GMOs, Hormones, Sustainability, Water to Highlight Educational Forum

The 2015 Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention & Trade Show is just a few days out. This year’s meeting offers a great lineup of speakers and educational workshops for Montana ranchers. To view all the highlights from this year’s Annual Convention, click here. RSVP on the Facebook event so you do not miss a thing. If you are following along on social media, share your experience (and anticipation!) with the hashtag #MSGA15 on Twitter and Instagram. View the tags from all networks on Tagboard.

mtCattlewomenThe Montana CattleWomen will be hosting an Educational Forum with speakers on several different topics on Saturday, December 5 at 2:00 p.m.

Jill Herold presents Mythical Creatures; We’ve all heard about it (GMO’s, Sustainability, Gluten Free, etc.), but have we really seen it or know about them? Let’s look at the definition of sustainability, how it applies to agriculture in the U.S. and globally. We’ll myth bust with GMO’s and Gluten Free, plus find out some valuable resources for answers.

How do growth promoting implants and feed additives work? And how do they impact the final product? Learn about the science behind these technologies and more with Dr. Rachel Endecott, Montana State University Extension Beef Cattle Specialist.

Nancy Labbe with World Wildlife Fund’s Sustainable Ranching Initiative is working to establish a productive dialogue with stakeholders in the beef supply chain.  By partnering with ranchers, retailers, regional and national producer groups, consumers, and other conservation organizations, WWF is working to develop a thriving global marketplace for sustainable beef that values intact grasslands, abundant natural resources, and producer livelihoods. The local to global approach is key for WWF. In the Northern Great Plains region, WWF supports the ranching community with capacity-building grants, bird surveys, and outreach support. We’re driven by the goal of maintaining intact grasslands the Northern Great Plains by supporting the ranching community and communicating with consumers about the benefits of ranching on this landscape. More broadly, WWF serves as a key representative on the Global, US, and Canadian Roundtables for Sustainable Beef, influencing the future of the sustainable beef market with a reasonable, informed approach.

Hertha Lund ranches with her husband in south central Montana. Her firm, Lund Law, focuses on water and natural resources. She will speak on the basics of property interests in water rights with and current issues related to water rights in Montana including changes in the law made during the 2015 legislature, water rights adjudication and whether your water rights might be in the Water Court’s bulls eye in the coming year. Additionally, she will touch on stock water rights and other issues important for ranchers to consider in further protecting their property rights.

Veterinary Feed Directives | Stockgrowers College Preview

Hoffman, BruceThe 2015 Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention & Trade Show is just a few days out. This year’s meeting offers a great lineup of speakers and educational workshops for Montana ranchers. To view all the highlights from this year’s Annual Convention, click here. RSVP on the Facebook event so you do not miss a thing. If you are following along on social media, share your experience (and anticipation!) with the hashtag #MSGA15 on Twitter and Instagram. View the tags from all networks on Tagboard.

Stockgrowers College sessions will be held at different times all three days of the Annual Convention. Times vary and some sessions repeat. Check the final meeting program for times and room assignments.

Stockgrowers College Sponsored by Elanco Animal Health

Antibiotic Use Concerns and the New Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD)

Time: Friday, December 4 at 2:30 p.m., Repeats Saturday, December 5 at 1:30 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Bruce Hoffman

The veterinary feed directive will affect the entire cattle industry. Learn the details, challenges and ways that Montana ranchers can be on the forefront and learn how to adapt and understand the implications and lead the implementation of protecting antibiotics that are concerning to our beef eating consumers.

Our sponsor, Elanco Animal Health, makes these Stockgrowers College sessions possible. Be sure to visit their booth in the Trade Show – Thursday from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. or Friday and Saturday from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Ranch Income and Estate Planning | Stockgrowers College Preview

ALME_2The 2015 Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention & Trade Show is just a few days out. This year’s meeting offers a great lineup of speakers and educational workshops for Montana ranchers. To view all the highlights from this year’s Annual Convention, click here. RSVP on the Facebook event so you do not miss a thing. If you are following along on social media, share your experience (and anticipation!) with the hashtag #MSGA15 on Twitter and Instagram. View the tags from all networks on Tagboard.

