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January 9, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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NCBA and PLC Accepting Summer Internship Applications

WASHINGTON – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s and the Public Lands Council‘s government affairs office in Washington, D.C., is accepting applications for the summer 2015 public policy internship. The deadline to submit an application is Feb. 9, 2015.

“NCBA and PLC provide opportunities that very few other internships can offer,” said John Weber, South Dakota State University animal science senior and spring 2014 intern. “They truly make you feel part of the team working on key policy issues that impact the beef industry. The internship gives you the opportunity to cover topics ranging from animal welfare to trade and allows you the chance to advocate on behalf of the industry on Capitol Hill.”

NCBA Executive Director of Legislative Affairs Kristina Butts said this is a great opportunity for students with an interest in the beef industry and public policy.

“The internship gives college students the opportunity to work alongside staff on a range of issues that impact U.S. cattlemen and women,” Butts said. “The internship is designed to work closely with the lobbying team on Capitol Hill; to assist with NCBA and PLC’s regulatory efforts; and to work closely with the communications team.”

The full-time internship will begin May 18, 2015 and end Aug. 21, 2015. To apply, interested college juniors, seniors or graduate students should submit the application, college transcripts, two letters of recommendation and a resume to [email protected]. More information about the NCBA public policy internship is available on BeefUSA.org.

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The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has represented America’s cattle producers since 1898, preserving the heritage and strength of the industry through education and public policy. As the largest association of cattle producers, NCBA works to create new markets and increase demand for beef. Efforts are made possible through membership contributions. To join, contact NCBA at 1-866-BEEF-USA or [email protected].

January 6, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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2015 Montana Legislative Session Podcast – Week 1

The 64th Montana Legislative Session convened this week, on Monday, January 5th, in Helena. MSGA expects this to be yet another busy session, representing the interests of our members on a number of bills that will affect Montana ranchers and land owners. Each week during the session, MSGA Director of Natural Resources, Jay Bodner, and MSGA Manager of Communications will discuss what has taken place during the session and what legislative activity we can expect in the days ahead.

Stay tuned to our website as we will provide regular updates and member-exclusive information on activity during the legislative session. Just go to the Policies & Issues page under the About tab and log-in with your membership information.

Be sure to follow Montana Stockgrowers Association on social media for more information or contact our office in Helena with any questions at 442-3420.

For this week’s podcast, Jay Bodner and Ryan Goodman discuss MSGA’s role working with leadership during the legislative session and how you can track legislative activity through the state’s website.

January 5, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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How to Follow the 2015 Montana Legislative Session

Montana-State SealThe 64th regular session of the Montana legislature convenes in Helena on Monday, January 5, at noon. There are a variety of ways in which the public can monitor and participate in legislative proceedings.

Don’t forget, MSGA members can log-in on the Policies & Issues page of our website to receive updates on Stockgrowers’ activities and learn about bills we’re following throughout the session! Click here to visit the Policies & Issues page.

Watch or Listen

Gavel-to-gavel coverage of House and Senate floor sessions and selected committee hearings will be broadcast on cable television stations throughout the state through TVMT, a statewide government broadcasting service provided by the Montana Legislative Services Division through a contract with Helena Civic Television.

To find out if TVMT programming is available in your area:

  • Visit www.leg.mt.gov/tvmt;
  • Contact your cable or other video service provider (Charter customers can view TVMT on Channel 191 throughout the state); or
  • Call the Legislative Communications Office at (406) 444-3067.

In addition, floor sessions and committee hearings will be video and audio streamed through the legislative branch website at www.leg.mt.gov.

Floor sessions generally begin at 1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 8 a.m. most Saturdays, while committee hearings usually begin at 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays.

Contact Your Legislator

Montana legislators are eager to hear from constituents about their positions on pending legislation. There are several ways you can contact legislators during session to express your views.

Beginning January 5, you can leave messages for legislators using an online form available at www.leg.mt.gov/message.

