2016 Young Ag Couples Conference – Stockgrowers Delegate Nominations

We are looking for Young Stockgrowers interested in attending the 36th Annual Young Ag Couples Conference in Helena, January 13-16, 2016 at the Red Lion Colonial Hotel. Hosted by the Montana Department of Agriculture, the conference will explore contemporary issues facing family operated agri-business as well as development of leadership skills needed to survive in the cyclical economic climate of agriculture.

Montana Stockgrowers is able to nominate young ag couples to attend the conference each year. Couples selected to participate in the conference will have lodging and meal costs paid while in attendance. There will be a conference registration fee of $25 per couple.

To be eligible, couples should demonstrate leadership abilities and earn their primary living from farming, ranching, agribusiness, or other agricultural enterprises. Our age preference is 25-45 years of age. Due to funding restrictions, couples may only attend the conference once. If you have attended in the past, please let us know about your experience and nominate another young ag couple to attend.

To apply for the MSGA nomination, please submit a brief explanation of the following for you or a young ag couple you wish to nominate:

  • Description of the couple’s ag business/operation
  • Experience and educational background, community involvement, interest, hobbies, etc.
  • The couple’s vision for being leaders in the Montana agriculture community

Nominations and/or applications are due to the Montana Stockgrowers Association office no later than November 18, 2015, via mail to 420 N. California, Helena, MT  59601. Complete the electronic form below or click here to download the 2016 MSGA Young Ag Couples Nomination Form Submissions may also be emailed to [email protected]. For more information, contact the MSGA office at (406) 442-3420.

Nominations are now closed. Check back in October 2016.

Montana Stockgrowers to Host 131st Annual Convention in Billings – December 3-5

2015 Annual Convention

Click image above for more event details!

On December 3-5. Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) will celebrate 131 years of serving the state’s ranchers with their Annual Convention & Trade Show. This year’s meetings move to Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark in Billings with a larger trade show, more educational workshops, policy meetings, over $100,000 in prizes and two nights of live music.

“Montana’s ranchers have had a busy year following work during the legislative session and changes in a dynamic cattle industry,” says MSGA President, Gene Curry from Valier. “Our 2015 Annual Convention will feature a large number of discussions and speakers on topics impacting our ranchers today.”

Robert O'NeillNavy SEAL and Butte native, Robert O’Neill will be the featured speaker during Friday’s Northern Ag Network Lunch. O’Neill, one of the most highly decorated combat veterans of our time, will share a riveting and inspiring message drawn on more than 400 combat missions overseas.

Ranchers will learn more about our global food chain and protein needs around the world as Grady Bishop of Elanco Animal Health highlights Opening General Session on Friday morning. Bishop, Senior Director of North American Market Access for Elanco, brings a deep appreciation for the roles technology and modern agriculture play in feeding the world. His presentation will help ranchers gain insight from his exposure first-hand to a broad spectrum of food insecurity.

A broad range of educational workshops will be offered during the Stockgrowers College. Speakers will touch on topics of vaccination programs, calf health and nutrition, weaned calf management, antibiotic use and Veterinary Feed Directives, risk management and estate planning.

Grady Bishop ElancoEach night of Annual Convention will feature viewing of the NFR on the big screens. Thursday night will include the first ever NFR Calcutta at MSGA Annual Convention, benefiting the Stockgrowers’ Research & Education Endowment Foundation. Friday night will feature live music from Exit 53 and Saturday night will feature entertainment from Crazy Mountain Express.

Saturday night’s Grand Finale Banquet will be highlighted by the annual live auction for Cattle Directory Priority Page advertisements. Over $100,000 in prizes will be awarded including a Ford F-350 Super Duty pickup, John Deere Gator, Massey Ferguson tractor lease and a trip to San Diego, California for the 2016 Cattle Industry Convention.

Policy meetings will take place on Thursday and Friday of Annual Convention. Guest speakers will address a number of topics affecting Montana’s ranching communities during the past year and in months to come. A Trade Show with over 100 booth spaces will be open to the public each day- Thursday from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m.

