Dennis Sun
Latest from Dennis Sun
Dennis Sun: Against The West
President-Elect Donald Trump has campaigned to bring the DOI and BLM back under commonsense management that will listen to experts in Western states. I can’t wait.
Dennis SunNovember 22, 2024
Dennis Sun: The Future Of U.S. Meat In International Markets
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "The U.S. Meat Export Federation held its annual strategic planning conference in Tucson. The first topic discussed was the analysis of the election, potential impacts on agriculture policy and international trade and how it will reflect on beef and other meat."
Dennis SunNovember 15, 2024
Dennis Sun: Cows Rule
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Usually when someone attacks the beef industry, one doesn’t have to look far to realize there are some animal rights activist cow haters involved. It’s a lot like politics – truth and science be damned, say anything you want and hopefully it sticks on the wall."
Dennis SunNovember 08, 2024
Dennis Sun: The New Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "If one looks at the makeup of the guidelines committee, they seem to be younger people who work at universities with PhDs. I would guess they all grew up in cities and don’t know how to garden. Their food and vegetables come in a box once a week."
Dennis SunNovember 01, 2024
Dennis Sun: Unmanaged Wild Horses Are A Problem
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "A recent study published by the University of Wyoming noted sage grouse are suffering from unmanaged, high numbers of wild horses in Wyoming’s various herd management areas.
Dennis SunOctober 25, 2024
Dennis Sun: A Gold Mine on the Wyoming Plains
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "The University of Wyoming is a treasure for the state of Wyoming in many ways. It gives so much back to the state, its people and others around the world."
Dennis SunOctober 18, 2024
Dennis Sun: Information to Help You Decide How To Vote
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "For over 40 years, the American Farm Bureau Federation has sent each of the presidential candidates questions pertaining to agriculture. They are good questions, and I believe our readers could gain some value from them. I would encourage everyone to get online and read the full responses."
Dennis SunOctober 11, 2024
Dennis Sun: From the Ranch
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Despite drought, government overreach and inflation, ranchers surveyed said they are optimistic for the future."
Dennis SunOctober 04, 2024
Dennis Sun: It’s The End Of Grilling Season
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "We’ve all been concerned about food inflation the last four years, but we also need to appreciate what it costs to produce our food."
Dennis SunSeptember 27, 2024
Dennis Sun: Hey, What About the National Debt?
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Our national debt has now grown over $35 trillion. Thanks to frenzied spending after the pandemic and costly programs initiated by the president and Congress, the debt load could easily top $50 trillion in 10 years."
Dennis SunSeptember 20, 2024
Dennis Sun: How To Tell An Ag Recession is Close
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Large declining farm and ranch income is a leading indicator of a recession. So far this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasts another major decline in farm income for 2024. This would be the largest decline in history."
Dennis SunSeptember 13, 2024
Dennis Sun: What Will Food Costs Do Before The Election?
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "With the general election coming up in a couple of months, the price for food is a big issue. Most people say the high prices are unfair, but they keep rising."
Dennis SunSeptember 06, 2024
Dennis Sun: Sheep Are In
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Sheep have always been a vital industry in the West, even though numbers have been dropping over the years. Despite all of the hurdles of raising sheep, there is still a strong interest in them."
Dennis SunAugust 30, 2024
Dennis Sun: Slow And Even Slower
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Kamala Harris wants to have new price controls on food and is focusing on meat, especially beef. Her talk set off alarms in the cattle and beef business – futures dropped suddenly and live cattle prices dropped as well."
Dennis SunAugust 23, 2024
Dennis Sun: Some Good News
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "A new study challenges outdated information and management principles related to livestock grazing in the sagebrush steppe and how it was previously thought to negatively impact these ecosystems. Instead, the study saw desirable outcomes..."
Dennis SunAugust 16, 2024
Dennis Sun: It's Wyoming State Fair Time!
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "The Wyoming State Fair has been around since 1905, and its future looks brighter than ever. Wyoming is fortunate to have a state fair with our boom and bust economy. There are a lot of states that have given up on having a state fair for one reason or another."
Dennis SunAugust 09, 2024
Dennis Sun: Antiquities Act Gone Bad
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Throughout the years, we’ve seen the Antiquities Act misused by presidents looking for a legacy, it is time for Congress to go back to the original intent and get away from the huge land grabs we’ve seen lately."
Dennis SunAugust 02, 2024
Dennis Sun: Northern Cattle
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "For many years, we’ve been told steers fed in the North always bring more money than Southern-fed steers. We always took pride in the fact and bragged on it."
Dennis SunJuly 26, 2024
Dennis Sun: Checkoffs Pay Back
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "In the five-year period from 2019-23, for every dollar invested in the Beef Checkoff’s demand-driven activities, producers and beef importers who pay into the program received a $13.41 benefit."
