Lewis & Clark Conservation District to host riparian area best management practices listening session

The Lewis & Clark Conservation District, in conjunction with the Montana Association of Conservation Districts and UM-Helena College of Technology, will host a listening session to gather information on riparian area best management practices Tuesday, Jan. 26 from 5-7 p.m. at the Main Lecture Hall at UM-Helena College of Technology, 1115 North Roberts, Helena . If you have experiences or ideas for Best Management Practices in riparian areas alongside Montana’s rivers and streams, bring your stories, pictures, and experiences to help LCCD compile a “Best of the Best” resource document. This document will help urban and suburban landowners, agriculture, local governments, builders, transportation managers, recreationists, etc. work to protect riparian areas. If you are unable to attend, but have experiences to share, please contact Mary Ellen Wolfe, CIVIL DIALOGUE, 420 W. Curtiss, Bozeman, MT 59715 or call (406) 209-6545. For more information, contact Chris Evans at (406) 449-5000, ext. 112.

MSGA member, Gene Surber, honored with Range Leader award

DNRC – The Governor’s Rangeland Resources Executive Committee (RREC) announced today that ranchers Bob and Debbie Gibbs of Jordan and private consultant Gene Surber of Belgrade have been chosen as recipients of the 2009 Range Leader of the Year awards.

“The Gibbses and Gene Surber are genuine leaders in the field of range management,” said Heidi Olbert, Rangeland Resources Program Specialist with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. “Their commitment to education and the principles of stewardship represents the best of Montana agriculture.”

Olbert said the Gibbs family’s two large pastures of native grassland were continuously grazed. After noticing a decline in range conditions, the couple decided it was time to consider new ways of managing their land.

“They installed cross fences and implemented a rest-rotation grazing plan,” Olbert said. “As a result, they were able to give one pasture a full season of rest from grazing each year.”

The couple also made use of “chiseling,” a low-impact form of plowing, on their rested pastures. Olbert said that technique helped break up heavy concentrations of club moss and improved soil conditions.

“Their treated pastures now have more native species, including forbs, and are more productive. Within a year they started to notice more songbirds than in previous years.”

In addition to the rangeland improvement, the Gibbses also added water developments in upland sites. That has improved grazing distribution across their pastures, and also improved the health of riparian areas on the ranch.

“It’s a great outcome for both the Gibbses and the natural resources,” said Olbert. “They are seeing heavier weaning weights for their calves, and the grasslands and riparian areas are doing great. The Gibbses wanted to improve their native rangeland, they were open to trying some new and different ideas, and it paid off.”

Gene Surber worked as the natural resource specialist in the Animal and Range Sciences Department of Montana State University from 1994 to 2006; prior that, he served for 22 years as a county agricultural extension agent in Gallatin and Park counties.

“Gene’s leadership in agriculture is unsurpassed. He has educated so many Montanans in the areas of crop production, weed control, commodity marketing and water quality,” said Olbert. “Gene coordinated the Ag Lenders School and the Western Integrated Ranch Education (WIRE) program, and has served as lead on the beef portion for the Environmental Management Systems, a national project that encouraged landowners to voluntarily address important environmental issues such as water quality. We’re lucky to have Gene in Montana.”

Bob and Debbie Gibbs and Gene Surber received their leadership awards last week in Havre during the 2010 Winter Grazing Seminar sponsored by Montana DNRC.

For more information on the Rangeland Resources Program, the Range Leader Award, or other grazing and range management efforts sponsored by DNRC, contact Heidi Olbert at (406) 444-6619, or visit the DNRC website.

New MSU President to appear on Montana ag programs

Montana State University’s new President, Waded Cruzado, will be the featured guest on the Northern Ag Network’s “Voices of Montana” program with host Aaron Flint. The broadcast will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 27 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. This is a great opportunity to get to know President Cruzado and hear her vision for MSU. You can listen on one of the stations below or via the Northern Broadcasting System website at www.NorthernBroadcasting.com. The archived interview will also be available on this site.

Cruzado will also be a guest on Montana Ag Live on Montana Public TV on May 23, 2010. The topic will be “MSU’s President Cruzado’s Views of the Land Grant Mission Relative to the College of Agriculture and Montana’s Agricultural Industries.”

