MARCH 2020
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
MARCH 2020
U.S. chief ag trade negotiator sees ongoing issues By LORI POTTER The Kearney Hub al negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative,
said declines in overall U.S. ag export values — the $141 billion in 2019 was down more than $3 billion from 2018 — are a “real challenge.” He said the challenge in- cludes competition from ag exporting countries such as Brazil, Argentina and Ukraine with low curren-
cy rates compared to the U.S. dollar. That makes their com- modities less expensive. As the U.S. economy had re- mained strong, that’s not the case for some key importers. Doud said Japan, the fourth largest export market for U.S. agriculture, saw economic growth decline by more than
6% in the last quarter of 2019. “That was before the coro- navirus,” he added. Those are a few examples of issues unrelated to the U.S.- China trade war that have made it more difficult for U.S. ag products to compete, Please see TRADE, Page F5
said March 10 part of the solution is the first phase agreement to settle some U.S.- China tariff battles that was signed in January. Doud, the keynote speaker at the 32nd annual Governor’s Ag Conference in Kearney,
KEARNEY—There are no quick, easy solutions to the many issues that affect ex- port market access for U.S. ag products. However, Ambassador Gregg Doud, chief agricultur-
JX-%% <2J4M6 JX <82X J(C=E;[E MEA* :=@[(=;H MM8 67EA( K,8ZE!AH :=@[(= F 4WA(= F <7,9!@A((= 8EZZ ) D ^ G & ) + G M < J 6 !A'@>A(C=E;[EZEA*C=@[(=;G,@B NEBRASKA AUCTIONEERS ASSOCIATION THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH MARCH 2020 Farm Bureau president: Be prepared for COVID-19 While higher population areas at more of a risk, rural areas face unique challenges with spread tion with state and federal officials fo- cused on addressing disruptions and main- taining a safe food supply. “Farmers and ranch- ers play a critical role in assuring the safety and abundance of our nation’s food supply. In the face of COVID-19, it is imperative we as agricultural produc- ers do our part to help maintain our food sys- tem. That means being prepared on our op- erations and taking personal responsibili- ty and precautions to help slow the potential spread of the virus. By protecting ourselves, our communities, and our farms and ranch- es, Nebraska farmers and ranchers can play a positive role in work- ing with Nebraskans to collectively address the challenges posed by COVID-19,” Nelson said. age capacity for fuel and other inputs if there is an extended shortage? » Communicate with those with whom you do busi- ness. Stay in close contact with your business partners — including both input suppliers and those to whom you sell commodities and products. Doing so will give you the best information to make decisions. Are pro- cessors, co-ops, etc., accepting delivery? Are they running nor- mal schedules and hours? » Communicate any disruptions. If you experience or hear of disrup- tions in supply chains alert Nebraska Farm Bureau immedi- ately via email at information@nefb. org. Nebraska Farm Bureau will continue to exchange informa- over the phone or on- line when possible can help limit in-person visits and potential ex- posure. » Plan for possible labor shortages. Ask yourself — what is my plan if my farm help can only work limited hours due to school closings or oth- er events? Are there things my employ- ees can do remotely via technology if they can’t be there in per- son? Do I have others who can help if my current labor force is unavailable? » Plan for possible supply/input short- ages. Do I have a back- up for feed, fuel, and other inputs in the event my normal chan- nels or supply lines are disrupted? Do I have enough sup- plies on-hand to weather short-term disruptions? Do I have enough on-farm stor- farmers and ranchers to consider, covering topics from personal health to operational preparedness. “There’s no reason for panic, but every reason to plan ahead and be prepared,” Nelson said. The preparedness list includes: » Protect personal health of farm/ranch owner/operators and employees. Personal health is an important first step. Washing hands fre- quently, disinfecting shared surfaces, and making sure soap and other sanitization sup- plies are available to employees is a key first step. Strengthening immune systems by taking vitamins and making good food choices is another way to stay healthy. For ex- ample, beef is good source of zinc that keeps immune systems strong. Doing business Telegraph staff reports LINCOLN — Nebraska Farm Bureau is advising farmers, ranchers and other rural Nebraskans not to un- derestimate the risk posed by the potential spread of the illness caused by the novel coronavirus. Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson is en- couraging farmers and ranchers to prepare for possible impacts to their rural communi- ties and agricultural operations. “I know some may view the COVID-19 outbreak as only a concern to our state’s high-density popula- tion centers, but make no mistake, the poten- tial for the spread of COVID-19 to rural ar- eas is real,” Nelson said in a press release. “It’s especially serious considering the unique challenges rural hos- pitals and health care providers may face in treating and con- taining the virus. It’s imperative we all do our part to try and slow the spread of this highly contagious dis- ease. It’s also critical we make sure our farm and ranch operators are ready to deal with possible ramifications in the event of expand- ed spread.” To aid agriculture producers in preparing for potential COVID-19 expansion, Nebraska Farm Bureau devel- oped a list of things for We’ve got all the news you need! THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH MARCH 2020 Ranching from the Rocky Mountains to the Panhandle good,” Clint said. “So we cross these breeds to slow down the risk of drop- sy disease, which is equivalent to congestive heart failure in humans. “Dropsy disease, or brisket dis- ease (also known as high mountain disease), is a common condition in cattle raised on ranches in high alti- tudes,” Clint said. “Purebred Angus could not survive the altitude on our Colorado ranch.” A cow suffering from brisket dis- ease, he said, will stay around water, but fill up “like a balloon in water re- tention,” Clint said. However, the altitude disease isn’t just a problem in Colorado, said Clint’s mother, Sharon, but is now being seen on the high plains. “Angus cattle are tipping over dead when they get big and fat — about the time they’re ready for slaughter,” she said. To manage this altitude sickness and disease in cattle, “many seed- stock producers of Angus cattle By KEVIN FINK The Scottsbluff Star-Herald Harvat Cattle and Hay is a unique cattle and hay business that oper- ates in the Rocky Mountains and the Nebraska Panhandle. The main ranch is situated between Walden and Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The secondary ranch is located southeast of Mitchell. “We bring our cattle to Mitchell to calve in the win- ter because the snow gets too deep on the ranch in Colorado,” said rancher Clint Harvat. “Calving there would be impossible.” Moving cattle and equipment from Walden to Mitchell and back each calving season is logistically chal- lenging. “It takes sixteen cattle pots and many horse trailers four trips per day for four-five days to move the cattle and equipment,” Clint said. “We raise Simmental /Angus cross cattle because Walden is 8,5000 in el- evation; Simmental are good at high elevations, whereas Angus are not so Kevin Fink / The Scottsbluff Star-Herald Rancher Clint Harvat stands by his fire truck used for water for his cattle. 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North Platte, NE 69101 308.530.5906 david@daiggerangus.com TheHerdwiththe“Dam”Difference! David & Ruth Orr 308.520.3015 308.520.2543 Auctioneer: Kyle Schow 308.239.4297 308.289.3772 Cell FamilyOwned andOperated! 1DRA HARD DRIVE 9002 REG#4120800 HARD DRIVE X HXC COMET BIRTH 68, ADJ.WW 597 BW -3.8 WW 63 YW 99 MILK 23 www.daiggerorrangus.com THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH MARCH 2020 TRADE from Page F2 ... It really got us bottled up.” Such labor issues are starting to be resolved there, but are being seen in South Korea and oth- er places, he added. China agreement fixes Tariffs and oth- er trade access issues in China and other countries continue to be a focus for U.S. ag producers and farm or- ganizations. A September anal- ysis by Nebraska Farm Bureau Chief Economist Jay Rempe estimated retaliato- ry tariffs on U.S. ag exports could cost Nebraska producers $943 million in reve- nues for 2019. The 2018 farm level income loss- es estimated in an earlier analysis were with a slower-growing economy. “It will be difficult, but I’d rather have a strong economy than the alternative,” Doud said. One help came March 2 when China approved a tariff “exclusion.” He said that makes U.S. soybeans subject to the same tariff rate Brazil pays. The Brazil soybean harvest is 75% done and will be a record crop, Doud said, which also is a market growth issue for U.S. growers. “By fall, it becomes our time,” he said. Doud believes U.S. growers can see soybean sales equal to or better than the totals seen before the past two years of higher tariffs. “But what’s normal now is hard to say,” he added. $695 million to more than $1 billion. The hardest hit com- modities listed in those reports were soybeans, corn