MidYear Meeting 2015
May 13, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
Share:

Stockgrowers MidYear to Feature Short and Long Term Cattle Price Outlook

What will the markets do next? Aside from keeping an eye on the weather forecast, this seems to be the frequent question among ranchers in today’s cattle business. With recent record-high calf prices, we’re not always sure what to expect next, only guessing whether the markets will fall or continue climbing.

At Stockgrowers 2015 MidYear meeting, attendees will be provided with some insight and historical context to today’s cattle market prices and what can be expected in the months ahead. Dr. Gary Brester, Professor in the Department of Ag Economics at Montana State University, will highlight the Opening General Session on Friday, June 5.

Gary Brester, ag econ MSU photo by Kelly Gorham“Current record-high calf prices have occurred (in inflation-adjusted terms) three times since 1920 — in 1951, 1973, and 1979,” says Brester. “In each case, price spikes were caused by a combination of low cattle numbers and unusual market situations. Each of these record-high price events was short-lived — less than two years.”

In general, prices declined after each of these price spikes after outside economic conditions corrected themselves in response to world events. During these previous periods of high prices, cattle inventories increased for a short time.

Will history repeat itself after 2014’s record-setting cattle prices? Will these high returns to ranchers continue in response to lower world cattle inventories and continued strong beef demand?

Find out more by attending Montana Stockgrowers’ MidYear meeting and hearing from Dr. Brester at the Opening General Session. Event tickets are available online for a 20% discount if registration is completed prior to June 1.

The 2015 MSGA MidYear Meeting takes place on the campus of Montana State University in Bozeman, June 4-6. For more information, contact the MSGA office at (406) 442-3420 or visit our event page.

May 1, 2015 1 Comment Montana Stockgrowers Association
Share:

2015 Montana Nutrition Conference and Livestock Forum in Tweets

MSU Extension Montana Nutrition Conference and Livestock ForumThis year’s Montana Nutrition Conference and Livestock Forum was held April 28-29 in Bozeman with a great line up of speakers. Topics ranged from alternative forage crops, market trends, weaning strategies, mineral and vitamin deficiencies, antibiotic use, Veterinary Feed Directives, consumer perceptions of beef production and more. Keep an eye out on future blog posts to learn more about the topics discussed.

Below is a snapshot of the conversations happening via Twitter! Visit Montana State University Extension online for more resources from the conference.

MidYear Meeting 2015
April 30, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
Share:

Montana Stockgrowers to Host 2015 MidYear Meeting in Bozeman

Mark your calendars to celebrate 131 years for Montana Stockgrowers Association at the organization’s MidYear Meeting, June 4-6 in Bozeman. This year’s MidYear event will be highlighted by Cattlemen’s College workshops, a tour of area businesses and live music with Ringling 5 and Crazy Mountain Express!

Mid-Year is one of two major meetings MSGA holds annually where members will gather to discuss the issues facing Montana ranching families and set interim policy to guide the association through the rest of the year. Policy Committee meetings this year will be hosted on the campus of Montana State University.

Events will kick off Thursday afternoon with Cattlemen’s College workshops presented by leadership coach, Sarah Bohenkamp. Ranchers will have the opportunity to learn more about growth in leadership, improving time management and developing skills to build strong relationships that are critical to being successful in the ranching business.

Friday’s Opening General Session will feature MSU Ag Economics Professor, Dr. Gary Brester, who will provide insight for current record cattle prices and provide context from historical market trends. Association policy meetings will take place on Friday with discussion on topics affecting Montana ranchers today. A review of the 2015 Montana Legislative Session activity affecting the ranching community will also take place during the meeting.

Ranchers will gather on Friday night for a steak dinner, fun and live music from Ringling 5. Area business leaders and the community are invited to a special fundraiser event on Thursday night for MSGA’s Research & Education Endowment Foundation, held at the Best Western GranTree Inn, with entertainment by Crazy Mountain Express.

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Best Western GranTree Inn and Holiday Inn. Rooms at discounted rates must be reserved by May 5. For more information about MSGA’s 2015 Mid-Year Meeting, contact MSGA’s office at (406) 442-3420 or join the Facebook event. Registrations are available online for a 20% discount if made prior to June 1. Visit our event page for more details.

