1. business and industrial
2. agriculture and forestry
3. livestock

The Only Weekly A Busy Rancher Needs To Read.
Billings, Montana
Thursday, May 14, 2015
by the publisher
Pat Goggins
As I See It
How much energy waste
is going on around your
place?
I was sure surprised on
our outfit. It seems as
though they found many
electrical sources that
were alive! After I read
that there will be some 14
billion dollars’ worth of
electrical power wasted
between now and the end
of the year on America’s
farms and ranches, we
started looking. Well, we
found that there were quite
a few sources between water tanks and planters with
computers in them. Several planters for the spring
crop had computers still
activated that were setting
the gauges of placement
of seeds. It was estimated
by the so-called ‘experts’
that, had we not remedied
the situation, it would
have cost another $140
to $160 this summer. The
convenience of computers
and what they do for us are
compelling, and I guess we
don’t want to live without
them; however, there is a
cost involved, and maybe
these small costs become
larger for every endeavor.
We must remember that,
if we watch out for the
nickels and dimes, the
dollars will take care of
themselves!
We’re going to be entering, hopefully, the rainy
season soon. For some
places, however, we’re
also going to be entering
down the road a piece the
wind and hail season. If
you haven’t checked with
your insurance people to
make sure you’re covered
for those situations -- including hail for grass and
hay, crops, and buildings
- then do so! All of it costs
to repair, and all of it has
savings, so it’s important to
…Cont. on pg 3
Food for Thought:
“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” Albert Einstein (1879-1955),
German-born American theoretical physicist
Sortin’ Pen
By Leesa Zalesky
Rep. DeLauro calls USDA out on
unapproved Thailand chicken products...
After disclosure by USDA last week that thousands of
pounds of chicken noodle soup -- made from illegal chicken
products imported from Thailand -- had slipped past U.S.
regulators, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) said the news that
the chicken noodle soup -- imported from Canadian company Victory Kitchens -- raises a host of questions about
whether USDA’s inspection system should be called into
question. A recall was issued after an inspector finally
discovered the Canadian company was importing chicken
products from Thailand, where farmers don’t face the same
regulatory controls as they do in the U.S. Federal inspectors didn’t catch the problem until thousands of pounds of
illegal chicken had already been imported into the U.S. and
were presumably eaten by consumers. DeLaura said she
will investigate how the chicken noodle soup shipments
made it past USDA regulators and will consider what steps
can be taken to prevent it from happening again. “I’ve long
been troubled by systemic issues at USDA’s Food Safety
& Inspection Service, and this adds to the list of reasons
to be worried,” noted DeLauro. USDA says it has received
no reports of consumer illness from the soup.
Volume 7
No. 33
More mistruths and flawed legal analysis from
CSKT Compact opponents Vandemoer and company
By Hertha Lund
There she goes again.
Catherine Vandemoer’s
column in the April 30 issue
of this paper illustrates why
Montanans should not trust
someone to practice law
without a license, someone
who needs to build a citizens’ group for her income.
Vandemoer’s constant mistruths and self-serving rantings have been very bad for
Montana agriculture.
In her recent rant, Vandemoer questioned whether
the CSKT Compact actually
passed. She based her question on a recent suit filed by
the Flathead Joint Board
of Control (FJBC) against
the entire Legislature, the
Governor, and the Attorney
General of Montana. The
FJBC argues that language
in the CSKT Compact is
a violation of the State
Constitution prohibition
on waiving sovereign immunity. However, the FJBC
and Vandemoer have it all
backwards. The Compact’s
waiver of sovereign immunity is completely the
opposite of what the Constitution prohibits. Instead
of granting immunity, which
is prohibited, the Compact
waives sovereign immunity vis-à-vis the Eleventh
Amendment of the U.S.
Constitution.
The state of Montana, the
federal government, and the
tribes are all sovereign. In
other words, these entities
CANNOT be sued in court
unless they waive their immunity and agree to allow
suit. For example: The state
cannot be sued in federal
court or tribal court under
the 11th Amendment and
related court decisions; the
federal government cannot
be sued in state court; and
…Cont. on pg 16
VSV confirmed in Arizona and Utah...
EHV-1 found in Oregon
By Leesa Zalesky
On May 1, the National
Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames,
Iowa, confirmed findings
of vesicular stomatitis virus
(VSV) infections on premises in Maricopa County,
Arizona, and Kane County,
Utah. Three horses on two
premises in Maricopa County, Arizona, are infected, and
one mule in Kane County,
Utah, has also been diagnosed. Additionally, a second
premises in Kane County,
Utah, is under VSV quarantine related to the index case
in Kane County. The equines
involved in the Utah case
had moved from Arizona
just prior to identification
of clinical signs. In addition
to the two confirmed premises in Maricopa County,
Arizona, there are five suspect premises in Arizona
under movement control
for suspicion of VSV. As a
result of these cases, state
animal health officials are
strengthening livestock entry
requirements, especially for
horses traveling from states
with confirmed cases of VSV.
VSV...
VSV is a viral disease
affecting cattle, horses,
swine, sheep, goats, many
wild animals, and occasionally humans. VSV causes
vesicles (blisters) that form
in the mouth (tongue, dental
pad, and lips), in the nostrils,
on areas around the hooves,
and on the teats. The vesicles
swell and break, exposing
raw tissue. In cloven-hoofed
animals, the blisters mimic
blisters associated with foot
and mouth disease (FMD), a
foreign animal disease that
was eradicated in the U.S. in
1929. However, FMD does
not typically cause blisters
…Cont. on pg 2
Does your voice matter?
Princeton study says, “NO!”
By Leesa Zalesky
Talk to the leaders of
independent livestock organizations -- those without alternative funding
mechanisms like insurance
programs or commodity
checkoffs and who depend
solely on membership dues
-- and you’ll hear that the
biggest problem they have
on their hands is apathy.
People don’t engage, they
say, because they no longer
feel like the American political system is responsive to
them. A new study, led by
professors from Princeton
University and Northwestern University, validates that
feeling. It shows that 90% of
us are political commoners
because the political royals
made us so.
The peer-reviewed study
analyzed over 20 years’
worth of data to answer the
following question: Does
the government represent
the people? Researchers
found that the number of
American voters for or
against any idea has NO
impact on the likelihood
that their opinion will influence Congress. “The
…Cont. on pg 3
We spent HOW MUCH for WHAT?
The clowns at the USDA had their faces painted again last
week by Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ), who slammed the agency
…Cont. on pg 4
2015 is the year of one GREAT front-page picture after another of rural kids doing rural things, and certainly,
this photo is no exception! When Kristyl Blowers shared this photo, she wrote: “Devon (2) and Austin
(8) are getting their farm boy pedicures!” Kristyl neglected to say where this photo was taken, however.
INDEX
Agri-Kids.......................... 10
Classified......................... 18
Farm & Food...................... 5
Markets............................. 17
Barry Naugle.................... 15
Comments........................ 11
It’s the Pitts........................ 8
Ramblings.......................... 6
Bill’s Warbag...................... 5
Cooking in the West........ 12
Letters................................ 2
Sale Reports............... 19-20
2
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Letters
We are delighted to print letters from
our readers on ag and livestock
issues. However, the letters are
subject to editing for length, grammar,
libel, and pertinence to the industry
and/or subject at hand.
Editor
to the
WESTERN AG REPORTER
I’ve always felt the writer’s great weapon
is the truth and integrity of his voice.
And as long as what you’re saying
is what you truly, honestly believe to be the case,
then, whatever the consequences, that’s fine.
That’s an honorable position.
Salman Rushdie
grouse is the common raven. Across the sage grouse range,
raven apparently outnumbers this prey 11 to 1. Whether
ravens take one or all eggs in a nest, the nest is abandoned.
The average clutch is seven eggs, so seven lives are lost with
each predation. Ravens also will eat nestlings. This slaughter
evidently takes approximately 1.5M sage grouse annually. An
additional 160,000 are lost to wildfire, with lesser numbers
to drought, cold, and the agency standby of “trampling by
livestock.” The raven is protected by treaty with Mexico, with
no effort by federal agencies to change that administrative
Editor’s note: I LOVE good quotes! LG
convenience. It’s not important that treaty protection has
enhanced the roughly 1,000% raven increase over the years.
Heads up, Susan!
I would like to tell Susan Metcalf that I liked her “Social It is telling that the International Union of Conservation
Media” article in last week’s issue and that I agree with her. Naturalists does not consider that the raven requires protecOut of the gazillion websites for recipes, however, I still de- tion, as the IUCN quit counting when it was apparent there
pend on Western Ag Reporter and “Cooking In The West.” I were over 16M of these subsidized predators on the hunt.
A comprehensive 2010 interagency study indicates that
have truly got some of my best eats there. “Mother’s Cherry
100% of the current sage grouse population lives in 62% of
Bars” look like they have great potential!
Sheila Malone the habitable range of 165M acres. Agencies insist the uninemail habited habitat is due to habitat degradation as a bureaucratic
rationale for exerting control over the entire range. Significant
predation on 535,000 sage grouse is not acknowledged. These
Cracking eggs...
The Departments of Interior and Agriculture enforce the spirit areas do have ravens, which are acceptable to the agencies.
of the BLM Instruction Memorandum 2012-044: increase In the same way that agencies can justify more tax dollars
funding, regardless of sage grouse Endangered Species Act with frequent large fires than with infrequent small fires, they
listing. Interior Secretary Jewell recently declared that the rationalize more ravens than fewer. By effectively feeding sage
sage grouse California-Nevada Bi-State Distinct Population grouse to the raven, agencies contrive a population crisis to
Segment (DPS) does not warrant listing because approved justify increased land management. Essentially, bureaucrats
claim that, in agency-specified sagebrush, sage grouse can
habitat management is underway.
The plan will spend $45M on the 4.5M acres designated as properly hide from ravens.
Agency and pilot studies show that taking ravens is inexthe bi-state area. With an estimated local population of 2,500
to 9,000, the value to the agencies is $5,000 to $18,000 per pensive and effective, eliminating the need for decades of
bird. If a treatment cost of $500/acre is used, no more than multimillion-dollar bureaucrat swarms. Taking ravens costs
90,000 acres per year will be improved. Locally, this may approximately $20 per eliminated raven. With two years
require 50 years. The bureaucracy guarantees its perpetuation, of the annual bi-state habitat budget, potentially all ravens
could be eliminated across the entire sage grouse range. In
whether sage grouse survive that long.
Agency research indicates the greatest predator of sage subsequent years, there would be significantly reduced costs to
control migrant ravens, while
millions of sage grouse lives
would be saved.
The agencies do not want
this known. The bureauLet’s help sponsor yet another wonderful “Running For The Brand”
scientific complex has found
event! Join the Montana Running Rancher’s team by sponsoring the relay team headed to
it better to feed sage grouse
Washington in July. That’s when 12 ranchers from Montana will be running in the 200-mile
to ravens in order to feed on
Ragnar Relay Race to raise awareness of BEEF as a powerful protein. Let’s help them
tax dollars itself.
with their expenses to get to Washington! They travel in a couple of vans. Let’s cover
Ralph R. Sacrison
those vans with our brands and logos. Ranch Brand: for $50, your ranch name and brand
will be stenciled on one of the team vans! Agribusiness Brand: for $150, your business
COOL comments...
name and logo will be stenciled on one of the team vans! Let’s plaster those vans with our
“Labeling” doesn’t pay...”
brands and logos! Send checks to Montana Running Ranchers, 1407-16th Street South,
We’ve all been told this
Great Falls, MT 59405, and PLEASE BE
repeatedly by the “band of
SURE to tuck in a note that says you
fools” that it costs.
read about this promotion in WAR!
Funny how this isn’t the
Questions? Contact Aeric
truth in other segments of
Reilly with the Montana
the business models for food
Running Ranchers by
in this country. The milk
phone at 406-570- 5853
industry feels differently by
or by email at aeric@
a project they implemented.
reillyins.com
The choice is simple in the
So-call free trade...
Linda, the article in the May 7 issue on so-called free trade
is very good. It is not free at all; it is giving away our sovereignty. The experience with COOL shows this very clearly.
We do not need a fast track to economic slavery!
I am sending you some more quotes if you want to use them.
Harold Davidson
Cody, WY
Calling all Montana ranchers!
Let’s brand these vans!
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2015
Duppong’s Willow Creek Farm Production Sale, Glen
Ullin, ND
Shaw Cattle Co. Female Sale, Caldwell, ID
JUNE
6
Diamond McNabb Horse Sale, Douglas, WY
13
101 Angus Ranch Complete Dispersion, Jerome, ID
13
Full House Elite Horse Sale, Newcastle, WY
22-23 Northern Livestock Video Early Summer Special, Billings,
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JULY
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AUGUST
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Spruce Mountain Ranch Angus Female Sale, Larkspur,
CO
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Lazy U Quarter Horse Sale, Hershey, NE
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Western Ag Reporter
Circulation Department
P.O. Box 30758 • Billings, Montana 59107
VSV
cont. from pg. 1
in horses.
Biting insects and animal-to-animal contact may
spread VSV. An infected
animal’s saliva and fluid
from ruptured blisters can
contaminate feed, water, and
equipment, further spreading the disease. Livestock
usually show signs two to
eight days after exposure to
the virus. The first noticeable
sign is usually excessive salivation due to blisters in the
mouth. Animals may refuse
to eat or drink and may show
signs of lameness.
EHV-1...
Animal health officials say
that two horses in Oregon
have been diagnosed with
Equine Herpes Virus (EHV1) and that two additional
horses are now showing
neurological signs of the
disease. In addition, another
five horses exposed to EHV-1
have developed fevers. All
of the equines involved are
under active observation by
their owners and their veterinarians. Eight farms are currently under quarantine, six
in Marion County, Oregon,
and two in Polk County. The
infected horses and other
horses exposed to EHV-1 attended several recent events,
including an Oregon High
School Equestrian Team
(OHSET) meet at the Linn
County Fairgrounds April
16-19 and rodeo events at
www.westernagreporter.com
Branton Arena in Jefferson,
Oregon, April 19-20 as well
as at the High Prairie Area in
Eugene, Oregon, April 2526. Oregon State Veterinarian Dr. Brad LeaMaster said,
“All horses that attended the
OHSET Willamette district
meet on April 16-18 should
refrain from any further
shows or gatherings for the
next 28 days and impose a
self quarantine. Owners of
stable mates of these horses
should consult with their
veterinarian to assess risk
of exposure. High-risk horse
should also refrain from
shows or gatherings.”
EHV-1 is caused by a virus
that may lay dormant for long
periods of time and then reactivate during a period of
stress, which can result in
clinical disease. EHV-1 can
cause respiratory disease,
abortions in pregnant mares,
neurologic disease, and in
severe cases death. The
virus can be spread through
horse-to-horse contact or
contaminated equipment,
clothing, and hands. Symptoms include fever, decreased coordination, nasal
discharge, urine dribbling,
loss of tail tone, hind limb
weakness, leaning against
a wall or fence to maintain
balance, lethargy, and the
inability to rise.
Animal owners are advised
to consult with their veterinarian about livestock entry
requirements or to report animals believed to be exposed
or showing signs of illness.
WESTERN LIVESTOCK REPORTER INC. D.B.A.
WESTERN AG REPORTER
USPS 678-680
MAILING ADDRESS
P.O.Box 30758 - Billings, Montana 59107
OFFICE LOCATION
PAYS Exchange Bldg. - 18th & Minnesota Ave.
Phone (406) 259-4589 - FAX (406) 259-6888
Website: www.westernagreporter.com
PATRICK K. GOGGINS
MAY
Name___________________________________
difference in industries. The corrupt beef checkoff claims
to have “returned $11.20 for every dollar invested” ... I will
tell you that, without producers paying for their own demise,
we passed Country of Origin Labeling and never had to pay
out one dime. Returns per head with COOL have been well
over $1,000 per head in just a few years. Now which program
passed by the U.S. government has had the biggest bang for
the buck when evaluated by all segments of the industry?
The USA is the largest importer of beef ... so now do you
understand why the band of fools want to stop COOL? It
isn’t for producers’ best interest!
Mike Schultz
Brewster, KS
Publisher
WLR PUBLICATIONS
General Manager
E-mail:[email protected]
JOHN P. GOGGINS
Editor
E-mail: [email protected]
LINDA GROSSKOPF
Advertising Manager
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North Dakota, South Dakota
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Western Ag Reporter was born on October 1, 2008 by combining Western Livestock
Reporter (established in 1940) and Agri-News (established in 1968).
Western Ag Reporter (USPS 678-680) is published weekly by Western Livestock Reporter,
Inc., Publications, 18th & Minnesota, Billings, MT 59101; P.O. Box 30758, Billings, MT
59107. Periodicals postage paid at Billings, Montana. POSTMASTER: Send change of
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Princeton
cont. from pg. 1
preferences of the average
American appear to have
only a minuscule, near zero,
statistically non-significant
impact on public policy,”
wrote the study’s authors,
who concluded that U.S.
government policies rarely
align with the preferences
of the majority of Americans but DO align with the
preferences of big-spending
special interests. “When
a majority of Americans
favor policy change, they
generally do not get it,” they
wrote, pointing out that most
often the positions of powerful interest groups are NOT
substantially correlated with
the preference of average
citizens.”
Titled “Testing Theories
of American Politics: Elites,
Interest Groups, and Average Citizens,” the study
found something else: this
only holds true to the opinion
of the bottom 90% of income
earners in America. BIG
spenders, business interests,
and lobbyists with a sizable
budget CAN AND DO
influence public policy. In
other words, money talks on
Capitol Hill. “In the last five
years alone, the 200 most
politically active companies
in the U.S. pent $5.8 billion
influencing our government
with lobbying and campaign
contributions,” says the
study. “Those same companies got $4.4 trillion in
taxpayer support, earning
a return of 750 times their
investment. The central
point that emerges from our
research is that economic
elites and organized groups
representing business interests have substantial
independent impacts on
U.S. government policy,
while mass-based interest
groups and average citizens
have little or no independent
influence.”
It doesn’t take a political
scientist to figure out that
congressional incumbents
have been the chief beneficiaries of the river of graft
flowing from Washington
DC’s deep-pocketed special
3
Thursday, May 14, 2015
WESTERN AG REPORTER
interests. Despite the public disgust with Congress,
incumbents typically have
re-election rates of roughly
95%.
The study, which will be
part of the curriculum at
Princeton and Northwestern
Universities this fall, comes
after last year’s Supreme
Court ruling in McCutcheon v. Federal Election
Commission. A special
three-judge federal panel
in Washington DC rejected
McCutcheon’s appeal, and
the electrical engineer and
Alabama Republican took
his case, backed by the
Republican National Committee, to the U.S. Supreme
Court. At issue in the case
were federal laws capping
overall combined financial
giving to federal candidates and political action
committees (PACs); under
the law, no individual was
permitted to give more than
$48,600 in any one election
cycle or $74,600 to PACs.
(Individuals are allowed to
spend much greater sums
independently, but cannot
hand it over to the candidates
themselves.) The competing arguments in the McCutcheon appeal were stark:
supporters of campaign
finance reform said federal
regulations were designed
to prevent corruption and
undue influence in politics;
opponents said campaign
finance limits violate free
speech and association.
The Supreme Court, in a
5-4 ruling, said these caps
were unconstitutional, siding with McCutcheon, who
has worked for years with his
local Republican party and
served as chairman of the
Conservative Action Fund,
a Republican “super PAC.”
Statistics from the Center
for Responsive Politics for
the 2012 election cycle
show that about 600 donors
leveraged their money to
each give the maximum of
$48,600 total, benefiting no
more than 17 presidential or
congressional candidates.
Almost 1,700 contributors
forked over the maximum
limit to party committees,
which totaled up to more
than $100 million. Fred
Wertheimer -- founder and
president of Democracy
21, a long-time activist on
campaign spending reform
-- says the Supreme Court’s
ruling in the McCutcheon
case may well open the door
to striking down all of the remaining campaign contribution limits, “taking us back
to the robber-baron era... an
unmitigated disaster.”
The McCutcheon case
comes on the heels of the
“Citizens United” ruling
by the Supreme Court,
which put corporations on
the same ‘free speech footing’ as wealthy individuals,
leading to a proliferation
of super PACs -- separate
political action committees
that can raise and spend
unlimited amounts of cash
from businesses, unions,
and advocacy groups. Super
PACs operate as “527s”
-- named after the tax code
governing their operation.
After the Citizens United
case ended, limits on direct
contributions to candidates
by corporations and individuals remained in place,
driving the McCutcheon
lawsuit and subsequent winning appeal.
Now what?
So how do we get regular
people back in the driver’s
seat of our government when
both major parties are catering to a privileged few at the
expense of everyone else?
They won’t change unless
they’re forced to.
The basic law of physics
says that an object at rest
will remain at rest unless
an outside force makes it
move. A corrupt political
establishment will stay corrupt, and failing parties will
keep failing us, unless we
make them change.
Apathy is our worst enemy.
Don’t miss
this!
Sale Report Index
The 2015 Protein Producer Summit, which is a
joint meeting of Colorado’s
premier livestock organizations, will take place June
15-17 at the Sheraton Resort in Steamboat Springs,
CO. The itinerary includes
committee meetings, a trade
show, panel discussions,
McDonnell Angus..................................................................19
Hoyt’s Angus.........................................................................19
Kist Diamond Classic............................................................19
Real Ranch Horse..................................................................20
excellent meals, interesting
speakers, and a gondola
ride!
The registration and hotel
deadline for discounted rates
is May 29. Questions? Con-
tact the Colorado Livestock
Association by phone at
970-378-0500 or go to the
website www.coloradolivestock.org
Like to read eBooks?
Then here’s a great suggestion for a brand new book:
the Montana Stockgrowers’
digital book for iBooks
and iPad called “Ladies
and Livestock: Life on the
Ranch.” This project has
been an effort to reach out
to women across the country
who would like to learn more
about Montana’s ranching
families and the work that
goes into producing the beef
on our plates. “Ladies &
Livestock” is a multi-media
exploration of the roles of
Montana women on the
ranch. It features over 130
pages of stories and photographs of the ladies who
raise livestock, care for the
land, and build their family’s
legacy on Montana ranches.
Included on 30 pages are
video features that play with
the touch of the finger! It’s
available exclusively on
iTunes or in the iBooks store
for only $14.99. Proceeds
from the sale of the book
benefit MSGA’s Research
& Education Endowment
Foundation.
The book was released
last September. Its target
audience isn’t necessarily
those who experience Montana ranch life on a regular
basis, but rather those who
don’t have that opportunity.
Folks are increasingly reading books on their mobile
devices, so this book as an
innovative way to reach
those audiences with Montana ranchers’ stories.