A full meeting agenda, hotel information, details of policy meeting discussions and Stockgrowers College workshops is available on our Annual Convention event page. Online and discounted registration closes Monday, November 23. On-site registration will be available. For more information, contact the Montana Stockgrowers Association at (406) 442-3420.

Stockgrowers Seeking Applications For Manager of Communications and Outreach

msga_regstylelogo_navyThe Montana Stockgrowers Association is seeking applications for a Manager of Communications and Outreach. The position is responsible for all formal Association communications, facilitates outreach programs for Association members, industry and public audiences, and provides staff support for Association programs.

Strong applicants should be familiar with ranching industry communications platforms, media relations, create and design programs and social media outreach strategies. The position works closely with young rancher and collegiate education and leadership programs, as well as event publicity.

Successful candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or related field of study, and/or have relevant experience. A background in livestock or agricultural practices is desired but not required.

Successful candidates should have strong organizational skills, writing and communications skills, and the ability to meet deadlines. Experience and knowledge in photography, video production, social media and website management, Microsoft Office suite of software, Adobe Design suite of software, WordPress, email campaign software, Google products, audio editing and HTML is desired.

For more information about the job opening, contact the Montana Stockgrowers Association at (406) 442-3420. A full job description is available at bit.ly/msgacommunications. Please send cover letter and resume to Ryan Goodman at [email protected], or 420 N. California St., Helena, MT 59601.The application process is open until position is filled.

Montana Livestock Ag Credit President Gill Announces Retirement

MLACI montana livestock ag creditMontana Livestock Ag Credit Inc.’s Board Chair Steve Moore announced the pending retirement of long time President/CEO Tim Gill at the end of 2015.  “We are going to miss Tim’s leadership experience and we are very grateful for his thirty-six years of service.  Tim has been a friend and a mentor to many of us borrowers and his staff over the years.  He will be missed, but we are excited for the strong position he leaves the Company in!”

tim gill montana livestock ag creditMoore expanded that the Board of Directors has named Senior Vice President Ty Wells as Gill’s successor.  “Ty has been a great asset to the Company the last fourteen years and we expect him to continue our long history of Excellence in Agriculture Credit for Montana. “ “Wells says it’s an honor to be selected by the Board to serve as the 8th President in the Company’s history.  I look forward to working with our Board and Staff to continue building upon the solid foundation that Tim leaves us. I feel Tim and the Board have well prepared me for the job.  I wish Tim the best in his retirement.”

ty wells montana livestock ag creditGill’s career began working for the MT Department of Agriculture for four years and then thirty-six years with Montana Livestock, thirty as President.  He states “that if you work for a reputable Corporation doing a job you love, the years really do fly by”.  After forty plus years of office jobs, Gill plans to fill his future days with hands on projects, from fencing, cabin construction, horseback trips into the Rockies and maybe even a little horse trading, he says with a grin!

Montana Livestock Ag Credit, Inc. is a for profit Montana Corporation that is owned by its borrowers and managed by a Board of elected borrowers. The Company prides itself on over 80 years of consistent philosophy and strong agricultural lending relationships.    Through good times and bad, Gill is proud to state “Montana Livestock will be here long after we are all gone.”

Webinar for Producers with Value-Added Calves

calving season #calfwatch14Seasoned cow-calf producers recognize the calf market’s record-high prices are likely to decline as cowherd expansion brings additional supplies. Producers can maintain higher profitability by recognizing this shift and quickly adjusting management and marketing strategies.

CattleFax will discuss these topics during its next Trends+ Cow-Calf Webinar at 5:30 p.m. MT, Jun. 10, 2015. To participate in the webinar and access program details, producers and industry leaders simply need to register online.

The one-hour session will include a variety of relevant topics for the cow-calf audience:

  • A second half 2015 price outlook for the cattle and feedstuff markets,
  • Expectations for 2015 value-added premiums in the calf market, and
  • Considerations for estimating returns on value-added management practices.

