit your wrists so your life insurance policy will cover the doctor visit or sell the gold in your teeth to cover the bill. When you can’t afford to see the doctor, your tribe should send you off into the hills as being more of a burden than useful and you can fend for yourself.

All the sugars and carbohydrates I am supposed to avoid haven’t really hurt me. The trick is reading labels and after a while, you find that all the good stuff is not for you. I just like to see if any one besides me really cares. Just to see if anybody is paying attention, just before they draw blood, I eat a bag of candy or some French fries, or some pasta. Got to keep those folks on message. There is nothing like blowing five hundred and have the nurse come running in wondering why your not comatose.

The real downside is that my little sister Bonnie has more degrees than a thermometer. You guessed it, they are in nutrition and she spe-cializes in diabetes. I have become her eighth grade science project. This could have been a bad choice for her. I can’t remember what I had for breakfast but my recollection of all the things that in her earlier life she told me not to eat, are now back in vogue like cranberries, they were a carcinogen, butter would clog you arteries, eggs would over load your cholesterol levels, red meat bad, animal fat bad and a plethora of other things also bad. Nearly everything you were not to eat has come full circle. It’s only a matter of time before smoking will be healthy for you. The rule still is, all things in moderation. It was as though if it tasted good you were to spit it out. If it tasted like the Styrofoam container it came in, it was all right to eat.

When I went to the doctor last week, I saw my doctor outside and went over to say Hi. He was on break and having a smoke. We chatted for a few minutes about his favorite Irish whiskey. He was astute enough about whiskey that he told me that Irish whiskey is spelled with an E. in it, whereas Scotch whisky does not. When your doctor has some of

the same failings that the rest of us have, it is com-

forting that he too is down for the struggle. It reminded me of the old days when the television commercial came on for “Leave it to Beaver”, the man dressed as a doctor would come into the staged doctors office in a white coat and a stethoscope around his neck and proceed to set on the edge of the desk and fire up a smoke. He would then hold the pack of unfiltered Chesterfield cigarettes up and say “For my patients who smoke, I recommend Chesterfields for that full satisfying flavor”. Guess this actor slash doctor had never been in a ranch bunkhouse about four thirty in the morning when the occupants of said bunkhouse in a grand chorus were trying to hack up a lung?

During the conversation my agnostic doctor with a Jewish name, a penchant for Irish Whiskey, and an obvious liking for Marlboro smokes, told me one of the things that would help me manage my diabetes issue was exercise. It seems that you burn blood sugar with a brisk walk or other forms of physical activity. Guess he didn’t know my routine. The alarm goes off at four. Usually coffee is on and I must walk back to the bedroom to turn the darn alarm off. Newspaper is next, me no savvy the texting and such. Now I do a walk about looking for my Seeing Eye dog, aka, reading glasses. I buy them by the bushel so they should be easy to find, WRONG!!!!!! After at least five laps around the house one pair of

glasses with the really bad scratches will surface, along with an apple core, an old Skoal can, and a jar of uterine boluses that have been missing for as many years ago as I quit chewing. Next you sprint to

the library to get shed of the three cups of coffee consumed. OOPS, forgot to let the beefeater out of the garage. He wags his tail but has a yellow look in his eyes and sprints outside to the nearest tire. Now you remem-ber that the aroma coming from the kitchen is the bacon that you forgot to turn the heat down on earlier because you were just going to warm the pan up, is now looking like a nuclear fusion of unrecognizable tissue. Well maybe old beefeater’s teeth can handle the crunch. Now another series of wind sprints looking for your coffee cup, this usually will net you four or five cups, just not the one you filled this morning. With a little luck after getting the bad news from the market report and the weather report, which puts your blood pressure off the chart, out the door you go. You now put on your five buckle overshoes that are so muddy that they have a heartbeat, and the beefeater is trying to roll on them like they smelled dead or something, you remember that you left the lights on. So you undress again only to get back outside and then undress again to return to the library and then get dressed again. You get into the pickup only to realize that the keys are in the office. FINALLY, you drive off only you can’t remember if you unplugged the coffee pot. Back to the house once again you do deep knee bends and boot removal to find out that you did unplug the coffee pot; but you didn’t shut the stove off which is now melting the cast iron skillet with the bacon grease as a catalyst into the newest warped steel crater in the stove. Well doc other than that little routine, I hardly get any exercise of a morning but at least a little exercising is done while working. Hang and Rattle! Hank

By Hank VoglerFUMES FROM THE FARM

The trick is reading labels and after a while, you find that all the good stuff is not for you.


After several of these “In the Mind of a Millennial” updates, you’re prob-ably feeling well-versed in all things related to the Millennial generation. And hopefully, you have a pretty good sense of why this segment of the popu-

lation is so important to us in the beef industry. This month, rather than provide additional consumer trends about the Mil-lennials, I’m going to share some specific and targeted efforts by both the Beef Checkoff and the Nevada Beef Council that aim to address this generation’s preferences to ensure Millennials feel confident in purchasing and eating beef.

Driving Consumers to Beef InformationRecently, the Beef Checkoff conducted a Content Search Analysis Re-

search Study. The title sounds a bit complicated, but the overall objective of the study was to uncover the content needs of consumers actively seeking information about beef and competitive proteins online. This study identi-fied how consumers are searching for this information on the web through tools such as Google and Bing Search. Data shows that cooking method searches online have increased year-over-year, specifically slow cooker, with more than 2,000,000 monthly searches.

While a majority of “slow cooker” searches happen in the fall and win-ter, the search volume remains substantial throughout the rest of the year. To capitalize on this consumer search activity, the “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner” website created a recipe collection that is focused solely on Slow Cooking beef recipes, and the checkoff utilizes digital advertising to ensure that consumers are aware of these delicious and nutritious recipe options.

The Nevada Beef Council also capitalized on that consumer trend by launching a promotion with Raley’s supermarkets and Crock-Pot ® slow cookers last fall. By providing shoppers with point-of-sale literature of-fering best practices for cooking with slow cookers, as well as specific beef recipes, the NBC helped educate consumers about a cooking method that combines convenience with ease – two major factors for millennial consum-ers when planning meals and making food purchasing decisions. For more on this promotion and how it translated to higher beef sales at participating retailers, read this month’s Nevada Beef Council update in the Progressive Rancher.

Expanding Social Media Presence Millennial consumers oftentimes are watching TV and are on Twitter

at the same time, sharing their thoughts about the shows through online social media with their followers. The “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner” Twitter handle, @Beef, takes advantage of this “second screen” movement by tweet-ing alongside popular food television shows including “Beat Bobby Flay,” “Cutthroat Kitchen,” “Top Chef” and “The Chew.” The effort has been pretty successful so far—consumers have been interacting with the checkoff’s @Beef handle at twice the industry standard, garnering more than 2,000 consumer engagements in less than one month. If you’re on Twitter and are interested in following the conversation, be sure to follow @Beef to see each and every beefy tweet.

Locally in Nevada, the NBC has also been ramping up social media engagement, particularly on Facebook. The NBC team has focused on grow-ing the Facebook audience over the last several months, and is up to nearly 2,000 followers. Each time we post a delicious recipe, share information about beef’s nutrition, or help shed light on the best (and most proper) ways

to cook with different cuts, it’s shared with our Facebook followers, who can then share it with their followers. We’ll work to continue ramping up the social media presence and, thus, the opportunity to engage with more consumers on a popular platform.

Beyond MillennialsWith all this talk about Millennials, however, it’s also important to note

that our efforts on a state and national level reach beyond this demographic. While the Millennials are clearly our target audience (and for good reason), our communication methods and marketing efforts also reach other genera-tions who might also have “millennial tendencies,” as well as other demo-graphics that play an important role in food purchasing decisions (such as women between the ages of 25 and 50). By driving consumers to our online and digital properties, as well as deploying campaigns that seek to increase online engagement, we’re reaching a broad cross-section of people who can have a strong influence on purchasing.

Pull-out box How Millennial are you?Whether or not you are a member of the Millennial generation, just how

many “millennial tendencies” do you have? The Pew Research Center has a fun quiz you can take to determine just where you fall on the generational spectrum. For example, yours truly got a score of “43” on the quiz, putting me in the “older millennial” age range and actually closer to a Gen Xer – which is exactly where I am in age.

The questions range from topics covering your television viewing to whether or not you’ve interacted with a government official. Here are a few examples:

In the past 24 hours, did you…• Watch more than an hour of television programming?• Read a daily newspaper?• Play video games?• In terms of your telephone use, do you have a cell phone, a land line,

or both?• How many text messages did you receive in the last 24 hours?• Have you contacted a government official in the last 12 months? The

contact could have been in person, by phone, by letter, by sending an email, or posting a message on their website or social network-ing page.

• Have you ever created your own profile on a so-cial networking site, such as Facebook, My Space, Twitter, etc.?

• How many tattoos do you have?

To take the full quiz, and find out just how millennial you are,

visit www.pewresearch.org/quiz/how-millennial-are-you/

By Jill Scofield, Nevada Beef Council

In the Mind of a Millennial

Jill Scofield is Director of Producer Relations for the

Nevada and California Beef Councils. You can reach her at [email protected].


CHECKOFF NEWS:

For more about the Nevada Beef Council, visit www.nevadabeef.org.

Measuring ResultsEvery year, the Nevada Beef Council (NBC) partners

with a number of retailers throughout the state to pro-mote beef at the meat case, as well as offer incentives for con-sumers to purchase our delicious product during their visit to the supermarket. These partnerships – which allow the NBC to work directly with the retailers who have a direct connec-tion with consumers as they’re making purchasing decisions – comprise an important and beneficial program that the NBC team carries out on behalf of Nevada beef producers.

But just as important as providing consumers with offers and incen-tives that will hopefully encourage more purchasing of beef is ensuring these partnerships are on-point and effectively reaching the overall ob-jective of increasing beef sales in Nevada.

That’s why the NBC works with our retail partners to measure the re-sults of each and every promotion. To provide some insight about all the factors involved in these partnerships and how they impact beef sales, we wanted to share the results of two recent promotional programs.

SaveMart Supermarkets (September 7 to October 11, 2014)This promotion featured a variety of partners, including the NBC,

SaveMart, Reser’s Fine Foods, and Entercom Communications. The five-week promotion featured on-pack instant redeemable coupons (IRCs) when beef and Reser’s were purchased together, cross-merchandising displays with the Reser’s salads and beef in the meat department, and a full-page ad in SaveMart’s In Good Taste magazine, which is available to shoppers at store check stands. What’s more, the promotion featured a radio broadcast element, social media, digital advertising online and an online consumer contest that offered shoppers with a chance to win barbecues and barbecue tool sets. These elements focused on “easy din-ner” and “tailgating” themes coinciding with back to school and football tailgating timing, as well as hitting the “convenience” factor, which is a key element for the millennial consumer when making decisions about food and meals.

Overall results:Beef movement during the five-week promotion had an 18 percent

increase over the five weeks pre-promotion, which included the Labor Day holiday. Beef movement continued to remain strong in the Nevada Save Mart stores post-promotion.

Raley's (October 22 to November 18, 2014)This unique partnership program aimed to increase beef sales at

participating Nevada Raley’s stores by promoting beef, specifically slow-cooker beef options, to consumers through an integrated market-ing strategy. In addition to the NBC and Raley’s, the other promotional partners included Crock-Pot ® and Entercom Communications Corp. Promotional elements included integration with Raley’s popular Some-thing Extra mobile app offering a $3.00-off beef coupon, social media

promotion by Raley’s and the NBC, and a guest blog post by NBC Direc-tor of Food and Nutrition James Winstead featured on the Raley’s Sea-sons blog. In addition, the NBC provided specially designed slow cooker recipe cards to the Raley’s stores. The cards, featuring three simple steps for slow cooking, were made available to shoppers at each store’s meat case. Lastly, radio advertising, digital advertising, and a consumer contest and giveaway of slow cookers, which were donated by Crock-Pot ®, added to the marketing elements of this promotion and enhanced the visibility of beef promotion messaging among Nevada consumers.

Overall results: Raley’s saw a 17.8

percent increase in sales of popular slow cooker roasts that were on fea-ture during the promo-tion period, which in-cluded Beef Brisket, Beef Chuck and Beef Round. All featured cuts saw an increase of 3.5 percent, as well. These figures are based on compari-sons against beef sales during the same time period during the previ-ous year, which is made all the more impressive when considering the in-crease in beef prices that took place over that time period.

For more information about the NBC’s retail partnerships and pro-grams, e-mail your questions to [email protected]. To learn more about retail outreach efforts on a national level, visit www.beefretail.org.