If you have any media
contacts in other parts of
the country that may be able
to share this message with
urban women seeking information about their beef and
the people behind raising our
food, we’d appreciate your
passing along this story to
help reach them. Thanks!
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keep track of that. If you’re
in heavy crop country in an
area that has a known history
of hail, you know what one
of those five-minute hail
storms can do to you and
your crops. I’ve watched
through the years, and it
appears there are certain
areas that seem to be more
applicable to hail and wind
damage than others; however, those folks can insure
themselves against much of
these major disasters. This
is between you, the operators of your farm and ranch,
and your insurance man. I
just hope he hasn’t left his
computer on and it’s costing
him more through the summer than he’s getting paid
for his services!
I hope everyone remembered their womenfolk on
Mother’s Day. They deserve
a pat on the back for a job
well done every day but
especially on Mother’s Day.
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4
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Sortin Pen
cont. from pg. 1
in his “Pork Chops” series for awarding a grant last year
to develop a quarantine system for chocolate. According
to Flake, the agency awarded a $135,615 grant to the
University of Readings’ International Cocoa Quarantine
Centre to help develop a quarantine system for cocoa. The
taxpayer-supported funding was part of a larger $535,835
grant awarded to the university in FY2011. The University
of Reading, located about an hour outside of London, said
the funding would help “safeguard the future of chocolate.”
After cocoa plants spend two years under quarantine, parts
of the plant are shipped to cocoa-producing countries, where
they can be bred with local cocoa plants to try to build a
higher-resistance crop, says the university. Flake’s “Pork
Chops” series features a weekly roasting of egregious
federal spending.
Worth watching closely...
USDA is proposing a new administrative review process for government-subsidized school meal programs.
USDA’s Food & Nutrition Service’s proposed rule would
establish a unified accountability system for school food
authorities to follow, the results of which would be posted
online. “These proposed changes are expected to strengthen
program integrity through a more robust, effective, and
transparent process for monitoring school nutrition program
operations,” says the agency. The public will have 60 days
to comment on the rule change.
Senators Introduce
bill to end horse soring...
A trio of Kentucky and Tennessee U.S. Senators has
introduced legislation that they say will “end the contemptible, illegal practice of horse soring once and for all,
while preserving the Tennessee Walking Horse tradition.”
On April 30, Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Senate
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and Rand
Paul (R-KY), introduced an amended version of a previous bill introduced during the last congressional session.
“The Humane Society bill would destroy the Tennessee
Walking Horse tradition,” Alexander said. “In baseball, if
a player illegally uses steroids, you punish the player. You
don’t shut down America’s pastime. We need to punish and
stop any trainer, owner, or rider who engages in the illegal
practice of horse soring -- NOT shut down a treasured
and important tradition in both Tennessee and Kentucky.”
Alexander was referring to a competing bill, advocated
WESTERN AG REPORTER
by the Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS), which has also
been introduced in the Senate. The HSUS bill would ban
many industry-standard training and show devices that do
not harm horses on their own. Horse sorting is already illegal
under federal law, but Alexander’s legislation would take
six additional steps to end horse soring by creating more
consistent oversight, requiring term limits for board members of horse industry organizations that provide oversight
inspections, protecting against conflicts of interest, requiring
input from veterinarians, requiring objective testing, and
adding suspension from horse shows as a penalty.
Prairie dogs digging up OK cemetery...
In the Oklahoma panhandle, prairie dogs have moved from
the Rita Blanca Grassland and invaded the cemetery near
Felt, Oklahoma, where human bones from gravesites are
now visible on the surface and sinkholes have appeared.
Local officials say the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has
neglected its job of managing the prairie dog populations
because of the agency’s focus on introducing the blackfooted ferret. “The cemetery is being overrun, and there’s
no doubt about that,” said State Rep. Casey Murdock
(R-Felt). “It is very devastating to those who have family
buried there. The dogs are undermining the cemetery and
causing destruction no one wants to see. It’s imperative that
everyone’s concerns are addressed.” Murdock says he has
been in contact with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife,
cemetery officials, and the office of Governor Mary Fallin.
“What we need is a buffer zone of at least a mile and a
half around the cemetery,” said Murdock. “The buffer zone
will ensure that no more graves are being dug up and that
families of the deceased can rest easy. Taxpayers expect the
federal government to perform its duties, plain and simple.
We need a solution to this issue as soon as possible.” The
USFS recovery plan for the black-footed ferret is expected
to cost taxpayers more than $150 million by 2040.
Farmland’s portfolio exploding...
Farmland Partners, a Denver-based ag real estate company
that went public in April 2014, now controls 116 farms
totaling 68,439 acres in 10 states. When the company went
public last year, it did so with $53.2 million IPO (initial
public offering), and at the time the company had just four
tenants in two states. Just a year later, the firm now owns ag
land extending from southeastern U.S. to the high plains and
from the corn belt to the Mississippi Delta. The net value
of its real estate assets was $179 million as of March 31,
when the first quarter ended. As the company’s portfolio has
grown, so has its rental income. While same-property rent
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went up just $1 year-over-year in the first quarter to $361
per acre, total rental income jumped 219% to $2 million.
Monsanto eyeing offshore tax benefits...
The Swiss firm Syngenta has rebuffed potential merger
bids with St. Louis-based Monsanto, rejecting a $45 billion
bid last week. Reportedly, part of the appeal of a merger
with Syngenta would be Monsanto’s ability to shift its legal
address offshore, lowering its tax liability in the process.
Democrats and the Obama administration have proposed
cracking down on this sort of merger, commonly called
corporate inversions. Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin
(D-IL) reportedly urged Monsanto against the merger last
week, warning Monsanto that it’s in the company’s best
interest to remain headquartered in the U.S., noting that
the company has had no problems capitalizing on taxpayer
funding. “You and your board must recognize that your
company’s continued commitment to America would be
good, not only for the country, but also for Monsanto’s bottom line,” Durbin said. The Illinois Democrat specifically
mentioned Monsanto’s reliance on National Institutes of
Health research, the U.S. education system, and the patent
protections offered by the federal government.
Don’t miss these!
“Through its policy and advocacy efforts every
day, the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association
(NDSA) works to lead the state’s beef industry
through 2015 and beyond,” said NDSA President Steve Brooks, a Bowman, ND, cow-calf
and seedstock producer. The 85-year-old cattle
producers’ trade organization will be hosting
its Spring Roundup series by that very name,
“2015 and Beyond,” June 4-5 and 8-11 in Fessenden, Jamestown, Linton, Carson, Killdeer,
and Washburn, ND. Each will include a social,
supper, and short program on issues like the
Dietary Guidelines, the Waters of the United
States proposed rule, trade promotion authority,
and the recently completed 64th North Dakota
Legislative Assembly. District Nominating Committees will meet at the close of each Spring
Roundup. There, committee members will
identify candidates for the NDSA’s open director
positions that will be filled at the NDSA annual
convention in September. The Spring Roundup
schedule is as follows:
- District 1: June 5 at Festival Hall, Wells County
Fairgrounds in Fessenden. Social begins at 5:30
p.m. CT, with supper at 6:30 p.m. and the program
following. Chanda Engel, livestock research
specialist at the Carrington Research Extension
Center, will also be a presenter, discussing ways
to grow a cowherd using less grass.
- District 2: June 10 at the Jamestown Country
Club in Jamestown. Begins with golf and an
equipment showcase at 3:30 p.m. CT. A social
and sponsor showcase follow at 5:30 p.m. with
supper at 7 p.m. and the program following.
- District 3: June 4 at the Our Club Hall in
Linton. The social begins at 5:30 p.m. CT with
supper at 6:30 p.m. and the program following.
Engel will also be speaking here.
- District 4: June 8 at the Grant County
Fairgrounds in Carson. Social begins at 5:30 p.m.
MT with supper at 6:30 p.m. and the program
following.
- District 5: June 9 at the Buckskin Bar & Grill
in Killdeer. Social begins at 5:30 p.m. MT with
supper at 6:30 p.m. and the program following.
- District 6: June 11 at River Ag in Washburn.
Social begins at 5:30 p.m. CT with supper at
6:30 p.m. and the program following.
The Roundups are free and open to everyone.
For more information, visit www.ndstockmen.
org or call 701-223-2522.
ed !
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CLASSIFIEDS
e
B
W i ll 406.259.4589
145Y
SHAW CATTLE CO.
22993 Howe Road, Caldwell, ID 83607
www.shawcattle.com
[email protected]
HEREFORD | ANGUS | RED ANGUS
Since 1946
Greg Shaw
Sam Shaw
Tucker Shaw
Ron Shurtz
(208) 459-3029
(208) 880-9044
(208) 899-0455
(208) 431-3311
3432
336A
SALE MANAGEMENT
incorporated
Matt Sims
Cell/Text (405) 641-6081
[email protected]
www.mcsauction.com
Jason Frey, Field Editor
North Dakota, South Dakota,
Minnesota
PO Box 155
Ipswich, SD 57451
Cell (701) 300-0845
E-mail:
[email protected]
If you're looking for herd bulls,
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Farm
Food
by Alan Guebert
of all food sales in at least
32 cities nationwide, and as
much as 80% of all restaurant food sales in a handful
of cities like Washington
D.C. That’s power; that’s
dominance; and that, said
the FTC this past February,
should not happen.
On a narrow 3-to-2 vote
- three Democratic commissioners for; two Republican
commissioners against - the
FTC asked a federal judge
February 19 to block the
Sysco-US Foods deal. In its
24-page, heavily redacted
filing with the court, the FTC
made its case. Its operative
facts arrive on pages 12 and
13 where the Commission
explains the market power
the new firm will possess
if the deal goes through.
“The Merger Guidelines
and courts measure [market] concentration using
the Herfindahl-Hirschman
Index (‘HHI’)... Under the
Merger Guidelines, a merger
is presumed likely to create
or enhance market power
- and is presumptively illegal - when the post-merger
HHI exceeds 2,500 and the
merger increases the HHI
by more than 200 points.”
Should Sysco be permitted
to buy US Foods... “...postmerger, the market would
be substantially more highly
concentrated than today.
The merger would result in
a post-merger HHI of 5,836
and increases in concentration of 2,800 points, or 14
times the increase necessary
to establish a presumption of
competitive harm.”
In the above-mentioned 32
markets where the merged
Sysco and US Foods would
not compete head-to-head as
they do now, the deal would
deliver HHIs of “between
2,997 and 10,000.” In fact,
notes the FTC report, “By
eliminating vigorous competition between Sysco and
US Foods, the merger would
significantly reduce these
benefits, harming businesses
that offer food away from
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
RegulaR Cattle Sale
FeedeRS SpeCial
Bill in his prime, about 1915.
Diggin' in…
Big food’s baloney...
Sysco Corporation may
not be a topic of dinner
conversation most evenings
anywhere in the U.S., but it
is what many Americans are
having for dinner - and lunch
and breakfast - almost any
day everywhere in America.
Never heard of Sysco?
Maybe not, but you’ve seen
‘em. Ever pull up to a local
fast or fast-casual restaurant,
hospital, hotel, nursing
home, or school and see a
long, gleaming semi-truck
and trailer at the building’s
back door unloading cartloads of boxed fresh, canned,
and frozen foods? That’s
Sysco, North America’s
biggest distributor of food
and food-related products to
restaurants, hotels, schools,
healthcare facilities, and
other foodservice providers. And biggest means really big. According to 2014
figures, Sysco sold $46.5
billion in food and services
from 73 distribution centers
to 425,000 customers around
the U.S. That’s another way
you may know the company:
its acre-gobbling distribution centers from Albany to
Anchorage. Most resemble
what they, in fact, are: massive deep freezers stuffed
with mountains of basic food
ingredients that go into many
of the 500 million meals
eaten by Americans outside
the home every day.
But being the biggest isn’t
big enough for Sysco. In December 2013, it announced
its purchase of chief rival
US Foods for $8.2 billion in
cash and stock. US Foods,
while a distant number two
to Sysco in foodservice
market share, isn’t tiny. In
2013, it made $22 billion
in sales to 200,000 customers from 61 distribution
centers nationwide. If done,
according to the Federal
Trade Commission (FTC),
the new Sysco would be a
$65 billion-a-year battleship commanding 75% of
all food sales to larger chain
restaurants, more than 50%
by
Bill Huntington
He who laughs last...
We had a deal with the
fair at Sioux City, Iowa, to
put on a show in front of
the grandstand but, due to a
train wreck, we got delayed
and lost our contract. We did
ride a couple of horses in
front of the grandstand on
exhibition.
We made few shows east of
Sioux City. We had a show in
a ball park in a place I have
forgotten the name of, but
I’ll always remember that
show. It was early fall, and
the corn was pretty green
yet. It was too soft to feed
but we didn’t think it would
hurt the stock even if it did
loosen up their bowels a
little. We had two steers
that was gentle to handle;
we could lead them with a
rope anywhere we wanted
to but they would always
buck. There was a big crowd
home and, ultimately, their
end consumers.”
So, slam dunk, no deal,
right? After all, the FTC
shows irrefutable data that
clearly establishes market
concentration will increase
by an “illegal” factor from
4 to “14 times necessary to
establish a presumption of
competitive harm.”
In a story published in the
May 4 Wall Street Journal
- the day before Sysco and
US Foods were to begin a
seven-day court hearing to
refute the FTC filing - “the
companies call(ed) the
FTC’s math ‘pure fiction’”
and promised a hard fight
for their deal.
No surprise. Too many
rules, according to Sysco,
is what ails business. The
cure, it suggests, is anything
that satisfies Big Biz’ big appetite. Even, as in this case,
it’s just pure baloney.
(c) 2015 ag comm
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
RegulaR Cattle Sale &
Cow/CalF paiRS
FeedeRS SpeCial
Consignments & Rep Sales are available at www.milescitylivestock.net
For complete details on the market, check out our market report
and USDA report at www.milescitylivestock.net
Field Representatives
Bart Meged
Collin Gibbs
Andy Wemmer
Charles Hellickson
406-421-5377
406-939-0645
406-853-0539
406-853-6037
406- 951-3005
Mark Zehms, Yard Foreman • 406-853-1945 ~ Amanda Kincheloe, Office Manager • 406-234-1790
1-800-755-5177
5
Thursday, May 14, 2015
WESTERN AG REPORTER
Visit our website at www.milescitylivestock.net
1-406-234-1790
that day, and standing right
along in front of the netting,
there was a lot of girls mostly
dressed in white.
We led out one of the steers
right close to the netting so
the crowd could see them
good. I got on him. He
jumped and whirled with his
rear end towards the crowd.
He let fly with a lot of green
paint. It was done so quick
those girls in white dresses
couldn’t dodge! Then he
came around again and
gave a repeat performance.
I could see it all over their
faces and running down
their dresses, and even
though I was pretty busy,
I heard them screaming as
if they’d been shot. It was
so funny to me that I got to
laughing so hard I fell off
that bull. He hadn’t shot all
of his ammunition, it turned
out... he’d saved enough to
douse me too. My god, it
was awful. The crowd went
wild. I never heard so much
hollering and yelling and
laughing in my life.
When I got my eyes cleared
out, I looked at the crowd.
Those poor girls was still trying to get their faces wiped
off with handkerchiefs no
bigger than postage stamps.
They would wipe it off on
their hands and then they
wouldn’t know what to do
with their hands.
Editor’s note: I was browsing through the 1952 archival book containing the
issues of our predecessor
Western Livestock Reporter
when I ran into the following Letter to the Editor in
the March 12, 1952, issue.
The letter was from Wes
Fitzsimmons of Pomeroy,
Washington: “I certainly do
enjoy the paper, especially
the series of stories by Bill
Huntington. He certainly
has a sense of humor, and
it will be a sad day when
he finishes the series. I pass
each Reporter on to my dad
and others, too, and they
all get as much kick out of
Huntington’s stories as I do.”
FYI, I’m here to tell you
that that “sad day” never
arrived! From the research I
did a few years ago for Pat’s
biography “As I Saw It,” I
can tell you that Gramps
(my great-grandfather Bill
Huntington) started his writing career in the January 31,
1951, issue of the Western
Livestock Reporter. The
Reporter was 10 years old,
and Gramps was 74. An
editorial note in that 1951
issue read: “Perhaps this
group of stories means more
to those who know and love
Bill than to the reader, but
it was thought they might
have some attraction for
their merit as a commentary
on the vigorous but fading
past.” From this editor’s
viewpoint, some 64 years
later, I believe that editorial
comment had it right as Bill
has been enjoyed almost
continuously since. If anything, his popularity grows
with each passing year. LG
Morgan Contractors, LLC
◆ General Contractor ◆
Commercial Residential
Farm-Ranch
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Southern MT & Northern WY
406-698-9940
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6
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Ramblings of a
Conservative
Cow Doctor
by Rep. Krayton Kerns, DVM
www.kraytonkerns.org
Post-Commencement
Address 2015
The upcoming presidential election marks the first time
that high school graduates of 2015 and 2016 will vote. As
these millennials were only 10 years old when I launched
this column, eight years of my ramblings may be insufficient to purge their minds of high school propaganda.
Certainly, there is a smattering of great civic teachers
across the hinterlands that actually taught America’s liberty
principles, but most students only heard state-sponsored
spin. After graduation, those choosing college will receive
indoctrination sufficient to keep them blind well into their
40s with some never regaining the ability to see a political
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truth. Today’s column might be my last chance to enlighten
them before they embrace conservatism or progressivism.
Adults who read my column strictly out of spite should
flip to the classified section because, if you haven’t seen
the light by now, you never will.
The right wing is home to Christian conservatives, liberty
focused Republicans, constitutionalists, and tea party folks.
These terms are synonymous. Patriots in this category understand American freedom, individual responsibility, and
limited government. They recognize free-market capitalism
as the mechanism that best establishes winners and losers
because, whenever government manipulates a market,
they break it... our national health care system being the
perfect example. Prior to Medicaid and Medicare in 1964
and ‘65, health care traded at market prices. By government mandating services and manipulating the expense/
reimbursement equation, leftists instantly established a
permanent pool of dependent recipients. This cost-shifted
expenses to the producing class and eventually enslaved
them in debt. Freedom and free-markets are the lifeblood
of conservatism.
The left wing is home to secular-progressives, socialist
Democrats, Marxists, collectivists, leftist activists, and
the ruling class. These terms are synonymous. Comrades
in this category view America as inherently evil and feel
our nation should be torn apart with wealth taken from
those who have earned it and given to those who haven’t,
less a small handling fee for the ruling class. Mankind’s
natural unequal distribution of talent, intelligence, courage, ambition, ingenuity, and initiative must be erased by
government stealing the bounty produced by those working
in the trenches and giving it to those sitting on the sofa.
Covetousness and theft are the lifeblood of progressivism.
Conservatives recognize that God blessed America with
coal, oil, natural gas, minerals, and fertile ag and forestry
lands. In a free-market environment, industrious Americans can capitalize on this bounty to build an economy
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2516 COFFEEN AVE. • SHERIDAN, WY 82801
MARK FRISBIE
Field Editor
Washington, Oregon, Idaho,
Utah, California
11851 Fantastic Drive
Melba, ID 83641
Cell: 208-890-4517
Home: 208-495-2601
E-mail
[email protected]
Mark your calendars to
celebrate 131 years for that
Montana Stockgrowers Association at the organization’s
mid-year meeting, June 4-6 in
Bozeman. This year’s event
will be highlighted by Cattlemen’s College workshops, a
tour of area businesses, and
live music with Ringling 5
and Crazy Mountain Express!
Mid-Year is one of two major
meetings MSGA holds annually where members gather
to discuss the issues facing
Montana ranching families
and to set interim policy to
guide the association through
the rest of the year. Policy
Committee meetings this year
will be hosted on the campus
of Montana State University.
Events will kick off Thursday afternoon with Cattlemen’s College workshops pre-
that can employ, feed, power, and provide true charity to
all mankind. Because personal freedom follows economic
freedom, prosperous Americans are free to move about the
country. This perturbs progressives, who know it is easier
to control an unemployed or underemployed populace, so
they established the national religion of environmentalism to
block all natural resource development. This false worship
begins in preschool and continues throughout institutions
of higher indoctrination. A national religion runs contrary
to the First Amendment, so progressives simply ignore
the Constitution.
As implied above, conservatives acknowledge the existence of God as the source of our natural rights as explained
in America’s Declaration of Independence. The only function of government is to secure those rights and then only
after receiving consent of the governed. To the contrary,
progressives worship government as god with mankind’s
rights being established or revoked by a decree from the
ruling class.
America’s political battle is really as simple as outlined
above. Choose correctly, honor God, and you will live long
and prosper. Choose wrong, worship government, and you
will live life a pauper begging government to steal to give
you the stuff earned by your colleagues who chose the
correct option. Be smart: chose conservatism.
Editor’s note: Well, Krayton, while I totally agree with all
of the above, I have a bridge to sell you if you truly think
any high school kids are going to read much less understand
the above. I hope I’m wrong. I’m willing to bet I’m not. If
I’ve insulted any well-educated, newspaper-reading high
school seniors out there, Hallelujah! I didn’t know of your
existence. Don’t get me wrong: it’s not that I think you are
dumb; it’s that I think you are not properly educated and
also that you spend far too much time on social media to
do any serious thinking about the important differences
between progressives and conservatives. LG
sented by leadership coach,
Sarah Bohenkamp. Ranchers
will have the opportunity to
learn more about growth in
leadership, improving time
management, and developing
skills to build strong relationships that are critical to being
successful in the ranching
business.
Friday’s Opening General
Session will feature MSU
Ag Econ professor, Dr. Gary
Brester, who will provide insight for current record cattle
prices and provide context
from historical market trends.
Association policy meetings
will take place on Friday with
discussion on topics affecting
Montana ranchers today. A
review of the 2015 Montana
Legislative Session activity
affecting the ranching community will also take place
during the meeting.
Ranchers will gather on Friday night for a steak dinner,
fun, and live music from Ringling 5. Area business leaders
and the community are invited
to a special fundraiser event on
Thursday night for MSGA’s
Research & Education Endowment Foundation, held
at the Best Western GranTree
Inn, with entertainment by
Crazy Mountain Express.
A block of rooms has been
reserved at the Best Western
GranTree Inn and the Holiday
Inn.
For more information, contact MSGA’s office at 406442-3420. Registrations are
available online for a 20%
discount if made prior to June
1. Visit mtbeef.org for more
details.
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406-245-6139
Montana wheat prices
slump to five-year low
Montana wheat is setting
the wrong kind of records
as grain prices continue to
fall nationally. May wheat
prices are now at a five-year
low, which could push gross
receipts for Montana grain
below $1 billion for the first
time in several years. Cash
prices for hard red winter
wheat have been below $5 a
bushel. On May 4, the lowest
per bushel price offered was
$3.92 in southeast Montana.
