Montana Stockgrowers 2013 Film Festival Logo
October 8, 2013 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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2nd Annual Montana Stockgrowers Film Festival

Montana Stockgrowers 2013 Film Festival LogoOn any ranch, there are countless stories to be told. Get out your video cameras and help tell the story of Montana family ranching to the world. Create a documentary, photo slide shows, or how-to videos. As long as it involves ranching, we’ll take it. The videos will then be published on the MSGA YouTube channel and Facebook page.

Your online vote, along with votes at annual convention, will determine the winner. Don’t worry – you’ll get a prize for your hard work!

Please send your entries to Lauren either on a DVD or by email by NOVEMBER 1. If you need help editing your video or have any questions, please contact Lauren.

October 4, 2013 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Government Shutdown affects Agriculture

This week’s government shutdown has directly impacted several federal programs funded by appropriations. Those programs deemed essential to national security or funded by user fees will continue operating, some on a reduced basis. Most other employees have been affected by furloughs. (Source: USDA)

The following USDA activities will continue:

  • Meat, poultry and processed egg inspection services.
  • Grain and other commodity inspection, weighing and grading services funded by user fees.
  • Inspections for import and export activities to prevent the introduction and dissemination of pests into and out of the U.S.
  • Forest Service law enforcement and emergency and natural disaster response efforts.
  • Continuity and maintenance of some research measurements and research-related infrastructure, such as germplasm, seed storage, and greenhouses.
  • Care for animals, plants and associated infrastructure to preserve agricultural research.

Most other USDA activities may not be continued during a government shutdown. These activities include:

  • All farm loans and other farm payments (including direct payments, market assistance loans, and disaster assistance programs).
  • Provision of conservation technical and financial assistance (such as Conservation Reserve Program, Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and easement programs).
  • Provision of new rural development loans and grants for housing, community facilities, utilities and businesses.
  • Agricultural export credit and other agricultural trade development and monitoring activities.
  • All recreation sites across the U.S National Forest System.
  • Most forest fuels reduction activities in and around communities.
  • Market news reports, NASS statistics, and other agricultural economic and statistical reports and projections.
  • Investigation of packers and stockyards related to fraudulent and anti-competitive activities.
  • Assistance for the control of most plant and animal pests and diseases unless funded by cooperators or other non-appropriated sources.
  • Research facilities except for the care for animals, plants and associated infrastructure to preserve agricultural research.
  • Provision of new grants or processing of payments for existing grants to support research, education, and extension.
  • ERS Commodity Outlook Reports, Data Products, research reports, staff analysis, and projections. The ERS public website would be taken offline.

A more complete list of agency contingency plans can be found on the White House website.

Related stories on the impact for Montana agriculture:

Montana Beef Ambassadors
September 29, 2013 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Montana Beef Ambassadors compete at national level

The Montana Beef Ambassadors traveled to Springdale, Arkansas to compete for the 2014 National Beef Ambassador team on September 27-28. Allie Nelson (Senior) and Elizabeth Armstrong (Junior) both competed and represented Montana well. Contestants from 23 different states, including 22 Seniors and 12 Juniors, joined together at the competition which included events in Issues Response, Media Interview, Consumer Promotion, and Youth Presentation. The 2014 National Beef Ambassador team was announced Saturday evening and includes Justana Von Tate, Texas; Emma Morris, California; Rachael Wolters, Tennessee; Tori Summey, Arizona and Sierra Jepsen, Ohio.

Participants began the weekend of events on Friday with a tour of the Tyson Innovations Center and Jac’s Ranch. The event was highlighted with great insights shared by American National Cattlewomen President Barbara Jackson, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Scott George, Cattlemen’s Beef Board Chairman Weldon Wynn and Arkansas Beef Council Executive Director Travis Justice, followed by keynote speakers Butch Calhoun, the Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture, and Yvonne Thaxton. Archived video footage of the event can be viewed at www.ihigh.com/nbap.

Congratulations to Allie and Elizabeth and all of the Montana Cattlewomen who have worked hard preparing for the competition. Montana Stockgrowers Association thanks you and encourages your continued work to advocate for the beef community. Follow the MT Beef Ambassadors on Facebook and Twitter.

National Beef Ambassador Competition 2013 2014

The NBAP competition, hosted by Arkansas Cattlewomen and the American National Cattlewomen, is funded in part by The Beef Checkoff Program (www.MyBeefCheckoff.com). Learn more about the program at www.NationalBeefAmbassador.org.