Beef and Good Health: Continuing the Conversation Engaging with Nevada’s community of health and dietary influenc-

ers continues to be an important activity for the NBC. As a recent case in point, our Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Director of Food and Nutrition Outreach James Winstead joined the American Heart Association for its Northern Nevada “Go Red for Women” luncheon in February. The event, held in Reno, offered a chance for Winstead to help raise awareness and answer questions about beef’s role in a heart healthy diet with the participants, which included registered dietitians, doctors, nurses and other health professionals. Educating health influencers about beef’s nutritional profile and its scientifically proven health ben-efits is just one way the NBC puts your checkoff dollars to work.


Beef Sausage and Egg Muffin CupsWe all know how important a good breakfast is. Starting

off with a protein-packed meal is an excellent way to fuel your body for a busy day on the ranch (or your kids for a busy day at school). This recipe can be made in advance and reheated the next morning for a quick and delicious on-the-go breakfast.

Total Recipe Time: 45 to 50 minutes

Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

1 recipe Basic Country Beef Breakfast Sausage

1 can (4-1/2 ounces) chopped green chilies, undrained

1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese

5 large eggs

1/4 cup milk

1 to 2 teaspoons regular or chipotle hot pepper sauce

Salt and pepper

Toppings (optional):

Chopped green onion or chives, chopped tomato, salsa or additional hot sauce

News From the Nevada Beef Council

Basic Country Beef Breakfast Sausage

Combine 1 pound ground beef, 2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage or 1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Heat large nonstick skillet over me-dium heat until hot. Add beef mixture; cook 8 to 10 minutes, breaking into 3/4-inch crumbles and stirring occasionally. Drain fat, if needed.

BEEF SAUSAGE & EGG MUFFIN CUPS

Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray 12-cup standard muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray. Prepare Basic Country Beef Breakfast Sausage. Stir chilis and cheese into beef mixture. Evenly divide mixture into prepared pan.

Whisk eggs, milk and hot sauce, as desired, in medium bowl. Evenly divide egg mixture over beef mixture in muf-fin cups.

Bake in 375°F oven 17 to 20 minutes or until egg mixture is set and just beginning to brown. Let stand 2 minutes. Loosen edges; remove from muffin pan. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with Toppings, as desired.


Dryland & Reclamation Seed H Wheatgrasses H Nordan Crested H New Hy H Bluebunch H Hycrest Crested H Siberian Wheatgrass H Oahe Intermediate H Pubescent H Indian Ricegrass H Big Sagebrush H Forage Kochia

H Immigrant H Snowstorm (New) H Great Basin Wild Rye H Roadcrest H Tall Wheatgrass H Shadescale H 4 Wing Saltbush H Garrison Creeping Foxtail

H Garrison Meadow Foxtail

Clovers H Alsike H Ladino H Red Clover H Strawberry H White Dutch H New Zealand H Yellow Blossom H Trefoil

Turf Grasses H Ron’s Special Turf Mix H Ky Blue Grass H Athletic Turf Mix H TT Perennial Ryegrass H Chewings Fesque H Defi ance XRE (Drought Tolerant)

H Bentgrass

Grain & Miscellaneous H Oats

• Cayuse• Monida

H Wheat• Twin• PR 1404• Patrone

H Peas H Corn H Sorghum Sudan

• BMR• Piper Sudan• Sweet RN

Honey

H Triticale• Forerunner• Merlin

H Ryegrain• Gazelle - Spring• Prima - Fall• VNS

H Beardless Barley H Chowford H Stockford H Milo H Sunfl ower

Field Grasses H Orchard Grasses

• Rushmore• Seco (Dryland)• Potomac• Paiute• Teff Grass

H Mountain Meadow Brome H Smooth Brome H Annual Rye Grass H Perennial Rye Grasses H Climax Timothy H Fawn Tall Fescue H Tuscany II Tall Fescue

Pasture Mixes

H Olympic Elite H University w/No Clover H Northwest Pasture H Horse Pasture H PNW Dryland Mix H Ron’s Dryland Mix H Ron’s Rangeland Mix

Conventional Alfalfa Varieties H 6305Q H 6442Q H 6410N (New) H 6585Q H 6475 (New) H 6552 (New) H 919 Brand

H Cinch I (ML)

H Cinch II H Ron’s Blend H Haymaker (ML)

H Blazer XL H 6610N H Spreador5

H Ladak H Vernal H Ranger H WL-343HQ H WL-354HQ H WL-363HQ H WL-365HQ

Round Up Ready AlfalfasFD WH

H 6497R (New) 4 VH H Mutiny 4.3 VH H 6516R (New) 5 H H 6547R (New) 5 VH H Revolt 6 H WL 336 HQRR 3 VH H WL 356 HQRR 4 VH H WL 372 HQRR 5 VH

SALT TOLERANT AND DROUGHT-HARDY

VARIETIES AVAILABLE

710 Grass Valley Road • Winnemucca, NV 89445775-623-5053 • [email protected]

YOUR SEED, FERTILIZER & CHEMICAL HEADQUARTERS FOR NEVADA

Call or Stop In For Our Complete List of Seeds & Grains!

Alfalfa is All We Do!

ServingAgriculturefor33Years

RON’S SEED & SUPPLY

We Have Varieties Available That are Organically Approved

High school students make their mark on the com-munity during Nevada FFA State Convention Members volunteer at Boys and Girls Club and High Desert Farm-ing Initiative

SPARKS, Nev. - Things are looking “Blue and Gold” as Nevada FFA State Convention comes to University of Nevada, Reno. This week, over 500 Nevada FFA members from across the state will make their mark

as they attend the 86th Nevada FFA State Convention. In celebra-tion of state convention, FFA students will help the community by taking part in two service projects.

“The annual project helps teach students the importance of service and community relations,” said Heather Dye, Nevada FFA Association Executive Director. Each year, convention attendees take part in a community service project. This year’s theme is “Make Your Mark” and FFA members will do so by visiting the Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows and the High Desert Farming Initiative.

Throughout the year, FFA members perform thousands of hours of community service. In 2014, with 56 percent of Nevada FFA students reporting, 6,912 community service hours were per-formed within and outside their schools.

On Tuesday, fifty FFA members will read to 120 kids at the Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows. FFA members will read “The Apple Orchard Riddle” by Margaret McNamara. The book was selected because it tells an accurate story of farming and inspires readers to learn more. Media interviews are available from 4:30 p.m. -5:30 p.m. This event is sponsored by Washoe County Farm Bureau and Buy Nevada.

On Thursday, fifty FFA members will help prepare hoop houses at UNR’s High Desert Farming Initiative. They will also help har-vest vegetables for campus. They will be joined by National FFA Advisor Dr. Steve Brown. Brown is an Educational Program Spe-cialist for the U.S. Department of Education. Media interviews will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the University’s Valley Road Field Labs and Greenhouse Complex.

“The Nevada FFA State Convention serves as a celebration of FFA and an experience full of educational rele- vancy for students,” added Dye. “It is a continuation of the agriculture education class-room where students apply the lessons learned to real-world situa-tions based in science, math, and literacy.”

The Nevada FFA Association will hold the convention at the UNR from March 17-20th. During the week, 554 students will travel from counties across Nevada to compete in agricultural ca-reer development events, to volunteer and to attend motivational sessions.

1,938 Acres available for Cattle, Horses or Sheep Ranch, Elko County, Spring Creek, Nevada. (Can build home and out buildings on property)

Excellent Natural Crested Wheat. Location: 6.5 miles south on Hwy 228/Jiggs from 227 toward Twin Bridges/Jiggs, East Side of Hwy.

See sign & asphalt entrance. 20 minutes to downtown Elko & 10 minutes to gas and shopping.Water Wells 3. Additional Water Rights and Mineral Rights available.

Fenced and crossed fenced. Fenced and crossed fenced. New Power on property.

New gravel roads on property.Professionally Surveyed.

Consider selling all or part at $895.00 per acre. (Minimum 1,130 acres, max 1,938 acres)Financing Available.

Call for details: Jack Sunseri-Managing Member at: 916-652-0649 or Cell-916-768-4094Email: [email protected]: [email protected]

Sun Valley RanchElko County, Nevada

Since 1959 - Manufactured in Scio, OregonMain Offi cePowell Scales NW39120 West Scio Rd.Scio, OR 97374Ph 503-394-3660Fax 503-394-3502Toll Free: 1-800-451-0787

Spokane Offi ceInland Scales NW

5602 E. Desmet Ave.PO Box 11335

Spokane, WA 99211Ph 509-535-4295

Fax 509-535-4296

Steve Orr • 503-510-3540www.scalesnw.com • [email protected] • SCALES 800-451-0187

TRUCK SCALES • LIVESTOCK SCALES • WAREHOUSE SCALES • RENTAL SCALES

SCALE SERVICE • SYSTEMS • PARTS • SALES & CONSTRUCTION

MOBILE LIVESTOCK RENTALS AVAILABLE AT:

PORTABLE TRUCK SCALES WITH STEEL RAMPOR MOBILE LIVESTOCK SCALES AVAILABLE

CERTIFIABLE!AFFORDABLE!

Bullet Rental - Klamath Falls, OR • ACW Rentals - Burns, OR • Powell Scales - Scio, OR

RentalsAvailable!

NEVADA FFA


Dryland & Reclamation Seed H Wheatgrasses H Nordan Crested H New Hy H Bluebunch H Hycrest Crested H Siberian Wheatgrass H Oahe Intermediate H Pubescent H Indian Ricegrass H Big Sagebrush H Forage Kochia

H Immigrant H Snowstorm (New) H Great Basin Wild Rye H Roadcrest H Tall Wheatgrass H Shadescale H 4 Wing Saltbush H Garrison Creeping Foxtail

H Garrison Meadow Foxtail

Clovers H Alsike H Ladino H Red Clover H Strawberry H White Dutch H New Zealand H Yellow Blossom H Trefoil

Turf Grasses H Ron’s Special Turf Mix H Ky Blue Grass H Athletic Turf Mix H TT Perennial Ryegrass H Chewings Fesque H Defi ance XRE (Drought Tolerant)

H Bentgrass

Grain & Miscellaneous H Oats

• Cayuse• Monida

H Wheat• Twin• PR 1404• Patrone

H Peas H Corn H Sorghum Sudan

• BMR• Piper Sudan• Sweet RN

Honey

H Triticale• Forerunner• Merlin

H Ryegrain• Gazelle - Spring• Prima - Fall• VNS

H Beardless Barley H Chowford H Stockford H Milo H Sunfl ower

Field Grasses H Orchard Grasses

• Rushmore• Seco (Dryland)• Potomac• Paiute• Teff Grass

H Mountain Meadow Brome H Smooth Brome H Annual Rye Grass H Perennial Rye Grasses H Climax Timothy H Fawn Tall Fescue H Tuscany II Tall Fescue

Pasture Mixes

H Olympic Elite H University w/No Clover H Northwest Pasture H Horse Pasture H PNW Dryland Mix H Ron’s Dryland Mix H Ron’s Rangeland Mix

Conventional Alfalfa Varieties H 6305Q H 6442Q H 6410N (New) H 6585Q H 6475 (New) H 6552 (New) H 919 Brand

H Cinch I (ML)

H Cinch II H Ron’s Blend H Haymaker (ML)

H Blazer XL H 6610N H Spreador5

H Ladak H Vernal H Ranger H WL-343HQ H WL-354HQ H WL-363HQ H WL-365HQ

Round Up Ready AlfalfasFD WH

H 6497R (New) 4 VH H Mutiny 4.3 VH H 6516R (New) 5 H H 6547R (New) 5 VH H Revolt 6 H WL 336 HQRR 3 VH H WL 356 HQRR 4 VH H WL 372 HQRR 5 VH

SALT TOLERANT AND DROUGHT-HARDY

VARIETIES AVAILABLE

710 Grass Valley Road • Winnemucca, NV 89445775-623-5053 • [email protected]

YOUR SEED, FERTILIZER & CHEMICAL HEADQUARTERS FOR NEVADA

Call or Stop In For Our Complete List of Seeds & Grains!

Alfalfa is All We Do!

ServingAgriculturefor33Years

RON’S SEED & SUPPLY

We Have Varieties Available That are Organically Approved

NEVADA FFA


68% drought not 100%

Walk the allotment and

look at it

Appropriate drought response

actions will be determined on a case by case

basis and will be specific to the situation and condition of

your permitted allotment(s).


Weather Variability Creates the Need for Some Flexibility in Livestock Grazing Management, especially on Sagebrush Rangelands with Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.)

