December 6, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Speakers Highlight 2015 Annual Convention And Trade Show

As food politics change, expert says Montana ranchers need to participate

By Tom Lutey, Billings Gazette

Annual Convention Elanco Grady BishopFood politics are being reshaped by social media and millennials, and Montana ranchers need to step up, a livestock industry analyst told Stockgrowers on Friday.

“I challenge you all to get involved in social media,” said Grady Bishop, senior director of North America Market Access of Elanco Animal Health. “Let’s not let somebody take our story from us.”

Elanco is a global, innovation-driven company that develops and markets products to improve animal health and protein production in more than 75 countries.

Speaking at the Montana Stockgrowers Convention in Billings, Bishop gave an optimistic but challenging outlook about the livestock industry’s future. With 3 billion people worldwide expected to join the middle class in developing nations, the demand for beef looks positive, Bishop said.

Continue reading from the Billings Gazette.

With humor, detail and emotion, former Navy SEAL O’Neill delivers talk at Montana Stockgrowers Association lunch

By Mike Kordenbrock, Billings Gazette

Annual Convention Robert O'NeillRob O’Neill, Butte native and former Navy SEAL, was the featured speaker at Friday’s Northwestern Ag Network’s lunch at the 131st Montana Stockgrowers Association Convention and Trade Show.

He was introduced by another former SEAL, U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., who said, “Rob O’Neill represents our most important values: duty, honor, courage. And yes, he’s from Butte and he has a sense of humor.”

O’Neill, who in November 2014 said he fired the two shots that killed Osama bin Laden, said early in his talk that he wouldn’t go into detail about the bin Laden raid but did use it as a transition into his opening remarks.

“The Bin Laden raid was a proof of concept,” O’Neill said, before launching into his talk, interwoven with video footage, frequently of parachute jumps, about how “success in combat can be related to everyday life.”

After having his heart broken by a Butte girl, O’Neill said he couldn’t find the Marine recruiter, but the Navy recruiter was around. “I couldn’t swim,” O’Neill said. “I’m 19, naive and this guy’s a professional recruiter. Why’s he gonna lie to me,” O’Neill said.

Continue reading from the Billings Gazette.

Click here for more 2015 Annual Convention coverage from Montana Stockgrowers.

November 29, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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GMOs, Hormones, Sustainability, Water to Highlight Educational Forum

The 2015 Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention & Trade Show is just a few days out. This year’s meeting offers a great lineup of speakers and educational workshops for Montana ranchers. To view all the highlights from this year’s Annual Convention, click here. RSVP on the Facebook event so you do not miss a thing. If you are following along on social media, share your experience (and anticipation!) with the hashtag #MSGA15 on Twitter and Instagram. View the tags from all networks on Tagboard.

mtCattlewomenThe Montana CattleWomen will be hosting an Educational Forum with speakers on several different topics on Saturday, December 5 at 2:00 p.m.

Jill Herold presents Mythical Creatures; We’ve all heard about it (GMO’s, Sustainability, Gluten Free, etc.), but have we really seen it or know about them? Let’s look at the definition of sustainability, how it applies to agriculture in the U.S. and globally. We’ll myth bust with GMO’s and Gluten Free, plus find out some valuable resources for answers.

How do growth promoting implants and feed additives work? And how do they impact the final product? Learn about the science behind these technologies and more with Dr. Rachel Endecott, Montana State University Extension Beef Cattle Specialist.

Nancy Labbe with World Wildlife Fund’s Sustainable Ranching Initiative is working to establish a productive dialogue with stakeholders in the beef supply chain.  By partnering with ranchers, retailers, regional and national producer groups, consumers, and other conservation organizations, WWF is working to develop a thriving global marketplace for sustainable beef that values intact grasslands, abundant natural resources, and producer livelihoods. The local to global approach is key for WWF. In the Northern Great Plains region, WWF supports the ranching community with capacity-building grants, bird surveys, and outreach support. We’re driven by the goal of maintaining intact grasslands the Northern Great Plains by supporting the ranching community and communicating with consumers about the benefits of ranching on this landscape. More broadly, WWF serves as a key representative on the Global, US, and Canadian Roundtables for Sustainable Beef, influencing the future of the sustainable beef market with a reasonable, informed approach.

