February 6, 2017 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Montana CattleWomen Inc. offer $1000 Memorial Scholarship for the 55th Consecutive Year

For the fifty-fifth consecutive year, Montana CattleWomen, Inc. is offering a $1000.00 scholarship to a student from a Montana home that is enrolled in one of the state colleges or universities. Preference will be given to an applicant majoring in a field beneficial to the livestock industry.

To qualify for this award, a student must currently be at least a sophomore (in college) and have a grade point average of 2.7 or better. The scholarship will be given to the student who is determined to have the best balance of grades, citizenship, and financial need. The winner will be announced after May, 2017.

Application information will be available at college Financial aid Offices throughout Montana.  The application form is available on the Montana CattleWomen website: https://montanacattlewomen.org/programs/scholarships/.  The application is an online form with the references and official transcripts to be submitted in hardcopy by regular mail to: MONTANA CATTLEWOMEN INC. OFFICE, 420 N. California, Helena, MT 59601 

Interested students may go on-line to our website: montanacattlewomen.org to find all necessary information in order to complete the application. Or they may contact the Scholarship Chair Cheryl Curry by phone (406) 279-3561 or email her [email protected]. COMPLETED APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE AND LETTERS OF REFERENCE AND OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS SENT TO THE MONTANA CATTLEWOMEN INC. OFFICE (420 N. California, Helena, MT 59601) POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN APRIL 15, 2017.

This memorial scholarship is funded entirely by donations given in memory of friends and loved ones of Montana CattleWomen.

January 27, 2017 2 Comments Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Week 4 || Montana 65th Legislative Session

Listen to the podcast below for an update for the week ending January 27, 2017. MSGA’s Director of Natural Resources, Jay Bodner, sits down with MSGA Manager of Communications, Kori Anderson, to discuss the past week at the Capitol. They discuss water bills,fence laws, the Department of Livestock and more!

 

January 26, 2017 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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MSGA applauds introduction of the death tax repeal act of 2017

The Montana Stockgrowers Association today applauded the introduction of legislation that would repeal the death tax.

This week U.S. Reps. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) and Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.) introduced The Death Tax Repeal Act of 2017 in the House while U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) introduced a companion bill in the Senate.

“MSGA has been advocating for the repeal of the death tax since its reinstatement in 2011,” said MSGA Executive Vice President Errol Rice. “This legislation will remove a burdensome tax that forces many ranches to go out of business rather than continuing on to the next generation.”

The death tax has been a huge barrier for family owned ranches, forcing them to pay based on the non-liquid value of assets; this has caused many families to sell off all or part of the ranch in order to pay the death tax. The removal of this tax will help ensure the future of family-run ranches in Montana.

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The Montana Stockgrowers Association, a non-profit organization representing nearly 2,500 members, strives to serve, protect and advance the economic, political, environmental and cultural interests of cattle producers, the largest sector of Montana’s number one industry – agriculture.

January 25, 2017 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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2017 Western Montana Grazing and Ag Conference (WMGAC) to be held in Missoula

Held Thursday and Friday, Feb. 9th and 10th at the DoubleTree Inn in Missoula, the Western Montana Grazing and Ag Conference (WMGAC) will bring together over 25 speakers!  Researchers, resource specialists and agricultural producers at both local and regional levels will be represented!  The conference will feature keynote speakers, educational concurrent sessions and panel discussions.  Food will be served including a light breakfast and full lunch both days and a social at Kettlehouse Brewery with BBQ dinner on Thursday night!  All this for $50 if registered before January 31stor $75 thereafter.  This is a great opportunity to learn about local agricultural innovation and connect with many of Montana’s exceptional farmers and ranchers!

 

The full agenda for the conference can be found HERE.  The WMGAC will feature many opportunities to “pick your poison” by attending the events that most interest you and your operation.

 

Ranchers and Farmers, large and small, resource professionals, landowners, gardeners and interested community members are encouraged to attend!
To register online: Lake County CD

Or Send a check to:

Lake County Conservation District

64352 US Hwy 93

Ronan, MT  59865

 

For Questions, Please Call:

Heidi Fleury, Lake County Conservation District: (406) 676-2841 ext. 102,  [email protected]

Ben Montgomery, Ronan NRCS Office: (406) 676-2841 ext. 111, [email protected]

January 20, 2017 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Week 3 || Montana’s 65th Legislative Session

Listen to the podcast below for an update for the week ending January 20, 2017. MSGA’s Director of Natural Resources, Jay Bodner, sits down with MSGA Manager of Communications, Kori Anderson, to discuss the past week at the Capitol. They discuss water bills, the Agriculture Coalition, fence laws and more!

