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 the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association submitted official comments to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) outlining key principles for the regulation of fake meat products. The comments, filed in response to Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) Petition Number 18-01, encourage USDA to look beyond modifying “standards of identity” in order to provide adequate protection for beef producers and consumers.
“It is critical that the federal government step up to the plate and enforce fair and accurate labeling for fake meat,” said Kevin Kester, President of NCBA. “As long as we have a level playing field, our product will continue to be a leading protein choice for families in the United States and around the world.”
NCBA’s regulatory principles are designed to effectively address both plant-based and lab-grown imitation beef products. Specifically, NCBA:
1) Requests that USDA work with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to “take appropriate, immediate enforcement action against improperly-labeled imitation products.”
NCBA firmly believes the term beef should only be applicable to products derived from actual livestock raised by farmers and ranchers. For misbranded and mislabeled plant-based protein products, existing legislation gives FDA the authority to take enforcement actions. However, the agency has a history of failing to enforce labeling laws. Rather than expending time and resources to develop a standard of identity the FDA will blatantly ignore, NCBA requests USDA engage with FDA to facilitate immediate, appropriate enforcement actions against imitation meat product labels that clearly violate existing laws.
2) Urges USDA to “assert jurisdiction over foods consisting of, isolated from or produced from cell culture or tissue culture derived from livestock and poultry animals or their parts.”
NCBA believes that USDA-FSIS is the agency best placed to regulate emerging lab-grown meat products. First, USDA-FSIS possesses the technical expertise and regulatory infrastructure to ensure perishable meat food products are safe for U.S. consumers. Lab-grown meat must comply with the same stringent food safety inspection standards as all other meat products.
Second, USDA-FSIS labeling standards provided greater protection against false and misleading marketing claims. Unlike the FDA, USDA-FSIS requires pre-approval of all labels before products hit the marketplace. This will ensure consistent labeling practices across all products, and prevent misleading marketing labels such as “clean meat.”
From NRCS:
Unlike February, snowfall wasn’t record-breaking in Montana during March, but it was sufficient to keep the snowpack near to well above normal on April 1, according to snow survey data collected by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). “One thing is for sure; it’s been a snowy winter across the state of Montana,” said Lucas Zukiewicz, NRCS water supply specialist for Montana, “and there’s still more to come.”
Last month, records were set for both monthly totals for February snowfall, and for total snowpack accumulation on March 1. Many snowpack measuring locations that feed Montana’s rivers and streams remain record high for April 1. Ten SNOwpack TELemetry (SNOTEL) and snowcourse locations remain the highest on record for this date, and 12 measurement locations are the second highest on record. These sites can be found in the mountains that feed the Upper Yellowstone River, Upper Clark Fork and Missouri Mainstem River basins, where snowfall has been abundant throughout the winter months. “Although not record-setting like these regions, the snowpack in other river basins across the state is well above normal for this time of year,” Zukiewicz said.
2018 is looking to go down as one of the biggest snow years on record for some parts of the state, prompting questions on how it compares to other memorable snowpack years. “1972, 1997, 2011 and 2014 were all big winters across the state, and many are wondering how this year compares,” Zukiewicz said. “So far, the only snowpack that has topped all other water years for peak snow water contained in the snowpack is the area near Cooke City which feeds the Clark’s Fork River of the Yellowstone River.”
For the most part, the snowpack in the rest of the state hasn’t reached the levels of 1997, 2011 and 2014. “During those years, snowpack peaked at the beginning of May to early June. For now, it looks like there is still a lot of winter left to come and this year could break more records if it keeps going.” Zukiewicz said.
Long-range predictions by the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center continue to forecast above average precipitation and below average temperatures through the end of April.
Due to the abundant snowfall, many measurement locations have already reached, or exceeded, the normal amount of snow water that is typically contained in the snowpack before runoff occurs, all but assuring at least normal surface water supply this spring and summer, Zukiewicz said. Long-duration volumetric streamflow forecasts issued for the April 1 – July 31 period are well above average for most stream gages in the state, and could approach record levels this spring and summer at the stream gage at Belfry, Mont., located along Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone.
“Having a big snowpack is a double-edged sword,” Zukiewicz said. “You know there will be plenty of snowpack to feed the rivers, which is typically great news, but the uncertainty of how and when it will come out can keep you up at night.”