Dennis SunJuly 19, 2024
Dennis Sun: Selling Calves 101
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "I thought I would explain different ways to sell livestock, as there are numerous people in our region who have no idea what happens on the farm or ranch between now and the first of the year."
Dennis SunJuly 12, 2024
Dennis Sun: Freedom Wins
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "June 28 was a great day, as the Supreme Court voted to overrule the Chevron deference. I believe the deference rule was an easy way to manage climate change, and it was used as a tool to hinder oil and gas, coal and agriculture and to take total control of lands."
Dennis SunJuly 05, 2024
Dennis Sun: Raw Milk is Political
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Around 2010, raw milk consumption – along with other food movements like organic, buy local, vegetarian and a few others – were gaining popularity with the liberal crowd. Now, especially, raw milk is the darling of conservatives."
Dennis SunJune 28, 2024
Dennis Sun: Taxpayer Dollars Are Being Used To Fund The Lab-Grown Meat Movement
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "A Pentagon-funded company is seeking proposals to feed America’s soldiers lab-grown meat in a bid to reduce the CO2 footprint at Department of Defense (DOD) outposts."
Dennis SunJune 21, 2024
Dennis Sun: The Consolidation Of Our Ranches
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Census of Agriculture found there were 1.9 million farms and ranches in the U.S. This is the smallest number since 1950."
Dennis SunJune 14, 2024
Dennis Sun: Get Over It
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "I think we are headed down the wrong road if we make our food system political, as some other countries have in getting rid of their livestock."
Dennis SunJune 07, 2024
Dennis Sun: All Of Rural America Is Waiting
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "On May 23, the U.S. House Agriculture Committee started discussing the new farm bill. The farm bill has always been contentious, and the way some members of Congress act today, it will surely be a battle to not only get the bill passed by the House, but also by the Senate."
Dennis SunMay 31, 2024
Dennis Sun: Wyoming Is Fortunate To Have Our Congressional Delegation
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Most people in Wyoming realize the current administration wants to change agriculture, energy and our way of life. They do this by ignoring Congress and the Supreme Court, printing more money, and issuing presidential executive orders."
Dennis SunMay 24, 2024
Dennis Sun: Cost Of Meat Is Not Going Down
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Lately, people have been asking me if the price of meat is going to keep getting higher. I have to be honest and tell them there are no signs of most meat prices going down, especially beef."
Dennis SunMay 17, 2024
Dennis Sun: The Food Supply
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "When talking about the nation’s food supply, people might look at you like you’re crazy because there is always food at the grocery store."
Dennis SunMay 10, 2024
Dennis Sun: Us Against Them
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "We can only hope there will be a change in administration come November. This administration wants to manage public lands using areas of critical environmental concern, where they manage for a single use, which is not good."
Dennis SunMay 03, 2024
Dennis Sun: Every Day Should Be Earth Day
Guest columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Earth Day should be an everyday occurrence with a positive note. It shouldn’t just be a day to point fingers on an issue most don’t know anything about. Those who live and work on the land realize it is a year-round job ensuring a future for agriculture."
Dennis SunApril 26, 2024
Dennis Sun: American Beef Is Top-Notch
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "American beef is the best in the world. I’m not bragging. It is proven and supported by worldwide demand for our beef."
Dennis SunApril 19, 2024
Dennis Sun: A Study In Carbon
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Ranchers in the U.S. are great stewards of the range with their rotational grazing practices, and it has been proved we can raise our income by doing so ... but good rangelands helping with pollution are welcome by most everyone."
Dennis SunApril 12, 2024
Dennis Sun: The More, The Merrier When It Comes To Grocery Shopping
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "When consumers are happy with a product, it usually puts the manufacturer or producer in good light. I think it really works with our nation’s beef and lamb producers. We need to take advantage of it."
Dennis SunApril 05, 2024
Dennis Sun: Agriculture Becomes The Scapegoat
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Some studies say agriculture is responsible for 11% of Earth’s pollution. We wonder why they are pointing their finger at ag while there is 89% left to share the blame."
Dennis SunMarch 29, 2024
Dennis Sun: Made In The USA Labels Could Mean Big Business
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Studies show nearly one-half of all U.S. beef is consumed by just 12% of Americans. The USA label premiums could result in hundreds of millions of dollars in sales revenue."
Dennis SunMarch 22, 2024
Dennis Sun: Tackling Political Beefs Over Beef
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Cattle producers realize consumers are their customers, worldwide. They all want to give these customers the best beef products they can, with a label on the package that tells the true story."
