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February 2010

President Cerri Tours State:
Meets Producers,
Discusses Issues with State Officials

 

by Meghan Brown

There are many ways the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association is working to protect the future of ranching in Nevada. It may not be every day that you receive email updates from the association or mailing about what is going on but know that every day the volunteer leadership of the association works hard to advocate for and your operation.

This year President Ron Cerri traveled on the 45th annual Cattlemen’s Update. Ron traveled around the northern and central part of Nevada on the Cattlemen’s Update, which was put on by the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Service. This year’s tour matched the all time high attendance for the Cattlemen’s Update with 445 adult livestock producers and 90 4-H and FFA youth having participated. For the past 45 years the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Service has offered producers not only in Nevada, but also Oregon and California the opportunity to learn the newest information regarding livestock production, marketing and other topics.

While on this tour Ron was able to visit with old friends and meet some producers the first time. It was an enlightening experience for many reasons. He was able to see that in Nevada we have a diverse industry with both large and small ranches, many which operate on public lands and others that operate completely on private lands. These diversities also include operations that have feedlots but may also raise hay and other row crops. This was an opportunity for him not only to get his face out there, but also to let cattlemen know what the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association is actively involved in and what we, as an Association, are doing for you and the industry. Just as importantly, it was an opportunity for Ron to hear from producers about what issues are important and listen to different points of view on various issues.

As a native Nevadan, Ron would hate to admit this, but this was the first time he had been in Ely and Smith Valley, Nevada. Ron Cerri and Ron Torell put about 1600 miles on the odometer, starting from the west side of our state, traveling to the east side on Highway 50 and then back again on Interstate 80. What he discovered was that the issues that concern the Cattlemen are the same all across the state, although the order of importance might be slightly different in each area. Cattlemen everywhere are facing challenges on federal lands, water, regulations, seemingly endless litigation by anti-cattle groups and challenges by the animal rights groups.

Along with travels across the state meeting with producers several members of the association traveled to Carson City to have meetings with the Governor, State Water Engineer, Director of Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and Solicitor General with the Attorney General’s Office.

These meetings are important to make sure that the issues and concerns of Nevada producers are being heard by the decision makers at the capitol. President Cerri, JJ Goicoechea, Jon Griggs, Ron Torell, and Pete Mori attended these meetings to represent the views of our industry.

The association’s meeting with the Governor was critical as there are many issues both within the state and nationally that affect our industry. One of the steps the state has taken is to become involved in the case regarding the Calico wild horse gather North of Winnemucca. By having the state involved in the case raised the level of importance to the issue within the state and nationally. The case became more than just one group against another it became more about the resources and the needs of horses. There are more gathers planned in the state, and there will be more protests and cases filed to stop them. Having the Governor and the Attorney General’s office standing behind proper management of horses and the resources of Nevada, we have a better chance of true active management of wild horses being able to continue.

The Governor gave his commitment to working on issues that are important to our industry. He is interested in what our industry needs and looks to NCA and individual producers for guidance. If we are going to continue to have a voice we need to make sure and exercise that voice on issues such as water, wildlife, wild horses, wildfire, and regulations.

We spoke on the importance to keeping Nevada water law strong. The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association supports current Nevada law regarding water, and the 106 years of standing regarding sale, transfer, or lease of water rights. The Governor understood the importance of water rights and the importance of water to agriculture in the state. He made it clear his continued commitment to keeping water laws intact.

With looming budget cuts the association reiterated the importance of the labs within Department of Agriculture both from a public safety standpoint and from the industry side as well. With tests for rabies and other transferable disease it is important to have a state lab that can process these samples in a timely fashion. The lab also processes many samples sent in from veterinarians for disease testing. Although there may be cuts within the budgets the association reiterated the importance of the lab not only to industry but to the general public as well.

The association also spoke to the positive working relationship it has with the Nevada Department of Wildlife. Although there are issues that industry and sportsman’s groups do not always agree on, we feel that there is an open line of communication between the department and industry. We hope for that open communication will continue no matter what the issues are.

Along with meeting with the Governor leadership also met with Jason King with the State Water Engineers office. We spoke about stock water rights, wildlife water rights, and water rights that state and federal agencies hold on public lands. NCA leadership spoke to the importance to maintain water rights on federal lands and some of the current challenges that permittees face with trying to maintain those developments. Mr. King was very interested to hear some of the issues we were having, and would like to work with us to find some solutions.

Our meeting with Allen Biaggi with Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources was productive. It was the first time in a while that members of NCA had sat down with Allen to discuss some of the issues we are facing and how we can work together to find some solutions. Fire came up as the first topic. With the possibility of another fire year around the corner Allen spoke to the coordination with local VFD and state agencies to suppress fires quickly and safely. With possible budget cuts to NDF it is imperative that everyone continues to work together to make sure that fire resources are there when the fire starts. Allen also spoke to his appreciation to agriculture for being vocal about their needs and concerns when it comes to water and water issues in the state. There are decisions that not everyone will agree on, however over the past several years more and more ranchers and farmers are becoming part of the process.

Our final meeting of the day was with the Solicitor General Wayne Howle. We spoke with him regarding the 435 case and the states participation. The association appreciates the level of involvement the Attorney General’s office has had in recent months on issues such as wild horses and grazing. Without the involvement of the state to elevate the importance of these issues decisions would have not turned out the way they have. The Solicitor General assured the association that both he and the Attorney General look forward to continuing to work with the association.

To help make all of these meetings possible and for the continuation of a viable association this winter we are providing you another avenue to support NCA. Past President of the association Dan Gralian of the T S ranch has donated one truck load (approximately 25 tons) of buyer’s choice, Alfalfa or Orchard grass (or even a split load of each type) to the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association.

The hay is to be auctioned off to the highest bidder with the proceeds going to Nevada Cattlemen’s Association to further their efforts of protecting the political interests of the industry while promoting a dynamic and profitable Nevada Beef Industry.

Eric Rieman owner/manager of Rieman Hay of Gardnerville, Nevada donated up to 150 miles in transportation within the state of Nevada. Additional miles over 150 will be billed to the winning bidder at the standard rate. Hay analysis is available to the winning bidder to base their hay selection decision on. The hay is bailed in midsized 3’X4’X8’ squares weighing approximately 1250 pounds per bale.

The hay is located at T Lazy S Ranch near Battle Mountain, Nevada. Bids will close on February 20, 2010 with delivery anytime after. You may place a bid by calling the NCA office at 775-738-9214 or e-mailing Nevada Cattlemen’s Office (nca@nevadabeef.org) or by contacting any of the officers. Support the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association by placing a bid today on this load of your hay of choice.

 

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