North Central Stockgrowers Work on Predator Control

North Central Stockgrowers Work on Predator Control

By Leon LaSalle, Havre, MSGA North Central Director

Greetings from North Central Montana. It seems like a long time since my last update in July. We had record rainfall in August that led to a very productive fall where our regrowth was in fact better than our spring, which helped put a bloom on the calves.

I had an opportunity to work with a group of ranchers from the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation who are in the process of forming a cattlemen’s association that would serve the Fort Belknap ranchers. This was also a great opportunity for me to educate them about MSGA, and how each group can help the other.

I was also able to attend North Central Stockgrowers’ annual meeting in November where predator control was identified as an ever-growing problem. A resolution was passed to work with Hill and Blaine counties to enact a petition, which if signed by 50% of cattle ownership, would allow for a per capita tax on cattle. This would give APHIS the needed funds to hire a trapper for the area and would provide a fund to pay for aerial predator control.

A resolution was also passed that asks for a surcharge on conservation licenses that would allow sportsmen to help us out with predator control. The resolution was forwarded on to MSGA and passed through the policy making process at the MSGA annual meeting.

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I also met with the MSU-Northern collegiate club recently to update them on current MSGA activities and to possibly set up additional meetings to support their club to the fullest amount possible. I realize that the smaller schools with Stockgrower clubs may need more support from MSGA to be successful as we are competing for a rather small amount of students.

I want to congratulate the American Fork Ranch, Jed and Annie Evjene, the 2014 winners of the MT Environmental Stewardship Award. As a past award winner, I know the time demand it takes to go through the application process. For me, I was uncomfortable talking about our ranch when I know there are so many other great environmental stewards throughout Montana.

During the January Board meeting, a subcommittee (Jim Steinbeisser, Jed Evjene, Leon Lasalle) was formed to ensure MSGA and Beef Council work together to fund the award to fullest. We believe this award can and should become a major priority to both organizations.