April 13, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
Share:

Montana Ford Stores Continue Partnership with Stockgrowers for Seventh Year

2015 Ford Logo SquareHelena, Mont. – Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) and Montana Ford Stores are excited to announce their seventh year as partners, designating Ford “The Official Truck of the Montana Stockgrowers Association.” MSGA and the Montana Ford Stores will give away a Ford Super Duty truck to one lucky MSGA member at the Montana Stockgrowers’ 2015 Annual Convention and Trade Show at the MetraPark in Billings on December 5.

“Montana Stockgrowers is thrilled to receive Montana Ford Stores’ continued support of our programs,” says Gene Curry, MSGA President and rancher from Valier. “Ford continues to be the number one    truck in livestock agriculture and MSGA looks forward to working once again with the great Ford dealers in our state.  I look forward to the trip around the state to thank each Ford store for their support!

Ford Truck Gary Paula Bischoff AlzadaLast year’s winner of the Ford Super Duty truck was Paula Bischoff. Paula and her husband, Gary, ranch at the 99 Bar Cattle Company near Alzada.

The 2015 Ford Super Duty truck will debut at MSGA’s MidYear Meeting in Bozeman, June 4-6, and will be featured at several events across Montana throughout the Summer and Fall.

MSGA Rancher, Young Stockgrower, and Feeder/Stocker members are eligible to win the truck. An entry form must be filled out and the member must be present at Annual Convention when the truck will be given away. To learn more about the MSGA/Ford partnership, please visit our Membership Benefits section or call (406) 442-3420.

March 11, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
Share:

Affiliate Mentorship Program Brings Ranchers to Helena for Leadership Workshop

AMPMontana Stockgrowers Association is in its second year of making a renewed effort to connect with Local Affiliate groups from across the state. The Affiliate Mentorship Program (AMP), which is designated as a three-year program, has been designed to connect the existing dots of communication between the Local Affiliates and MSGA. It encourages individual producers across the state to become involved in the outcome of their own destiny within the BEEF industry through their local affiliate and on to MSGA.

Our AMP program annual meeting took place this February with a two-day workshop held in Helena. 60 leaders, representing 15 Local Affiliate Associations from across the state were invited to learn more about what Montana Stockgrowers is doing for members on a state and national level. Attendees were also invited to provide feedback on improvements in communication and opportunities Local Affiliates would like to see from MSGA.

The leadership seminar is designed to empower individuals to engage by sharing their thoughts, ideas and concerns in a constructive manner to a constructive audience that can respond in a beneficial way and to become more familiar with how MSGA develops policy and strategies to continue to be an effective leader in the industry.

During the meeting, attendees had the opportunity to meet with the MSGA Board of Directors, hear from Executive Vice President, Errol Rice, gave an overview of MSGA’s structure and how information flows between state and local levels. Director of Natural Resources, Jay Bodner, informed the group on how MSGA handles policy issues during the legislative session and how MSGA works to give Montana ranchers representation on important policy and regulation changes. Manager of Communications, Ryan Goodman, introduced the group to the many ways MSGA is working to build communication channels within membership and to elevate the story of Montana ranchers.

Andy Kellom Montana Rancher EducationAttendees also had the opportunity to hear from Renea Heinrich with MorganMeyers. Renea provided this year’s AMP participants with an educational platform on “Becoming Ambassadors for Agriculture: Changing the Conversation”. Participants learned how to become better ambassadors for agriculture by discovering how to tell their stories in ways that are meaningful to their audiences. The workshop continued to build on last year’s Thought Leadership session, beginning with a refresher on media training skills, and then moved into a discussion around what consumers want to know about animal agriculture and how to deliver that information in ways that will resonate. Attendees learned that transparency is vital in today’s world as is communicating through shared values.

The outcome of the AMP program is to make a more consistent connection between MSGA and the local affiliates. We want to convey the message of who we are and how we are tied together from the local to state levels and then to a national level through existing networking. AMP conveys the message that individuals shape conversations. Those who show up, indeed run the world, however, “It is shaped by those who speak up.”

The AMP program would not be possible without the support of generous sponsors. Special appreciation goes to Merck Animal Health, Montana Livestock Ag Credit Inc., along with the help of several additional private sponsors that wished to remain anonymous.

March 10, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
Share:

Young Stockgrowers Host Calling on the Capitol – Legislative Conference

Lacey EhlkeBy Lacey Ehlke, Townsend, Young Stockgrowers Vice Chair

This year’s Calling on the Capitol Legislative Conference, hosted by the Young Stockgrowers, was a very informative and productive two days in Montana’s capitol city. We 20 attendees from all over the state become involved in the key issues affecting Montana ranchers.