Spring wheat prices were
still in the $6 range for the
best-quality product.
The drop in grain prices,
coupled with a decline in
Bakken oil production,
probably signals the end to
rural Montana’s run as state
leader in economic growth.
“What we’re seeing within
the state is a reversion back
to the older pattern of urban
growth, western growth, and
a little less tilt to the east. Part
of that’s oil, and part of that’s
agriculture,” said Patrick
Barkey, Montana Bureau
of Business & Economic
Research director.
Since the recession, Montana’s economic leaders
have been Yellowstone
County and rural Montana,
with heavy contributions
from ag and energy, Barkey
said. The constructionheavy economies of Bozeman, Missoula, and Kalispell foundered during the
recession and have bounced
back only recently. Annual sales of Montana wheat
since 2007 have surpassed
$1 billion with one exception in 2009. There have
been some rough patches.
The five-year-low in grain
prices just sunk beneath
what they were in May 2010,
when favorable growing
conditions globally created
a glut in the world wheat
supply. With no shortage
of grain, wheat prices went
into a tailspin in 2010, but
prices rebounded that July
after Russia announced
that, because of drought, it
would ban wheat exports.
After the announcement,
7
Thursday, May 14, 2015
WESTERN AG REPORTER
wheat prices shot up to $8
a bushel, shortly after Montana’s wheat harvest began.
It would take a similar
weather event, or several
small ones, to turn current
prices around. Cassidy
Marn, marketing program
manager for the Montana
Wheat & Barley Committee,
said globally growing conditions are okay right now,
which means low prices
will stick around. “There’s
a lot of wheat out there,”
Marn said. “I’m afraid the
price is currently reflecting
stocks and not necessarily
in the United States, but
worldwide.”
There’s more than wheat
abundance behind current
prices, said Anton Bekkerman, Montana State University economist. The strength
of the dollar compared to
other currencies makes U.S.
wheat less competitive.
There’s also the corn factor.
When corn prices are high,
as they were between 2007
and 2013 when corn ethanol production escalated,
feedlots begin looking for
cheaper grains to feed livestock. Cheap feed wheat
becomes a replacement,
increasing in value as it
does. Quality wheat prices
also begin to rise as wheat
demand picks up.
Economists have long
reminded producers that
wheat prices were also sure
to decline after several years
of unusually strong prices.
“Obviously we’re getting
back to the long-term historical average, which farmers
aren’t too happy about because of where prices have
been in previous years,”
Bekkerman said. Farmers do
have a few things working
in their favor, Bekkerman
said. Fuel prices have fallen
dramatically, which cuts
wheat production costs. Fall
planting conditions were
also very favorable, which
should help winter wheat
quality at harvest.
- By Tom Lutey, Billings
Gazette, 5/5
CATTLE SALES EVERY THURSDAY AT BLS
SINCE 1934
Live Stock Commission
.
REPRESENTATIVE SALES FOR THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2015 • 2000 Head Sold
Good run on all classes here for our Thursday sale. Market mostly steady. Don't forget the Annual Turnout Special, May 28.
Thanks for your business!
John Robbins
James Anderson
Fly Creek Angus Inc
Stevensons Diamond Dot Inc
Willie Doll
Draper Ranch Co.
Stevensons Diamond Dot Inc
Perry Hein
Todd Quisel
Steinbach Cattle Co
Terry Vorhes
Bruce Arthun
Ishawooa Mesa Ranch
Berg Ranch Co
Susan Swartz
William Drugge
T J B J Ranch Co
Edward Skillman
Berg Ranch Co
Elizabeth Beerman
Tee Bar Ranch Co
Marion Stevenson
Edward D. Kreider
John D Nation
Kenneth Bermes
Kenneth D Gilbert
Brian Uffelman
D & A Ranch
Ketchum Cattle Country In
Marvin E Mosby
Greeley Creek Ranch Inc
Berg Ranch Company
Greg H Langford
Willie Doll
Ishawooa Mesa Ranch
BULLS
Custer
1
Chinook
1
Pompeys Pillar
1
Hobson
5
Malta
2
Red Lodge
2
Hobson
1
Ballantine
2
Livingston
1
Wolf Creek
1
Judith Gap
1
Clyde Park
1
Cody
1
COWS
Martinsdale
9
Broadview
1
Chinook
3
Fort Benton
4
Livingston
1
Martinsdale
7
Power
3
Augusta
4
Joliet
1
Sand Springs
1
Lovell
1
Rapelje
2
Big Timber
1
Hardin
2
Big Timber
2
Broadview
3
Winnett
2
Livingston
3
Martinsdale
4
Big Timber
3
Malta
11
Cody
4
Bk
Bk
Bk
Bk
Bk
Bk
Bk
Bk
Bk
Bk
Bk
Bk
Bk
881
916
926
1,232
1,941
2,556
2,251
2,263
2,001
1,856
1,701
1,716
2,106
181.00
179.00
173.00
151.00
148.50
144.50
144.50
144.50
142.50
142.00
141.00
137.50
136.00
Rd/Bk
Red
Bk
Bk
Bk
Rd/Bk
Bk
Red
Bk
Bk
Bk
Bk
Bk
Bk
Red
Bk
Bk
Bk
Rd/Bk
Red
Bkbwf
Bk
1,127
1,401
1,236
1,107
1,211
1,239
1,182
1,278
1,331
1,266
1,196
1,473
1,286
1,433
1,403
1,436
1,423
1,427
1,322
1,542
1,349
1,422
141.00
134.50
134.00
133.50
132.00
129.00
129.00
124.00
122.00
121.00
121.00
120.00
118.00
117.00
117.00
117.00
116.50
116.50
116.00
115.00
114.50
114.50
William H Drugge
Steinbach Cattle Co.
Charles Schweigert
Fly Creek Angus Inc
Fly Creek Angus Inc
Elizabeth Beerman
James Anderson
T D Farms Inc
Murray Brothers Part.
James Anderson
Murray Brothers Part.
Kyle Markegard
James Anderson
William Alexander
Elizabeth Beerman
O'Connor Land & Livestock
Nathan Espeland
Mark Pederson
Tee Bar Land & Livestock
Elizabeth Beerman
Elizabeth Beerman
Willie Doll
Willie Doll
Marvin Mosby
T D Farms Inc
Smith River Cattle
Charles Schweigert
Smith River Cattle
James Anderson
T D Farms Inc
Loyning Ranch
Smith River Cattle
Tee Bar Ranch Co
Tee Bar Ranch Co
Chinook
10 Bkbwf
Wolf Creek
11 Bk
HEIFERS
Billings
1 Bbroc
Pompeys Pillar
7 Bk
Pompeys Pillar
10 Bk
Power
2 Bk
Chinook
6 Rd/Bk
Worland
46 Bkbwf
Bridger
10 Bkbwf
Chinook
18 Mxd
Bridger
20 Bk
Laurel
18 Rd/Bk
Chinook
14 Bk
Roberts
5 Bk
Power
18 Bk
HEIFERETTES
Plevna
1 Bk
Fishtail
1 Bk
Columbus
2 Bk
Malta
1 Bk
Power
1 Bk
Power
4 Bkbwf
Malta
21 Bk
Malta
2 Bk
Winnett
1 Bk
STEERS
Worland
14 Bk
WSS
7 Rd/Bk
Billings
5 Rd/Bk
WSS
44 Mxd
Chinook
3 Rd/Bk
Worland
3 Bkbwf
Frannie
18 Bk
WSS
13 Mxd
Augusta
5 Red
Augusta
60 Rd/Bk
1,340
1,302
113.00
110.50
411
463
542
581
536
563
596
603
676
671
694
758
784
282.50
271.00
256.50
254.00
253.00
252.00
247.00
241.50
238.00
231.50
229.00
217.50
216.00
946
986
963
1,031
1,061
1,144
1,015
1,036
1,116
179.00
175.00
175.00
170.00
168.00
162.00
161.00
160.00
154.00
511
377
414
467
484
526
521
564
705
884
318.00
316.00
315.00
308.00
305.00
304.00
299.00
287.00
229.00
201.25
LET ’EM ALL BID — BRING’ EM TO BLS!
Sales Coming Up
3 Good
at Montana's Pioneer Market
Thursday, May 21
Saturday, May 23
BIG ONE DAY
ALL CLASS
CATTLE
SALE
HORSE SALE
Expecting 1200 Head
Loose Horses
Sell
at 8:00 a.m.
Expecting
700 Head
ANNUAL TURN-OUT SPECIAL
with ALL CLASS CATTLE SALE
and NORTHERN LIVESTOCK
INTERNET AUCTION
Thursday, May 28
Expecting 2000 Head
Call to consign or for information.
Also consign online 24hours a day
at www.billingslivestock.com
406.259.4589
UPCOMING SALE SCHEDULE
Thursday , May 21.......................All Class Cattle Sale
Saturday, May 23.......................May Horse Sale -Loose Horse 8:00am
Thursday, May 28.........................Annual Turn-Out Cattle Special
with All Class Cattle Sale
& Northern Livestock Internet Auction
Thursday, June 4...........................All Class Cattle Sale
Friday, June 5.................................Consignment deadline Northern
Livestock Video "Early Summer Special”
Thursday, June 11 ......................All Class Cattle Sale
Thursday, June 18 ..................... Pair & Feeder Special
with All Class Cattle Special
Monday, June 22 .......................... Northern Livestock Video
“Early Summer Special”
Thursday, June 25 ........................All Class Cattle Sale
Saturday, June 27 ....................June Horse Sale
✁
clip & save
clip & save
Dan (406) 671-7715
View, Bid and Buy At All Our Cattle Sales LIVE ✱ At www.billingslivestock.com
BREEDING
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2443 North Frontage Rd. • Billings, MT 59101 • Ph: 406-245-4151 • Fax: 406-245-0391
Ty Thompson: Cattle Sale Manager & Auctioneer • 406-698-4783 Dan Catlin: Yard Foreman & Field Rep. • 406-671-7715
Bill Cook: Auctioneer & Field Rep. & Promotions • 406-670-0689 Bill & Jann Parker: Horse Sale Managers • 406-670-0773
Montana’s Pioneer Market - Call To Consign 1-800-635-7364
8
Thursday, May 14, 2015
IT’S THE PITTS
by Lee Pitts
What’s In Your Kit?
Livestock publications
this time of year often run
articles on Spring calving.
These articles always start
with instructions to make
sure your fences are tight,
you are well rested, and
you are on good terms with
a veterinarian so that, when
you call the vet at 2 a.m.
with a calving issue, he or
she is going to pop right out
of bed and drive 60 miles
in a blizzard to your place
to deliver a calf. Ha ha ha.
Like that’s gonna happen.
The experts suggest writing
a schedule so that everyone
knows what time they will
be on call. For example, the
schedule I always taped to
our refrigerator door said
that, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.,
I was responsible. From 6
p.m. until 8 a.m. was my
wife’s turn to be on call. I
considered this a fair division of labor because, as
we all know, most heifers
calve at night when it is most
inconvenient, and women
are more rested and handle
stress better than men. They
are also much better at motherhood and all it entails,
so it is only smart and fair
that they be on call when a
600-pound heifer tries to
give birth to a calf the size
WESTERN LIVESTOCK MARKET DIRECTORY
MONTANA ADVERTISE HERE!
BILLINGS
PAYS:
Public Auction Yards
• Cattle Sales On
Wednesdays
• Sheep and Hog Sales on
Mondays
• Special Feeder Sales on
Fridays
P.O. Box 1781
(406) 245-6447
“Montana’s Largest Auction Market!”
BLS:
Billings Live Stock
Commission Co.
• Cattle Sales Every ThursdayMondays (In-Season)
• Horse Sales Last Saturday
of the Month
P.O. Box 31533
Billings, MT 59107
1-800-635-7364
(406)-245-4151
Since 1934“Montana’s Pioneer Market!”
GREAT FALLS
406 Vaughn S. Frontage Rd.
Great Falls, MT 59404
• Regular Cattle Sales Every
Wednesday
• Special Feeder Sales
Saturdays In Season
(406) 727-5400
Manager:
Lynn Perry (406) 964-8815
Cell: (406) 788-5400
Yard Manager & Fieldman:
Ryan Perry: Cell (406) 788-9869
Office Manager: Sarah McCafferty
NEVADA
FALLON
Fallon Livestock
Exchange, Inc.
• Sales every Tuesday - 1 P.M.
• Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Hogs,
Horses
• Special Sales by Anouncement
Monte Bruck (775)867-2020
2055 Trento Lane
Fallon, NV 89406
Nevada Livestock
Marketing, LLC.
• Sales every Wednesday
• 11 a.m. Slaughter Cows, Bulls
• 10:30 a.m. Small Barn
• 1:00 p.m. Feeder Cattle • Horses Last
Jack Payne, Manager
775-217-9273
Office 775-423-7760
Fax 775-423-1813
1025 Allen Road - Fallon, NV
www.nevadalivestock.us
For Only $10 Per Week
406-259-4589
NEBRASKA
VALENTINE
Valentine
Livestock Auction
• Sales Every Thursday
Greg Arendt, Manager
126 N. Government
Valentine, NE 69201
1-800-682-4874
(Office) 402-376-3611
www.valentine-livestock.com
View sales at
www.cattleusa.com
N. DAKOTA
BOWMAN
★ Sale Every Monday ★
★ Specials As Advertised ★
Harry Kerr, Owner/Manager
701-523-5666
Wayne Miller, Fieldman
701-279-6649
PO Box 58 • Hwy. 85 S
Bowman, ND 58623
701-523-5922
Toll Free -877-211-0600
DICKINSON
Stockmen’s Livestock
Exchange, Inc.
• Sales Every Thursday 9 A.M.
• Call: (701) 225-8156
James Erickson:
(701) 225-1610
Larry Schnell:
(701) 225-8156
John Fischer:
(701) 290-1606
P.O. Box 1209
Dickinson, ND 58601
www.gostockmens.com
WYOMING
TORRINGTON
Torrington
Livestock Markets
626 West Valley Rd.
Torrington, WY
307-532-3333
All Classes - Every Friday
Yearlings & Calves - Wednesday
Bred Cow Specials
Go to
www.torringtonlivestock.com
for current listings, sale
schedules & results.
Shawn Madden
307-532-1575
Lex Madden
307-532-1580
ADVERTISE HERE!
For Only $10 Per Week
406-259-4589
S. DAKOTA
FAITH
Faith Livestock
Commission Co.
• Sale Every Monday
Cattle & Sheep
• Sheep Sale Wed. (In Season)
• Special Sales As Advertised
Gary Vance (605) 967-2162
Scott Vance (605) 739-5501
Cell (605) 484-7127
3rd Generation Business
P.O. Box 397
Faith, SD 57626
(605) 967-2200
[email protected]
Sales can be viewed live on website:
www.faithlivestock.com
LEMMON
LEMMON LIVESTOCK, INC.
Phone 605-374-3877
or 1-800-822-8853
Box 477
Lemmon, SD 57638
Sales Every Wednesday
Special Sales as Advertised
Paul Huffman, Owner
605-374-5675
or 605-645-2493
Chad Hetzel, Asst. Mgr.
701-376-3748
Clint Ehret, Field Rep.
406-778-3282
or 406-772-5522
ST. ONGE
St. Onge Livestock
CATTLE SELL EVERY FRIDAY
St. Onge, SD
605-642-2200 • 800-249-1995
Website:
www.stongelivestock.com
Justin Tupper Cattle Yards Mgr.
SHEEP SELL EVERY THURSDAY
Newell, SD
605-456-2348 • 800-409-4149
Barney Barnes,
Sheep Yards Mgr. & Auctioneer
FIELDMEN
Ron Frame: 605-641-0229
Tim Tetrault: 605-641-0328
Ray Pepin: 605-892-5072
Dustin Vining: 605-354-9966
Jess Cline: 307-751-8143
Gilbert Wood,
Fieldman & Auctioneer:
605-456-2400
AUCTIONEERS
Doug Dietterle: 605-788-2963
OFFICE MANAGER
Brooke Tupper: 605-642-2200
MOBRIDGE
WESTERN AG REPORTER
of a hay bale. A BIG bale.
The authors of these articles suggest you have
a calving kit ready. Not
surprisingly, the contents
of my calving kit are much
more practical than the ones
suggested by professors who
write such columns. The
Docs say you should have a
box of plastic sleeves handy
in case the calf is upside
down or breech. But we all
know how easy the sleeves
break. Instead I suggest that
you take a clean finger and
gently poke the heifer or
cow in the eyeball and, as
if by magic, her calf will
automatically right itself.
Or not.
Another thing they suggest is to have the proper
lubricant on hand. I agree
wholeheartedly, and although yours may differ,
I always preferred a good
shot of Crown Royal as my
lubricant. You’ll probably
need a flashlight by your
wife’s bedside so that she
won’t turn on the overhead
light and wake you up unnecessarily. Better yet, buy
an old camper shell, teepee,
or cheap RV for the wife to
stay in during the night so
that she won’t wake you up
every two hours and ruin
your beauty sleep. Do you
know what a shock it gives
the system when the wife
comes back to bed with frozen feet and “accidentally”
jabs them into your warm,
cozy body?
Lest you think I’m a
heartless creep, I always
showed my sensitive side
by leaving an alarm clock,
an energy bar, and a pile of
the Sudoku puzzles my wife
likes to work so that she had
something to do while she
was waiting for a stubborn
calf to enter the birth canal.
Women, you are going to
need appropriate clothing
including heavy jacket, vest,
sweater, long underwear,
and hoody sweatshirt, although the price of the hoody
might be cost prohibitive.
But ladies, please do try to
look as attractive as possible
for you surely don’t want
the first thing a calf sees
in this world to be a scary
MCA opposes “fast track”
By Gary Wold
MCA Director
Fast Track Authority (TPA)
will soon come to a vote in
the Senate. If passed, it will
give the Obama administration the authority to negotiate the free trade agreements
TPP (Pacific Rim countries)
and TTIP (European Union
countries) with no legislative oversight. Passage of
this legislation may also
eliminate COOL. Negotiations have been taking
place for over five years.
Establishment Republicans,
including Senator Steve
Daines, are in favor of
this legislation. Proponents
freely admit that economic
and political integration is a
goal of these treaties.
Just as with NAFTA and
the WTO, international
tribunals will have authority to overrule our state and
federal courts and laws,
including the U.S. Consti-
tution. Republicans defend
their position by saying that
free trade is good, that it
will open up new markets,
and that our balance of trade
will go down. Considering
we haven’t had true free
trade in well over 100 years,
and considering what other
“free” trade agreements
have produced, their defense is more than a little
disingenuous. We were told
that our trade surpluses with
Canada and Mexico would
continue to rise if NAFTA
was implemented; instead
today our deficit with Canada is $78 billion and $60
billion with Mexico. The
largest free trade agreement
since NAFTA is an FTA (free
trade agreement) with South
Korea. Our trade deficit with
South Korea has gone from
$10 billion in 2010 to $25
billion in 2014.
In a recent speech, Obama
said, “These are the most
progressive and greenest treaties ever.” Oddly
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TUBING • DRILL STEM • CASING
SUCKER ROD • FENCE CABLE • GUARD RAIL
Phone 605-845-3622
or 1-800-658-3598
P.O Box 190
Mobridge, SD 57601
www.mobridgelivestock.com
We are in the country every day
and would like to visit with you
about your cattle marketing needs.
Jason Anderberg • 605-848-0038
Tigh Anderberg • 605-845-4877
Casey Perman • 605-848-3338
John Hoven • 605-848-3507
Tom Anderberg • 605-845-3702
Sales Every Thursday
Tuesday and Thursday
Fall Feeder Cattle Sales
Fall Weigh-Up Sales Friday
at 2 pm
Special Sales as Advertised
figure in an old, muddy, and
moldy Carhartt jacket and a
pair of sweatpants, do you?
That could emotionally scar
a calf for life.
Now for you men... you
are going to need a gun in
your calving kit. Not to put
an animal down, mind you,
but to go hunting if things
are a little slow on your shift.
Rounding out the contents
of your calving kit you’ll
need two logging chains
and a tractor; a large supply
of clean rags, which can be
found in the dirty clothes
hamper; and some antibiotics. These aren’t for the
cattle but for the wife in case
she feels a little off. You do
NOT want her getting sick
to the point where you have
to switch shifts.
So good luck and remember Lee’s rules on calving:
the smallest heifers will
have the biggest calves;
the meanest, most ornery
cows will always require
the most assistance; and the
one time you sleep through
your shift will be when all
the problems occur.
(406) 245-5760
Agricultural Family Owned Business
DWAYNE DIETZ
Commercial Advertising
Representative
P.O. Box 30758
Billings, MT 59107
Cell: 406-672-8500
Office: 406-259-4589
E-mail:
[email protected]
If you're wanting to advertise your
commercial business.
I'd like to help.
enough, he gave this speech
at the Beaverton, Oregon,
headquarters of Nike. Nike,
the leading manufacturer of
sport shoes, is also infamous
for shipping jobs to overseas
sweatshops and establishing foreign tax havens. In
1964, only 4% of American
footwear was imported; it is
98% today. Only 26,000 of
Nike’s 1 million employees
work in the U.S. According
to the National Farmers
Union, ag exports have
slowed, and family farms
have disappeared. Nationwide, nearly 180,000 small
U.S. farms have gone under
since NAFTA and NAFTA
expansion pacts have taken
effect.
Jon Tester wrote, “I believe Congress has a duty
to publicly debate all free
trade agreements. As a result
of fast track consideration
in the past, Congress has
been forced to vote on trade
agreements without having
a chance to fully debate or
improve them. American
workers have suffered from
deals that sent American
jobs overseas. In order to
ensure these agreements are
fair to both sides, Congress
must have the ability to
openly debate these deals.”
MCA has sent a letter of
thanks to Senator Tester
encouraging him to stay
firm on his position. Senator Daines and Representative Zinke have also been
contacted by MCA, urging
them to oppose this legislation. Please contact Tester,
Daines, and Zinke expressing your opposition to Fast
Track.
- MCA, 5/11
Beef industry is traveling
to a different drummer this year
The beef industry stands
alone in 2015 in its continued reduction in supplies
available to consumers. The
year of 2014 was a special
year for the animal production industries with record
high farm level prices for
cattle, hogs, broilers, turkeys, milk, and eggs. For
2015, a surprisingly fast
expansion of poultry, pork,
and milk production will
cause lower prices for those
commodities. Beef stands
alone in the continuation
toward lower production,
but prices remain uncertain.