Fred Wacker Montana Cross Four Ranch
September 10, 2013 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Fred Wacker – Miles City Ag Producer of the Year

The Fred Wacker family and Cross Four Ranch recently were recognized with the Ag Producer of the Year award for the Miles City area. The annual award, given by the Miles City Chamber of Commerce, recognizes a family or agriculture operation in Southeastern Montana who exemplify good agricultural production practices and a long-term commitment to the community.

Wacker is a third-generation Montana rancher. Cross Four Ranch operates in Custer and Rosebud Counties as a cow/calf, yearling, and a finished cattle operation. The entire Wacker family is involved in the operation and specializes in All Natural Cattle. Fred and his wife, Gwen, have four adult children: Sara Rehm, Julie Nowicki, Karen Martin, and Mike Wacker.

Fred Wacker was elected to the MSGA Board of Directors representing the Southeastern District in 2011.

Wacker has served as chairman of MSGA’s Marketing Committee is a member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Live Cattle Marketing Committee, and served as Montana Cattle Feeders vice president, 2004-2005. Outside of the beef industry, Wacker has served on the Custer County Water & Sewer District Board (including four years as chairman), the Custer County Planning Board, and as president of the Miles City Kiwanis.

Montana Stockgrowers congratulates Mr. Fred Wacker and family for the recognition.

September 8, 2013 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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MSGA seeking nominations for “Ranching Woman of the Year”

Montana Stockgrowers Association will honor one of its members as “Ranching Woman of the Year” during Annual Convention in Billings, December 12-14. Please email Katie Stokes your nomination by November 1 with a letter of why you feel your Ranching Woman should be recognized.

September 8, 2013 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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2013-2014 Montana Cattle Directory

The 2013-2014 Seedstock and Commercial Cattle Directory is in! You’ll find information on Montana ranches, specifics on each ranch’s cattle, contact information, sale dates and much more! Be on the look out for your copy in the mail. If you don’t receive one, and would like one, call the MSGA office: (406) 442-3420.

Montana Stockgrowers Cattle Direcotry

September 3, 2013 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Daines Announces Field Hearings on Sage Grouse, Endangered Species Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steve Daines today announced that the House Natural Resources Committee will hold a field hearing in Billings on September 4, 2013 to hear from local land users about the potential impacts of listing the Greater Sage Grouse under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the implications it holds for Montana’s economy and habitat.

The hearing, which Daines requested last week, will also focus on state and local efforts in land management to conserve species and balance responsible resource development and land use. Daines will be joined by Natural Resources Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04), Congressman Kevin Cramer (ND-AL) and Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis (WY-AL).

“As a fifth-generation Montanan, I know firsthand how damaging federal overreach can be to the Montanans that depend on our land and resources for their income and their way of life,” Daines stated. “I’m pleased that the Natural Resources Committee has responded to my request for greater examination of the consequences of Endangered Species Act abuse and the potential listing of the Greater Sage Grouse, and agreed to hold this field hearing in Billings, where residents will be directly affected by the Department of Interior’s decisions. I encourage Montanans to join me at this hearing and look forward to hearing more about how these issues affect the people of our state.”

In light of the Department of Interior’s proposed Resource Management Plans and proposed priority habitat for the Greater Sage Grouse, Daines, along with Cramer, requested for Chairman Hastings to hold a field hearing on the implications of misguided federal actions under the ESA.

Daines and Cramer cited nationwide implications of ESA abuse, noting that potential federal actions under the ESA due to “mega-settlements” with fringe groups could have severe repercussions on domestic energy production. Additionally, misguided federal actions could impact livestock and outdoor recreation industries, both of which are critical to the economy and way of life in Montana and North Dakota.

The full letter requesting the hearing from Daines and Cramer is available here.

The hearing will be split into two parts and titled “State and Local Efforts to Protect Species, Jobs, Property, and Multiple Use Amidst a New War on the West.” A complete schedule is below:

WHAT: House Natural Resources Committee Oversight Field Hearings on “State and Local Efforts to Protect Species, Jobs, Property, and Multiple Use Amidst a New War on the West”

WHO: U.S. Representative Steve Daines (R-MT), Chairman Doc Hastings (R-WA), U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), U.S. Representative Kevin Cramer, other members of the House Natural Resources Committee

WHEN: Wednesday, September 4, 2013, 1:30 P.M. MST, MSU-Billings Cisel Hall, 1500 University Drive, Billings, MT

Hearing is open to the public. Witnesses by invitation only.