Whether the impact of a grazing animal on vegetation is favorable or unfavorable depends at least as much on when grazing occurs (timing) as on defoliation intensity. Annual heavy grazing of perennial bunchgrasses in the boot stage puts their persistence at the greatest risk because soil moisture usually is declining and the probability is low of sufficient rain-fall to permit adequate restoration of the leaf area to replace carbohydrate reserves. Long grazing periods without animal movement to other areas facilitates repeated defoliation and reduced leaf area, which is especially harmful. Grazing that enables rapid regrowth within and among years sustains perennial grasses. Grazing cheatgrass in the early spring has long been studied as a possible strategy for shifting moisture to bunchgrasses, harvesting high quality forage, and consuming fuel. However, the amount of cheatgrass available for forage is usually not known until only a few weeks before livestock typically shift their forage preference to perennial grasses (if present). Animal preference suddenly shifts to bunchgrasses within patches and variably across pastures. Optimal graz-ing management of landscapes with a mix of cheatgrass and perennial grass uses timing variation among years and

animal movement during the growing period, especially when and after cheatgrass forms seeds and palatability declines. Cheatgrass can become preferred forage by cattle after the perennial grasses become dormant and the cheatgrass drops most of its seeds. Unless rain or time has leached or degraded nutrients, cheatgrass can have up to 6% crude protein late summer, fall, and early winter. Energy rich fine stems remain highly palatable. Protein supplements make energy rich for-age more sought after. Thus, cheatgrass which is both forage and fuel can be consumed in the fall with little worry about cattle shifting preference to or damaging perennials that are quite important to rangeland resilience. However, fall grazing may impact wildlife winter forage plants like bitterbrush if present. Fall; more than spring, grazing can be tremendously useful for economic fuels management using preplanned graz-ing or criteria-based temporary nonrenewable grazing. Most big fire years occur when residual fuels from wet years remain abundant. This fuel could have been grazed in the preceding fall at negative risk to the resistance and resilience needed for sagebrush ecosystem persistence. Ecological site descrip-tions, range conditions, and grazing prescriptions assist in planning for greater flexibility in permitted grazing that could benefit perennial grasses, manage fuels, and increase range-land resilience strategically across landscapes. Research and demonstrative management applications are needed for new paradigms to develop.

Weather Variability Creates Need for Flexibilityin Grazing ManagementShermanSwanson,KentMcAdoo,BradSchultz,RyanShane,andKellyMcGowan


Snyder Bull Sale Report

Snyder Livestock’s Bulls for the 21st Century Sale on March 8 set an all-time record for Nevada bull sales. A crowd of over 300 people purchased 115 bulls averaging $6257. The 2 high selling bulls were calving ease Angus bulls both going to GJ

Livestock. Bar LR of Benson, AZ consigned the bull sired by Poss Total Impact 745 which sold for $10750 and Amador Angus of Modesto, CA consigned the bull sired by AAR Ten X 7008 SA which sold for $10000. The high point bull, a son of Connealy Earnan 076E and consigned by Dennis Lopez, sold to Gary Silva for $8250. The high selling Charolais, sired by LT Bluegrass 4017P, went to Steven James of Wadsworth, NV for $6000. Herefords averaged $6125; with 2 Bell ranch consignments go-ing for $8000 each. A son of R&R M326 Bennett 009K 9215 ET went to Los Banos Creek Ranch and a son of CRR 719 Tulo 928 went to Aggie Brailsford of Emmett, ID. The LimFlex boasted the highest breed average of $6917. The high seller, sired by PA Power Tool 9108, was consigned by Tom Easterly and sold to Casa Rosa in Woodland, CA. Red Angus averaged $5858 with calving ease Red Angus averaging $6150. 3 Calving ease Red Angus sold for $7000. Philips consigned a son of Mushrush Impressive CA U236 that was purchased by the DeRosa Ranch of Paicines, CA. Trotter consigned a Messmer Packer S008 son that was purchased by the Tullock family of San Diego. Moore Creek Red Angus consigned the champion Calving Ease Red Angus, a son of Beckton Nebula M045, that sold to Moura Ranch of Lovelock, NV. The high selling SimAngus, a Circle Twin VP U006 son consigned by Chris Gudel, was sold to Bently Agrowdynamics of Gardnerville, NV.

Snyder ramped up their annual Bulls for the 21st Century event this year with the addition of a workshop on Saturday aimed at helping producers access value-added programs that enhance sale price of calves and profitability of the ranch. The program included Age and Source programs, Vaccination pro-grams, Low Stress Cattle Handling, and information about ef-ficiency EPDs. A BQA certification program was included and sponsored by Zoetis and Western Video Market. Nearly 45 pro-ducers and employees earned BQA certificates and 130 people attended the seminars and demonstrations.

The annual bull buyer’s seminar, starting with the awards presentation, was a hit. Winners of the 2015 bull test were Den-nis Lopez, high point bull; Amador Angus, Calving Ease Angus Champion; Moore Creek Red Angus, Calving Ease Red Angus Champion; Fred Jorgensen, Charolais and Calving Ease Charo-lais Champions; Lilla Bell, Hereford Champion; and Tom East-erly, Other Breed Champion. Thorenfeldt Angus won the best consignment award. Each year, the bull sale office staff chooses

a favorite consignor. The winner of this award has paperwork in on time, positively promotes the sale, and is cooperative, help-ful, and friendly to office staff. Kris Gudel is the 2015 recipient of the prestigious Lucy’s Award.

Gary Sides of Zoetis defended the technology we use in beef production today in a fast paced talk with some amazing slides reminding participants of why we do not want to revert to 3rd World production practices. A strong point Gary drove home was, “3rd World Agriculture is brutal to women; in these pro-duction systems they are no more than beasts of burden.”

Gary Taubes, author of Why We Get Fat and What to Do About It, gave an outstanding presentation. He used 58 minutes to build to a 2 minute final conclusion, “Carbohydrates drive in-sulin, insulin drives fat.” It can be shortened to “Carbohydrates drive fat.” The implications for the beef industry are huge: it is carbohydrates that cause obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and the entire array of western diseases.

IT IS NOT BEEF AND IT IS NOT FAT. The presentations were followed by an amazing array of

long-on-beef hors d’oeuvres prepared and served by Yerington Rotary Club at an outstanding Bull Buyers’ Social.

Here is a list of averages43 Angus $598738 Calving Ease Angus $71631 Balancer $37509 Charolais $46066 Hereford $61253 Limflex $69173 Red Angus $488310 Calving Ease Red Angus $61501 Sim Angus $7500

Lucy Snyder Reckel, Rick Machado, and John Rodgers getting ready to sell some bulls .


The high point bull son of Connealy Earnan 076E consigned by Dennis Lopez

Second high point bull was the Tom Easterly bull number 5851

Third high point bull was an Amador bullh 5082

Seventh hight point bull was a Bell Ranch bull number 5702

Fourth high point bull was a Jorgenson Ranch bull number 5908

Fifth high point bull was Moore Creek Angus bull number 5601

6th high point bull was the Jorgenson Ranch bull 5903

March 8th 2015


Winnemucca Ranch Hand Rodeo 2015

JOHN FALEN NAMED RECIPIENT OF 2015 RANCH HAND AWARD

WINNEMUCCA, Nev.— Longtime Humboldt County rancher John Falen was honored Saturday, February 28, as the 2015 recipient of the “Ranch Hand of the Year” award.

The award is sponsored by the Agricultural District No. 3 as a way to recognize those men and women who make their living as ranch hands, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Past recipients include Frank Loveland, Loui Cerri, Harold Chapin, John and Tim DeLong, Buster Dufurrena, Jane Angus, Larry Hill, Louie and Frank Bidart, and Sammye and Dan Ugalde.

“We wish to recognize the outstanding ranch hands who have con-tributed so much, not only to the ranching community, but to cowboy heritage itself,” said Kim Petersen, Director of the Agricultural District No. 3.

Humboldt County Commissioner and longtime Ag 3 member Gar-ley Amos presented John with the award Saturday before the kickoff the 26th annual Ranch Hand Rodeo in the Winnemucca Event Center.

Reading a short history of John’s life compiled by his wife, Sharon, Amos honored the rancher for his “lifelong dedication to the legacy and lifestyle of the working cowboy.”

John Falen was born in 1937 in Caldwell, Idaho. By 1941, his dad, Les Falen, had bought a ranch located on the south side of South Moun-tain in Owyhee County. It was there on the L-F Ranch that John would grow up.

His family traveled to the Boise Valley once a year in September to sell their calves, purchase all their supplies and visit family and friends. His grade school years were held from spring, when they could move a teacher in, to sometime in the fall when they had to get her out before the winter storms hit.

Jordan Valley, Oregon was the closest town, but in order to go to school in their district, John and his brothers batched in Marsing, Idaho to attend high school.

After graduation in 1955, John decided a college degree was the next step and enrolled at the University of Idaho. Four years later found him with a degree in Animal Husbandry, a wife Sharon, and a baby daughter Cindy.

John did a variety of things in the beef industry. By 1963, he had a son, Frank, and moved his family to Rupert, Idaho where he built and managed a feedlot for Jack Simplot.

After three years he went to work for Idaho Meat Pack in Caldwell, Idaho, learning the packing phase of the industry he loved. Daughter Judy was born there before the family moved to Wilder, Idaho where he was a partner in a feedlot, trading cattle with many customers located in northern Nevada who are now neighbors. John’s youngest daughter, Johnna, was born while there.

In 1973 John sold his interest in the feedlot and returned to his first love—a cow and calf operation, leasing a ranch in Oreana, Idaho. At that time he also leased his dad’s L-F Ranch and the C Ranch out of Jordan Valley.

The end of these three years had John looking toward Nevada. It

would be nice to have everything on one place. And although he was short on money, he was long on desire—and no one worked harder than John.

The first few years at the Home Ranch in Orovada, Nevada, John’s family was his buckaroo crew; son-in-law Loyd Sherburn joined them in 1979 and is now the ranch manager. About this time, they leased the UC Ranch that son-in-law Hank Kershner now manages.

Over the years John has become more and more involved in the is-sues that affect the cattle industry. He feels a driving commitment to help preserve an industry, culture and way of life called ranching.

For years now he has not missed a Nevada State Convention where he has served as president along with many other positions, or a Na-tional Cattlemen’s Beef Convention, just recently returning from San Antonio.

He was president of both Region 6 and of the Public Lands Coun-cil (PLC) and has made many trips through the years to Washington DC to fight the issues on the front lines.

He is currently serv-ing on the Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board and is a char-ter member of the Wild Horse and Burro Foun-dation, whose goal is to control the numbers of wild horses on the pub-lic lands.

The family now owns the Home Ranch and John asks why re-tire when there is noth-ing else he would rather do!

By Michelle Hammond

Thank youThe Humboldt County Cattlewomen want

to thank STOCKMENS INSURANCE, and VESCO RANCH for purchasing our scholarship heifers for many years.

Thank you Stockman’s for paying for H.C.C. Liability Insurance for this year!

Pictured John Falen


Ranch Hand Rodeo Results1st- Mackenzie Ranch- Jordan Valley, OR2nd- Five Acre Ranch- Nampa, ID3rd- TL Ranch- Bruneau, ID4th tied – JJJ Bucking Bulls- Reno, NV

Pictured left to right: Sheree Tibbals, Tim DeLong, Lee Dagget, Sam Mackenzie, Josh Mackenzie, Lexi Mackenzie, Jason Duby and Jared McFarland (not pictured).

Top Hand in honor of John & Dutch Zabala Sam Mackenzie- Mackenzie Ranch - Presented by Ray Zabala

Winnemucca Cow Dog Trials

Brace Class ChampionDean Thompson with Mia and Bandit

Ranch Class ChampionPam Schwenkfelder with Snap

Open Pro ChampionBrian Jacobs with MooseNursery ChampionBrian Jacobs with GS Peso

Stock Horse ChallengeOpen Ranch Horse Champion IX Smart Starlight- Owner Liz Younger Badasci- Rider: Matt Hoekenga (Matt Hoekenga winner of the Gene & Jody Christison Memorial Award for highest score)Open Snaffle Bit/Hackamore Champion Cats Party Mix- Owner: Gale Hunt- Rider: Flint LeeOpen Two-Rein/Bridle Champion Tula Moon – Owner: Jan Little– Rider: Wade Reaney (Tula Moon winner of the High Point Sale Horse)Non-Pro Snaffle Bit/ Hackamore Champion Gus – Owner: Casey Bieroth – Rider: Casey BeirothNon-Pro Two-Rein/Bridle Champion Playboy Tango – Owner: Christina Ward – Rider: Christina WardLimited Non Pro Bridle Champion LHR More Time To Play- Owner: Lynette Phillips- Rider: Lynette Phillips

Matt Hoekenga onIX Smart StarlightOwner: Liz Younger Badasci

Ranch, Rope & Performance Horse SaleOverall average - $ 5,784Top ten average - $9,900High selling horse- Lot 3- A Little Spoonful - $16,500 Consignor: Gail Sprenger – Genoa, NV Buyer: Woody Bell- Paradise Valley, NV

Winnemucca Invitational Bull SaleOverall average of 26 bulls sold- $5,456

High selling bulls- Sold for $7,000 eachLot 6- FMCC Thunder 301 - Consignor: Flyin’ M Cattle Co.- Tracy, CA - Buyer: Ken Buckingham – Paradise Valley, NV Lot 35- RR Party Combination - Consignor: Robison Ranch – Boulder, UT - Buyer: Conley Land & Livestock – Eureka, CA

Overall Breed Champion & Champion AngusConsigned by Robison Ranch from Boulder, UT and purchased by Conley Land & Livestock from Eureka, CA.Michelle Hammond, Tabor Dahl, Catherine Dahl, and

Kim Petersen

High Selling Horse & Woody Bell Buyer


It has been said that Nevada and the Great Basin are con-stantly either entering into or coming out of a drought. I sincerely hope we are on the tail end of this drought we are in right now. Springs have dried up, ranchers have voluntarily (and some involuntarily) removed their live-

stock from the public lands they have grazed for years. Many have been forced to haul water not only for their livestock, but for wildlife as well.