Dennis SunMarch 16, 2024
Dennis Sun: Biden's Climate Change Actions Will Be & How They Affect Agriculture
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Those in the beef industry really have concerns – both globally and in the U.S. – that they will suffer terrible consequences from actions taken in the name of climate change."
Dennis SunMarch 08, 2024
Dennis Sun: Will The U.S. Postal Service Continue to Deliver For America?
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "I don't think the "Delivering For America" plan does anything to help mail service in rural America, especially in Wyoming, where the U.S. Postal Service wants to move all processing centers out of the state
Dennis SunMarch 01, 2024
Dennis Sun: Looking Ahead In The World Of Agriculture
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "There are always risks in the cattle business, so what is happening with high prices today has happened before. We do have some new concerns today, some of which are not going to be solved soon.
Dennis SunFebruary 23, 2024
Dennis Sun: Alternative Meat Ain't Working
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Fake meat was supposed to take off with a blast when it got its start in America, but unlike European and Asian countries, Americans want the real deal – beef, lamb, pork and poultry."
Dennis SunFebruary 16, 2024
Dennis Sun: Cattle Prices Look Positive
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Even though it is February, I always start to hear about the state of the state of the cattle industry this time of year. Nearly all of those in the know in the beef business are talking positively about the price of cattle."
Dennis SunFebruary 09, 2024
Dennis Sun: Wyoming's 2024 Budget Session Starts On February 12
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "While reading through these bills, I realize there are a number of ways to hopefully fix the burden of high property taxes. It will take some time for legislators to sort through the bills and narrow down what Wyoming should do."
Dennis SunFebruary 02, 2024
Dennis Sun: Who’s Your Neighbor?
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Currently, 14 states regulate foreign ownership of farmland. In our region, Wyoming and Colorado are the only states with no restrictions."
Dennis SunJanuary 26, 2024
Dennis Sun: Understanding Agriculture
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "For most consumers, finding food to feed their families is easy – just head to the grocery store. Most consumers don’t realize all of the work and money it takes to get America’s food onto shelves for people to select what they need."
Dennis SunJanuary 12, 2024
Dennis Sun: Endangered Species Act -- All Stick and No Carrots
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "The ESA has the right to say how a listed or threatened plant or animal’s habitat will be managed without much input from the landowner. I guess this is where the saying associated with ESA – 'shoot, shovel and shut up' – came from."
Dennis SunJanuary 05, 2024
Dennis Sun: Looking Forward To 2024
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Agriculture will always remember the winter of 2023, as 90 percent of ranchers and farmers in the region had never witnessed anything like it before. Even some who remembered the Blizzard of 1949 said last winter was worse."
Dennis SunDecember 30, 2023
Dennis Sun: North Pole Postal
’Twas the week before Christmas, the office was humming. The Roundup needed sent ‘cause Christmas was coming.
Dennis SunDecember 22, 2023
Dennis Sun: Less Cattle Next Year
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "An early news show I watched one morning interviewed a mad Al Gore, who was very disappointed in the final COP28 draft for leaving out agriculture, food and fossil fuels. It made me realize when Al Gore is mad, it’s a good day."
Dennis SunDecember 16, 2023
Dennis Sun: COP 28 -- Flipping The Switch And Everything Will Be "Perfect"
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "We were told ice caps would be gone in so many years and all coastal cities and lands would be flooded. All of these predictions of doom and gloom have not materialized."
Dennis SunDecember 08, 2023
Dennis Sun: Water Is Gold
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "In Western states, water is gold. The only difference is the value of water will never go down."
Dennis SunNovember 23, 2023
Dennis Sun: Beef Producers Are Optimistic
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "A recent survey showed 65 percent stating they are optimistic about the future; 57 percent reported profitability in the past five years; 54 percent noted they will add another member to their operation in the next five years and 38 percent said they plan to grow their herd size over the next five years."
Dennis SunNovember 19, 2023
Dennis Sun: U.S. Debt is Too High
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Our current government doesn’t have much of a plan to service the debt, except to keep printing money and acting like drunken sailors."
Dennis SunNovember 11, 2023
Dennis Sun: What's Happening with the Farm Bill?
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "The five-year 2018 Farm Bill ended on Sept. 30, which is frustrating and problematic for those in agriculture."
Dennis SunNovember 04, 2023
Dennis Sun: It Is Called Respect
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "I think some hunters must believe their hunting license gives them the right to disrespect the land and private property and do whatever it takes to fill their tag.
Dennis SunOctober 28, 2023
Dennis Sun: It Just Takes Time
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "From the time a rancher starts planning with potential genetics, to the time the bull and cow mate, it is going to be around 26 months before a consumer can buy hamburger or rib steak from the animal."
Dennis SunOctober 21, 2023
Dennis Sun: Another Raise On Postage
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Coming soon to everyone is another postage rate hike. The reason we’re getting this hike is because the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has the authority to raise rates every six months."