The event started with a great overview of the issues focused on in the 2015 Legislative Session, presented by MSGA’s Jay Bodner. We then formed a round table discussion to talk about these issues, the major ones being the Board of Livestock Budget, Sage Grouse population, and the CSKT Water Compact. In that discussion, we were able to talk to all participants and find out how these issues directly affected them, as well as getting some questions answered for those affected. The social hour and dinner later that evening allowed us to get to know the fellow attendees, as well as continue some very meaningful discussion.

Calling on the Capitol 2015 Legislative Conference YSGThe next morning, we were fortunate enough to have breakfast with over 15 of our local legislators from both the Montana House of Representatives and Senate. During this breakfast, it was clear the legislators wanted to hear our input on the issues affecting ranchers in the state, which was both encouraging and rewarding. Following breakfast, we had a presentation from both the DNRC and Fish, Wildlife & Parks, and were able to ask questions of the presenters. Errol Rice then gave us a legislative training to prepare everyone for the visit to the Capitol that afternoon.

To wrap up, we all headed to the Capitol to see the legislature in action. The timing worked out perfectly, as we witnessed a joint session of the House and Senate, who were then addressed by Montana’s Congressman Ryan Zinke.

A comprehensive tour of the Capitol building itself followed and we completed the day by listening in to the Senate Natural Resources Committee meeting that afternoon.

As the newly elected Vice Chair of the Young Stockgrowers, I felt extremely lucky to be able to attend such a wonderful event. I am trying to become more involved in the organization, and this was a perfect way to do so. I recommend it to all Young Stockgrowers, not only for all the useful knowledge you walk away with, but for the lifelong friends you will make over the course of two days. These issues the MSGA staff work so hard on affect each one of us as ranchers, and it is crucial that we keep ourselves informed.

February 27, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
Share:

Next Generation Conference Draws Ranchers from Across Montana

Image via Next Generation Conference

Image via Next Generation Conference

If you live in Montana, almost everything starts with a drive. This statement held true for the Montana’s Next Generation Conference held in Shelby, MT on January 30 and 31.  Walking among the crowd nametags declared Malta, Billings, Chinook, Box Elder, Butte, Fort Benton, Geraldine and other far destination were common.  In addition to the travelers approximately 130 participants were locals, meaning they drove 50 miles or less to attend the conference.

Many people have the misconception that farms and ranches are just given to the children when parents are ready to retire.  In reality it just doesn’t work that way.  The first day of the conference focused on Succession Planning, which is about how to get your business operation from one generation to the next or how to include the next generation into the current operation.   There are communication issues, control issues and responsibilities that don’t allow an easy hand off without detailed planning.   Succession is as much about the people involved as it is about the financial aspect.

This year there were repeat attendees who had listened to Kevin Spafford’s workshop last year and returned bringing with them more family members.  Many families find it hard if not impossible to start the conversation about how do we make this transition from one generation to the next work and how do we plan for the future generations.  The younger generation fears rejection and the generation in place fears giving up control of what has been their life’s work, their pride and their income.  Spafford’s presentations helps people to see that delaying that conversation basically means failure to ensure that the family farm or ranch will stay in the family.

Spafford repeatedly pointed out that the attendance is larger at Montana’s Next Generation Conference than many national conferences.  Also for two years in a row he has been delighted by the fact that attendance of the younger oncoming generation out numbers the in place or middle generation by such a great amount.  It shows there are young people waiting and wanting to take over.

Saturday kicked off at the High School where there were 36 high quality breakout sessions and two panel discussions covering livestock production and cropping.   Cindy Halley, Carter, stated, “At all the workshops I attended I gained knowledge and great information.  I learned lots and now need to go home and do my homework (on bull genetics and selection).”

Kenny Benson, Sunburst, is looking to moving back to the family ranch.  After attending Lyle Allen, Lewistown Livestock Auction, and Gary Buffington’s, Northern Video Representative, presentation on Beginning Beef Cattle Marketing he stated, “There were a lot of good tips for getting more dollars. There are so many things to think about.”

Kory Fauque, KW Insurance, has been a favorite presentation of attendees and his facilitating of the Cropping Panel is well done.  Fauque frequently knows the producers and what questions to ask them to spotlight their knowledge and skills.

