Proposed Traceability

Transcription

1 Sage Signals Voice of the Nevada Livestock Industry Volume XXXV, #3 January 12 Published monthly for its membership As I prepared to off my monthly article, I couldn t help thinking that we have all heard so much about the USDA proposed rule on traceability. In spite of the almost constant barrage of information on this issue, I feel it is extremely important to us, especially those of us in an almost exclusive export state such as Nevada. So sit back, enjoy a few more moments in the warmth of the house before stepping outside and allow me to stand on my soapbox for a short spell. A few years back, the industry overwhelmingly rejected the federal government s attempt at a National Animal Identification System (NAIS). Now we are staring down the barrel of a proposed rule that will in effect institute NAIS through the back door. I know that Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has said, We are proposing a flexible approach in which states and tribes can develop systems for tracing animals that work best for them and for producers in their jurisdiction. This approach offers great flexibility at the state and local level and addresses gaps in our disease response efforts. This sounds like a great and simple plan. That should be our first clue something is amiss, Washington cannot adopt a simple plan, I am convinced it is becoming all but impossible. Almost as quickly as it was said it would be left to states and tribes, the agency then told states and tribes how to do it. The proposed rule did not allow for the use Calendar January 18, 2012 Sage-Grouse Stakeholder Update Meeting 2:00 p.m.carson City, NV and video conference to Elko and Las Vegas For more info see page 5. February 17, 2012 NCA Board of Directors Meeting February 18, th Annual NCA Fallon Bull Sale Fallon Livestock Exchange - Fallon, Nevada Proposed Traceability of brands or group lot movement, unless individual agreements where made between each state. The problems with Nevada needing to enter into agreements with dozens of states receiving our cattle should be obvious. As a way of not needing the brand agreements, the USDA said they would issue individual bright tags for the animals. (Sounds a little like NAIS doesn t it?) In an attempt to avoid this proposal, a group of animal health officials and industry leaders from several western brand states, including Nevada, signed a joint letter to the Secretary of Agriculture, asking that group lots of cattle be allowed to move using brands as the identification. The letter requested that this become an official part of the proposed rule. For years, brand programs have been in effect and with quality personnel can provide a means of tracing cattle movements all the way back to the ranch of origin. The economic importance of being able to move large groups of cattle on group lots cannot be underestimated. As I recently stated in an article for Northern Nevada Business Weekly, Ranchers in northern Nevada raise herds with 3,000 or more steers. Putting each steer through a chute to tag it with an alpha-numeric code, and then later recording those codes before cattle are placed on trucks for shipping, places a significant financial burden on Nevada ranchers because almost all the beef raised in the state crosses state lines for fattening before slaughter. I realize that the number of animals that a lot of Nevada ranches deal with is unimaginable to many eastern producers. Those producers don t brand their cattle or have facilities to process their cattle. For these producers, the use of government issued bright tags that can be placed at the sale barn is a good fit. For those of us in Nevada, the thought of running several hundred head of steers through a chute to tag them before they are loaded on trucks, and recording what tags are on what truck is just as unimaginable. While the argument is made that the government is going to issue the two cent tags to producers for their use, so the cost is nominal; they don t realize the cost of processing those cattle. Whether it is the shrink on the cattle, the inevitable broken leg, broken neck, or otherwise injured animal, this proposed unfunded mandate will cost producers in Nevada. Now at the risk of sounding as though I am opposed to any form of identification outside brands, let me say that our operation uses RFID tags in all our steers and we also use RFID brucellosis vaccination tags in our heifers. I also assist many of my clients with similar programs and use several thousand RFID brucellosis tags in client cattle each year. The vast majority of these tags are used as part of an age and source verification program. I definitely see the need for these programs and tags in value added marketing. That is how I feel individual identification should best be handled, through VOLUNTARY and value added programs. In discussions with Dr. Phil Larussa, the Nevada State Veterinarian, he is comfortable that the use of brands in group lots will enable him to meet the requirements of trace back as set forth by the USDA. The majority of reportable disease incidence that occurs in our domestic beef herd occurs in adult animals. It is rare that a group of steers or feeder heifers that will be harvested less than 30 months of age will have a disease problem that needs to be traced back to a ranch of origin. That said, as a large animal veterinarian; let me be the first to say that we have a program in place, which when in full effect, identifies half of the annual cattle produced in Nevada. The brucellosis vaccination program utilizes an alphanumeric code to individually identify vaccinated females. These females are the future mature cows that produce our calves for export. These females are the cattle that are at the most risk of a reportable disease due to the simple fact they live long enough to have a disease manifest itself. Should the current use of our brands and brucellosis vaccination tags be scrapped for a program that requires all cattle, even those low risk steers and feeder heifers to be individually identified? I doubt many of you are in any hurry to process calves after sorting and weighing, or after selling them at a Fallon sale barn and before they can leave the state. NCA will continue to fight to protect the resident cow herd of Nevada and for using brands and group lot movements. Keep your eyes open for the final rule that we expect to see sometime early If you have the opportunity, please call and thank Dr. Phil Larussa for his work on this issue. As I stated before, we are an export state and need to ensure we can export our product with as little stress on the animals (and producers) as possible. Until next month, live each day to the fullest and hope for precipitation! J.J. Goicoechea, DVM

