May 27, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Spring Includes Branding, Rodeo, and Helena Visit for MSU Collegiates

Collegiates MSGA OfficeThis Spring has been exciting and eventful for the Collegiate Stockgrowers at MSU. The month kicked off with a work crew heading to Harrison to brand at the Sitz Ranch, then proceeded to stay busy with some of the members spending a day in Helena at the MSGA office, and wrapping business up as we prepare to part ways for the summer.

In the midst of the MSU Rodeo, the club got a call that asked for a branding crew and members were more than eager to fill the role. A group consisting of five members set off on a road trip to Harrison, MT to represent the club at the Sitz branding. The day was a successful one with no injuries or accidents, and everyone was back in time to enjoy the Saturday night rodeo action!

Keeping the events rolling, a group of members was Helena bound on April 11. The group was able to tour the MSGA office to talk with Errol Rice, Jay Bodner, and Ryan Goodman about the issues the association deals with on a day to day basis.

Lunch was enjoyed at the Overland Express before heading to the Department of Livestock to talk to a few of the directors about brand inspection, diseases affecting livestock throughout Montana, and a day in the life of a Department of Livestock director. We greatly appreciate being able to visit with DOL Executive Director, Christian Mackay; Chair of the Board of Livestock, Jan French from Hobson; Brands Enforcement Director, John Grainger; and State Veterinarian, Marty Zaluski.

Collegiates Historical Society Trip

Following the visit to the Department of Livestock was a trip through the Montana Historical Society to see a special Charlie Russell exhibit partially sponsored by the Montana Stockgrowers Association.

In all, this Spring been a busy one filled with activities as the school year draws near the end. However, there has been just enough spare time to spend partaking in some fun activities with the Collegiate Stockgrowers. For more information, be sure to follow the MSU Collegiates on Facebook.

Collegiates 2014 Branding Sitz

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Montana State University Collegiate Stockgrowers
March 21, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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MSU Collegiate Stockgrowers Update

Montana State University Collegiate StockgrowersThe new semester at Montana State University brought a brand new officer team for Collegiate Stockgrowers. We are excited to announce the team and introduce you to each officer. Fresh ideas are rolling around and we are eager to take on the busy year.

Stepping into the President role is Kelsey Haughian, a junior studying Animal Science Livestock Industry and Management. With her younger twin brothers, she grew up on the family cow/calf ranch near Kinsey and her father was elected to the MSGA Board of Directors last year. Her hobbies include cat snap chats, sewing wild rags, and making forever memories. Taking on the Vice President office is Andrew Seleg. Andrew is a senior, majoring in Animal Science. He grew up on a cow/calf ranch near Rosebud, and served as the club treasurer last year.

Jeremiah Jansen is holding the Treasurer position. He is from a cow/calf operation by Lavina and majoring in Animal Science Livestock Management and Industry, with a Range Management minor. In his spare time, he enjoys cutting down trees, fixing fence, and working cattle. Filling the Historian office is Brittany Hansen, from a ranch by Ekalaka. She is a freshman, with an undecided major, but is interested in the medical field. She enjoys ice fishing, skiing, and playing basketball with friends.

There are two officers filling the College of Agriculture Student Council Representative positions. One is Sean Palmer from Culbertson. He is an Agriculture Education major, with a teaching option and minoring in Animal Science. Some of his favorite pastimes are spending time with his family and riding his dirt bike and snowmobile. The other representative is freshman John Manley. He grew up on a cattle ranch by Drummond and is majoring in Animal Science. He enjoys sports and team roping.

Three Forks native, Karoline Rose is the new Social Media Specialist. She is a senior, majoring in Animal Science with an Agriculture Business minor. In her free time, she enjoys working with the local 4-H members and going home to help her brother and father on the ranch.

That leaves me, Marni Wade, the club secretary. I’m a sophomore from Baker majoring in Business Management with a minor in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management and an additional minor in Accounting. When not in school, I enjoy roping, beading, and fishing.

As with last semester, our meetings are on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. If you are in Bozeman, feel free to stop by and don’t forget to check out our Facebook page!