In the first four months
of this year, beef production was down by 5%, with
slaughter numbers down
7% but market weights up
2%. The reduction is the
result of a beef cow herd
that had been in decline
from 2006, reaching its low
point in 2014. Expansion of
the beef cow herd began in
the last-half of 2014, and
current indications are that
the expansion continues.
Producers can increase cow
numbers both by retaining
heifers and by keeping older
cows for another cycle when
they normally would have
gone to market. Slaughter
of females so far this year
indicates that producers are
doing both. Heifer slaughter
last year was down 8%,
and so far this year, heifer
slaughter remains down 7%.
Beef cow slaughter in 2014
was down 18% and remains
down 17% so far this year.
While these producer behaviors will build the beef cow
herd and eventually increase
beef production, the impact
for this year is to pull down
beef production.
Meat availability per person had fallen by about
20 pounds from 2007 to
2014, but is making a sharp
comeback in 2015. Current
USDA estimates are that
per capita meat availability
could surge by nearly nine
pounds this year. Chicken
and turkey lead the way with
9
Thursday, May 14, 2015
WESTERN AG REPORTER
over five pounds of increase,
and pork adds an impressive
increase of near four pounds
per person. This means that
the meat industry in one year
has restored about 45% of
the lost meat availability
from 2007 to 2014. The
impacts of avian influenza
will likely reduce poultry
meat production in 2015,
but are not included here.
The recent Cattle on Feed
report from USDA also
shows some of the adjustments that the beef industry
is making. The number of
heifers in feedlots as of
April 1 was down 10% from
previous year levels, most
likely confirming a high rate
of heifer retention for herd
expansion. Secondly, as a
result of record high calf
prices and weak live cattle
futures prices, fewer lightweight calves are moving to
feedlots as producers keep
those calves on forage diets
and background them for
longer. The number of calves
under 700 pounds entering
feedlots in March was down
11%, but the number over
800 pounds was up 16%. In
fact, 40% of all placements
in March were older calves
that were 800 pounds and
higher. Improved pasture
conditions in the Central and
Southern Plains provides
some of the explanation,
but there were also reports
of calves staying on winter
wheat pasture further into
the spring this year.
Implications...
What are the implications
for cattle prices this year?
First, a review of the unusual
year of 2014 when finished
steers averaged a record high
$155 per hundredweight.
The normal seasonal price
pattern for finished cattle is
to peak in late March or early
April and then move lower
into mid-to-late summer,
with a rally into the end of
the year. In 2014, finished
steer prices began the year
at $140 and pretty much
Calendar winners
announced
moved higher throughout
the year, peaking above
$170 in late-November. So
far this year, finished steers
have averaged $161.50
compared with $146 for the
same period in 2014.
Live cattle futures are
suggesting a return to a
more normal seasonal price
pattern this year. Peak finished steer prices in 2015
to-date came in early April
in the mid-$160s and have
declined since. The futures
tone stays weak through
summer with prices falling
to the middle $140s by the
end of summer and then
rallying to the low $150s
toward the end of the year.
With prices so far this year
and futures estimates for
the remainder of the year,
finished steers would average $153, a couple of dollars
lower than 2014.
USDA forecasters in the
April 9 WASDE report
have taken a much more
bullish path with $163.50
at the mid-point of their
annual estimated range.
Also of note is that USDA
analysts increased the potential range of prices as the
year progresses. One reason
to increase a price forecast
range is because of greater
uncertainty. Ultimately,
prices may be somewhere
between these two. Current
high $150s prices could drop
to the very low $150s by late
summer and recover to the
mid-$150s by the end of the
year, with annual prices near
Montana WIFE (Women Involved in Farm Economics)
has announced the winners of its 29th “The Art of Farming” calendar art contest. WIFE received 508 student
entries -- judging them was a challenge! Cash prizes and
certificates have been awarded to first, second, and third
place winners. Only 25 drawings can be used on the 2016
calendar that will be ready for distribution in October. This
contest is held in conjunction with National Ag Week, and
students draw about their interests in farm life. This year’s
winners are as follows:
Fourth Grade
Kindergarten
Isaiah Broesder, Ft. Benton, Taite Weltikol, Scobey, 1st
Giavante Evans, Scobey, 2nd
1st Place
Kacie McCormick, Wolf Tristan Fladdager, Scobey,
3rd
Creek, 2nd Place
Khloe Palmer, Miles City, Fifth Grade
3rd Place
Ryan Dupuis, Polson, 1st
Avah Eggebrecht, Polson,
First Grade
2nd
Sophia Stewart, Ft. Benton,
Lisa Waldner, Cut Bank, 3rd
1st
Timmy Pocha, Helmville, Sixth Grade
2nd
Josie Tucker, Polson, 1st
Zach Plant, Polson, 2nd
Henry Kukowski, PlentyJayden Miller, Zurich, 3rd
wood, 3rd
Seventh Grade
Second Grade
Amariah Hier, Lambert, 1st
Camilla Mandel, Conrad, 1st
Renee’ Boyce, Polson, 2nd
John Carney, Scobey, 2nd
Kadin Graveley, Helmville, Arnie Wurz, Cut Bank, 3rd
Eighth Grade
3rd
Abria Boze, Scobey, 1st
Third Grade
Dakota Linder, Scobey, 2nd
Mia Handran, Scobey, 1st
Sarielle Moss, Shelby, 3rd
Jodie Wurz, Conrad, 2nd
Emma Lou Slivka, Winifred,
3rd
last year’s $155.
One thing seems certain:
2014 was an extraordinary
year for the animal industries. So comparing this
year’s prices to last year’s
prices may bring inherent
dangers. But the beef industry is the only one that
will not increase production
this year and therefore has a
reasonable chance of seeing
annual price averages near
2014 levels.
The wide difference of
opinions about cattle prices
for the remainder of this year
points out the large price
risks for cattle finishers.
Cattle feeders already have
record amounts of money
invested in the cattle in
their feedlots. Even with
the lowest feed prices in five
years, they are vulnerable
to weak live cattle prices as
the futures market is currently suggesting. Feedlot
managers should strive to
price calves based on budgets using current futures
prices and then should look
to hedge those cattle with
either futures or put options. If feedlot managers
find themselves bidding so
much for calves that they
have to have a sizable rally
in the live cattle futures to
cover costs, they may want
to re-think buying the calves
in the first place.
- By Chris Hurt, Department of Ag & Consumer
Economics, University of
Illinois, 5/4
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Serving the Big Sky Country of North Central Montana
Visit us at www.westernlivestockmontana.com
Don’t miss
this!
The annual Rosebud Ranch Horse
Competition will be held at the Rosebud Fairgrounds, Forsyth, MT, on May
23. Classes include: Bridle Horse,
Junior Horse, $1,000 and $2,000, Rein
and Box, and a Rancher Class which
does not require a reining pattern.
New this year will be Team Branding.
For additional information and entry
forms, contact Jerry Gereghty at 406425-1411.
REPRESENTATIVE SALES • May 6, 2015 • 2159 Sold
Steers
Alicia Bach
James Edwards
James Edwards
Vermilion Ranch Company
Vermilion Ranch Company
Vermilion Ranch Company
Heifers
Fey Ranch LTD
John McCafferty
James Edwards
Dana Ranch Co. Inc.
T Lazy M Inc.
T Lazy M Inc.
Terry Rearden
Cbc Grain & Cattle LLC
Broken O Land & Lvstck
Vermilion Ranch Company
Cows
Mark Hitchcock
Homestead Inc.
Matt Eide
Oran Benzing
Salmond Ranch Co
Green Coulee Ranch
Bart O’hara
V Ranch Inc.
Homestead Inc.
Green Coulee Ranch
Schuler Ranch, Inc.
Ed Mott
John Krause
Gus Mundt
Timothy J. Brunner
Keaster Land & Livestock
Ft Ben
Cut Bank
Cut Bank
Billings
Billings
Billings
2
3
3
140
140
139
blk
blk
blk/bwf
Mixed
Mixed
Mixed
618
678
768
878
884
900
264.50
255.00
224.00
199.00
198.50
196.50
Galata
Belt
Cut Bank
Laredo
Havre
Havre
Great Falls
Cut Bank
Augusta
Billings
4
3
7
13
7
8
3
6
25
60
blk
blk
blk
blk
blk
blk/bwf
blk
blk
blk
blk
485
525
565
601
691
736
762
875
843
890
267.00
262.00
260.00
254.00
217.00
209.00
204.50
185.50
184.00
183.50
Dupuyer
Chester
Whitlash
Cascade
Choteau
Sunburst
Fort Benton
Valier
Chester
Sunburst
Dutton
Simms
Augusta
Belt
Power
Belt
1
1
3
1
2
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
blk
blk
blk
blk
blk
blk
Red
blk
blk
blk/bwf
blk
blk
blk
blk
blk
blk
1,105
1,130
1,142
1,165
1,023
1,215
1,175
1,090
1,228
1,160
1,420
1,340
1,395
1,390
1,520
1,660
141.00
136.00
135.00
132.00
131.00
128.00
127.00
125.00
121.00
121.00
119.50
119.50
119.50
119.50
119.00
119.00
Chris Boyce
Grant Harrer
J T Weisner
Gary Reddish
Hartsell Ranch Inc
Walter And Sons, Inc.
Keaster Land & Livestock,
Jon Hepfner
Bulls
Robert Wellman
Triangle Cattle Co LLC
Dean Jacobs
Scott Bye
Robert Wellman
Triangle Cattle Co LLC
Grant Harrer
Phil Wirth
Daniel Dezort
Curt Stene
Rodney Perry
Kingsbury Colony
HeiFerettes
Stoltz Ranch
Green Coulee Ranch
Mark Hitchcock
Jim Fritz
Homestead Inc.
Harold Baker
Jon Janice Wood
Woodburn Inc
Heifers Calves
Metzger Land And Lvstck
Dana Ranch Co. Inc.
James Edwards
Peggy Johnson
Big Sandy
Great Falls
Augusta
Belt
Valier
Great Falls
Belt
Belt
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
blk
blk
blk
blk
blk
blk
blk
blk
1,170
1,525
1,315
1,518
1,270
1,138
1,295
1,455
119.00
118.50
118.00
117.00
116.00
115.50
115.50
115.50
Valier
Carter
Stockett
Kevin
Valier
Carter
Great Falls
Wolf Creek
Cut Bank
Kevin
Cut Bank
Valier
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
char
blk
blk
blk
char
blk
blk
blk
blk
blk
blk
blk
2,455
1,898
2,050
1,785
1,890
2,080
2,085
2,180
1,860
2,040
2,085
2,030
155.00
151.00
150.00
148.50
148.50
148.00
147.50
146.00
145.00
144.50
143.50
143.50
Valier
Sunburst
Dupuyer
Chester
Chester
Choteau
Galata
Geraldine
2
2
2
1
1
2
3
2
blk
blk/bwf
blk
Red
blk
blk
blk
blk
903
893
970
1,060
1,005
1,078
1,140
1,108
187.50
183.50
171.00
167.00
163.00
162.00
161.00
160.00
Havre
Laredo
Cut Bank
Fort Shaw
10
8
4
8
blk/bwf
blk
blk
blk
594
600
500
551
258.00
251.00
246.00
235.00
Listen to Market Reports Monday thru Friday on:
John Goggins, Field Editor
Montana, Northern Wyoming
& Alberta, Canada
P.O. Box 30758
Billings, MT 59107
Cell (406) 698-4159
Office (406) 259-4589
E-mail: [email protected]
If you're looking for herd bulls,
replacements, registered or
commercial females, I've been
making the rounds in my
territory. I'd like to help.
KMON-AM 560
KSEN-AM 1150
Great Falls
Shelby
8:35 a.m.
6:30 a.m.
KOJM-AM 610
KPQX-FM 92.5
Havre
Havre
Your Golden Triangle Northern Livestock Video Auction Representative.
406 Vaughn S. Frontage Rd. • Great Falls, MT 59404
(406) 727-5400
6:40 a.m.
6:35 a.m.
Wednesday, June 10
Regular Sale
Wednesday, June 17
Regular Sale
JUly
Wednesday, July 1
NO SALE
Happy 4th of July!!!
Regular Sale Every Wednesday
Call the Crew at Western To Consign
Peggy Johnson
Steer Calves
J. C. Wiegand
James Edwards
Steve Young
Dana Ranch Co. Inc.
Jim Judisch
Cow/Calf Pairs
Mark DeBryucker
Mark DeBryucker
Mark DeBryucker
Schuler Ranch, Inc.
Nw Lvstck Cattle Co LLC
Eddie Altenburg
Mark DeBryucker
Nw Lvstck Cattle Co LLC
Mark DeBryucker
Mark DeBryucker
Fort Shaw
24 blk
642
221.00
Sun River
Cut Bank
Power
Laredo
Ledger
2
14
5
3
6
blk/red
blk
Mixed
Mixed
blk
505
556
566
607
622
292.50
291.00
282.00
267.50
267.00
Bynum
Bynum
Bynum
Dutton
Fairfield
Cut Bank
Bynum
Fairfield
Bynum
Bynum
30
28
37
12
22
8
13
11
26
22
blk
blk
blk
blk
blk
blk
red
blk
blk
blk
1,543
1,507
394
1,642
1,287
1,401
1,731
1,493
1,587
1,549
3,575.00
3,400.00
3,200.00
3,000.00
2,675.00
2,575.00
2,550.00
2,500.00
2,475.00
2,350.00
View Western Livestock On
www.cattleusa.com
General Manager: Lynn Perry • Cell (406) 788-5400
Yard Manager & Fieldman: Ryan Perry • Cell (406) 788-9869
Office Manager: Sarah McCafferty
Yard Foreman & Fieldman: Tim Brunner • Cell (406) 788-5403
Auctioneer:
Casey Weaver • Cell (406) 544-0386
Email: [email protected]
Website: westernlivestockmontana.com
[email protected]
Regular Cattle Sales Every Wednesday • Special Feeder Sales Saturdays In Season
10
Thursday, May 14, 2015
WESTERN AG REPORTER
Agri-News 4 Kids
Hey, kids, Banjo is a three-legged ranch dog. He lives on a big ranch in Montana with his two-legged family
(Hannah & Tate) and his four-legged friends (Rascal, the pesky raccoon; Mrs. McBauck, queen of the hen house;
Cowsuela, head mother cow; & Horse Chief Ben, boss of the cavvy). This page is for you kids out there in the
rural countryside. Why not send us a picture of yourself doing something fun? Write to Agri-News 4 Kids, PO Box
30755, Billings MT 59107.
Surprise!
“Grrrr...” growled Tuff as
he played.
“Let go, boy,” said Tate.
“C’mon, drop it.” Tate didn’t
want to get too close for
fear he’d get drenched. It
was a warm spring day,
but not warm enough to be
soaked from head to toe by
the hose.
Tuff tugged and ran back
and forth with the water
hose. It spewed water from
the sprinkler and flopped
against him as the water
pressure pushed through
the end, but he was having
a ball. Banjo stood next to
Tate while he continued to
coerce Tuff to let go.
Tate charged Tuff. “I’m
going to get you!” he
yelled. Tate only got a
little sprinkled on as he
ran towards Tuff. The
pup dropped the hose and
started running with his tail
tucked between his legs,
not as though he was in real
trouble, just the playful run
of a puppy being chased.
Tate launched himself onto
Tuff. The pup rolled into a
lump of wrestling, giggling
fun. Tuff licked Tate across
his face, and Tate pinned
Tuff on his back. He rubbed
Tuff’s belly until one of his
legs started shaking. Banjo
smiled. He loved to watch
them play.
“Banjo!” called Pudge.
He turned quickly. “What
is it?” he asked. Pudge
was bounding towards
him with leaping strides.
“What’s gotten into you?”
he said as he looked at
her. She was covered in
muck and tiny feathers. His
tone sounded concerned,
especially as she panted
from running, and because
of her appearance. Pudge
was normally groomed with
the finest clean and shiny
coat a cat could have, but
not right now.
“I can’t get to her,” she
said.
“Get to who?” asked
Banjo.
“Osage,” said Pudge.
“She’s stuck, I just know
it, and she can’t get out.”
Banjo thought for a moment. “Osage is a pretty
smart duck,” said Banjo
slowly.
“No, she’s not moving,
and I just know something’s
wrong. I bet Rascal got to
her, and she hurt and stuck
and...”
“Slow down,” said Banjo,
trying to calm her. “Show
me where she is, and we’ll
go from there.” Pudge
wasted no time turning to
race towards the corral.
Banjo followed, although
not with quite as much
urgency as Pudge.
The black and tan little
cat knelt down and tried
to angle her head under
the big wooden feeder. It
was too big, but she could
close one eye and spot
Osage’s feathers. Banjo
stood behind her. “Is she
under there?” asked Banjo.
“Yes, but something is seriously not right. You have
to believe me. I just know
it. Look at all the feathers everywhere. You can
barely see her, because
there’s so many scattered
around her,” she said.
Banjo knelt down.
“Osage,” he whispered.
There was no movement.
Banjo sighed. He was now
feeling concerned, too.
“Osage,” he whispered
again.
“Peep,” she squeaked
softly.
“Whew,” said Banjo under
his breath. “Are you hurt?”
he whispered to her.
Her white and black head
popped above the fluff of
feathers she was nestled
in. “Peep! No, I’m fine,” she
said strongly.
“Peep, peep,” came other
soft voices. “Peep, peep,
peep.” Three more tiny
duck heads lifted from
Osage’s soft fluffy feathers. Banjo smiled and lifted
himself up. “Pudge,” he
whispered softly. “There
was something definitely
going on. Come over and
take a look.”
Pudge knelt again. She
looked, gasped, and
jumped to her paws. “Ducklings!” she exclaimed.
“Baby ducks!” Banjo and
Pudge knelt down and
peeked under the feeder
once more.
“Peep,” said Osage softly.
“No wonder you were so
quiet and still,” said Pudge.
Osage nodded. “They
only hatched a little while
ago,” she said. “I have to
keep them as warm as possible, so I can’t leave or stir
too much right now. That’s
how we ducks do this
duckling business.” She
smiled and looked down at
her little ducklings as they
rooted themselves back
under her warm feathers.
“Good job, Osage,” said
Banjo.
“Awww,” said Pudge.
“Baby ducks on the ranch
and new friends for the
spring... yay!”
AGRI-KID
of the Week
According to grandmother Luanne Wallewein, this
is her four-year-old granddaughter Sara bonding
with a lamb. Fun!
Heads up, Nevada!
On May 8, House Committee on Natural Resources
chairman Rob Bishop released the following statement
after a draft revealed the Obama administration’s plans to
unilaterally designate 700,000 acres in southern Nevada as a
national monument, without Congressional or public input”
“The President has been caught with his hand in the
cookie jar. Several years ago, the Obama administration
was caught with a secret plan to create monuments. When
outed, they denied they were going to do it. Now apparently,
they are doing it. Sneaking around in the dark without any
public input is a lousy practice and not the way representative government is supposed to work. If it is good for the
country and the land, do it in the light of day through the
Congressional process with public input.
“As incoming Chairman of the Committee on Natural
Resources, I have reached out to this administration to
work collaboratively on issues. This type of behavior is
purely insulting to Congress and the people we represent.
I expected better from this administration. I call on this
administration to quit sneaking around under the cover of
darkness and do it the right way.
“Furthermore, this restrictive designation could pose
serious implications for our nation’s military, as the land
affected is one of the most heavily used military operating
areas in the country. Americans, and our national security, have once again come second to the radical agenda
of national special interest groups. This underscores the
need for Congress to put a check on this executive abuse.
This will be pursued.”
Don’t miss this!
Get your boots on for Montana agriculture! Save
the date of May 19! It’s the Montana Agri-Women’s
second annual fundraiser - with an emphasis on
FUN! Mark your calendars for May 19 at the Billings Depot, Billings, MT, for a great night of fun
and entertainment. Questions? Call 406-281-0594
or check out the website www.mtagriwomen.net
WESTERN AG REPORTER
11
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Here’s the branding crew, lined up and waiting for action! These one-year-old cousins hail from Inverness,
Great Falls, and Power, Montana, and their names are, L to R, Waylon Phillips, Brun Wichman, and Quayd
Perry! Thanks to John Goggins for capturing this swell photo!
Yup... I’m still on the road! I spent some time with my
daughter in New York, but not quite as much as I wanted
to as Zack called last Tuesday and reported that the transmission in their traveling van was going out and that they
couldn’t pull their trailer so off I went to West Virginia to
“rescue” them by hooking onto their trailer and getting them
to the remaining shows on their tour schedule. Wow, what
a schedule! From West Virginia, we went to shows in Tennessee; North Carolina; Dayton, Ohio; Omaha, Nebraska;
Des Moines, Iowa; and two days in Minnesota.
Let me put it this way... as of Mother’s Day, I have put on
over 5,000 miles and driven nearly 100 hours in my pickup
since I left home! Keep in mind that I am not home yet. I
will have to bail on the band the last couple of shows in
Indiana and Michigan as I must get home and dive into
the A.I. season. I just pray that the transmission in the van
might make it at least the last couple of tour dates!
Last week I was able to drive through a lot of country
that I have never seen. When it was light, I was able to
see tractors in every direction in many states that were
planting corn. I made a note to myself to check the corn
planting progress over last weekend, fully expecting that
the reports would show quite a lot of corn got planted last
week. I was right. The estimates as of last weekend were
that 55% of the corn is now planted, up a whopping 19%
from last week, and 30% as compared to a year ago. Keep
in mind the five-year average is 38%, so yeah, things are
moving along nicely in the planting department! Of the
leading corn-producing states, Iowa is at 68%, Illinois 69%,
Minnesota 83%, and Nebraska 57%. Believe it or not, I
actually drove through all of these states in the past week
or so! No wonder I saw so many tractors going all out in
the planting process! States that are lagging are Ohio 21%
and Indiana 15%, and now that I think about it, I certainly
did not see as much activity in these states.
The first estimates of pasture and range conditions were
also released this week by USDA with 53% of pastures
rated good to excellent (39% last year) and 13% rated poor
to very poor (22% last year). This shows that a pretty good
area of the country is in really good shape right now. I
guess we all know that not all areas are quite as good, but
like I said a couple of weeks ago, it is only May, and we
certainly have time for some of the drier areas to receive
some much needed moisture. I see where it even snowed
quite a bit in some areas while I have been gone! Who
would have thought... it was 91 degrees in North Carolina
when I was there the other day!
Cattle prices through the stockyards around the country
have been showing some pretty good strength as well the
last couple of weeks. USDA has been quoting the markets
3 to 6 higher with most of the cattle weighing 800-1,050
pounds and also reported 170 head of replacement heifers
weighing 825 pounds for a little over $214. Not too bad!