The coming month will be critical in determining how much water is available in the snowpack for runoff this spring, and the day-to-day and week-by-week weather patterns during May and June will determine the timing and volumes of water in Montana. Water users are encouraged to read the May 1, 2018, NRCS Water Supply Outlook Report, which will summarize the conditions that occurred over the month of April, and help water users prepare for runoff this spring and summer.
Individual point forecasts for streams and rivers can be found in the monthly NRCS Water Supply Outlook Report and should be consulted as conditions vary from basin to basin, and even within the basins themselves.
Monthly Water Supply Outlook Reports can be found at the website below after the 5th business day of the month:
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/mt/snow/waterproducts/basin/
| River Basin | % of Normal | % Last Year |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 137 | 134 |
| Kootenai, Montana | 128 | 122 |
| Flathead, Montana | 136 | 130 |
| Upper Clark Fork | 156 | 170 |
| Bitterroot | 134 | 128 |
| Lower Clark Fork | 124 | 117 |
| Missouri | 133 | 145 |
| Jefferson | 135 | 134 |
| Madison | 124 | 118 |
| Gallatin | 130 | 148 |
| Headwaters Mainstem | 169 | 190 |
| Smith-Judith-Musselshell | 130 | 186 |
| Sun-Teton-Marias | 142 | 122 |
| St. Mary-Milk | 140 | 149 |
| Yellowstone River Basin | 135 | 102 |
| Upper Yellowstone | 152 | 128 |
| Lower Yellowstone | 121 | 85 |
| West of the Divide | 137 | 134 |
| East of the Divide | 133 | 119 |
| Montana State-Wide | 137 | 137 |
| River Basin | Monthly % of Average | Water Year % of Average | Water Year % of Last Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 93 | 123 | 95 |
| Kootenai, Montana | 93 | 113 | 81 |
| Flathead, Montana | 101 | 129 | 96 |
| Upper Clark Fork | 103 | 130 | 114 |
| Bitterroot | 99 | 119 | 100 |
| Lower Clark Fork | 69 | 115 | 85 |
| Missouri | 111 | 119 | 95 |
| Jefferson | 117 | 111 | 93 |
| Madison | 121 | 113 | 82 |
| Gallatin | 113 | 124 | 98 |
| Headwaters Mainstem | 111 | 137 | 120 |
| Smith-Judith-Musselshell | 90 | 117 | 111 |
| Sun-Teton-Marias | 90 | 136 | 104 |
| St. Mary-Milk | 107 | 130 | 88 |
| Yellowstone River Basin | 98 | 122 | 83 |
| Upper Yellowstone | 99 | 138 | 95 |
| Lower Yellowstone | 98 | 108 | 72 |
| West of the Divide | 93 | 123 | 95 |
| East of the Divide | 103 | 121 | 89 |
| Montana State-Wide | 102 | 124 | 95 |
| River Basin | Highest Point Forecast* | Lowest Point Forecast** | Basin Average Forecast*** |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 231% | 107% | 134% |
| Kootenai, Montana | 124% | 110% | 118% |
| Flathead, Montana | 158% | 112% | 131% |
| Upper Clark Fork | 231% | 148% | 170% |
| Bitterroot | 128% | 113% | 121% |
| Lower Clark Fork | 144% | 107% | 130% |
| Missouri | 174% | 95% | 125% |
| Jefferson | 161% | 95% | 126% |
| Madison | 114% | 111% | 113% |
| Gallatin | 123% | 115% | 120% |
| Headwaters Mainstem | 135% | 128% | 132% |
| Smith-Judith-Musselshell | 174% | 117% | 141% |
| Sun-Teton-Marias | 141% | 99% | 123% |
| St. Mary | 123% | 119% | 121% |
| Yellowstone River Basin | 194% | 83% | 133% |
| Upper Yellowstone | 194% | 97% | 147% |
| Lower Yellowstone | 159% | 83% | 119% |
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.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make disaster payments of up to $2.36 billion, as provided by Congress, to help America’s farmers and ranchers recover from hurricanes and wildfires. The funds are available as part of the new 2017 Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program (2017 WHIP). Sign-up for the new program, authorized by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, will begin no later than July 16.