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March 14, 2014 1 Comment Montana Stockgrowers Association
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MSU-Northern Collegiate Stockgrowers Update

MSGA Collegiate Stockgrowers Montana State Northern HavreIt’s hard to believe that MSU Northern’s Collegiate Stockgrowers is already a year old and still going strong. Our group of MSU Northern students is still young and learning the ropes but we’re eager and ambitious.

Laramie Pursley from Chinook, MT started the group and has guided it well throughout the past year, with the help of course from some senior Stockgrowers associates: Lauren Chase and Karoline Rose. They have helped by encouraging our officers to pull in new members at every meeting, educating them on the continued benefits of being involved in the agricultural community, and also encouraging us all to make a presence at the many Stockgrower events throughout the year. The annual convention in Billings this year provided our group with such an amazing learning experience. Not only were the workshops more than what we imagined, we also had the privilege of sitting next to ranchers from all over the state of MT. In addition, we had the opportunity of having Temple Grandin come into our small town of Havre on a very snowy Montana day for the annual Cabin Fever days. Our small group was able to assist the event as best as possible, as well as be enlightened by her cattle handling speech. The trip to Denver was another success where a few of us were able to take a tour of the JBS Beef Facility, 5 river feedlot, NCBA Office, Denver Stock-show and more. Laramie and Jaylee had a fantastic time and had an experience they will never forget.

Then in January our very own Laramie Pursley was crowned Miss Rodeo Montana thus spurring re-election due to her strenuous schedule. Our previous meeting decided the 2014 Officers as follows: Hollyn Cardani as President, John Jansen as Vice President and Jaylee Berg as Secretary/Treasurer.

The first meeting after re-elections on Feb 7th , Hollyn was able to find a guest speaker for our members. The guest speaker was Kim Peterson of “Peterson Grain & cattle” from north of Havre. Kim and his family run a registered Black Angus herd, as well as having an annual bull sale in April. The Peterson family farm/ranch raise wheat, barley, peas and enough forage and grass to support their registered Angus cattle herd. Kim talked to us about what he thought was the most important aspects for the young agricultural generations to know.

Also, at that meeting everyone that is currently in the Mentorship program, started by Lauren Chase, spoke about their experiences so far with their mentors. The four of us that are involved, (Zack McKinley, Laramie Pursley, Kaleb Fisher and Hollyn Cardani), are so very lucky to have had this great opportunity to gain knowledge from these seasoned ranchers across Montana. With calving season just beginning for some, we have scheduled a tour of the Northern Agricultural Research Center up here in Havre during their calving season in March.

The support that our Collegiate Stockgrowers group has had is amazing. Many past Northern Alumni have said how they wished they would have had the chance to have been in a Collegiate Stockgrowers club. With that being said, our group is extremely excited to have the opportunities that come with being involved with Collegiate Stockgrowers and are looking forward to what the future holds for us!

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Collegiate Montana Stockgrowers MSU Northern Convention
December 14, 2013 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Zoetis Cattlemen’s College offers ranchers interactive learning

Collegiate Montana Stockgrowers MSU Northern Convention

See more blog coverage from the 129th Annual Stockgrowers Convention by clicking here.

By Hollyn Cardani and Kaleb Fisher, Montana State University – Northern Collegiate Stockgrowers members.

Friday at the Stockgrowers Convention the MSU-Northern Collegiate Stockgrowers group attended the Zoetis Cattlemen’s college workshop, “Zoetis Ranch.” Out of all the workshops we have attended throughout the week, this one was by far the most interactive.

A few of things Larry and Dan taught our group was about “Progeny Equivalents are used to describe the amount of effect that DNA analysis has on EPD accuracy. To achieve a comparable amount of EPD predictability and accuracy, an Angus animal would have to have the following amount of actual progeny (calves) performance information recorded and submitted.”

Also we played a game where we got put into groups and had to play three separate breeding and marketing seasons with different priorities. In the game we had five different bulls to choose from with all different qualities. The first season you had to purchase two bulls so the first season you wanted to pick the two bulls that would produce the best weaning weight.

After the first year you could either sell your two bulls and buy two new ones or keep the ones that you had already in season one but for the second year you wanted the highest Yearling Weight. So after the second year the goal was to purchase the best two bulls that would produce the best Dollar Beef when there are going to be marketed.