2 2 S age S ignals January 2012 working for you working with you Membership Update We would like to thank the following people for joining or renewing their membership with Nevada Cattlemen s Association between November 24 and December 23, (New members are in bold.) We know the unique challenges faced by the cattle industry. After all, we ve specialized in agricultural financing, services and programs since Strong, stable, secure three more reasons ranchers like you have been trusting American AgCredit for over 90 years. RENO (775) ELKO (775) FALLON (775) ALTURAS (530) YREKA (530) TULELAKE (530) Call today or visit A part of the Farm Credit system. Equal Opportunity Lender. AC Ranch, Thomas Armstrong Bare Ranches, John Estill Ira Brackett Blue Eagle Ranch, Carl Hanks Cockrell 4L Cattle Co., Betty Cockrell Frederick Dressler Buster Dufurrena 4 F Cattle Co., Ted & Debi Fitzpatrick Gibson Ranch, Inc., Bob Gibson Goemmer Ranches, Shawn & Mindy Goemmer Official Publication of the Nevada Cattlemen s Association P.O. Box 310, Elko, NV nca@nevadabeef.org H Bar C Cattle Company, Dick Huntsberger High Desert Angus/Riordan Ranch, James & Allison Riordan Lucas Livestock/Sandhill Feedlot Susan McCartney Maddi s Friesian Ranch LLC, Gregory Walsh Pinenut Livestock Supply, Inc. Progressive Rancher, Leana Stitzel Stonehouse Country Inn W. L. Livestock, William Gibbs, Jr. Maureen Weishaupt J.J. Goicoechea President Ron Torell President-Elect Jon Griggs 1st Vice Pres. Sam Mori 2nd Vice Pres. FALLON Livestock Exchange, Inc. SALE EVERY TUESDAY AT 11:00 A.M. Selling All Classes of Livestock Cattle Horses Goats Pigs Fallon Livestock Exchange, Inc., has the newest and most modern livestock auction in Nevada with ringscales. Our steel pens are clean, with fresh deep well water (no city water!) and we feed fresh alfalfa hay in each pen! Where we sort, size, and class your livestock so buyers will pay the Top of the Market that day! For more marketing information, or to CONSIGN our livestock, call MONTE BRUCK, Manager at (775) Where Fallon Livestock Exchange Works For You The Consignor Each and Every Day! See you and your friends at Ringside every Tuesday!

3 January 2012 S age S ignals 3 Sifting: February 17, 2012 SALE: February 18, month, Range Ready Bulls HEREFORD ANGUS BALANCER LIMOUSIN Sale Starts at 11:30 a.m. Fallon Livestock Exchange, Fallon, Nevada For more information or a sale catalog, call the sale office P.O. Box 310, Elko, NV or to nca@nevadabeef.org

4 4 S age S ignals January 2012 Want to improve your rangeland and help sage-grouse? SIGN UP BY JAN. 13 NRCS pays eligible producers up to 75 percent of the cost to install practices that improve rangeland and sage-grouse habitat -- and help your bottom line. Beginning, limited resource, and socially disadvantaged producers may receive a higher rate. Find out how you can qualify. Contact your local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service office or click online to Interested in... High Tunnels Energy Conservation Organic Farming SIGN UP BY FEB. 3 NRCS pays eligible producers up to 75 percent of the cost to install these practices. Beginning, limited resource, and socially disadvantaged producers may receive a higher rate. Find out how you can qualify. Contact your local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service office or click online to CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM It s time to be rewarded for your conservation efforts! SIGN UP BY JAN. 13 Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) participants receive an annual land use payment for operation-level environmental benefits they produce. Under CSP, participants are paid for conservation performance: the higher the operational performance, the higher the payment. CSP is a voluntary conservation program that encourages producers to address resource concerns in a comprehensive manner by: Undertaking additional conservation activities; and Improving, maintaining, and managing existing conservation activities. Find out if you qualify. Contact your local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service office or click online to