You can also call the Legislative Information Desk at (406) 444-4800. An operator will take your message, which will then be delivered to the legislators. When leaving a message, be prepared to provide the operator with:

  • your name and address
  • the name of the legislator(s) or committee for whom your message is intended
  • the number of the bill you wish to support or oppose
  • a brief explanation for your position on the bill

You may leave messages for as many as five legislators or one legislative committee at a time. The service is available while the Legislature is in session Mondays through Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to adjournment.

The Legislative Information Desk does not accept anonymous messages or blanket messages to all legislators.

Additionally, you can write to legislators. Letters should be addressed as follows:

Senator (Name)
Montana Senate
PO Box 200500
Helena MT 59620-0500

or

Representative (Name)
Montana House of Representatives
PO Box 200400
Helena MT 59620-0400

If you aren’t sure who your legislators are, contact your local elections office or visit the legislative website at www.leg.mt.gov and click on the “Legislators” link and then on “Find a Legislator”. The “Find a Legislator” page includes additional details about contacting legislators

Track Bills and Find General Legislative Information

The legislative process relies on the participation of informed citizens. The Legislative Automated Workflow System, or LAWS, is a free online service that provides legislative information before, during, and after sessions. With it, you can find:

  • Complete text of legislative bills
  • Up-to-date status of bills
  • Committee hearing schedules
  • Agendas for committee hearings and floor sessions
  • House and Senate votes on bills

You can find a link to the LAWS website for the 2015 session on the legislative website at www.leg.mt.gov. There is a new link this session on the LAWS website’s main page to an instructional video library. The library contains a number of easy-to-follow videos that explain how to use the system.

The legislative website also contains an array of other information regarding the legislature and the legislative process. Additionally, you can also follow legislative activities through Facebook or Twitter. For details, visit the legislative website at www.leg.mt.gov.

Testify at Hearings

One of the most important opportunities to become involved in the debate over a bill is when it’s the subject of a hearing before a legislative committee. You can communicate personally with legislators at any time about any bill, but the committee hearing is the occasion when anyone may publicly approve, oppose, or suggest changes to a bill.

You can testify on any bill that concerns you. Each committee of the House and Senate is assigned to a specific meeting room in the Capitol. By rule, the time and place of committee hearings are scheduled at least three days in advance. Hearing schedules can be found as noted above through LAWS, or you can call the Legislative Information Desk at (406) 444-4800.

Occasionally, if a hearing is expected to attract a large crowd, it may be moved to a larger room. Such changes are noted on hearing schedules and notices are placed outside the regular meeting rooms. Changes are also posted on the legislative branch website as well as on the legislative Facebook page and Twitter account.

–Press Release: Montana Legislative Communications

December 30, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Legislative Conference Offered for Young Stockgrowers

With the 2015 Montana legislative session quickly approaching, the Montana Stockgrowers Association is looking forward to another busy season representing the interests of Montana’s livestock communities. During this time, young farmers and ranchers will have the opportunity to experience the legislative process through the Calling on the Capitol Legislative Conference, taking place January 29 & 30 at the Best Western Great Northern Hotel and Capitol building in Helena.

This is an important opportunity for Young Stockgrowers members to participate in the legislative process and learn more about MSGA’s work with state agencies and legislators. Participants in the event will have the opportunity to attend legislative committee meetings and receive training on legislative advocacy, strategy and communication.

2015 agenda items include:

Policy Issues Informational Session

Legislative & Strategy Training

State Agency Informational Sessions

Young Cattlemen’s College – D.C. Experience

Guided Capital Building Tour

State Legislature Committee Hearings

Advocacy & Networking Dinner

Breakfast with your Legislators

Advocacy for the Ranching and Beef Industry Luncheon

Calling on the Capitol begins at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 29 and continues through Friday, January 30, 2015. Event registration is $50, which includes meals and meeting expenses. 2015 Calling on the Capitol Registration Form and payment must be postmarked to MSGA (420 N. California, Helena, MT 59601) by Tuesday, January 20. Meeting capacity is 40 participants, so do not wait until the last minute to register. Online registration is available at mtbeef.org.