A good steward of the range leaves forage for the next year. If the grass isn’t coming like it should, they wait to turn their livestock out. If conditions get too harsh, there isn’t enough water or grass, they bring their livestock in early. They develop springs and put in water troughs and haul out mineral and salt, not just for their live-stock, but the wildlife as well. There aren’t any ranchers that don’t enjoy seeing a nice buck, new fawn, or even a small band of wild horses from time to time when out checking their livestock. The problem is they are seeing more and more wild horses and less deer and other wildlife. With this being another drought year, the range isn’t having an opportunity to renew itself because it is constantly hammered by horses. It is also crowding out other wildlife species.

The Fish Creek HMA is a prime example. The Fish Creek HMA is located just a few miles south of Eureka, Nevada in the Antelope and Little Smokey Valleys and in the Antelope and Fish Creek Mountains. The area is approximately 252,813 acres in size and is 25 miles wide and 28 miles long. The majority of the HMA is com-prised of north-south trending mountain ranges that include all or portions of the Fish Creek Range, the Mahogany Hills, and the Antelope Range. Elevations range from 6,030 feet in the wide val-ley bottoms, reaching 10,100 feet at Nine Mile Peak. In the last 17 years, they have had at least 5 gathers and removals of horses from this HMA due to drought conditions, removing over 1,000 horses from the area (http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/battle_mountain_field/blm_programs/wild_horse_and_burro/Fish_Creek_Wild_Horse_Gather/About_the_HMA.htm).

Area ranchers have been forced to take cuts in the numbers of livestock they can graze on their public land permits, and have had to pump their ground water and haul water for horses, even when their cattle have been removed from the public land. Since 2009, the average actual use within these allotments has been 62% of the permitted use. In 2014 use was 49% of permitted use. Eureka County, like most of Nevada is in a severe drought.

In 2014, the BLM determined that the Fish Creek HMA’s ap-propriate management level (AML) to be 170 horses, and estimated numbers to be closer to 550 horses, and planned a gather for Febru-ary 2015. The BLM proposed to gather 500 horses. Up to 200 head were to be removed for adoption. 150 mares were to be treated with Porcine Zona Pellucida (PZP) which is a short term fertility control treatment. After treatment the 150 mares, and 150 stud horses would be released back to the Fish Creek HMA, nearly 200% of the

Fish Creek AML. The BLM estimates that it will take the Fish Creek herd to reach it’s AML 10 years with this course of action.

“This gather is part of a population growth suppression program for the Fish Creek HMA that is designed to achieve and maintain AML of wild horses over 10 years. Severe and extreme drought conditions have been recorded in the Fish Creek HMA since 2012, as documented by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Drought conditions, coupled with an over population of wild horses exceeding AML, have necessitated water hauling since 2012 to maintain wild horse health. Removing the excess wild horses will help prevent further deterioration of range and water resources, help restore a thriving ecological balance within the HMA, and ensure the long-term and viability of wild horse herds in the Fish Creek HMA.” (BLM Fish Creek Herd Management Area Factsheet 2/2015).

On February 20th, 2015 the Eureka County Commissioners filed an appeal requesting an immediate stay to hold all of the horses that were meant to be returned to the HMA. If conditions are so poor that ranchers need to bring their cattle off early and are running 50% of permitted use, why are we putting double the amount of horses on the range than what the BLM has determined appropriate?

Local ranchers and community members felt it was inhumane to return horses to an area in such a severe drought. Battle Moun-tain BLM District Manager Doug Furtado refused to back down and BLM law enforcement was called in as ranchers protested at the sight, not allowing the BLM to turn the gathered horses out while they waited for the judge to make a ruling on the appeal. In a phone call to Eureka County Commissioner J.J. Goicoechea, Furtado claimed “I have no drought or body condition issues with the horses.” Yet the horses were gathered due to “extreme drought conditions?” The horses would be turned out. Fortunately, indi-viduals close to the gather worked with others on scene and it was determined that it was inhumane and unethical to return the horses to the range, with the potential to have to gather them again. Not to be deterred, BLM administrators threatened to haul the horses themselves or open the gates and release the horses at the holding facilities half a mile from Highway 50. After several hours of phone calls and involvement from local and state elected officials along with BLM leadership in Washington DC, the horses were hauled to Palomino Valley and Fallon the next day.

In a perfect world, there would be no drought. There would be abundant grass and water for livestock and wildlife. Wild horses would be run within their AML’s, and ranchers wouldn’t have to take cuts in their AUM’s on public lands.

There is a possibility the horses will be brought back to the Fish Creek HMA. Goicoechea states “You cannot catch, treat, and release horses at over AML, continue to haul water, and ever hope to bring the population to levels consistent with natural ecological balance. We are due our day in court. You just can’t put over 200% of AML back on the range after being gathered. Now we wait.”

By Jennifer B Whitley

Show Down at the Fish Creek Corrals


RENO, Nev. – The Bureau of Land Management an-nounced today that, beginning April 4, the National Wild Horse and Burro Center at Palomino Valley (PVC) in Reno, Nevada, will be open to the public every Saturday

from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. PVC will continue to be open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed on federal holidays.

In 2013, the BLM reduced PVC’s weekend hours to the first Saturday of each month due to budget constraints and a low public visitation and adop-tion rate.

PVC is the largest BLM preparation and adoption facility in the country and can provide care for up to 1,850 wild horses and burros. It serves as the primary preparation facility for wild horses and burros gathered from public lands in Nevada and nearby states.

PVC is located approximately 20 miles north of Reno. From Interstate 80, take Exit 18 (Pyramid Way/State Road 445) and travel right about 20 miles to Ironwood Road. Look for the National Wild Horse and Burro Cen-ter Palomino Valley sign. Turn east on Ironwood to reach the facility.

Visitors wishing to adopt a wild horse or burro are encouraged to call PVC prior to arrival at (775) 475-2222. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/PalominoValley.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s mission is to manage and conserve the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield. In Fiscal Year 2014, the BLM generated $5.2 billion in receipts from public lands.

The small band crossed the highway in front of me just before the stop signal in Silver Springs that takes the traveler to Carson City Nevada or right to Fernley or left to Yerington. The small band does not read road signs nor believes the road and all the rights belong to the cars

and trucks on the road. The cars in from of me had to stop quick and I had more time, I pulled into the first wide space to the right of me, which turned out to be where the horses were traveling to a 10 ft by 10 ft water pond left from rain. My pick up was perked only 8 ft from the water and here they came. They had no fear from my pickup and no fear when I stepped out to take their photos while they drank and looked around.

The predominately buckskin very small herd was lead by a bay mare with a colt about 30 days old, a buckskin mare about 30 days away from foaling a big buckskin mare with a yearling stud colt following her, the big feather legged 1200lb. dark buckskin stud followed behind in wild horse fashion but they were not the typical small type wild horse these were feral horses some one had to have turned loose as the size and type were not typical of the wild horse with a very short hip, short neck and owly head. I’m just glad no one hit the horses as they crossed from the south side of the highway to the north. Very dangerous in the night !

Horses on the Highways

BLM Nevada NewsNEVADA STATE OFFICE NO. 2015-012FOR RELEASE: March 17, 2015CONTACT: Jason Lutterman, 775-861-6614, [email protected] BLM Wild Horse and Burro adoption center extends hours, now open Saturdays

They Breed Like RabbitsMarch 8th 10:30 am

by Leana Stitzel


RANGE PLANTS FOR THE RANCHERBy Paul T. Tueller, Ph.D., CRMC

Medusahead Rye has slowly been increasing on many range sites throughout northern Nevada. It is an an-nual grass that should be identified by every rancher. Taeniatherum caput-medusae (L.) Nevski is a winter

annual grass that is 8-24 in. (20.3-61 cm) tall and has distinct bristly seed heads and few leaves. The leaves are less than 0.13 in. (0.32 cm) wide. One or more stems arise from the base of the plant which can be as much as 2 ft. (0.6 m) tall. Each stem produces a single, short, spike-type seed head. Flowering occurs in late spring, when flower heads develop at the apex of the stems. The seed heads are what distinguish this plant from other an-nual grasses. Awns twist as they dry. The longer of the two awns in each spikelet is barbed. These barbs catch on fur or clothing. Plants invade dry, open lands with frequent disturbance. This species was first found in the United States in the 1880s near Roseburg, Oregon. It is speculated that it first arrived from Europe with imported animals, either in bedding or at-tached to their fur. It is native to the Mediterranean. The mature plant has a slender stem with narrow leaves. Roots can grow at cold temperatures and seeds mature quickly. Plants are rich in silica, and its litter breaks down more slowly than most other grass species. Medusahead is often found on sagebrush (Artemisia spp.)-dominated habitats in western Great Basin.

The growth habit, life cycle, and adaptations of medusahead and cheatgrass are similar, and they often grow together. In some areas, me-dusahead may out-compete cheatgrass to become dominant. This has occurred on disturbed sites with clay soils. Medusahead is invasive due primarily to rapid fall germination and root growth throughout the win-ter, prolific seed production, and accumulation of litter. It maintains its dominance on sites where native vegetation has been severely reduced by overgrazing, cultivation, or frequent fires.

Medusahead is of major concern to the range livestock industry be-cause it can suppress desirable vegetation. It is unpalatable to livestock. Essentially useless as forage, medusahead has been estimated to reduce the carrying capacity of infested rangeland by 75 percent for domestic livestock. As the plant matures it develops the long barbed awns that can cause injury to the eyes, noses, and mouths of grazing animals. They have little or no feed value to livestock at any stage of growth. However, it has been noted that livestock utilize it when other feed is limited. Palatability

of medusahead is variable. Some researchers conclude that the annual grass is unpalatable at all times, while others determine it may be “reason-ably palatable” in early vegetative stages with rapid decline in palatability as it matures. In early spring medusahead is sometimes lightly grazed by all classes of livestock, especially if medusahead is associated with more desirable forage. However, infested areas tends to be avoided by livestock as soon as flowerheads appear. Although medusahead remains green and succulent approximately 2 weeks longer than cheatgrass, it is less palat-able., Medusahead is not very important as a wildlife forage. Plants are less palatable to ungulates than cheatgrass. Its seeds are not digestible by upland game birds, which are large consumers of cheatgrass seeds. Me-dusahead seed appears to be largely indigestible to chukar and other wild birds. Rabbits may occasionally graze medusahead.

Fire, herbicides, disking, and intensive early grazing can all reduce medusahead infestations, but revegetation with desirable species is vital to prevent medusahead from regaining dominance after control treatments. A slow hot fire after medusahead seeds ripen, but before they drop, can reduce medusahead. A Nevada study found that sites with sparse native plants are more susceptible to medusahead invasion. Jim Young and oth-ers determined that low sagebrush com-munities are most susceptible to me-dusahead invasion, while big sagebrush (A. tridentata) com-munities are more resistant. Because this grass is poten-tially a negative for livestock grazing ev-ery rancher should be acquainted with this species and be concerned when it increases on your grazing areas.

Medusa Head

Progressive Rancher - Coloring Page


Progressive Rancher - Coloring Page


NWMA President’s Column

Welcome to 2015 and one of the warmest and driest years Nevada has seen in a very long time. I am based in eastern Nevada about 30 miles southwest of Ely. We normally have had several good snow storms by

this time of year. This year we have had a few rain showers but not enough to put a dent in the drought. The western side of the state is looking at dry reservoirs and no snowpack to fill them. Farmers in Yerington are being told they will only be able to pump a portion of the water they normally do and in other areas the wells have already run dry. Agriculture is the third largest industry in Nevada, but this year’s conditions are going to make it very difficult for farmers and ranchers across the state.

