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Western Ag Reporter Podcast

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3:24

Prairie Ponderings - Pondering Low Expectations for...

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/05/22

I am not known for my maternal instincts – my extended family wagered that I would lose my son as soon as we left the hospital. Frankly, I was worried, too. But last weekend, a few ewes made me look pretty darn motherly. When I headed to the barn at sunrise, I took enough milk for four bottle lambs. Three were triplets and one had a difficult birth, so the ewe left it for the coyotes. Now it was my turn to try to keep them alive. Before I fed the bottle babies, I scanned the sheep in the corr...

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5:07

Veterinary Grads Share Excitement for Profession

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/05/22

Out of the 102 students who graduated this spring from Oklahoma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, 42 will go into large animal or mixed practice veterinary medicine – an encouraging number in light of the ongoing rural and large animal veterinary shortage. Alyssa Barta and Olivia Ary were members of this year’s graduating class, and with the coveted three letters – DVM – now attached to their names, they reflected on their journey to becoming veterinarians. Alyssa Barta, DVM....

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6:02

Montana Chamber Cultivates Career Curiosity

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/05/22

Over the last two years, the Montana Chamber Foundation has been working to illuminate the wealth of career pathways available to students in rural Montana through a growing number of Cultivating Careers events. In its simplest form, Cultivating Careers could be described as a job fair; however, the Montana Chamber Foundation and its growing list of community partners have taken the concept to the next level by providing genuine, hands-on exposure to a variety of opportunities. In the beginni...

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4:59

North Dakota Farmers Battle Kochia Weed

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/05/22

In Emmons County, North Dakota, and across much of the state, one of the top 10 most invasive and economically devastating weeds for farmers is the kochia weed. Kochia is an annual forb that can be found throughout much of the United States and Canada. It is a challenging species to control due to its ability to “establish and persist in harsh environments” on as little as six inches of annual rainfall, and it has become resistant to four different classes of herbicides, according to USDA NRC...

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3:29

Comments by the Publisher 5.22.25

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/05/22

I want to start off this week by recognizing the importance of Memorial Day. It’s a great opportunity to remember and give thanks to all of the members of our families who have passed before us, and all the military members who made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives fighting to keep and protect the freedoms all of us enjoy here in the United States. Please take a few moments over the Memorial Day weekend and give thanks for all the members of the U.S. military, past and present, and...

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3:10

Editor's Perspective - California and Its Coyotes

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/05/22

On May 8, we published an article entitled “California Rule Change Would Limit Lethal Take of Coyotes,” which outlined a proposed rule that came out of a California Game and Fish Commission subcommittee. At its core, it was just one more attempt to limit resources for ranchers to protect their livelihoods, in my opinion. Predators like gray wolves, grizzly bears - and coyotes in this absolute ridiculous scenario - are being weaponized by the left to dismantle production agriculture. You’re go...

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2:16

UW Extension Offers New Educational Series on Ranch...

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/05/19

The University of Wyoming Extension has launched a new educational series designed to support ranchers in navigating the complexities of modern livestock and land management. Rancher’$ E.D.G.E. (Excellence in Development, Grazing and Economics) is designed for ranchers, family members and employees actively involved in the management and care of a ranching operation. “Rancher’$ E.D.G.E. equips participants with the tools and knowledge needed to make informed decisions and enhance the sustaina...

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3:00

R-CALF USA Announces 2025 Convention 'All In,'...

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/05/19

R-CALF USA is set to host its 2025 National Convention and Trade Show, themed “All In,” from June 17-19, 2025, at The Lodge at Deadwood. The convention is expected to draw hundreds of cattle producers, industry leaders, journalists and policy experts from across the country for industry updates, networking, and policy and strategy development. It is the largest event of its kind for independent cattle and sheep producers in the United States. “This year’s convention is about equipping produce...

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7:08

Banjo - Mystery Culvert Critter

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/05/17

“Baa…” called the lambs as they searched for their mamas. “We’ve had more triplets this year than we ever have,” Banjo said. “It’s been busy running the flock with all these additions under hoof,” Eweniece said. “But this group is such a good group of mamas. They’re attentive and they all have a good amount of milk, so there’s not too many bums that have had to stay back at the barn.” “I saw the neighbor has been coming each night to help feed, and she’s taken a few home,” Banjo said. “Yes, s...

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0:14

Agri-Kid of the Week - McCoy Becklund

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/05/16

Agri-kid of the Week, McCoy Becklund, headed to check water with his dad. Photo submitted by Belinda Bell. Submit YOUR awesome Agri-Kids to editor2@westernagreporter.com. Article Link

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7:58

Cooking - Alzheimer's - A Family Disease

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/05/16

As Mother’s Day has come and gone, I realize that for those of us who have lost our mothers, it has become a day of remembrance. Losing my mother made me realize how time spent with her was more valuable than any other gift I could give or be given. My mother, Florence Roberts, has been gone for 19 years, but sadly Alzheimer’s Disease stole her from me several years before that. Every year at Mother’s Day, I have tried to write a column that would help others understand that Alzheimer’s Disea...