5 January 2012 S age S ignals 5 Livestock Groups Hail Passage of Omnibus Spending Package PLC, NCBA Urge President to Sign Bill Including Critical Grazing, Environmental Provisions Funding Available for USDA Sage-Grouse Conservation Initiative RENO, Dec The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is offering financial incentives to farmers and ranchers willing to protect sage-grouse habitat. Bruce Petersen, Nevada State Conservationist, said applications must be submitted by Jan. 13 for the first ranking period. The Sage-Grouse Initiative helps ranchers and farmers be proactive in keeping the bird from being listed under the Endangered Species Act and reducing the potential for future regulations to protect the species, said Petersen. The Sage grouse Initiative helps producers install conservation practices that enhance sage grouse habitat such as brush management, range seeding, water developments, prescribed grazing and fencing. Payments are based on 75 percent of the estimated cost of establishing the practices. Beginning, limited resource and socially disadvantaged producers may be eligible for up to 90 percent of the estimated costs. Funding is being offered through the 2008 Farm Bill s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP). Private and public lands can be enrolled under EQIP, with a $300,000 payment limit for the program through the period of the 2008 Farm Bill. WHIP allows for installation of practices on private and tribal lands and has a $50,000 annual payment limit. Applicants must meet all USDA program eligibility criteria to participate in Farm Bill conservation programs. Producers may apply at any time for SGI funding but applications must be received by Jan. 13 to be considered in the first ranking period for fiscal year 2012 funding. Depending on the availability of funds, additional applications will be ranked on March 30 and June 1. For complete details or to apply for funding, contact your local NRCS office or go online to WASHINGTON (Dec. 19, 2011) A $915 billion omnibus spending bill to fund the federal government through September 2012 passed Congress over the weekend and is headed to President Barack Obama s desk. Dustin Van Liew, Public Lands Council (PLC) executive director and National Cattlemen s Beef Association (NCBA) director of federal lands, commended lawmakers for including critical policy provisions related to livestock grazing as well as greenhouse gas reporting requirements in the spending bill. He said PLC and NCBA encourage President Obama to waste no time in signing the bill into law. Specifically, Van Liew pointed to a two-year extension of a provision to allow federal lands grazing permit renewals, despite a backlog of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews, and a provision to allow grazing permits to be transferred without undergoing a NEPA analysis as long as the permit remains under current terms and conditions. This commonsense grazing provision will continue to provide livestock producers relief from the uncertainty and instability of the federal lands grazing permit renewal process, Van Liew said. Livestock producers face a constant threat of environmental activists filing lawsuits to end grazing on federal lands. We commend Congress for taking a critical step to providing stability to the federal grazing permit process while also ensuring federal lands ranchers are able to continue producing safe, wholesome beef and lamb. In addition to the grazing language, Van Liew said language was included to exempt the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from environmental law, litigation and regulation until the agency is able to complete environmental reviews of livestock trailing and crossing permits, the issuance of which is crucial to many ranchers on federal lands. He said the omnibus will also prohibit the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) from using funds to reduce domestic sheep grazing due to management for bighorn sheep unless the management is consistent with a state wildlife plan, which Van Liew said is a tremendous victory for the sheep industry and the rural west. Ashley Lyon, NCBA deputy environmental counsel, said overzealous regulators at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) who do not understand production agriculture have attempted to advance regulations that would harm America s farmers and ranchers. She said the omnibus spending bill will prohibit EPA from requiring livestock operations to obtain permits for emissions of greenhouse gases. She said the bill also will prohibit EPA from requiring reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from manure management systems. Finally, Van Liew hailed Congress for including report language requiring EPA, USFS and BLM to report fees paid by the agencies through the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA). Initial studies have shown that millions of taxpayer dollars are being paid annually to wealthy special interest litigants. This is the first step to bringing accountability and transparency to EAJA, Van Liew said. We encourage President Obama to sign the omnibus immediately. Sage-Grouse Stakeholder Meeting Save-the-Date When: January 18, :00pm Where: Carson City, NV and video conference to Elko and Las Vegas Carson City, Nevada Legislative Building, 401 South Carson Street, CC1214 Las Vegas, Grant Sawyer Building, 555 East Washington Avenue, Room 4412E Elko, Great Basin College, 1500 College Parkway, High Tech Center, Room 121 Re: Stakeholder Update: Bi-state and Greater Sage-grouse Plans, Actions & Opportunities for Engagement The Nevada Department of Wildlife will jointly host a stakeholder update and engagement session on issues related to the potential full listing of sage-grouse on January 18th at 2pm. The meeting will be held in Carson City and linked via video conference to Elko and Las Vegas. Detailed agenda to follow. The meeting will provide an overview of the coordinated efforts to conserve and avoid listing the Bi-state and Greater sage-grouse under the Federal Endangered Species Act. Stakeholders will also be informed of opportunities to engage and provide input to the sage-grouse management plans and conservation efforts. Representatives from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Nevada Department of Wildlife will present updates and program overviews; representatives from the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Nevada Department of Agriculture, and Nevada State Office of Energy will also be in attendance to field questions. The public and all stakeholders are welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information, contact NDOW Conservation Education Chief Teresa Moiola ( or tmoiola@ndow. org). NEVADA INDUSTRY NEWS

6 6 S age S ignals January 2012 Upcoming Video Sale THURSDAY, JANUARY 26 TH Tehama County Fairgrounds, Red Bluff, CA in conjunction with the Red Bluff Bull & Gelding Replacement Female Sale WATCH & LISTEN TO THE SALE on the Web at:

7 January 2012 S age S ignals 7 USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Announces Sign-Up Period for Conservation Stewardship Program WASHINGTON, December 15, 2011 USDA s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) today announced that the ranking period cut-off date for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is January 13, Producers interested in CSP should submit applications to their local NRCS office by the deadline so that their applications can be considered during the first ranking period of CSP is one of our most popular conservation programs, and we expect to receive many applications, NRCS Chief Dave White said. I encourage all farmers and ranchers who are interested in applying to contact their local NRCS office as soon as possible so they can meet the deadline. CSP is offered in all 50 states, and the Pacific and Caribbean areas through continuous sign-ups. The program provides many conservation benefits including improvement of water and soil quality, wildlife habit enhancements and adoption of conservation activities that address the effects of climate change. Eligible lands include cropland, pastureland, rangeland, nonindustrial private forest land and agricultural land under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe. A CSP self-screening checklist is available to help potential applicants determine if CSP is suitable for their operation. The checklist highlights basic information about CSP eligibility requirements, contract obligations and potential payments. It is available from local NRCS offices and on the CSP Web page, portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/csp. As part of the CSP application process, applicants will work with NRCS field personnel to complete the resource inventory using a Conservation Measurement Tool (CMT). The CMT determines the conservation performance for existing and new conservation activities. The applicant s conservation performance will be used to determine eligibility, ranking and payments. In 2010 alone, nearly 21,000 applicants enrolled in CSP, putting additional conservation on 25.2 million acres, about the size of the state of Kentucky, to improve water and soil quality, enhance wildlife habitat and address the effects of climate change. Visit the NRCS National Web site, and connect with an NRCS office near you, main/national/contact/states. JASON B. LAND Financial Advisor - AAMS 2213 North Fifth Street, Suite A Elko, NV or Fax L.F. SONNY DAVIDSON Financial Advisor - AAMS OFFICE: JACK PAYNE Cell: Alt: JOSH MACKENZIE Cell: nevadalm@yahoo.com Full-Service Cattle Sales & Marketing serving the Fallon, Nevada and Outlying Areas. REGULAR SALE Every Wednesday Small Barn at 10:30 AM Cows at 11:30 AM Feeder Cattle at 1:00 PM We have four cattle trains available for your cattle hauling needs. We can haul approx. 80,000# of cattle per load either to our sale or in the country. Give us a call for pricing. SALES Feeder Sale in conjunction with our Regular Wednesday sale January 18 th & 19 țh 2012 in conjunction with the Nevada Cattlemen s Assoc. February 15 th & 16 țh 2012 Butcher cows on Wednesday Feeder cattle on Thursday Starting at 11 AM Look for Weekly Market Reports at CAFÉ Open on Sale Days Stop by and have a Homestyle Burger THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR CONSIGNORS & BUYERS We really appreciate the opportunity to market your cattle.