In closing for this week, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you Moms out there a belated Happy
Mother’s Day! I don’t care what you say: Moms are the
ones that are the glue that keep EVERY operation going - no
matter what the operation is! Sorry I’m so late in wishing
all of you this... I will do better next year!
In
S to c k
N ow !
Pioneer 500
2124 Goodman Rd. • Billings, MT • South of I-90 off the Zoo Drive Exit
406.248.8261 • 1.800.380.5628
Hours: Tues Fri 9-6, Sat 8-5, Closed Sun and Mon
www.montanahondaandmarine.com
honda.com Pioneer® is only for drivers 16 years and older. Multi-purpose utility vehicles can be hazardous to operate. For your safety, be responsible. Always wear a helmet, eye protection and appropriate clothing. Always wear your
seat belt, and keep the side nets and doors closed. Avoid excessive speeds and be careful on difficult terrain. All muv drivers should watch the safety video “multipurpose utility vehicles: a guide to safe operation” and read the owner’s
manual before operating the vehicle. Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, on public roads or with more than one passenger. Driver and passenger must be tall enough for seat belt to fit properly and to brace themselves
with both feet firmly on the floor. Passenger must be able to grasp the hand hold with the seat belt on and both feet on the floor. Respect the environment when driving. Pioneer®is a trademark of honda motor co., ltd. (03/15)
PAYS
Hog, Sheep & Goat Sale
May 18, 2015
FEATURING:
First
Spring Lamb
Special
of the
Season!
2015 Summer Schedule
June 15
July 13
July 27
August 10
August 17
August 31
Don’t miss this!
You are cordially invited to attend the Eighth
Annual Stetsons & Stilettos Ball hosted by
the NILE Foundation on Friday, May 29 at
the Northern Hotel in Billings, Montana. This
function is a benefit for NILE youth programs
and scholarships; there will be an outstanding
selection of live and silent auction items. A
four-course steak dinner will be followed by
dancing to the Copper Mountain Band. Limited
seating. Price increase after May 11. Questions?
Call 0406-56-2495.
Pioneer 700
ALL sheep and goats consigned for sale at PAYS require Scrapie tags.
Call Us Toll Free To Discuss
Your Livestock Marketing Needs.
1-800-821-6447
406/245-6447 • P.O. Box 1781
Billings, MT 59103 • www.cattleplus.com
12
Thursday, May 14, 2015
COOKING
by Susan Metcalf
Peace Corps in Paraguay. Through the miracle of modern
technology, we are able to participate vicariously in some
of his adventures through his blogs. Susan shared a mother/
son text with him that was priceless:
Mom: “Have you seen any snakes?”
Chance: “Yup.”
Mom: “Poisonous ones?”
Chance: “I don’t know. They don’t wear a sign around
their necks.”
What we now
take for granted...
I have always dreamed of seeing the world, but my idea
of traveling is more of a cruise ship than a donkey trek
through the Andes. We went to Jamaica in 1982, and even
though we stayed in a five-star hotel in Montego Bay,
we felt that venturing out into the countryside was high
adventure. One of my lifelong friends, Susan Mergenthal
Wilcox, who lives in Anchorage, Alaska, has a son in the
Recently while reading one of Chance’s blogs, it occurred
to me that our lives are so easy and pre-packaged that we
often take things like our next protein for granted. The
rest of the world is not so lucky! In fact, it has been close
to 20 years since I have butchered a chicken or even cut
up a whole chicken I bought from the store. My thanks to
Chance for sharing this story with the disclaimer that the
views expressed are his and not the Peace Corps’.
Murder for Sustenance:
A Peace Corps Volunteer’s Guide to Death and Nutrition
(Posted on May 6, 2015, by Chance Wilcox volunteering
in Paraguay)
Today I’m sitting on Ruby’s patio. I’m watching traffic
on the Ruta head toward Ciudad del Este, listening to the
roar of motos speeding through her neighborhood on their
way back from work. Ruby lives in a barrio of Yguazu, a
large town in Alto Paraná originally settled by Japanese
1125 Broadwater Ave • Billings, MT
immigrants. It’s such an amazingly diverse site: she can
Wednesday, May 20
buy imported Japanese products from her cooperative groBands
cery store, she drinks Brazilian-style mate with Brazilian
señoras, and she even has a cheese factory run by a Swiss
Hours
man, who makes the best Gruyere that may or may not be
coming home with me.
KGHL-Country Music Hall of Famer
It amazes me how different our sites are, how much more
Lonnie Bell to emcee
access she has to things, the different projects she does in
5 Great Country Bands
site, compared to my campo lifestyle and projects, even
Frank & Phyllis • Sweet Briar • Smoke Creek
though we’re both Environmental Conservation volunteers
who came in at the same time. Ruby does mainly school
Cimarron • Crow Country
work, teaching English, creating and maintaining a school
Free Snacks • No Host Bar • Food Plates Available
garden, and teaching about the importance of waste manThis Event is being sponsored as a fundraiser for the
agement and recycling. I do agricultural-focused projects:
Al Bedoo Shrine Provost Guard.
soil conservation, organic gardening, and reforestation
For information please call
efforts by means of agroforestry. Same G, same sector,
same country, same training, only 100 miles apart, entirely
different services. Pretty crazy.
Sponsored by: Fly In Lube & Wash • Metra RV Center
Last weekend, Chara and I had a few of our friends come
down to see our crazy campo lifestyle. Hannah, Ruby,
Note: This Dance will be recorded as a pilot for video streaming to
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Alyssa, Donovan, and Mya came down (accompanied by
Luna, Mya’s spoiled wiener
dog). They took the threehour bumpy bus ride from
Encarnación, and we all
piled into my tiny one-room
shack. Due to my lack of
access to food products, or
really anything, we had the
bright idea to ask my family
for a chicken to kill to make
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do... you just snap the neck.
Alyssa tried first. Chicken
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played dead, let its neck go
limp, then flipped out, and
rose from the dead when
she let go. Chara next.
Nothing. Live chicken.
Alyssa again. Still alive,
but more irritated. Chara
again. Now we just had an
aggravated hen whose puny
coop-dominated life was
flashing before its eyes. So
the last ditch effort was to
put its head under a broom
on the ground and yank.
Hey, it worked! Now we
had a dead, delicious, spicy
taco chicken, whose foot is
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WESTERN AG REPORTER
still hanging from my patio roof as a testament to the fact
that Peace Corps volunteers love murder for sustenance.
Night 2: Chara’s house. Hey, let’s kill a duck tonight!
Easy. Here’s a duck. You know how to kill it, right? Sure,
it’s just like a chicken! Donovan first. Something ripped.
Still not dead. Try again. Definitely a sound. Still not dead,
more aggravated than the chicken ever was. Try again.
More ripping sounds. Not dead. Chara’s turn. Let’s just kill
it like the chicken. Get out the broom! Try again. RIIIIP.
Blood. Head in one hand. Body in the other. Chara freaking
out. Hannah and I somehow end up five steps backward.
Donovan calming down Chara. Duck flapping its wings
and convulsing as its stubby neck wiggles around. Ruby
and Mya yelling because we’re yelling, and everything
sinks into chaos. Mmmm ... roast duck. The duck foot still
hangs from Chara’s patio roof as a testament that sometimes
things go wrong. And bloody.
But today I’m sitting on Ruby’s patio. We had a birthday
party for Donovan in his site in Caaguazú. (We refrained
from ripping the head off of anything for this dinner.)
I’m headed back towards my site. May looks good on
the horizon, but you never know. Things sometimes go
pretty wrong.
Assuming that you don’t have to go out and procure your
own free-range chicken before dinner, here are some of my
all-time favorite chicken recipes to try out! Thanks to Jan
Counter of Big Timber, Montana, for giving me the best
poppy seed chicken recipe ever!
Jan’s Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
boil, bone, and cube one chicken
Combine:
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 pt. sour cream
Combine in another bowl:
1 stick melted butter
2 t. poppy seeds
1 stack crushed Ritz crackers
Layer chicken, then soup, and then crackers. Repeat layers
ending with crackers. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
This recipe works well in a Dutch oven!
Mexican Chicken Casserole
6 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 large can diced tomatoes with chilies
1 family size can cream of mushroom soup
1 C. sour cream
1 small can sliced black olives
1 bag of Chili Cheese Fritos (do NOT substitute regular
Fritos)
In a 9 x 13 pan, place all of the very slightly crushed Fritos.
Mix all of the other ingredients and pour on top. Bake at
350 degrees for 45 minutes or until bubbling nicely. Top
with 1 C. finely grated cheese of your choice, and return to
the oven for 5 minutes. Serve garnished with sour cream,
guacamole, and chopped green onions. (This recipe also
works well with 2 lbs. browned ground beef instead of
cooked chicken.)
Curried Chicken Breasts
6 chicken breasts
1 can cream of chicken soup, undiluted
8 oz. sour cream
1/2 C. milk
1 stick butter
6 slices Swiss (or your favorite) cheese
1/4 t. curry powder
2 C. seasoned stuffing mix
Place chicken breasts in bottom of buttered baking dish.
Top with cheese. Mix soup, sour cream, milk, and curry.
Pour over chicken and cheese. Melt butter and mix with
stuffing mix. Sprinkle on top. Bake at 350 degrees for one
hour or until the chicken tests done.
WESTERNAGREPORTER.COM
Alan Sears, Field Editor
Nebraska, Colorado,
and Wyoming
61 Westward Way
Eaton, CO 80615
(970) 454-3986 Home/Office
(970) 396-7521 CO Cell
(308) 660-3866 NE Cell
E-mail: [email protected]
If you're looking for herd bulls,
replacements, registered or
commercial females, I've been
making the rounds in my territory.
I'd like to help.
WESTERN AG REPORTER
Forest Service Chief
predicts “above normal”
wildland fire potential
in much of the West
U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell presented the Forest Service forecast on the upcoming 2015 fire season in
testimony May 5 before the Senate Committee on Energy
& Natural Resources. Forest Service researchers expect
2015 to continue the trend of above average fire activity.
“Above normal wildland fire potential exists across the
north-central United States, and above normal wildland fire
potential will threaten many parts of the West this summer,”
said Chief Tidwell. “We anticipate another active fire year,
underscoring the need to reform our wildfire funding.”
The forecast indicates there is a 90% chance that this
year’s Forest Service fire suppression costs will be between
$794 million and $1.657 billion, with a median estimate of
$1.225 billion, potentially forcing the diversion of funding
from other vital programs to support suppression operations.
Any costs above the median is greater than the “10-year
average” and would force the Forest Service to leverage
funding from other land management programs. Diverting funds to cover the cost of wildfire suppression affects
other critical Forest Service programs and services, said
Tidwell, including efforts to reduce wildfire risk through
mechanical thinning, prescribed fires, and other means.
Wildfire suppression costs have increased as fire seasons
have grown longer and the frequency, size, and severity
of wildfires has increased due to changing climatic conditions, drought, hazardous fuel buildups, insect and disease
infestations, non-native invasive species, and other factors.
Funding has not kept pace with the cost of fighting fire.
Over the last 10 years, adjusting for inflation, the Forest
Service has spent an average of almost $1.13 billion on
suppression operations annually.
The President’s Fiscal Year 2016 budget includes a
proposal to reform the way that wildfire suppression is
funded. Aligned with the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act,
these reforms are necessary to ensure the Forest Service
continues to deliver the full scope of its mission.
Chief Tidwell said the Forest Service has the capability
and responsibility to protect life, property, and natural
resources. The responsibility to respond to wildfire is not
isolated to the Forest Service. It works extensively with
partners within the Department of Interior (DOI) as well as
state, tribal, and local firefighting organizations to support
wildland fire management operations. These cooperators
are essential to ensuring that every wildfire receives an appropriate, risk informed, and effective response regardless
of the jurisdiction.
Within the Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 appropriation for Wildland Fire Management, the Forest Service will be able to
mobilize approximately 10,000 firefighters for the upcoming fire season, as well as up to 21 air tankers available
for operations on exclusive use contracts, additional air
tankers available through “Call When Needed” contracts,
and the capability to mobilize cooperator air tankers, if
available, through agreements with Alaska and Canada. In
coordination with the military, there are also eight Mobile
Airborne Firefighting System-capable C-130s available to
meet surge requirements, as well as an extensive fleet of
more than 100 helicopters available to support operations.
The Forest Service has worked collaboratively with its
partners to develop the National Cohesive Wildland Fire
Management Strategy, of which fuel treatment is an essential
component. In 2015, $32 million of the Hazardous Fuels
appropriation was allocated to 50 projects in areas with
a likelihood of high intensity fire within populated areas
or near important watersheds for municipal water supply.
The Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program
also assists in the agency’s work with partners to conduct
hazardous fuel treatments and ecosystem restoration that
encourages economic and social sustainability, leverages
local resources with national and private resources, reduces
wildfire management costs, and addresses the utilization
of forest restoration byproducts to offset treatment costs
and benefit local economies.
The mission of the Forest Service is to sustain the health,
diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and
grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of public
land, provides assistance to state and private landowners,
and maintains the largest forestry research organization
in the world.
- USFS, 5/5
Nationwide Influence…
…Regional Saturation
Western Ag Reporter is known, read, and referred to by
livestock and agricultural people all over the U.S.
Without a doubt, its heaviest and greatest impact is in
the Northwest, but if you want to reach out to top notch
and progressive beef and livestock industry people all
over the country, use the advertising power and prestige
of Western Ag Reporter–
We’ve got your back!
13
Thursday, May 14, 2015
New ND scholarship available
The Tokach Angus Ranch
Memorial Scholarship will
be added to the North Dakota
Stockmen’s Foundation’s
scholarship offerings in
2015. The family of former North Dakota Stockmen’s Association (NDSA)
President Dick Tokach of
Mandan, ND, who died in
November 2014, established
the endowment scholarship
to honor the industry and
civic contributions of Dick,
who was an Angus breeder,
state legislator, and Morton
County Commissioner, as
well as his surviving wife
Theresa, and to support
young North Dakotans pursuing beef-related careers.
To be eligible for the schol-
arship, students must be
residents of North Dakota;
have a grade-point average
of at least 3.0; be enrolled
or plan to be enrolled in an
institution of higher education in animal science, range
science, pre-veterinary medicine, agribusiness, ag communication, farm and ranch
management, or another
beef-related discipline; have
an interest in the state’s beef
cattle industry; be an NDSA
member or the child of an
NDSA member; and submit
the required application
form, essay, and references.
Preference will be given to
students who have completed their bachelor degree
and are pursuing a graduate
education or professional
school (such as veterinary
or law school).
“We are grateful to the
Tokach family for making
available a new opportunity
for youth to advance their
education and prepare for a
career in the beef industry,”
said Towner, ND, cattleman
Jason Zahn, president of the
North Dakota Stockmen’s
Foundation. “We are excited
to add the Tokach Angus
Ranch Memorial Scholarship to the offering and that
it expands eligibility to those
who are pursuing advanced
education as well.”
Application forms and
additional information are
available under the “ND
Stockmen’s Foundation”
tab at www.ndstockmen.org
Applications will be accepted until June 15. The
inaugural scholarship will
be presented during the
Foundation Luncheon during the NDSA annual convention and trade show
on September 26 at the
Ramada in Bismarck, ND.
Established in 2008, the
North Dakota Stockmen’s
Foundation supports beefrelated scholarship, leadership, promotion, research,
and building objectives.
This year, it will be issuing
eight scholarships to young
people.
14
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Don’t miss this!
Montana Agri-Women (MAW) is having its annual fundraiser at the Billings Depot on
May 19 from 6-9 p.m. MAW has spent the last 19 years promoting a positive perception
of agriculture, and the money raised will further that cause. Last year was the inaugural
year of this fundraiser, and it proved to be a huge success. MAW’s goal is to surpass the
money raised at last year’s event. Both the silent auction and live auction have expanded.
The silent auction has something for everyone, and the live auction includes a guided
fishing trip and a package to attend a sculpting school taught by nationally-renowned
western artists Jeff Wolf and Bob Burkhart. The fundraiser’s proceeds go towards ag
awareness throughout the state through community and school outreach, ag public
service announcements, and sponsorships to other ag groups or events. This includes
an entire youth educational barn at Montana Fair and speaking to high school students
about agriculture and ag employment opportunities. Guests will enjoy the High Country Cowboys as they play throughout the night, giving the attendees ample opportunity
to mingle and find a perfect item to take home. The High Country Cowboys hail from
Red Lodge, and the three talented brothers have quickly made a name for themselves
throughout the region for their musicianship and their smooth sound. MAW’s mission is
to support agriculture in all facets. With that in mind, they have elected to have free keg
beer at the event since grain is a major ag export of Montana. Also Billings’ own Wine
Market & Deli will be catering with “heavy” hors d’ouerves -- no one will leave hungry!
Don’t miss this!
Non-Lethal Predator Damage
Management Workshop
The USDA-Wildlife Services program -- in collaboration with Montana State University
Extension-Lake County and the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes -- are hosting a
one-day, non-lethal predator damage management workshop on Thursday, May 21, at
the KwaTaqNuk Lodge on Flathead Lake in Polson, Montana. The goal of the workshop
is to provide information to the public on the science behind non-lethal predator damage management methods and the practical applications of these methods as a part of a
comprehensive damage management plan for protecting livestock and other property.
Presentations from wildlife researchers, natural resource managers, landowners, and
other experts will discuss the importance of the non-lethal component of managing
predator damage as it relates to resource owners proactively managing predation and
will include the following topics:
- Development of non-lethal tools for predator management
- Update on current wolf and grizzly bear populations and activities in NW Montana
- Montana Livestock Loss Board Programs including grants and reimbursements
- Carcass management
- Electric fence incentive/ cost share program
- Mountain lion population trends, issues, and non-lethal methods for managing
- Strategic grazing management for co-existence with large carnivores
- Predator management by the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes Reservation
The workshop is free and open to the public. No registration required. Questions? Contact
John Steuber, Wildlife Service’s Montana State Director, at 406-657-6464.
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WESTERN AG REPORTER
MT Supreme Court rules on
ag land reappraisal lawsuit
The Montana Farm Bureau
Federation (MFBF) and
the Montana Taxpayers
Association (Montax) are
extremely disappointed with
a recent Montana Supreme
Court decision. This case
stems from changes that the
MT Department of Revenue
made at the beginning of the
last reappraisal cycle to the
methodology for phasing
in increases in ag values
across the state. The Court
acknowledged errors by the
Department, but chose to
require individual taxpayers
to challenge those actions
on their own, rather than as
a group.
According to MFBF Executive Vice President John
Youngberg, “The Court’s
decision fails to hold the
Department of Revenue
accountable for its failure
to adopt proper rules and
allows to stand the Department’s denial of the legislatively-mandated property
tax mitigation to the vast
majority of ag producers in
Montana.”
Montax President Robert
Story said, “This case serves
to illustrate the challenges
created by Montana’s past
lengthy reappraisal cycles
and reinforces the value of
the two-year cycle Montax and MFBF supported
through this most recent
legislative session. We
look forward to the new
system that eliminates the
ability of the Department
to erroneously push values
based on factors other than
value.” MFBF, Montax, and
their counsel are considering options for assisting
the ag producers who still
have open appeals pending
with tax appeal boards in
the state.
- MFBF, 4/29
WESTERNAGREPORTER.COM
MSGA seeks applications for 2015
Environmental Stewardship Award
Do you know a Montana
rancher who is a leader in
stewardship and sustainability and in implementing conservation practices to ensure
the social, economic, and
environmental sustainability of his/her operation? If
so, encourage them to apply
for the Montana Environmental Stewardship Award,
presented by the Montana
Stockgrowers Association
(MSGA). Applications for
the 2015 award are due
June 30. Each year, MSGA
honors Montana ranches that
exemplify environmental
stewardship and demonstrate commitment toward
improved sustainability
within their communities.
This award recognizes Montana ranchers who are at the
forefront in conservation
and stewardship and are
willing to serve as examples
for other ranchers. “Montana
ranchers are leaders in this
country when it comes to
being stewards of our environment and conserving the
natural resources that help
make Montana such a great
state to live in,” said Gene
Curry, MSGA President and
rancher from Valier. “We are
asking the community to
get involved in helping us
identify ranches that really
go above and beyond when
it comes to environmental
stewardship and conservation in their local areas.”
Last year’s recipient of
the ESAP recognition was
the American Fork Ranch,
a commercial cow-calf
operation in Wheatland and
Sweet Grass counties. The
American Fork is owned
by the Stevens family and
is managed by Jed and
Annie Evjene, long-time
active members of MSGA.
Over the past 17 years, the
Stevens and Evjene families
have focused on establishing
relationships among all key
aspects of the ranch: rangeland, water, crop production,
cattle herd, wildlife, cottonwood forests, employees,
family, community, and the
beef industry to integrate
a model of sustainability.
These cooperative efforts
have led to relationships
and projects in coordination with professionals
from numerous universities,
state and federal agencies,
area and state Stockgrower
organizations, and several
youth programs. Today, the
American Fork Ranch is
home to a diverse population
of plant species and managed wildlife populations.
Intensive record keeping,
over a decade of range
monitoring, water development projects, and weed
management have led to
pasture conditions that promote diverse plant species
and thick stands of stockpiled forage for year-round
grazing. A heavy focus on
riparian area management
has allowed for recovery of
plant species, Cottonwood
forest regrowth, improved
water quality, and enhanced
wildlife habitat, even in
the presence of livestock
grazing.
Ranches wishing to apply
for the 2015 ESAP award
and recognition are asked
to complete an application
packet (available at mtbeef.
org), due to MSGA by June
30. Nominations can be
submitted by contacting the
MSGA office. Ranches must
be a member of the Montana
Stockgrowers Association
to qualify for the award.
The ranch chosen for the
award will be announced at
MSGA’s annual convention
and trade show in Billings
from December 3-5 at the
MetraPark in Billings. The
Montana ESAP winner will
then prepare its application
for the regional and national
award competition, which is
typically due in early March
of the following year. Since
1992, MSGA has honored
22 state winners, 10 of
whom went on to win the
regional award and 2 that
were named national award
winners. To learn more, visit
mtbeef.org or contact Ryan
Goodman by email at ryan@
mtbeef.org or by phone at
406-442-3420.
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I’d Rather
Be Lucky
Than Smart
by Barry Naugle
Figs, pigs, and a bear...
Rocks Springs, Wyoming,
back in the old days, was a
small city serving as a supply
depot for cattle and sheep
men. However, coal mining
to supply the Union Pacific
Railroad’s steam engines was
the main industry. It was here
that the stockmen bought
large quantities of food, a
great deal of it preserved. Besides the ubiquitous canned
goods of every sort, there
were 8” x 10” x 12” wooden
boxes of dried fruit. There
were boxes of apples, figs,
apricots, and prunes (pitch
black and sticky), and no
doubt some fruits that I have
forgotten. The warehouses
were piled high with these
supplies, and those fruits
stayed preserved for years as
they were wrapped in heavy
wax paper inside the boxes.
