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.
The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) has confirmed J. Christopher Giancarlo, acting Chairman of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Midyear Meeting held in Great Falls, May 30 – June 1.
“We are excited to have someone as knowledgeable and respected as Chairman Giancarlo joining us for Midyear,” noted MSGA President Bryan Mussard of Dillon, MT. “We look forward to the insight he will share with our members surrounding the recent cattle market volatility and his outlook on the futures market.”
The Midyear Meeting is one of two meetings that is held during the year to set association policy. This year’s meeting is held in conjunction with the Montana Ag Summit; hosted and co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Steve Daines. The summit will bring the nation’s agricultural leaders to Montana, including newly confirmed Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue.
Other Midyear highlights include an update from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association; policy meetings; a Tuberculosis update from Montana State Veterinarian, Dr. Marty Zaluski; and a reception held by the Montana Stockgrowers Foundation featuring music by Kyle Shobe and & the Walk ‘Em Boys.
To register or for more information visit www.mtbeef.org or call 406-442-3420.
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The Montana Stockgrowers Association, a non-profit organization representing nearly 2,500 members, strives to serve, protect and advance the economic, political, environmental and cultural interests of cattle producers, the largest sector of Montana’s number one industry – agriculture.
from Cecil Tharp (MSU Pesticide Education Specialist):
Pesticide applicators should be aware of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pesticide certification and training rule finalized on December 12th, 2016 and published in the Federal Register on January 4. 2017. The implementation of the final rule was extended to May 22nd, 2017; however the EPA is now proposing to extend the implementation of the final rule another 12 months to allow states and stakeholders more time to prepare. EPA has a comment period that expires May 19th to consider extending the final rule another 12 months.
Comments on this rule can be submitted to docket #EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0183
via: https://www.regulations.gov/ on or before May 19, 2017 after the Federal Register notice publishes. See the EPA press release for more details of this comment period.
The proposed rule applies to those that apply restricted use pesticides (RUP) across the nation. Restricted use pesticides are those deemed by EPA as having the potential to cause unreasonable adverse effects to the environment and injury to applicators or bystanders without added restrictions. Only licensed applicators can use or purchase RUP’s. According to the EPA, stronger standards will reduce risks to applicators, communities and the environment from pesticide exposure. The increased competency requirements will impact approximately one million certified applicators across the nation; with approximately 5,600 private and 2,700 commercial/government applicators in Montana. Changes include a minimum age of 18 for all restricted use applicators with an exemption for private applicator immediate family members for a minimum age of 16, mandatory categories for certain applications, increased competency standards, and annual training for individuals working under the supervision of licensed restricted use pesticide applicators. States can expect variable impacts depending on their pre-existing state minimum requirements. See more details of the rule and impacts in Montana at: http://www.pesticides.montana.edu/documents/news/20170124_PN_EPA_CT.pdf.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: See the EPA certification training rule website. You can view the EPA comparison chart. For any additional questions feel free to contact Cecil Tharp, Pesticide Education Specialist (406-994-5067; [email protected]).
Helena, Mont. (May 12, 2017) – The Montana Stockgrowers Association issued the following statement regarding the announcement that an agreement has been reached between the White House and China to restore U.S. beef access:
“As the second largest importer of beef, we are extremely excited that an agreement has been made to restore U.S. beef to China. Montana’s ranchers have been waiting since 2003, to ship the nation’s highest quality beef to China’s 1.3 billion consumers.” Errol Rice, Executive Vice President, Montana Stockgrowers Association.
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The Montana Stockgrowers Association, a non-profit organization representing nearly 2,500 members, strives to serve, protect and advance the economic, political, environmental and cultural interests of cattle producers, the largest sector of Montana’s number one industry – agriculture.
From Northern Ag Network: After an extensive search process, Montana will soon have a new high school Agricultural Education Specialist, now that the open position has been accepted by a 13-year Ag Ed Instructor and FFA Advisor from Doddridge, West Virginia.
Shannon Boswell grew up along the Ohio River in Parkersburg, WV where her love of agriculture began at an early age. From weekends at her aunt and uncle’s farm, through 4-H where she showed horses and developed an interest in public speaking, to her involvement as an FFA Member in the Blennerhassett FFA chapter, agriculture has shaped Shannon’s passion for serving others.
After completing her major in Agricultural Education at West Virginia University with a Master of Science degree, Shannon began her teaching career in 2004, starting a new agricultural program in Summers County High School in Hinton, West Virginia.
Since 2005, Shannon Boswell has taught at Doddridge County High School in West Union, West Virginia. In a high school of 350 students Shannon led community-based support to expand laboratory space by 3000 square feet, adding a new school greenhouse, and an animal processing facility. Her program has won awards for the largest increase in FFA Membership, which has created the need for a second agricultural teaching position starting this next school year.