When asked why he drove all the way from Billings, William Archembault stated he had been told by his FSA Officer that this was the best (borrowers) training in the state.   FSA requires borrowers to get training on how to manage their finances and records. They can get the mandatory training condensed into one weekend by attending the Montana’s Next Generation Conference, which is a great time saver for many.

Lacy Roberts, FSA Loan Officer from Glacier County, the Borrower Trainer and one of the main organizers of the event stated, “I was very excited to see the participation from across the state of Montana and enthusiasm for learning. It is great when people come up to you after the conference and say they wish they could have had another day of workshops to learn more! We are very appreciative of all the speakers and sponsors who helped make this event possible along with all the great help we received from the Toole and Glacier County FSA offices, Marias River Livestock, the Glacier and Toole County Extension Agents and Farm Bureau. We really have a great team to work with!”

February 19, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
Share:

Montana Producer Elected to Beef Promotion Operating Committee

Sidney-Area Rancher and Business Woman Elected to Serve on National Beef Checkoff Committee

kristin larson sidney rancherKristin Larson, a Sidney cattle producer and businesswoman who has a lifetime of experience in the cattle industry, has been elected to the national Beef Promotion Operating Committee, representing the Federation of State Beef Councils. The Beef Promotion Operating Committee was created by the Beef Promotion Research Act to help coordinate state and national beef checkoff programs. The 20-person committee includes 10 members elected from the Federation and 10 members elected from the Cattlemen’s Beef Board.

Larson currently serves on the state level as the vice president for the Montana Beef Council as well as chair of the budget committee. During her term on the council she has held other leadership positions on various standing committees and continues to encourage others to engage. Her dedication to serving on the board and representing Montana beef producers has been unwavering.

In addition to her local and state level posts representing Montana beef producers, she has also served on the national level as a Federation Director for Montana. Through the Federation, Larson is able to provide the necessary grassroots ownership of the checkoff, particularly through her service on national joint committees where she is an active participant. During her many levels of service, she is continually aware of her fiduciary responsibility and applies that respect when making decisions on behalf of Montana beef producers for the Beef Checkoff Program.

Kristin at work with the family in Sidney

Kristin at work with the family in Sidney

“The success of a strong state and national partnership comes, in part, through the foresight of choosing qualified individuals to enable the partnership to grow,” says Chaley Harney, executive director of the Montana Beef Council. “Kristin is a balanced leader who will not only bring solutions to the table, but will also encourage the team to engage and use all resources at their disposal to make informed decisions. Kristin’s background in livestock and Montana agriculture has surrounded her in a lifetime of serving the beef community, whether it be through church, civic organizations or business enterprises. Her lifelong experience and devotion to the beef community coupled with her pragmatic solutions and fiscally responsible senses make her an excellent asset to the Montana Beef Council and the Beef Promotion Operating Committee.”

Kristin grew up on the family ranch in Big Timber and obtained her degree in agriculture business and economics from Montana State University, Bozeman. Kristin and her husband, Tim, own cows and yearlings, but Kristin also works with Tim and their partners at Prewitt & Company, LLC which is involved in nearly every segment of the beef industry, as they have cow/calf pairs and yearlings, feed cattle and operate Sidney Livestock Market Center. The majority of the business is buying and selling cattle. Kristin and Tim live in Sidney, Mont., where they raise their four children.

In addition to Larson, Federation of State Beef Council members elected to the 2015 BPOC Operating Committee include: Vice Chairman Jennifer Houston, Tennessee; Austin Brown, Texas; Clay Burtrum, Oklahoma; Dawn Caldwell, Nebraska; Terri Carstensen, Iowa; Jerry Effertz, North Dakota; Steve Hanson, Nebraska; Cevin Jones, Idaho; and Scott McGregor, Iowa. CBB members elected to the committee include: Chairman Jimmy Maxey, California; Anne Anderson, Texas; Secretary/Treasurer Brett Morris, Oklahoma; Marty Andersen, Wisconsin; Jeanne Harland, Illinois; Brittany Howell, Kansas; Joe Guthrie, Virginia; Chuck Kiker, Texas; Stacy McClintock, Kansas; and Joan Ruskamp, Nebraska.

The Federation of State Beef Councils is a division of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), which is a contractor to the Beef Checkoff Program. The program is administered by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, with oversight provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board.

February 6, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
Share:

National Effort Places Renewed Focus on Young Beef Leaders

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – A new program from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is placing renewed focus on this country’s young beef producers. The NCBA Young Beef Leader (YBL) program, which involves state affiliates from across the country, will give young people 21-35 years old opportunities for education and increased involvement in local, regional and national industry efforts.

