November 9, 2016 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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MSGA member, Cooper Hereford Ranch, recognized as one of Montana’s top family-owned businesses

In Montana agriculture few names are as readily recognized as the Cooper Hereford Ranch, a pioneer in the production of purebred Hereford cattle. Over a hundred years in the making, the business was recognized as one of Montana’s top family-owned businesses in the Old Business Category of the 2016 Montana Family Business Awards presented by the Montana State University’s Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship. State Farm Insurance sponsors the awards and Montana Chamber of Commerce sponsors the annual awards luncheon in Bozeman.

The Cooper Ranch, located near Willow Creek, Montana, is currently passing into the hands of a fourth generation, having been first established in 1914 as a homestead called the Silver Brook Farm by their great grandfather, Frank Oscar Cooper. Establishing and holding onto his 480 acre enterprise was no easy matter. Frank raised farm animals and harvested a large garden before losing the land during the Great Depression. He was able to repurchase the farm, after getting a Land Bank loan for $200. In 1946, Frank’s son Jack bought the land and continued to run a general farming operation for several years. The ranch grew to its current 4,500 acres.

Jack and his wife, Phyllis, launched the legacy of the family business as one of the first producers of the Hereford Line One foundation stock in 1947. Following the recommendation of his brother-in-law Dr. Ray Woodard, a Line One Project Leader at the Experiment Station in Miles City, Montana, Jack bought his first foundation stock – 15 Line One females – from the U.S. Range Livestock Experiment Station.
By the time the Montana Beef Performance Association was formed in 1957, with Jack as a charter member, he had ten years of experience with Line One Herefords and performance testing. Jack later joined the American Hereford Association’s “Total Performance Records” program in 1960.

In 1977, after studying Ag-Production at Montana State University, Jack’s son Mark returned to Willow Creek to assist with the ranching and farming operations. He and his wife, Cristy, managed the ranch where they also raised four daughters. Two of those daughters, Kelsy and Katie, and son-in-law Dave Hanson, are also involved with the ranch operations. They believe that bigger is not always better and have focused their efforts on land improvements rather than acquisitions. The family displays acts of land stewardship through implementing weed and rodent control, water conservation, and innovative farming and ranching practices into their business plan. Land improvements made during the last two years include a large river restoration project along the Jefferson River, maintenance and grading to roads throughout the property, and the planting of numerous tree belts and natural windbreaks along with the design of irrigation systems to properly water both.

The fourth generation has transitioned the business from traditional record keeping to an online data system. They maintain their website in-house and create their annual sale catalog and many advertisements in-house as well.

A big Congratulations to Cooper Hereford Ranch, the award is well deserved!

cooper-hereford-549x392

 

November 5, 2016 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Montana Ranchers Complete 200-mile Relay in Hawaii

12 runners, two vehicles and 200(ish) miles. Each year, the Montana Running Ranchers tackle this journey with a different race in the Ragnar Relay series. 2016’s race took the team to the Hawaiian Islands for a hot and windy race. Despite being short one runner, MRR succeeded and finished in the top 5% out of nearly 300 participating teams from across the country.

To run 200 miles with 11 runners, is no easy feat. Add in tropical moisture, several thousand feet of elevation climb and mid-day heat over fields of black lava rock, and the Ragnar Relay Hawaii proved to be one of the most challenging races completed in recent years for the Montana Running Ranchers.

As usual, the Running Ranchers represented Montana and their ranching communities well. Relay teams from across the country complemented the team’s vehicles (decorated with brands from supporting ranches) and upbeat spirit during the race. Of course, handing out samples of Hi-Country Beef Jerky, aided in bringing smiles to hungry, tired runners throughout the night and into the second day.

This year, the team faced a new challenge by starting at the back of the pack. Ragnar Relay staggers runners, with the slowest teams beginning at 5 a.m. and the fastest team starting at noon. The Running Ranchers were awarded a start time of 11:30 a.m., which meant they were bringing up the rear throughout most of the first third of the course. However, overnight, the team made up much time on slower teams as the course moved into steep climbs on the north side of Hawaii. By sunrise, the team was near middle of the pack and passing slower teams on a frequent basis.

Nearing the finish line, teams found themselves amidst fields of black lava rock in mid-day heat. With temperatures nearing the low-90s, the guys brought the Montana Running Ranchers to the final miles with a finish time of just over 30 hours to place 16th overall.