Voices of Montana Affiliates

Billings KBLG 910 AM
Butte KXTL 1370 AM
Glendive KDZN 96.5 FM
Great Falls KQDI 1450 AM
Helena KCAP 1340 AM
Kalispell KJJR 880 AM
Lewistown KXLO 1230 AM
Libby KTNY 101.7 FM
Miles City KMTA 1050 AM
Missoula KPMT 930 AM
Scobey KCGM 95.7 FM
Shelby KSEN 1150 AM
Wolf Point KVCK 92.7 FM

Applications to attend the Young Cattlemen’s Conference due Feb. 15

This year, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) will hold its 30th Young Cattlemen’s Conference (YCC) for a limited number of young industry leaders, June 2-11, 2010.

MSGA’s Research, Education and Endowment Foundation (REEF) will nominate one person between the ages of 25 and 50 to attend the conference. REEF will pay the full cost of the program and provide $500 for travel costs.

The YCC program is considered to be the cornerstone of leadership training efforts within the cattle industry. The conference and tour’s primary objective is to develop leadership qualities in young cattlemen and expose them to all aspects of the beef industry. The tour helps young leaders understand all areas of our industry, ranging from industry structure to issues management, from production research to marketing.

Last year’s tour began in Denver with a comprehensive overview of the industry. The group took an in-depth look at many of the issues affecting our industry and what NCBA is doing to address these issues on behalf of its members. They received a comprehensive view of market information from Cattle-Fax. The group then traveled to western Kansas to visit various cattle producing operations in the area. From there, the group traveled to Sioux City, Nebraska to tour Tyson Fresh Meats, one of the largest beef packing and processing plants in the world. Tyson hosted the group and shared their views of the beef industry from a processor standpoint. Chicago was the next destination. There the group visited the Chicago Board of Trade and the Bruss Company, a large meat purveyor. The participants then traveled to the nation’s Capitol where they had a chance to meet with their respective congressmen and senators. The group also visited with a number of regulatory agencies that make decisions affecting agriculture.

Application forms are available on the MSGA website, www.mtbeef.org, or by calling (406) 442-3420. Applications are due February 15. You must be a member of MSGA and NCBA to attend.

MSU Extension and MSGA announce 2009 Steer of Merit certifications

Helena – Montana State University Extension and the Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) distinguished 190 “Steers of Merit” out of over 950 entries for 2009. Out of 852 steers entered in the Carcass Division, 159 were deemed Steers of Merit. In the Ultrasound Division, 31 out of 104 entries received the distinction.

The exhibitors and breeders of the top five steers in each category were honored at MSGA’s Annual Convention, Dec. 10-12 in Billings at MetraPark. The top five steer entries in the Carcass Division were: 1. Dakota Gaustad, Scobey; 2. Zane Loring, East Glacier; 3. Alysha Mack, Troy; 4. Taylor Fouts, Turner; and 5. Marisa Habel, Valier. The top five entries in the Ultrasound Division were: 1. Levi Mydland, Joliet; 2. Garrett Bromenshenk, Billings; 3. Calvin Kading, Billings; 4. Kelsey Kraft, Billings; 5. Christopher Lanaghan, Laurel.

The 190 Steer of Merit certifications for 2009 were an increase over the 168 certifications in 2008.

“Steer of Merit certification was higher in 2009 than 2008, probably due to better feeding conditions during the cool summer,” said Rachel Endecott, Montana State Extension Beef Cattle Specialist.

The Montana Steer of Merit program was initiated in 1967 as a joint effort between the Montana Stockgrowers Association and Montana State University Extension. The program was designed to measure, record, and improve carcass characteristics in beef cattle. Since that time, steer carcass characteristics have been evaluated on over 20,000 head. Data from these carcasses has been summarized and analyzed statistically. Over time, significant increases have been made in quality grade and in yield grade, or cutability, indicating that cattle can be selected for leaner carcasses with higher cutability and still maintain high quality grade as reflected by marbling.

To be designated a Steer of Merit, carcasses are evaluated by a qualified individual using information that relates to yield of lean meat and eating quality. Beef carcasses must meet criteria set by the Steer of Merit Governing Committee in the areas of hot carcass weight, dressing percent, fat thickness over 12th rib (backfat), total rib eye area, yield grade, percent cutability, and quality grade. Computer software programs help compile data and rank carcasses for state and county awards. Data is also analyzed periodically to track genetic and feed management progress. The minimum standards for Steer of Merit are reviewed each year and the program is updated to meet the changing industry standards.

For more information about the Steer of Merit program visit http://www.mtbeefnetwork.org/SOM/bckground.html or call Rachel Endecott, Montana State Extension Beef Cattle Specialist, (406) 874-8286.

