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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (July 17, 2015)
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 Business & Ag Severe weather hits the panhandle BY CARMELITA HOLLAND News@TheBakerCountyPress.com According to the U.S. National Weather Service, last Friday’s 2.03” inches of rain at the Baker Airport made the day the second wettest in local recorded history. Two neighboring ranch- es in the Keating Valley, one owned by Mark and Julie Winton and the other by Fred and Beth Phil- lips, sustained damaged to culverts, fields, fences and roads as that excess water resulted in a flashflood down Ritter Creek. Then, as if to add insult to injury three days later, an unusually fierce lightning storm hit Eagle Valley about two o’clock the afternoon Monday, July 13, accompanied by a rain resembling a waterfall that lasted over half an hour, leaving a few residents in New Bridge on Summit Creek alarmed since severe flash flooding in Keating Valley. The sky over New Bridge was peppered with a large number of impres- sive lightning streaks, ac- companied by continuous Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com The Oregon State University (OSU) Exten- sion Service recently hired Leticia Aurelia Varelas, a University of Wyoming graduate student, as the new Livestock Agent for Baker and Union counties. Valeras fills a position left vacant for over a year. Valeras said, “I grew up on a ranch in southeast New Mexico with my parents and brother, where we raised cattle and sheep. I’ve always had an interest in continuing to work in the agriculture industry, but I wasn’t exactly sure where I fit. Through dif- ferent internships, I finally figured out that working in an Extension position was the best balance of my career skills and interests. I really enjoy working with people and learning about innovative management practices that agricultural producers use every day, but I also like seeing what research can tell us about how systems respond to different practices. I knew to get to that position, I needed to continue with my education. “I am currently working on my PhD in Rangeland Ecology with a minor in Agricultural Econom- ics at the University of Wyoming. Prior to that, I studied Agricultural Busi- ness/Agricultural Econom- ics and minored in Range Science at New Mexico State University. I chose these two disciplines over Animal Science because I’ve learned that western livestock production is as much about managing our natural resources as it is about raising livestock. “When I read the job announcement for the Livestock Agent in Baker and Union counties, I was immediately interested in the position. I am currently engaged to Robert Hen- derson. After visiting the area, meeting a few of the local livestock producers, Oregon State Extension personnel and other com- munity members, we knew — Weekly Hay Report — Friday, July 10, 2015 — Eastern Oregon Prices trended generally steady compared to the same quality last week. Trade activity increased drastically this week, however many producers were still busy in the field with the new crop. The slightly cooler weather this week compared to last weeek has been attributed to increased activity. Tons Price Range Wtd Avg Alfalfa — Large Square Supreme 280 200.00-200.00 200.00 Alfalfa/Orchard Mix — Small Square Good 80 175.00-175.00 175.00 Timothy Grass — Large Square Good 1,000 180.00-180.00 180.00 Grass — Mid Square Good 200 175.00-175.00 175.00 Wendee Morrissey / The Baker County Press A flashflood over the weekend took out this culvert at the ranch owned by Mark and Julie Winton along Hwy. 86. The thick, heavy rain “I saw a bolt of lightning, ear-splitting crackling, and beat down on businesses and it looked like it hit the very loud booms, fading and people outside scurried top of the Feed Mill. There away in long roars, always for cover. was lightning flashing broken by a new blast. Larry Fletcher, who everywhere,” he said. Several large, bright works at Black Distribut- The rain continued as streaks appeared near ing’s gas pumps said, “I’m the sound of the storm enough to hit two houses, faded, and no lightning- one on each side of Second sure glad no one came for gas during that storm. I caused fires were found in Street. One huge, wide could not have given them Eagle Valley. streak zigzagged toward any.” Meanwhile, in Baker the earth appearing to The station has outside Valley and south through- hit the ground inside the pumps and removing gas out the Bridgeport/Her- town site in the vicinity of caps would have permit- eford area, a hail storm the county road up Eagle ted water to enter gasoline swept through the area, Creek. tanks. pounding gardens with ice A later search revealed Steve Hamstreet was chunks reported at 1/4” no damages. just coming to work at on average, with a few as Richland fared no better Richland Feed and Seed. large as 1/2”. than New Bridge. New livestock agent starts soon BY TODD ARRIOLA THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 3 we made the right decision to move to Baker City. We are both from small towns, and we enjoy having the opportunity to spend time working and play- ing outside, whether that involves hunting, camping, or working cattle. We have received a warm welcome from both community members and future co- workers with Oregon State. I’m thrilled about starting my career in Baker and Union counties and look forward to the opportuni- ties that lie ahead.” Carole Smith, Extension Service Regional Admin- istrator, said, “We are very excited to attract a young, talented individual like Leticia to our area. She is very personable and eager to begin her new position.” Bob