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