Hertha Lund ranches with her husband in south central Montana. Her firm, Lund Law, focuses on water and natural resources. She will speak on the basics of property interests in water rights with and current issues related to water rights in Montana including changes in the law made during the 2015 legislature, water rights adjudication and whether your water rights might be in the Water Court’s bulls eye in the coming year. Additionally, she will touch on stock water rights and other issues important for ranchers to consider in further protecting their property rights.

November 28, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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#MSGA15 Social Media Photo Challenge

Social Media Photo Challenge smFacebook it. Tweet it. Instagram it. Either way, be sure to tag your photos with #MSGA15 to enter our social media challenge during the 131st Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention & Trade Show. Each morning of Convention, we will post a new photo challenge to help you explore the events and people of Montana’s largest ranching industry Convention!

Anyone attending MSGA’s Annual Convention & Trade Show is able to participate. Check our social media pages (registered attendees check your daily Convention email) for the photo subject of the day. Take your selfie or photo, post it to Facebook (privacy setting must be Public), Twitter and/or Instagram using the official Convention hashtag, #MSGA15.

The first 15 people each day to show their qualifying photo post to MSGA staff at the Convention registration desk will receive prizes.

Once you participate, be sure to like and share posts from other attendees on social media throughout the Convention. Make sure you follow Montana Stockgrowers on Facebook or @MTStockgrowers on Twitter and Instagram as we share the experience during the 2015 Annual Convention & Trade Show.

Contest rules: Participants must have at least a meeting registration on day of contest entry to win prizes. Facebook photo privacy must be set to public to qualify. Photo entries must be presented prior to registration desk closing each day – 4:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.

The 2015 Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention & Trade Show is just a few days out. This year’s meeting offers a great lineup of speakers and educational workshops for Montana ranchers. To view all the highlights from this year’s Annual Convention, click here. RSVP on the Facebook event so you do not miss a thing. If you are following along on social media, share your experience (and anticipation!) with the hashtag #MSGA15 on Twitter and Instagram. View the tags from all networks on Tagboard.

November 27, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Veterinary Feed Directives | Stockgrowers College Preview

Hoffman, BruceThe 2015 Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention & Trade Show is just a few days out. This year’s meeting offers a great lineup of speakers and educational workshops for Montana ranchers. To view all the highlights from this year’s Annual Convention, click here. RSVP on the Facebook event so you do not miss a thing. If you are following along on social media, share your experience (and anticipation!) with the hashtag #MSGA15 on Twitter and Instagram. View the tags from all networks on Tagboard.

Stockgrowers College sessions will be held at different times all three days of the Annual Convention. Times vary and some sessions repeat. Check the final meeting program for times and room assignments.

Stockgrowers College Sponsored by Elanco Animal Health

Antibiotic Use Concerns and the New Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD)

Time: Friday, December 4 at 2:30 p.m., Repeats Saturday, December 5 at 1:30 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Bruce Hoffman

The veterinary feed directive will affect the entire cattle industry. Learn the details, challenges and ways that Montana ranchers can be on the forefront and learn how to adapt and understand the implications and lead the implementation of protecting antibiotics that are concerning to our beef eating consumers.

Our sponsor, Elanco Animal Health, makes these Stockgrowers College sessions possible. Be sure to visit their booth in the Trade Show – Thursday from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. or Friday and Saturday from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m.

November 24, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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NFR Calcutta to Support Stockgrowers Foundation

Stockgrowers NFR CalcuttaWatching the National Finals Rodeo on the big screens has always been a big part of attending the Stockgrowers Annual Convention & Trade Show. This year, we add the first ever NFR Calcutta auction at a Stockgrowers Convention to benefit our Foundation. This is sure to add a level of competition and fun to our nightly entertainment while watching the biggest rodeo of the year live from Las Vegas.