The sad reality of the drought is, that we will have significant reductions in agricultural commodities, ranchers may not be able to turn out on to their grazing allotments, but the weeds will still grow and go to seed this year. In fact because of the drought and very mild winter you may see weeds sprouting earlier than ever and going to seed before they get very tall. This will make staying on top of your weed control program even more critical.

Since our last newsletter the NWMA Board has met several times and contin-ues to move forward with the planning of the 2015 Nevada Weed Conference. The conference will be held in Sparks October 26-29 at the Nugget. The first two days of the conference will actually be a regional Medusa head conference, including a tour on Tuesday afternoon. The NWMA portion of the conference will begin on Wednesday morning and run through Thursday. There will be opportunities for those needing CEU credits to obtain them during the conference.

The NWMA Board has also taken on the challenging task up updating the Ne-vada State Weed Plan. The Board’s tentative goal is to have this task accomplished by this fall.

I would like to welcome Vance Weems of Soil Tech to the NWMA Board. Vance joined us last fall to fill Michelle Langsdorf’s position. We are currently looking for a representative from southern Nevada to serve on the Board.

In January several of the NWMA Board members attended Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalitions’ (ENLC) annual Winter Weed Conference. This year ENLC decided to change the format and brought in a facilitator and invited people from across the state and the West to discuss Nevada’s current weed management pro-gram and start the conversation about changing Nevada’s weed program. Over 90 people participated in the two day conference, and with the help of John Cantlon, of Cantlon Resources, ended the conference with a rough outline of goals and a rough ask that can be shaped for future legislative sessions.

The key issues that were identified by the conference participants are:1. Invasive species are borderless pests that flow in and out of Nevada’s

borders via water ways, vehicles, railroads and air traffic. Awareness and education of the negative situation is inadequate for aquatic and ter-restrial species. There is a critical lack of cooperation and coordination within state, local, private and Federal interests. Federal lands have be-come breeding grounds for invasive species to spread onto private lands.

2. Current Cooperative Weed Management Areas (CWMA) are not able to detect, curtail or eradicate invasive species populations over the entire state. Additionally, the criteria or protocols needed to manage invasive species are not consistent.

3. County Commissioners are not unified or implementing current law or addressing infestations or new invasions consistently.

4. Harm to land and water assets include but are not limited to:• Reduction in the volume/capacity of streams, lakes, reservoirs for fish and

wildlife habitats.• Degradation of water resources for human use including drinking water,

energy production and irrigation systems from aquatic species such as quagga mussels or land deterioration due to erosion.

• Noxious plants are harming domesticated animals and their habitat.• Decreased real estate property value and increased property development

costs from unmanaged and undesirable plants or other pests.• Decline of aesthetics and recreation use and value of parks, open space,

deserts and forests from noxious plants. • Loss of land diversity from wildfire given annual cheatgrass invasion.• Reduction of crop yields and quality along with forage quality for livestock.• Increased threat and numbers of threatened and endangered species from

loss of ecosystem diversity to species such as sage grouse or desert tortise.

The directives that came out of the conference are spelled out below. 1. Legislative

• Mandate counties to establish a state wide Weed District program. • Define 17 counties into a structured and one funding source program

under the Department of Agriculture.• Allow multiple counties to join forces as necessary.• Redefine laws to capture new structure and funding levels.• Rewrite law to include all-taxa vs just weeds.• Insert shall vs may language.• Support pending US House Bill (HR3994) on a national level to improve

control and management of invasive species on federal lands. 2. Funding• Costs are increasing as invasive species invade and/or spread. Provide

consistent, non-sun setting funding levels to curb escalation.• Fund counties $100,000 each annually.• Initiate a $5 million endowment fund for a cost-share program.• Define and implement taxes, matching funds, trusts or revolving budgets.• Improve on the ground efficiency on federally managed lands to 75% of

every dollar allocated for control and management.3. Public Awareness & Education• Promote, utilize and implement a state wide mapping data base to define

infestation levels and strategic plans.• Convey information to legislature and Nevada residents.4. Coordination & Cooperation• Prepare a state wide invasive species strategic plan through a newly or-

ganized invasive species council representing State, local, tribal, private and federal interests under the Governor and legislative review to identify funding sources and that sustainability.

• Engage key Nevada businesses and implementation stakeholders to man-age resources state wide from the County level. Include interests from mining, gaming, agriculture, ranching, recreation and not exclude leg-islative delegation, municipalities, water users, energy providers, DOT, Conservation Districts or the hook and bullet interests.

5. Marketing• Unify the issue, message and solutions recommended to the Nevada resi-

dents and business interests via a professional medium.• Convey to rural and urban populations the harm occurring from invasive

species pests in the state and region.• Use facts, figures, charts and graphs to define the issue.• Be transparent to the public money used for invasive species management.

Your NWMA Board will be reviewing the results of this conference and the conversation will be continued during our conference at the end of October. I’m hoping ENLC’s efforts will help fan the fires to change Nevada’s noxious weed program.

Until next time, here is to continued hopes for a really wet late winter and spring.

by Betsy McFarland

by Betsy Macfarlan, President


Harmony Ranch Ministry3767 Keyes Way (775) 867-3100Fallon, NV 89406 [email protected] Cell (775) 426-1107

Tom J. Gonzalez | Diana J. Gonzalez, Pastor

You are invited to

COWBOY CHURCH!1st Saturday of every month

Standish, CA @ 6:00 p.m.

Hwy. 395 /A3 — Standish 4-H Hall

You are invited to

COWBOY CHURCH!3rd Saturday of every month

Lovelock, NV @ 7:00 p.m.

1035 Cornell Ave. — Old Variety Store

Are you having a Rodeo or Livestock event? GIVE Us A CAll.We would love to come to your event or ranch and host Cowboy Church for you.

Isn’t it funny how some cows just line out and move when you are changing country with them, and then there are the other ones who fight you all the way. They try to stay in the

same old dried-up pasture instead of going through the gate that leads to the tender new grass. They will try and out-dodge your horse, brush up or just plain insist on going the wrong way. They are the ones that hang up in the corner with the gate two feet away, then try and jump the fence.

Now the trail that leads to green grass might have some rocks and hills to climb, but you get your cattle there sure enough. The cows that lined out for you get there with ease; the ones that fought you got more tired and put sweat on your horse, but they all got to the new, tender grass just the same. Funny how the ones that fought so hard to stay where they were are now the most hungry and are eating with more relish than the calmer, wiser cows.

I had a very deep and profound revelation one day. I figured out that God gave us cows so we would know what He has to put up with. However, God doesn’t handle His sheep quite the same way as we handle our cattle. He doesn’t rope us and drag us through the new gate. He doesn’t tie us down and beat on our heads with a rock so we look for new pasture (not saying I’ve ever done that). No, God is a gentleman. The Bible says He stands at the door and knocks. You have to open the door and let Him in.

Revelation 3:20 -- Behold I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine (eat) with him, and he with Me. NAS

Praise God, the very One who bled and died for us is willing to abide with us.

In John 10:11 Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep”. Isn’t that exactly what He did? John 10:14, “I am the good shepherd; and I know My own, and My own know me.” NAS

Now I don’t have much use for sheep, but if Jesus says I’m His sheep, then I’m His sheep -- end of story.

John 10:27, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” NAS

Jesus doesn’t drive us, He leads, and if we’re His sheep (and smart) we’ll follow Him. But to get into the Jesus flock, we have to come through the Jesus Gate (or door). In John 10:7-9 Jesus said, “I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” (Good pasture.)

Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” There’s no other way to the truly good pasture.

Acts 4:12 says – And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved. No other way. Jesus said, “I am the door.”

You may say, well I know some folks who look like they are grazing in pretty tall grass, and they’re perfect heathens. In John 10:1 Jesus said, “Truly, truly I say to you, he who does not enter by the door (Jesus is the door) into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber.” He is a goat.

Let’s read in Matthew 25:31-46 and see what happens to goats.

Not pretty, is it? Folks, let’s make sure we get cut into the right pen. Let’s at least be as smart as a sheep or a cow. Let’s be like my good little spotted cow. She’s only a 2-year-old, but when she comes to the gate she’s supposed to go through, she throws her ears forward, looks down the trail she’s supposed to go on, then goes through the gate and the others follow her through to the good pasture. Spot has a good future with us; she’s a good leader. However, we have another 2-year-old that’s a goat cow. She doesn’t go through the right gate; she enters over the fence where she’s not supposed to be. Even though she gets to feed that looks good to her, her future isn’t so bright. She’s about to get cut into the goat pen.

Happy trails. May God richly bless you. We love you and would love to hear from you. If you would like some-one to pray with, or just have a question, please give us a call at (775) 867-3100. ‘Til next time….

by Pastor Diana Gonzalez

Aren’t Cows Funny?

Jason B. Land2213 N. 5th St. , Elko, NV 89801775-738-8811, 800-343-0077www.edwardjones.com

Call or Stop By!

Spring is here!

Howell RanchLocated in Elko County, nestled on the

hillsides of the East Humboldts, north end of the Ruby Mtn. Range. Water-righted

meadows that produce 1200 average ton of hay a year. 4 homes with mature landscape.

Multiple barns, shops, storages, chutes & corrals. Pond stocked with fi sh. Gravel pit on property. Only 10 minutes to schools,

stores & restaurants. $5,000,000

640 AC N. Fifth Street (Elko, NV)Section 25, Twp.35N, Rge.54E. Water

Well and seasonal creek through property. Close to Elko’s Snow Bowl ski area. Easy access, Great views of

the Ruby Mountains. $400,000

Wells Arena (Wells, NV)Old Clover Road. 12+ Acres with 15,400 sq. ft. metal building &

storage shed. Power, private well. Wire and panel fenced. $480,000

Shadow Mtn. Ranch12.5 Acres in Duck Creek Basin in Nevada.Beautiful spacious 4,000 sq. ft. home with 4 bedrooms/3 bathrooms. Water RightsHunting and Fishing Galore! $995,000

464 Pioneer Way (Western Hills, Elko, NV)

42 acres. Beautiful 2,640 sq. ft. Custom Home. Spectacular Mountain & Lake Views.

3 bedroom/3 bath – walk out basement with master suite. Barn with power & water,

storage shed, garden area. $330,000

Clear Creek RanchSouth of Winnemucca, Nevada. Approximately 10,000 Deeded

Acres. 11 Month BLM LeaseApprox. 740 irrigated acres, 2 large

diameter irrigation wells. Ranch Manager’s home & equipment yard. Log Cottage

Starr Valley PastureUnique fenced 1,104 acres on Boulder Creek bordering U.S. Forest Service in Starr Valley, Nevada. Water-righted with nice meadows. $1,400,000

Recanzone RanchNeat ranch in Paradise Valley, Nevada.900+ acres, 300 AUMs, right by town. Original Sandstone House. Easy access

to Hinkey Summit & surrounding mountains. Includes Barn, Outbuildings

and Corrals. $1,390,000

Sp� ializing in hunting, ranching, and horse properti�

Allie BearReal Estate

775-738-8535

View compl� e list ings at:www.ARanchBroker.com

775-777-6416Allie Bear, Broker/Realtor



$330,000


3 bedroom/3 bath – walk out basement



SALE PENDING


Precipitation Monitoring to Accurately Depict Drought Conditions on your Allotment

Charlie Clements, USDA ARS; John McLain, Resource Concepts Inc.

Nevada public lands permittees have recently been subjected to sometimes onerous and costly decisions being imposed on livestock turn out as a result of Nevada BLM drought policies, and agency use of broad scale precipitation data gen-

erated across a wide expanse of the state. Use of this information, while of value at the landscape level, does little to provide basin by basin precipitation as may actually occur in a given year. Variable, and sporadic storm events across the state can leave measureable precipitation in one mountain or basin area, while completely avoiding adjoining or nearby areas. Every bit of measureable pre-cipitation can influence plant growth and help to counter perceived

drought by BLM as denoted in the landscape scale maps. This

in turn can influence if, when, and how pro-

posed grazing limitations

might be imposed. Establishing portable precipitation stations on your allotment is not a time consuming, nor high cost process, but clearly one that should be high on every permittees list of priorities. While it may not help to defend growing conditions on your allot-ment on a given year due to drought and no measureable precipita-tion, it will very likely provide the defense you need on another year as a result of storm events that are accurately recorded to support range conditions for a more reasonable turnout. The following is a simple means of establishing precipitation monitoring stations on your allotment(s) and the kind of easy to use equipment you should consider:

The Great Basin rangelands Research Unit of the U.S. Depart-ment of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service has been read-ing numerous precipitation gauges throughout the Great Basin for more than three decades. State climatologists, land owners and researchers have obtained data from this long-term monitoring ef-fort. The construction and application of using these precipitation gauges is quite inexpensive. The proto-type, 26” circular base, 8” width x 13” height cylinder can be constructed at the local sheet

Photo 1: Portable precipitation gauge with ruler and beaker utilized by USDA ARS to measure precipitation on rangelands.