A leader in her profession, Shannon Boswell has served as the WV Association of Agricultural Educators Treasurer for the past eight years and also is a part of their Team Ag Ed group . She has worked with other members to plan and offer teacher training retreats highlighted by the retired teacher dinner that brings former teachers, current teachers and up and coming teachers together for an evening of fellowship.
Don Michael, who was West Virginia State Ag Ed Specialist and State FFA Advisor for 30 years, has been very impressed with Shannon Boswell, describing her as “an aggressive go-getter, who is good at planning and implementing new projects, and enjoys being on the cutting edge”.
Shannon Boswell comes to Montana at a time when Montana faces a serious need for skilled workers, resulting in the State Legislature increasing support for high school Career and Technical Education programs. In the past 10 years, the number of Montana High School that offer Ag Education classes has grown dramatically, from about 75 to over 90. The number of FFA members has also grown to record numbers, both in Montana and nationwide.
Boswell told Northern Ag Network that she is excited to begin working with Montana’s Ag Ed team to help promote and advance Montana’s agriculture education.
T. J. Eyer, Division Administrator for Career, Adult, and Technical Education at the Montana Office of Public Instruction expects her to be officially on the OPI staff in Helena by mid-summer.
Kori and Errol discuss highlights of this year’s MidYear Meeting and why this is one event you don’t want to miss out on!
After low flows in some of Montana’s rivers last summer caused issues for irrigators, anglers and recreationists, the spring and summer runoff this year looks to yield above average streamflows, according to snowpack data released by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
Snowpack across the state is above normal for May 1 in all but a few sub-basins. Basins west of the Divide, which typically peak during the month of April, are all above normal with high elevations still gaining as of the end of the month. East of the Divide, where snowpack at higher elevations typically peaks a bit later towards the end of April to mid-May, also saw excellent gains during the month.
“Last month there was some concern over the lack of snowpack in some basins east of the Divide that provide irrigation and municipal drinking water, but April provided relief via abundant mountain snowfall and valley precipitation,” said Lucas Zukiewicz, NRCS water supply specialist for NRCS in Montana. “Two of these basins in southwest Montana, the Ruby River Basin and Hyalite drainages, have snowpack that is now normal for April 1.”
Abundant precipitation throughout this water year in most of Montana and healthy snowpack totals on May 1 have resulted in streamflow forecasts that are above average for most rivers in the state. In addition, the melt at higher elevations has been slightly delayed in some basins this year due to the cool and wet weather experienced during April.
“Delayed onset of snowmelt generally provides more efficient runoff and helps to keep the water in the mountains until it is needed to sustain streamflows later in the summer,” Zukiewicz said. “Over the last three years there has been early runoff of the seasonal snowpack, which has led to below average flows later in the season.” Streamflow forecasts issued by the NRCS are duration forecasts, or the total amount of water that will pass by a streamflow gauge during runoff season and do not forecast timing or magnitude of flows on any given day.
“The words ‘too much snow’ don’t come out of my mouth very often, but with regards to the snowpack in Wyoming basins, which feed the Bighorn River, it’s the case this year,” he said. Snowfall in the Wind River and Shoshone River basins has been record breaking this year, with snowpack totals over 200 percent of normal in some areas on May 1. Federal water managers have been working to make room for the water that will enter the river systems and reservoirs during runoff this year, increasing outflows from reservoirs in Montana and Wyoming. The May 1 – July 31 seasonal volume forecasts for some of the rivers in Wyoming are approaching record levels, with some over 200 percent of average. Zukiewicz said water users should anticipate above average flows for some time on the Bighorn River.
Monthly Water Supply Outlook Reports can be found here after the 5th business day of the month:http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/mt/snow/waterproducts/basin/
May 1, 2017 Snow Water Equivalent |
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| River Basin | Percent of Normal | Percent of Last Year |
| Columbia River Basin | 119 | 163 |
| – Kootenai in Montana | 121 | 178 |
| – Flathead in Montana | 125 | 169 |
| – Upper Clark Fork | 109 | 140 |
| – Bitterroot | 122 | 174 |
| – Lower Clark Fork | 124 | 185 |
| Missouri River Basin | 108 | 144 |
| – Jefferson | 113 | 135 |
| – Madison | 119 | 149 |
| – Gallatin | 110 | 124 |
| – Headwaters Mainstem | 90 | 130 |
| – Smith-Judith-Musselshell | 83 | 94 |
| – Sun-Teton-Marias | 129 | 379 |
| – St. Mary-Milk | 124 | 200 |
| Yellowstone River Basin | 157 | 174 |
| – Upper Yellowstone | 137 | 180 |
| – Lower Yellowstone | 172 | 174 |
| West of the Divide | 119 | 163 |
| East of the Divide | 133 | 166 |
| Montana Statewide | 118 | 159 |
May 1, 2017 Precipitation |
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| River Basin | Monthly Percent of Average | Water Year Percent of Average | Water Year Percent of Last Year |
