Green River Valley Cattlewomen present honors
Green River Valley Cowbelles/Cattlewomen (GRVC) presented their annual honors at a leisurely awards luncheon on Feb. 22 at the Southwest Sublette Pioneers Senior Center in Marbleton.
The annual event is more leisurely as GRVC members decided to hold it the weekend before their counterparts’ meetings and big banquet for the Green River Valley Cattlemen’s Association (GRVCA) on March 1, also at the senior center.
GRVC President Haley Clark welcomed members and guests who sat at tables decorated with flowers and gifts of small jars of beef tallow lotion made by Karli Christensen.
Those gathered were reminded of the GRVC’s many activities throughout the year.
Everyone nibbled on delicious mini donuts provided by Bison’s Bounty in Pinedale. Carie James and crew set out yogurt, granola and fruit parfaits to tide everyone over until lunch.
Awards presented
Each year, a deserving member is nominated and honored as Ranch Woman of the Year, with Susan Hoffman selected as the recipient for 2025. Susan’s daughter-in-law Tonia Hoffman read her nomination letter as Susan’s eyes widened at the surprise.
Susan received a gift basket, a floral arrangement, a plaque and an impressive metal sign to be posted on the honoree’s ranch.
GRVC also gives great weight to selecting each year’s Friend of Agriculture Award, which is given to someone who goes above and beyond to help the ranching community. This year, Sublette County Conservation District (SCCD) Manager Mike Henn was nominated by Coke Landers, SCCD board chair and president of the Upper Green River Valley Cattle Association.
The third honor is the selection of GRVC’s Lifetime Member. This year it was presented to Nancy Espenscheid, who was nominated by Terrie Springman. Espenscheid, who was honored a decade ago as Ranch Woman of the Year, also received a floral arrangement, gift basket and plaque.
The group enjoyed the buffet luncheon, visiting and talking with old friends and new.
Green River Valley Program
Following the awards program, those in attendance heard two informative presentations.
First, Kerry Gold explained her role with the Green River Valley Program through the Jackson Hole Land Trust, which continues work around Sublette County “to preserve conservation values” in permanent legal conservation agreements.
Gold explained each conservation easement is very carefully negotiated between landowners and the nonprofit.
Goals are to preserve working ranch lands and open spaces, remove future subdivision scenarios and allow landowners flexibility to set aside a building envelope for a future family home.
Gold gave the group an overview of the process, which can take three to five years.
Gold also noted there won’t be a Green River Valley Program community picnic as in summers past, but a special event is planned for Sept. 7 at the Riverbend Ranch in Bondurant.
Bullseye
Dr. Bob Beiermann, of Western Skies Veterinary Services in Big Piney then talked about important scientific advancements applicable to ranchers at high altitudes who lose cattle to brisket disease or bovine congestive heart failure (BCHF).
Beiermann introduced Shalane Bright of Bullseye Gx, whose family runs beef cattle and a feedlot in Nebraska.
Contrary to concerns a herd bull should have a pulmonary arterial pressure score indicating good respiratory function, Bright said studies show the culprit is the bull’s genetics.
Genetic tests can easily show which cattle are at high, medium or low risk for BCHF.
Ranchers can send cattle blood, semen or a punched hole to Bullseye Gx and receive information to help build a new replacement heifer herd.
“A high-risk cow can be paired with a low-risk bull,” Bright said.
Calves, particularly steer calves, can die from BCHF if feeding is too intense, such as for 4-H steers, where marbling is treasured but could over-stress the animal.
“Two of the first things you should do when buying 4-H steers is get insurance and a genetic test,” Beiermann advised.
Upcoming events
The GRVC honorees will be veted again at the GRVCA banquet on March 1 at the Southwest Sublette Pioneers Senior Center.
Visit @GreenRiverValleyCowbelles/Cattlewomen on Facebook to buy banquet tickets.
Joy Ufford is a corresponding writer for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
