[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 39 (Thursday, February 27, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S1213]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING THE WYOMING STOCK GROWERS ASSOCIATION

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, Scott Sims and his family are ranchers 
at McFadden, in southeastern Wyoming. Scott also serves as president of 
the Wyoming Stock Growers Association.
  The Sims family are practitioners of holistic management and low-cost 
production. They believe they have a responsibility ``to take care of 
the land, with its weather, beauty, isolation and recreation. We strive 
to live independently and to follow our passion: with power of choice, 
faith in States rights, and freedom from excessive regulation.''
  The values the Sims family follows in their work and lives are 
simple: honesty, respect, integrity, trust, fairness, tolerance, work 
ethic, self-work, and appreciation of each other and individual faiths.
  The Wyoming Stock Growers Association is making plans to celebrate 
their 150th anniversary in 2022. They are laying the groundwork for the 
association to begin its next 150 years of service to Wyoming's 
livestock businesses and families with a strong commitment to Wyoming's 
resources, the industry and their communities.
  In the Winter 2020 edition of Cow Country, the official magazine of 
the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, Scott authored an article titled 
``Defining the Path Forward.'' I believe his words apply just as much 
to life in America today as they do to the association's planning for 
the next 150 years. I wish the Stock Growers all the best as they 
complete their first 150 years in Wyoming, and begin their next century 
of work on behalf of Wyoming's livestock producers.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that an article written by 
Scott Sims be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                    [From Cow Country, Winter 2020]

                       Defining the Path Forward

       I can only imagine what the founders of the Wyoming Stock 
     Growers Association envisioned as to what the path forward 
     would look like back in 1872. It probably had more to do with 
     control of the range and dealing with cattle rustling. I am 
     pretty sure their vision did not include the range of issues 
     that the association deals with today, that came about as 
     obstacles developed while riding up the path.
       I do know that right now I want to look back down the path 
     to the 2019 Winter Roundup Convention. Thank you to all that 
     attended and made it such a success. There was a wide range 
     from older, to young, to very young in attendance. There was 
     broad representation from other industry groups, state and 
     federal agencies, legislators, and etc. The point being is 
     that the great diversity, the variety of issues that are 
     dealt with, and the huge array of people that come to share 
     their knowledge and expertise, make for a strong 
     organization. For you members that can't come to the 
     convention, feel assured that the Wyoming Stock Growers is 
     only a phone call away from addressing your needs.
       So what does the path forward look like? I think that it 
     might look different moving forward. Many of us realize that 
     the dynamics of the ranching industry look much different 
     than in past generations. The future of the Wyoming Stock 
     Growers is in the hands of the next generations. They will 
     have the voice as to what is most important to their future 
     in the business, and where the association might play a role.
       I feel there is a great future in the ranching business. 
     The way businesses are structured will have a different look 
     as to the land we operate on. There will be land arrangements 
     such as leasing and smarter estate planning to keep family 
     ranches in the right hands. There will be marketing 
     opportunities if you take the time to develop and promote a 
     good product. There is no one solution that will make or 
     break the cattle business, but ultimately it will come down 
     to cattle cycles and how you manage through them. There is a 
     role for government, but keep it limited. Regenerative 
     agriculture is a growing way of management that can allow for 
     substantially increasing production on the land. Two things 
     that you have control over are managing costs, and managing 
     the land. Being able to sell what you do to improve the 
     health of the land will allow you many opportunities. Tell 
     your story and tell it with confidence. You may find yourself 
     at the table across from people that may not understand you. 
     They definitely won't understand if you are not there.
       I just gave my thoughts on what I think is along the path 
     forward, but what does it look like for you? Whatever it is, 
     let's ride the path together as an industry and as members of 
     the Wyoming Stock Growers.

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