A room block has been reserved at the Best Western Great Northern in Helena, starting at $125/night plus taxes. Please book rooms by calling (800) 829-4047 prior to January 5, 2015 and refer to ‘Young Stockgrowers’. Group rates may not be available after release date.

Calling on the Capitol is sponsored by Bank of the Rockies and Montana Livestock Ag Credit, Inc. For more information, contact Ryan Goodman at the Montana Stockgrowers Association, by calling (406) 442-3420 or via email at [email protected].

November 5, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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2014 Election Results for Montana

The votes are in and final ballots are being counted for the 2014 election. Across the country, Republicans gained several seats over Democrats, even in traditionally Blue states. Republicans will now have the majority in both Senate and House, with Kentucky’s Mitch McConnell expected to take on the role of Senate Majority Leader.

Locally in Montana, Republican Party candidates did well in the election, gaining the Senate and House seats. Daines will be the first Republican to serve as U.S. Senator from Montana in 101 years. Below are results from the Secretary of State’s office with 692 of 693 precincts fully reported this morning. To view complete local results, go to electionresults.sos.mt.gov. Results are not considered complete and final until final canvass is certified by the Secretary of State.

Congratulations to our winners-elect. MSGA looks forward to working with newly elected officials on issues important to Montana’s ranching communities.

United States Senator

  • Steve Daines (R) – 57.89%
  • Amanda Curtis (D) – 39.97%

United States Representative

  • Ryan Zinke (R) – 55.47%
  • John Lewis (D) – 40.35%

State Supreme Court Justice #1

  • Jim Rice – 78.33%
  • David Herbert – 21.56%

State Supreme Court Justice #2

  • Mike Wheat – 59.07%
  • Lawrence Vandyke – 40.85%

Public Service Commissioner, District 5

  • Brad Johnson (R) – 61.06%
  • Galen Hollenbaugh (D) – 38.94%

Ballot Issues

  • Constitutional Amendment No. 45 (State Auditor)
    • No – 51.60%
    • Yes – 48.40%
  • Constitutional Amendment No. 126 (Voter Registration)
    • No – 56.82%
    • Yes – 43.18%

To see State House election results, click here.

Montana State House Results 2014

To see State Senate election results, click here.

Montana State Senate Results 2014

August 27, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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EPA Hands Over Maps Detailing the Extent of their WOTUS Proposal

EPA WOTUS Montana Expansion MapWASHINGTON (Aug. 27, 2014) –The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology released maps today of waters and wetlands the Environmental Protection Agency has to-date refrained from making public. After multiple requests, the Agency finally handed over the maps to the committee, which appear to detail the extent of the “Waters of the United States” proposal.

“Given the astonishing picture they paint, I understand the EPA’s desire to minimize the importance of these maps,” said Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), Chairman of the House Science Committee, in a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “But EPA’s posturing cannot explain away the alarming content of these documents. While you claim that EPA has not yet used these maps to regulate Americans, you provided no explanation for why the Agency used taxpayer resources to have these materials created.”

Knowledge of the maps came as the Committee was doing research in preparation for a hearing regarding the proposed “Waters of the United States” rule. The maps were kept hidden while the Agencies marched forward with rulemaking that fundamentally re-defines private property rights, said Chairman Smith.

“It is deplorable that EPA, which claims to be providing transparency in rulemakings, would intentionally keep from the American public, a taxpayer-funded visual representation of the reach of their proposed rule,” said Ashley McDonald, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association environmental counsel. “Unfortunately, it is just another blatant contradiction to the claims of transparency this Administration insists they maintain.”

These maps are very similar to the maps produced by NCBA and other agricultural groups, which also showcase the EPA’s extensive attempt to control land across the country. These maps show individual states facing upwards of 100,000 additional stream miles that could be regulated under the proposed regulation.

“This is the smoking gun for agriculture,” said McDonald. “These maps show that EPA knew exactly what they were doing and knew exactly how expansive their proposal was before they published it.”

The maps are available on the House Committee website here. The Montana map is available by clicking here (maps are large files and may take a few seconds to load).