The sheep raising business
was, at this time, going into a
decline. Also, the methods of
supplying sheep camps were
changing. World War II surplus vehicles with four-wheel
drives were replacing the
horse and wagons. Livestock
raisers were feeding their
crews more available fresh
produce. As a result of these
changes, the supply warehouses had a large backlog
of unsold supplies that were
eventually condemned.
I was working for the 2-U
Ranch as a dude wrangler and
horse breaker at this time. My
boss, Sid Reynolds, saw an
opportunity. His brother-inlaw told him of the available
condemned boxes of fruit
and that he could have all he
wanted --free. Sid hopped in
his one-ton truck with high
horse racks on the sides and
cruised the 130 miles to
Rock Springs, fully loaded
his vehicle with condemned
fruit, and lumbered back to
the ranch. Brother Tom and
I unloaded the truck into the
2-U’s own little storehouse.
I must clarify a statement.
I called my brother Tom
“Brother Tom.” I do not
mean to imply that he was
a member of some religious
order. Au contraire! Nor had
he been defrocked, though
he may have hung his frock
on someone’s bedpost from
time to time.
Sid’s next venture was to go
to Lander, Wyoming, to the
livestock sales yard where
he purchased two weaned
piglets. His instructions to
Tom and I were to haul a
50-gallon barrel down to
some pens behind the bunkhouse. We were to fill the
barrel partially with water
from Dead Horse Creek that
bubbled merrily through the
pen. Then, as directed, we
dumped several boxes of
assorted dried fruit into the
barrel for the piggies. There
seemed to be more dried figs
than other fruits. YUM.
We also made the pen pigtight. One of our children
used to say, when something
extra good to eat, “That was
goodliscious!” That swill
must have been goodliscious
because those little porkers
really ate it up.
The piglets grew and grew.
Tom or I fed them twice a
day, and the piggies squealed
with anticipation and delight
when they heard us coming.
The barrel was placed next to
the pen and wired to a post
to prevent it from tipping
over. We would dip out a nice
full bucket from the barrel
for their meals. Every few
days, we broke open a couple
of boxes of dried fruit and
dumped them into the barrel
and added more water.
Now pigs have their own
fine perfume, especially
when confined. Brother Tom
and I scarcely noticed the
odor as the bunkhouse was
our abode, and the piggy emporium was directly behind it.
As the stench grew gradually,
we gradually grew used to
the stench. However, as the
weather warmed and the
summer rapidly advanced,
certain chemical reactions
took place in the old wooden
barrel. The water-soaked figs
began to ferment. The alcohol
process was underway.
The aroma was quite heady
to Brother Tom and I. However, the heady odor of
moonshine in the making
was modified by smell of
the pigpen. The hogs were
stewed on stewed figs. They
went to bed happy and arose
cranky until fed their morning
libation.
Somewhere in the hills
above the ranch, the combination of these delicious
aromas reached the keen nose
of a medium-sized black bear.
The smell was irresistible
to him, and it wasn’t long
until he followed his nose to
the pigpen one dark night.
Perhaps he sized up the pigs
and decided that they were
not quite ready for him. In
any case, he ate and drank
all he could hold from the
fermenting barrel of hog
swill. He got drunk. He became belligerent. He strolled,
staggered, and swaggered his
way to the main lodge. We
were all asleep.
On the back stoop of the
kitchen stood an icebox. One
of our daily chores was to go
to the log icehouse, shovel
sawdust off a block of ice, and
put it in the top compartment
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Commercial Advertising
Representative
P.O. Box 30758
Billings, MT 59107
Office: 406-259-4589
Cell: 406-670-9839
Fax: 406-259-6888
E-mail:
[email protected]
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BILLINGS
1420 Minnesota Ave.
252-5196
15
Thursday, May 14, 2015
WESTERN AG REPORTER
GREAT FALLS
921 15th St. North
791-4250
DILLON
945 North Montana
683-4111
LEWISTOWN
18 Brookville Lane
538-5451
MILES CITY
512 North 7th
234-2009
of the icebox. There was no
electricity at the 2-D.
Mr. Bruin challenged the
upright icebox to a fight and
seized it in the classical bear
hug. Over and over, they
rolled down a slight slope
with the bear scratching and
biting the box until the bear
and the icebox lodged against
the warehouse. The two doors
to the cooler remained closed,
and the bear left shortly before the sun rose. The bout
was a draw.
After Tom and I returned to
the main lodge from milking
that morning, we carried the
icebox back to the stoop. We
reported the raid to the boss.
Sid stated that the bear would
certainly be back and that he
would have to dispose of it.
The bear did not return for
several weeks. But when he
did, he repeated his shenanigans. He became soused on
the fermenting piggy food
and again challenged the
cooler to a rough and tumble,
no holds barred match. The
integrity of the doors held
once more, but the bites and
scratches on the wooden icebox were more severe. You
could get splinters going for
a head of lettuce.
There were several more
raids. We all slept through
the attacks. Even though
Tom and I were close to the
hog pen, we never heard the
bear slurping up the alcoholic
concoction.
Summer slipped into fall.
Tom and I took a weekend
off to enter a rodeo. The bear
chose this time to partake of
the ready-to-eat pork. Sid was
aroused from his slumber by
terrible squealing and grunt-
ing. Of course he immediately knew that the bear was
attacking the pigs. Grabbing
his twelve-gauge shotgun
and loading it with buckshot,
he ran to the pen. There he
saw the bear, standing on his
rear legs and eating a poor pig
as if it were a watermelon.
At close quarters, one blast
to the bear’s head killed it.
The second shot put the pig
out of its agony. The other
hog had smashed its way out
of the pen and disappeared.
Just before Sid reached his
cabin, he heard the escaped
pig following behind him. No
use bothering to capture the
hog now. Sid returned to bed.
The killed bear was skinned,
and the meat was cured. The
dead pig was butchered,
and some of the meat was
salvaged. The escaped pig
refused to return to the pen.
We fed him outside the sty.
The rest of the time, that hog
spent following his savior,
Sid, everywhere. They had
bonded.
When Sid went irrigating,
the pig followed closely behind him, and the two ranch
dogs followed the pig. A cat
followed the dogs. It was a
procession.
At night, the pig slept outside Sid’s cabin door. But the
nights grew cold, and there
was considerable frost in the
mornings. The hog yearned
for a warmer abode, and one
night he found that, by giving the main lodge’s front
door a determined root with
his gruntle, it popped open.
Once inside, he stretched out
on the hearth close to the dying embers of the evening’s
fire. Eventually, as the ashes
cooled, he was bedded down
well into the fireplace with
each breath puffing out a
small cloud of ash from his
comfortable nest.
Unfortunately, Sid was
unaware of piggy’s new
boudoir. In the dark of the
early morn, he entered the
lodge to build a fire in the
cook stove. The large porker
burst from the fireplace in a
great cloud of ash, squealing
and snorting in a flashback to
the bear attack. Poor old Sid.
He fell to his knees, calling
to his Savior to release him
from the Devil’s grip. The
pig charged out the door, and
Sid staggered to the liquor
cabinet for resuscitation. He
was half stewed by breakfast,
and that did not impress the
few guests that remained at
the ranch.
Before Sid retired to sleep
off the liquid defibrillation,
he had orders for Brother
Tom and me. “I don’t care
what you do today, but you
will return that ‘Hog from
Hell’ to his proper pen and
you will make that sty pigescape-proof.” We did. As
that 250-pound hog was
eating his 100 proof mash,
we each grabbed a hind leg
above the hock joint and, by
brute strength and awkwardness, dragged him backwards
into his pen and slammed the
gate closed. We basked in the
pleasure of Sid’s approval,
enjoyed the smiles and pats
on the back. We were the
heroes of the day after Sid’s
brush with death. We goofed
off until evening chores.
We found the pig dead in his
pen the following morning.
Frank (Dick) & Dolores Noble Estate
Ranch Equipment
AUCTION
Thursday, May 21st, 2015 • 10
a.m.
Location: From Grass Range go south on Main St.,
then 4 miles SW on Forest Grove Road
TracTors
1975 JD 4430, diesel, 125 hp,
3 pt., 3 remotes, pto, hr meter
reads 1270, cab/htr., good
rubber, s# 4430 036401R,
sells w/JD150 loader, 8’
bucket & grapple
1981 JD 2440, diesel, 60 hp, 2
wd, 8 spd. w/hi-lo, 3 pt., 540
pto, fair rubber, sells w/Westendorf Ta25 loader
1977 JD 4430, diesel, 125 hp,
duals, dual pto, 3 rear hyd.,
8410 hrs., CAH, new A/C
pump, rubber 80%, duals
50%.
Ford 800, 5 spd, dual hyd., 3
pt., pto, excellent 13.6 x 28
rubber
Trailers
Triggs 18’ stock trailer, tandem
2001 Wilray goose-neck flatbed trailer, 20’ wood deck,
tandem 7000# axles, ramps,
16” good rubber
1998 superior ideal flatbed
trailer, tandem duals, 30’,
gn, straight deck, wood, new
decking, no ramps, rear rubber near new, front 25%
1996 logan coach horse
trailer, 4 horse slant, 19’,
gn, front dressing room, rear
tack, 4 saddle racks, bridle
hooks, boot box, grain compartment, torsion axles, dropdown windows, double rear
door, rubber 50%
Farm equip
JD 12’ cultivator
JD 16’ cultivator
JD 3 pt. post auger, 12” bit
Deerborn 3 pt. tandem disk, 6’
Wallace 3 pt. bale spear
Westfield 70-41 pto grain auger
Wheatland hyd. hopper auger
Hay equip
1998 NH 2550 swather, 14’,
diesel, 4027 hrs., hydro, cab
w/ air
case iH 8820 draper swather,
15’, 1507 hrs, cab w/ air
NH 1100 swather, Perkins diesel, 16’ header,
double sickle, cond., A/C,
new bearings & chains, good
rubber.
Hesston 1014 swing tongue
swather, hydro., conditioner
2005 case iH sBX540
square baler, 14” x 18”, pto,
less than 3,000 bales made
NH 315 square baler, 14” x
18”, pto, ¼ turn bale chute
JD 468 square baler, 16”x18”
bale, pto
JD 530 round baler, 540
ptoVermeer Wr24 twinrake, hyd., dble 6 wheel
iHc 1150 grinder mixer
Terms: Cash or Check Day
of Auction. Photo ID
required to register.
liVesTock equip
Big Valley maternity pen w/
head catch, 10’ x 10’ pen
powder river XL squeeze
chute, 8’, auto head catch
25+/- Assorted portable panels
30+/- wire cattle panels
sHop Tools/equip
Husqvarna 22” chain saw
Trenton anvil on stand
lincoln 225 arc welder
Dura Weld 180 amp welder
campbell Hausfeld port. air
compressor, 4 hp.
macer pump w/ 5.5 hp B/S
engine
craftsman rototiller, 17”, hvy
duty
See website for
complete list and
pictures!
www.ShobeAuction.com
SALE DAY PHONES
Jayson 406-366-5125
Kyle 406-366-0472
Nick 406-451-3899
Lewistown, Montana
406-538-5125
www.ShobeAuction.com
16
Thursday, May 14, 2015
CSKT
cont. from pg. 1
the tribes cannot be sued in
state or federal court.
The truth is exactly the
opposite of what the FJBC
is alleging in its court filing: the Compact actually
ensures that the state, the
federal government, and
the tribes CAN be sued in
an appropriate court for the
limited purposes detailed in
the Compact. These provisions in the Compact have
nothing to do with whether
the state of Montana could
be sued for a taking of private property, as Vandemoer
alleges.
Further, Vandemoer continues to promote the argument that irrigators lost
property rights because of
the Compact. Again, if she
were a licensed attorney,
she could be held liable for
malpractice because of the
mistruths she spreads for
her personal gain. However,
her practice of law without
a license does not require
her to have the same accountability as that of a
licensed attorney. For a taking to occur, an individual
must have a property right
as defined under state law.
Under Montana law, in order
to have a property right in
water, an individual must
have filed for the water right
in 1982 or 1996 pursuant
to the Montana Water Use
Act. Therefore the question
is this: Did any of those
claiming a taking file and
declare their property right
so that they have a property
interest defendable under
Montana law?
The opponents’ writings
are vague on this issue;
however, it appears that
three parties -- the CSKT
Tribes, the Joint Board of
the Flathead Irrigation Districts, and the United States
government -- all filed on
their irrigation claims. The
Compact specifically states
that nothing in the Compact
changes fee-owned land
or authorizes the taking of
any water right. Therefore,
regardless of the Compact,
any of the entities that filed
pursuant to the Montana Water Use Act will have their
day in the Montana Water
Court during the ongoing
adjudication proceedings.
If there is somebody now
claiming a water right in
the irrigation project who
has not filed pursuant to the
Montana Water Use Act,
then that person does NOT
have a property interest in a
Montana water right, regardless of whether the Compact
passed the Legislature. The
reality is that Vandemoer is
attempting to take advantage
of Montanans, and their
sense of fairness, by alleging the Compact will take
private property, which is
simply not true.
In addition to getting the
substantive law backwards,
the FJBC also failed to follow the law in their recent
filing for a temporary restraining order. Further, the
FJBC filed their lawsuit in
the wrong court. According to Montana law, the
only state district court the
lawsuit can be correctly
filed in is in Lewis & Clark
County. The lawsuit that
Vandemoer supports was
not filed in the right court,
and even if it were the right
court, the interpretation of
the law that the FJBC and
Vandemoer are relying on
is simply wrong. “Plaintiffs
have presented a purely
political, non-justiciable**
question that, if seriously
entertained by this Court,
would wreak havoc in the
legislative process,” the
Attorney General said in his
brief. “It takes little imagination to predict the mischief
that plaintiffs’ attorney
could create by inventing
last-minute claims that a bill
is unconstitutional and then
suing for a TRO [temporary
restraining order] on that
basis before the bill is even
implemented or applied.”
In addition to having the
law wrong, the FJBC has
gone rogue. According to
Paul Guenzler, who is an
FJBC board member, he
and many other irrigators
oppose the FJBC’s actions.
“It is a travesty that the FJBC
seems to be overrun by a
vocal minority, who do not
seem to care if they throw
me, agriculture within the
Flathead Indian Reservation, and all of Montana’s
agriculture under the bus for
their uninformed legal theories,” Guenzler said. “The
irrigators who support the
Compact, myself included,
are not interested in paying
attorneys for the next several decades to profit from
some people’s bullheadedness. We are interested in
keeping our family ranches
or farms viable so we can
pass them on to the next
generation. Many of the irrigators oppose the money
that the FJBC has spent
and is currently spending
on lawsuits and lobbyists.
It is my understanding that
the FJBC has spent millions
of dollars litigating and that
they have lost more than
30 cases and only won one
case. I, and many other irrigators, have been trying
to rein in this rogue board
from utilizing the money
which they collect from us
when we pay our irrigation
fees to the County to fund
B LATTNER FEEDLOT EQT.
FEEDLOT QUALITY CATTLE EQUIPMENT
WESTERN AG REPORTER
Soil makes the world go around
Soil is such an important
and integral part of our daily
lives that most folks don’t
even think about it. Often
referred to as “dirt,” which
is just displaced soil, soil
is critical for all forms of
life. Soil is the basis of all
ecosystems from the plant
roots for crops that gives us
food, fiber, and fuel as well
as feeding assorted livestock
that provide food and other
daily byproducts that we use
such as soap, medicine, and
leather to name a few.
their crazy ideas related to
the Compact.”
Irrigators on the Flathead
Reservation want to move
forward without Vandemoer
and her special interest crew
spending their money on
ill-advised lawsuits. It is
time for the CSKT Compact
opponents to admit that their
ideas did not carry the day
in the free market of ideas.
It is time for those who have
moved to Montana to try to
take advantage of Montanans in order to build their
livelihoods to either move
on or to learn Montana law
and stop spinning mistruths.
** from Blacks Law Dictionary: “Justiciability” is
defined as “the quality or
state of being appropriate
or suitable for adjudication
by a court” and “Justiciable”
is defined as “a case or
dispute properly brought
before a court of justice;
capable of being disposed
of judicially.”
Note: Hertha L. Lund is an
attorney, who has more than
25 years working on behalf of
agriculture on legislative issues.
She worked for irrigators who
supported the Compact.
with
Soil is also the basis of
which the Soil Conservation
Service, now known as the
USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS), was founded 80
years ago. NRCS provides
leadership along with partners to help America’s private land owners and managers conserve and protect
their soil, water, and other
natural resources. NRCS
employees across the U.S.
daily provide sound sciencebased technical assistance
and conservation planning,
tailored to the land’s ability
and the landowner’s goals
and objectives. Participation
is voluntary, and there is no
fee for the assistance provided. NRCS programs also
offer financial assistance
to those wanting to install
conservation practices recommended in their plan for
improving soil health, water
quality, and quantity, and
much more.
Franklin Roosevelt said
it best in his 1937 letter
to all state governors on a
Uniform Soil Conservation Law: “The Nation that
destroys its soil destroys
itself.” It’s as true today as
it was back then. With world
population is projected to
increase from 7 billion in
2013 to more than 9 billion
in 2050, it is estimated that
food production will have to
rise by 70% to sustain this
level of growth. Combine
that with 14 million acres
of U.S. prime farmland lost
from 1982 to 2007 to development, improving soil
health is going to be the key
to long-term, sustainable ag
production.
NRCS can help farmers,
ranchers, and landowners
develop a soil health management plan, a roadmap to
soil health, which provides
environmental, economic,
health, and societal benefits.
“Through implementing the
conservation systems and
practices to improve crops
and soil functions, producers will see the benefits
over time, such as reducing
erosion, improving soil
filtration, and increasing
soil organic matter and
water holding capacity,
which helps protect against
drought and other natural
disasters,” said NRCS state
conservationist, Salvador
Salinas. “Healthy soils also
reduce production costs,
increase yields, decrease
time spent working in the
field or pasture, and can
increase profits.”
- By Melissa Blair, USDA-NRCS Zone 3 Public
Affairs Specialist
Don’t miss this!
The annual membership meeting of the
Colorado Livestock Association will be held
during the 2015 Protein Producer Summit. It
will take place on Wednesday, June 17, from
8:30-11:30 a.m. at the Sheraton Steamboat
Resort in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
The Colorado Livestock Association invites you to attend the annual Past President’s
Luncheon following the Membership Meeting from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Sheraton
Steamboat Resort.
Low-Stress Livestock Handling
Dr. Temple Grandin
Curt Pate
&
Miles City & Baker
Dr. Temple Grandin
June 2
Miles City, Montana
Custer County Fairgrounds
Curt Pate
Registration Opens
Low Stress Livestock Handling Presentation & Q&A Session
(Grandin & Pate)
2:30 p.m.
Livestock Demonstation (Grandin & Pate)
4:30 p.m.
Horsemanship for Stockmanship (Pate)
5:00 p.m.
Closing remarks
5:30 p.m.
Evening Meal
Register by contacting
Custer County Extension Office • 1010 Main Street • Miles City, MT 59301
406.874.3370 • [email protected]
6:30 p.m.
4-H/FFA Youth Program with Dr. Temple Grandin
“Keeping Livestock Calm”
1:00 p.m.
1:30 p.m.
10:00 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
June 3
Baker, Montana
Fallon County Fairgrounds
Registration Opens
Low Stress Livestock Handling Presentation & Q&A Session
(Grandin & Pate)
11:30 a.m.
Lunch provided
12:30 p.m.
Livestock Demonstration (Grandin & Pate)
2:30 p.m.
Horsemanship for Stockmanship (Pate)
3:00 p.m.
Closing remarks
Register by contacting
Fallon/County Extension Office • P.O. Box 850 • Baker, MT 59313
406.778.7110 • [email protected]
SALESMEN: MICK REINHARDT 406-371-3084 OR MIKE LACHENMEIER 406-208-9172
RSVP by May 26th
Registration fee:
$20.00
For instant Market News 24 hrs/day 7 days/wk
from Billings, call 406-657-6400
24 hour price information: 406-657-6400
Source for Billings Markets:
USDA Market News 406-657-6285
For Up-To-Date Market Reports visit our website www.cattleplus.com
Public Auction Yards
Billings, MT
Feeder Cattle
Weighted Average
Report for 05/06/2015
Receipts: 579
Last Week: 816
Last Year: N/A
Compared to last week: Feeder
steers and heifers were all too
lightly tested for an accurate
market comparison. Feeder cattle
quality was mostly average with
many plain made offerings. Most
offerings were light fleshed, but
with changing weather conditions
many offerings were very full
and buyers purchased offerings
accordingly. Demand for feeder
cattle was light to moderate today
on very light offerings. Weigh up
cows sold with light to moderate
demand on moderate offerings.
Weigh up conditions were mixed,
with buyers giving heavy discounts
to full offerings. Quality was lower
this week than last week giving
buyers reason to allow prices to
slide. Slaughter cows sold steady
to weak on breaking and boning
cows, but 2.00-5.00 lower on
lean cows. Slaughter bulls sold
4.00-5.00 lower on a fuller, lower
quality offering. Feeding cows
and cows returning to the country
sold lower on a poorer quality
offering and lighter demand from
all buyers. Wet bagged 2-3 year
olds sold steady to weak on lighter
17
Thursday, May 14, 2015
WESTERN AG REPORTER
demand. Feeder cattle receipts
were 51 percent steers, 49 percent
heifers; 80 percent weighing over
600 lbs. Offerings were 20 percent
feeder cattle, 26 percent slaughter
cows, 6 percent bulls, 42 percent
feeding cows and cows returning
to the country, balance bred cows
and heifers. Next sale will be
Wednesday May 13th, 2015.
Billings Livestock
Commission
Billings, MT
Feeder Cattle
Weighted Average
Report for 05/07/2015
Receipts: 1,873
Last Week: 3,243
Last Year: NA
Compared to last week: Feeder
cattle were too lightly tested
either last week or this week
to develop an accurate market
trend for any particular weight
category or sex, however steady
to weak undertones were noticed
throughout the sale. Of note, this
weeks feeder cattle were of lower
quality compared to last week’s
outstanding set of feeders giving
buyers pause as they bid on cattle.
Feeder cattle quality was average
to attractive today with many
smaller groups of cattle on offer.
Flesh conditions were very light
throughout the sale. Many small
strings of heifers were purchased
as replacement heifers today. The
Don’t miss this!
Could the soil save us? The answer is right
under our feet!
