The Montana Stockgrowers Association, a non-profit membership organization, has worked on behalf of Montana’s cattle ranching families since 1884. Our mission is to protect and enhance Montana ranch families’ ability to grow and deliver safe, healthy, environmentally wholesome beef to the world.
Today Kelley Sullivan, NCBA member and rancher from Santa Rosa Ranch in Crockett, Texas, testified at a hearing on Capitol Hill about the importance of expanding export opportunities for U.S. beef in Asia. Held by the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, the hearing asked witnesses for their perspectives on specific actions needed to deepen trade relationships with fast-growing markets in the Asia-Pacific region.
Ms. Sullivan’s remarks focused on the benefits of trade agreements for U.S. beef producers. She urged Congress and the Administration to protect current agreements, such as the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS), and move quickly to strike a bilateral deal with Japan.
“Today, the success or failure of the U.S. beef industry depends on our level of access to global consumers,” she said. “We are extremely concerned that prolonged NAFTA negotiations and withdrawal/modifications to KORUS will pose unnecessary setbacks for the U.S. beef industry. Our ardent desire is for U.S. negotiators to focus on securing new market access for U.S. beef exports, starting with making up the ground we lost [in Japan] by walking away from TPP.”
Ms. Sullivan explained how selling to global markets allows U.S. beef producers to generate more value. Many of the beef cuts that Americans find less desirable command higher prices in foreign markets where consumers have different tastes.
“Trade allows us to capitalize on differences in consumer preferences,” she said. “Exports are critical to U.S. beef producers – and the rural economies that depend on them – because they allow us to maximize the value of each carcass.”
Ms. Sullivan also thanked the Trump Administration for restoring access for U.S. beef in China, noting U.S. Meat Export Federation estimates that U.S. beef sales to China will reach $300 million annually in the first five years.
BOZEMAN, Mont. – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting Administrator Steven J. Peterson announced that physical loss loans are available for two counties in Montana. Farm operators who have suffered major physical losses caused by multiple wildfires that occurred on July 15, 2017, and continuing, may be eligible for emergency loans.
This Administrator’s Physical Loss Notification has been issued for Mineral and Missoula counties as the primary damaged area.
Additionally, six Montana counties are contiguous to this designated disaster area, making these producers also potentially eligible for programs based on this designation. The contiguous counties are: Flathead, Granite, Lake, Powell, Ravalli and Sanders.
Producers in Clearwater, Idaho and Shoshone counties in Idaho are also eligible because they are contiguous counties.
FSA’s low interest emergency loans may be made available to any applicant with a qualifying loss in the counties named above. Approval is limited to applicants who suffered severe physical losses only.
Physical loss loans may be made to eligible farmers and ranchers to repair or replace damaged or destroyed physical property essential to the success of the agriculture operation, including livestock losses. Examples of property commonly affected include essential farm buildings, fixtures to real estate, equipment, livestock, perennial crops, fruit and nut bearing trees, and harvested or stored crops and hay.
Producers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans for physical losses.
Please contact FSA for more information on loan eligibility and the application process. FSA office information is available at http://offices.usda.gov. Additional FSA disaster assistance program information is available at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.
My last couple articles were about the timeline and planning process of the $.50 of the dollar checkoff that goes to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board for national contractors to contract for beef promotion, education, research and producer communication.
The other $.50 for many states stays in the state it was collected in with their qualified state beef council. Montana is one of these states. The Montana Beef Council was created in 1954 by cattlemen as a marketing organization for the Montana Beef industry. It is one of 45 state beef councils.
A 12-member board of directors guides the Montana Beef Council. Council members are appointed or elected by membership organizations as follows: Montana Stockgrowers, Montana Cattlemen’s Association, Montana CattleWomen, Livestock Auction Markets, Cattle Feeders, Meat Packer/Processor, Farm Bureau, Farmers Union, Retailer, Dairymen, and Montana Angus Association.