January 12, 2017 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Gov. Bullock announces more cabinet appointments

MSGA has had conversations with both Martha Williams, the new director of the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks and Ben Thomas, the new director of the Department of Agriculture. MSGA will be setting up meetings with both directors once they begin their positions and looks forward to working with both directors.

Source: Independent Record

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock filled several key cabinet and adviser positions on Friday, including appointments to the state’s departments of agriculture and fish and wildlife.

Six cabinet members and key staffers resigned before the Democratic governor started his second term this month. With Friday’s announcement, vacancies remain in two departments: commerce and corrections.

Martha Williams

University of Montana law professor Martha Williams was named as the director of the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Bullock spokesman Tim Crowe said she will begin Feb. 1.

Williams teaches law classes on the environment, wildlife, public land and natural resources, according to her University of Montana biography. She previously was the U.S. Department of the Interior’s deputy solicitor and before that, an attorney for FWP.

Williams will replace Jeff Hagener, who served under three governors in 12 years in the position.

Members of the Montana Wildlife Federation said they are looking forward to working with Williams.

“Martha Williams has a distinguished career in wildlife management law and policy, including having worked for Fish, Wildlife and Parks in the past, as well as experience with other federal land and wildlife agencies,” Executive Director Dave Chadwick said.

Chadwick said Williams will be the first woman to be named FWP director in Montana, and said she’s one of few in the country.

“It’s pretty rare unfortunately,” he said. “There are not many wildlife agencies that have women as directors.”

Ben Thomas

Ben Thomas, a former U.S. Department of Agriculture worker, will become the new director of the state Department of Agriculture. Most recently, Thomas was the federal agency’s deputy undersecretary for its marketing and regulatory programs.

Thomas replaces former director Ron de Yong, who also was agriculture director under former Gov. Brian Schweitzer.

Kim Mangold, deputy director of the Department of Agriculture, will be interim director until Thomas arrives. Mangold, who has served as deputy director for a year and a half, said she didn’t know exactly when Thomas would take over, but expected it would be several weeks. Mangold worked with Thomas when he was an aide for former U.S. Sen. Max Baucus.

“We have a very good working relationship,” she said. “We’re very happy he’s going to be taking the position.”

Replacements for Mike Batista at the Department of Corrections and Meg O’Leary at the Department of Commerce still have not been hired, Crowe said. Two deputy directors, Doug Mitchell in commerce and Loraine Wodnick in corrections, are heading those agencies temporarily.

Bullock announced other key staffing changes:

Ken Fichtler

Ken Fichtler will become chief business development officer, heading the governor’s Office of Economic Development.

Fichtler has spent his career in high-tech business management and marketing. He is also an entrepreneur and business investor, having started Montana companies like Gecko8 Studios and Fermion Technologies, as well as co-founding the first and largest TEDx event in the state, TEDxBozeman. Most recently he has served as the senior marketing specialist for Lattice Materials. Fichtler is a graduate of the Montana State University School of Business.

Patrick Holmes

Patrick Holmes replaces Tim Baker as Bullock’s natural resource policy adviser.

Holmes most recently served as the chief of staff to the undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment. During his tenure at the Department of Agriculture, he was trusted to provide counsel to the secretary of agriculture on issues related to forest restoration, innovative wood products, working lands conservation, wildland fire, and others affecting the U.S. Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service. He holds a master’s degree in environmental management from Yale University and a bachelor of arts in natural resources management and policy.

Baker has been appointed to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, and Jennifer Anders has been reappointed to the council.

For the last four years, Baker has served as Bullock’s natural resource policy adviser. In that capacity he has worked on issues ranging from energy development and water use, to wildlife, state lands, and mining. He will continue to advise the governor on energy policy. Baker was born in Detroit, Michigan and after graduating from the University of Michigan, he moved west to attend law school at the University of Montana. He worked for the Montana Public Service Commission as a staff attorney and chief counsel, and then with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, where he focused on air quality. After leaving state government he was executive director of the Montana Wilderness Association, and was working for Montana Trout Unlimited when Bullock asked him to return to public service.

Anders was first appointed to the council in 2013 by Bullock. Prior to her appointment, she represented the state of Montana with the Attorney General’s office in civil and criminal cases on land use, water law and resource development issues. Anders holds an undergraduate degree from the University of California and a law degree from the University of Montana.

Jessica Rhoades

Jessica Rhoades leaves the state Department of Public Health and Human Services to become the governor’s health policy adviser.