The journey wasn’t all about escaping early-season snow and running in the tropics for this Montana team. The Ragnar Relays offer a unique opportunity to connect with a few thousand runners and leave positive impressions about beef and ranching. Throughout the journey, several runners approach the team to ask about Team Beef jersey, ranch brands on the vans and inquire about how their food is grown. The ranchers meet vegans, vegetarians and consumers with a variety of diet choices; encounters which almost always are cordial and spark a positive feeling on a sometimes-combative topic.

This year’s team left a piece of Montana on the island after meeting a local rancher who asked to display the Team Beef Montana logo on his stock trailer. Something that will surely spark fun conversation on many future occasions.

The Montana Running Ranchers team consists primarily of ranchers from across Montana. 2016 runners include: Evelyn Halverson from Big Timber, Heather Fryer from Hobson, Christy Pletan from Harlowton, Sarah Nash from Harlowton, Christy Gerdes from Huntley, Billie Jo Holzer from Moccasin, Dustin Ladenburger from Stratton, NE, Ed Rollins from Ione, OR, Robert Majerus from White Sulphur Springs, Ian Morse from Spokane, WA and Ryan Goodman from Helena.

Many thanks go to area ranches and agriculture business supporting the Montana Running Ranchers and their advocacy work throughout the year. Premiere sponsors include: Gold – Montana Beef Council; Silver – Montana Farmers Union; Bronze – Northwest Farm Credit Services, HFM Foodservice, and Hi-Country Beef Jerky; Qualifier – Western Livestock Reporter, Meagher County CattleWomen, B Bar M Ranch, and Nash Land and Livestock; AgriBusiness – Northern Ag Network, VIP Livestock Marketing, Sunshine Apiary, Pioneer Meats, Lincoln County (NE) Feedyard, Bank of Baker, Reilly Insurance, Bank of Eastern Oregon, Heli-Works Flights Services, and Indreland Angus; Ranch Brands – Earl and Glenna Stucky, Casey Coulter, Martin-Morse Livestock, 3C Cattle Co, LJ Switzer Ranch, Public Auction Yards, Wang Ranch, Bev and Ed Fryer, Castle Mountain Ranch, Gilbert and Julie Majerus, Mike and Debbie Hammond, Thomas Sparks, Chris and Tiffanie Labbe, Suze Bohleen, Ross Hansen Ranch, Bridger Creek Ranches, Mick Goettle, and Billie Jo Holzer.

To connect with the Montana Running Ranchers, inquire about joining the team, or submit a sponsorship, visit bit.ly/mtrunningranchers or email [email protected]. Everyone can follow team members’ efforts throughout the year on Facebook by joining the “Montana Running Ranchers/ Team Beef Montana” group.

Team Photo L to R: Heather Fryer, Billie Jo Holzer, Ian Morse, Dustin Ladenburger, Ed Rollins, Christy Pletan, Robert Majerus, Sarah Nash, Evelyn Halverson, Ryan Goodman, Christy Gerdes

Team Photo L to R: Heather Fryer, Billie Jo Holzer, Ian Morse, Dustin Ladenburger, Ed Rollins, Christy Pletan, Robert Majerus, Sarah Nash, Evelyn Halverson, Ryan Goodman, Christy Gerdes

October 24, 2016 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Update from MSGA President Gene Curry

Gene Curry

As I sit down to write this article it occurs to me that this will be my last article in the newsletter as your president. That thought comes with extremely mixed emotions! I have tremendously enjoyed my time representing you all in the ten years in leadership of this outstanding organization. Whenever I am asked about my role in MSGA, I always respond by saying that I get to work for the best bosses in the state. It is an honor to represent MSGA whether it be in DC, at a NCBA function, in meetings with state government officials, legislators, or at a local affiliate meeting and I always try to keep in mind that I am there representing all of you, not just myself. I have truly enjoyed every minute spent serving our industry in this “very large” state and will miss those opportunities. That being said, I know this organization will be in good hands with Bryan Mussard as your new president.