The initiative was announced following an NCBA YBL Roundtable Feb. 5 during the 2015 Cattle Industry Convention in San Antonio, Texas. Included in the roundtable, sponsored by Caterpillar and attended by representatives from 36 state and breed affiliates, was a state sharing forum and discussion of what the new program would include and how it would be conducted. In addition, representatives from seven regions were elected to serve on a Steering Committee for the new program.

Elected chairman of the new YBL Steering Committee was Keith Nantz of Maupin, Oregon. Nantz said the program has an important function in today’s beef industry.

“We need to engage the next generation in a way that keeps them involved and gives them opportunities,” said Nantz. “This effort will open the door to our youth in the areas of production, policy and leadership.”

Elected to the Steering Committee were Chris Jeffcoat, Pennsylvania, American Angus Association (Region I); Jacob Nyhuis, Georgia Cattlemen’s Association (Region II); Ben Novack, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (Region III); April Bonds, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (Region IV); Matt Hunt, Colorado Livestock Association (Region V); Amber Miller, Nevada Cattlemen’s Association (Region VI); and Jaclyn Wilson, Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association (Region VII).

The NCBA YBL program will place particular attention on creating a strong state/national partnership, with NCBA state and breed affiliates playing a key role both in guiding the new program and in developing the young leaders in the future. Funding and staff support from NCBA will make additional state initiatives possible. Ryan Goodman is participating in the program on behalf of the Montana Stockgrowers Association.

A social for those interested in supporting the program, also sponsored by Caterpillar, was held Feb. 4.

Nantz encourages other young producers to get involved in this effort. “It’s a chance to strengthen relationships and networking, enabling growth on both the personal and industry levels,” he said.

For more information on the NCBA YBL program, contact Sara Arp at [email protected].

February 6, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
Share:

CattleFax Predicts Strong Prices to Remain in 2015

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The popular CattleFax Outlook Session today at the 2015 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show gave cattlemen and women reasons to be optimistic. Analysts told the capacity crowd to expect fed cattle prices averaging in the mid-$150s, slightly higher than last year. Prices will trade in a range from near $140 at the lows to near $170 at the highs in the year ahead. While early year highs for 550 pound steers will range from near $285 to lows near $235. Analysts cited the improved forage situation, lower grain prices and record margins in 2014 for feeders and stockers as the primary reason cow-calf producers will remain in the driver’s seat for the year ahead.

Despite exceptional prices in 2014, CattleFax CEO Randy Blach said he expects the market peak is behind the cattle industry now.

“We put the top in the market in the past year and the signal for expansion has been transmitted,” he said. “We will begin to see some modesty expansion in herd numbers now and that will cause prices to trend lower in the years ahead than what we saw in 2014.”

He explained that growing supplies of cattle and beef over the next several years will rebalance the normal price and margin environment among industry segments.

“Prices will then retreat back to the lower end of the new trading range,” said Blach.

Despite the adjustment, he explained that cow-calf producers will continue to see relatively strong returns over the next four to five years, aided by corn prices expected to average $3.60 per bushel in 2015 and an improved forage production picture.

Art Douglas, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus at Creighton University, presented the annual weather forecast which projects moisture conditions in the United States through the summer.

“El Nino conditions have again built across the Pacific and this will fuel a split jet stream pattern into the Southwestern United States. Moisture will gradually increase in February from southern California to the southern High Plains,” said Douglas. “Snow-packs in the northern Rockies are expected to remain well below normal at 50-70 percent levels while the southern Rockies should gradually build their snowpack through March. As the jet heads east it will pick up Gulf moisture and lead to above normal rainfall throughout the southeast.”

“The pesky ridge in the West will gradually weaken during February and by the spring this will allow moisture to increase in the Pacific Northwest,” he explained. A strong Great Lakes trough is forecast to keep a broad portion of the United States colder than normal through the spring and early summer.”

Douglas said this pattern should lead to delayed planting in the Corn Belt with possible threat of late frosts into the late spring.

“The cool temperatures are likely to persist into early summer and this will slow crop progress but be ideal for corn pollination in July. The silver lining in the forecast is that the Midwest should turn warmer by August and September and this will help speed up crop maturation,” he said.

For more information about the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show visit www.beefusa.org and follow #CIC15 and #BeefMeet on Facebook and Twitter.