Rhoades has 16 years of experience in health care and public policy. Prior to her appointment, she was the policy director for the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, where she oversaw the work of the Governor’s Council on Health Care Innovation, which resulted in Montana being selected to pioneer a public-private partnership for the largest primary care reform initiative of its kind in the U.S. She previously served as health policy adviser for former Gov. Brian Schweitzer and before that worked for the Office of the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance. She was northwest region public affairs director for a national health care provider, covering 14 states including Montana.

Ronja Abel

Bullock’s deputy communications director, Ronja Abel, will become communications director with Tim Crowe departing to take a position with the Montana National Guard.

Abel has served as Bullock’s deputy communications director for the past year and previously, she served as communications director for the Montana Department of Commerce and as program specialist for the Montana Small Business Development Center Network.

Independent Record reporters Holly Michels and Erin Loranger contributed to this report. 

January 10, 2017 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame to honor inductees at Circle the Wagons Gathering in Great Falls, Feb. 4

The Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Center (MCHF&WHC) extends an invitation to all to attend the 11th Annual Circle the Wagons Convention in Great Falls, Saturday, Feb. 4 at the Best Western Heritage Inn.

 

“We are excited to be celebrating our 11th anniversary of inductions into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame,” said MCHF & WHC President Jeff Bolstad. “We are honored to celebrate those who embody the qualities of our Montana communities and way of life.  If you are proud of your Montana Western heritage and wish to help preserve and pass it on to the next generation, we invite you to join us in Great Falls for this special event.”

 

The Inductee Recognition Ceremony Brunch will begin at 10:30 a.m. to celebrate the notable accomplishments and lasting legacies of the inductees to the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame Class of 2016. Tickets are $30 per person. Early registration is recommended as this event sells out well in advance each year!

 

The 11th Annual Cowboy Ball and Benefit Auction will kick off at 7:00 p.m. This event will feature a Chuckwagon Buffet dinner and live Western music by Big Sky Country. A silent and live auction will feature unique Western items. Tickets to the Cowboy Ball are $75 per person or $570 for an eight-person table.

 

Register online at www.montanacowboyfame.org, by calling (406) 653-3800, or email [email protected]. Rooms may be reserved at the Best Western Heritage Inn by calling (406) 761-1900.

December 23, 2016 1 Comment Montana Stockgrowers Association
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USTR Defends U.S. Beef from European Mistreatment

Today, the Office of the United States Trade Representative announced it will start the process of reinstating retaliatory tariffs on goods and products from the European Union due to the E.U.’s unfair treatment of U.S. beef. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Tracy Brunner applauds USTR Ambassador Michael Froman for standing up for the U.S. beef industry and taking action in defense of U.S. beef producers.

“The European Union has left us no choice but to seek compensation for the long-standing mistreatment of U.S. beef exports,” said Brunner. “Our temporary agreement with the E.U. was meant to be an opportunity to build a bridge of trust between U.S. beef producers and E.U. consumers, and to compensate the United States for the losses we have suffered as a result of the E.U.’s hormone ban. The E.U. has violated the spirit of that agreement and caused U.S. beef exports to become a minority interest in a quota meant to compensate U.S. beef producers.”

In 2009 the U.S. and the E.U. signed a Memorandum of Understanding under which the E.U. agreed to create a new duty-free quota for imports of specially-produced beef to compensate the United States for losses arising from the E.U.’s ban on the use of hormones in beef production. Imports under the quota have grown steadily since then, and for the past two years, the entire 45,000 metric ton quota has been filled, though from countries other than the U.S.

Over the past two years the U.S. government has attempted, without success, to engage the European Commission in discussions about ways to rectify this situation.

“While this is not our preferred choice, retaliation is the only way cattle producers are going to secure our rights for the losses we have incurred over the years due to the E.U.’s hormone ban,” said Brunner. “If the E.U. is unwilling to honor the terms of the agreement then we have no alternative but to seek restitution. We will not continue to be subjected to such trade agreement abuse.”

While initially imports from the United States accounted for the majority of the business done under the quota, over time imports from Australia, Uruguay and Argentina increased rapidly, taking a greater share of the quota. Neither Australia, Uruguay, nor Argentina was a party to the hormone dispute or the 2009 MOU that created the quota intended for the United States. The United States now has a minority and declining share of the quota, and imports so far this year point to a continuation of this trend.

