My Rain Gauge Flooded

        Holy cow, how about all of the rain last week! I have heard that the country around Glendo received over seven inches and other parts at least four inches. In my country, in the days surrounding Memorial Day, we got around six inches. That’s one half of a normal year’s precipitation. In some areas of the state, like the Powder River around Kaycee, we heard of some flooding. We also heard of numerous fields being flooded out. With all the rains plus the hard freezes, some have had to plant the same field three times. Who would have guessed we would have ended up with this much precipitation? Look out for the ticks, mosquitoes and deer flies if we don’t have another frost.
    Besides delayed brandings, damage to fields and washed out reservoirs and water gaps, it was the best event agriculture in Wyoming has experienced in a long time. Remember, everything good comes with a price.
    While we are catching up with this week’s work, we need to remember the summer Wyoming Stock Growers convention here in Casper. The event runs from the evening of Wednesday, June 4 through noon on Saturday, June 7.
    One of the highlights will be the talks in the Marketing Committee between Randy Stevenson, Wheatland cattle feeder and Vice President of R-CALF USA, and Wesley Bautista, a member of the family from Brazil who in the past year has bought Swift Packing and now wants to buy more packing houses and feedlots here in the states. These recent actions, which have to be reviewed by the U.S. Department of Justice, would further concentrate the U.S. packing industry.
    Some say these business deals would aid meat exports from the U.S. while others claim this action would really hurt the fat cattle and feedlot side of the cattle business. Whatever loss happens at that end of the cattle business will also fall back to the cattle producers in Wyoming. The big question is will more exports of meat make up for the difference.
    And how do the high prices of grain, especially corn figure into the equation? Some are saying the high corn prices may come down a little, especially if the government drops the incentive payments of ethanol. Hopefully, we can find out some answers to our questions during the committee meeting on Thursday, June 8 from 9:30 -11:00 a.m.
    Also on Thursday afternoon, at the Federal Lands Committee, there will be talks by State BLM Range Program Lead Jim Cagney, Regional Forester of the Intermountain Region Harv Forsgren and a Public Lands Council update by Jeff Eisenberg, the group’s executive director. After those talks, Jennifer Ellis, President of the Idaho Cattle Association will speak on the federal lands grazing challenges. Remember, Idaho has been dealing with Western Watersheds Project for some time now and it will be interesting to hear how they have met those challenges.
    On Friday morning there will be talks by NCBA President and Arizona rancher Andy Groseta and Mike Purcell of the Wyoming Water Development Commission. Grant Stumbough, Wheatland, will discuss wind energy and Frank Falen will talk about the role of local government as wind development moves forward. Saturday morning attendees will have a chance to hear from our congressional delegation and those running for office.
    Let the grass grow and head to Casper.
Dennis