The Trends+ webinar is designed to inform cattle producers about current market realities and provide producers with decision-friendly information to assist in making intelligent marketing decisions. More than 2,000 producers have benefitted from the analysis and strategies shared through the webinar series since fall 2013.

Elanco Animal Health is sponsoring the webinar – making it free for all cattle and beef producers to participate.

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CattleFax is a member-owned organization that serves producers in all segments of the cattle and beef business. CattleFax is the global leader in beef industry research, analysis and information. Since 1968, the organization’s exclusive industry database has set the standard for market information and analysis. Visit www.CattleFax.com to learn more and become a member.

Judith Gap Rancher Receives Honorary Doctorate from Montana State

robert bob lee judith gapAt this weekend’s Spring Commencement, a long-time Stockgrowers member will receive an honorary doctorate in Animal and Range Sciences from Montana State University. Robert “Bob” Lee of Judith Gap is an established leader in the Montana agricultural community and has received many recognitions for his work throughout the years.

Lee and his wife, Kathy, own and operate the Robert E. Lee Ranch Company, a diversified cattle and grain operation located in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains in central Montana. The ranch has been recognized for its approach to managing its natural resources, including rangeland and water resources. It is also well-known for the tours it offers to groups from across the state and nation, as well as around the globe.

Bob Lee speaking with media at his ranch after receiving the 1996 Environmental Stewardship Award.

Bob Lee speaking with media at his ranch after receiving the 1996 Environmental Stewardship Award.

“Bob’s service to our country interrupted his college career but did not stop him from becoming an integral part of Montana’s premier cattle industry.” says Errol Rice, MSGA Executive Vice President. “His contributions to the betterment of our business and his ongoing stewardship for the land, and commitment to building strong agriculture leaders demonstrates his dedication to what he believes in.”

Lee has served as an active member of Montana Stockgrowers  for many years. In 1995 and 1996, the Lee Ranch was recognized for their work in environmental stewardship, conservation and sustainability as recipients of the Montana, Regional and National Environmental Stewardship Award.

Lee served as chairman of the Montana Board of Livestock from 1999-2005, as well as chairman of the Montana Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative steering committee and Montana Governor’s Rangelands Resource executive committee. On a national level, Lee has served as chairman of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Property Rights and Environmental Management Committee, as well as on the National Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative steering committee.

Lee attended MSU Northern, but was drafted two months before graduation and spent six years serving the country in the Air National Guard.

Everyone at MSGA congratulates Bob on his recognition and thanks him for continued work and contributions in the Montana ranching community.

New Series Answers Beef Checkoff Questions | Checkoff Chat

Checkoff Chat Montana Beef CouncilAfter increased attention in news headlines over the past year, we have been receiving several questions about Beef Council programs and how your Checkoff dollars are being used to promote beef to consumers. MyBeefCheckoff.com offers many pages of information to answer these questions about national Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) programs. Locally, the Montana Beef Council (MBC) administers many programs at the state level for Montana consumers.

We recognize ranchers may not always see the full extent of these promotion efforts because most programs are directed at beef consumers and encouraging them to purchase more of our product. Montana Stockgrowers receives Checkoff grant funding for our Environmental Stewardship Award Program, which shares stories of ranches’ environmental stewardship, conservation and sustainability with consumers.

Announcing a new series – Checkoff Chat

To answer your questions, we’ve teamed up with the Montana Beef Council for a Q&A series, Checkoff Chat. Over the next several months, Checkoff Chat will address questions about how your Checkoff dollars are being used to promote beef to consumers as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Click here to see all posts in the series as they are posted, and be sure to share these posts with your friends, neighbors and followers.

Looking for a place to submit your questions about the Beef Checkoff programs? Use our Contact form to send us a message and we’ll pass it along to the Montana Beef Council to be answered in a future post!

The first post in the series is available tomorrow morning. Don’t miss a post in the series! Use the subscription form on the right-hand side of the page to receive emails each time we share a new post.