The Cattlemen’s College workshops are a great opportunity for ranchers interactive learning with tools available in the industry today. It is definitely a great way to learn how to apply those tools in their own businesses.

Zoetis Cattlemens College Montana Stockgrowers Convention

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November 27, 2013 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Top 5 ways Collegiates gain from being engaged

MSGA Collegiate Stockgrowers Montana State Northern HavreLast week, I had the opportunity to travel to our Collegiate Stockgrowers meetings in both Bozeman and Havre. Both groups are preparing for Thanksgiving break and Final Exams. The visit was a good chance to meet many of our members, remind them of the benefits of being a Montana Stockgrowers Student member and the advantage of networking and learning opportunities at our upcoming Convention.

Our Collegiate members are inspired and engaged members of their respective University communities. Although they may come from different areas of the state and study programs, they have a common interest in being a part of the ranching community.

Supporting our Young and Collegiate members lends itself to the strengthening of MSGA in the years to come. Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders. Every opportunity we can use to help them gain more experience and leadership skills, the better prepared they will be for what lies ahead.

What advice do I have to give to Collegiate members looking for opportunities with Montana Stockgrowers?

  1. Take advantage of networking opportunities. Events like our upcoming Annual Convention are the best opportunity you will have to meet leaders within our ranching community. Find out what changes are occurring within the ranching community through these events and learn how they may affect you.
  2. Introduce yourself and leave an impression. Give a firm handshake, look people in the eye, and try your best to remember names. You never know who you may be talking to and leaving a good impression with the right people will pay off down the road.
  3. Seek hands-on experiences outside your comfort zone. It may seem very uncomfortable at the time, but learning how others work in your industry and gaining a better idea of the larger picture helps you understand more about what you want to do for a career and why you want to do it. Internships on different ranching operations was the best thing I ever did to learn more about how I want to shape my future in the ranching community.
  4. Find a mentor. Look for people you want to be like and are respected in their circles and abroad. Find someone who is willing to answer questions and gives you encouragement to learn more. Those connections made through mentorship will last a lifetime. MSGA offers a Mentorship program that will connect you with some of the best leaders in Montana’s ranching community.
  5. Have fun, but stay focused. You’re  only young once. Enjoy it, but don’t let a fun night out wreck what you’ve worked so hard to obtain. Take advantage of opportunities to branch out. You can always return home, but when you’re young, it’s easier to travel and explore the opportunities offered to you.

Montana State University Collegiate Stockgrowers logoLevel of student involvement is highly correlated to student success and development that last well beyond the days of college life. Encouraging our younger generations to get involved in groups like Collegiate Stockgrowers sets us (and them) up for a brighter future.

As a person not far removed from my college undergraduate days, I am very thankful for the mentors I have and those members of the ranching community who gave me opportunity and advice.

What advice do you have for younger members of the ranching community?

Younger members, what development opportunities would you like to see most through a Stockgrowers program?

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C.R. Morrison Bronze Sculpture Texas Tradition
November 7, 2013 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Collegiates Raffle Morrison Bronze Scultpture

The Collegiate Stockgrowers at Montana State in Bozeman are selling raffle tickets for a bronze sculpture by Montana artist, C.R. Morrison. The sculpture, titled “Texas Tradition”, was donated by Julie Boyer. Proceeds of the raffle go to help CSG with costs of the club educational opportunities and guest speakers.

C.R. Morrison Bronze Sculpture Texas Tradition

The drawing for the sculpture will take place at MSGA Annual Convention and Trade Show on Saturday, December 14th. Contact MSU-Bozeman CSG via email ([email protected]) or find them on Facebook for more details.

Montana State University Collegiate Stockgrowers logo
October 22, 2013 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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MSU Collegiate Stockgrowers host Reception

Montana State University Collegiate Stockgrowers logoCome join us during MSU’s Celebrate Ag!! Weekend for our 2nd Annual Collegiate Stockgrower Reception! It will be Friday, October 25 from 5-6pm in the first floor lobby of the Animal Bioscience Building. We will have appetizers and drinks, as well as guest speakers! We will be selling raffle tickets for a CR Morrison Bronze.

Contact us at [email protected] or call John Henry at 406-853-4938 for questions or bronze tickets. Hope to see you there! Bring a friend, or two!