Stockgrowers College sessions will be held at different times all three days of the Annual Convention. Times vary and some sessions repeat. Check the final meeting program for times and room assignments.

Stockgrowers College Sponsored by Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation

Is Uncle Sam Going to Be My Heir?  Using Charitable Planned Giving in Farm & Ranch Income Tax and Estate Planning

Time: Friday, December 4 at 10:00 a.m., Repeats Saturday, December 5 at 8:30 a.m.

Speaker: Kurt Alme, J.D.

In this presentation, you will get an overview of the impact of income, capital gain, Obamacare, gift, and estate taxes on common farm and ranch transactions and learn how Charitable Planned Giving techniques can,

  1. Lessen your taxes;
  2. Increase your spendable income; and
  3. Make a difference in the lives of kids, the ranching way of life, and your charitable interests.

Our sponsor, Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation, makes these Stockgrowers College sessions possible. Be sure to visit their booth in the Trade Show – Thursday from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. or Friday and Saturday from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Temperature and Precipitation Trends | Stockgrowers College Preview

logo_0The 2015 Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention & Trade Show is just a few weeks out. This year’s meeting offers a great lineup of speakers and educational workshops for Montana ranchers. To view all the highlights from this year’s Annual Convention, click here. RSVP on the Facebook event so you do not miss a thing. If you are following along on social media, share your experience (and anticipation!) with the hashtag #MSGA15 on Twitter and Instagram. View the tags from all networks on Tagboard.

Stockgrowers College sessions will be held at different times all three days of the Annual Convention. Times vary and some sessions repeat. Check the final meeting program for times and room assignments.

Stockgrowers College Sponsored by One Montana

Temperature and Precipitation Trends – Developing Good Data for Risk Management and Forecasting

Time: Friday, December 4 at 2:00 p.m.

Speakers: Jane Mangold, Dr. Bruce Maxwell, Dr. Kelsey Jencso, Dr. Justin Derner

By using temperature and precipitation trends, this panel wants to engage attendees by hearing what livestock producers need to adapt and be resilient to increasing weather variability.

Our sponsor, One Montana, makes these Stockgrowers College sessions possible. Be sure to visit their booth in the Trade Show – Thursday from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. or Friday and Saturday from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Preparing Calves for Next Step | Stockgrowers College Preview

Dr. Jerry WoodruffThe 2015 Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention & Trade Show is just a few weeks out. This year’s meeting offers a great lineup of speakers and educational workshops for Montana ranchers. To view all the highlights from this year’s Annual Convention, click here. RSVP on the Facebook event so you do not miss a thing. If you are following along on social media, share your experience (and anticipation!) with the hashtag #MSGA15 on Twitter and Instagram. View the tags from all networks on Tagboard.

Stockgrowers College sessions will be held at different times all three days of the Annual Convention. Times vary and some sessions repeat. Check the final meeting program for times and room assignments.

Stockgrowers College Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.

How can I best prepare my calves for the next stage in the production cycle?

Time: Thursday, December 3 at 3:00 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Jerry Woodruff

Rebuilding of the national cowherd may correct some of the supply/demand situation enjoyed by ranchers the past couple of years.  Calves that are well prepared for the stocker/backgrounder/feeder phase of our industry will command favored status in an increased supply market.  Calf preparation includes a sound vaccination program AND much more.

Optimizing cattle vaccination results

Time: Friday, December 4 at 9:30 a.m.

Speaker: Dr. Jerry Woodruff

Vaccination of animals is relatively easy to accomplish.  Achieving ‘immunization’ is a whole different issue.  Proper care, handling, and administration of vaccine products to animals that have an immune system capable of responding to those vaccines should be the goal of all cattlemen.