Nicole Masters’ “Soil Seminar” will take
place at Steve Charter’s 2 Lazy 2 Ranch_(between mile markers 19 and 20 on Highway
87, north of Billings, Montana) on Saturday,
May 23_from 1-5 p.m._
Nicole Masters, an agro-ecologist from
New Zealand, will teach a public seminar
on building soil health, capacity, and productivity using simple and practical methods
while taking carbon out of the atmosphere.
Masters is an expert at building soil at a rate
previously thought impossible. By carefully
grazing and growing crops or gardens, one
can increase important soil microbes and
fungi in the soil. Masters will show how to
use inexpensive and practical methods to
stimulate the underground life in the soil.
In addition to production benefits, attendees
will be getting down and dirty in the soil and
seeing how to pull carbon out of the air and
into the soil (where it can do a lot of good
for all of us).
Northern Plains Resource Council and the
Western Organization of Resource Councils
will be hosting the event with Steve Charter and family. The field seminar is $45.
The seminar will be followed by a ranch
cookout for $15. For information or tickets, call 406-248-1154 or email maggie@
northernplains.org
stands were moderately full today
with many farmers and ranchers
looking to purchase heifers to
breed and lightweight calves to run
on grass. With rain in the forecast
for this weekend buyers were still
pushing to purchase grass cattle
to develop into yearlings. Several
reputation Cow/calf pairs sold
on very good demand today as
well. Weigh-up cows sold with
moderate to good demand today
on moderate offerings. Weigh-up
conditions were mostly average
today. Slaughter cows sold 1.00
to 2.00 higher on breaking and
boning cows and mostly 1.00-2.00
lower on lean cows. Demand for
all weigh-up cows was moderate to
good throughout the day. Slaughter
bulls were too lightly tested for an
accurate market trend, however
steady undertones were noticed.
Feeding cows unevenly steady on
a slightly poorer quality offering
compared to last week. Younger
2 year olds to young aged cows
purchased to enter a breeding
program sold weak on lighter
demand from all buyers. Feeder
cattle receipts were 44 percent
steers, 56 percent heifers; 58
percent weighing over 600 lbs.
Offerings were 38 percent feeder
cattle, 9 percent slaughter cows,
near 1 percent bulls, 40 percent
feeding cows and cows returning to
the country balance bred cows and
heifers. Next sale will be Thursday
May 14th 2015.
Miles City Livestock
Commission
Feeder Cattle
Weighted Average
Report for 05/05/2015
Receipts: 890
Last Week: 1,485
Last Year: NA
Compared to last week: Feeder
steers and heifers were all too
lightly tested for an accurate market
comparison. Feeder cattle were of
mostly average quality today, with
many plain made offerings. Flesh
conditions were light and most
offerings offered a good weigh up.
Weigh-up cows sold on moderate
to good demand for moderate
offerings. Weigh-up conditions
were average today. Slaughter
cows sold with very good demand.
All classes of slaughter cows sold
2.00-4.00 higher compared to last
week’s light test. Notably, slaughter
cow quality was much improved
from last week. Slaughter bulls
sold steady to weak on a poorer
quality fuller offering. Feeding
cows sold higher on good demand
from all buyers. Many buyers are
purchasing cows to put on feed
to market for the Fourth of July
holiday. Young cows sold on very
good demand as many buyers
hoped to purchase cows that would
be young enough to grade. Several
sets of cow/calf and heifer pairs
sold today on very good demand
despite dry conditions throughout
Eastern Montana. Offerings were
13 percent feeder cattle, 7 percent
slaughter cows, 7 percent bulls,
58 percent feeding cows and cows
returning to the country, balance
bred cows and heifers. Next sale
will be Tuesday May 12th, 2015.
Torrington Livestock
Commission Co.
Feeder Cattle
Weighted Average
Report for 05/08/15
Receipts: 700
Week Ago: 1140
Year Ago: 530
Blackfoot Livestock
Auction
Blackfoot, ID
5-8-15
Head count: 742
Cow Trend: steady
UT/Boner Cows: 100-110
Cutters: 90-104
Heiferettes: 125-175
Feeder Cows: 100-125
Slaughter Bulls: 115-139
Feeder Cattle Trend: mixed
Steers: 400-500, 250-282; 500600, 235-271; 600-700, 205-259;
700-800, 180-232; 800-900,
170-201
Heifers: 300-400, 250-298; 400500, 230-260; 500-600, 220-260;
600-700, 190-231; 700-800, 170219; 800-900, 160-197
Holstein Steers: 300-400, 160-214;
400-600, 150-175
Lemmon Livestock
Auction
Lemmon, SD
5-6-15
Cowettes: 137-168
Slaughter Cows: 110-120
Low Yielding Cows: 101-108
Heiferettes: 150-171
Feeder Bulls: 00-00
Slaughter Bulls: 138-153
Gordon Livestock
Auction
Gordon, NE
5-5-2015
Compared to last Friday: Slaughter
Cows steady to 1.00 higher;
Feeder Cows 1.00-3.00 higher;
Slaughter Bulls steady to 3.00
higher. Demand moderate. Supply
included 20 percent slaughter cows
and bulls; 65 percent feeder cows
10 percent feeder cattle and 5
percent bred cows & pairs.
Cattle, Bull – 6
Price Per Cwt
1100 – 1199, 145.00 - 145.00; 1200
– 10000, 149.50 - 144.50
Total – 17,706.64
Cattle, Cow – 157 Head
Price Per Cwt
700 – 799, 103.50 - 96.00; 800 –
899, 160.00 - 104.00; 900 – 999,
120.00 - 102.00; 1000 – 1099,
135.00 - 99.50; 1100 – 1199,
119.00 - 10.00; 1200 – 10000,
115.00 - 101.00
Total – 209,928.34
Cattle, Hfr – 3
Price Per Cwt
300 – 399, 305.00 - 305.00; 400 –
499, 250.00 - 250.00; 600 – 699,
200.00 - 200.00
Total – 3,710.75
Cattle, Hfrett – 56 Head
Price Per Cwt
600 – 699, 210.00 - 210.00; 800
– 899, 209.00 - 97.50; 900 – 999,
209.00 - 130.00; 1000 – 1099,
200.00 - 117.00; 1100 – 1199,
175.00 - 127.00
Total – 96,660.03
Cattle, Bcalf – 14 Head
Price Per Head
0 – 99, 475.00 - 0.00
Total – 2,300.00
Cattle, Bull – 1
Price Per Head
0 – 99, 550.00 - 550.00
Total – 550.00
Cattle, Cow – 1
Price Per Head
1100 – 1199, 2200.00 - 2200.00
Total – 2,200.00
Cattle, Cow_pr – 3
Price Per Head
900 – 999, 2700.00 - 2700.00;
1100 – 1199, 2625.00 - 2625.00;
1200 – 10000, 3100.00 - 3100.00
Total – 8,425.00
Cattle, Hfr – 1
Price Per Head
0 – 99, 0.00 - 0.00
Total – 0.00
Cattle, Hfrett – 2
Price Per Head
900 – 999, 1100.00 - 1100.00
Total – 2,200.00
377
LOTS
SELLING!
Save the Date!
This year’s Stock Growers Land Trust Annual Roundup Barbeque will be hosted by
Doug and Susan Samuelson of Warren Livestock Company. It will take place August 29
at the Historic Pole Creek Ranch Headquarters
in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Join us for an evening to celebrate conservation in Wyoming with live and silent auctions, a
steak dinner, and wonderful Wyoming people.
ONLINE UNRESERVED AUCTION • BigIron.com
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015
First Lots Scheduled to Close at 10:00 AM Central Time
NO BUYERS PREMIUM FEE & NO RESERVES!!
377 LOTS SELLING! Air Seeders (1); ATVs/Recreational (9); Backhoes
(4); Balers (11); Combines (7); Cultivators (17); Dozers (2); Excavators;
Forage Harvesters (2); Forage Headers (4); Grain Carts (3); Headers
(8); Planters (3); Skid Steer Attachments (4); Skid Steers (1); Sprayers
(17); Telehandlers (1); Tractors (9); Trailers (16); Trucks/Pickups (22);
Semis (7); Tub Grinders/Bale Processors (1); Plus Much More!
BigIron.com Auctions Every Wednesday!
BigIron.com is a division of Stock Realty & Auction Co., 1-800-937-3558
SELL YOUR EQUIPMENT ON BIGIRON.COM
Call Today! 1-800-937-3558
Works 24/7, just like you.
M96S and M108S
Chores never end, so you need a tractor that doesn’t know the
meaning of quit. That’s why the Kubota M96S and M108S models
feature a powerful turbocharged direct injection diesel engine, a
versatile hydraulic system and a quiet, climate controlled cab with
deluxe suspension seat. Now you can handle the toughest jobs
with a tractor that’s ready to work whenever you are.
BILLINGS KUBOTA
5548 Holiday Ave. • Billings, MT • 800-775-3266 • 406/245-6702
www.kubota.com
©Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2008
18
Thursday, May 14, 2015
CLASSIFIEDS
Regular Deadline: 4:00 p.m. MTZ Thursday of the WEEK BEFORE publication for placing an ad, making
changes and/or cancellations. All copy received after deadline will be held for the following week.
Word Ad Charges: Minimum charge $15/week for ads of 15 words or less. For ads with more than 15
words: $15/week (first 15 words) PLUS 80¢ per word per week (1 or 2 weeks) or 70¢ per word per week
(3 or more weeks). Telephone numbers count as two words. Include all words/numbers in count as well as
initials and abbreviations. Most hyphenated words count as two words.
Liability: Advertiser assumes all liability for ad content and for claims arising therefrom.
WESTERN AG REPORTER
Classified Display Ads: $32/column inch for 1 or 2 weeks or $30/column inch for 3 or more weeks. Contract
rates available upon request. Brand ads must be run as display ads. Submit a copy of brand papers, not
reregistration card; hand drawn brands will NOT be accepted.. No cattle photos or color will be used
in the classified section.
Payment: All Job Wanted, Real Estate Wanted and some other ads must be paid in advance. We accept
MasterCard, Visa, Discover, American Express, personal check, or money order. Remit to Classified Ad
Dept., PO Box 30758, Billings, MT 59107 or call (406) 259-4589 with credit card information. All payments
must be in U.S. funds; make checks payable to Western Ag Reporter.
Other Fees: Blind Box Ads-Add $5 per week for postage and handling. Include complete mailing address
for delivery of replies. Do not phone in, fax or e-mail responses; advertisers’ names and locations are
confidential. Respond in writing showing the advertised position name on the envelope; your reply will be
date stamped and promptly forwarded. •Bold words: add $3/week for bold (max. 4 words).
Notice: Publication in this newspaper does not guarantee the legitimacy of any offer or solicitation. Evaluate
an offer before you send money or provide personal/financial information to an advertiser. If you have
questions or believe you have been the victim of fraud, contact the Montana Office of Consumer Protection,
(800) 481-6896 or (406) 444-4500. E-mail: [email protected].
Publisher’s Note: Publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising not in keeping with the publication’s
standards. Publisher assumes NO responsibility for errors in copy received over the telephone. Responsibility
for errors made in ads submitted in writing is restricted to the first week of publication.
Commissions: Classified advertising is NOT agency commissionable.
Nonsufficient Funds Checks: Service charges as allowed by Montana statutes will be assessed on
Nonsufficient Funds Checks. Past due accounts will be assessed a monthly service charge.
Real estate MaRketplace
Real Estate
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal and State Fair
Housing Acts, which make it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or
discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or
national origin, marital status, age, and/or creed or intention to make any such
preferences, limitations, or discrimination. Familial status includes children under
the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, and pregnant women and
people securing custody of children under 18.
This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate that is in
violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in
this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination
in housing call HUD at 800-877-7353 or Montana Fair Housing at 800-929-2611.
www.PhilliPs-Realty.com
centRal montana’s Finest
Simply the Best. 35,580 acres all in one block with 13 miles of
live water through middle of ranch in a 5 star highway location.
There are 19,900 acres deeded with about 2000 acres hay with
potential for additional farming. A paramount ranch for livestock
and wildlife. $21,000,000
cattle Ranch with elk hunting
Owner Financing. 12,000± acres all in a block with 1050 acres
tillable with scattered timber on about 4000 acres located in the
famed 410 hunting district for trophy elk. Includes an 85 acre
center pivot, solid buildings, 5 miles of creek, and 10 miles of
waterlines. $5,500,000
madison RiveR Ranch south oF ennis
A classic fishing ranch in a unique setting between the Madison
and Gravelly Mountain ranges along 3 miles of Madison River
frontage. Includes 3377± deeded acres with an abundance of water rights. Improvements are highlighted by a spacious owner’s
home with dramatic views of the Madison Mountains and a beautiful red horse barn built in the early 1900’s. $9,950,000
— [email protected] —
406.538.5271
SPEAR O RANCH — kirby, MT: The Spear O Ranch needs no
introduction, it is considered by many one of Montana’s best ranches.
The ranch is located 90 miles southeast of Billings and 45 miles north
of Sheridan, WY in the Wolf Mountains. The area is well known for
its outstanding production due to its high rainfall and deep fertile
soils. The combination of mountain streams, numerous springs,
reservoirs, outstanding grass and hay allows for stocking rates
that most people dream about in the mountain west. The ranch is
very well improved and consists of 6,295 deeded acres and 15,000
leased acres and has been operated as a cow-calf ranch but would
also make a great yearling operation. Price $11,000,000
ELK RIDGE RANCH – nEar billings, MT: Set in the world renowned
Bull Mountains, the Elk Ridge Ranch is an outdoorsman’s dream.
The area is well known for its abundance of wildlife and scenery, and
the Elk Ridge Ranch is no exception. If you are an avid hunter looking for a property that is loaded with world class game and located
only minutes from Billings, Montana’s largest city, this is it! You won’t
find a better hunting ranch this close to all the amenities a big city
has to offer. 1,920 deeded acres. $2,304,000
Real Estate
ThE hook ranch – souThcEnTral WyoMing: 60,000± acres with
approximately 27,000 deeded, 3200 acres irrigated. Excellent improvements with three homes, bunkhouse and cookhouse. World
class hunting for elk, antelope and mule deer. Several miles of trout
streams. Private and secluded yet only 15 minutes to town on paved
highway! Lease option available. $11,500,000
406.598.4332
Save Thousands
When Selling
Your Land
or Ranch
• Reduce or eliminate capital
gains on the sale of your land,
livestock and equipment.
• A 1031 Tax Exchange may
NOT be necessary.
• We specialize in the marketing
and sale of Working Ranches.
Thistledew
Land & Cattle Company
406-962-3310
thistledewland.com
John goggins
(406) 698-4159
WaynE Wilcox
(406) 697-9121
Pat GoGGins • Broker/owner • (406) 259-4589
Po Box 30755 • BillinGs, Mt 59107
Early DEaDlinE:
noon, ThursDay, May 21
For WEEk oF May 28
FOR SALE
E
L.T. – Horses
L.H. – Cattle
Reasonable Offers Only
(406) 980-1844
NEED A BRIDGE? All types
of bridge construction— farm,
ranch, county, subdivision. Redecking, repair, maintenance,
inspection services. Mackin
Construction.
www.MackinBridges.com. (406) 855-4506.
Dogs
Ranchette for lease. Long term.
For 40-50 pairs. Excellent
water, ungrazed for 2 years.
New fence. Pasture location,
80 acres farmland, paved road.
(406) 477-6077.
Queensland Blue and Red
Heeler puppies. Registered parents, some ready now. Timberline Stock Ranch, Broadview,
MT. (406) 667-2151.
Ranch foR Lease
Equipment
1500 pairs or up to 3500 yearlings. Large irrigated base. Excellent facilities. South Central
Wyoming. Available May 1,
2015.
406.598.4332
Real Estate Wanted
Wanted: 200-500 cow ranch to
lease year round. (406) 7402159.
Brands
MONTANA BRAND
FOR SALE
rogEr Jacobs
(406) 698-7686
MONTANA BRAND
Real Estate for Lease
D
bryan anDErson
(406) 839-7439
Brands
Bridges
SOL
Office 406.259.2544 • Fax 406.259.2510
Details, other listings, photos: www.pipmontana.com
Real Estate
Y
Real Estate
B
R.T. – Horses
R.H. – Cattle
$7500
(406) 562-3520
MONTANA BRAND
FOR SALE
XT—
R.H. – Cattle
R.T. – Horses
Have Irons; Best Offer
406-452-7909
NH 1049S bale wagon, 3 wide.
Field ready. $17,500. (406)
656-6896 or 698-7290.
Fencing
Hay, Feed, Seed
Help Wanted
Shell corn and tall wheat grass
round bales, Pompeys Pillar,
MT
area. (406) 860-8924.
____________________________
Full time ranch hand position,
purebred Angus operation, west
central Montana. Strong background required. Cattle work,
haying, irrigation, fencing, A.I.
experience a plus. Excellent
salary, benefits and housing.
Send resumé and references to
PO Box 215, Wolf Creek, MT
59648,
CUSTOM HAYING. Large
rounds or small squares. Cash
or shares. (406) 656-6896 or
698-7290.
Help Wanted
IT'S THE LAW
State and federal statutes
prohibit discrimination in
employment based on age
and gender. Montana law
also prohibits discrimination based on marital
status. In compliance, we
cannot publish help wanted
ads that specify gender,
age or marital status. Thank
you for your cooperation.
Farm and ranch hand in western North Dakota, year around.
If interested, call please (701)
842-3719.
____________________________
Permanent ranch hand position
available. Near Miles City, MT.
Experience necessary. Calving,
fencing, haying, all aspects of
animal husbandry. Good wages,
housing, benefits. (406) 2325107.
____________________________
Rider wanted for Wise River
Stock
Association,
JuneOctober. Approximately 600
cow-calf pairs on BLM and
USFS pastures. Moving cattle,
gathering, some fencing. Wage
depends on experience. Couples encouraged to apply. (406)
832-3219 or e-mail justinvs@
sff.net.
____________________________
Long haul livestock relocater
needed. Class A CDL required.
Good MVR. New fancy equipment. $1600+ per week. (307)
752-5420.
____________________________
Insurance
PETER YEGEN JR., INC.
Insuring Montanans for over 95
years. Call us for Farm/Ranch,
Business and Worker’s Comp
insurance. www.pyegen.com.
Please call (406) 252-0163 or
(800) 798-2767.
Livestock
Cattle
SIGGINS POLLED HEREFORDS. Yearling and 2 year
old bulls and yearling heifers. Stressing moderate birth
weights, milk, and maternal
traits. Complete herd records.
Polled Herefords have been our
business since 1942. Alan Siggins, (307) 587-3786 or Pete
Jachowski, (307) 587-3723.
[email protected].
____________________________
Big, growthy yearling and
two year old Red Angus bulls.
Custer, MT.(406) 861-1113 or
861-4272.
____________________________
MYDLAND
ANGUS
RANCH yearling and 2 year
old Angus bulls. Performance
tested; EPD’s available. Home
raised. (406) 962-3404 or 5913404.
____________________________
Registered Black Angus bulls.
Low birth weight, 800-900 lb.
wean weights. Good dispositions. Please call (406) 8552692.
____________________________
Corral boards/timbers. Rough
full sawn. Full bundles only.
Ashland Sawmill, Ashland, MT.
(406)
375-4223.
____________________________
AG CAREERS
ag ProDucTion/agri-businEss
Hansen Agri-PLACEMENT
CROSSWIRE INC FENCING. Good fences make good
neighbors! If you need better
ranch fences, call Ryan Foard.
(307)
899-6125.
____________________________
hansenagriplacement.com
Eric: 308-382-7351
Louis & Kathy Dubs • biLLings, Mt
Cattle
[email protected]
Fiberglass electric fence posts.
All sizes from 3/8" to 1.5". See
at www.hcam.net. (800) 7779960.
____________________________
Great Divide Fence LLC.
Honest, reliable, efficient. New
fence installation and repair.
Ranch, home, business. (406)
839-4446.
____________________________
CATTLE GUARDS, extra
heavy duty. Grates are 6' x 6.5'.
$750 each. Duane Long, (406)
245-0575.
Buy It, Sell It,
Trade It
in Classifieds
56TH AnniversAry
View Job Listings At
angus
yEarling
bulls
Private treaty SaleS
Bridger, Mt
Call for catalog
406.652.7515
LD
406.208.8643
SO
For Sale Private Treaty
Large sire groups
Performance and fertility tested
Delivery available
Trangmoe Angus Ranch
Glendive, Montana
More Classifieds Next Page
19
Thursday, May 14, 2015
WESTERN AG REPORTER
SALE REPORTS
Hoyt’s Angus Ranch
28th Annual Production Sale
Vernon, Bobby, & Ryan Hoyt
Families
May 6, 2015
At the Ranch
McHenry, ND
1st Annual Kist Diamond Classic
Turn-Out Bull Sale
May 9, 2015
Kist Livestock Auction
Mandan, ND
Auctioneer: Seth Weishaar
Sale Manager: Vern Frey
Reported By: Jason Frey
Auctioneer: Roger Jacobs
Reported By: Jason Frey
Sale Averages:
3 Two-Year-Old Bulls.................................................$4,500
44 Yearling Bulls.........................................................$3,445
Sale Average:
94 Bulls .....................................................................$2,777
Sale Highlights:
Lot 34, AA Harry Potter 406, consigned by Amundson
Angus of Larimore, ND sold to Schmidt Angus of Solen, ND
for $5,500; JAR Harry Potter 6104 103 x SAV Mandan 5664;
BW +3.7 WW +63 YW +108 M +24
Lot 47, NSR Mr Tucson B51, consigned by Valley Ridge
Simmentals of Leonard, ND sold to Lance Doll of New Salem,
ND for $5,000; Hart Tucson 614Z x CNS Dream On L186;
BW 0.2 WW 67.0 YW 96.6 M 19.7
Lot 51, NSR Mr Tucson B65, consigned by Valley Ridge
Simmentals of Leonard, ND sold to Lance Doll of New Salem,
ND for $5,000; Hart Tucson 614Z x BR M218 Snake Eyes;
BW 0.1 WW 69.3 YW 150.0 M 21.7
Lot 52, NSR Mr Tucson B72, consigned by Valley Ridge
Simmentals of Leonard, ND sold to Lance Doll of New Salem,
ND for $5,000; Hart Tucson 614Z x CCCR Mr Dream On
G779R; BW 1.6 WW 66.4 YW 98.3 M 21.7
www.westernagreporter.com
Sale Highlights:
Lot 1, HAR Upward 413-2614, sold to Sabinash and Sons
of Kensal, ND for $6,000;
Spring Valley Upward 8184
x Roths Mill Creek Unique;
lassifieds
ontinued
lassifieds
ontinued
BW +3.2 WW +49 YW +85
M +21
Lot 6, HAR Upward 6-2724,
sold to Hoyt Wagner of PetCattle
Cattle
Pasture
Horses
Ranch Supplies
tibone, ND for $5,250; Spring
Valley Upward 8184 x SAF
Right Time 124-20; BW +3.3 YEARLING BLACK ANGUS PUREBRED ANGUS PAIRS. SUGAR BARS LEGACY Wanted: need pasture for pairs. Giant rubber water tanks. 1800
WW +53 YW +94 M +21
BULLS for sale. VanDyke 20 mixed ages older pairs for SALE. Wanted: consignments Will consider all options. (406) gal., 13' diameter, indestrucLot 4, HAR Upward 4052- bloodlines. 1100+ pounds. Sev- sale at ranch. Musselshell of Sugar Bars and non-Sugar ____________________________
tible. Great and economical
738-4428.
water storage. Neal Ranch,
2746, sold to Hoyt Wager of eral suitable for use on heifers. Angus Ranch, Please call (406) Bars bred saddle horses for
570-1337.