Why?

The objective of the REEF – NFR Calcutta is to raise funds for the Research & Education Endowment Foundation of the Montana Stockgrowers Association while having some fun.

What?

The term “Calcutta” describes a type of auction-pool wagering that can be applied to rodeo. In a Calcutta, people bid, auction style on the individuals or team who they think will win the event. All or a portion of the money raised through the auction goes into the pool or pot. At the end of the event, those who purchased the teams that win gets a pre-determined payout from the auction pool.

How Much Is Paid Out?

This Calcutta has a 30:15:10 payout. The “calcutta owner” of the team that wins first place is awarded 30% of the “pool”, “calcutta owner” of the second place team is awarded 15% of the “pool”, and “calcutta owner” of the third place team is awarded 10% of the “pool”.

When and Where?

The “calcutta auction” will take place on Thursday, December 3 at the MetraPark Rimrock Auto Arena (Trade Show area) during MSGA’s Annual Convention. If you can’t be present Thursday and would like to bid then send someone in your place to bid. Please remember you may buy as many teams as you would like to purchase. 45% of funds raised will go to support the Research & Education Endowment Foundation so keep that in mind and have some fun with the bidding.

The 2015 Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention & Trade Show is just a few days out. This year’s meeting offers a great lineup of speakers and educational workshops for Montana ranchers. To view all the highlights from this year’s Annual Convention, click here. RSVP on the Facebook event so you do not miss a thing. If you are following along on social media, share your experience (and anticipation!) with the hashtag #MSGA15 on Twitter and Instagram. View the tags from all networks on Tagboard.

November 23, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Ranch Income and Estate Planning | Stockgrowers College Preview

ALME_2The 2015 Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention & Trade Show is just a few days out. This year’s meeting offers a great lineup of speakers and educational workshops for Montana ranchers. To view all the highlights from this year’s Annual Convention, click here. RSVP on the Facebook event so you do not miss a thing. If you are following along on social media, share your experience (and anticipation!) with the hashtag #MSGA15 on Twitter and Instagram. View the tags from all networks on Tagboard.

Stockgrowers College sessions will be held at different times all three days of the Annual Convention. Times vary and some sessions repeat. Check the final meeting program for times and room assignments.

Stockgrowers College Sponsored by Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation

Is Uncle Sam Going to Be My Heir?  Using Charitable Planned Giving in Farm & Ranch Income Tax and Estate Planning

Time: Friday, December 4 at 10:00 a.m., Repeats Saturday, December 5 at 8:30 a.m.

Speaker: Kurt Alme, J.D.

In this presentation, you will get an overview of the impact of income, capital gain, Obamacare, gift, and estate taxes on common farm and ranch transactions and learn how Charitable Planned Giving techniques can,

  1. Lessen your taxes;
  2. Increase your spendable income; and
  3. Make a difference in the lives of kids, the ranching way of life, and your charitable interests.

Our sponsor, Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation, makes these Stockgrowers College sessions possible. Be sure to visit their booth in the Trade Show – Thursday from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. or Friday and Saturday from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m.

November 20, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Opening General Session to Feature Look at Global Food Security

Grady Bishop ElancoMontana Stockgrowers Association is working hard to make our 131st Annual Convention & Trade Show the largest yet! With this year’s move to Rimrock Auto Arena, we have more room than ever for Trade Show vendors, educational workshops and nightly entertainment! We also have some great speakers on hand for this year’s event!