I firmly believe it is important to have this grassroots board and allow Montana producers the voice to determine how their beef checkoff dollars are spent.Whenever you have grassroots input there is ownership and follow through, both extremely important factors for a program to be successful.
Our annual meeting is in September. Contractors from across the state request checkoff dollars for projects. The board is split into committees that hear these proposals. The committee discusses if each authorization request meets the criteria of the Act & Order and the Montana Beef Council’s mission statement.
The Montana Beef Council is organized to protect and increase demand for beef and beef products through state, national and international consumer marketing programs (promotion, education, and research) thereby enhancing profit opportunities for Montana beef producers.
Each committee decides to fund the proposals and at which level. Then the budget committee puts it all together along with in-house staff projects and brings a balanced budget to the board to discuss and approve. This is the start of the next fiscal year and the projects they will see develop with the intent to build beef demand, educate our consumers and medical influencers, and communicate with producers about how their checkoff dollars are at work for them every day.
I know in the country there is confusion about the “Federation”. Many think it is NCBA. The Federation of State Beef Councils is simply a structured voice for ALL state checkoffs. The Federation does operate under the NCBA umbrella. The Federation has evolved over a number of years and provides not only efficiency in overhead costs but also provides consistent information and resources for state beef councils to utilize for design services, website creation, issues management and so much more. The Federation also gives state producers a voice on the national level of how our beef checkoff dollars are spent.
Montana is a cow rich, people poor state so it makes sense to spend some of our dollars in other more populated areas where our dollars can be used more effectively. That is not to say we don’t do some amazing projects and programs at the state level. We do! We have a tremendous staff in place, who works on our behalf every day that are just as passionate about the beef industry as we are!
This being said, it was hard to do a budget this year with the uncertainty the injunction brings. For more than 60 years, the Montana Beef Council has been building relationships and working to build beef demand. As a producer, I ask you to please sign the consent form and continue to give Montana producers a voice and program direction of our checkoff. I believe in the value of the checkoff program and have seen so many positive things come from checkoff work it still
One of the things that excites me is this new promotional ad that is on the Beef It’s What’s For Dinner website and will be used in other areas too. Please go listen today. I think it will excite you too about what the checkoff is doing and working on and go sign the consent form and turn it in today!
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that over $9.6 billion in payments will be made, beginning this week, to producers through the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC), Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Conservation Reserve (CRP) programs. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing approximately $8 billion in payments under the ARC and PLC programs for the 2016 crop year, and $1.6 billion under CRP for 2017.
“Many of these payments will be made to landowners and producers in rural communities that have recently been ravaged by drought, wildfires, and deadly hurricanes,” Perdue said. “I am hopeful this financial assistance will help those experiencing losses with immediate cash flow needs as we head toward the end of the year.”
The ARC and PLC programs were authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill and offer a safety net to agricultural producers when there is a substantial drop in revenue or prices for covered commodities. Over half a million producers will receive ARC payments and over a quarter million producers will receive PLC payments for 2016 crops, starting this week and continuing over the next several months.
Payments are being made to producers who enrolled base acres of barley, corn, grain sorghum, lentils, oats, peanuts, dry peas, soybeans, wheat, and canola. In the upcoming months, payments will be announced after marketing year average prices are published by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service for the remaining covered commodities. Those include long and medium grain rice (except for temperate Japonica rice), which will be announced in November; remaining oilseeds and chickpeas, which will be announced in December; and temperate Japonica rice, which will be announced in early February 2017. The estimated payments are before application of sequestration and other reductions and limits, including adjusted gross income limits and payment limitations.
Also, as part of an ongoing effort to protect sensitive lands and improve water quality and wildlife habitat, USDA will begin issuing 2017 CRP payments this week to over 375,000 Americans.
“American farmers and ranchers are among our most committed conservationists,” said Perdue. “We all share a responsibility to leave the land in better shape than we found it for the benefit of the next generation of farmers. This program helps landowners provide responsible stewardship on land that should be taken out of production.”