Our sponsor, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., makes these Stockgrowers College sessions possible. Be sure to visit their booth in the Trade Show – Thursday from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. or Friday and Saturday from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Nutritional Management of Calf Scours | Stockgrowers College Preview

Ernsberger2013 036A (1)The 2015 Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention & Trade Show is just a few weeks out. This year’s meeting offers a great lineup of speakers and educational workshops for Montana ranchers. To view all the highlights from this year’s Annual Convention, click here. RSVP on the Facebook event so you do not miss a thing. If you are following along on social media, share your experience (and anticipation!) with the hashtag #MSGA15 on Twitter and Instagram. View the tags from all networks on Tagboard.

Stockgrowers College sessions will be held at different times all three days of the Annual Convention. Times vary and some sessions repeat. Check the final meeting program for times and room assignments.

Stockgrowers College Sponsored by RangeMate America

Controlling scours through management and nutrition

Time: Friday, December 4 at 4:30 p.m., Repeats Saturday, December 5 at 10:30 a.m.

Speaker: Dr. Richard L Ernsberger

Calf scours is the leading cause of illness and death in preweaned calves, for both the beef and dairy industry. Our goal is to reduce the incidence and severity of scours in preweaned calves through cow nutrition, management of the cow pre and post calving, and management of the calf.

Our sponsor, RangeMate America, makes these Stockgrowers College sessions possible. Be sure to visit their booth in the Trade Show – Thursday from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. or Friday and Saturday from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Reproductive Vaccines and Technology Advantage | Stockgrowers College Preview

Scruggs photo 2014-2The 2015 Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention & Trade Show is just a few weeks out. This year’s meeting offers a great lineup of speakers and educational workshops for Montana ranchers. To view all the highlights from this year’s Annual Convention, click here. RSVP on the Facebook event so you do not miss a thing. If you are following along on social media, share your experience (and anticipation!) with the hashtag #MSGA15 on Twitter and Instagram. View the tags from all networks on Tagboard.

Stockgrowers College sessions will be held at different times all three days of the Annual Convention. Times vary and some sessions repeat. Check the final meeting program for times and room assignments.

Zoetis Cattlemen’s College

New vaccine options for reproductive protection in cowherds

Time: Thursday, December 3 at 2:00 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Daniel Scruggs

Heifer development is of course important to the lifelong productive of the cow.  Heifer development and cow vaccination programs may seem complicated and at sometimes awkward, but results from a 3 years reproductive study at Auburn University reveals some unique options available for cow herd vaccination strategies with solid data on expected protection in the face of BVD and IBR exposure.

Dr. CornersAre we really using all of the available technology to the best of our advantage on the cow calf operation?

Time: Thursday, December 3 at 4:00 p.m., Repeats Friday, December 4 at 10:30 a.m.

Speaker: Dr. Blaine Corners

Cattle producers have spent their lives and vast resources improving genetics on their herd.  Results are apparent in operation after operation.  The questions posed are these:  are we, as an industry, providing supporting management to fully capitalize on genetic gains?  Do we provide basic nutrition that promotes optimal growth, reproductive efficiency, and immune response?  Do we properly safeguard our investments with sufficient and proper vaccination protocol, deworming and strategic use of anti-infectives?  If growth-promoting implants have been pulled from our operations giving us opportunity to sell into niche markets, are potential premiums covering lost productivity?  Do our operations capitalize on time tested feed additives?  Dr. Corners talk will examine a few pieces of gold that we might step over, or just miss completely.

Our sponsor, Zoetis, makes these Stockgrowers College sessions possible. Be sure to visit their booth in the Trade Show – Thursday from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. or Friday and Saturday from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Annual Convention and Trade Show 2014

130th Annual Convention Hosts Featured Speakers

Our 130th Annual Convention kicks off today and we could not be more excited! Everything is coming together here at the Holiday Inn Grand Montana in Billings and attendees are already streaming in. To celebrate 2014 and the growth that our organization and the cattle business has experienced, we’ve greatly expanded the educational workshop opportunities during the 3-day Convention!

Along with featured speakers at our General Sessions, including Governor Steve Bullock, Lois Olmstead, and Greg Hanes from U.S. Meat Export Federation, we have 16 Cattlemen’s College sessions that will cover a vast number of topics directly related to cattle and ranch management. Below is an overview of their sessions and times of appearance. For a full Convention schedule, grab a program at registration or see our Online Agenda. Be sure to follow us on Social Media all week for continuous updates and use the hashtag #MSGA14!