Related Articles:

August 13, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Daines Discusses Issues With Montana Agriculture Groups

Congressman Steve Daines answers questions from local television reporters prior to a meeting with Montana agricultural groups at the Stockgrowers office on August 7, 2014

Congressman Steve Daines answers questions from local television reporters prior to a meeting with Montana agricultural groups at the Stockgrowers office on August 7, 2014

Things were busy as we had several visitors at the office on Thursday afternoon, August 7. Congressman Steve Daines stopped by the Montana Stockgrowers’ office as a part of his agricultural tour across the state during the legislative August recess.

Daines met with a number of representatives from Montana’s agricultural coalition to discuss priority issues that are of concern for the state’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Representatives from the Grain Growers Association, Agricultural Business Association, Grain Elevators, Montana Livestock Ag Credit were on hand for the meeting. Stockgrowers staff also represented Public Lands Council and the Association of State Grazing Districts.

Each group had the opportunity to bring forward issues affecting their membership in an effort to help Daines stay up-to-date on critical matters impacting the state’s rural residents. Topics discussed included:

  • EPA’s Waters of the U.S. proposed ruling and its impact on farmers and ranchers across the state. Daines noted that this has been the number one issue for the agriculture community as he has traveled across the state. (Click here for MSGA’s preliminary analysis)
  • The importance of neonicotinoids use as a seed treatment and crop protectant for wheat growers was a concern, especially as it relates to criticisms of being associated with declining beef populations.
  • Grain elevators are concerned about increased inspections and fines imposed from OSHA. Elevator operators appreciate the emphasis on safety, but would like to see more cooperation from OSHA on compliance issues and information.
  • Rail transportation for grain growers across the state continues to be an issue of great importance as competition increases for exporting the state’s commodities. Rail backlogs, price competition, and union strikes at sea ports continue to put a strain on moving grain, especially as summer and fall harvests progress.
  • Implementation of Farm Bill programs through FSA offices continues to be a priority for farmers and ranchers across the state. Importance is placed on information sharing between FSA and producers to make sure available programs are implemented in a timely manner.
  • As cattle prices continue to reach record levels, access to operating capital is a growing concern for producers and banking institutions. Importance in placed on making sure banking and financial regulations are not a burden on banks being able to provide for their customers.
  • For cattle and sheep producers across the state, cooperation with federal agencies is important for access to grazing lands. Producers want to ensure their allotments are not threatened by retirement of the agreements.
  • Listing of the sage grouse as an Endangered Species continues to concern the state’s ranchers. Montana’s state sage grouse plan is due out this Fall and the state needs time to implement the plan and have time to showcase the effects before 2015 implementation of the federal rule.
  • Management of weed control, along with conifer and sagebrush encroachment on rangelands continues to be an important issue for grazing allotments on U.S. Forest Service lands. Concerns were raised about USFS budgets for these issues and allowance for wildfire control to be treated partially as natural disaster budget issues.

Prior to meeting at the Stockgrowers office in Helena, Congressman Daines spent the morning with Townsend rancher, Dusty Hahn. Hahn gave Daines a hands-on look at issues affecting central Montana ranches, including grazing leases on private and public lands, management of irrigation projects and raising livestock on a family operation.

The Montana Stockgrowers looks forward to continued work with all of our Congressional leadership and cooperative efforts with all members of the state’s agriculture coalition to address issues affecting Montana’s farming and ranching communities.

To learn more about our legislative and policy efforts, visit mtbeef.org or contact the MSGA office in Helena, (406) 442-3420.

United States Department of Agriculture
August 4, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Walsh cosponsors bill to ‘beef up’ livestock industry

(The following is a press release from the office of Senator John Walsh) Montana ranchers applaud Senator’s leadership to improve resources for cattle ranching families

(US SENATE)—Senator John Walsh last week cosponsored legislation that improves and updates Agriculture Department resources for Montana ranchers.

The American Livestock Protection and Ranching Opportunity Act establishes a Livestock Disease Initiative and authorizes $5 million annually to study bovine brucellosis and other livestock diseases.  Walsh’s bill also prohibits the import of foreign beef until the USDA certifies the exporting country is totally free of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD).