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5:09

Banjo - Encountering Lobo

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/04/26

“Not feeling the whole Faith part of this journey,” Tuff said quietly. “I’ve never understood how it could be so dark in the forest when it’s the middle of the day.” “It’ll be fine,” Banjo said. “Don’t worry.” “Awhoo…” the guttural howl echoed through the dark timber. Banjo stopped. His hackles lifted. All of his instincts went to assessing their surroundings. “Don’t worry, huh,” Tuff said. “That was closer than I ever hoped to be again to a wolf. And just like snakes, where there is one, the...

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0:26

Agri-Kid of the Week - Maverick

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/04/25

This week’s featured Agri-Kid is Mr. Maverick. He is 19-months-old and lives in Iowa. According to his mom, Elizabeth, “He’s a sour patch kid for sure! He absolutely loves the skid loaders and tractors, and never misses a ride when it’s time to feed the cows. His three-year-old sister recently got a pair of goats, and he likes to lead them around. He has no fear of animals!” Article Link

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5:35

Cooking - Ranch CEO

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/04/25

It is that time of year when our calving season is winding down, so many other pursuits such as farming are occupying the CEO of our ranching operation. CEO sounds like such an officious title for someone who wades around in knee-deep muck in worn out coveralls all day. Nevertheless, one rainy afternoon, the CEO tore himself away from repairing a piece of worn-out equipment to run through the cows on the four-wheeler. He had noticed one four-year-old cow that had not come to the feed ground t...

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5:55

Point Reyes National Seashore Ranchers Accept $30...

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/04/24

On April 10, the House Natural Resources Committee launched an investigation into a recent settlement between the National Park Service, The Nature Conservancy, and 12 Point Reyes National Seashore (California) ranchers who agreed to cease their multi-generational dairy and beef operations in exchange for a roughly million buyout by The Nature Conservancy, according to The Press Democrat. Ranchers who agreed to the settlement were given gag orders in regard to the negotiations and 15 months ...

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7:12

Bill Rishel Honored by Saddle and Sirloin Gallery

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/04/24

William H. (Bill) Rishel of North Platte, Nebraska, has been named the 2025 inductee of the prestigious Saddle and Sirloin Portrait Gallery. Rishel will become the 380th member of this historic gallery, and his portrait will be unveiled at an induction banquet to be held on November 16 during the North American Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky. During research for his nomination Rishel explained, “Since 1966, the year I was privileged to be on the Penn State National Champion Live...

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4:44

Baker Ranches Fights National Park Service for Water...

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/04/24

Water in the West has long been considered a precious resource as often it is scarce. Legal battles over water rights have occurred through history and are still going on today. On February 12, 2025, Baker Ranches Inc., represented by Mountain States Legal Foundation, filed an “open briefing” with the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals against both the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service. Baker Ranches has been using the water from Baker and Lehman Creeks in eastern Neva...

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5:20

Editor's Perspective - A Trip to Arlington, TX

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/04/24

Last week, I noted that my husband and I were going out of town for an event in Arlington, Texas. I took Wednesday through Friday off from work and left my computer at home. On our drive from Torrington to Denver International Airport, he and I tried to think about how long it has been since I haven’t had an article and/or column in the paper. I started working for the WAR as the assistant editor in May of 2021, and I have written at least one article, probably closer to an average of two, ev...

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2:47

Comments by the Publisher 4.24.25

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/04/24

I hope all of you had a very blessed and happy Easter. Our blessing kicked off early as we received over eight inches of heavy, wet snow in the days leading up to Easter! A couple of weeks ago on a beautiful 80-degree day, I was visiting with a good friend of mine on the phone, and he commented on the gorgeous weather. He was going to have to hustle to get pairs hauled out to grass. He calves quite a few of his stock a little bit later (mid-March to mid-April). I told him he might want to be....

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1:44

Registration Opens for PLC's 57th Annual Meeting in...

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/04/23

The Public Lands Council (PLC) opened the registration for their 57th Annual Meeting to be held in Flagstaff, Arizona from September 16-18, 2025. “Annual meeting is when we come together as an industry to plan our advocacy efforts for the upcoming year, hammer out grassroots policies, and discuss upcoming rulemakings and legislative priorities. As federal lands ranchers, we have the opportunity to modernize antiquated laws including the Endangered Species Act and NEPA, as well as cut governme...

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