FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015
Business & Ag
Cattlemen gather at Sunridge
Continued from Page 1
Bingham began with an
announcement about East-
ern Oregon Agricultural
Research’s 11th Annual
Cattleman’s Workshop, an
event scheduled to be held
in La Grande on Saturday,
January 24, at the Blue
Mountain Conference Cen-
ter in La Grande. He said
that no pre-registration is
required for this free event,
from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.,
and lunch is provided. The
theme this year is “Achiev-
ing Sustainable Beef Cow/
Calf Production.”
February is Beef Month,
and Bingham talked
about this with the group,
explaining that the BCLA
will be offering assistance
to the Baker County Cat-
tlewomen’s Association,
with events and activities
during this period.
At the next BCLA
meeting in February, there
will be a local veterinarian
present to discuss calving
issues, he said.
Bingham discussed
Intermountain Livestock’s
calf sales, in January and
September of 2014. The
contribution to the As-
sociation from each head
of yearlings was $1.50, he
said.
Copies of the book, “The
Real Wolf,” by Ted B.
Lyon and Will N. Graves,
were available for pur-
chase at the meeting, and
Bingham briefly mentioned
that the book is a balanced,
comprehensive look at the
situation with wolves in
Oregon.
The group discussed pos-
sible fundraisers for 2015,
and on the list of ideas is
an ATV. This idea and oth-
ers are expected to be more
thoroughly discussed at
future meetings.
The 2014-2015 budget
was approved, which
includes the following:
$6,548 in total revenue,
which is broken down as
$2,000 from dues, $1,250
from the annual meeting,
$2,400 from special sales,
and $898 from miscel-
laneous. Expenses are
listed as $6,548 also for the
2014-2015 budget.
Cal and Vickie Foster
were present to discuss the
status of their cattle theft
case, concerning a female
calf first discovered to be
missing in the fall of 2010.
A Sumpter couple, Richard
Phillip Newman, 75, and
Lynette Bullington, 63,
were charged a year ago
by Baker County District
Attorney Matt Shirtcliff
with two counts of Theft in
the First Degree, Class C
felonies, and three counts
of Unauthorized Use of a
Livestock Animal, Class
A misdemeanors. Since
then, one more count of
Theft in the First Degree
and Unauthorized Use of a
Livestock Animal has been
added. Two separate trials
are scheduled, the first of
which is set for February
10-12.
The Fosters said that
Shirtcliff, area law enforce-
ment, and the community
have been very supportive
in their case, and in general
efforts to minimize the
theft of cattle. OCA has
a reward fund available
for information relating
to cattle theft. A motion
to draft a letter to show
support for the Fosters was
approved.
Bingham asked the
group about possible area
representatives for Beef for
Schools, a program initi-
ated by the BCLA in 2010,
to provide donated cows
which are processed into
hamburger for local school
lunch programs. Since
then, between 90 and 100
head have been used for
this program, he said.
Bill Moore, former OCA
President, and Bob Skin-
ner, former OCA President
and current Secretary of
Treasury for the National
Public Lands Council ,
were present to discuss
efforts in the Oregon
State Legislature to assist
producers affected by the
possible listing of the sage
grouse as an endangered
species. This discussion
involved the Canada
Conservation Agreement
(CCA), and Canada Con-
servation Agreement with
Assurances (CCAA), both
legal agreements which
can assist landowners in
protecting their land, by
allowing them to retain
ownership of the property.
At the same time, the land-
owner commits to conserve
the natural integrity of the
site, limiting the type and
amount of developing,
while haying and graz-
ing are still allowed. A
CCAA has the additional
protection against lawsuits
concerning private land.
Moore said obtaining a
CCA or CCAA is a long
process, and contacting the
Bureau of Land Manage-
ment (BLM) would be a
recommended first step. He
said that the Baker County
Soil and Water District
could assist with speeding
up that process.
Moore commented that
the listing of the spotted
owl is an indication of how
the result of the listing of
the sage-grouse could go,
and Skinner added that the
economic impact would be
devastating.