Board of Livestock to meet Jan. 13 in Helena

DOL – The Montana Board of Livestock will meet January 13 from 1-5 p.m. in Room 172 of the State Capital Building in Helena.

Agenda items, which are posted on the Montana Department of Livestock’s web site at http://liv.mt.gov/public/board.asp, include consideration of a draft order establishing a Designated Surveillance Area to replace the department’s expired brucellosis action plan; mandatory Official Calfhood Vaccination for brucellosis; an official order for bovine tuberculosis import testing requirements; and trichomoniasis control program rules.

Highlights from MSGA’s 125th Annual Convention and Trade Show

Attendance was up at MSGA’s 125th Annual Convention and Trade Show, held Dec. 10-12 at a new location—the Crowne Plaza hotel and Metra Park in Billings, Mont. Nearly 750 registrations were recorded.

“We had a wonderful convention this year,” said Tom Hougen, MSGA’s President. “A large number of people participated in the committee meetings where policy is set and enjoyed our expanded trade show and educational seminars. The Von Trapp Children Singers provided entertainment that everyone enjoyed. Overall, it was a great convention in a great location!”

Below, please find some of the highlights:

-Tom Hougen, President, Watty Taylor, 1st Vice President and Tucker Hughes, Second Vice President were re-elected to the second year of their two-year terms.

-Michael “Mick” Denowh of the Gartner-Denowh Angus Ranch in Sidney was elected to the Board of Directors representing the Northeastern District. Heath Martinell of Lee Martinell, Co. in Dell was elected to the Board of Directors representing the Western District.

-Policy to guide MSGA officers and staff through 2010 was set in a process that began with committee meetings, progressed to the second reading and finished at the third reading. Notable new policies address brucellosis, cap and trade legislation, export certification, wolf management, grazing issues, public lands access, the EQIP program, predator control, trapping, workman’s comp and property taxes.

-The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) in Malta was awarded with the 2010 Montana Environmental Stewardship Award sponsored by MSGA and the Montana Beef Council at the Northern Ag Network Lunch. RSA is the 17th winner in the history of the award and the first group to be honored. MSGA will submit RSA for the regional and national Environmental Stewardship Award in February. Learn more about RSA at http://www.ranchersstewardshipalliance.org/.

-Governor Brian Schweitzer addressed 500 people at the Northern Ag Network Lunch.

-Radio and TV personality, and agriculture advocate, Trent Loos, entertained the attendees of the Opening General Session with stories about people who are out of touch with agriculture. He urged the group to get out and tell their stories about ranching and raising cattle.

-The Trade Show boasted nearly 100 booths, several large equipment displays, a lineup of Ford vehicles, free boot shines, a kid’s play area, free silk scarves, and sponsored dinner stations and “watering holes.” This year the Trade Show also included the First Annual Cattle Pen Display with 11 seedstock exhibitors.

-Curt Pate and Ron Gill’s two-hour “Effective Stockmanship” clinic headlined a full and diverse group of Pfizer Cattlemen’s Colleges that educated attendees about cattle handling, estate planning, and cattle nutrition and reproduction.

-Clarence Blunt of Malta was named MSGA’s “Top Hand” for recruiting 23 new members this year. He won a $1,000 gift certificate to the trade show exhibitor of his choice. Jim and Tammi Sitz of Dillon were second place top recruiters with 13 new members recruited. They were awarded $500 to spend at one of the trade show exhibitors.

-Carol Mosher of Augusta, Mont. was named “Ranching Woman of the Year” at the Grand Finale Banquet on Saturday night, Dec. 12.

-Ty Thompson, the 2009 World Champion Livestock Auctioneer was on hand to auction off many items during the Grand Finale Banquet including the Brett Badgett Bronze, a kids’ saddle donated by Bank of Baker, Basin State Bank, and Nutra-Lix, and reels of Ralgrow donated by Intervet/Schering Plough Animal Health. The Cattle Directory Priority Page Auction raised $49,600 to go towards marketing Montana’s seedstock and commercial cattle and allied services.

-Pauline Webb of Townsend won the zero-turn lawnmower donated by Torgerson’s LLC. She donated it to the Montana CattleWomen scholarship fund.

-The Von Trapp Children Singers, the great grandchildren of Captain and Maria Von Trapp from the Sound of Music, provided entertainment at the Montana CattleWomen Inspirational Breakfast and the Grand Finale Banquet on Saturday. The Von Trapps were raised in Kalispell, Mont. and perform all over the world.

