Happy New Year all! I hope everyone had a great Christmas and is off to a good start to the year.
2023 is in the rearview mirror and 2024 is here to welcome us with open arms. Last year I promised myself I would come up with a New Year’s Resolution and actually stick with it, but I regret to inform you that didn’t happen. Maybe this year will be the year.
We enter the new year hopeful for a little milder, but still wet winter and the continuation of an overall strong cattle market. Before I turn the page on 2023, I want to thank everyone that consigned cattle to the 21st Annual Silver State Classic Feeder Sale last month. This sale is a major fundraiser for our Association as a portion of the commission is donated to NCA to help carry out our mission. A big thank you to Fallon Livestock LLC for all of their support year after year.
As we turn the calendar to 2024, NCA has our sights set on several high priority issues. These include BLM’s Conservation and Landscape Health Rule, amended Greater Sage-Grouse Land Use Plans, the Solar Energy Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement in response to the Biden-Harris administration’s goals of permitting 25 gigawatts of renewable energy on public lands by 2025, potential grazing regulation re-write, and endangered species listings, to name a few. It’s important to hear from you should you feel something needs to be brought forward. Remember, NCA works for you and is always looking for engagement on the issues that are affecting livestock producers in our state.
There are also a few noteworthy events taking place in the first part of 2024. The University of Nevada, Reno will again be hosting the annual Cattlemen’s Update in person and virtually from January 8-12. The University has hosted these sessions across Nevada for more than 40 years to provide ranchers with current research-based information about issues that may affect the efficiency, productivity, profitability, and sustainability of Nevada’s cattle industry. Please be sure to check out their website, https://naes.unr.edu/cattlemens/, for additional information on session locations and times the week of January 8-12, 2024.
Lastly, if you’re in need of bulls this upcoming season, mark February 17, 2024 on your calendars for the 2nd Annual Great Basin Bull Sale in Fallon, NV at the Rafter 3C Event Center at 1:00 p.m. In the tradition of both the Fallon All Breeds Bull Sale and the Bulls for the 21st Century Bull Test and Sale, there will be a combination of performance tested and range bulls available at the sale. If you’re looking to improve the genetics of your operation, there’s no doubt you should be able to find what you’re looking for at the upcoming sale. Be sure to visit the website greatbasinbullsale.com for more information.