MSU Northern Collegiates to Host Meet And Greet in Havre

csg northern logoMontana Stockgrowers is proud to have three collegiate groups at Universities and Colleges across the state – MSU in Bozeman, UM-Western in Dillon and MSU-Northern in Havre. The Collegiate Stockgrowers clubs are a great way for students to become involved in the Stockgrowers organization, learn more about the state’s ranching business and promote ranching and beef on their campuses.

Image: KRTV/KXLH

Image: KRTV/KXLH

Next Friday, April 17, the MSU-Northern Collegiate Stockgrowers will be hosting a Meet and Greet so that the campus and community may come out to learn more about the club and its activities. The event will take place at the Applied Technology Center on the MSU-Northern campus in Havre, beginning at 6 p.m. The Meet and Greet will include door prizes, several speakers from the campus and ranching community, along with entertainment from former Collegiate Stockgrower member and MSU-Northern alumni Holly Rose Cartwright.

To learn more about the event, contact Mary Heller at MSU-Northern or join the Facebook event.

A special thank you to the event sponsors Wild Horse Seeds, Hi-Line Chemical, and Norman’s Ranch and Sportswear. A special thanks to DaVonté McKenith and KRTV/KXLH for allowing us to share the news on Montana This Morning earlier this week!

KRTV.com | Great Falls, Montana

Thank you to our 2015 Cattle Directory Priority Page Ad Buyers!

Each year, Montana Stockgrowers Association publishes the Montana Seedstock & Commercial Cattle Directory, an extensive listing of quality cattle genetics and services available in the state of Montana from MSGA members. The Directory includes listings for commercial feeders, seedstock and commercial replacement females. There is also a large Associated Services directory included in the listings.

The annual publication, free for distribution, is a large source of funding for the Montana Stockgrowers Association. On Saturday night of Annual Convention each year, MSGA auctions off the priority page advertisements, which are the only full-color, full-page ads in the Directory. This program allows MSGA supporters an opportunity to financially contribute to Association programs and include a promotion for their annual cattle sales and market their services.

In times or record breaking cattle markets, the 2014 Priority Page Auction broke records during the recent Annual Convention. 46 Montana ranches and service providers purchased ads to be placed in the 2015-2016 Cattle Directory Publication. Please click on the company names listed below, visit their websites and thank them for their support of the Montana Stockgrowers Association.

Cattle Directory listings are available to all members of the Montana Stockgrowers Association. 2015 Cattle Directory Listings Form and should be submitted prior to June 1. Purchase your Full and Half page ads for the upcoming Cattle Directory TODAY by contacting Ryan Goodman ([email protected]) prior to June 1. See the 2015 Rate Card and Publishing Schedule for details.

Thank you for to all our supporters. To view the 2014-2015 Montana Seedstock & Commercial Cattle Directory in digital format, click here.

Meet the American Fork Ranch | Environmental Stewardship Award Winners

American Fork Ranch Environmental Stewardship Jed Evjene David StevensMontana’s ranchers depend on the land and its resources to be successful business enterprises. As such, it is imperative to be good stewards of their environment and its resources, implementing practices that promote sustainability and conservation. Since its inception in 1991, the Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) has honored ranchers across the United States who implement these practices and are great examples of being stewards of their resources.

For the past 25 years, Montana Stockgrowers Association has proudly sponsored the Montana ESAP program, and with support of the Montana Beef Council, recognize this year’s Montana recipient, the American Fork Ranch of Two Dot, as a ranch going above and beyond to implement good stewardship practices for their land, resources, wildlife and community.

The American Fork Ranch (Facebook), a commercial cow-calf operation in Wheatland and Sweet Grass counties, is owned by the Stevens Family and is managed by Jed and Annie Evjene. Jed is a long-time active member of the Montana Stockgrowers Association and currently serves as Director of the South Central district for the Association.