Signed into law by President Reagan in 1985, CRP is one of the largest private-lands conservation program in the United States. Thanks to voluntary participation by farmers and landowners, CRP has improved water quality, reduced soil erosion and increased habitat for endangered and threatened species. In return for enrolling in CRP, USDA, through the Farm Service Agency (FSA) on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation, provides participants with rental payments and cost-share assistance. Participants enter into contracts that last between 10 and 15 years. CRP payments are made to participants who remove sensitive lands from production and plant certain grasses, shrubs and trees that improve water quality, prevent soil erosion and increase wildlife habitat.
For more details regarding ARC and PLC programs, go to www.fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc. For more information about CRP, contact your local FSA office or visit www.fsa.usda.gov/crp. To locate your local FSA office, visit https://offices.usda.gov.
HELENA, Mont. – Montana ranchers considering rangeland improvement projects received a boost this month when the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) reduced interest rates for Rangeland Improvement Loans from 3 percent to 1.5 percent.
“It’s been a challenging summer for our farmers and ranchers,” said Stacey Barta, Rangeland Resources Program Coordinator with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). “The state’s Rangeland Resources Executive Committee requested the interest rate reduction to support producers dealing with the impacts of wildfires and drought.”
Started in 1979, the low-interest loan program provides added incentives for producers to undertake rangeland improvement and development projects. Water storage, fencing, and stock water tanks are a few of the more common improvements. In addition to benefits for the ranch operation, Barta said the projects often improve streams and riparian areas and rangeland health, which in turn benefit wildlife, combat invasive weeds and reduce soil erosion.
The maximum loan amount is $75,000, with repayment scheduled for a maximum of ten years with annual installments. Producers apply to their local Conservation District; the application is then reviewed by DNRC.
For more details, contact Bill Herbolich with DNRC at (406) 444-6668, or visit http://dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/cardd/conservation-districts/range-improvement-loan-program
By Jerry Hagstrom, DTN Political Correspondent
The Senate late Tuesday confirmed President Donald Trump’s nominations of Stephen Censky as Agriculture deputy secretary and Ted McKinney as Agriculture undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs.
Censky has been the CEO of American Soybean Association in St. Louis and McKinney has been the Indiana agriculture director.
Until now Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has been the only Senate-confirmed political appointee at the Agriculture Department, and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., said in a news release he was pleased to provide Perdue some help.
“I am pleased that the U.S. Senate was able to work in a bipartisan and swift manner to confirm Stephen Censky and Ted McKinney,” Roberts said. “Secretary Perdue, help is on the way.”
Perdue commended the Senate for confirming Censky and McKinney, and said they will provide “the steady leadership we need at USDA.”
“Steve Censky will help us be responsive to producers reeling from the effects of multiple hurricanes and also offer prudent counsel as Congress continues work on the 2018 farm bill,” Perdue said.
“Ted McKinney will take charge of the newly-created mission area focused on trade, and wake up every morning seeking to sell more American agricultural products in foreign markets,” Perdue said.
“We eagerly await their arrival at USDA, and urge the Senate to continue to act on other nominees who are awaiting confirmation.”
The National Biodiesel Board was the first farm group to issue congratulations to Censky, noting that the American Soybean Association is a member of the National Biodiesel Board.
“Congratulations to Steve on his confirmation to be deputy secretary of agriculture,” said Donnell Rehagen, chief executive officer at the National Biodiesel Board.
“Steve’s decades of experience in soybeans and biodiesel will serve the agency well. He’s a proven, successful executive, known for providing a clear vision for the agricultural industry and being a tireless advocate for America’s farmers. We wish him the best in this new endeavor.”
A hearing in the Senate Agriculture Committee is set for Thursday for the nominations of Greg Ibach and Bill Northey and their respective undersecretary positions at USDA.