and pork. Doud said Tuesday completing the ag com- ponent in the phase one deal with China re- quired 33 meetings with his China counterpart. “There are 57 things we fixed,” he said. “I think we fixed every- thing we knew of except one.” He later told the Hub that each of those 57 technical fixes has a timeline ranging from a few days to several months. “So far, we’re doing really well,” Doud said. “Despite the coro- navirus, we haven’t missed a deadline yet.” He also said the con- versation with China has changed. There now will be monthly meetings between ca- reer-level trade staff in both countries, quar- terly meetings at his administrative level and two meetings a year between chief trade rep- resentatives. Doud said if an issue isn’t resolved or a com- mitment isn’t fulfilled, the aggrieved country “has the ability to apply tariffs proportionate to the issue and the other country can’t retaliate.” A big step in progress is to have approved-to- export-to-China lists of an estimated 2,000 U.S. meat and dairy compa- nies. Doud said the approv- al process for poultry started in mid-Novem- ber and it took 60 days before the first poul- try was sent to China. Pork also has worked through the process. In about a week, a sim- ilar 60-day process will start to work through details such as the ap- proved facilities list and labeling requirements, Doud said. He told the Hub that Australia has sent a lot of beef to China, but its future supplies will be hurt by recent drought and wildfire damages. “Our hope is that we can get our products in there (China), especially more beef,” Doud added. “... Beef demand around the world is bigger than we can supply, especial- ly grain-fed.” Soybean sales tough He acknowledged that regaining soybean sales to China won’t be a “short-term situation,” because Brazil has ramped up production as a lower-cost exporter said Doud, a Mankato, Kansas, native who previously was presi- dent of the Commodity Markets Council, se- nior professional staff member for the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association chief econ- omist. Higher U.S. and world production of commodi- ties also affects exports. “That’s a whole lot of meat (or grain) we have to find something to do with,” Doud said. The coronavirus has become another trade factor. He said that when the outbreak in China resulted in orders for people to stay home, “we didn’t have people at the ports to drive the trucks RANCHERS AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS THIS BUNK’S FOR YOU! 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Delivery Available Hutt Enterprises 76155 Hwy 61• 1 mile north of Grant Grant, NE 69140 308-352-4888 THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH MARCH 2020 Wheat Board announces teleconference March meeting Telegraph staff reports Lincoln — The meeting will adjourn at 6 p.m. It will include con- Company, and a re- view of upcoming events and travel, ac- ed in Nebraska at the point of first sale. The board invests the funds tion of the meeting. Interested individu- als may contact the NWB office for the conference line num- ber or an agenda of the meeting. Please email wheat.board@nebras- ka.gov for conference call information. You may also reach out to Executive Director, Royce Schaneman via phone at 402-560-3777 or email royce.schane- man@nebraska.gov. The Nebraska Wheat Board administers the check-off of 0.4% of net value of wheat market- Nebraska Wheat Board will hold its next meet- ing via teleconference at 3 p.m. March 31. The cording to a press release. The pub- lic is welcome to dial in for any open por- tract discussion, a presentation by Direct Refreshments/ American Straw in programs of inter- national and domestic market development and improvement, policy development, re- search, promotion and education. (pulmonary artery pressure) their bulls trying to get a high-altitude PAP,” Sharon said. “The cattle have to be at high altitude for 40 to 45 days before tested.” “Even bulls tested at Laramie (Wyoming) might fail at the North Park area around Walden and Steamboat Springs,” Sharon said. “They must be tested at the altitude they will be produced.” RANCHING from Page F4 “We have found that Simmental/ Angus cross is best for us to raise at our high altitude,” Clint said. “Crossbreeding is necessary.” “Crossbreeding may produce un- even calves — up and down in size, but a live calf at a different size is better than a dead one,” Sharon said. The Harvats have many cows to calve each winter on their wintering ranch southeast of Mitchell. Clint suggests several surviv- al steps when calving in the winter. Please see RANCHING, Page F10 THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH MARCH 2020 Suspension of visa processing