Monday the 10th we woke up to our first taste of winter here in northern Montana with over 6 inches of new snow here in Valier and about a foot west of town at Jeremy’s. It snowed off and on all day and we had another inch overnight. Like some of you, I am never as ready as I should be for winter and hopefully this is just the proverbial shot over the bow and Mother Nature will give us more time to prepare. Most of the calves are still on the cows and some are still west on summer pasture, but it sounds like the end of the week will be better.

I am still attending the BOL meetings and have offered to help any way I can in the upcoming legislative session to be sure the DOL budget gets through the legislature with enough money to provide the services the livestock industry expects and deserves. We all know that money will be tight this year, but I believe that with the present board and administrators we have in the department, the proposed budget will be accurate and much easier to defend. Getting General Fund money for the diagnostic lab will be crucial to having a budget that fits the needs of the industry. I expect at the next BOL meeting we will see the results of an analysis of the lab budget by Dr. Layton, Executive Officer Honeycutt, and Vice-chair John Scully. They are looking at the fee schedule and doing a cost analysis of various procedures to determine what costs can be attributed to human health. This information will be very valuable when defending the budget request.

Wayne Slaght, Jay Bodner, and I are still working with FWP on the Grizzly Bear issues that are expanding out of traditional Grizzly habitat onto surrounding farm and ranch land and into communities. As much as we all would like to see the Grizzly stay in the mountains, this potential conflict is not going away and in my opinion will only continue to escalate until the Grizzly is delisted. Even then, with the rules that will be in place upon delisting, I am not sure we will see much improvement. My one hope is that somehow we can re-instill a fear of humans that it seems the bears have lost. We are working on a list of mitigation procedures that some of us can use to reduce the potential for conflict. I know that the Rocky Mountain Front is not the only area that is seeing an increase in Grizzly activity and we intend to be involved wherever the potential for conflict exists. Just contact the office and we will share any information and help in any way we can.

I am looking forward to attending as many local meetings as I can this fall, so get your date into the office as soon as you can so we can schedule someone to attend. It is always rewarding for me to hear from members at these local events, to update you on what MSGA is doing for you, and to find out what else you would like us to do.

The Annual Convention is approaching fast and will be here before we know it. The date, as most of you know, is December 7-9 and the change you need to note is that this year we run from Wednesday through Friday instead of our traditional Thursday through Saturday. Hope to see you all there!

 

A big thank you to President Gene Curry for his service and commitment to not only MSGA but also Montana’s ranching industry as a whole. Be on the lookout this week for more information on the nominees for the MSGA Board of Directors.

October 14, 2016 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Stockgrowers Partner With Premier Seedstock Industry for 25th Year

By Gene Curry-Valier, MT MSGA President

Gene Curry

For 25 years, the Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) has partnered with Montana’s premier seedstock industry to produce the MSGA Seedstock and Commercial Cattle Directory.

Through this partnership MSGA has been able to market and promote the highest quality genetics available from Montana to the world. The expansion of the directory has allowed our supporters to break into new markets and reach customers across the U.S. and beyond.

The 2015-2016 Cattle Directory has distributed over 5,000 hard copies and had over 23,000 page views online; totaling over a hundred hours of view time stretching from Canada to Russia. The growing reach of the directory is a testament to the quality and demand for Montana’s cattle and genetics. A top priority for MSGA is to maintain the health and confidence of Montana’s cattle industry through effective advocacy and regulatory monitoring of all things ranching. Especially on issues specifically burdensome to breeders such as brucellosis. We have worked to remove brucellosis from the Health and Human Services and United States Department of Agriculture’s Select Agents and Toxins List. By its removal from the list, it will ensure more research on the disease and enable the development of a more effective vaccine to protect our valuable genetic assets. We also work tirelessly on the constant threats of brucellosis infected bison and elk that have forced significant costs to cattle production in southwest Montana.

Moving forward MSGA through its foundation will continue to invest heavily in research, development and exceptional learning opportunities for ranchers on the application of advanced genetic technology in beef cattle. Furthermore, the MSGA Foundation has committed to raise $1 Million to support Montana State University’s Nancy Cameron Endowed Chair in Range Beef Cattle Production. The position is the department’s first endowed chair, meant to develop a rich research profile and program in range beef cattle nutrition and management that serves Montana and the region’s commercial and seedstock communities.

I have never been more proud to represent the interests of Montana’s ranchers and again I want to thank the priority page buyers and advertisers for making this directory the envy of the U.S. beef industry. I look forward to seeing you all in Billings December 7-9, 2016 to celebrate the accomplishments of Montana’s cattlemen and cattlewomen!