-Michael and Paulette Keller of Sulphur Creek Cattle Co. in Lloyd, Mont. were the lucky winners of the 2009 Ford F-150 given away by MSGA and the Montana Ford Dealers at the Grand Finale Banquet.

-Copies of “The Weak Ones Turned Back, The Cowards Never Started: A Century of Ranching in Montana,” which was commissioned by the MSGA Board of Directors to celebrate ranching’s history in Montana and MSGA’s 125th Anniversary, were sold out with pre-orders and sales at convention. Editor Linda Grosskopf and artist Aubry Smith were on hand during the Trade Show to sign copies of the book.

-This year’s convention was marked by a special note of generosity by attendees. Over $12,000 was raised for the Younkin family who lost their brother and son in a car accident that also injured the family’s three other children. The giving began when Board of Director Jeff Pattison won the raffle of the David Graham painting and put it up for auction to benefit the Younkins. Arvin Arthun followed suit when he won the NutraLix saddle raffle. Mark and Patti Harrison of Harrison Land and Livestock won the print auction, and donated it back to be auctioned again, and then it was won by Bill and Betsy Donald of Cayuse Livestock Company, who also donated it back. The print ended up being donated to the MSGA office after the MSGA officers were the high bidder on the third raffle. The saddle went to high bidder Thompson Cattle Company and was donated back for another auction, the high bidder being Nick Schultz with the Grand Prairie Ranch in Roundup. Air Design donated a rock design that was auctioned for the Younkins. Also, many people dug in their pockets and donated what they could to help the family.

-Plans are already underway for MSGA’s Mid-Year meeting which will be held in Dillon, June 10-12.

***Visit our Facebook page to see photos from the event!***

MSGA’s 125th Annual Convention and Trade Show kicks off today!

MSGA’s 125th Annual Convention and Trade Show begins today with board meetings at the Crowne Plaza hotel. Tomorrow we move to the MetraPark. See the full schedule below. If you haven’t registered yet, you can register on site. We hope you’ll join us to “Celebrate the Ranching Spirit!”

Schedule of Events
Subject to change

Thursday, December 10
All meetings and functions to be held at the Crowne Plaza hotel. Trade
Show Big Equipment Move-In to be held at the Expo Center building at
MetraPark.
7:00 a.m. Coffee Break
7:00 a.m. MSGA Executive Committee Meeting
8:00 a.m. Registration
8:30 a.m. Grass Conservation Commission Meeting
9:00 a.m. MSGA Board of Directors Meeting
10:00 a.m. Montana Hereford Assoc. Annual Meeting
10:20 a.m. MPLC/MASGD Joint Board Meeting
12:00 p.m. REEF Trustee Meeting
2:00 p.m. MPLC Annual Meeting
2:00 p.m. Trade Show Big Equipment Move-In
3:30 p.m. Steer of Merit Committee Meeting
5:00 p.m. Focus Group Meeting
5:00 p.m. MSGA Committee Leadership Orientation
6:00 p.m. MCW Board of Directors Meeting
6:00 p.m. MSU College of Agriculture & MSU Alumni Social
6:30 p.m. “Has Beens” Dinner
7:00 p.m. Montana Cattle Feeders Annual Meeting
7:00 p.m. Montana Simmental Association Meeting

Friday, December 11
All meetings and functions to be held at the MetraPark unless otherwise
noted.
6:30 a.m. Registration
7:00 a.m. Billings Chamber of Commerce Breakfast
7:00 a.m. Coffee Break
7:00 a.m. Trade Show Move-In
8:00 a.m. MCW Past Presidents Breakfast (Crowne Plaza hotel)
8:00 a.m. MSGA Committee Meetings
9:00 a.m. MCW Annual Meeting & Instillation
12:00 p.m. Northern Ag Network Lunch
1:30 p.m. Montana Ag Safety Recertification Program
1:30 p.m. MCW New Board of Directors Meeting
1:30 p.m. Trade Show Sneak Peek
1:30 p.m. Young Stockgrowers Caucus
2:00 p.m. Montana Range Days Steering Committee
3:00 p.m. MSGA & MCW Opening General Session
4:00 p.m. Second Reading of Resolutions
5:30 p.m. MCW Officer Reception
6:00 p.m. Trade Show Grand Opening
6:00 p.m. Young Stockgrowers Social