American Fork Ranch Environmental Stewardship Annie Evjene“The Stevens family, Annie and I, along with all of our crew could not be more proud to receive this recognition,” says Jed Evjene. “Over the past 17 years, we’ve worked hard to preserve the legacy of this ranch, improve its pastures, croplands and cattle. Making a ranch like this work while being conscious of the environment around us takes a good team and we’re honored to be Environmental Stewardship Award recipients.”

The ranch, established in 1882 as a sheep operation, was purchase by Colonel Wallis Huidekoper and designated “The American Ranch”. An idealistic soldier, Huidekoper built a series of whitewashed and red-roof structures along a plumb line, to form an orderly village that still stands today. In 1945, Col. Robert T. Stevens purchased the operation and renamed it as “The American Fork Ranch”. Steven’s vision was that the ranch would remain as a consistent and economically viable unit in the community, rather than a vacation or leisure home for future generations of the family.

As current ranch managers, Jed and Annie Evjene, joined the ranch in 1998, a consensus among the owners had already began to refocus the ranch’s efforts to be better stewards of the land, conserve their natural resources and ensure the ranch’s economic and environmental sustainability. The changes focused on the principles of utilizing the best available scientific knowledge and business practices, enhancing stewardship values with long-term perspectives to invest in the land and environment, and to preserve the ranch’s historic value and beauty.

Over the past 17 years, the Stevens and Evjenes families have focused on establishing relationships among all key aspects of the ranch: rangeland, water, crop production, cattle herd, wildlife, cottonwood forests, employees, family, community and the beef industry to integrate a model of sustainability. These cooperative efforts have led to relationships and projects in coordination with professionals from numerous universities, state and federal agencies, area and state Stockgrower organizations, and several youth programs.

The Evjenes have a knack for intensive record management, allowing them to use that information to tract what works and what does not when managing the ranches resources. The results have been implementing grazing practices, with the use of more than 25 miles of interior fencing, 15,500 feet of stock water pipeline, spring water development, and weed control to develop grazing systems that better utilize resources in a manner that complements the landscape and environment.

American Fork Ranch Environmental Stewardship Jed EvjeneThe cowherd at the American Fork has been managed to adapt to its environment over the past two decades. Reducing cow size, along with management of grazing and water systems, has allowed for better and more uniform utilization of forage supplies, increased calf weaning weights, minimized cow inputs and overall improvements in cow efficiency and operation sustainability. The calves are raised and marketed without the use of artificial hormones or supplements, and have shown consistent adaptations to market demands using improved herd genetics. A severe drought in 2012 threatened feed supplies for the herd, but thanks for foresight in grazing management and temporary herd reduction, the ranch survived the drought period with minimal negative impacts.

Today, the American Fork Ranch is home to a diverse population of plant species and managed wildlife populations. Intensive record keeping, over a decade of range monitoring, water development projects and weed management have led to pasture conditions that promote diverse plant species and thick stands of stockpiled forage for year-round grazing. A heavy focus on riparian area management has allowed for recovery of plant species, Cottonwood forest regrowth, improved water quality and enhanced wildlife habitat, even in the presence of livestock grazing.

“Even though the Stevens family may not live here year round, they are all involved in the ranching operation,” says Annie Evjene. “Especially the third and fourth generations of the Stevens family know a lot about the ranching business and are trying to carry on to the next generation.”

“The Stevens kids are like our own. When they come to the ranch, they jump right in with the crew, can run any piece of equipment, move cattle and are excited about sharing the experience of this ranch with others. It’s an all-around team effort,” says Jed.

MESAP logo PNGAs recipient of this year’s Montana ESAP recognition, the American Fork will submit an application this month for the regional ESAP awards, to be announced in July 2015. Throughout 2015, Montana Stockgrowers will continue to share more about the American Fork Ranch, the Stevens and Evjene families, and their work as examples of Environmental Stewardship within the Montana ranching community.

To learn more about the Montana Environmental Stewardship Award program, click here. The Montana ESAP program is partially sponsored by the Montana Beef Checkoff programs.