July 21, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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American Fork Ranch Wins Regional Award for Environmental Stewardship

American Fork Ranch Environmental StewardshipAmerican Fork Ranch of Two Dot, Mont., was honored with one of seven regional Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) awards. The honorees, announced during last week’s 2015 Cattle Industry Summer Conference, were recognized for their outstanding stewardship practices. This year’s regional winners will compete for the national award, which will be announced during the 25th anniversary celebration in January 2016.

ESAP is sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation, and is presented to farmers and ranchers who demonstrate a commitment to protecting the farm and ranch land in their care.

“The American Fork Ranch is a part of Montana history, established in 1882 and dating back to days of the Montana Territory. The Stevens family has owned the ranch since 1945 and currently has the fifth generation actively involved in ranch operations and the community,” said Jay Bodner, Montana Stockgrowers Association director of natural resources. “Under the management of Jed and Annie Evjene, the American Fork Ranch has experienced a transformation in sustainability, stewardship and conservation through a number of public and private partnerships. Through a dedication to long-term stewardship, the American Fork Ranch continuously works to improve their cattle operation to benefit their environment, wildlife, resources, community and employees.”

At American Fork Ranch, they’ve found that what’s good for cattle production is also good for the wildlife – and by improving their pastures through cross fencing and adding an extensive system of waterlines, the work has also improved habitat for the native animals.

In 2008, American Fork Ranch embarked upon an ambitious, multi-tiered program to wholly rejuvenate the ranch’s native prairies. To do this, the Evjenes worked in partnership with the NRCS and its Environmental Quality Incentives Program. This program helped them to cross-fence, develop water, complete range assessment of the ranch, collect soil samples, and develop a formal and intricate rotational grazing program. Specifically, the largest implementation was the addition of 25 miles of interior cross fencing. This divided 23 pastures that were once very large into more efficient average sizes of 350 acres, creating 49 efficient grazing pastures.

Grazing each pasture for seven days has allowed the ranch to keep forage in front of the livestock and increase weaning weights on the calves, while increasing overall herd health. Pasture start times are adjusted so that each pasture is not used at the same times each year. Resting each pasture for 45 days between rotation cycles has allowed them to clearly monitor the growing and sustained health of the range as the native plants and wildlife mature and flourish.

Some of the dominant wildlife species that share the open spaces of the ranch and its riparian corridors include antelope, whitetail deer, mule deer, elk, moose, black bear, mountain lion, bobcat, coyotes, ducks, geese, sandhill cranes, eastern brook trout, along with several other wildlife species.

“Being able to walk out here or drive here and see good healthy livestock, good healthy wildlife, clear running water and lots of grass. Knowing that we as a team worked together to succeed in this is very rewarding for all of us here on the ranch,” said Jed Evjene. “We wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Ranches receiving ESAP recognition from other regions include Valley View Farms, Harrisonburg, Va.; Bull Hammock Ranch, Fort Pierce, Fla.; Glenn and Bev Rowe, Lorimor, Iowa; 6666 Ranch, Gutherie, Texas; Maggie Creek Ranch, Elko, Nev.; and Kopriva Angus, Raymond, S.D.

Read more about the American Fork Ranch, who was recognized as the Montana ESAP recipient earlier this year by MSGA.

July 16, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Three Forks Native Recipient of CattleWomen’s Scholarship

Lilly BroggerThe 2015 Montana Cattlewomen’s Memorial Scholarship has been awarded to Lilly Brogger, a senior at Montana State University, Bozeman. Lilly is majoring in English Writing with a minor in Agricultural Business. She has already aligned herself on her career path by writing agriculture-related articles for the school newspaper, The MSU Exponent. Lilly’s plan is to become a Professional Agricultural Journalist.

Lilly is the daughter of Marc and Lola Brogger of Three Forks, Montana. Coming from a ranch background herself, Lilly knows she can be a bridge between the producer and consumer. “No community can function without good communication,” states Lilly, “and part of good communication is working with the opposition”.

With all of the misconceptions in today’s world of “where our food comes from” and the extremely high percentage of people who are uneducated or misinformed as to our role as farmers and ranchers, the challenge to clearly communicate is enormous. Lilly recognizes the importance and the need for writers with an ag background, who can more easily and effectively share the agricultural community’s story.