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will make these disaster payments to agricultural producers to offset losses from hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria and devastating wildfires. The 2017 calendar year was a historic year for natural disasters, and this investment is part of a broader suite of programs that USDA is delivering to rural America to aid recovery. In total, the Act provided more than $3 billion in disaster relief by creating new programs and expediting or enhancing payments for producers.
“America’s farmers feed our nation and much of the world, and throughout history, they have known good years and bad years. But when significant disasters strike, we are ready to step in and provide the assistance they need,” Secretary Perdue said. “USDA is working as quickly as possible to develop procedures and a system by which affected producers can access disaster assistance. For producers new to FSA programs, we encourage you to visit your local USDA service center now to establish farm records.”
The new 2017 WHIP will provide significant disaster assistance and be guided by the following principles:
WHIP disaster payments are being issued in addition to payments through our traditional programs, some of which obtained increased funding or had amendments made by the Act to make the programs more responsive, including theEmergency Conservation Program, Emergency Watershed Protection Program, Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised Fish Program, Tree Assistance Program and Livestock Indemnity Program.
During 2017, the U.S. experienced a historic year of weather-related disasters, with an economic impact totaling more than $300 billion. In total, the United States was impacted by 16 separate billion-dollar disaster events including three tropical cyclones, eight severe storms, two inland floods, a crop freeze, drought, and wildfire. More than 25 million people – almost eight percent of the population – were affected by major disasters.
FSA will distribute more information on how producers can file claims for WHIP disaster payments at a later date. For questions on how to establish farm records to be prepared when WHIP disaster signup begins, or to learn about other disaster assistance programs, producers are asked to contact their local USDA service center.
The Montana Department of Agriculture and Noxious Weed Management Advisory Council has awarded over $1.74 million for the development and implementation of noxious weed management programs in March 2018. The grants assist counties, conservation districts, local communities, tribes, researchers and educators in efforts to combat noxious weeds in Montana.
57 local cooperative projects were recommended for funding at a total of $1,218,935 or 70% of all dollars awarded. Ten research projects were recommended for funding at $248,236 or 14% and 11 educational projects are recommended for $279,681 or 16%. Combined research and educational projects recommended for funding total $527,917 or 30% of all funding available.
In addition to the $1.74 million grant hearing awards, each of the 56 counties and 7 reservations in the state are eligible to receive $7,500 per year.
The Montana Noxious Weed Trust Fund grant program was established by the Montana Legislature in 1985. The advisory council reviews applications, hears applicant testimony, and provides funding recommendations to the director for final approval. Funding is typically passed through a governmental organization, local weed district, conservation district, extension office, or university. A compiled list of award recipients is available at http://agr.mt.gov/Noxious-Weed-Trust-Fund-Grants.
Applications for 2019 Noxious Weed Trust Fund grants can be found at https://fundingmt.org in mid-July, for completion and submittal by January 6, 2019.
Montana Department of Agriculture’s mission is to protect producers and consumers and to enhance and develop agriculture and allied industries. For more information on the Montana Department of Agriculture, visit agr.mt.gov.
Due to the effects of Montana’s severe winter conditions, Montana Governor Steve Bullock has waived certain hay transportation requirements. Yesterday, Governor Bullock signed an Executive Order that allows for the movement of vehicles that may exceed size and weight limits when it is necessary for responding to emergency situations brought on by weather or other natural events.
The Order allows baled livestock feed within the state to exceed the statutory limits by 20 percent along with allowing nighttime transportation of said oversized hay loads.
While operating under this Order, commercial vehicle drivers may not require or allow fatigued drivers to operate a motor vehicle and are encouraged to meet the lighting requirements for loads over 10 feet in width.
The exemption will last for thirty days unless revoked prior to expiration.
Award applications for the 12th annual National Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Awards now are being accepted. The 2019 National BQA Awards recognize five winners in the areas of beef, dairy, marketing and education:
The National BQA Awards are selected by a committee of BQA certified representatives from universities, state beef councils, sponsors and affiliated groups. Nominations are submitted by organizations, groups or individuals on behalf of a U.S. beef producer, dairy beef producer, marketer or educator. Individuals and families may not nominate themselves, though the nominees are expected to be involved in the preparation of the application. Past nominees are encouraged to submit their application under the new nomination structure. Previous winners may not reapply.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association manages the BQA program as a contractor to the Beef Checkoff Program. Funding for the BQA Awards is made possible by the generosity of Cargill, which has supported the program since its inception, and Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, which sponsors the BQA Educator Award.