Kurt Alme, Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch Foundation

Dec. 11 & 12 Cattlemen’s College – “Farm & Ranch Estate Planning”

Do I need a Will? Which is better, a Will or Revocable Living Trust? Do I need Powers of Attorney, a Living Will and Advance Directives? Is Uncle Sam going to be my heir? (Discussing gift, estate, income, capital gains and Affordable Care Act) How do I reduce the taxes I will pay?

Greg Nunnery, Ph.D, RangeMate America

Dec. 11 & 13 Cattlemen’s College – “Nutrition Concepts for your Cow Herd”

Dr. Kevin Hill, DVM, Merck Animal Health

Dec. 11 & 12, Cattlemen’s College – “Adding Value to Calves: Data from Superior Livestock”; “Vaccination Strategies for Lifetime Calf Health”; “Parasite Control Programs: Emerging Resistance to Ivermectins”

Dr. JP Pollreisz, Zoetis Animal Health

Dec. 11 & 12 Cattlemen’s College – “Judicious use of Anti-infectives”

Effective, appropriate and humane use of antibiotics in beef cattle while maintaining a safe and high quality product.

Larry Gran, Zoetis Animal Health

Dec. 11 & 12 Cattlemen’s College – “GeneMax Advantage”

GeneMax Advantage is a genomic test for 75% and higher Black Angus females. The test ranks heifers for net return using three economic index scores, indentifies genetic outliers for four additional traits and facilitiates multi-sire assignment from cadidate Zoetis HD 50-K-tested sires. GeneMax Advantage delivers more dependable information for heifer selection, mating, and marketing decisions.

ABS, Accelerated, Genex,Origen and Select Sires

Dec. 12 & 13 Cattlemen’s College – “Successful Strategies for your Breeding Program”

ABS, Accelerated, Genex,Origen and Select Sires are teaming up to present a interactive workshop for cattle producers to improve conception rates in their AI Programs. The workshop will include 5 different workshops: A breeding barn demonstration, proper semen handling and Synchronizing, AI techniques and a few tips on marketing your calf crop. This exciting hands on workshop will be presented twice during convention and we hope to see all of you there!

Matt Bitz, One Montana

Dec. 13 – “Beef Processing Plant Feasibility Presentation”

Can a meat processing plant be built in Montana?  This is the question that One Montana, a Bozeman-based nonprofit, has been working to answer for the last year.  They have conducted a feasibility study examining, marketing, location, design, labor, and economic impacts in order to answer the question.  President Bill Bryan and Program Manager Matt Bitz will present the project findings in a forum and take questions on Saturday morning at 10 AM.

Greg Hanes, U.S. Meat Export Federation

Dec. 13, President’s Lunch – “International Markets: The Importance of the American Beef Producer”

With 96 percent of the world’s population outside the United States and improving economies worldwide, the international markets will play a larger and more important role for the American beef producer.  A contractor to the Beef Checkoff, Greg Hanes, assistant vice president of international marketing and planning at the U.S. Meat Export Federation, will provide background on the organization, discuss the importance to Montana’s cattle producers, and highlight some of the challenges and opportunities in markets around the world.

Lois Olmstead

Dec. 13, Inspirational Breakfast – “Finding an adventure isn’t hard to do…just look from where you are standing”

Lois shares how to live with joy and courage. Inspiring others is something that has become part of her everyday life. She impacts audiences with her positive views of living a joyful life.

Brett Crosby & Cole Swanser, Custom Ag Solutions

Dec. 13, Cattlemen’s College – “Making the Most of a Strong Cattle Market”

Have you always thought that your price risk management skills were a little…lacking?  Record price movements in the cattle markets have increased the potential benefits of developing a strategy for taking advantage of high prices and protecting yourself from downturns.  Join cattle producer and industry expert Brett Crosby and agricultural economist Kole Swanser to learn how simple and effective risk management strategies can help you sleep better at night and keep a bigger share of the potential profits from today’s historically strong market.  Listen to a market outlook, learn about available tools and strategies, and then get “hands on” experience through a real world simulation to see just how much more control you can have over your bottom line.