2016 MT Seedstock Directory

Click the image below to read the directory.

September 6, 2016 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Dr. Temple Grandin to speak in Great Falls Sept. 23

GREAT FALLS – Dr. Temple Grandin, famed animal scientist whose work has had a major impact on livestock handling, will speak in Great Falls on Friday, Sept. 23.

poster

Dr. Grandin will speak at an event running from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kings Arena, 50 Foothills Lane, just east of Great Falls. Her visit is being organized by the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee and sponsored by Montana Farmers Union, Great Falls Clinic Hospital, Great Falls College MSU, Cascade County MSU – Extension Service, Greenfields Irrigation District, Cascade Conservation District, Torgerson’s, North 40 Outfitters, Western Ranch Supply, and the Montana FFA Foundation.

Dr. Grandin is a professor of animal science at Colorado State University. She has done extensive work on the design of livestock handling facilities. Half the cattle in the U.S. and Canada are handled in equipment she designed for meat plants. Dr. Grandin has also been instrumental in implementing animal welfare auditing programs that are used by McDonalds, Wendy’s, Whole Foods, and other corporations.

In addition to her work in animal science, Dr. Grandin is a noted autism expert and advocate. Diagnosed with autism as a child, Dr. Grandin now lectures to parents and teachers throughout the U.S. on her experiences with autism.

At age two she had no speech and all the signs of severe autism. Many hours of speech therapy, and intensive teaching enabled Grandin to learn speech. Mentoring by her high school science teacher and her aunt on her ranch in Arizona motivated Dr. Grandin to study and pursue a career as a scientist and livestock equipment designer.

Dr. Grandin has written several books, including “Thinking in Pictures,” “Livestock Handling and Transport” and “The Autistic Brain.” Her book “Animals in Translation” has been on the New York Times Bestseller List.

Dr. Grandin’s Articles and interviews have appeared in the New York Times, People, Time, National Public Radio, 20/20, The View, and the BBC. She was also honored in Time Magazines 2010 “The 100 Most Influential People in the World.”

The event also includes a stress-free cattle handling workshop by Montana Stockman Curt Pate.

For more than a decade, Pate has conducted demonstrations and clinics on stockmanship, colt starting and ranch horsemanship throughout North America and Europe. A nationally recognized stockmanship instructor, Pate teaches techniques on how to put the proper pressure on cattle at a different angle and at varying amounts to help move them comfortably and without a negative experience – for the stockman or the livestock.

Sometimes you cannot see pressure or understand its effects until it has created a problem. When you force cattle to go into a pen, they may get excited, go on the fight, and become dangerous or very difficult to work. Negative pressure creates stress, positive pressure creates contentment,” Pate said.

Tickets to the event are $25 per person and include the stress-free cattle handling demonstration, Dr. Grandin’s speech and a barbecue lunch. Representatives from FFA will be serving lunch and giving door prizes. Tickets are limited and available by calling the Chamber of Commerce at 406-761-4434.

“We’re very excited to bring Temple Grandin to Great Falls,” said Bill Harp, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee. “Temple has an incredible story to tell.”

 

For more information, contact:

Becky Nelson

Great Falls Chamber of Commerce Marketing Director

Phone: (406) 761-4434 ext. 102, Email: [email protected]

August 23, 2016 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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2016 Montana’s Young Ag Leadership Conference

September 30 – October 2 ♦ Holiday Inn ♦ Great Falls

Once again, we are proud to present Montana’s Young Ag Leadership Conference! This is a one-of-a-kind event, packed with everything relevant to being a young[ish] person in today’s exciting, changing world of agriculture. With workshops on marketing, finance issues, crop and livestock programs, emerging technologies, leadership development and more, there is something here for everyone.