Saturday, December 12
All meetings and functions to be held at the MetraPark.
6:30 a.m. Registration
7:30 a.m. Inspirational Breakfast
8:00 a.m. Coffee Break
9:00 a.m. MSGA Business Meeting
9:00 a.m. Trade Show Opens
9:00 a.m. Women of the West Fair
10:00 a.m. Pfizer Cattlemen’s Colleges
12:00 p.m. President’s Lunch
2:00 p.m. Pfizer Cattlemen’s Colleges
5:00 p.m. Trade Show Finale
5:00 p.m. MSGA Membership Top Hand Club Reception
7:00 p.m. Grand Finale Banquet

Sunday, December 13
MSGA Board of Directors Meeting to be held at the Crowne Plaza hotel.
Trade Show Move-Out to be held at the Expo Center building at MetraPark.
7:00 a.m. MSGA Board of Directors Meeting
8:00 a.m. Trade Show Move-Out

Public comment on proposed trichomoniasis rule extended to Dec. 24

The Montana Department of Livestock is accepting public comment on proposed rule changes for Trichomoniasis through December 24.
The rule governs testing requirements for the disease, which can cause economically devastating reproductive losses in cattle, before cattle can be imported, sold, loaned or leased. The proposed rule changes also make violations a misdemeanor subject to a fine of up to $500 plus investigation expenses, said assistant state veterinarian Dr. Jeanne Rankin.

One PCR test or three negative weekly culture tests would be acceptable before import, sale, loan or lease, Rankin said, although other testing may be used by the herd owner and veterinarian for herd health screening. Test results will be valid for 90 days rather than the current 30-day limit as long as animals don’t co-mingle. The extra allows ranchers and veterinarians greater flexibility in selling test-negative bulls.

Non-virgin bulls cannot be sold for breeding without a negative test, Rankin said. If non-tested bulls are sold or leased into the state’s breeding herd in violation of Montana law, owners will be allowed the option of selling bulls to slaughter or paying to test them, but will be subject to fine, investigation expenses and/or a misdemeanor.

The proposed changes also outlines how quarantines on positive herds will be placed and released. It also describes movement restrictions on different ages and genders of cattle and testing requirements on bulls.

New to the rule is the requirement of annual testing of all non-virgin bulls on grazing associations with multiple permitees. In such situations, tests will be considered valid for up to 10 months as long as no co-mingling with female cattle occurs due to the fact that no change of ownership has occurred, and that these bulls will go back into the same environment year after year.

The proposed order was written after a series of 10 town hall meetings held by MDOL earlier this year to discuss the need for changes to current Trichomoniasis rules.

Comments on the proposed order, which can be viewed and/or downloaded at http://liv.mt.gov/liv/public/arm/32-9-198pro-arm%20_2_.pdf, will be accepted through December 24, and can be submitted via U.S. Postal mail at Trich Comments, Montana Department of Livestock, Helena MT, 59620-2001or via email at [email protected].

Trichomoniasis is a disease of the reproductive tract that causes 25-50% pregnancy loss in positive herds. The state’s rule requires testing of all bulls of breeding age, 24 months or older, before they can be bought, loaned, imported or used in breeding.

Centennial ranch book selling out fast; WAR to host book signing at MSGA convention

Time is running out to reserve your copy of “The Weak Ones Turned Back, The Cowards Never Started: A Century of Ranching in Montana.” We have fewer than 50 copies left for mail orders and will only have 50 copies available for sale at our 125th Annual Convention and Trade Show in Billings, Dec. 10-12. Don’t miss your chance to own a copy of this beautiful and important tribute to Montana’s ranching heritage! Mail order copies are $50 each, including shipping and handling. Books will sell for $45 at convention. Call (406) 442-3420 to reserve your copy!

Book orders will be available for pickup at convention

If you have already purchased/reserved your copy and will be attending convention, you will have the option to pick up your order then. We will gladly refund you $5 per book for shipping and handling by check in January, or you can donate the money to MSGA’s Advocacy Fund, which helps fund MSGA’s legislative and litigative efforts, or MSGA’s Research, Education and Endowment Foundation, which helps fund various educational, research, and leadership development programs for the Montana livestock industry. (Gifts to REEF are tax-deductible.)

Get your book signed by the editors and artist!

The Western Ag Reporter will host a book signing at the Trade Show Grand Opening on Friday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. during MSGA’s convention. Book editors Linda Grosskopf and Nancy Morrison, and book artist Aubry Smith, will be on hand to sign your copy of “The Weak Ones Turned Back, The Cow­ards Never Started: A Century of Ranching in Montana” at the WAR booth, #78. Pick up your book at registration, or buy one for $45, and have it signed!