8 8 S age S ignals January 2012 SOUTHWEST FEED EFFICIENCY BULL SALE April 14, 2012 YERINGTON, NEVADA Snyder Sale Facility BULLS SELL 100 Black & Red Angus Bulls 250 Balancer Bulls - LARGEST OFFERING IN THE WEST 50 Gelbvieh Bulls 40 Southern Balancers - HEAT TOLERANT HYBRIDS RANCH, INC. Bob and Judy Prosser P.O. Box 190 Winslow, AZ info@bartbar.com John Burbank, CEO Cell: This is the single largest offering in the west 5 Coming two-year old bulls consigned to the Fallon Bull Sale Buy with confidence for Fall Delivery. Bar LR Angus Diamond K Angus D Hanis-Aelvoet Angus McAllen Ranches Quarter Circle H Angus Redland Red Angus & Gelbvieh Sandy Knoll Gelbvieh South Texas Gelbvieh

9 January 2012 S age S ignals 9 Federal Agencies Announce Initial Step to Incorporate Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Measures into Land Management Plans The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) today announced the initial steps in a formal planning process to evaluate greater sage-grouse conservation measures in land use plans in 10 Western states. The two public land management agencies are opening a 60-day public comment period on issues that should be addressed in Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) and Supplemental Environmental Impact Statements (SEISs) that will be published in the Federal Register on December 9. Based on ongoing threats to the greater sage-grouse and its habitat throughout the West, as well as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service s 2015 deadline for making a decision whether to list the species under the Endangered Species Act, the BLM and the USFS aim to incorporate consistent objectives and conservation measures into relevant Resource Management Plans by September As a result, the accompanying environmental reviews will be conducted under expedited timeframes. For more information go to newsroom/2011/december/nr_12_08_2011.html INDUSTRY NEWS CraCk up your friends and family at the 28th NatioNal Cowboy poetry GatheriNG January 30- February 4, 2012 Get your tickets now at: or at the Western Folklife Center, 501 Railroad Street in downtown Elko For a full schedule of events visit Charlie Ekburg

10 10 S age S ignals January rd Annual Bull Sale ~ Horse Sale & More February 29 - March 4, Ranch, Rope & Performance Horse Sale Featuring 1999 World Champion Auctioneer Rick Machado - Stock Horse Challenge -Winnemucca Invitational Bull Sale - Cow Dog Trials - Western Trade Show - Kids Dummy Roping & Stick Horse Barrels Winnemucca Events Complex Winnemucca, Nevada Winnemucca Ranch Hand Rodeo Weekend February 29 - March 4, 2012 Come to the Winnemucca Events Complex to experience Nevada s largest & most exciting Ranch Hand Rodeo! Over 30 top teams compete for bragging rights & prizes in saddle bronc riding, mugging, calf roping, ranch doctoring, team roping & team branding. Top this off with a Premier Horse Sale showcasing the best Ranch, Rope & Performance Horses in the West! Not to mention, the Winnemucca Bull Sale. Plus there are several other events; including, a stock horse challenge, dog trials and a Western Trade Show! Don t miss the Fun! Photography Courtesy WT Bruce For More Information ~ Tentative Schedule of Events Wednesday, February 29, :30 a.m. Cow Dog Trial - Brace 1:00 p.m. Cow Dog Trial - Ranch Class Thursday, March 1, :00 a.m. Cow Dog Trial - Open Pro Noon Trade Show Opens 5:00 p.m. Cow Dog Trial Finals 5:00 p.m. Rodeo Bar Opens 7:00 p.m. Cow Dog Sale Friday, March 2, :00 a.m. Sifting of Sale Horses 10:00 a.m. Sifting of Sale Bulls 9:00 a.m. Trade Show Opens Noon Stock Horse Challenge 6:00 p.m. Preview of Sale Horses Saturday, March 3, :00 a.m. Trade Show Opens 10:00 a.m. Calcutta - Ranch Hand Rodeo 11:00 a.m. Ranch Hand Rodeo Performance 3:00 p.m. Kids Pee Wee Events 6:00 p.m. Ranch, Rope & Performance Horse Sale Sunday, March 4, :00 a.m. Cowboy Church 8:30 a.m. Bull Sale- Lower Arena 9:00 a.m. Trade Show Opens 10:30 a.m. Ranch Hand Rodeo Performance

11 January 2012 S age S ignals 11 LEADING THE WAY Schafer Rebel of L Overall Growth & Champion Angus bull of the st Century Sale. Full brother Schafer Rebel of L sells. Two High Performance Bulls Sell: 46th Annual Fallon All Breeds Bull Sale February 18th, 2012 Fallon Livestock Exchange Fallon, Nevada Sponsored by Nevada Cattlemen s Association SAV PIONEER 7301 (# ) Bulls raised in the rugged hills of the Sutter Buttes of the Sacramento Valley Sturdy and strong Finished at Snyder Livestock RJR Focused Pioneer, Tattoo: 1025, 9/19/10 out of VAR Lucy 8047 by Mytty In Focus RJR Foresight Pioneer, Tattoo: 1019, 9/19/10 out of Thunder Hill Kindness by Woodhill Foresight RJR Aviator Pioneer, Tattoo: 1021, 9/18/10 out of BAAR USA Rita by GAR Predestined and GAR Precision 2030 dam For additional information: Rick and Jerrie Libby P.O. Box 128, Live Oak, CA ~ rlibby@syix.com Schafer Rebel of L Reg # BD 10/01/2010 Tehama Rebel S457 x Rito 6I6 of 4B BW +3.7 WW +57 YW +97 Milk +26 MB +.01 RE +.20 $B He Sells! Tehama Echol L231 Dam of Schafer Rebel of L Schafer Rebel of T Reg # BD 09/22/2010 Tehama Rebel S457 x G A R Yield Grade BW +2.6 WW +55 YW +104 Milk +23 MB +.29 RE +.52 $B They will add pounds at weaning. Igenity Profile improves reliability and accuracy. Greg & Louise Schafer (530) (Home) (209) (Cell) 6986 County Rd 6 Orland, CA bigschaf@sbcglobal.net He Sells!