A committee of your peers from Montana’s leading ag organizations planned this conference to create a unique experience and you won’t find a better opportunity to network with other young
leaders and industry leaders as you gather new insight on improving and promoting agriculture in our state. We hope you choose to be a part of this event, as well as take an active role in Montana’s agriculture…it’s your industry and your way of life. See you in September!
2016 YALC Planning Committee

Schedule of Events

Friday, September 30

12:30-5:30 PM  – Area Ag Tour – Tentative stops include Frontline Ag, Giant Springs Fish Hatchery, McKamey West Ranch, Sponsored by Great Falls Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee
4:00-7:30 PM  – Registration Open
6:00 PM  – Social
6:30 PM – Dinner & Keynote Four “Musts” for Nailing Your Unique Brand of Leadership (And Why It Matters, Even if You Never Want to be “The Boss”) – Sarah Bohnenkamp, Millennial
Leadership Coach, Sponsored by Independence Bank, Monsanto, & Farmers Business Network

Saturday, October 1

7:30 AM-5:00 PM – Registration & Trade Show Open
8:00-9:00 AM  – Breakfast & Opening Session – Going Global with Beef Genetics, Darrell Stevenson, Stevenson Angus, Sponsored By Torgersons, LLC & Crop Production Services
9:15-10:30 AM  – Workshops – Sponsored by CHS, Inc and Agriclear

  • UAV’s (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) In Agriculture, Brandon Ewen, Ag Data Source, PC
  • Planting the Seeds of Success: Financial Management Basics, Damon Alm, Northwest Farm Credit
  • The Veterinary Feed Directive Rule: Changes in the Use of Feed-Grade Antibiotics for Livestock, Rachel Endecott, MSU Extension Beef Specialist

10:30-11:00 AM  – Coffee Break and Trade Show, Sponsored by CHS Nutrition  
11:00-12:15 AM – Workshops:

  • Agriculturalists & Meteorologists-Deciphering the Weather, Megan Vandenheuval, National Weather Service
  • Sustainability and Stewardship Practices to Benefit Your Bottom Line, Leon LaSalle, LaSalle Ranch, Inc
  • Generation Elvis to Bieber: Generational Differences in the Workplace and How to Succeed Among All Age Groups, Jaime Edmundson, Montana FFA Foundation

12:30-1:45 PM – Lunch – Our Leadership Journey, Dan Manella, Cherry Creek Radio – Sponsored by Montana Farm Bureau Foundation
1:45-3:00 PM – Workshops:

  • Food For Thought? Discussion Panel, Carrie Mess AKA Dairy Carrie & Ryan Goodman
  • How the Organic Movement Effects Our Business, Bob Quinn, President of Kamut International
  • Estate Planning: Keeping the Ground in the Family, John Heyneman, Plank Stewardship Initiative

3:00-3:30 PM – Coffee Break and Trade Show, Sponsored by MT Livestock Ag Credit
3:30-5:00 PM – Entrepreneur Spotlights: Sponsored by Montana Land Reliance

3:30-4:00: Prairie Heritage Farm w/ Electric City Coffee
4:00-4:30: Parker’s Hangover Tonic
4:30-5:00: PinkSpurs & Co.

5:30 PM – Buses Depart for Centene Stadium
6:00 PM – Social, Sponsored by Northwest Farm Credit
6:30 PM – Dinner and Dance at Centene Stadium, Sponsored by Montana Beef Council, Stockman Bank & Farmers Union Insurance

Sunday, October 2

9:00-10:30AM – Closing Breakfast, “What Do Our Customers Really Want From Us?”, Carrie Mess, AKA Dairy Carrie, Sponsored by Mountain West Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co.

 

To REGISTER head to the Montana Farm Bureau Federation’s website or download the form HERE. Register before September 23rd to take advantage of early bird pricing!

August 11, 2016 2 Comments Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Updated Veterinary Feed Directive Course Dates

Montana State University Extension is hosting Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) Short Courses. These informative classes will provide you with all of the information you need on VFD and answer any questions you may have. For more information contact Megan Van Emon, Extension Beef Specialist, at 406-874-8286 or [email protected].

AllMeetingFlyerupdated

 

Editor’s Note: The Great Falls VFD seminar on September 12 is at the Paddock Club within the fairgrounds at Montana Expo Park starting at 1pm.

August 8, 2016 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Checking in on the Checkoff

By Chaley Harney, Executive Director

Chaley

Your Montana Beef Council has a busy summer of promoting beef as we come into the home-stretch of the fiscal year, ending September 30. And with a new fiscal year approaching, we will again be seeking funding requests from contractors to help carry out the mission of protecting and increasing demand for beef.

