Annual Convention to Feature Governor and Cattlemen’s Colleges

Annual Convention to Feature Governor and Cattlemen’s Colleges

During next week’s 130^th Annual Convention of the Montana Stockgrowers Association, ranchers will have the opportunity to attend several Cattlemen’s College education workshops, ranging from animal reproduction and nutrition, estate planning, and discussions on current markets and processing plant feasibility. Governor Steve Bullock is scheduled to be speak during Friday’s Opening General Session. All MSGA events will take place at the Holiday Inn Grand Montana, December 11-13 in Billings.

Be sure to register for Convention HERE!

“This year we are excited to host fourteen Cattlemen’s College sessions during the 3-day convention. With a great number of different subjects covered, there should be a workshop of interest for everyone in attendance” advised Katie Stokes, MSGA Associate Director of Member Services and Marketing.

The Cattlemen’s College courses are sponsored by several Allied Industry agricultural service companies, so that a variety of speakers may participate in the educational workshops. Topics covered will include estate planning, nutrition for the cowherd, antibiotic use, genetic selection, breeding program strategies, current cattle market trends, and biosecurity for the livestock herd.

In addition to Cattlemen’s College sessions, Matt Bitz, with One Montana, will lead a discussion on the feasibility of establishing a beef processing plant in Montana. The Bozeman-based nonprofit has been working to explore the possibility and will present the findings of marketing, location, labor and economic impacts during a session on Saturday morning.

Greg Hanes, U.S. Meat Export Federation, will highlight the President’s Luncheon on Saturday. With 96 percent of the world’s population outside the U.S. and improving economies worldwide, the international markets play a larger and more important role for the American beef producer. Hanes will discuss how Checkoff dollars contribute to these global beef marketing opportunities.

Working with multiple generations of managing ranch employees can often bring to light challenges in communication. Michelle Reines, Zoetis, will host a communication workshop on Friday morning to help ranchers better understand themselves and how to flex their leadership style with their teams, peers as well as in any other relationships.

Tyrrell Hibbard with Montana Grazing Land Conversation Initiative will discuss new web-based tools for pasture and grazing management during the Young Stockgrowers meeting on Thursday evening. Association Policy Committee meetings on Thursday and Friday will feature updates on several updates on water, wildlife, Department of Livestock, and livestock health topics.

Other featured speakers during general sessions will include Governor Steve Bullock on Friday morning; Montana’s Congressional representatives and a live broadcast with Northern Ag Network on Friday afternoon; and motivational speaker, Lois Olmstead, during Saturday’s Inspirational Breakfast.

All meetings are included in general event registration, which will be available on-site. For additional meeting information, a full agenda, or pre-registration, contact the Montana Stockgrowers office in Helena, (406) 442-3420, or visit our Event page.