The Montana Cattlewomen’s Scholarship is in the amount of $1,000 and is funded through memorials. This scholarship was established in 1963, which makes this the 53rd consecutive year it has been awarded to a worthy student.

As a voice for the producer, Lilly Brogger will surely be an asset to the agriculture and livestock industry.  Congratulations Lilly – The Montana Cattlewomen are proud to invest in you!

July 15, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Livestock Forage Disaster Program Triggered in 15 Montana Counties

(BOZEMAN) – Montana Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Bruce Nelson announced on Tuesday, July 14, that the 2015 Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) triggered eligibility in 15 Montana counties based on the U.S. Drought Monitor report released on July 9, 2015.

LFP provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who suffered grazing losses due to a qualifying drought or fire on federally managed land. Eligible producers must own or lease grazing land physically located in a county affected by a qualifying drought during the normal grazing period for the county.

The following counties met the extreme drought (D3) criteria; qualifying producers with land in these counties will be eligible for three monthly payments: Beaverhead, Deer Lodge, Flathead, Glacier, Granite, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Lincoln, Mineral, Missoula, Pondera, Powell, Ravalli, Sanders and Silver Bow.

“Montana livestock producers who own or lease grazing land or pastureland physically located in these 15 counties should contact their local FSA office to schedule an appointment to begin the enrollment process,” said Nelson. “This is an important program for livestock producers affected by the drought. LFP provided almost $60 million in disaster relief to more than 4,100 Montana livestock producers for the 2012 and 2013 crop years.”

Producers must complete an application and provide supporting documentation for 2015 losses by Jan. 30, 2016.

For more information, contact your local FSA office and visit Montana FSA online at www.fsa.usda.gov/mt.

July 15, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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FWP Planning for the Future with Statewide Listening Sessions

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is looking for public input on values, needs and priorities as part of its ’15 & Forward initiative to plan for the next 10 years. There will be nine listening sessions around the state starting Monday, July 20 through Wednesday, August 12.

FWP’s vision update will be a foundation on which it builds programs and services that hold the most value for the public and Montana’s fish, wildlife, recreation, cultural, and state park resources in the years ahead.

“It has been over 20 years since FWP last took a department-wide look at planning for the future and established its current Vision for the 21st Century,” said FWP Director, Jeff Hagener. “It is time to update this document and set program goals and design services that reflect our current context.”

Hagener stressed that public input is critical to the process. “FWP would like to understand if we are meeting your needs, what we can do to serve you better and get your thoughts on where we need to put our focus in the upcoming years.”

FWP is hosting public listening sessions in communities around Montana from July 20-Aug. 12. The schedule is as follows in the table below.2015 FWP Listening Session Dates

Each listening session will last three hours and refreshments will be provided. The public is encouraged to RSVP by emailing [email protected], or calling Deb O’Neill at (406) 444-3755. Follow FWP on Facebook for more event information and reminders. You can also can learn more and provide ideas and input online at fwp.mt.gov by following links to “Submit Public Comments” and “Doing Business.”

The FWP vision update is expected to be complete at the end of 2015

July 11, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Extreme Drought Introduced in West, Futures Markets Struggle

Drought Monitor Update July 9

Montana Drought Monitor Update, July 7, 2015. Click image to learn more.

Montana Drought Monitor Update, July 7, 2015. Click image to learn more.

Most of the region was warm during the last week with temperatures 9-13 degrees above normal in the Pacific Northwest and 3-4 degrees above normal over most of the rest of the region. Idaho, Utah, Washington, Oregon, and California all had their warmest June ever (121 years of data) while Nevada had their second warmest, Wyoming their fourth warmest, and Montana their fifth warmest.

In Montana, D3 was introduced in the west while D2 expanded to the east. In the north central portions of Montana, D1 and D0 were expanded slightly. These changes were mainly in response to the rapid short-term degradation and the impact to agriculture in Montana.

View the most current Montana conditions from the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Montana Weekly Auction Summary for Week Ending July 10

Market: Billings Livestock, Public Auction Yards, Miles City

Receipts: 1,679; Last Week NA; Last Year NA

Compared to last week: Due to no coverage of sales in recent weeks a market trend is not available. Feeder cattle receipts were limited this week, however attractive quality feeder cattle continue to sell with very good demand.