hits U.S. farms, fisheries and guest workers are a big part of what drives that engine,” said Sarah Frey, founder and chief executive of Frey Farms, which operates in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and West Virginia. “We have to figure out ways to keep going. Right now, feeding people is an es- sential service.” Frey said she was making calls to lawmak- ers until midnight all week, extolling the im- portant role migrant farmworkers play in the U.S. food supply. Of the 500 to 600 workers Frey employs during peak season, about 250 are on H-2A seasonal worker visas. Frey said she was ex- pecting her first crew of two dozen workers to come fromMexico in 10 days to help with the watermelon and toma- to harvest in LaBelle, Florida. She is expecting more migrant workers through the spring and summer, picking fruits and vegetables at her farms in Indiana and Missouri, and harvest- ing pumpkins come fall. The American Farm Bureau Federation warned that the suspen- sion in visa processing in Mexico could have a major effect on agricul- tural production. “Under the new re- strictions, American farmers will not have ac- cess to all of the skilled immigrant labor needed at a critical time in the planting season. This threatens our ability to put food on Americans’ tables,” federation pres- ident Zippy Duvall said in a statement. The federation said it is working with the Trump administration to find safe, practi- cal ways to admit farm laborers as emergen- cy workers under the H-2A guest worker pro- gram. “Failing to do so will impact our ability to provide a healthy, af- fordable domestic food supply,” Duvall said. Many seasonal workers will still be granted entry. The State Department is allowing laborers with previous work experience in the United States and who do not require in-person interviews to return, according to the feder- By TRACY JAN and LAURA REILEY Washington Post News Service American farm- ers are bracing for a shortage of season- al workers following the State Department’s suspension of routine immigrant and nonim- migrant visa processing in Mexico, including for temporary migrant laborers, beginning Wednesday. The delay in visa processing for farm- workers comes just as harvest season begins in Florida. Companies responsible for feed- ing the country are already expecting few- er available workers to manufacture, deliver and unpack groceries as the coronavirus pan- demic intensifies. The seafood indus- try, including fisheries and crab-picking in Maryland, whose hiring season starts in April, will also be affected by the U.S. government’s decision. “One of the most im- portant things we need to do is to make sure that our supply chains for food stay in place, Zack Wittman / For the Washington Post Fruit pickers work in a strawberry field in Florida last winter. Farmers are bracing for a labor shortage this year as the State Department suspends the processing of seasonal worker visas across Mexico. Please see VISA, Page F8 THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH MARCH 2020 VISAS from Page F7 tinue processing H-2A visas for agricultur- al workers and H-2B visas for seasonal la- borers in the seafood, landscaping and other industries — but that it will modify its proce- dures “to facilitate the social distancing rec- ommended by health authorities,” according to an email obtained by The Washington Post. The U.S. Consulate in Monterrey, Mexico, said it would prior- agency is working with the State Department to ensure minimal disruption in visa appli- cations. The State Department did not respond to re- quests for comment. The agency has told industry associations that it intends to con- itize the processing of returning season- al workers who are eligible for an inter- view waiver. “Because limited interview ap- pointments will be available, we may can- cel some first-time applicant appointments that have already been scheduled,” the email said. “First-time ap- plications will not be processed if they are submitted as returning applicants.” Allowing return- ing H-2A workers to be processed without inter- views will help ease the plight of farmers count- ing on foreign labor, but it “certainly will not solve the entire prob- lem,” said Mike Carlton, director of labor re- lations at the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association. Florida grows 300 commercial crops, near- ly all of which depend on migrant laborers, he said. “We have very few domestic workers avail- able to us,” Carlton said. “The numbers are not sustainable for us.” Labor-intensive, hand- harvested crops will be hit the hardest by the de- lay in visa processing, he said, especially as crunchtime for Florida farms approaches in the fall. Michael