Written by Megan Van Emon, Extension Beef Cattle Specialist, Montana State University
Elevated nitrate concentrations can be found in forages that have been grown under stress, such as severe drought conditions. Nitrate toxicity is caused by animal consuming feeds and water that have elevated levels of nitrate or nitrite. Care should be taken when feeding cattle cereal grains/hay, corn stalks, orchardgrass, and other feeds known to contain high nitrate levels.
Nitrate is not toxic to animals unless consumed in excessive levels. When nitrate is consumed in excessive levels, nitrite poisoning can occur. Normally, forage nitrate is broken down in the rumen to nitrite by microbes, and then to ammonia. The ammonia is used by rumen microbes for protein. However, when nitrate is consumed in elevated levels, nitrite accumulates within the rumen faster than it can be converted to ammonia. The nitrite then enters the small intestine and is absorbed into the bloodstream. The high levels of nitrite in the bloodstream convert hemoglobin to methemoglobin, which cannot carry oxygen, ultimately limiting the body’s oxygen supply.
Acute nitrite poisoning is caused by animals consuming a large amount of high nitrate forage over a short period of time. Chronic nitrite poisoning occurs when animals consume small amounts of high nitrate forage over a long period of time. Chronic nitrate poisoning is only treated by eliminating the consumption of the high nitrate feed or by diluting the high nitrate feed with low nitrate feeds. Acute nitrite poisoning can occur rapidly after consuming high nitrate feeds, in these severe cases, an immediate intravenous injection of methylene blue by a veterinarian may save the affected animal. However, due to the rapid onset of acute poisoning, treatment may not be the best option.
Testing forages to ensure safe levels of nitrates (Table 1) is the most effective way to minimize the potential of nitrite poisoning in livestock.
| Table 1. Effect of nitrate concentration on livestock (100% DM basis). | ||
| NO3 – N (ppm) | NO3 (ppm) | Comments |
| <350 | <1,500 | Generally safe |
| 350-1,130 | 1,500-5,000 | Generally safe for nonpregnant livestock. Potential for early-term abortions or decreased breeding performance. Limit feed to 50% of ration for pregnant animals. |
| 1,130-2,260 | 5,000-10,000 | Limit feed to 25-50% of ration for nonpregnant animals. DO NOT FEED TO PREGNANT ANIMALS. |
| >2,260 | >10,000 | DO NOT FEED. |
| Hibbard et al., 1998 | ||
| 0.1% NO3-N = 0.44% NO3 (0.1 x 4.4) | ||
| 0.44% NO3 = 0.1% NO3-N (0.44 x 0.23) | ||
| 0.1% = 1000 ppm | ||
Diluting high nitrate feeds with low nitrate feeds can reduce the potential for nitrite poisoning by using the following equation (Glunk et al., 2015; MT200205AG):
WL = (WH)*(%H – %B) / (%B – %L)
WL = weight of low nitrate hay required
WH = weight of high nitrate hay
%H = nitrate concentration of high nitrate hay
%B = nitrate concentration needed in final blend
%L = nitrate concentration of low nitrate hay
For nitrate testing, contact your local extension agent. You can also find additional information in the MontGuide, “Nitrate Toxicity of Montana Forages.”
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has launched a demonstration program allowing stakeholders in the grazing community an opportunity to achieve rangeland health goals on public land while allowing greater flexibility in livestock management decisions. The program focuses on responsive outcome based grazing on public lands.
Six to twelve “Outcome-Based Grazing Authorizations” will be identified by the BLM in the first twelve months, and the selected permittees will participate in the demonstration program. Participants will actively implement a responsive grazing management plan to achieve habitat and vegetation goals on public land. The program will examine the effectiveness of a more flexible approach to livestock grazing on public land.