12 12 S age S ignals January 2012 News from the Nevada Beef Council Checking-In On Your Beef Checkoff Your National Beef Checkoff Program: 25 Years and Counting Industry Information is sometimes the best news you never heard It s often referred to as the cow that stole Christmas. Frankly, it could easily have been the cow that stole the U.S. beef industry altogether. While there s no denying that this cow did its share of damage, and there were casualties along the way, it didn t take the industry down. Why not? Well, few would argue with the claim that it s thanks to your Beef Checkoff Program that the industry averted across-the-board destruction of cattle producers livelihoods. It was December 23, 2003, when discovery of a single dairy cow with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Washington state put holiday celebrations for much of agriculture on hold and fixated global attention on the U.S. beef and dairy industries and the issue of beef safety. Yes, most producers knew that BSE was not a human-health issue, but the majority of the population in this country jumped on the immediate call of Danger, Danger! set off by consumer media who knew nothing of the cattle disease and had quickly assumed it was a threat to everyone who as much as laid their eyes on beef in the supermarket meat case. Add to the mix a rather ecstatic anti-meat faction, part of which took the case as an opportunity to further its cause, and the beef industry had itself a frenzied mess. In the spirit of the season, though, it was something of a miracle that followed. Immediately, an informational, myth-busting, science-based website lit up to help answer consumers as well as USDA s and the food industry s frenzied questions about whether they should stop eating beef and, literally, if they were going to die from beef they had already eaten. And that website was just one of many resources that your Beef Checkoff Program kicked into action and updated around the clock throughout the holiday season and beyond. That s because you ve invested your checkoff dollars in things like what is internally called issues management, something of a behind-the-scenes emergency response team to safeguard your industry, to protect your bottom line. For the most part, issues management represents the best news you ve never heard putting out misinformation sparks before they become full-fledged conflagrations. So while you don t read as much front-page news about the daily contact that this crisis-aversion team makes with consumers, researchers, health professionals, food manufacturers and processors, beef importers and exporters, and the anti-beef camp, the beef and dairy industries certainly got a firsthand look at the results in December of 2003 and the months that followed. For it was long before that day that your Beef Checkoff Program did its forward what-if crisis planning when it came to BSE. In fact, you can look back to the neurological cattle disorder s epizootic in the United Kingdom a decade earlier as a catalyst for checkoff attention to the matter in the U.S. The beef industry in this country was determined that if and when BSE were to be found here at any point, we would be ready and, thus, avoid the precipitous devastation that England had experienced. Many importers and U.S. cattlemen quickly became more thankful than ever for those dollar-per-head checkoff assessments they d been paying for some 17 years at that point. Your checkoff invested in its future, and the research, planning and organization of facts about BSE was already up-to-date and in place on the front line. At the base, your checkoff had a dark website replete with data and information to help guide the discussion and educate the masses. So when the conflagration ignited in Washington State on that memorable night, the crisis plan was put into action: The website immediately went live, the state/national coordination that had been practiced in case many times in recent years, along with widespread sharing of important BSE facts and activation of checkoff and third-party researchers and other experts to speak to consumers and government leaders globally about the continued safety of U.S. beef in the wake of BSE. Did these efforts pay off? Despite universal awareness of BSE after the U.S. case, consumer confidence that U.S. beef was safe from BSE stood at 89 percent upon the announcement of the case in Washington State, and within just a couple of weeks had reached a then-high level of 90 percent, which grew to 91 percent by Feb. 12, 2004 and remains strong to this day. Those are some impressive facts to hang your checkoff hat on! NEVADA BEEF COUNCIL P.O. Box Sacramento, CA BEEF (2333) askus@nevadabeef.org

13 January 2012 S age S ignals 13 The Liquid Feed Your Cattle Need With high hay and corn prices, your cattle need the power of CowBos liquid feeds. High levels of Protein, Energy, Vitamins and Chelated Trace Minerals make CowBos an economical means of supplementation. RECOVERY REDUCES SODIUM IN SOIL! Field 1: Field 2: Field 3: NEVADA RESULTS June 2009 April 2011 Difference 1,208 lbs sodium 1,452 lbs sodium 2,884 lbs sodium 472 lbs sodium 758 lbs sodium 1,106 lbs sodium 61% lower! 52% lower! 62% lower! Field 4: 814 lbs sodium 338 lbs sodium 59% lower! Give your cattle what they NEED: call: CowBos or visit: CowBos.com Recovery soil treatment used at ½ gallon per acre for 2 years in a row at a cost of $34.00/acre each treatment. Injected through pivots. Integrated Biological Systems Incorporated P.O. Box 554, Nampa, Idaho Website: intbiosysinc.com Cell phone: Marvin Miller (208) years in business RANCH FARM HOME SUPPLY We ve Got It 3325 Reno Highway Fallon, NV W. Railroad Street Winnemucca, NV Hwy 20 Burns, OR OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK... and then some! Visit Us On The Web