Dr. Jeanne Rankin, DVM, MSU Extension-Agro-Emergency Project

Dec.13, Cattlemen’s College – “Biosecurity: How does it affect your pocket book?

Will your livestock operation survive a Foreign Animal Disease infection found in the United States? What if it is in Montana?  In YOUR County? ON YOUR RANCH? Dr. Rankin will share her insights on Foreign Animal Disease (like Foot and Mouth Disease) and new, emerging diseases like Porcine Endemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv):  what these diseases look like and how they spread, what producers can do to limit or prevent these diseases, what the state and federal government response will be and how producers can reduce these risks by having a good biosecurity plan in place. In the second hour participants will engage in a real-life FMD scenario, (table-top exercise) in Montana, actively responding to the findings of an index case within a herd and the implications to continuity of livestock business for all cloven-hoofed animals within a 20 mile radius. Beef, dairy, sheep and pork operations will be represented at 1/32 scale using toy barns, corrals and livestock; pastures, rivers and roads will complete the transportation corridors.  Come play in the sandbox!

Annual Convention and Trade Show 2014

Annual Convention to Feature Governor and Cattlemen’s Colleges

During next week’s 130th Annual Convention of the Montana Stockgrowers Association, ranchers will have the opportunity to attend several Cattlemen’s College education workshops, ranging from animal reproduction and nutrition, estate planning, and discussions on current markets and processing plant feasibility. Governor Steve Bullock is scheduled to be speak during Friday’s Opening General Session. All MSGA events will take place at the Holiday Inn Grand Montana, December 11-13 in Billings.

Be sure to register for Convention HERE!

“This year we are excited to host fourteen Cattlemen’s College sessions during the 3-day convention. With a great number of different subjects covered, there should be a workshop of interest for everyone in attendance” advised Katie Stokes, MSGA Associate Director of Member Services and Marketing.

The Cattlemen’s College courses are sponsored by several Allied Industry agricultural service companies, so that a variety of speakers may participate in the educational workshops. Topics covered will include estate planning, nutrition for the cowherd, antibiotic use, genetic selection, breeding program strategies, current cattle market trends, and biosecurity for the livestock herd.

In addition to Cattlemen’s College sessions, Matt Bitz, with One Montana, will lead a discussion on the feasibility of establishing a beef processing plant in Montana. The Bozeman-based nonprofit has been working to explore the possibility and will present the findings of marketing, location, labor and economic impacts during a session on Saturday morning.

2014 Annual ConventionGreg Hanes, U.S. Meat Export Federation, will highlight the President’s Luncheon on Saturday. With 96 percent of the world’s population outside the U.S. and improving economies worldwide, the international markets play a larger and more important role for the American beef producer. Hanes will discuss how Checkoff dollars contribute to these global beef marketing opportunities.

Working with multiple generations of managing ranch employees can often bring to light challenges in communication. Michelle Reines, Zoetis, will host a communication workshop on Friday morning to help ranchers better understand themselves and how to flex their leadership style with their teams, peers as well as in any other relationships.

Tyrrell Hibbard with Montana Grazing Land Conversation Initiative will discuss new web-based tools for pasture and grazing management during the Young Stockgrowers meeting on Thursday evening. Association Policy Committee meetings on Thursday and Friday will feature updates on several updates on water, wildlife, Department of Livestock, and livestock health topics.

Other featured speakers during general sessions will include Governor Steve Bullock on Friday morning; Montana’s Congressional representatives and a live broadcast with Northern Ag Network on Friday afternoon; and motivational speaker, Lois Olmstead, during Saturday’s Inspirational Breakfast.

All meetings are included in general event registration, which will be available on-site. For additional meeting information, a full agenda, or pre-registration, contact the Montana Stockgrowers office in Helena, (406) 442-3420, or visit our Event page.