Heart of agriculture: WyFB YF&R hosts annual conference in Cody
Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation (WyFB) hosted their Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) annual conference Jan. 16-18 at the Holiday Inn in Cody.
To kick off the two-day event, attendees enjoyed a blustery tour of the George Dairy Farm and ended the morning with a tour of the Y-Tex manufacturing plant.
Legacy
The conference began with Keynote Speaker Ron Rabou, a fifth-generation farmer and president of Rabou Farms in southeastern Wyoming.
Rabou explained his family’s history of making their way to Cheyenne from Kearney, Neb. in a wagon to homesteading near Albin and the tragic and unexpected death of his father years later.
“My father was my best friend and my confidant, and his death was completely devastating to me,” he stated. “I owe much of my work ethic, integrity and ability to manage an agricultural operation to my father’s guidance and example.”
He noted the loss of his father was the beginning of Rabou Farm, Inc. and reminded conference attendees legacy is not about where one lives or what they own but, more importantly, legacy is about family.
Rabou Farms, Inc. is a certified organic farm. In 2019, it was recognized by Farm Journal as one of three national finalists and the first in Wyoming’s history for Top Producer of the Year Award.
Environmental issues
Following a brief break, Courtney Briggs, senior director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), took the podium to discuss environmental challenges confronting the agricultural industry.
She began her presentation by addressing the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS), which involves various issues such as land rights, landowners’ ability to utilize their land and requirements for Clean Water Act permits.
“We have had a lot of confusion and consternation throughout the countryside as to the regulatory definition of WOTUS,” said Briggs. “There has been ping ponging back and forth of definitions based on the administration, which has led to a lack of certainty and lack of clarity for our members. But with a new administration, we are hoping terms become clearer.”
She continued, “There are a few terms within the Biden administration’s definition which I believe were intentionally left undefined in order to expand jurisdictional reach to allow them to have the latitude to regulate however they please. I think if we can find clearer and more precise definitions for our members, it will clear up a lot of uncertainty in the lack of clarity in the regulatory space.”
In conclusion, she reviewed the chemical regulations concerning per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, PFAS are a class of manufactured chemicals which have been used in various industries and consumer products since the 1940s.
There are thousands of different PFAS, some of which are more widely used and studied than others. These substances are often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they break down very slowly over time.
“The chemical is a forever chemical. It doesn’t break down naturally in the environment, and sometimes it can naturally find its way to a farm field. Farmers should not be held liable for a chemical they did not use,” Briggs stated. “Farmers are completely unaware of PFAS levels on farms until it’s too late, and it could cost them everything.”
AFBF has been educating Congress and policymakers about the impacts of PFAS contamination on agriculture, highlighting the need for farmers to be protected from liability.
Herd resources
University of Wyoming Associate Professor and Wyoming State Beef Extension Specialist Dr. Steve Paisley kicked off the second day of activities with a discussion on nutrition and management heading into calving season and resources available through Beef Quality Assurance (BQA).
Paisley is also a coordinator for BQA, a nationally coordinated, state implemented program which provides systematic information to U.S. beef producers and beef consumers of how commonsense husbandry techniques can be coupled with accepted scientific knowledge to raise cattle under optimum management and environmental conditions.
“BQA is an important program, created in the 1980s. It’s a completely volunteer program, and is producer driven,” he stated. “The program focuses on quality control and is built around unbiased research and education.”
BQA is invested in building consumer confidence in beef through supporting a safe and wholesome product.
“Producers around the state and the nation are trying to address consumer concerns,” he continued. “BQA addresses a lot of different things from cattle care to herd health and transportation. It even has resources for recordkeeping, nutrition and emergency action plans.”
One of the resources BQA offers is an onsite assessment for cow/calf producers which provides science-based information along with sample protocols for areas highlighted by the BQA program and encourages continuous improvement.
Financial tutorial
Farm Credit Services of America Relationship Officer Robbie Alexander presented how to use financials to measure the health of an operation.
“The balance sheet is more than just a financial statement – it’s the scorecard of an operation, providing key insights into financial health,” he stated. “It’s one piece of the broader financial picture, but one that can reveal whether a business is thriving or facing challenges.”
Alexander continued his presentation with a deep dive into utilizing and leveraging an organization’s balance sheets as a tool for success.
He guided the group through the process of building a balance sheet, while helping them understand working capital, owners’ equity and the financial ratios impacting a business.
He added, “This knowledge will empower individuals to make informed decisions and guide their operation towards lasting excellence.”
Additional highlights
Day Weather, Inc. President and Meteorologist Don Day, Jr. provided attendees with an overview of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Additionally, AFBF YF&R Committee Members Caitlin and Jason Keck shared their experiences in agriculture, highlighting how they have successfully continued their family legacy through courage and creativity.
The Kecks operate a beef and crop farm in Minnesota and Jason manages agronomy operations for Keck Farms, a corn, soybean and hog operation.
To conclude the conference, WyFB team members discussed what opportunities are available through WyFB YF&R and its grassroots policy development.
Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