Dia. 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10factor 332.4 390.15 464.31 544.92 631.97 725.48 825.43 931.84 1044.69 1163.99 1289.74

Table 1. Divide total (mL) by the factor based on container opening diameter (inches) to get inches of rain. Based on the formula (mL/16.4297) / (0.785 x diameter2) = rain inches.

Photo 2: Portable precipitation gauge with anti-freeze and motor oil utilized with appropriate mixes to fit seasonal changes. Beaker used to measure mL of fluid.

metal shop for about $36 or possibly even constructed in your shop for less. The sheet metal gauge is dependent on the weight that you prefer which can aid in keeping the precipitation gauge in place during very windy conditions. They do not have to be all that heavy as they lay on the ground and we do not typically experi-ence that problem. The precipitation gauge can be read at what-ever interval the user prefers. At ARS we read our precipitation gauges monthly (1st of the month give or take a couple of days), or in some cases quarterly do to distance from field office. You simply add in oil (300 mL) in summer months and for winter months oil (200 mL) and anti-freeze (300 mL). At each monitoring date you empty the precipitation gauge into a graduated cylinder (we use 1000 mL), subtract the oil and/or anti-freeze amount and divide by 826 and you have your precipitation for that time period in inches (see table). Empty and discard oil and anti-freeze into a dispos-able container and add new oil and anti-freeze. In the early 1990s

a permittee in northern Nevada was experience difficulties with some resource managers regarding plant growth. The resource managers assumed the habitat had experienced a certain amount of favorable precipitation, our precipitation gauge actually pointed out that the specific area they were commenting on did not receive favorable precipitation. Just recently another permittee was kept off of an allotment due to drought maps, yet spring precipitation recorded in the precipitation gauges in the area revealed a differ-ent story as did the excellent plant growth that had taken place. Precipitation gauges are excellent tools to better understand the variation in precipitation across a small area, over a landscape and allotment as well as provide an incentive to accurately record this data and further understand the true meaning of favorable precipi-tation. The table below will help to determine the proper factor to use based on the diameter of the cylinder opening.


Secretary Jewell Issues Strategy to Protect, Restore Sagebrush Lands for 2015 Fire Season

Report advances work with Federal, state, Tribal and non-government partners to protect eco-nomic activity and wildlife habitat vital to the Western way of life

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today released the first of two reports developed by the Rangeland Fire Task Force. This initial report includes actions to be implemented by Interior’s bureaus to immediately address the threat of rangeland fire to Western sagebrush-steppe landscapes and improve fire management efforts before the start of the 2015 wildfire season.

“Cheatgrass and other invasive species have contributed to making rangeland fire one of the greatest threats in the Great Basin – not only to sagebrush habitat, but to wildlife, ranching, and other economic activities that depend on a healthy landscape,” Secretary Jewell said. “As we head into the 2015 fire season, the actions recommended in this report will help ensure that our preparedness, response and recovery strategies better align with the threats facing the West.”

Secretarial Order 3336, signed by Secretary Jewell on January 5, 2015, called for the development of a comprehensive, science-based strategy to reduce the size, severity and cost of rangeland fires; address the spread of cheatgrass and other invasive species; and position wildland fire man-agement resources for more effective rangeland fire response. The Order called for the creation of an implementation plan, initial report, and final report. The Implementation Plan, completed on January 31, 2015, estab-lished a roadmap to accomplish the objectives of the Order. This initial report released today outlines actions and activities that the Department, in collaboration with partners and interested stakeholders, can take prior to the onset of the 2015 Western wildfire season. The goal is to protect, re-store and conserve vital sagebrush landscapes and productive rangelands, particularly in the Great Basin region of Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Oregon and California.

Many of the recommendations in the initial report draw on the com-ments received and the ideas generated by the November 2014 conference, “The Next Steppe: Sage-grouse and Rangeland Fire in the Great Basin.” The increasing frequency and intensity of rangeland fire in Great Basin sagebrush ecosystems significantly damaged the landscapes relied on by many tribal and local communities, ranchers, livestock managers, sports-men, and outdoor enthusiasts. The unnatural fire cycle puts at risk the landscapes that, for generations, Westerners have depended on to sustain their ways of life.

In 2010, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) found that these developments present a significant threat to the greater sage-grouse in the Great Basin portion of its remaining range. Once occupying more than 290 million acres of sagebrush in the West, the greater sage-grouse, known for its flamboyant mating ritual at sites called leks, has lost more than half of its habitat since then. Settlers reported millions of birds once took to the skies; current estimates place population numbers between 200,000 and 500,000 birds in 11 states and two Canadian provinces. The FWS is now considering whether protections under the Endangered Spe-cies Act are warranted.

The recommended actions in the Initial Report involve targeted, stra-tegic investments of Departmental resources to immediately enhance the management of rangeland fire in specific portions of the Great Basin, con-sistent with the Federal Government’s trust responsibility to American

Indian tribes, in partnership with states, private land owners and land users, and in cooperation with other statutory requirements and obliga-tions. The recommendations include the following:

• Designing and implementing comprehensive, integrated fire re-sponse plans that prioritize protection of the landscapes most at-risk to detrimental impacts of rangeland fire and invasive species. This will include increased training and use of veterans crews, ru-ral and volunteer fire departments, and Rangeland Fire Protection Associations to increase their capacity to address rangeland fires.

• Prioritization and allocation of resources to reflect that this is a critical natural resource and fire management priority for Depart-ment agencies and bureaus by emphasizing the need to protect, conserve, and restore the health of sagebrush-steppe ecosystem.

• Accelerating efforts to restore rangelands damaged by wildfire with genetically appropriate plant materials and grasses to help improve the health of this ecosystem.

• Developing a comprehensive strategy for acquisition, storage, and distribution of seeds and other plant materials. Restoration and rehabilitation of the greater sage-grouse habitat areas requires a reliable supply of genetically appropriate and locally adapted seed, as well as seeding technology and equipment for successful and expanded effective restoration of the sagebrush-steppe ecosystem.

• Designing and creating tools and maps to make information on areas of concern, landscape conditions and fire more integrated and readily available.

The Task Force will continue its work through collaboration with Federal, Tribal, state, and local governmental partners and stakeholders to identify and recommend longer-term actions to improve the efficiency and efficacy of rangeland fire management, fire prevention, fire suppres-sion and post-fire restoration efforts at a landscape scale. This long-term report is expected to be delivered to the Secretary by May 1, as called for in the Secretarial Order.

As with the development of the initial report, a draft version of the final report will be shared with Tribes and interested partners and stakeholders with the invitation to review and provide comments. In addition, a Tribal consultation session will be held on April 7 in Reno, NV to hear comments and receive feedback on the draft final report prior to its completion. Dates and information regarding these outreach activities will be posted here.

“These efforts will enable us to more efficiently coordinate and use our existing resources so we can benefit from better science and technological innovations, react more quickly, put our resources where they’ll do the most good, and have a more effective impact,” said Deputy Secretary Mi-chael Connor, who oversees the Task Force. “This report demonstrates our commitment to working with our partners to reduce the likelihood and severity of rangeland fire, stem the spread of invasive species and restore the health and resilience of sagebrush-steppe ecosystems.”

Interior’s work to reduce the size, severity and cost of rangeland fires is a key part of a larger, unprecedented federal-state partnership to pro-vide strong habitat protection and conservation measures on public and private lands to protect the greater sage-grouse. More information on the ongoing, collaborative work to conserve the sagebrush landscape is avail-able at www.fws.gov/greatersagegrouse.

[email protected]


Brad Schultz, Extension Educator, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, Winnemucca, Nevada

Leafy SpurgeLeafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) is a

long-lived perennial forb that is na-tive to Eurasia. It was first observed in the United States in 1827, and currently grows throughout the 11 western States and much of the area north of a line from Oklahoma to North Carolina. Leafy spurge also occurs in all of the southern Canadian provinces and as far north as the Yukon. In Nevada, leafy spurge has widespread populations across much of the state and was identified as a problematic agricultural weed in all counties except Churchill, Douglas and White Pine. For the remaining counties, leafy spurge was ranked problematic by at least 15% of the agricultural producers in Elko (29.2%) and Humboldt (17.9%) counties and between 5% and 15% of agricultural producers in the other counties. Just over 24% of weed managers for public lands considered leafy spurge problematic on areas they adminis-ter. In the 25 years from 1979 to 2005, the amount of land nation-wide that is occupied by leafy spurge has expanded from 2.5 mil-lion to 4.6 million acres.

Leafy spurge inhabits a wide variety of habitats, including waste areas, disturbed sites, roadsides, abandoned fields, pastures, rangeland, , riparian areas and woodlands. Disturbed areas are readily invaded because there are few desired plants to capture the resources (nutrients, water and sunlight) needed for plant growth, and invasion oc-curs whether or not the disturbance is the result of human activities. Recently flooded riparian areas with abundant bareground are particularly susceptible to leafy spurge becoming established from root fragments. Root segments typically have many buds that can form new plants and these frag-ments are often buried at shallow depths following a flood. Once leafy spurge plants become established they can survive flooded soils for as long as 4 to 5 as long as some of the shoots remain above the water surface.

Once established, leafy spurge typically forms dense patches that expand laterally year after year. Weed density increases dra-

matically and competition from leafy spurge may exclude desired forage species for live-stock and/or plants important for wildlife. Across the nation, annual economic losses from leafy spurge are estimated at $130 mil-lion per year.

Plant BiologyLeafy spurge is an upright perennial forb

that typically grows 8 to 36 inches tall. Lat-eral branches spread from the main stem(s) and produce many leaves. Most stems will be capped by flowers that typically reside above the leaves and can intercept an applied herbicide when the application angle is from directly above the plant. When the stems are broken they ooze a white milky fluid with a latex texture. A steady flow of this latex like sap indicates that the plant’s photosynthetic rate and ability to move carbohydrates, hence systemic herbicides, to the root system

is high. Weak flow of the white sap from mid-summer into the fall indicates poor move-ment of carbohydrates to the roots.

First-year plants do not develop seed, but plants at least one-year old develop vi-able seed about 30 days after pollination. Seed is produced in capsules that burst upon maturity, projecting the seed (i.e., potential plants) up to 16 feet from the mother plant. Seed production can range from about 140 to over 420 seeds per flowering stem, which equates to as much as 4,000 pounds per acre (74 to over 744 seeds per square foot). Dispersal can be much further when the seed encounters flowing water; is encased in mud that becomes attached to animals, boots, clothing, vehicles or farm equipment;

is part of contaminated crop; or resides in fill dirt moved from an infested sites to another location.

Sheep, goats, deer, and a suite of birds consume the seed of leafy spurge and for almost all species about 10 percent or more of the excreted seed remains viable. The ex-ception is adult mourning doves which have almost no intact seeds in their feces. For mammals, seed generally passed in about 4 to 5 days and in birds from 2 to 4 days; thus, viable seed can be transported long dis-tances in those relatively short timeframes. For comparative purposes, only about of dry-stored seed germinates after five years. The longest recorded viability is 13 years for seed stored at room temperature in metal containers. Most germination occurs in the first two years after dispersal.

Leafy spurge seeds can float long dis-tances and survive underwater storage. For seed submerged 3 to 6 months, about 22 per-cent of can germinate while 11 percent can germinate after 24 months of continuous submergence. A very small proportion (<1 percent) can still germinate after 60 months of submergence. When seed density is over 400 per square yard that suggests there may be 1 to 4 viable seeds on that square yard after five years of continuous submergence.

Buried seed retains high viability and germination, and its viability increases with depth of burial. After 3 years, seed buried 4 and 8 inches deep had 43 and 64 percent vi-ability, while seed buried 1 and 2 inches deep had 12 and 18 percent viability, respectively. Shallow buried seed has the best germina-tion rate, with the optimal depth zone for germination and emergence being just below the soil surface to 2 inches deep. Seed is not known to germinate from depths greater than 6 inches, but it will retain high viability for at least 4 years. Deeply buried seed is a source of future leafy spurge plants when a management action brings those seeds into the optimal germination zone. Clay soils tend to have better seed germination and seedling emergence than course soils.

Nevada’s Priority Agricultural Weeds:


Soluble carbohydrate concentrations in the roots (i.e., energy reserves for regrowth) typically are is lowest in the early spring and reach their maximum level from mid-summer to early fall. Carbohydrate reserves begin to accumulate after flowering which typically occurs from late May into July. New root buds generally develop in from late summer into the fall, which suggests substantial carbohydrate translocation to the roots at that time. The duration of carbohydrate flow to the roots after flowering ultimately depends on soil moisture levels. In a dry year carbohydrate movement may occur for a relatively short period in mid to perhaps late summer, while in a wet year, or on damper landscape locations (e.g., riparian areas), translocation to the roots may continue well in to September or later.