Montana Stockgrowers Mentorship program
September 3, 2013 1 Comment Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Mentorship Program Applications

Montana Stockgrowers Mentorship programAs the average age of our ranching community grows older, opportunities for younger generations to learn valuable skills become increasingly important. One of the best avenues for younger ranchers to gain insight is through mentorship experiences. To facilitate this, MSGA is launching a Mentorship Program to pair a member of the Collegiate and Young Stockgrowers with a mentor in a similar field within the Montana beef industry. Mentor groups will be expected to communicate periodically and meet in person throughout the year. The hope is to build informal relationships where young producers can develop life skills and learning opportunities through one-on-one interactions with mentors.

Program Expectations

Participants in the program will interact and grow through meeting a series of expectations:

**Communicate though social media, telephone, or email
**CSG/YSG member should have a list of goals and discuss them with the mentor
**Meet in person at an event (MSGA convention, industry event in the area, etc)
**Organize one visit during the year — on the mentor’s ranch or business
**Answer survey questions every three months as a progress report
**Complete a reflection at the end of the year discussing what each other learned, how having a mentor/mentee benefits the beef industry, and a brief overview of interactions

Participants in the Mentorship program will be recognized at the annual convention upon completion.

To learn more about the program. contact Lauren Chase at the MSGA office, or by email ([email protected]). Complete the application below or download by clicking here. Applications are due by November 1, 2013.

Applications can be filled out here.

June 21, 2013 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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LaSalle Ranch of Havre named winner of 2013 Montana Environmental Stewardship Award

MSGA announced today that the LaSalle Ranch of Havre has been selected winner of the 2013-2014 Montana Environmental Stewardship Award, sponsored by MSGA’s Research, Education and Endowment Foundation, funded by Montana Beef Producers with Checkoff Dollars. LaSalle Ranch is a cow/calf and yearling operation mostly located within the boundaries of the Rocky Boys Indian Reservation. The LaSalles are members of the Chippewa Cree Tribe and the first Native American winners of this award. (more…)

January 26, 2011 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Young Farmers and Ranchers Call on the Capitol

Young Farmers and Ranchers at the Capitol Montana MFBF – Twenty young farmers and ranchers from across the state had the opportunity to sit in on hearings, have breakfast with legislators and meet with various state agencies during the Montana Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers (MFBF YF&R) and/Montana Young Stockgrower’s Calling on the Capitol Feb. 24-25 in Helena.

“The legislative breakfast provided a great opportunity to sit down and visit with your local legislator about any concerns,” noted Aaron Phipps, who sits on the MFBF YF&R Committee. He and his wife, Mollie, attended the event. “You really see how important agriculture is to Montana when you travel to Helena for the session. The legislators are very interested in what we have to say.”

The group met with the deputy director of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, with Montana State Veterinarian Marty Zaluski and Dept. of Livestock Executive Officer Christian MacKay, as well as with President of the Senate Jim Peterson and Speaker of the House Mike Milburn.

“I can’t stress enough that you must become an advocate, if you are going to protect your rights as a property owner and ag producer,” advised Milburn. “There are a lot of tough issues out there, like the current eminent domain one. There is a real need for transmission lines, but at the same time, the rights of the property owner need to be met.”

Peterson said as he looked around the room of young producers, he was very optimistic about agriculture, the state’s largest industry. “It seems agriculture is what’s going to lead this state out of its economic depression,” Peterson said. “This is the first time in a long time that agriculture is leading this show and you young people are the ones who are going to lead.”

In addition, they learned about working with the media and legislators in a session conducted by Ariel Overstreet, MSGA and Nicole Rolf, MFBF.

Overstreet encouraged the group to accept media interviews, gave them tips on getting their message across, and how to put a positive face on a story. Rolf told the group that before they testified, “Read the bill, make sure your comments are relevant, be factual, and tell your story in a concise manner.”

“This was an amazing opportunity to sit in on the hearings and see the legislative process in actions. Several of our group testified on a predator bill,” noted Charlie Rein, chair of the Montana Young Stockgrowers’ from Big Timber. “We were able to sit in the gallery and watch the Senate floor session, another really good experience. I feel privileged to have been able to meet one-on-one with our legislators, talk directly to agency leaders, and even have a guided tour the Capitol during this excellent event.”