CME futures contract prices have struggled throughout the week. August contracts closed down 5.225 at 211.75 and September closed down 5.345 to close at 210.225 as of Thursday night’s settlement. However, the CME feeder cattle index hasn’t budged this week. The current index value is pegged at 220.39 as of Wednesday’s sales, which is a strong premium to the August CME contract.

A heavy offering of Bulls was seen this week as many ranchers are beginning to bring cull bulls to town after breeding season. With plenty of grass in central Montana many bulls were in light to moderate flesh, however eastern Montana has been very dry and with less grass to forage on many bulls in that part of the state were in very light to light flesh. A large portion of lightly fleshed bulls were being purchased to put on feed, this created an active market and good demand as feeding buyers and packer buyers sparred over offerings.

Buyers searching for breeding stock purchased 2 year olds to young age cows on light demand this week. Heiferettes and young age cows were of mostly average quality giving buyers no reason to bid aggressively. Cow/calf pairs sold on good to very good demand this week. Quality was mostly attractive with very large calves at cows sides and several offerings already exposed to bulls.

Read more from USDA’s latest Montana Weekly Auction Summary.

National Feeder & Stocker Cattle Summary – July 10

Receipts This Week:  Total 205,900 – 98,000 (Auctions); 48,800 (Direct); 59,100 (Video/Internet)

Compared to last week: a light test of feeder cattle did not quite produce the “ooohs and ahhhs” heard immediately after the 4th of July fireworks with yearling feeders trading mostly steady to instances 3.00 lower. There has been significant volatility throughout the markets over last week and this week. Cattle futures have mixed underlying fundamentals and traded with sharp triple-digit losses on Wednesday as feeder cattle contracts traded over 3.00 lower. Superior Video’s Week in the Rockies this week featured 260,000 head of calves and yearlings being sold with the final results to be out on Monday.

We are starting to see an increase in volatility in the markets which is a pretty good sign that they want to move from their current levels especially in the grains. Grains are looking to move higher as excessive amounts of moisture through the Midwest and eastern Cornbelt have in some areas seen crop conditions deteriorate over the last several weeks. No doubt the debate will start over grain numbers; how widely varying crop conditions have developed throughout many important production areas.

The cattle complex seems to want to move lower and keeps testing some overhead resistance, but last week packers scrambled to secure inventory paying higher prices and building on that support seen last week to buy fed cattle this week mostly steady on live prices ranging mostly from 150.00-152.00.

  • Auction Receipts: 98,000; Last Week: 67,000; Last Year: 190,700
    • Montana 1,700. 87% over 600 lbs. 20% heifers. Steers: Medium and Large 1 700-750 lbs (707) 244.77.
      • Direct receipts 4,000. 100% over 600 lbs. 19% heifers.

Read more from the USDA’s latest National Feeder & Stocker Cattle Summary.

Weekly Montana Hay Report – July 10

Compared to last week: Most every part of the state has first cutting down and many have it in the stack. Hay quality has been less than impressive with most struggling to break 155 RFV. Very little dairy quality hay has been put up as a result. This has put heavy supplies of feeding hay on the local market and many are struggling to find a selling point. Many farmers have decided to hold on to supplies to see how dry conditions in Western and far Eastern parts of the state play out in the future. Very few reported sales were made this week as a result.

  • Alfalfa:
    • Supreme: Small squares, 200.00-210.00
    • Good: Large squares, 150.00
    • Fair: Large squares, 110.00-115.00
  • Grass:
    • Good: Large Rounds, 90.00-100.00
    • Large Squares, 100.00
    • Timothy Grass: Premium: Small Squares, 180.00.
  • Straw:
    • Large Squares and Rounds, 35.00-40.00.

Read more from the USDA’s latest Weekly Montana Hay Report.

July 8, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Stockgrowers Foundation to host Gala Dinner and Golf Tournament

TBone Classic LogoLeaders from Montana’s ranching and business communities are invited to gather for a round of golf and networking at the T-Bone Classic Gala Dinner and Golf Tournament at Big Sky Resort, August 27-28. The annual event benefits the Research and Education Endowment Foundation (REEF) of the Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA).

“The T-Bone Classic is organized to address the need for stronger relationships between leadership from Montana’s business and ranching communities; both essential parts of our state’s leading economies,” says John Grande of Martinsdale, Chair of the Stockgrowers Foundation. “The Classic provides the opportunity to network in the atmosphere of a gala dinner event and friendly golf tournament at one of the best locations in Big Sky Country.”