Find the application and nomination requirements here. Applications are due by June 1, 2018.
For more information about BQA visit BQA.org.
Written by Megan Van Emon, Extension Beef Cattle Specialist
Each year Montana State University Extension and the Montana Feed Association host the Montana Nutrition Conference and Livestock Forum. Dr. Rachel Endecott has been, for the past several years, the conference coordinator and this year she passed the reins on to me. I want to thank Dr. Endecott for her support and developing this conference into such an excellent event.
This year we will continue this excellent conference with the theme “Drought Resource Management.” The drought in 2017 was one of the worst seen in the Northern Great Plains and we hope to provide additional resources for livestock producers, Extension faculty, and agriculture professionals. The conference will take place April 17 and 18 at the GranTree Inn in Bozeman, MT.
We have an excellent line-up of speakers from Montana State University, University of Wyoming, USDA-ARS Fort Keogh, and elsewhere. These speakers will focus on the resources available for decision-making and how to effectively use these tools during drought. Topics include a weather outlook for 2018, using alternative forages, hay storage, forage sampling and analysis, post-fire grazing, supplementation strategies, water quality, and production costs and available insurance programs.
On Wednesday morning we will have our annual Graduate and Undergraduate Student Poster Competition. This is an excellent opportunity to meet students in the Animal and Range Sciences Department and learn about their research.
We also have an excellent Keynote Speaker, Amberley Snyder, who will be delivering her compelling and dynamic presentation, There is No Future in Giving Up, during dinner on April 17.
We hope you will join us for this excellent conference. You can register online at https://www.montana.edu/nutrition/. A block of rooms at the GranTree has also been reserved for the event under the Montana Nutrition Conference and Livestock Forum.
Please contact me with any questions at 406-874-8286 or [email protected].
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Office of Partnerships & Public Engagement (OPPE) today announced up to $8.4 million in available funding for training and technical assistance for socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers. Funding is made through the USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (also known as the 2501 Program).
“The USDA is committed to reaching all farmers and ranchers,” said OPPE Director Diane Cullo. “Through the 2501 program, the USDA is building lasting relationships among these farmers and ranchers, the local organizations that serve them, and the USDA’s local, state, regional, and national offices.”
The 2501 Program was originally authorized by the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. 2501 grants seek to enhance the equitable participation of socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers in USDA resources and programs, such as Farm Service Agency loans or grants through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP). Projects may focus on conferences, training sessions, educational materials, or new programs to help these farmers and ranchers thrive and succeed.
Eligible applicants include community-based organizations, networks, or coalitions of community-based organizations; 1890 or 1994 institutions of higher education; American Indian tribal community colleges or Alaska Native cooperative colleges; Hispanic-serving institutions of higher education; other higher education institutions; Indian Tribes or national tribal organizations. Eligible entities must have experience in providing agricultural education or other agricultural-related services for socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers.
The deadline for applications is May 15, 2018. See the request for applications for full details. Learn more about this funding opportunity through two teleconferences on March 28, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. EST and April 25, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. EST. To join each session, call 1-888-455-1685 and use passcode 7087935.
Examples of FY 2017 funded 2501 projects include a grant to the National Hmong American Farmers, Inc., to provide technical and direct assistance to Hmong farmers in central California who face barriers to successful farming due to poverty and cultural and linguistic isolation. A Florida State University project reached veterans with workshops, online agricultural courses, and 15 farm apprenticeships and managerial apprenticeships at private farms.
The program’s mission is to provide advanced hunter education that increases hunter competence, ethical hunting behavior, private land access and knowledge of agriculture and land stewardship. The goals of the program are as follows:
To learn more about this program and for information on how to apply as a hunter or landowner, please visit
www.montanamasterhunter.com.
Common Ground Members
Montana Stockgrowers Association, Montana Grain Growers Association, Montana Wildlife Federation, Montana Bowhunters Association, Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Western Landowners Alliance, and several individual outfitters, sportsmen, and ranchers.