14 14 S age S ignals January 2012 MARKET REPORTS Nevada Livestock Marketing December 14 & 15, 2011 Regular Butcher Cow and Feeder Sale Seller #Head Type Weight Price CWT Bruce Ranch LLC 4 Bred Cow 1291 $880.00/hd Robert & Karla McKay 10 Bred Cow 1226 $795.00/hd Jerry Harper 16 STR 430 $ R Hanging Five 3 STR 488 $ Robert & Karla McKay 5 STR 501 $ David Piquet 15 STR 480 $ Scossa Ranch LLC 5 STR 400 $ Williams Charlois Ranch 4 STR 388 $ Thomas/Darlene/Anthony/ Mark Moura 4 STR 451 $ Ken & Beverly Conley 9 STR 528 $ Jake Casey 3 STR 440 $ Mary Risi 2 STR 330 $ Diamond Cattle Co. LLC 7 STR 331 $ Jerry Millett 1 STR 420 $ Matt Hoekenga 2 STR 460 $ Jake & Lydia Dempsey 2 STR 470 $ Alan & Lillian Mendez 13 STR 480 $ Donald & Norman Cliff 1 STR 420 $ Gene Heckman 14 STR 631 $ Woodrow & Linda Cunrod 4 STR 666 $ Susan & David Kern 2 STR 455 $ Keystone Ranch 23 STR 847 $ White Mountain Ranch 5 STR 627 $ Hunewill Land & Livestock 3 STR 717 $ Deanna Porter 2 STR 490 $ Kenny & Tammy Lee 2 STR 490 $ Ronald Berg 1 STR 675 $ Watering the West Office: (775) Fax: (775) E. Idaho St. P.O. Box 70 Elko, NV Nevada Livestock Marketing December 14 & 15, 2011 Regular Butcher Cow and Feeder Sale Seller #Head Type Weight Price CWT T Quartercircle Ranches Inc 4 STR 833 $ Harry Brown 2 STR 793 $ Roy & Dorothy Heise Trust 19 STR 497 $ Bently Agrodynamics 8 STR 753 $ Bill Card 1 STR 575 $ Zachary & Bobi Wakley 3 STR 402 $ Kenneth Buckingham 5 STR 739 $ The Moorman Ranch LLC 1 STR 545 $ Peter & Kathi Marvel 1 STR 785 $ Alex & Rita Clark 5 STR 738 $ David & Corine Buckingham 7 STR 644 $ Windy R Ranch 1 STR 385 $ Arlemont Ranch Co 5 STR 665 $ Tommy Lee Livestock 3 STR 640 $ Steve Biddinger 4 STR 731 $ Robert & Fred Buckingham 11 STR 916 $ Scossa Ranch LLC 7 HFR 399 $ Peter & Kathi Marvel 14 HFR 426 $ Diamond Cattle Co. LLC 8 HFR 418 $ Susan & David Kern 3 HFR 390 $ Harry Brown 3 HFR 493 $ Keystone Ranch 13 HFR 540 $ Matt Hoekenga 4 HFR 485 $ Mary Risi 1 HFR 415 $ Robert F Thomas Family Trust 8 HFR 553 $ Marge Shepard 2 HFR 575 $ Thomas/Darlene/Anthony/ Mark Moura 3 HFR 563 $ Hunewill Land & Livestock 2 HFR 605 $ Williams Charlois Ranch 1 HFR 375 $ Jerry Millett 11 HFR 650 $ Roy & Dorothy Heise Trust 6 HFR 344 $ White Mountain Ranch 8 HFR 529 $ Kenny & Tammy Lee 8 HFR 548 $ Arlemont Ranch Co 1 HFR 490 $ T Quartercircle Ranches Inc 7 HFR 618 $ Windy R Ranch 1 HFR 405 $ Robert & Karla McKay 3 HFR 790 $ Carolyn & Stacy Drayton 3 HFR 365 $ Justin Sorensen 1 HFR 500 $ Ken & Beverly Conley 3 HFRTT 970 $96.00 Ken & Beverly Conley 1 COW 1135 $65.00 Scossa Ranch LLC 2 HFRTT 940 $90.00 Scossa Ranch LLC 1 COW 1390 $62.50 Uhalde Livestock 2 HFRTT 970 $86.50 G W Gillemot 1 HFRTT 1140 $85.00 G W Gillemot 1 COW 1625 $64.75 G W Gillemot 1 COW 1440 $63.00 Donald & Norman Cliff 1 HFRTT 1230 $76.00 Donald & Norman Cliff 1 COW 1830 $70.00 Mackenzie Ranch 33 HFRTT 1008 $75.00 Mackenzie Ranch 9 HFRTT 1066 $72.50 Robert & Karla McKay 1 COW 1010 $74.00 Bruce Ranch LLC 1 COW 935 $73.00 Bruce Ranch LLC 1 COW 895 $71.00 Michael & Marian Gottshalk 1 HFRTT 965 $73.00 Michael & Marian Gottshalk 1 COW 1140 $67.00 Michael & Marian Gottshalk 1 COW 1260 $63.00 Truckee River Ranch LLC 1 COW 1535 $72.00 Truckee River Ranch LLC 1 COW 1440 $70.25 Carolyn & Stacy Drayton 1 HFRTT 850 $71.00 Carolyn & Stacy Drayton 1 COW 1010 $56.50