Events at the T-Bone Classic will include a fundraiser gala dinner and auction at Huntley Lodge on Thursday evening, August 27. Starting early Friday morning, attendees are invited to a brunch followed by a friendly round of golf on Big Sky’s golf course. An awards banquet with announcement of winners will close out the event on Friday afternoon.

MSGA’s Research and Education Endowment Foundation (REEF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization established to ensure the future of Montana’s livestock community and businesses through producer and public education. REEF works to educate our future generations on the importance of values, work ethic, leadership, innovation, respect, collaboration and optimism.

With these essential elements, the Foundation can continue to work towards MSGA’s vision, “to be the premier institution that exemplifies leading global beef innovation while preserving Montana’s complex natural landscape, history, economy, ethics and social values.”

Tickets for the T-Bone Classic are now available on our Events page. Teams will consist of four players and individual tickets are available for the gala dinner event. A block of rooms at Huntley Lodge is reserved through July 27. For more information, contact Montana Stockgrowers Association at (406) 442-3420.

July 7, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Beef To School Program Receives Research Funding

A team of Montana State University researchers and community partners has been awarded a three-year, $220,000 grant to help Montana beef producers and meat processors and increase the use of local beef in Montana’s schools and communities. MSU photo by Kelly Gorham.

A team of Montana State University researchers and community partners has been awarded a three-year, $220,000 grant to help Montana beef producers and meat processors and increase the use of local beef in Montana’s schools and communities. MSU photo by Kelly Gorham.

MSU News Service – A team of Montana State University researchers and community partners has been awarded a three-year, $220,000 grant to help Montana beef producers and meat processors and increase the use of local beef in Montana’s schools and communities.

The grant, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Western Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, is intended to increase the availability and consumption of local beef in Montana’s schools and communities and help improve Montana beef producers’ and meat processors’ viability and sustainability. It is also intended to discern which “beef to school” methods are most sustainable for producers, processors and schools.

The team is led by Carmen Byker Shanks, assistant professor in the MSU Department of Health and Human Development.

In Montana and nationally, producers and consumers are beginning to see social, environmental and economic benefits from local procurement efforts that link ranchers and local beef processors with schools in their community and region, according to Byker Shanks. She added that the ‘beef to school’ efforts involve support of local beef from a variety of people, including producers, processors, and foodservices and students at K-12 schools.

“Beef to school efforts can increase the sustainability and viability of local and regional food systems,” Byker Shanks said. “The recently published 2015 dietary guidelines for Americans highlights that beef production has a potentially large impact on the environment. In Montana and beyond, it is important to support beef production through efforts such as beef to school programs. Beef to school programs have the potential to reduce the need for transportation, packaging, and other inputs; increase access to local food; provide farmers an additional market for their beef; enhance community food literacy and connections to local agriculture; keep money circulating in local economies; and possibly utilize cattle that are grass-fed.”

Byker Shanks noted that the Montana Beef to School Coalition – a group formed in 2012 that includes a range of representatives, from school foodservice to meat processors and producers to food and agricultural organizations and agencies – has identified four items that are needed to grow beef to school programs in the state. Those items include identifying current successful models of beef to school efforts, analyzing the capacity and motivations of beef producers and meat processors to fill the demand for local beef, an availability of resources about how to make beef to school efforts economically and nutritionally viable for schools, and implementing strategies to include beef to school programming at schools.

To address these needs, researchers will conduct comprehensive case studies of current beef to school efforts to identify the benefits, challenges, best practices and gaps that exist for beef to school procurement models, Byker Shanks said. Additionally, the team will examine how local beef is utilized in schools and evaluate student acceptance and preference of local versus non-local beef.

Researchers will then use this information to evaluate the larger Montana beef to school market by developing and testing evaluation tools, analyzing characteristics of beef to school supply chain issues, and assessing capacity and needs for slaughter, processing and storage facilities.

“As schools and ranchers in Montana are beginning to work together to bring local beef into schools, the results have been mixed: some procurement models seem successful for all parties involved, while others have faced significant barriers in making beef to school programs viable,” Byker Shanks said “These evaluation results will help create solutions to overcoming barriers to optimizing beef to school efforts.”