Leafy spurge’s root system is large, both spatially and by total biomass. Root depth may reach over 25 feet on deep soils, with a lateral spread of at least 15 feet. The annual lateral spread may reach 11 feet. Reproduc-tion occurs from buds located on almost all of the roots. Most new shoots come from buds located in the upper 1 foot of the soil, but new shoots have been produced from buds which originated 10 feet deep. Research has found that buds buried three feet deep can produce new shoots, but it may take about one-year for the shoots to emerge. Seedlings can develop root buds (i.e., become perennial) within a week of emergence and plants as young as 15 days old can have 5 or more root buds. Sixty percent of root fragments 0.5- inch long can develop into new plants. A 2-inch long root segment can develop stems 10 inches tall, with vertical and horizontal roots 43 inches and 12 inches long, respectively, in only 3 months. Soil texture also influences root development. For fine textured soils, more horizontal (lateral) roots tend to concentrate at shallower depth (surface 6 inches), but in coarse soils the roots are more dispersed throughout the surface 30 inches of depth.

Control ApproachesNon-chemicalMowing or other mechanical treatments

that remove only the stems are largely inef-fective: the treated plants always regrow from the root buds. For mechanical treatments to be effective the treatments have to occur on a regular basis every 2 to 4 weeks, across several years, or longer. Repeated, regular treatments prevent seed production and slowly deplete the energy reserves in the roots. Mowing, however, can improve the uniformity of the re-growth canopy, which may improve herbicide effectiveness. Multiple cultivations to at least 4-inches deep can reduce infestations, espe-

cially if the soil is dry and air temperatures warm. Root fragments left on or near the soil surface for several warm and dry dehydrate to low moisture levels (<13%) which typically re-sults in high mortality (>80%). Regrowth from buds on the deeper roots will use more stored carbohydrates, which depletes plant energy re-serves. This should improve the effectiveness of subsequent herbicide applications, provided they occur before the plant has time to rebuild its energy reserves and there is enough soil moisture and warm enough temperatures to facilitate high photosynthesis and carbohy-drate movement to the roots.

Fire is not an effective control method of mature plants. The roots and associated buds survive all fires and rapidly resprout. Burning, however, may remove old (or other) growth that could intercept an herbicide, potentially improving herbicide treatments to subsequent regrowth. The effect of fire on seed survival is variable: germination rates decline after some fires but increase after others. The outcome, in part, probably depends on the amount of fuel present, which influences the duration and intensity of the heat load. Fire that harms the residual perennial grass community is likely to increase the spread or density of leafy spurge.

Grazing has limited effectiveness for con-trolling leafy spurge. The plant is toxic to cattle and horses, but sheep and goats readily consume leafy spurge. Sheep and goat grazing will not eradicate leafy spurge but can control seed production, help decrease stored energy reserves, and increase the abundance of de-sired grasses. Spurge infestations should be grazed intensively before seed production and until the livestock begin to switch their forage selection to the more desired grasses. Re-graze the leafy spurge regrowth to prevent seed production, while also reducing plant energy reserves. A grazing treatment should not occur for so long that it adversely affects the desired plants because they are needed to occupy the site after the spurge is controlled. If the growth of desired plants (especially perennial grasses on wildlands) is not encouraged the site will be left susceptible for reinfestation by either the existing weeds or some other undesired spe-cies. Goats tend to prefer forbs over grasses; thus, they probably can remain on a grazed site longer than sheep without hurting the desired grass species.

Maintaining a vigorous dense stand of de-sired perennial grasses on rangeland and pas-ture, and the desired crop species on planted fields, is the best approach to reducing the risk of leafy spurge becoming established. Mini-mizing the amount of bareground or sparsely vegetated areas reduces the number of sites

where optimal germination and establishment can occur. On sites where bare ground is de-sired or the vegetation is thin, the area should be checked regularly for seedlings so they can be controlled before they develop their first buds (these are the easiest plants to kill), or the young plants develop a long-lived seedbank and a large expansive root system that is hard to kill.

Fifteen insect species have been approved for release to help control leafy spurge, with the best success occurring the in the northern Great Plains. Five flea beetle species: Aphtho-na cyparissiae, A. czwalinae, A. flava, A. lacer-tosa, and A. nigriscutis have provided the best control. As of 2004, flea beetle populations were established throughout most of the west-ern United States and northern Great Plains. Flea beetles do not eradicate leafy spurge but can reduce its abundance and decrease its neg-ative impacts. The successful establishment of flea beetle populations requires understanding their habitat requirements, which are often reflected by differences in stem density, soils, and climate. Generally, the best flea beetle release sites occur on south-facing, sunny slopes with dry, loamy soils; however, there are differences among the beetle species. Rec-ommended release dates are from mid-June to mid-July, and establishment improves with increased abundance of flea beetles released. Research has found that releases should dis-perse at least 1,000 beetles per drop point. For a more complete review of biocontrol of leafy spurge see: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/eupesu/all.html

Photos: © Barry Rice 2009. Cal Photos Project


From: Mitchell et al. 2007. A physiological basis for controlling leafy spurge on Nebraska Rangeland. Applying herbicides at the appropriate physiological stage is an important consideration to effectively control leafy spurge. Rangelands. 29(6):12-14.

Chemical ControlThere are 13 active ingredients and

about 109 products labeled in Nevada for application to leafy spurge (Table 1). There is at least one active ingredient labeled for each of Nevada’s major crop, wildland, and non-crop environments. Seldom, if ever, will any of the labeled active ingredients re-sult in a complete kill of mature leafy spurge with one application. Multiple treatments are usually necessary and almost always a few plants are likely to emerge from the large root system or from viable seed in the soil. Some level of treatment will have to oc-cur as long as viable seed inhabits the site.

The comparatively small leaf area, com-pared to the massive root biomass, makes it very difficult to have sufficient herbicide uptake through the leaves and subsequent movement throughout all of the roots, to effectively kill all of the buds on the roots. Herbicide treatments typically kill the top-growth, and some to many of the root buds, but regrowth usually occurs from a few buds that almost always survive the treatment. One-time herbicide treatments are most ef-fective when seedlings are the only age-class present, but such treatments should very shortly after seedling emergence because one-week old plants can develop root buds,

and two-week old plants can have multiple root buds. Well timed initial herbicide treat-ments, however, should result in successful follow-up treatments to the regrowth, that require less time and chemical than the ini-tial treatment.

Some of labeled active ingredients only provide suppression, which results in excel-lent control of the top-growth, but much less and perhaps no effect on the root system. Suppression, however, may be an appropri-ate management strategy in some weed con-trol situations. A properly applied herbicide that only provides suppression will prevent seed production and should result in some decline stored energy reserves. Repeated application with the initial, or preferably some other active ingredient (to prevent se-lecting for herbicide resilience), can eventu-ally result in high mortality of leafy spurge provided retreatment occurs before the regrowth restores energy reserves or pro-duces viable seed.

The movement of a foliar applied herbi-cide from the leaves to the large root system largely follows the movement of carbohy-drates from the leaves to the rest of the plant. Leafy spurge plants typically have their lowest carbohydrate reserves during the flowering growth stage. The plants typically

translocate more car-bohydrates to the roots (and con-tinue to build energy re-serves) from the post-flowering pe-riod through the fall un-til the first hard freeze. This is the best time to apply a sys-temic foliar herbicide be-cause: 1) the leaf area is large which increases the potential for

maximum herbicide uptake; 2) there is more movement of the active ingredient deep into the weed’s root system, potentially affecting buds furthest from the leaves; and 3) com-plete kill of the top growth is possible and would coincide with low amounts of stored energy reserves for regrowth (if applica-tion occurred soon after peak flowering). Subsequent regrowth would further de-crease stored energy reserves, which should improve the effectiveness of any follow-up herbicide treatment on the regrowth. An important caveat in the Great Basin is to ensure there is enough soil moisture to per-mit high rates of photosynthesis at the time of application and for at least several weeks after the herbicide treatment. On landscape positions where leafy spurges roots can tap the shallow groundwater, active growth is likely to occur until the first hard freeze. On drier sites, photosynthesis may slow down or stop completely much earlier in the summer; thus, the optimum time for an herbicide treatment would be shortly after the end of flowering growth stage. Herbi-cide treatments applied during the pre-bud (vegetative) through flowering growth stage often have excellent top-kill but typically are followed by rapid regrowth from buds on the roots 4 to 6 weeks later.

No single active ingredient is the best chemical for all infestations of leafy spurge. Every situation is unique and herbicide selection should be based on site-specific conditions. Some factors to consider are: 1) do you need an herbicide that is selective and will not adversely affect any desired residual species that occupy the site; 2) are your short- and mid-term management objectives compatible with a chemical that leaves a residual amount of the active in-gredient in the soil; 3) what will be leafy spurge’s growth stage(s) when you have the time to fit an herbicide treatment into your overall farming or ranching operation; and 4) can you make the commitment to any required follow-up treatments to achieve excellent control. Some chemicals will re-sult in less long-term control than the other active ingredients, and treated leafy spurge populations will require extensive follow-up applications. Most, and perhaps all, weed control and management programs for leafy spurge should use an integrated approach

Figure 1. The annual change in stored energy reserves (non-structural carbohydrates) of leafy spurge roots. The translocation of carbohydrates, hence herbicides, to the roots typically is greatest in the post-flowering growth stage.On the x-axis, 1 = January.


Active IngredientRepresentative

Products Ran

ge &

Pa

stur

e

Non

-C

rop

Fallo

w

Bar

e-gr

ound

Smll

Gra

ins

Cor

n

Alfa

lfa

Min

t

Pota

toes

Selective Soil Residual Growth Stage

2,4-D Many x x x x x x x x Yes No Postemergence at flowering or to fall regrowth

Aminocyclopyrachlor Method 50 SG x x x Yes Yes Postemergence but before flowering or fall rosettes

Dicamba Banvel, Sterling Blue Herbicide x x x x x Yes Yes Postemergence to actively growing

plants before a killing frost

Dichlobenil BarrierCasoron 4G x Yes Yes

Preemergence with soil incorporation. Controls seedlings better than mature plants

Fluroxypyr* Starane Ultra, Vista x x x x Yes Yes

Postemergence when plants are small and actively growing for suppression of mature plants

Fosamine ammonium salt Krenite S x Yes None to

very shortPostemergence after plants begin to bloom

Glufosinate-ammonium

Reckon 280 SL, Rely 280 x x No None to

very short Postemergence to actively growing plants

Glyphosate* Accord, Roundup and many others x x x x x x x x No No

Postemergence to unstressed plants after reaching bud formation or in fall. Mowed plants > 12 inches tall

Imazapic NuFarmPlateau x x Yes Yes

Postemergence in late summer or fall before killing frost, with good soil moisture and milky sap flow occurs when stems are broken high

Picloram Tordon 22KTrooper x x x Yes ShortYes

Postemergence at true flower stage (best) or to fall regrowth before killing frost

Pyraflufen ethyl* Edict 2SC, Vida, ET Herbicide x x x x x x Yes No

Postemergence to seedlings ≤ 4 inches tall or rosettes ≤ 3 inches in diameter. Top kill only on mature plants

Quinclorac Paramount x x x Yes YesPostemergence in spring at yellow bract (prebloom) or in fall before first killing frost

Saflufenacil* Detail, Sharpen x x x x xh x Yes At higher rates

Postemergence at yellow bract stage (typically pre-bloom period in late spring/early summer) when tank-mixed with imazapic

that applies two or more methods of weed control across time. Very seldom does a single approach work, year after year. Furthermore, all approaches, except for the purposeful management of an area for bare-ground, must consider how to estab-lish and/or increase the desired species on an infested site. A dense, vigorous stand of desired perennial grasses (or crop species) provides the best opportunity to prevent the rapid large scale establishment of leafy spurge, particularly when combined with periodic scouting to find the initial coloniz-ers and eliminate them before they develop large root systems. Early detection of leafy

spurge and a rapid response to the first few plants that appear provides the best opportunity to prevent large scale estab-lishment and costly multi-year treatments, particularly when the first few plants can create seedbank that will persist at least 5 to 8 years.

An important question of any herbicide treatment is, was I successful? Your level of success cannot be determined until at least (and perhaps later) than the middle of the first growing season after your ini-tial treatment(s) is applied. Leafy spurge shoots can take a year to reappear when the surviving buds are at least 3 feet deep. The

effectiveness of an herbicide treatment on any weed that has root buds on deep roots should not be judged early in the following growing season. Buds on the deepest roots can survive long periods without input of new carbohydrates and still draw on large energy reserves to produce growth.

The next weed addressed in this series will be curlycup gumweed spurge (Grin-delia squarrosa) an herbaceous forb that develops new semi-woody stems each year, and may act as an annual, biennial or short-lived perennial, depending upon the specific growing conditions.