Our Featured Speaker during the Opening General Session on Friday morning, December 4, is Grady Bishop. The Senior Director of North American Market Access with Elanco Animal Health will share his experience and insight to the role of protein in global markets and the importance of food security in providing for consumers in countries around the world

Grady Bishop was raised on a row-crop farm in the Southwest Kansas town of Sublette. He attended West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) in Canyon, TX where he developed interest and experience in feedlot beef production. After receiving a B.S. in Animal Science from WTAMU, Grady worked for ContiBeef (now part of JBS Five Rivers) for two years in various roles within one of their large commercial cattle feeding operations in Oklahoma. Following his time at ContiBeef, Grady worked with Certified Angus Beef, one of the first and most successful branded beef companies in the US, while pursuing a M.S. in Ruminant Nutrition from Kansas State University.

Grady has worked for Elanco Animal Health since 2002 in various roles in US and Global sales & marketing leadership, including two years in Buenos Aires, Argentina as Director of Elanco’s Southern Cone Affiliate. During his time in South America, he developed a deep appreciation for the role technology and modern agriculture play in feeding the world and was exposed first-hand to a broad spectrum of food insecurity. Grady has been an active spokesperson for Elanco’s food security platform, both locally and globally and he and his family are active volunteers in community hunger initiatives.

Since January 2015, Grady has been the Sr. Director of North American Market Access for Elanco, focusing on government affairs and food chain engagement in the US and Canada. He is based at Elanco’s global headquarters in Greenfield, IN where he lives with his wife and two children.

Opening General Session is sponsored by WIPFLi / Galusha, Higgins & Galisha. Tickets can be purchased on-site or on our Events page prior to November 23.

The 2015 Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention & Trade Show is just a few days out. This year’s meeting offers a great lineup of speakers and educational workshops for Montana ranchers. To view all the highlights from this year’s Annual Convention, click here. RSVP on the Facebook event so you do not miss a thing. If you are following along on social media, share your experience (and anticipation!) with the hashtag #MSGA15 on Twitter and Instagram. View the tags from all networks on Tagboard.

November 19, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Temperature and Precipitation Trends | Stockgrowers College Preview

logo_0The 2015 Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention & Trade Show is just a few weeks out. This year’s meeting offers a great lineup of speakers and educational workshops for Montana ranchers. To view all the highlights from this year’s Annual Convention, click here. RSVP on the Facebook event so you do not miss a thing. If you are following along on social media, share your experience (and anticipation!) with the hashtag #MSGA15 on Twitter and Instagram. View the tags from all networks on Tagboard.

Stockgrowers College sessions will be held at different times all three days of the Annual Convention. Times vary and some sessions repeat. Check the final meeting program for times and room assignments.

Stockgrowers College Sponsored by One Montana

Temperature and Precipitation Trends – Developing Good Data for Risk Management and Forecasting

Time: Friday, December 4 at 2:00 p.m.

Speakers: Jane Mangold, Dr. Bruce Maxwell, Dr. Kelsey Jencso, Dr. Justin Derner

By using temperature and precipitation trends, this panel wants to engage attendees by hearing what livestock producers need to adapt and be resilient to increasing weather variability.

Our sponsor, One Montana, makes these Stockgrowers College sessions possible. Be sure to visit their booth in the Trade Show – Thursday from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. or Friday and Saturday from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m.

November 17, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Preparing Calves for Next Step | Stockgrowers College Preview

Dr. Jerry WoodruffThe 2015 Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention & Trade Show is just a few weeks out. This year’s meeting offers a great lineup of speakers and educational workshops for Montana ranchers. To view all the highlights from this year’s Annual Convention, click here. RSVP on the Facebook event so you do not miss a thing. If you are following along on social media, share your experience (and anticipation!) with the hashtag #MSGA15 on Twitter and Instagram. View the tags from all networks on Tagboard.

Stockgrowers College sessions will be held at different times all three days of the Annual Convention. Times vary and some sessions repeat. Check the final meeting program for times and room assignments.

Stockgrowers College Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.

How can I best prepare my calves for the next stage in the production cycle?