“Previously, ranchers have been held to a process and prescription method that tells them how to manage their land,” said Dave Eliason, Utah rancher and president of the Public Lands Council (PLC). “It’s irrational to think government officials can make a more informed decision than those who live and work on the land. When responsive management decisions fall into the hands of those who best understand it, the land, animals, and ecosystem thrive.”
Craig Uden said the cattle industry is pleased by the Trump Administration’s push to support grazing on public land and stressed the value of shared stewardship and trust that is established through this program.
“The livestock industry is thankful for the leadership of Secretary Zinke in establishing a demonstration program that allows flexibility in the ability to manage conditions on the ground,” said Uden, president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). “This decision ensures our public lands are managed in an efficient and sustainable way.”
The announcement of this program coincides with the execution of a new Cooperative Monitoring Memorandum of Understanding between the Public Lands Council and the BLM during PLC’s annual meeting in Flagstaff, Ariz.
Permittees, Lessees, rangeland ecologists, and other stakeholders are eligible for the program. Interested participants should contact their local BLM office. Project proposals will be accepted through Oct. 13. For more information, visit www.blm.gov.
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The Public Lands Council (PLC) actively represents cattle and sheep producers who hold public lands grazing permits. The PLC achieves this through leadership, engagement, and collaboration with western ranchers who preserve our nation’s natural resources while providing vital food and fiber to the nation and the world. For more information please visit the PLC website at www.publiclandscouncil.org.
The Montana State University College of Agriculture and Montana Agricultural Experiment Station will host its 18th annual Celebrate Agriculture event, set for Nov. 3-4 on the MSU campus. The event is held in honor of the state and university’s joint agricultural legacy and in celebration of current students, agriculture alumni, and MSU’s extended agricultural community across Montana.
MSU Vice President of Agriculture Charles Boyer said the event is a longstanding tradition at the university.
“Each year, we look forward to the weekend in November that’s dedicated to celebrating our university’s agricultural roots alongside a large portion of Montana’s agricultural community,” Boyer said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to see current students engage with alumni, producers and major stakeholders across the state. MSU agriculture wouldn’t be what it is today without the diverse agencies, alumni, businesses, and generations of families that support our programs and this is the weekend we get to honor our joint accomplishments.”
The two-day event will feature the MSU Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics’ annual Outlook Seminar, “Managing Land Resources in the Context of Variable Weather,” scheduled from 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 3, in the MSU Procrastinator Theater. Several MSU agricultural economics faculty will present short talks on topics including climate and drought, peas and lentils, public lands and land valuations and rental rates, in addition to updates on Farm Bill 2018. Representatives from Triangle Communications, the Montana Cooperative Development Center and the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center will speak about current issues facing rural economies. Paul Jakus, Utah State University professor, will deliver the keynote M.L. Wilson Lecture, “Can States Afford a Federal Land Transfer?”
Registration for the outlook conference is $25 and can be found online at http://www.ampc.montana.edu/fallconference/.
Following the conference, the MSU Collegiate Stockgrowers will host a reception beginning at 4 p.m.in the atrium of the Animal Biosciences Building.
On Saturday, Nov. 4, a free Harvest Brunch will be held from 10 -11:30 a.m., in the Shroyer Gym, where the college’s annual Outstanding Agricultural Leader and 2017 Homecoming awardees will be recognized. MSU President Waded Cruzado and Boyer will deliver remarks. At noon, Bobcat Football will play Kennesaw State University for the Ag Appreciation game at Bobcat Stadium.
Preceding the two-day event, the College of Agriculture Ambassadors will host an Ag Career Social at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, in the atrium of the Animal Bioscience Building. The COA Ambassadors is a student-led advocacy group for the College of Agriculture and the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station. Current agricultural students are encouraged to attend for a casual professional networking event with prospective agribusiness employers representing finance, sales, production, marketing and public agencies.
A full schedule of events for the Celebrate Agriculture weekend can be found at http://agriculture.montana.edu/celebrateag/.
Contact: Susan Fraser, [email protected], 406-994-3681