“Montana ranchers produce the highest quality beef in the world,” Walsh said.  “This bill protects local ranchers by investing in brucellosis prevention and emphasizing country of origin labeling.  We value our agriculture producers, they are stewards to the land in our great state, and our public policy should reflect that.”

Montana ranchers applaud Walsh’s leadership on this bill:

“We applaud Senator Walsh’s work to address some major issues our members face on a daily basis,” said Errol Rice, Executive Vice President of the Montana Stockgrowers Association. “We look forward to working with Senator Walsh and take on brucellosis and increase disaster support for Montana’s ranchers.” 

“Montana Farmers Union appreciates Senator Walsh’s sponsorship of a bill that addresses the concerns and contributions of Montana’s livestock producers,” said Montana Farmers Union President Alan Merrill.  “We value the Senator’s multi-pronged approach that supports livestock disease research, protects Montana markets by maintaining our foot and mouth disease-free status, and provides a mechanism to make adjustments to the Livestock Forage Program.  In addition, MFU members have long supported country-of-original labeling (COOL) and welcome the Senator Walsh’s strong statement of support.” 

“The most probable result will be that a FMD epidemic will crash the rural economy and seriously jeopardize this country’s economic recovery,” said Gilles Stockton, board member of Montana Cattlemen’s Association. “The proposition that we would import meat from counties with active FMD is just crazy. I commend Senator Walsh for being proactive on this issue and I hope his colleagues see reason and support this bill.”

The legislation also assists ranchers with feed costs in the Greater Yellowstone Area when they are under government-mandated quarantines for brucellosis, requires USDA to use most recent and accurate market prices in the Livestock Indemnity Program, and provides price adjustments in the Livestock Forage Program for high-value feed to help ranchers through drought situations.

Walsh is the only member of Montana’s congressional delegation on an Agriculture Committee.

July 17, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Federal Spending Bill Includes Important Provisions for Producers

Public Lands Council Logo(The following is a Press Release from the National Public Lands Council) – The House Interior appropriations bill passed through committee, on July 15th, by a vote of 29 to 19. The Public Lands Council and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association strongly support the bill, which allocates how federal dollars are spent for the Department of Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, and related agencies during fiscal year 2015. The bill included language that would help provide relief from the regulatory burdens that continue to hamper the productivity and profitability of farmers and ranchers across the country.

From language that blocks the listing of the Sage Grouse, to requiring alternative allotments where ranchers are impacted by drought or wildfire without the need to complete extensive environmental analyses and many others, Dustin Van Liew, PLC and NCBA federal lands executive director, said the provisions are important to keeping livestock producers in business.

Included in the bill is a permanent extension of grazing rider, which will allow livestock grazing to continue while the renewal process is held up through the National Environmental Policy Act analysis backlog. Often requiring multiple environmental analyses and time for public comments to be submitted when no changes are being made on the ground, the NEPA process can disrupt ranching operations indefinitely with little, if any, environmental benefit. The bill also includes a provision to extend grazing permit terms to 20 years, as opposed to the current 10-year term.

“These two provisions are vital to the agencies, allowing them the flexibility they need to continue managing the resource and processing permits,” Van Liew said. “Additionally, extending grazing permits from 10 to 20 years adds significantly to the certainty ranchers need to run successful businesses. We applaud the appropriations committee for supporting the primary language from the Grazing Improvement Act and urge the full House and Senate to pass this bill without delay.”

Van Liew added that due to a closed-door settlement between United States Fish and Wildlife Service and radical environmental groups, arbitrary deadlines have been set for making hundreds of decisions on species in all fifty states to be listed under the Endangered Species Act.

“Rather than embracing the research-backed benefits of grazing and giving time for state Sage Grouse management plans to take effect, the FWS has begun to make arbitrary decisions to cut and reduce livestock grazing on public lands,” said Van Liew. “One of those species is the Sage Grouse, whose habitat covers 11 western states, an area where ranchers are currently providing open space and improving the bird’s habitat and reducing the number-one threat to the bird – wildfire.”