| Columbia River Basin | 124 | 130 | 129 |
| – Kootenai in Montana | 142 | 141 | 128 |
| – Flathead in Montana | 146 | 136 | 135 |
| – Upper Clark Fork | 105 | 113 | 119 |
| – Bitterroot | 98 | 117 | 122 |
| – Lower Clark Fork | 123 | 136 | 135 |
| Missouri River Basin | 126 | 128 | 125 |
| – Jefferson | 120 | 119 | 119 |
| – Madison | 142 | 141 | 147 |
| – Gallatin | 154 | 132 | 127 |
| – Headwaters-Mainstem | 97 | 110 | 110 |
| – Smith-Judith-Musselshell | 119 | 110 | 108 |
| – Sun-Teton-Marias | 95 | 125 | 151 |
| – St. Mary-Milk | 105 | 149 | 123 |
| Yellowstone River Basin | 168 | 153 | 150 |
| – Upper Yellowstone | 140 | 145 | 154 |
| – Lower Yellowstone | 181 | 161 | 152 |
| West of the Divide | 124 | 130 | 129 |
| East of the Divide | 137 | 137 | 138 |
| Montana Statewide | 130 | 132 | 131 |
May-July 50% Exceedance Forecasts |
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| River Basin | Highest Point Forecast* | Lowest Point Forecast** | Basin Avg Forecast*** |
| Columbia | 152% | 102% | 126% |
| Kootenai, Montana | 145% | 124% | 131% |
| Flathead, Montana | 152% | 117% | 135% |
| Upper Clark Fork | 136% | 102% | 125% |
| Bitterroot | 117% | 108% | 112% |
| Lower Clark Fork | 130% | 119% | 125% |
| Missouri | 125% | 78% | 109% |
| Jefferson | 125% | 92% | 109% |
| Madison | 116% | 111% | 114% |
| Gallatin | 108% | 101% | 105% |
| Headwaters Mainstem | 113% | 108% | 111% |
| Smith-Judith-Musselshell | 94% | 78% | 86% |
| Sun-Teton-Marias | 119% | 93% | 112% |
| St. Mary | 125% | 124% | 124% |
| Yellowstone River Basin | 244% | 94% | 153% |
| Upper Yellowstone | 167% | 94% | 134% |
| Lower Yellowstone | 244% | 125% | 172% |
Note: Streamflow forecasts are issued for multiple points on rivers and streams within a major river basin and are given as a range of exceedance probabilities. Consult the individual river basin of interest to see the range of values for streams of interest.
*Highest point forecast is the highest 50% forecast of all forecast points within the basin.
**Lowest point forecast is the lowest 50% forecast of all forecast points within the basin.
***Basin average forecast is an average of all 50% forecasts within the basin.
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has set a June 1, 2017, application cutoff for agricultural operators to be considered for 2018 conservation program funding through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
NRCS provides funding and technical assistance to help farmers and ranchers implement conservation practices that provide environmental benefits to help sustain agricultural operations. Conservation program participation is voluntary and helps private landowners and operators defray the costs of installing conservation practices.
NRCS accepts conservation program applications year-round; however, applications for 2018 funding consideration must be submitted by June 2, 2017. Applications made after the June 2 cutoff will be considered in the next funding cycle. Additional information is available on the Montana NRCS website at www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov under the Programs tab or you can contact your local NRCS service center.
That’s a wrap on Montana’s 65th Legislative Session. Jay and Kori sit down to discuss the outcome of 10 of the bills that were on MSGA’s Priority List this year. Our lobbying focused on taxes, property and water rights, wildlife management, regulation and agency funding. Questions? Please email Kori or contact the office at 406.442.3420.
WASHINGTON (May 2, 2017) – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Public Lands Council’s government affairs office in Washington, D.C., has extended the law clerk application deadline for the 2017 fall semester. The new deadline to submit an application for the position is June 1, 2017.
NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Colin Woodall said that the law clerk position is a great opportunity for students with an interest in legislation and regulations concerning the beef industry.
“The clerkship gives law students the opportunity to work closely with NCBA’s environmental counsel and the executive director of the Public Lands Council on a wide range of regulatory issues that impact beef producers across the country,” Woodall said. “The law clerk position provides law students a one-of-a-kind view into the policy-making process while working as a valuable team member assisting the staff on several fronts.”
Producer-led and consumer-focused, NCBA is the nation’s oldest and largest national organization representing America’s cattle producers. PLC is the only organization in Washington, D.C., dedicated solely to representing cattle and sheep ranchers that utilize federal lands. The organizations work hand-in-hand on many issues, sharing office space in the heart of the nation’s capital.
The fall law clerk will provide support to both NCBA and PLC staff on matters ranging from environmental legislation and regulations to issues relating to federal lands management, grazing, and the Endangered Species Act. The law clerk will have the opportunity to attend key hearings, evaluate detailed policy documents, research current and proposed federal regulations, and help inform industry response to new federal regulations. To apply, students must be currently enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school.
The full-time law clerk position will begin August 28 and end December 22, 2017. To apply for the law clerk position, visit www.beefusa.org.