Schadler, ex- ecutive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, a trade orga- nization, says the state’s tomato producers rely especially on H-2A la- borers. “It’s become a bigger part of our workforce in recent years,” he said. “This latest devel- opment puts at risk a portion of our tomato crop from being harvest- ed, as well as all kinds of crops from around the country. We need a quick resolution so that farmers can con- tinue supplying fruits and vegetables to the country during this challenging time.” There will prob- ably be widespread unemployment in the hospitality, travel and tourism fields due to coronavirus quaran- tines and curfews. But Carlton said laid-off hotel and restaurant workers are unlikely to fill the labor shortage in food production. tential source of labor,” he says, “but it does re- quire a certain amount of skill to be productive in harvesting fruits and vegetables. You need to get produce harvest- ed when it’s ready to be harvested. Delays due to inexperienced work- ers could mean losses of crop. This work has not generally been some- thing that domestic workers are willing to do.” California is like- ly to be hardest hit, bringing in only half of the migrant labor it will need, according to Jason Resnick, vice president and gener- al counsel for Western Growers, a trade group. Historically 50% to 60% of the seasonal farm- workers are returning, Resnick said. Of those, 10 to 15%would have issues that would not qualify them for the in- terview waivers. The state’s $45 billion agriculture industry produces nearly half of the nation’s fresh fruits and vegetables, and em- ploys roughly 800,000 farmworkers. In the past five years, more than 40% of California farmers reportedly have been unable to hire all the workers they have needed, with many turn- ing to mechanization to make up for the short- fall. Growers in Salinas, California, will be af- fected first. They were scheduled to have work- ers arrive at the end of March, working fields of lettuces and leafy greens. “The application pro- cess requires that you apply two months before you need the work- ers,” Resnick said, “So summer fruits and vege- tables could get stacked up like dominoes. It’s go- ing to affect the entire ation. In 2019, 258,000 migrant workers re- ceived H-2A visas, the vast majority of whom were fromMexico. The U.S. Agriculture Department said the !)'# %"& $)!( "0, *-4# 6 !-,"7#4' (-+4# /7%0( 6 -'Y D,<(: F -+ A!U(: :?68"R(:8 ?& ;<@?U* ?< )C A!U(: @?<8"(D:8 ?& H?<8" 3UD88( !@ I!@,?U@ 7?6@8NG HSE 0"!: !: >!4?8 =6D<8(< U?,D8(* @?<8" ?& OD<&!(U* 0DBU( 2?D*E 0"!: >(<8N ?&&(<: :(4( FARM & R ANCH E XCHANGE Service Directory AUTOMOTIVE CARROL’S REPAIR & TOWING Call today to set your marketing plan in motion! 532-6000 We have a rollback for all your special towing needs. 24 HOUR SERVICE Days: 532-7901 Eve: 534-2203 Approved Emergency Service Amoco Motor Club Custom & Dealership Towing *%-$*''$"$*)(+&,!# 2'+(021()31' THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH MARCH 2020 HEALTH INSURANCE AND CORONAVIRUS o 100% coverage with no member cost-sharing o No prior authorization required o Testing is covered regardless of network • Early medication refill authorization for members who are impacted by the outbreak • N o n - e m e r g e n c y transportation will be extended to all members • Ride limits for non- emergency transportation are waived • 100% coverage for all telehealth costs incurred in connection with COVID-19 testing and diagnostics We have issued communications to our members providing them with a list of resources that include the CDC, local and state departments of health, and any applicable resources on their health system’s website. We are directing our members to contact their doctor’s office, an urgent plan. Treatment will be payable subject to the plan’s usua l deduc t i b l e, coinsurance and copay amounts.” This means that testing and interpretation of the results are no cost to Blue Cross members. Medica also announced the same thing. They are waiving all the co-pays, co- insurance, and deductibles related to the testing that was effective March 10, 2020. They also are covering virtual care or telehealth services as a way to access healthcare without leaving your home. “To increase diagnosis and fight the spread of illness, we have updated our coverage policy. These updates include services obtained 3/1/2020 or later. All updates remain in effect until further notice. • COVID-19 diagnostic test is covered as preventive care, at no cost to members Bright Health just released their communication: care facility, or emergency department via phone before going in if they think that they may have contracted COVID-19, or to call us for help.” So you can see that health insurance companies