Moore said the date
set for the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service to make
the decision whether to list
the sage-grouse or not is
September 15, and while a
CCA or CCAA is no guar-
antee the listing wouldn‘t
occur, it’s potential protec-
tion for landowners.
Skinner discussed a salt
tax proposed by OCA, a
concept at the moment, to
be considered by members
statewide, as a potential
means of revenue towards
conservation, in order to
delay or avoid possible
listing of the sage-grouse.
According to Skinner, this
process began with the
National Audubon Soci-
ety’s discussion with State
Representative Cliff Bentz
(R-Ontario) about the So-
ciety pledging $1.2 million
from bird seed tax revenue,
along with the estimated
revenue from the salt tax
of $400-$475,000, toward
conservation, possibly de-
laying the listing. Skinner
said this wouldn’t guaran-
tee any result concerning
the listing. He also said he
doesn’t support this type
of tax, as he sees too many
issues with the implemen-
tation of it, a sentiment
echoed by the group.
Skinner said if Oregon
cattlemen and cattlewomen
don’t support the tax, most
likely, it won’t be imple-
mented.
The next regular BCLA
meeting is scheduled for
Thursday, February 19,
2015, at the Best Western
Sunridge Inn, in Baker
City. The group normally
gathers for dinner around
6 p.m., and the meeting is
scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
Chamber of Commerce awards
THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 3
— Weekly Hay Report —
Friday, January 16, 2015 — Eastern Oregon
Prices trended steady to lower compared to the same
quality last week. Trade activity was very light
compared to last week. Several producers have sold
all that they plan to sell for this season.
No new eastern Oregon sales reported.
USDA Market News Service—AMS.USDA.gov
— Sheep Report —
Friday, January 16, 2015 — Western U.S.
No trades reported. The southern part of California
has received some much needed rains recently. This
has relieved the pressure to move lambs out early.
There continues to be a weaker undertone in the
slaughter lamb market. The mid-west has an adequate
supply of lambs while Colorado is fairly current. With
that said weights are beginning to creep up in spots.
At this point it is not a concern but something to
watch very closely going forward. Feeder lamb sales
FOB with overnight stand or equivalent 3-4 percent
shrink unless otherwise noted.
USDA Market News Service—AMS.USDA.gov
— Cattle Market Report —
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Vale, Oregon
Cattle sold through the auction: 1,956
Steer Calves
300-400# Bulk 331.00 - 368.00 Top 379.00
400-500# Bulk 309.00 - 364.00 Top 377.00
500-600# Bulk 245.00 - 292.00 Top 305.00
Heifer Calves
300-400# Bulk 286.00 - 312.00 Top 322.00
400-500# Bulk 250.00 - 306.00 Top 322.50
500-600# Bulk 225.00 - 256.00 Top 258.00
Yearling Steers
600-700# Bulk 219.00 - 245.50 Top 246.50
700-800# Bulk 207.00 - 220.00 Top 221.25
800-900# Bulk 186.00 - 197.00 Top 199.00
900-1,000# Bulk 177.00 - 188.00 Top 191.00
Yearling Heifers
600-700# Bulk 204.00 - 232.00 Top 238.50
700-800# Bulk 176.00 - 203.00 Top 208.50
800-900# Bulk N/A Top N/A
900-1,000# Bulk N/A Top N/A
Thin Shelly Cows 78.00 - 89.00
Butcher Cows 94.00 - 105.00
Butcher Bulls 97.00 - 115.00
Stock Cows 1600.00 - 1900.00
ProducersLivestock.com
— Log Price Report —
Price per 1,000 board feet: Northeast Oregon
Delivered to Elgin
Doug Fir / Larch 6”+ $370/m
White Fir/Sp 6”+ $380/m
LPP 6”+ $350/m
Delivered to La Grande
P. Pine 6-11” $290/m
12-17” $340/m
18-23” $390/m
24’+ $420/m
Todd Arriola / The Baker County Press
Roughly 100 attended a full evening at the Chamber of Commerce Awards banquet this year.