Parker, Extension Service County Leader/ Forestry Agent, said, “We’ve been without a Livestock agent since April or May of last year.” Varelas will be replacing Cory Parsons, who relo- cated to Montana to pursue work in a similar position. Smith, Parker and Valeras attended a Baker County Commission ses- sion on July 1st, where Valeras was introduced to those present. Parker said he ex- pected the process to fill the position to take even longer, even beginning at a later date, because this branch of the Extension Service usually receives lower hiring priorities, statewide from OSU. “We got bumped up by about a year, which makes us very happy,” he said, explain- ing that the search began for a new candidate last November. Parker and others voiced a persuasive case to OSU, and he said, “Baker is an agriculture-based community, and the Live- stock Agent position is a huge piece of what the Ex- tension Service does here.” Parker said that being without one for such a long period was not a good way to serve the community. About three years ago, Parker said, there was a USDA Market News Service—AMS.USDA.gov — Cattle Market Report — Wednesday, July 8, 2015 Vale, Oregon Cattle sold through the auction: 322 Steer Calves 300-400# Bulk N/A Top N/A 400-500# Bulk 243.00 - 272.00 Top 298.00 500-600# Bulk 238.00 - 260.00 Top 267.50 Heifer Calves 300-400# Bulk N/A Top N/A 400-500# Bulk 236.00 - 247.00 Top 253.00 500-600# Bulk 216.00 - 234.00 Top 236.00 Yearling Steers 600-700# Bulk 223.00 - 234.00 Top 240.50 700-800# Bulk 197.00 - 219.00 Top 227.50 800-900# Bulk N/A Top N/A 900-1,000# Bulk N/A Top N/A Yearling Heifers 600-700# Bulk 188.00 - 206.00 Top 208.00 700-800# Bulk N/A Top N/A 800-900# Bulk N/A Top N/A 900-1,000# Bulk N/A Top N/A Todd Arriola/ The Baker County Press L-R: Leticia Aurelia Varelas, Bob Parker, and Carole Smith. restructuring of the Exten- said. He noted sometimes sion Service, and Parsons during previous selection also took on the role of processes, the community’s Regional Administrator voice was the most per- of the Southeast Region suasive. “There have been (Malheur, Harney and times when OSU has said, Grant counties), resulting ‘Oh, we like this person,’ in his working in that posi- and the community said, tion 70% of the time, and ‘No, we like this person,’” 30% as a Livestock Agent. and the latter was hired. “.3 (30%) of a job, for “Overall, Leticia has the an ag-based community? best fit. We’re real excited Let’s get real. That’s not to have her here, and I a good fit, and that‘s not a think she’s not only going good way to serve Baker to be a good educator, I County.” think she has the capacity A nationwide search con- to be a real leader,” Parker ducted by the Extension said. Service generated over 20 Parker added, “She was applicants for the position, born and raised in a ranch- and by April of this year, ing environment in New Parker and his colleagues Mexico, and her passion is made a tough decision to help producers do what between two well-qualified they do. That’s where her ones, including Valeras. heart is at, so, she decided The interview and selec- she wanted to do Exten- tion committee included sion-type work, the best Parker, Smith, Wallowa opportunity to have that County Extension Service impact.” Livestock and Natural Valeras impressed Resources Agent John Parker and his colleagues Williams, local rancher during her interviews, he and Oregon Cattlemen’s said, with her knowledge Association (OCA) Water regarding issues such Resources Chair Curt Mar- as Greater Sage Grouse tin, and local farmer and habitat and grazing on Baker County Economic Federal lands, and other Development Committee regulatory, environmental, (EDC) Chair Craig Ward. and political issues. “She’ll Parker said the interview have a real opportunity to and selection committee play a role in that, and I purposely included people think those are areas where from the local community she’ll really shine. She has not necessarily directly the knowledge and the sci- associated with the Exten- ence, and she has a way to sion Service, because there bring that to bare on these has always been local input issues. She’ll be a huge when hiring in the past. asset for us.” “Sometimes, OSU can While Valeras is techni- be too overly focused on cally scheduled to begin the academic side. People work on Auguest 15th, in the community want which is a Saturday, she’ll somebody they can relate actually begin work for to, they can understand, the Extension Service on to solve problems, and Monday, August 17th. provide information,” he Thin Shelly Cows 79.00 - 89.00 Butcher Cows 97.00 - 109.00 Butcher Bulls 114.00 - 134.00 Stock Cows Yng. 1500.00 - 2050.00 Younger Hfrts. 119.00 - 137.00 Young Pairs - N/A ProducersLivestock.com 541-473-3136 — Log Price Report — Price per 1,000 board feet: Northeast Oregon Doug Fir is $415.00/mbf White fir is $365.00/mbf Ponderosa Pine is brought sold on diameter splits 6 to 11 inch dib $300 to $310/MBF 12 to 17 inch dib $350 to $375/MBF 18 to 23 inch dib $400 to $430/MBF 24 inch plus dib $450 to $500/MBF DIB is diameter inside bark at small end of log. MBF is thousand board feet lumber, net scale. People interested in selling logs should call and get specific quotes from saw mills. Courtesy of Arvid Andersen, Andersen Forestry Consulting — Precious Metals Report — Price per ounce, USD Gold: $1154.20 Silver: $15.31 Platinum: $1,029.85 Palladium: $659.05 Bloomberg.com — Ag Commodities — Corn: $427.50/bu/USD Wheat: $566.75/bu/USD Soybeans: $1021.25/bu/USD Oats: $268.00 bu/USD Rough Rice: $11.07/cwt/USD Canola: $525.10 CAD/mwt Live Cattle: $147.15/lb./USD Feeder Cattle: $214.30/lb./USD Lean Hogs: $64.93/lb./USD Bloomberg.com