The researchers will also develop extensive outreach, educational and promotional materials for multiple groups, including K-12 students and teachers, university students, producers and school foodservice programs. Outreach efforts will also include both in-person trainings and webinars for school foodservice, producers and processors.

“The tools and findings of this project will give Montana’s producers, processors and schools the resources they need to form productive, sustainable procurement relationships,” Byker Shanks said, adding that those resources will be applicable to other stakeholders, as well. “Additionally, this project will foster partnerships among producers, processors and other stakeholders, garnering long-term interest and investment in local and regional beef markets as well as the sustainable production and marketing of other local and regional meat products.”

In addition to Byker Shanks, others involved with the project include Thomas Bass and Joel Schumacher of MSU Extension, Karla Buck of Bear Paw Meats, Katie Halloran of National Center for Appropriate Technology, Jennifer Montague of Kalispell Public Schools Foodservice, Garl Germann of Montana Meats, Jeremy Plummer of Lower Valley Processing, John Polacik of Park High School Foodservice, Aubree Roth of Montana Team Nutrition and members of the Montana Beef to School Coalition.

For more information, contact Byker Shanks at [email protected] or visit the Montana Beef to School Coalition’s Facebook page athttps://www.facebook.com/beef2school or its Twitter account at https://twitter.com/mtbeeftoschool.

July 4, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Severe Drought Moves In, Sparks Fly in Cattle and Grain Futures

montana drought monitor June 30

Montana Drought Monitor Update, July 2, 2015. Click image to learn more.

Drought Monitor Update July 2

A  strong ridge over the west and a deep trough over the east dominated the weather this past week. Record high temperatures were recorded over much of the west, with many locations reaching temperatures in the 110 degree range during the week. The heat along with very dry conditions over the last 30 days has elevated the fire risk over much of the west.

Record heat and dryness over the region this week as well as over the last month has quickly deteriorated conditions in many areas after a wet May. A large degradation of drought in Montana was made this week with a full category change in the areas of western and north central Montana.

View the most current Montana conditions from the U.S. Drought Monitor.

National Feeder & Stocker Cattle Summary – Week Ending July 3

Receipts This Week: 127,900 Total – 67,000 (Auctions); 28,600 (Direct); 32,300 (Video/Internet)

Compared to last week: there was some early fireworks show on this holiday shortened week with a volatile ride in the cattle futures and major moves in the grain trade. Several auctions held special yearling sales this week.

Cattle futures posted a strong rally on Wednesday after “Gloom and Doom” on Tuesday with Live Cattle contracts limit higher and Feeder Cattle contracts getting back most their limit losses from the day before as order buyers received a green light to do business.

The spark that got the fireworks started was USDA’s Grain Stocks Report on Tuesday with all grains trading sharply higher with September corn trading 30 cents higher, August soybeans 55 cents higher and wheat ranging from 28-32 cents higher. Corn stocks came in under average estimates of 4.555 bb fell to 4.465 bb with estimated corn acres at 88.9 million acres, about 2 percent lower than last year’s planted acres. This would be the lowest planted corn acres since 2010 and the thought that a “big crop could get smaller” shook the confidence of the bear. Corn stocks are not in a tight situation but the market is becoming somewhat nervous due to the wet weather problems across the Midwest. This summer has seen some of the highest rainfall totals on record in key growing states potentially drowning out production.

  • Auction Receipts: 67,000; Last Week: 130,100; Last Year: N/A
    • Montana Not enough feeder cattle sales to report
    • Superior Livestock Video – 18,000; 42% over 600 lbs., 41% heifers.
      • Steers: Medium and Large 1 Current few load 775 lbs 233.00; few load 800 lbs 230.00; load 875 lbs 217.50.
      • Heifers: Medium and Large 1 Current 750-800 lbs (765) 218.70; Jul load 765 lbs 210.50; Aug few loads 765 lbs 207.00.

Read more from the USDA’s latest National Feeder & Stocker Cattle Summary.

Weekly Montana Hay Report – July 3, 2015

Compared to last week: Trade activity is slow on light demand. Warmer, drier conditions are improving demand from the Northwest region of the state and the ability to put up higher quality hay in other areas.