15 January 2012 S age S ignals 15 Nevada Livestock Marketing December 14 & 15, 2011 Regular Butcher Cow and Feeder Sale Seller #Head Type Weight Price CWT Fredric & Betty Stodieck 1 COW 1710 $69.25 Fredric & Betty Stodieck 1 COW 1720 $68.00 Fredric & Betty Stodieck 1 COW 1585 $61.50 Gallagher Land & Livestock 1 COW 1575 $68.00 Gallagher Land & Livestock 1 COW 1420 $65.00 Robert & Fred Buckingham 1 COW 1510 $68.00 Robert & Fred Buckingham 1 HFRTT 1010 $65.00 Harold Rother Farms Inc 1 COW 1295 $67.50 Harold Rother Farms Inc 1 COW 1480 $62.00 Anthony/Lisa/Thomas Moura 1 COW 1325 $65.00 Anthony/Lisa/Thomas Moura 1 COW 1130 $58.00 Anthony/Lisa/Thomas Moura 1 COW 1240 $57.75 Danny Berg 1 COW 1295 $65.00 Danny Berg 1 COW 955 $57.00 Danny Berg 1 COW 1015 $55.00 David & Corine Buckingham 1 HFRTT 1240 $65.00 David & Corine Buckingham 1 COW 1075 $54.00 G Lazy B Partnership 1 COW 1475 $64.50 G Lazy B Partnership 1 COW 1375 $63.25 G Lazy B Partnership 1 COW 1745 $61.25 Keystone Ranch 1 COW 1435 $64.00 John Uhalde & Co. 1 COW 1225 $63.00 White Mountain Ranch 1 COW 1450 $63.00 John Wright 1 COW 1240 $62.50 John Wright 1 COW 920 $61.50 John Wright 1 COW 965 $60.75 Alan Ansotegui 1 COW 1795 $62.00 Alan Ansotegui 1 COW 1345 $58.25 Tom Madole 1 HFRTT 900 $62.00 Eureka Livestock LLC 1 COW 1015 $61.75 Eureka Livestock LLC 1 COW 1130 $61.25 Eureka Livestock LLC 1 COW 1130 $59.75 Gary Kleensen 1 COW 750 $60.00 Woodrow & Linda Cunrod 1 COW 1795 $60.00 Lucas & Kelly Williams 1 COW 1370 $59.00 Lucas & Kelly Williams 1 COW 1015 $58.00 Lucas & Kelly Williams 1 COW 1080 $57.25 Robert F Thomas Family Trust 1 COW 1440 $59.00 Richard Hucke 1 COW 1225 $58.00 Richard Hucke 1 COW 1240 $55.25 Williams Charlois Ranch 1 COW 1540 $58.00 Beth & James Thompson 1 COW 955 $56.50 Beth & James Thompson 1 COW 1190 $55.50 Beth & James Thompson 1 COW 1285 $55.00 T Quartercircle Ranches Inc 1 COW 1295 $54.50 Garett Williams 1 COW 1525 $54.00 Bruce Bruns 1 COW 1085 $53.00 Bruce Bruns 1 COW 1165 $52.00 M S Livestock 1 COW 1250 $52.00 Jeff Whitaker 1 COW 1705 $65.25 Jeff Whitaker 1 COW 1890 $64.25 Jeff Whitaker 1 COW 1720 $60.50 Hillside Dairy 1 HFRTT 935 $65.00 Hillside Dairy 1 COW 1750 $64.25 Hillside Dairy 1 COW 1145 $60.00 Desert Hills Dairy 1 COW 1835 $63.25 Desert Hills Dairy 1 COW 1560 $62.25 Desert Hills Dairy 1 COW 1610 $61.25 Brian Sorensen 1 COW 1655 $62.25 Brian Sorensen 1 COW 1545 $61.50 Nevada Livestock Marketing December 14 & 15, 2011 Regular Butcher Cow and Feeder Sale Seller #Head Type Weight Price CWT Brian Sorensen 1 COW 1285 $61.00 Oasis Dairy LLC 1 COW 1415 $62.00 Oasis Dairy LLC 1 HFRTT 1330 $60.25 Oasis Dairy LLC 1 COW 1215 $60.00 Lori Johnson 1 COW 1375 $60.00 Margaret Jernigan 1 HFRTT 1010 $60.00 Margaret Jernigan 1 COW 1045 $55.75 Mateo Muniz 1 COW 1690 $59.00 Sandhill Dairy 1 COW 1695 $56.00 Sandhill Dairy 1 COW 1580 $55.50 The Moorman Ranch LLC 1 BULL 1960 $79.75 White Mountain Ranch 1 BULL 1540 $79.00 Gallagher Land & Livestock 1 BULL 1315 $75.00 Wayne Hage 1 BULL 1620 $74.50 T Quartercircle Ranches Inc 1 BULL 1785 $73.50 Peter & Kathi Marvel 1 BULL 1845 $71.50 Bently Agrodynamics 1 BULL 2070 $70.00 Michael & Claudia Casey 1 BULL 1755 $68.50 Michael & Claudia Casey 1 BULL 1770 $64.00 Bruce Bruns 1 BULL 1630 $64.50 Diamond Cattle Co. LLC 1 BULL 1505 $64.00 Cave Valley Horse & Cattle 1 BULL 1685 $63.50 Cave Valley Horse & Cattle 1 BULL 1660 $63.00 Thomas/Darlene/Anthony/ Mark Moura 1 BULL 1500 $63.50 Harold Rother Farms Inc 1 BULL 1645 $62.75 Alex & Rita Clark 1 BULL 1265 $61.00 Mackenzie Ranch 1 BULL 1810 $61.00 John Uhalde & Co. 1 BULL 1525 $60.00 Fallon Livestock Exchange, Inc. (775) December 6, 10, & 13, 2011 Sale Every Tuesday 11:00 am Weight/Type Steer/Bull Price Heifer/Cow Price & Over Breaker Cows - Fat Boner Cows - Medium Cutter Cows - Lean Feeder Cows Butcher Bulls Cutting Bulls Superior Livestock Auction Region 1-ID, OR, CA, NV December 16, 2011 Website- Cattle Type Weight Range Price Steers Heifers MARKET REPORTS