December 20, 2016 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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NCBA Announces CME Scholarship Recipients

Montana brought home not one but two of the scholarships! A big Congratulations to Taylre Sitz for winning the overall essay! Taylre attends Montana State University and is active with the Collegiate Stockgrowers at Montana State University. Dan Johnson of Dillon, MT also received a scholarship; he is attending Kansas State University. Congratulations to these two stand-outs from Montana!

 

Ten top-notch college students, who are pursuing careers in the beef industry, have been chosen for the 2017-2018 $1,500 CME Beef Industry Scholarships. The scholarship is sponsored by the CME Group and administered by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF). Taylre Sitz of Bozeman, Mont., is the overall essay winner.

“We’re pleased continue our support of the CME Beef Industry Scholarships, which provides education to future beef industry leaders,” said Tim Andriesen, CME Group managing director of agricultural products. “Our partnership with NCF enables us to continue investing in accomplished university students who represent the next generation of food producers here in the U.S.”

The CME Beef Industry Scholarship was introduced in 1989 in partnership with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Today this scholarship tradition remains strong by recognizing and encouraging talented college students who will one day be industry leaders. The National Cattlemen’s Foundation and the CME Group are committed to the future of the cattle industry and continue to support outstanding youth in the beef community.

“We cannot emphasize enough how grateful we are for the continuous support from CME for Beef Industry Scholarships to provide financial assistance for future beef leaders,” said John Lacey, chair of NCF Board of Trustees. “Each year we are impressed with the caliber of students that apply for these scholarships.”

In addition to the $1,500 scholarship, Taylre Sitz receives a trip to Nashville, Tenn., for the 2017 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show where she will be recognized at the Best of Beef Awards Breakfast. Sitz currently attends Montana State University where she is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science, as well as a minor in Business Administration. She is currently enrolled in the pre-veterinary program with plans to become a large animal veterinarian.

“Growing up on a ranch, I developed a commitment to the beef industry at an early age,” Sitz said. “I am interested in becoming a large animal veterinarian, and through ranch life I have been able to see and visit as they doctored cut horses or lame cattle. These experiences only furthered my desire to pursue the large animal veterinary career.”

In her essay, Sitz tackled the question of describing a risk confronting the beef industry and a solution to that risk by describing the risk of decreasing consumer confidence. Sitz wrote about the importance of using education through social media as a tool to improve consumer confidence in the beef industry.

Other $1,500 CME Scholarship winners are:
Thor Burnside, Fort Hays State University, Talala, Okla.
Cole Grisham, West Texas A&M University, Van Vleck, Texas
Emily Ivey, Land Lake College, Loudon, Tenn.
Abby Marion, University of Florida, Deltona, Fla.
Garrett Nichols, Iowa State University, Marshalltown, Iowa
Dan Johnson, Kansas State University, Dillion, Mont.
Shelby Schiefelbein, Texas A&M University, Kimball, Minn.
Madison Slaven, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Rachel Waggie, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan.

To learn more about scholarship opportunities and additional youth support from the NFC visit: www.nationalcattlemensfoundation.org/

December 16, 2016 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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MDA seeking applicants for Beef Genetics Trade Mission

The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) is seeking applications from producers interested in attending the World Angus Forum, to be held in the United Kingdom June 20-July 2, 2017, as part of a beef genetics trade delegation.

“This trade mission will be a great opportunity for producers to showcase Montana’s world-class beef genetics,” said Marty Earnheart, Business Development Marketing Officer with MDA. “I’m looking forward to the forum and the opportunity to help Montana’s producers network with their international counterparts.”

MDA will select 5 to 7 applicants to serve as delegates for the mission. Applications are due January 31, 2017 and selections will be made shortly thereafter. Applications can be sent to [email protected]. The trade mission is made possible through a grant from U.S. Livestock Genetic Export, Inc.. Some travel expenses may be covered through the grant, with that determination being made after delegates have been selected. An application is included with this release and can also be found here.

The World Angus Forum is held every four years and provides a platform for the exchange of genetics information and breeding objectives, and also acts as a forum for youth involvement. The forum will attract many Angus breeders, farmers and associated companies from all over the world to listen to speakers, share their knowledge, expertise, experiences and network together.

“This trade mission will be a great opportunity for producers to showcase Montana’s world-class beef genetics. I’m looking forward to the forum and the opportunity to help Montana’s producers network with their international counterparts.” Marty Earnheart, business development marketing officer with MDA

The Montana Department of Agriculture’s mission is to protect producers and consumers, and to enhance and develop agriculture and allied industries. For more information on the Montana Department of Agriculture, visit agr.mt.gov.

–Montana Department of Agriculture