are responding to the needs of their members and the environment that we’re in right now. We can take a deep breath, avoid panic buying, wash our hands, and do the best that we can to avoid the virus. Note for those folks watching the stock market bottom out, consider a safe, secure place to park some funds. You might want to consider fixed annuities that pay better than CD’s and are just as safe. These are similar to CD’s, your funds stay in there for a certain period with a guaranteed return. an appointment, call Rebecca Nordquist at Phares Financial at 308-532-3180 or email at rebnordquist@msn.com. For questions or By Rebecca Nordquist, RD, MHA, CLTC Health insurance companies are responding quickly to the Coronavirus or COVID-19 which is on everybody’s mind. As stores show empty shelves, you can be assured your health insurance will be available for you. Blue Cross Blue Shield communicated that “appropriate medically necessary diagnostic testing for COVID-19 will be paid without member cost share for all members covered under a Blue Cross medical ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH MARCH 2020 “Make sure you have ex- tra pairs of gloves, couple extra coats, extra boots, ex- tra plants — lots of warm clothes.” “We’re out checking cows and calves in all weather conditions,” Clint said. The operation never stops. “We check cows every two hours, especially during storms,” Clint said. “We take turns; there’s always some- body going out to check on the cows and calves.” Some calves need to be warmed. “We use a hot-box that has a propane heater suspend- ed over it to quickly dry and warm the calf,” Clint said. “We call it the calf-cooker. “Drying and warming a calf is top priority,” Clint said. “The sooner we can get a calf into the hot-box and get colostrum in it, the bet- ter.” Sleeping during calving season is difficult. “We go through a lot of cof- fee,” ranch hand Madison Engle said. “I recommend a dark blend.” Engle grew up around Loveland, Colorado. She is a third-generation rancher. “I grew up with a bunch of ranchers and cowboys,” she said. “The desire and passion to follow in my fam- ily’s footsteps led me to an advertisement for a ranch hand on Harvat Cattle and Hay.” Sharon said each calf re- ceives three necessary shots at birth, and then af- ter taking the cows and calves to Colorado for branding and summer graz- ing, administer another round of shots to calves. The operation also grows hay and sells it commer- cially during the summer, Clint said. “Moose are the biggest problem in keeping hay around,” Clint said. “We put up 12-foot high elk panels around our harvested hay to keep both elk and moose out, RANCHING from Page F6 Kevin Fink / The Scottsbluff Star-Herald Rancher Clint Harvat doctors a newborn calf at his ranch near Mitchell. The Horvat family also ranches in the Steamboat Springs, Colorado, area. “We care. We care about our animals, food safety and consumers.” Engle says, “If you’re in- terested in ranching don’t watch a lot of TV shows; they give you a blissful idea of ranching, but it’s a lot of hard labor.” The hard work of ranching doesn’t keep Engle from hav- ing a good attitude. “I think about how I can best help these people, and grow this opportunity, and think about the positive things and learn from the bad,” she said. “My faith drives me.” The main Harvat ranch Nebraskans. “I think peo- ple in western Nebraska are the best,” Sharon said. “I am impressed with the state of is in Colorado, but the family thinks highly of “Hang in there,” Sharon said. “Anytime you can share your story is im- portant because some media, including a lot of the Hollywood people, is against production agriculture.” “I don’t think they realize what would happen if pro- duction agriculture went away,” Sharon said. “People have to eat.” “The woman in Ethiopia with starving children doesn’t care if the cattle are GMO or implanted; she wants food for her children,” Sharon said. “We provide a safe and important product in beef.” “Ag producers are under fire today, and I believe it will take a severe food short- age to make people realize agriculture has our backs — they’re feeding us,” Sharon back into my roots, and work with these amazing people,” Engle said. “But I don’t like the wind and having my toes cold.” “I enjoy being outside in the fresh air each day, get- ting to see the wildlife and other things,” Clint said. Clint is not just a cowboy and rancher. He also serves with the local Walden area Sheriff’s office and ambu- lance and paramedic squad when available. “I enjoy do- ing this when time allows,” he said. Clint’s also a creative rancher. “I bought a fire truck to use as a water truck for wa- tering cows because it’s easier than pulling a trailer all