The Progressive Rancher

online with your computer or

mobile device

Discoverhoweasyitistoread

ProgrESSiVEraNchEr.com

Centennial Awards

The Nevada Centennial Awards Program recognizes agri-cultural families who have owned and operated the same land for 100 years or more. Forty-nine families have been inducted into the program that began in 2004. The awards program is sponsored by the Nevada Agriculture license

plate funds, Nevada Farm Bureau, Nevada Agricultural Foundation, Nevada Department of Agriculture, Nevada Cattlemen’s Association and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The Johnson RanchIn the name of the Johnson and Springmeyer families, we honor the

original ranch, formerly the Lazy J Ranch in Douglas County. Chris John-son was born in Denmark, and his wife, Celia, was from Germany. It is said that they came to the Carson Valley in the 1870s with Mormon Settlers, where they purchased the ranch and raised a family at their Mottsville Lane property.

After Chris Sr. passed away, Chris Johnson Jr. retained the ranch and partnered with Knox William at the nearby Judge Hickey ranch to raise Hereford cattle and hay. Knox William passed away in 1934 after falling off his horse on Mottsville Lane. After his death, his wife Stella Van Dyke John-son, a single woman with three small children, took over the cattle operation on her own until her son, Knox Van Dyke continued to operate his portion of the ranch while grazing in the summer at Lake Tahoe.

On his retirement in 1992, Knox Van Dyke leased the ranch to Helen Kolbe.

Helen Kolbe Johnson took the reins and contin-ued to raise Hereford/An-gus cross cattle on Knox’s ranch with the help of their son Drew Kolbe. There-fore, Drew raises cattle on the same property as his great, great grandparents. Majorie Springmeyer re-tains ownership of her portion of the J Lazy J

Ranch with her daughter-in-law Bonnie, and her grandchildren: they lease it to a local rancher.

The Nevada Centennial Award is presented to the Johnsons and Spring-meyers for the longstanding contribution to Nevada agriculture and the rich heritage they have given to the state.

The Triple S RanchThe Triple S Ranch of south Reno raises cattle, sheep and bees. The

original operation was acquired in 1874 by Ferdinand Ritter but is now held by the Lorraine Dodge Family Trust.

Originally purchased for $2,600 in gold coins, the property encom-passed 160 acres. Ritter initially bought the property to keep his four sons and daughter safe from the “many wild and rowdy inhabitants of Virginia City.”

The land was lush with springs and even attracted some gold mining claims. Ritter and his son Herman used the ranch for their own food and to sell vegetables in Virginia City.

In the 1960s, the ranch was leased to family friends who took over its operation.

Now, Lorraine Dodge’s daughter Michelle, and her husband Jack Spen-cer Jr., have assumed the ranching and farming. The Triple S Ranch was named to honor past and present family members—Sullivan, Savery and Spencer—who envisioned the property as a place for future agricultural pro-duction. Jack and Michelle Spencer, along with their sixth-generation boys, Hunter and Chase Archer, carry on the tradition of ranching and farming by immersing themselves into the production of cattle, sheep, bees and pas-ture land. Hopefully, this small but highly desirable property will prosper for another 140 years.

The Nevada Centen-nial Award is presented to the Spencers for continu-ing the legacy of Nevada agriculture established at their property 100 years ago.


www.lifespringdesign.com

For a second year The Progressive Rancher Magazine will be partnering with the Fair. The winner of the contest will have their photograph published on the cover of an issue of the Pro-gressive Rancher. Winner will be announced Saturday August 8 at 6:00 p.m.

Rules:1. Submission deadline and entry fee is the same as for all

photography exhibits.2. Photo(s) must be taken by the exhibitor.3. Entrants are allowed one (1) photograph per Class.4. All entrants must submit both a hard copy print and a

computerized/digitally formatted high (300) resolution megabyte copy. Entrants who do not submit both a hard copy print and computerized digitally formatted high (300) resolution megabyte copy will not be judged.

5. Photographs must be 8” X 10” or larger. Vertical prints are preferred however, horizontal photos will be accepted as well.

6. All hard copy prints must be matted or dry mounted as all hard copies will be displayed in the Exhibit Hall dur-ing the fair. Dry mounts can be either matte or foam core board (1/8” to 1/4” thick) or cardboard.

7. Mattes or mounted material should fit the photo.8. All Photos must contain one or more cattle9. No photos of animals being choked down, mistreated will

be considered. Animals must be healthy and any photo-graph submitted must convey that the animal is well cared for.

10. Entrants must be at least 18 years old.

Class01 Ranching Crews02 Child Cowboy/Cowgirl with animal(s)03 Scenic 04 Eureka County Fair05 Western Adult06 Western Miscellaneous

Judging & Awards:1. A top photo from each class will be chosen by judge(s)

selected by the Exhibit Committee. The winner of the pho-tography contest will then be chosen from among those top six (6) photos by Leana Stitzel and Kathy Bengoa.

2. Premiums and ribbons (blue, red, white or peach) will be awarded as outlined on page 2 of the Premium Book. No Rosettes will be awarded.

Submissions:1. Entrants may register online or in person as outlined on

page 1 of the Premium Book. Hard copy prints may be brought to the Exhibit Hall during registration hours the week of the Fair or may be mailed to the following address:

Eureka County Fair Board P.O. Box 53 Eureka, NV 89316

2. Digital copies may be submitted on a thumb drive with hard copy prints either in person or by mail or may be emailed to the Exhibit Committee at [email protected]

3. Any digital copies submitted on a thumb drive must be picked up in person as outlined in the Premium Book

under Removal of Exhibits.Please read ALL rules carefully. Any entries that do not comply with the rules will not be considered.

Eureka Fair & Progressive Rancher Magazine Partner for Photo Contest


Spring is in the Air!

Cows are calving, birds are singing, flowers are starting to bloom, and the grass is greening up. Spring is my favorite time of the year. Everything is fresh, new, and we don’t have to wear a heavy coat everywhere we go.

OFARANChWIFe

We’ve put away most of the heavy clothes and muck boots. Every morning when we go out to feed cows there are new baby calves to tag, ear mark, and weigh. We love watching them buck and play as they run across the feed ground.

The Cowboss weighs a new calf with a Sullivan Supply Calf scale. It is so much easier than lugging around a big scale and trying to lift some of those heavy calves off the ground.

Growing up, it wasn’t spring until my grandma Ma-bel bought Peeps (those dis-gustingly sweet sugar coated marshmallow candies), and we could find Buttercups growing in the pasture we walked through on the way home from school. We would gather handfuls of them to bring home to her. Now I start looking as soon as the snow is gone for these little yellow flowers. This is the earliest I’ve ever seen them.

If you needed further proof that it is spring, Kill-deer are out also. The boys and I will have to be on the lookout for their nests. They build them on the ground and I always worry I will drive over one with the side by side!

QT is ready to turn the cows out and be done feeding. He is “one tough, good little cowboy” (his words not mine, but I do agree!). He works pretty hard feeding cows and making sure mom doesn’t miss anything on the feed ground, but feeding is getting old, and now that the weather is nicer he has other things he would rather be doing.

Spring is early this year and it isn’t looking good for water for the summer, but there is noth-ing cuter than a new baby calf. We will go with the flow and take things as they come. Fingers crossed for a wet, miserable April and May!


It’s unfortunate but true: The elderly population is targeted for financial abuse or exploitation. In fact, by some estimates, this type of targeted abuse results in billions of dollars in losses each year. If you have

elderly parents, what signs should you watch for to determine their vulnerability? And what can you do to help protect your parents from being victimized?

In regard to the first question — signs of vulnerability — the most important thing to watch for is your parents’ mental state. As you know, many people go through their entire lives with their faculties intact — but even if this is the case with your parents, you still may want to be on guard against them falling prey to unscrupulous operators. And if you have noticed your parents becoming forgetful, confused, overly agitated or showing any other signs of possibly diminished mental capacity, you may want to be particularly vigilant for the appearance of financial irregularities.

If you don’t think your parents are, as yet, victims of fraud or abuse, you can take steps to help protect them. Most importantly, maintain constant communication with them and be aware of what’s going on in their lives. Also, consider the following actions:

• Advise parents on precautionary measures. Suggest to your parents that they take several common-sense steps to avoid finan-cial scams. For example, urge them to never give personal information over the phone or in response to emails. Since these types of requests are the most common methods used to perpetrate scams, encourage your parents to put all such solicitations — as well as requests for money — in the “trash” folder. Also, ask your parents to remove paper mail promptly from their mailbox — resourceful identity thieves have been known to steal mail and extract key pieces of personal information from financial statements or correspondence from Social Security. And if your parents don’t already have a paper shredder, present one to them as a gift — and show them how to use it to delete old statements, credit card offers and similar documents.

• Check for legal documents. Your parents, like everyone, should have a will and a durable power of attorney. These documents will enable someone they trust implicitly to handle their finances if they can’t. Discussing these types of issues with your parents may not be easy — but it’s certainly important.

• Review parents’ situation regularly. Many parents are not comfortable sharing the specifics of their financial situation with their adult children. Yet, as much as you can, try to periodically review your parents’ insurance, banking and investment statements. These meet-ings give you good opportunities to look for irregularities or suspicious activities, such as significant changes in their spending patterns, unusu-al cash withdrawals or transfers from their bank accounts, or sudden

transfers of assets to a relative or someone outside the family.• Know the professionals. Your parents may not be totally at

ease involving you with their financial and tax advisors. However, using your discretion, see if you can accompany your parents when they meet with their advisors. If these people are legitimate professionals, they will not object to your interest in your parents’ affairs — in fact, they should welcome it.

Your parents have done a lot for you. You can help repay them by doing your part to help protect them from threats to their financial security.

Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Ed-ward Jones Financial Advisor.

1222 6th St., P.O. Box 368 Wells, NV 89835 • www.bottarirealty.com

Rim Rock Ranch: 640 acres fencend and cross-fenced in Independence Valley at the foot of the Pequop Mountain Range. Modern Manufactured Home with it’s own power plant (solar backed up by generator). Nice place to live and have a few head of livestock. Price: $375,000.

Heard Ranch/Farm: Diamond Valley 173 acres with Irrigation well only $195,000.

Morrison Ranch-Eureka County: 160 acres with well in Antelope Valley. $280,000.

Hwy 50 420 acres approx. 30 miles West of Eureka . Water rights were removed but the well could possibly used for other permitted uses such as stockwater and domestic. No warranty on well! Price: $300,000. Great access!

Elko Co. 10,706 deeded with BLM Sheep permit: These private sections are in the checkerboard area and are intermingled with public lands. The ranch has historically been a Spring Sheep range. The BLM permit is only 29% public lands. Price includes 50% of the mineral rights on all but 320 acres. Oil & Gas Lease might pay a big portion of the purchase! Price$1,500,000. Considering adding the property below to it to make a year around unit.

Elko Co. Humboldt River Property: 650 acres located between the Ryndon and Osino Exits on I-80.

This property has over 300 acres of surface water rights out of the Humboldt River. The BLM permit for the 10,706 acres above is a short distance from this property with a stock driveway on this property. Price:$1.2 million.

Current Mountain Ranch: Wanting to own a self sustaining property where you grow all you need? check this one out. Lots of fruit trees including; Pear, apricot, cherry, nectarine, apple, grapes, blackberry, and more including Almond’s. One center pivot with Alfalfa plus other meadow pastures. Ponds with Trout, bass and bluegills. Lots of Deer and wild tur-keys. A meat house with cooler and cutting room. 3 homes. Price. $1,900,000.

Ruby Valley : 1136 deeded acres of which ap-prox. 129 acres have water rights. On paved State Rt.229. Only 45 minutes from Elko. Good summer range. Would make a great place to live! Price: $700,000

North Butte Valley Ranch: 550 deeded acres with Spring fed meadow and hay ground and approx. BLM aum’s for 150+ head for 4/15 to 12/22 in private allotment. Six pastures in BLM allotment. Home is off the grid with power from Solar panels and back-up generator. Located on County road approx. 50 miles South of Wells, Nevada. Price: $950,000.

PENDING

SOLD

Work: 775-752-3040Home: 775-752-3809 • Fax: 775-752-3021

PaulD.Bottari,[email protected]

Ranch Properties now available

Foradditionalinformationonthesepropertiesgoto:BOTTARIReALTY.COM

PENDING

Presented by Jason Land, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones in Elko, Nevada2213 North 5th Street, Sui te A | 775-738-8811

Fi n a n c i a l Fo c u s

Protect Seniors From Financial Abuse


PRSR

T ST

DU

.S. P

OST

AG

EPA

IDPe

rmit

# 32

80Sa

lt La

ke C

ity, U

T


the progressive rancher april 2015

Documents