Agriculture | Business & Tourism
News

Feds Paid Wyoming Farmers $5.5 Million Not To Farm In 2022
The federal Conservation Reserve Program doled out $5.5 million to Wyoming farmers last year in exchange for not farming certain plots of land, a $2 million increase from 2021.
Clair McFarland3 min read

Wet Winter And Spring May Save Wyoming Wheat Farmers From ‘Disaster’ Happening In Other States
Kansas and Oklahoma are so dry this year that the wheat harvest is what one Wyoming farmer called a “disaster.” The Cowboy State has benefited from wet weather in the winter and early spring. If it continues to stay wet, Wyoming should avoid a disaster of its own.
Kevin Killough4 min read

FDA Approval Of Gene-Edited Pigs Could Lead To Healthier And Tastier Livestock, Scientists Claim
A meat scientist at the University of Wyoming said there is a widespread misperception that gene-edited foods cause diseases and the modification of their genes can be passed on like a pathogen. To the contrary, he said the animals will be healthier and taste better.
Kevin Killough6 min read

To Make 10 Tons Of Honey Every Year, Sweetwater County Beekeeper Has 2.4 Million Bees
It takes 2.4 million bees to produce 10 tons a year of Eden Valley Honey, an art that northern Sweetwater County beekeeper Jim Hodder has been perfecting for 50 years.
John Thompson7 min read

Slow Isn’t Just For Food Any More — Slow Flower Movement Is Blooming In Wyoming
Kat Vonz of Cheyenne is part of the slow flower movement, which, like the “slow” or local food movement, encourages consumers to buy local products that support the domestic economy. She grows 10,000 flowers annually in less than 3,000 square feet on an urban lot in Cheyenne.
Renée Jean7 min read

Wyoming Farmers Have Few Options For Fixing Their Own Tractors As Colorado Passes ‘Right To Repair’
Colorado recently became the first state to pass a “right to repair” bill allowing farmers more leeway to fix their own tractors. Wyoming industry insiders say a similar measure is unlikely here anytime soon.
Mark Heinz6 min read

Lab-Grown Meat Gets FDA OK, But It’s Not An Easy Sell
It looks awful, it isn't real meat, and sales are awful. But the FDA recently did announce that the products from two companies are safe to eat.
Kevin Killough5 min read

18,000 Cattle Blown Up In Texas; Only Event Comparable In Wyoming Was The Blizzard Of 1886 - 1887
Wyoming cattle ranchers say reports of a massive explosion and fire killing 18,000 cattle on a Texas dairy farm are appalling, and point to "The Big Die-Up" as the only event similar to the tragedy. Hundreds of thousands of cattle in Wyoming died during a blizzard back in 1886 - 1887.
Mark Heinz5 min read

Livestock Vax Based On COVID-19 Vaccine Technology Raises Concerns, But Biologist Says Fears Are Unfounded
A livestock vaccine using the same technology as the COVID-19 vaccine hasn’t been approved for use, but some legislators are moving to implement labeling rules on foods coming from animals that receive the vaccine. A molecular biologist said the vaccine can’t get into the foods being labeled.
Kevin Killough6 min read

For A Decade, Catherine Wissner’s Been The Queen Bee For Wyoming Bee College
Changes are likely in store for the popular Wyoming Bee College, held the last 10 years in Cheyenne, with the retirement of longtime organizer Catherine Wissner. While it’ll be different without her, the hive with buzz on.
Renée Jean6 min read

It Takes A Special Kind Of Stubborn to Grow Wine Grapes In Wyoming
Wyoming has only two wineries that grow their own grapes to make their wines. The wind, cold and short growing season are all against them. But through persistence and smart practices, they’ve managed to overcome the odds.
Renée Jean9 min read

Could Insects Really Be Solution To Food Insecurity? Maybe, If People Can Get Over Their Squeamishness
While insects are a food source in many countries, the prospect of eating bugs has never taken off in most of the Western world — certainly not in the United States. Dr. Aaron Dossey, founder of Oklahoma-based All Things Bugs, wants to change that.
Kevin Killough6 min read