day,” he said. These seasoned ranchers have advice for other ranch- climb snow drifts in the win- ter to reach the top stack of bales.” Moose aren’t the only problem on a Rocky Mountain ranch. “We some- times lose cattle to certain predators, like bear and mountain lions,” Clint said. “I carry a firearm each time I go out to check cattle on the Walden ranch; I’m especial- ly scared of moose because they are very aggressive.” There are more joys than problems in ranching, though. “I love being outside, and with the cattle, horses and dogs,” Sharon said. “There’s not a lot of free time, and we miss attending church in calving season, though.” “I love being outdoors, working with horses and cat- tle, and also the experience THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH MARCH 2020 Twin Platte NRD office to remain open Telegraph staff reports The Twin Platte Natural Resources District office will re- main open during the meeting will be May 14. Please view the TPNRD website and so- cial media for updates. Call 308-535-8080 with questions. Disease Control and Prevention and state and local public health officials to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The next board is sick. release. However, peo- ple needing assistance are asked to call ahead if they are not feeling well or have been ex- posed to someone who COVID-19 virus out- break. The staff will re- main in the office working as normal, according to a press The April 9 TPNRD board meeting has been canceled as rec- ommended by the national Centers for Registration opens for 2020 Nebraska Ranch Practicum Telegraph staff reports Ranchers interested in duction systems. The practicum will be pleted application and registration fee byMay 1. order to cover the production cycle of livestock and for- age resources. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about a variety of top- ics, including the effective use of decision support tools to evaluate management and marketing alternatives, plant identification, range condi- tion and grazing strategies, wildlife management, evalu- ation of cow body condition scores, and beef cattle pro- The practicum can count for college or continuing ed- ucation credit. The registration fee is $675. The fee for a spouse is an additional $350. Registration covers educa- tional materials, noon meals and breaks. Participants are responsible for travel and lodging expenses. The pract- icum can count for college or continuing education credit. To register, submit a com- June 8-9, July 9, Sept. 2-3, and November 12, 2020, and January 13 and 14, 2021. Classroom activities will open and close the practi- cum in North Platte with the remainder of the classes conducted at the universi- ty’s Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory, a working ranch with education and research facilities, near Whitman. Applications will not be accept- ed after that date. Enrollment is limited to 35 participants. Applicants will be notified of their status no later thanMay 21. Refunds will be issued if space is not available. To learn more or register, visit nebraskaranchpracti- cum.unl.edu or contact Troy Walz at 308-872-6831 or troy. walz@unl.edu. learning about the latest cut- ting-edge research in range livestock production from the University of Nebraska– Lincoln are encouraged to register for the 2020 Nebraska Ranch Practicum offered by Nebraska Extension. The practicum will be held during eight sessions over the course of three seasons in THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH MARCH 2020 Axel is available through Fur the Love of PAWS Rescue. He is a two-year-old, domestic medium hair, tabby and white neutered male cat. He is great with kids cats and dogs and is litter trained. He likes to chat and his nickname is "Purrfessor Axel!" He is playful, affectionate, and loves companionship. He has been waiting for a home since February. Axel can't wait to find a forever home! Visit the Fur the Love of PAWS Rescue Facebook page for more info, pictures and video! PROUD SPONSORS OF THE NORTH PLATTE ANIMAL SHELTER Fur the Love of PAWS HELP SAVE A LIFE! Your Ad Could Be Here! Call today 308.535.4722 or 800.753.7092 Cans for Critters Westfield Small Animal Clinic 308-534-4480 308-532-5474 Recycling Program passionately dedicated to saving animals in need at the North Platte Animal Shelter as well as animals in the community facebook.com/FurtheLoveof PAWSRescue NORTH PLATTE 308-534-7636 800-303-7636 MAYWOOD 308-362-4228 800-233-4551 Proceeds support Fur the Love of PAWS Rescue in their efforts. See drop off locations on their Facebook page. facebook.com/NPCansforCritters 308-539-0277 (308) 532-4880 220 W. Fremont Dr • North Platte
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