  • Alfalfa:
    • Good: Large squares, 150.00; Round bales
  • Alfalfa/Grass
    • Fair: Round, 110.00
  • Grass:
    • Premium: Small squares, 180.00
    • Good: Round bales, 100.00

Read more from the USDA’s latest Weekly Montana Hay Report.

July 2, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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USDA Approves Beef Imports from Argentina and Brazil Despite Industry Concern

Image via Flickr.

Image via Flickr.

WASHINGTON – On Monday, June 29, USDA APHIS released their final rules for the Importation of Fresh Beef from Northern Argentina and a Region in Brazil. With this step by the Administration, these areas with a known history of Foot-and-Mouth disease would be allowed to begin the inspection process to import fresh and frozen beef products into the United States. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association stands firmly opposed to this regulation, not on the basis of trade but on the basis of animal health concerns; no trade is worth jeopardizing our herd health.

“FMD is a highly contagious and devastating disease, not just for the cattle industry, but for all cloven-hoofed animals and it can be introduced and spread through the importation of both fresh and frozen products,” said NCBA President and Chugwater, Wyoming, cattleman, Philip Ellis.. In 1929, our industry took profound and personally devastating steps to eradicate this disease and the United States has been FMD free ever since. But the actions of this administration for purely political gain threaten the very viability of our entire industry and threaten hundreds of thousands of American cattle-producing families.”

NCBA has demonstrated through numerous public comments and in person through meetings with staff and members, our concerns regarding the importation of fresh and frozen product from Northern Argentina and these 14 states in Brazil. There is a long history of repeated outbreaks in many of the neighboring South American countries, as well as a history of problems in both Argentina and Brazil with compliance to animal health and food safety regulations. Despite this long history of such an economically devastating animal disease, the Administration did not conduct an objective quantitative risk analysis for this rule, as was performed in 2002 for Uruguay.

The effect of an FMD outbreak in the United States would be devastating to animal agriculture and our entire economy with estimates for total economic losses ranging from $37 billion to $228 billion, depending on the size of an outbreak. Moreover, innumerable losses would occur through the closure of export markets, lost domestic sales, lost opportunities, and a loss of consumer confidence in beef.

USDA APHIS has worked for over 80 years to keep our country free of FMD, now is not the time to give up on that commitment simply to fulfill a political legacy.

Read NCBA’s full release here.

Montana Stockgrowers did submit comments regarding this USDA rule change in 2014.

MSGA supports opening foreign trade relations, utilizing science-based standards to facilitate trade. However, we do not support this proposal for importation of fresh (chilled or frozen), maturated and deboned beef from the specified 14 regions in Brazil into the United States. The risk and potential for catastrophic impact due to the introduction of FMD into U.S. cattle herds is not worth the small amount of trade that would be gained.

With 2.55 million head of cattle, making an economic impact of $1.4 billion annually to the state, the proposed rule will have a large impact, on not only cattle ranchers, but also the well-being of the state of Montana.

July 1, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Grazing Districts Hold Annual Meeting, Podcast with Public Lands Council

masgdThe Montana Association of State Grazing Districts (MASGD) held their annual meeting on June 17th at Fort Keogh in Miles City. The meeting started with a joint Board of Directors meeting with the MASGD and the PLC, followed by a Grazing District Secretary appreciation lunch.

During the lunch, the Board recognized the secretaries for their valuable service to the districts. The Board also had a special recognition to Jennifer Cole, who is now retired, but was instrumental in the formation of the Missouri River Basin Grazing District in Alzada.

For the general business meeting, there were over thirty-five members in attendance. Informational updates were provided by Dustin Van Liew, Executive Director for the National Public Lands Council; Mark Petersen, Research Leader for Fort Keogh; Lila Taylor, Board of Livestock; Fred Wacker for MSGA, Richard Stuker, MT Fish and Wildlife Commission and Floyd Thompson, and Todd Yeager from the Bureau of Land Management.

The Grazing District members also received congressional updates from Jesse Anderson with Senator Tester’s office and Alex Sterhan with Congressman Zinke. Larry Ahlgren of Winnett and Dan Kluck of Malta were elected for a second term on the Board of Directors.

The 2016 annual meeting is tentatively scheduled for June in Malta, MT.

After the Grazing Districts meeting, we had the opportunity to sit down with Dustin Van Liew to learn more about the work Public Lands Council does in Washington D.C. as well as here in Montana.