Legacy sale in Sheridan, WY Wanted: pasture for 100-200 (406) 639-2505.
429-6801.
Pettibone, ND for $5,000; (406)
____________________________
____________________________
on Sept. 21. LeRoy, (605) 347- pairs; prefer eastern MT. (406)
Sitz Upward 307R x BC
947-2471.
RED
ANGUS 50 purebred Hereford and 8120.
____________________________
Bushwacker 41-93; BW +2.8 50-60
____________________________
REPLACEMENT
HEIFSouth
Devon
yearling
heifers.
Scales
WW +58 YW +106 M +31
Need summer and fall pasLot 5, HAR Upward 5177- ERS. 2015 heifer calves avail- Approx. 850 pounds. Ready Dismantling entire horse opera- ture for any number up to 500
Oct.-Nov. Beckton and to breed. $2000 or offer. Keith tion. 14 complete box stalls,
ROCKWELL
SCALES,
2696, sold to Dan Birkeland able
5L sires. Rosa Ranch, Willow (208) 523-2286 or Layne (208) Powder River feeders. (406) animal units. Will consider all Montana’s only scale manuof Sheyenne, ND for $5,000; Creek, MT has been selecting 681-0765.
options. Yerger Ranch Co. (406)
669-3245.
facturer. We sell Livestock,
Sitz Upward 307R x Hyline calm, thrifty, fertile females ____________________________
350-1315.
Truck, Pallet, Mining and Bale
Right Time 338; BW + 2.7 for 30 years. Bangs and shots; Quality long, thick polled Herscales. We service all makes
WW +57 YW +108 M +31
asture
for
ease
eford
bulls.
Reasonably
priced.
no brand. David Spencer, (406)
Pasture
and models of scales. AffordLot 40, HAR Irish 282-269, 581-2500.
Eugene Forster, near Big
1500
pairs
or
up
to
3500
yearable service contracts; many
sold to Eddie Womack of ____________________________ Timber, MT. (406) 932-6560, Wanted: summer and/or fall
lings. Large irrigated base. Exupgrades and options to choose
Tulia, TX for $5,000; Con- WANTED; April through June leave message.
pasture for 400 replacement
cellent facilities. South Central
from. Call us for all your scale
nealy Irish 0204 x Ellingson calving commercial herd lookheifer plus bulls and/or 300
Wyoming. Available May 1,
needs. (406) 799-3945 Visit us
Aberdeen 0028; BW +1.3 ing for guaranteed premiums
pairs. Please call Huntsman
2015.
$ by serving as a cooperator
online at www.RockwellScales.
Cattle Services
WW +51 YW +95 M +23
Ranch Company, (406) 276-
•C
C
•C
C
P
embryo recipient herd. For
details, Chris, Thistledew Land
and Cattle, (406) 962-3310 or
[email protected].
____________________________
McDonnell Angus
Beef Country
Genetics
May 6, 2015
Bowman
Livestock
Auction
Bowman, ND
Auctioneer: Lynn Weishaar
Reported by: Dennis
Ginkens
75 Angus Bulls
averaged................... $5,020
Top-Selling Bulls
Lot 30 at $9500 McD CON
IN FOCUS 4520 DOB 3-292014 REG# 18055904 CONNEALY IN FOCUS 4925 x
SF FOREVER LADY 6200;
Sold to Frazer & Hay Cow
Company, CA
Lot 5 at $8750 SL UNO
409 DOB 2-28=2014 REG#
17949877 CC A UNO 049 x
SL MISS SPADE 972; Sold
to Six ESS LLC, Ekalaka, MT
Lot 37 at $8500 McD
SF WAYLON 4550 DOB
3-30-2014 REG# 18036801
Baldridge Waylon W34 x SF
Forever Lady 6200; Sold to
Nissin Angus, Chinook, MT
Lot 14 at $8500 McD PERFORMER 4111 DOB 2-42014 REG# 17945054 CC
UNO 049 x McD NOTCHESS
968; Sold to Sodak Angus,
Reva, SD
Lot 10 at $8250 McD
PERFORMER 4110 DOB
2-15-2015 REG# 17945055
CCA UNO 049 x McD MIGNONNE 939; Sold to Sodak
Angus, Reva, SD
BLACK
MAXIMIZER
BULLS. Add free heterosis to
improve low heritable traits.
Every pound counts! Black,
polled, good feet, deloused,
dewormed. Quick delivery
negotiable. Great value. Virgin,
yearlings. Please call (406)
656-5443.
____________________________
DENNING
RANCH
TRUCKING. Rancher owned
trucking business. Insured,
experienced cattleman. (406)
899-0595 or 264-5056. E-mail:
[email protected].
C lassifieds Work!
Cattle
Stokke AnguS
Yearling registered Black angus Bulls
for sale Forsyth, MT
✰ Sons and Grandsons of:
• Connealy Capitalist 028
• Connealy Confidence 0100
• BDAR Capitalist Z078
• Sitz Upward 307R
• Brusett Pure Product 43Z
✰ Good Quality
✰ Priced Reasonably
sam stokke (406) 698-8968
Zach stokke (406) 698-2703
3459
____________________________
•
L
406.598.4332
com.
____________________________
CLASSIFIED AD FORM
— Minimum Weekly Ad Charges —
Word Ads - $15/week min. • Display Ads - $32/week min.
Mail to: CLASSIFIEDS, P.O. BOX 30758, BILLINGS MT 59107
Phone: 406-259-4589 • Fax: 406-259-6888
E-mail: [email protected]
Web address: www.westernagreporter.com
We reserve the right to refuse any advertising not in keeping with our standards. We assume NO
responsibility for errors in copy received over the telephone. Our responsibility for errors made
in ads submitted in writing is restricted to the FIRST week of publication.
Word Ads — Minimum charge: $15/week for ads of 15 words or less (phone number counts as
two words). For ads with more than 15 words: $15/week (first 15 words) PLUS 80¢ per word per
week (1 or 2 weeks) or 70¢ per word per week (3 or more weeks).
Display Ads — $32 per column inch for 1 or 2 weeks or $30 per column inch for 3 or more weeks.
Contract rates are available upon request.
BRAND ADS MUST BE DISPLAY — One inch minimum and must be
submitted with a copy of State brand papers showing brand;
hand drawn brands will NOT be accepted.
Reverses, art, etc. are used in display ads only. There is a $5/week charge for blind box
ads and a $3/week charge for bold (max. 4 words). Real Estate Wanted, Job Wanted, and
some other ad categories MUST be prepaid.
Monthly statements include charges for ONLY those ads which ran during that month.
Please make checks payable to Western Ag Reporter.
RegulaR DeaDline: 4:00 p.m. ThuRsDay Week BeFORe puBlicaTiOn
eXcepT nOOn, ThuRsDay, may 21 FOR Week OF may 28
Private treaty angus Bull sale
100 Yearling & 25 Two Year Old Angus bulls
Ron Frye
406-600-7514
[email protected]
Greg Strohecker
406-285-3660
[email protected]
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Address: _________________________________________________________________
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Payment: Check____ Discover ____ Visa ____MasterCard____ American Express ____
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__________________________________________________________________________
20
Thursday, May 14, 2015
WESTERN AG REPORTER
SALE REPORTS
9th annual “Real” Ranch Horse Invitational Sale
April 18, 2015
Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch
Billings, MT
The top 5 horses averaged $21,800; top 10 $18,425; top 20 $14,387; and all
horses sold averaged $9,455.
High-selling horse (tie) was Lot 25 “Im A Bama Gangster” a 6 year-old
AQHA sorrel gelding consigned by Toby and Amy Vineyard of Arvada, WY,
and purchased by Gary Funk of Frazer, MT, for $25,000.
Lot 25 “Im A Bama Gangster” consigned by Toby
and Amy Vineyard of Arvada, WY, and purchased
by Gary Funk of Frazer, MT, for $25,000.
Visit us online at:
www.publicauctionyards.com
Lot 45 “Cats Black Coyote” consigned by Roen
Ranch of Musselshell, MT, sold for $25,000 to a
ranch at Dillon, MT.
View and Buy on
www.CattleUSA.com
Public Auction YardS • Billings, MT
SUMMER TIME MARKETING
IS IN FULL SWING AT PAYS
MONDAY • MAY 18
HOGS - SHEEP - GOATS
First Spring
Lamb Special
Hog 9:00 a.m. - Sheep & Goats 9:30 a.m.
We will have a big run of sheep and goats with
many spring lambs on the books.
NEXT HOG-SHEEP-GOAT
SALE ON JUNE 15.
WEDNESDAY • MAY 20
Th e
Weekly Cattle
Sale
LIV
EST
O
TIO
CK VIDEO AUC
N
Early Summer Special
June 22
1000 Cattle Expected
Consignment Deadline - June 5
The cattle market
continues to be in good
shape. Take advantage of
these top prices and
Consign Today!
Summertime Classic
July 20-22
Consignment Deadline - July 3
Early Fall Preview
August 24
UPCOMING SALES
Wednesday, May 27 Memorial Week Special
Cattle Sale
Wednesday, June 3 Weekly Cattle Sale
Wednesday, June 10 Weekly Cattle Sale
Monday, June 15 Hogs, Sheep & Goats featuring “new crop”
lambs
Wednesday, June 17 Weekly Cattle Sale with
a Dry Cow Special
Monday, June 22 Northern Livestock
Video’s “Early
Summertime Special”
Wednesday, June 24 Weekly Cattle Sale
Wednesday, July 8 Weekly Cattle Sale
f Northern Ca
Best o
ttle!
Monday, July 13 Hogs, Sheep & Goats “Big Lamb Special”
Wednesday, July 15 Weekly Cattle Sale with
“PAYS Summertime Dry
Cow Special”
Monday - Wednesday, July 20-22
Northern Livestock
Video’s “Summertime
Classic”
Wednesday, July 22 Weekly Cattle Sale with
“1st Yearling Special of
the Season”
Monday, July 27 Hog, Sheep & Goats “Big
Lamb Special”
Wednesday, July 29 Weekly Cattle Sale
Consignment Deadline - August 7
Fall Premier Special
September 21
Consignment Deadline - September 4
CALL TODAY AND
CONSIGN: 1-800-616-5035
Call Us Toll Free To
Talk About Marketing
Your Livestock:
1-800-821-6447
REPRESENTATIVE SALES
Cattle Sale • Wednesday, May 6
Steers
Tertelgte, Karen ........................ Columbus ................1 ..Blk ................891 .......192.00
Strauch, Wm Or Linda ............... Laurel ......................9 ..Blk ................946 .......183.50
Shirley, Stuart H Or Annie.......... Melstone .................3 ..Blk ................637 .......256.00
Herman, Allen D Or Mary J........ Lodge Grass ...........5 ..Blk ................682 .......251.00
T Bar C Ranch ........................... Big Timber ...............2 ..Blk ................678 .......250.00
Becken, Paul Or Carol ............... Big Timber ...............7 ..Rd/Bk............696 .......235.00
Becken, Paul Or Carol ............... Big Timber ...............4 ..Bk/Bwf ..........628 .......245.00
Chandler, Kevin ......................... Absarokee ...............1 ..Xbred ............616 .......259.00
Heifers
Schleder, Leonard ..................... Shepherd ................1 ..Blk ................806 .......197.00
Cows
Triangle H Land & Lvstk Inc....... Billings.....................2 ..Blk .............1,461 .......108.50
Strobbe,Ruby M Trst- ................ Pompeys Pillar ........1 ..Blk .............1,386 ....... 111.50
Christensen, Richard C ............. Billings.....................1 ..Charx .........1,386 ....... 118.50
Christensen, Richard C ............ Billings.....................1 ..Blk .............1,451 ....... 110.00
Cross O Cross Ranch Llc ......... Billings.....................2 ..Bk/Bwf .......1,221 ....... 111.00
Kraft, Brad & Lori Stibal ............. Billings.....................1 ..Blk .............1,481 ....... 112.00
Smith, Todd C Or Delilah ........... Livingston ................2 ..Red ............1,346 ....... 114.00
Raths Livestock ......................... Roundup .................3 ..Blk .............1,434 ....... 115.50
Wald Ranch Inc ......................... Lodge Grass ...........1 ..Red ............1,166 ....... 116.00
Springwater Colony ................... Harlowton ................1 ..Blk .............1,361 ....... 116.00
Gaugler, Carol J......................... Judith Gap...............1 ..Blk .............1,346 ....... 111.00
Ballard, James D ...................... Lavina .....................2 ..Blk .............1,298 ....... 113.00
Bainter, Sage A Or Cynthia ....... Big Timber ...............2 ..Bk/Bwf .......1,486 ....... 114.50
Swandal, Richard C ................... Wilsall......................4 ..Blk .............1,306 ....... 114.00
Swandal, Richard C .................. Wilsall......................1 ..Blk .............1,396 ....... 118.00
Kern, Rubert Wayne .................. Pryor .......................2 ..Bk/Bwf .......1,411 .......120.00
Kern, Rubert Wayne .................. Pryor .......................7 ..Bk/Bwf .......1,254 ....... 115.00
Kern, Rubert Wayne .................. Pryor .......................2 ..Blk .............1,568 ....... 118.00
Daniel, Arthur D. O .................... Fishtail.....................1 ..Blk .............1,566 ....... 110.00
Schneidt, Mary Jane .................. Molt .........................1 ..Blk .............1,411 ....... 115.00
Horpestad Ranch Inc ................. Lavina .....................3 ..Blk .............1,552 ....... 114.00
Horpestad Ranch Inc ................. Lavina .....................5 ..Blk .............1,339 .......120.00
Stief, Jay .................................... Joliet........................1 ..Blk .............1,546 ....... 111.50
Stief, Jay .................................... Joliet........................1 ..Blk .............1,441 ....... 116.00
George Farms ........................... Cody........................6 ..Hol .............1,736 .......109.00
Goertz, William Or Michael ........ Billings.....................2 ..Blk .............1,251 ....... 116.00
Kehler, Richard L Jr ................... St Xavier .................1 ..Blk .............1,566 ....... 115.50
Camas Creek Cttl & Shp Co ...... White Sulphur .........4 ..Rd/Bk.........1,209 ....... 113.00
King, Marc C. Or Lana R. .......... Big Timber ...............1 ..Blk .............1,341 ....... 116.50
Frank, Marvin S Or Linda K ....... Joliet........................1 ..Blk .............1,406 .......126.00
Miller Cattle Co ......................... Hardin .....................1 ..Blk .............1,351 ....... 114.00
Jones, William ........................... Broadview ...............1 ..Blk .............1,446 ....... 114.00
Heiken, J C & Jeralee ................ Broadview ...............1 ..Blk .............1,421 ....... 110.00
Shirley, Stuart H Or Annie.......... Melstone .................5 ..Blk .............1,301 ....... 113.50
Flanagans Diamond Hngng ....... Absarokee ...............1 ..Blk .............1,291 ....... 113.00
Pearlie Lee & Co ....................... Billings.....................3 ..Blk .............1,317 ....... 116.00
Blaylock, Wayne Or Jess ........... Columbus ................1 ..Blk .............1,446 ....... 119.00
Nelson, Marcus B ...................... Lavina .....................1 ..Blk .............1,401 ....... 114.00
Wientjes, John ........................... Molt .........................1 ..Blk .............1,316 ....... 114.00
Elk Creek Cattle Co ................... Grass Range ...........1 ..Blk .............1,541 ....... 118.00
Montgomery, Kate ..................... Worden ...................1 ..Blk .............1,436 ....... 114.00
Ostrum, Chad R......................... Fishtail.....................1 ..Blk .............1,161 ....... 114.00
Bulls
Seitz, James Or Lavonne .......... Acton .......................1 ..Blk .............1,931 .......142.50
Barragree, Brian ........................ Absarokee ...............1 ..Charx .........2,081 .......150.50
Nordlund, Larry & Shonny ......... Lewistown ...............1 ..Blk .............2,021 .......143.50
Roen, Glen ................................ Worden ...................1 ..Blk .............2,236 .......135.00
Stenberg, Stuart Or Dava J ....... Mcleod ....................1 ..Blk .............2,136 .......141.00
Arnold Green Meadow............... Absarokee ...............3 ..Blk .............1,022 .......165.00
Shortridge, Kathy ....................... Absarokee ...............1 ..Red ............1,871 .......140.50
Bred Cows
Arnold Green Meadow............... Absarokee ...............1 ..Blk .................3-4 ....2,475.00
Heifer Calves
Miller Cattle Co Or Welch Catt Hardin ........................4 ..Bk/Bwf ..........636 .......234.00
Fishtail Basin Ranch .................. Fishtail.....................3 ..Blk ................536 .......250.00
PAT GOGGINS
President
245-6447
BOB COOK
Manager
373-5143 eve.
Cell: 670-0078
BILL COOK
GREG GOGGINS
ALAN CLARK
TY THOMPSON
JAIME OTTUN
Auctioneer, Fldmn
373-6844 eve.
Mobile - 861-5664
Auctioneer/Fieldman
406-200-1880
Auctioneer
406-698-4783
Office Manager
Wheelchair ramp and deck
available at PAYS Cattle Arena
Heifers
Stene, Kristopher Martin ............ Big Timber ...............2 ..Blk ................661 .......225.00
S Hanging H Rch Inc ................ Red Lodge ............10 ..Blk ................890 .......189.00
Heiferettes
Seitz Ranch Limited Partnershi Molt ..........................1 ..Blk ................981 .......172.00
Majerus, Julie E Revocable ...... Roundup .................3 ..Blk .............1,147 .......157.00
Gregorich, Tyson J ................... Big Timber ...............1 ..Bbf .............1,206 .......145.00
Schneidt, Mary Jane .................. Molt .........................1 ..Blk .............1,026 .......165.00
Cumin, Tye Or Rosiland B ......... Big Timber ...............1 ..Blk .............1,036 .......159.00
Randall, Ray Or Marilyn Or Eri Bridger ......................1 ..Blk .............1,026 .......168.50
Spaulding, Dustin Or Bree ......... Belfry .......................2 ..Blk .............1,166 .......151.00
Diamond B Red Angus Llc......... Billings.....................4 ..Red ............1,291 .......160.50
King, Marc C. Or Lana R. .......... Big Timber ...............1 ..Blk .............1,151 .......151.00
Bergin Farm & Ranch Llc .......... Melstone .................1 ..Red ............1,256 .......152.50
Blaylock, Wayne Or Jess ........... Columbus ................1 ..Blk ................931 .......172.00
Keller, J William ......................... Custer .....................1 ..Red ............1,246 .......150.00
C Bar J Ranch Llc...................... Two Dot ...................2 ..Here..............901 .......168.00
Visit us online at:
This year there were also
four unstarted two-yearolds. All four head averaged
$3,815.
The high seller was Lot 63
“Blue Light Jethro” an AQHA
gray gelding consigned by
Ashley QH’s of Forsyth,
MT, and purchased by Nicole
Norwood and Jason Fales for
$5,000.
Next year’s sale dates are
April 15 and 16, 2016. For
more information, call 406670-3400 or go to www.
realranchhorses.com
www.publicauctionyards.com
View and Buy on www.CattleUSA.com
Buyers must be pre-registered
Phone: (406) 245-6447
Call Us Toll Free
1-800-821-6447
Auctioneer,
Fldmn
406-670-0689
Yard Foreman
406-860-0993
Bull Calves
Jones, William ........................... Broadview ...............2 ..Blk ................538 .......235.00
Nine head of “Young Ranch
Horses” (less experienced)
also sold, with the top five
averaging $6,800 and all of
them averaging $5,628.
High selling (tie) young
horse was Lot 18 “Smiths
Blue Hancock” a 5 year-old
AQHA bay roan gelding,
consigned by John Wollenburg of Red Lodge, MT, and
purchased by Ken Overcast of
Havre, MT, for $8,000.
Second high seller (tie)
young horse was Lot 60
“Hookem Up Bartender” a
4 year-old AQHA red roan
gelding consigned by Froelich Ranch of Selfridge,
ND, and purchased by Nicole
Norwood and Jason Fales of
Cody, WY, for $8,000.
P.O. Box 1781 • Billings, MT 59103
Any of these people are ready and willing to visit with you
about your marketing needs.
JUST GIVE US A CALL…
JOE GOGGINS
Steer Calves
Miller Cattle Co Or Welch ......... Hardin .....................3 ..Blk ................539 .......272.00
Wientjes, John ........................... Molt .........................1 ..Blk ................556 .......263.00
Second high seller (tie) was
Lot 45 “Cats Black Coyote”
an 11 year-old AQHA black
gelding consigned by Roen
Ranch of Musselshell, MT.
Sold to a ranch at Dillon, MT,
for $25,000.
Third high seller was Lot
27 “Cellphone” an 11 yearold grade black QH/Draft
gelding consigned by Jason
Ward of Dillon, MT. Sold for
$21,000 and went to southern
Wyoming.
Fourth high seller (tie) was
Lot 51 “Severes Flounder” a
9 year-old AQHA bay gelding
consigned by Lazy J 3 QH’s of
Melstone, MT, and purchased
by Matt Brown of Lodge
Grass, MT, for $19,000.
Fifth high seller (tie) was
Lot 56 “Cheyenne Point” a
6 year-old APHA bay tobiano
gelding consigned by John
Wollenburg of Red Lodge,
MT, and purchased by Joe
Poteat of Livingston, MT,
for $19,000.
Public Auction YardS • Billings, MT
Listen to Market Reports
Monday thru Friday on:
KGHL
KOJM
KIKC
KXLO
KPOW
KMTA
KMON
Billings
Havre
Forsyth
Lewistown
Powell, WY
Miles City
Great Falls
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