“Making It Work in Tough Times” workshop to be held June 2 in Geyser

“Making It Work in Tough Times” workshop to be held June 2 in Geyser

The 2009 Judith Basin County Range School will offer a day-long workshop June 2 in Geyser, Mont., on managing cattle and grazing lands in today’s uncertain economy.

The workshop, “Making It Work in Tough Times,” will feature speakers Gregg Doud, Chief Economist for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA); David Pratt, CEO of Ranch Management Consultants, Inc.; and Montana’s own Jon Siddoway, NRCS State Range Conservationist.

Mr. Doud currently manages top-level economic and international trade policy issues for the NCBA in Washington, D.C., and co-staffs the policy division of the NCBA International Markets Committee. Mr. Doud’s presentation is entitled, “Survival of the Fittest.”

David Pratt has extensive experience in Range and Livestock with the California Extension Service and has been teaching the international Ranching for Profit School since 1992. Mr. Pratt will speak on “The Three Keys to Profit in Good Times and Bad” as well as “Ecological Concepts of Grazing Management”.

Jon Siddoway holds a bachelor and masters degrees in Rangeland Management. He has been working with ranchers all over the state of Montana for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for 20 years. Mr. Siddoway will take attendees on a “pasture walk” aimed at helping them read the signs of over-rest and over-use on grazing lands.

“Making It Work in Tough Times” is brought to you in part by the Montana Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative. This event will be held at the Brett and Penny Noland Ranch, located 5 miles south of Geyser, Mont. Registration is $10 and includes lunch for the day. Registration is due by May 15, 2009, at the Judith Basin Conservation District. For more information please call Teresa Wilhelms at (406) 566-2311 extension 107.