16 16 S age S ignals January 2012 MARKET REPORTS Western Video Market Price Report December 6, 2011 CONSIGNOR HEAD COUNT WT PRICE CRAIG & JEAN SPRATLING 376 Weaned Steers 515 $ CRAIG & JEAN SPRATLING 114 Weaned Heifers 425 $ CRAIG & JEAN SPRATLING 100 Weaned Steers 460 $ PETE & KATHI MARVEL 95 Weaned Heifers 530 $ TS RANCH 100 Weaned Steers 485 $ TS RANCH 174 Weaned Steers 575 $ TS RANCH 265 Weaned Heifers 510 $ ESPIL SHEEP CO 95 Weaned Steers 510 $ ESPIL SHEEP CO 80 Weaned Steers 625 $ LEE LIVESTOCK 250 Weaned Steers 570 $ LEE LIVESTOCK 200 Weaned Heifers 540 $ LEROY & SANDY SESTANOVIC 100 Weaned Heifers 500 $ J BAR M RANCHING, INC. 100 Weaned Heifers 500 $ NEFF LIVESTOCK 85 Weaned Heifers 550 $ RANCH 80 Weaned Heifers 540 $ J RANCHES 110 Weaned Steers 480 $ J RANCHES 108 Weaned Heifers 445 $ J RANCHES 50/35 Weaned Steers/W 585/565 $ $ BAR X RANCH 80 Weaned Steers 640 $ BAR X RANCH 80 Weaned Heifers 640 $ DAVE & TOM CASSINELLI 150 Weaned Steers 670 $ PETE & KATHI MARVEL 70 Weaned Steers 650 $ MORMAN RANCH LLC. 80 Weaned Steers 625 $ LARRY & YNEZ KYTE 67 Weaned Steers 720 $ LARRY & YNEZ KYTE 68 Weaned Heifers 710 $ SUNRISE RANCH LLC. 80 Weaned Heifers 640 $ SUNRISE RANCH LLC. 80 Weaned Heifers 630 $ FRED BAILEY 90 Weaned Heifers 585 $ FRED BAILEY 62 Weaned Steers 725 $ STAR CREEK RANCH 84 Weaned Steers 750 $ STAR CREEK SLA RANCH 81 Weaned Heifers 625 $ BENTLY AGROWDYNAMICS 69 Steers 750 $ R.N. FULSTONE CO. 130 Weaned Steers 790 $ TS RANCH 1181 Weaned Steers 650 $ TS RANCH 369 Weaned Steers 670 $ TS RANCH 139 Weaned Steers 690 $ TS RANCH 190 Weaned Steers 750 $ TS RANCH 248 Weaned Heifers 600 $ TS RANCH 942 Weaned Heifers 610 $ TS RANCH 146 Weaned Heifers 30 $ TS RANCH 40/50 Weaned Steers/W 600/575 $ $ LEE LIVESTOCK 140 Weaned Steers $ DAVE & TOM CASSINELLI 70 Weaned Steers 720 $ FLYING A RANCH 70 Weaned Steers 680 $ FLYING A RANCH 60 Weaned Steers 840 $ Raising Registered Herefords since 1979 with the commercial herd in mind. TOP PERFORMANCE BULLS AT CATTLEMEN S PRICES! Austin and Fallon (775) lee@hutchensherefords.com Western Video Market Price Report December 6, 2011 CONSIGNOR HEAD COUNT WT PRICE WILLOW STAY RANCH 64 Weaned Steers 755 $ WILLOW STAY RANCH 72 Weaned Steers 820 $ WILLOW STAY RANCH 52 Weaned Steers 925 $ WILLOW STAY RANCH 68 Weaned Heifers 715 $ WILLOW STAY RANCH 62 Weaned Heifers 775 $ WILLOW STAY RANCH 62 Weaned Heifers 775 $ WILLOW STAY RANCH 30/45 Weaned Steers/W 670/640 $ $ RODEO CREEK RANCH 76 Weaned Heifers 640 $ QUARTER CIRCLE CROSS CA 75 Heifers 650 $ PARK RANCH LLC 60 Weaned Steers 800 $ PARK RANCH LLC 70 Weaned Heifers 670 $ GANSBERG RANCH 66 Steers 750 $ BORSINI RANCH 60 Steers 850 $ BORSINI RANCH 60 Heifers 820 $ SCIARANI RANCH 62 Steers 850 $ SCIARANI RANCH 68 Heifers 750 $ SUNRISE RANCH LLC. 60 Steers 830 $ SUNRISE RANCH LLC. 60 Steers 850 $ G LAZY B RANCH / BALDO & D 60 Steers 885 $ BAR X RANCH 60 Steers 860 $ BELL RANCH 55 Steers 860 $ KINGS RIVER RANCH 70 Steers 875 $ KINGS RIVER RANCH 66 Heifers 800 $ KINGS RIVER RANCH 55 Heifers 925 $ ESTILL RANCH 114 Steers 850 $ ESTILL RANCH 58 Spayed Heifers 800 $ NAT & KAREN LOMMORI 22/50 Weaned Steers/W 800/660 $128.50/ $ LOUIE SCATENA 53/30 Weaned Steers/W 750/690 $ $ DAVE & TOM CASSINELLI 50 Bred Heifers , DAVE & TOM CASSINELLI 50 Bred Heifers , DAVE & TOM CASSINELLI 50 Bred Heifers , CRAIG & JEAN SPRATLING 51 Bred Heifers 980 1, CRAIG & JEAN SPRATLING 51 Bred Heifers 980 1, IVESON LIVESTOCK 50 Bred Heifers 975 1, MARY'S RIVER RANCH 50 Bred Heifers 950 1, MARY'S RIVER RANCH 50 SLA Bred Heifers 950 1, Shasta Livestock (530) December 9, 2011 Kevin Devine -wvm@wvmcattle.com Website- Weight/Type Steer/Bull Price Heifer/Cow Price lb. xxxx-xxxx lb. xxxx-xxxx lb lb lb lb lb lb lb lb Breaker Cows Boner Cows Cutter Cows Bulls 1 & Pairs: Few older and mid-age pairs $ Calvy Cows: Few young cows $1100-$1310 Older cows butcher price to $850.