Continued from Page 1
This year’s theme was
“Back to the Future,” in
recognition of the com-
munity’s involvement with
helping younger individu-
als to have the drive and
tools necessary to suc-
ceed with future business
endeavors in the area.
There was a no-host
social hour beginning at 5
p.m., when the crowd start-
ed to form, and many silent
auction bid items, provided
by local businesses, as well
as 14 tables, sponsored
and decorated also by lo-
cal businesses. The silent
auction’s proceeds allow
the purchase of local, qual-
ity award trophies for the
winners.
A bar area in the next
room was tended by Chris-
ty Baird and Chris Taylor,
and catering was provided
by Kurt Miller (2013 Man
of the Year) and crew from
Baker City Truck Corral.
The meal included a Cae-
sar salad, barbequed beef
brisket, marinated chicken
skewers, roasted heirloom
potatoes, green beans with
sautéed mushrooms, and
warm apple bread pudding
with ice cream.
Debi Bainter, in her
eighth year as Baker
County Chamber of Com-
merce Executive Director,
welcomed the attendees,
and shortly thereafter
handed the microphone
to Jeff Nelson, Chamber
Board Director, to lead the
group with the invocation.
He also led the group with
the Pledge of Allegiance.
Bainter introduced Ed
Huggins, Chamber Presi-
dent, who welcomed and
thanked the crowd. Bainter
introduced Cheryl Martin,
Chamber Board Direc-
tor, and Jerry Peacock,
Chamber Board Director.
Bainter also introduced
Cassie Petrucci, Baker
County Visitor Bureau
Manager, and volunteers
Leita Seiber-Barr (2012
Woman of the Year), and
Teresa Schwab.
In keeping with the
banquet’s theme, Bryan
Dalke, former Burnt River
High School attendee and
Baker High School gradu-
ate, who’s heavily involved
with volunteering in the
community, was chosen to
be the emcee, and intro-
duced by Bainter.
Dalke spoke for a bit
about his personal life and
family, and provided en-
tertainment for the crowd
with jokes and stories in
between announcements of
the award winners.
The winners were: Rose-
mary Abell, Woman of the
Year, nominated by Kurt
Miller; Blake Marlia, Man
of the Year, nominated by
Dr. Jon Schott and several
others; Baker City Lions
Club, Non-Profit Service
Organization of the Year,
nominated by Debby Ray;
Ann Mehaffy, Legacy
Woman of the Year, nomi-
nated by Andrew Bryan;
Doyle Perry, Posthumous
Legacy Man of the Year,
nominated by Roberta Mc-
Call; Ralph Smead, Legacy
Man of the Year, nominat-
ed by Sheryl Blankenship;
Ralph and Myrna Morgan,
Excellence in Agriculture,
nominated by Chamber
Board Director Cheryl
Martin; The Baker City
Herald, Business of the
Year, nominated by Greg
Smith of Baker County
Economic Development,
Roberta McCall and Dotty
Miles; and Travis Cook,
Up and Coming/Young
Leader of the Year, nomi-
nated by Patti Pickard and
Leita Seiber.
Delivered to Pilot Rock
12-17” $390/m
18-23” $440/m
24’+ $480/m
Delivered pulp
$28/ton to Elgin
$28/ton to La Grande
Courtesy of Arvid Andersen,
Andersen Forestry Consulting
— Precious Metals Report —
Price per ounce, USD
Gold: $1,295.00
Silver: $18.00
Platinum: $1,284.50
Palladium: $776.53
Bloomberg.com
— Ag Commodities —
Corn: $390.25/bu/USD
Wheat: $537.00/bu/USD
Soybeans: $982.25/bu/USD
Oats: $290.25/bu/USD
Rough Rice: $11.27/cwt/USD
Canola: $455.70 CAD/mwt
Live Cattle: $151.10/lb./USD
Feeder Cattle: $202.65/lb./USD
Lean Hogs: $74.68/lb./USD
Bloomberg.com