Time: Thursday, December 3 at 3:00 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Jerry Woodruff

Rebuilding of the national cowherd may correct some of the supply/demand situation enjoyed by ranchers the past couple of years.  Calves that are well prepared for the stocker/backgrounder/feeder phase of our industry will command favored status in an increased supply market.  Calf preparation includes a sound vaccination program AND much more.

Optimizing cattle vaccination results

Time: Friday, December 4 at 9:30 a.m.

Speaker: Dr. Jerry Woodruff

Vaccination of animals is relatively easy to accomplish.  Achieving ‘immunization’ is a whole different issue.  Proper care, handling, and administration of vaccine products to animals that have an immune system capable of responding to those vaccines should be the goal of all cattlemen.

Our sponsor, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., makes these Stockgrowers College sessions possible. Be sure to visit their booth in the Trade Show – Thursday from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. or Friday and Saturday from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m.

November 14, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Stockgrowers Grand Finale Banquet to Feature Large Auction Items

MSGA_ACRegistrationBroch_web-1The Saturday evening event during MSGA’s Annual Convention & Trade Show is always a dinner you cannot miss! This year’s Grand Finale Banquet is no exception! Before we clear out the dance floor for live music from Crazy Mountain Express, several items will be up for auction to help support various Montana Stockgrowers programs.

Need a ticket? Grand Finale Banquet tickets are available with registration packets and will be for sale on-site.

Montana Seedstock and Commercial Cattle Directory Priority Page Ads

The Montana Seedstock and Commercial Cattle Directory, published each August by the Montana Stockgrowers Association, is your resource for Montana cattle. This premier directory is mailed to MSGA members, livestock markets, feeders, and cattle buyers across the U.S. It is also distributed at the numerous national and statewide trade shows, seedstock sales, and other national and state agricultural events. Proceeds from the auction of Priority Page ads support Stockgrowers Programs, Outreach and Advocacy efforts.

Cancrete Model C250 Electric Tank – sponsored by Cancrete Cattle Waterers

Cancrete Cattle Waterers and Montana Stockgrowers Research, Education, and Endowment Foundation have teamed up to support Montana youth with scholarships and other forms of support to further their education in cattle production and feeding! Cancrete will attend the 2015 Annual Convention, and have agreed to bring a $1000.00 Cancrete Model C250 Electric Tank for Auction by MSGA REEF. Proceeds to go to the Foundation for use. The C250 Electric Tank will be auctioned at the Grand Finale Banquet.

12’x12′ Feeder – sponsored by Cattle Systems by LS

Cattle Systems by LS has generously donated a livestock feeder that will be auctioned at the Grand Finale Banquet, proceeds go to support the Montana Stockgrowers Association. This Revolutionary animal activated livestock feeder that can feed round bales, large square bales, loose hay, and processed hay. The main principle of the Cattle Systems feeders is conservation. It conserves feed by allowing the livestock to consume all of the hay before the feeder will advance. Interior push bar facilitates the natural feeding behavior of the livestock. This results in less wasted hay and less time spent loading the feeders, which directly results in lower fuel costs. The cattle systems feeder can allow you to feed your cattle once every 7 to 10 days, as opposed to the conventional everyday feeding method.

Black Angus Heifer Auction – sponsored by Idland Cattle Company

A new tradition begins at the 2015 Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention with the generous donation of a 2015 purebred Angus foundation heifer by the Stars of Montana group. The Angus heifer (Reg. 18229568) will be auctioned during the Grand Finale Banquet, Saturday, December 5 in Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark. All proceeds go to support MSGA programs. Learn more about the heifer here.

The 2015 Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention & Trade Show is just a few days out. This year’s meeting offers a great lineup of speakers and educational workshops for Montana ranchers. To view all the highlights from this year’s Annual Convention, click here. RSVP on the Facebook event so you do not miss a thing. If you are following along on social media, share your experience (and anticipation!) with the hashtag #MSGA15 on Twitter and Instagram. View the tags from all networks on Tagboard.