Dennis SunOctober 15, 2023
Dennis Sun: Calves Are Moving
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "It is a good time of year for those in the livestock business. It’s busy but rewarding. There are a lot of cattle trucks on highways leading into the region, and it only means one thing – ranchers are shipping calves."
Dennis SunOctober 07, 2023
Dennis Sun: Value-Added Dairy Cattle
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "The dairy industry is taking advantage of higher cattle and meat prices and bringing in new genetics to provide more value-added beef products. Their timing is perfect."
Dennis SunSeptember 30, 2023
Dennis Sun: Climate Change And What To Believe
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Lately, we’ve heard a lot of news stories saying climate change is the reason for the extreme weather patterns we’ve experienced. The bad news is climate change is so political, we don’t know what to believe."
Dennis SunSeptember 22, 2023
Dennis Sun: Beef. It's What's For Dinner
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "A recent study by Tulane University found 12 percent of Americans are responsible for eating one-half of all the beef consumed on any given day. I question this study as it was funded by groups against cattle grazing."
Dennis SunSeptember 17, 2023
Dennis Sun: Private Land Rights
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Most every person I have caught trespassing is also a terrible liar – their excuses are some of the tallest tales one will ever hear."
Dennis SunSeptember 09, 2023
Dennis Sun: Sheep Industry Goes High-Tech For Best Genetics
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, “We all know in the early days of statehood up to the 1960s, sheep were king. Let’s face it, our region is best for grazing sheep. … This vision to develop and use better genetics by a few sheep producers is the future of the industry.”
Dennis SunSeptember 02, 2023
Dennis Sun: Why The Ag Community Should Be Concerned
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Ever since Joe Biden has been president, the West and its agriculture industry have been threatened and under attack – maybe not as threatened as the energy industry has, that is, up until lately."
Dennis SunAugust 27, 2023
Dennis Sun: Corner Crossing -- What Do We Do?
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "For the last couple of years, corner crossing has been a hot topic causing a lot of concern with farmers and ranchers in Wyoming. The latest judge’s ruling has not helped this concern."
Dennis SunAugust 20, 2023
Dennis Sun: It's Still Not Meat
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "For beef, lamb, pork, poultry and other meat producers, the good news is these “alt-meat companies,” as they like to be called, have seen a decrease in capital raised by 42 percent in 2022 compared to 2021."
Dennis SunAugust 12, 2023
Dennis Sun: John Kerry Is At It Again
Agriculture columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Once again John Kerry, the current U.S. special presidential envoy for climate, is attacking American ranchers and farmers by criticizing food production’s contribution to carbon emissions."
Dennis SunAugust 05, 2023
Dennis Sun: Cattle Numbers Stay Low
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Fat cattle headed to packinghouses are bringing record prices lately, and these high prices are trickling down to grocery store meat counters."
Dennis SunJuly 30, 2023
Dennis Sun: It's The People
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Congress is in the process of developing and approving a new five-year farm bill, as the current bill ends on Oct. 1. One cannot overstate the importance of the farm bill to rural America and agriculture."
Dennis SunJuly 24, 2023
Dennis Sun: Hard Decisions For Ranchers And Farmers
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "There are no lazy summer days for ranchers and farmers. On one side of their businesses, of course, is the hard work – managing crops and livestock."
Dennis SunJuly 16, 2023
Dennis Sun: Kroger And Albertsons Merger Is A Threat To Agriculture
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "A prime example of concentration is the potential merger of Kroger and Albertsons grocery stores and how it may raise the cost of groceries for consumers."
Dennis SunJuly 08, 2023
Dennis Sun: Stay Positive
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Livestock prices, especially cattle prices are staying strong. Calves are in a price correction, but demand is going to stay strong. Meatpackers are trying to lower the fat cattle prices in every which way, but demand should overshadow their tricks."
Dennis SunJuly 02, 2023
Dennis Sun: Sage Grouse Again
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Wyoming was the first state to aggressively develop a management plan in hopes of keeping sage grouse from being listed on the Endangered Species Act, and other Western states used this plan as a template while adopting their own plans."
Dennis SunJune 25, 2023
Dennis Sun: Making A Difference
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "One of Wyoming’s best traits has always been giving – to other people or specific causes. It just seems to come natural to the people of the state and the region. And, in today’s society, there are always plenty of good causes to give to."
Dennis SunJune 17, 2023
Dennis Sun: It's Grilling Season
Columnist Dennis Sun writes a new study, "...found lab-grown or 'cultivated' imitation meat’s environmental impact is likely to be “orders of magnitude” higher than retail beef, based on current and near-term production methods."
Dennis SunJune 11, 2023