Ashley McDonald, NCBA environmental counsel, commended lawmakers for including language that would help reign in the EPA’s attempt to control even more land and water on private property.

“Cattle producers have grave concerns over EPA and Corps of Engineers’ proposed expansion of the Clean Water Act,” said McDonald. “We applaud the members of the committee for sending the Interior appropriations bill forward with language that would prevent the agencies from finalizing this regulation, which we see as the largest federal land grab in history.”

Additionally, she said, the bill will prevent the EPA from requiring livestock operations to report their greenhouse gas emissions, and also prevent the agency from requiring livestock operations to get GHG permits. Furthermore, it prevents the EPA from disclosing the private and confidential information of livestock producers to the public.

“This bill provides needed safeguards for the privacy and property rights of America’s cattle producers that the federal agencies refuse to recognize and respect,” McDonald summarized.

May 15, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Montana Stockgrowers Participate in Spring Legislative Session

Montana Coffee Washington VisitWhile Capitol Hill may be on the opposite side of the country, many laws and regulations passed by policy makers affect our industry on a regular basis. Earlier this month, MSGA leadership and staff continued out commitment to representing our members and the Montana ranching community by making a trip to Washington D.C. for the Spring Legislative Conferences for both the Public Lands Council (PLC) and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). During the visit, MSGA leaders had the opportunity to meet with congressional representatives and discuss important issues that are important to Montana’s ranching families.

Our Association was represented by MSGA Executive Vice President, Errol Rice; MSGA Director of Natural Resources, Jay Bodner; current MSGA President, Tucker Hughes of Stanford; current MSGA 1st Vice President, Gene Curry of Valier; Montana CattleWomen’s President, Wanda Pinnow of Baker; and MSGA Past Presidents, Watty Taylor of Busby and Tom Hougen of Melstone.

The MSGA delegation attended the NCBA Issues Briefing on Tuesday afternoon. During the briefing session, NCBA Staff provided detailed information on several issues of great importance to the cattle and beef industries.

  • Changes to the 2015 Dietary Guidelines from the USDA
  • Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement and the push for full and free market access and elimination of tariffs.
  • Important trade issues, regulation changes and negotiations currently active with Japan, China, EU, Brazil
  • EPA proposed rule to expand their jurisdiction over all types of waters.
  • APHIS proposed rule for fresh Brazilian beef importation
  • Updates from the Public Lands Council on the Grazing Improvement Bill and impacts on grazing rights

It was apparent from the Issues Briefing that PLC and NCBA are continually meeting with D.C. policy makers on these important issues, including the volatile trade talks. In order to support their efforts, it is important that state and local organizations stay in contact with congressional delegates to reinforce the importance of these issues to the ranching community.

MSGA leadership joined Montana’s congressional delegation for their regular Montana Coffee event on Wednesday morning. Throughout the day, they had opportunity to meet with Senators Jon Tester, John Walsh and Congressman Steve Daines. During the visits, MSGA thanked the delegation for inclusion of disaster assistance in the Farm Bill, opposition to the Farm Service Agency (FSA) office closures and our shared concerns over the significant impacts the USDA proposal to import Brazilian beef could have on the U.S. cattle industry. MSGA has submitted comments to USDA APHIS asking that the proposed rule be withdrawn.

In addition, MSGA discussed concerns over the significant impacts of a sage grouse listing on MT producers and the EPA proposal to expand their jurisdiction over all types of waters. MSGA also visited with the MT Delegation on the effects of bovine brucellosis on Montana’s livestock, the possibility of using federal funds to research the disease in cattle and ensuring a strong working relationship with APHIS to address this issue. Also discussed, were concerns of ranchers in Southeastern Montana about proposed expansion of the Powder River Training Complex based at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota.

Montana Stockgrowers continues work to build relationships and collaborate with state, government and industry leaders and congressional staff to develop innovative solutions to the issues Montana’s ranching community confronts, while preserving Montana’s complex natural landscape, history, economy, ethics and social values. This follows our mission to protect and enhance Montana ranch families’ ability to grow and deliver safe, healthy, environmentally wholesome beef to the world.

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