In this fiscal year, we have worked with over 20 different organizations to build more demand for your product right here in Montana. Additionally, there are four representatives that also voice your interest on the national and international level for planning and demand-building initiatives. Through the Federation of State Beef Councils, Kristin Larson, Kiley Martinell, Kathy Creighton-Smith and Linda Swanz serve on various national Beef Checkoff Committees, in addition to the three Cattlemen’s Beef Board representatives Montana also has with Leo McDonnell, Lyle Peterson and Ross Racine. Further, Kristin Larson is serving her second year on the Beef Promotion Operating Committee. That is a lot of dedicated volunteer Montana representation for you!

Montana’s planning and contracting process is very similar to the national process and I encourage you to reach out to any of these individuals or our office if you are curious to know more. And of course you can stay up-to-date by signing up to receive My Beef Checkoff News at www.MyBeefCheckoff.com.

When you fire up the grill this summer, enjoy that steak (try a new recipe) and know that we are out working for you!

Upcoming Events:

August 4: Movie Night at the Winery, Billings

August 18: Montana BQA Low Stress Handling Clinic, Bozeman

August 19: ZooFari- Burgers, Brews & Bands, Billings

September 29-30: Montana Beef Council Board Meeting, Billings

August 2, 2016 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Montana StateFund Application

The Montana State Fund (MSF) and the Agricultural Group Associations have entered into an agreement to provide a group program to qualifying Agricultural group members. To participate in the program, a group member must complete and sign the Enrollment Application.
Acceptance into the Agricultural Group Montana Workers’ Compensation Group program is subject to approval based on the eligibility criteria for the program.

The criteria define the classes of business that qualify and eligible loss ratio and/or experience modification factors. The effective date of the policy must be within the contract year. This enrollment application must be received within 90 days of the effective date of the policy to be considered for participation in the group program.
By enrolling in the Montana State Fund, participants are eligible to receive two annual dividends. Other benefits include individual help with your worker’s comp

issues, ranch visits conducted at your request and staying up to date on the latest court cases involving worker’s compensation issues, and law and rule changes involving employees and/or contract workers.

For more information on the program and to fill out an application visit our website at mtbeef.org. To schedule an ag safety workshop in your area contact Les Graham (406) 388-9330 [email protected] or Gene Surber (406) 581-3162 [email protected].

 

Click the link below for the application and more details on the program.

StateFund Application

July 14, 2016 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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National Cattlemen’s Foundation Accepting Applications for W.D. Farr Scholarships

Scholarship Awards Graduate Students Committed to Beef Industry Advancement

DENVER (July 14, 2016) – The National Cattlemen’s Foundation is now accepting applications for the W.D. Farr Scholarships for the 2016-17 school year. The scholarship was established by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation to honor the successful career of the late W. D. Farr.  Two annual $12,000 grants will be awarded to outstanding graduate students that demonstrate superior achievement in academics and leadership and will allow the students to further their study in fields that benefit the cattle and beef industry.

2015 scholarship recipient Greta Krafsur, DVM, a third year anatomic pathology resident at Colorado State University believes that the scholarship is an investment in the future of sustainable production of food animals.

“By alleviating tuition expenses, the W.D. Farr Scholarship has allowed me to focus on my research of bovine pulmonary hypertension so that I may continue to find ways to improve health and productivity of beef cattle,” said Krafsur.

Krafsur’s ambitions include the formation of a consulting group, providing disease prevention and treatment protocols to reduce the incidence of respiratory disease and right heart failure in the beef industry.

Whitney Crossland, also a 2015 scholarship recipient, is PhD student at Texas A&M University studying the effects of common feed additives on animal performance, and will use the scholarship to take her studies international.

“This scholarship will allow me to visit beef production systems in other parts of the world to gain a better global understanding of our role as beef producers,” said Crossland.

Farr, a third generation Coloradan, pioneer rancher, statesman and banker was known for his extraordinary vision.  His dedication to improving agriculture, livestock and water development has resulted in significant changes in farming methods that have influenced the practices of ranchers and farmers throughout the nation.

To apply for the scholarship, graduate students planning to pursue a career in the beef industry should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a description of applicant’s goals and experience, a statement of belief in the industry as well as a review of the applicant’s graduate research and three letters of recommendation. Applications close on August 31, 2016. For more information and to apply, visit www.nationalcattlemensfoundation.org.