Category: Ranch

Around the ranch

Laramie County Commissioners Adopt New Rules for CAFOs

Yesterday commissioners changed the minimum setback distance from three miles to one mile, clearing the way for a high-density horse feeding operation near Burns, WY and silencing the voices of those opposed to the facility.

The new setback will be subject to odor propagation modeling.  If the tool says adverse effects will spread beyond the one-mile radius, affected landowners will be added to the stakeholder group.

The amendment was approved unanimously, according to a report posted this morning by the Wyoming Tribune Eagle.

The hearing begins at 08:32 in this video.

The proposed facility, with a capacity of 5,000 wild horses on 80 acres, will be operated on behalf of the BLM.

RELATED: Laramie County Commissioners Meet Tomorrow.

Laramie County Commissioners Meet Tomorrow

The rule change that would bring a high-density horse feeding operation to Burns, WY will be considered in an online public hearing.  Item 22 on the agenda.  The first page has instructions for viewing and participating in the meeting.

UPDATE: Refer to this report by the Wyoming Tribune Eagle.  The county planning commission sided with residents, opposing the rule change 3 – 0.

RELATED: Wild Horse CAFO Not on Laramie County Agenda.

Thoughts on New Colt

A month has passed since he was born but I still can’t look at the photos and videos from that first hour.  The day turned out well, of course, but the anxiety lingers.

I did not think he was going to make it.

Normally, I’m hands off on these things.  Not that I have a whole lot of experience in this area—I don’t—but after watching him struggle for nearly an hour, shivering and exhausted, I couldn’t sit on the sidelines any longer.

The problem was the amniotic sac.  Maybe mom could have worked it loose with a bit more time but I wasn’t going to take that chance.

I grabbed the rake and used the handle to slide it off his back legs, like pulling his pants down.

Mom was not thrilled with my involvement.  But then I went back to cleaning the corral.

That’s the difference you see between the images at 2:40 and 2:45 in the following video.

I still think he’s small for his age.  Perhaps he was born a week or two early.  That would explain much of what I saw that day.

Yes, I’ve touched his nose but that’s it.  No stalls, no blankets, no halters, no imprinting.

What is a Yard Hydrant?

It’s an underground valve for cold climates.  The photo below shows a Woodford model Y34.  You can find them online and at home improvement stores.

When you lift the handle, the valve opens and water flows out of the standard 3/4″ hose nozzle.  When you lower the handle, the valve closes and water drains out of the riser pipe through an underground weep hole.  That’s what makes it freeze-proof.

The first three minutes of this video will give you an overview of the product.

Of course, if you leave the valve open in freezing temperatures, with no flow, you’re going to have problems.

The crack mentioned in the previous post occurred at the threaded inlet to the handle assembly.  It will have to be replaced.

Yard Hydrant Crack-1

The manufacturer provides a complete breakdown of the unit and parts can be obtained through various distributors.  This job requires the RK-Y34HA head assembly kit.

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