Local Affiliate Highlight – Crazy Mountain Stockgrowers
Montana Stockgrowers has a diverse group of Local Affiliate members spread across the state. Throughout the year, we hope to feature these groups and their involvement with Montana’s ranching communities. If your Local Affiliate organization has yet to be featured, contact Ryan Goodman at the MSGA office, [email protected]
This month, we feature the Crazy Mountain Stockgrowers Association, led by President, Matt Cremer of Melville. Matt can be contacted by email at [email protected].
The Crazy Mountain Stockgrowers has been busy to kick of 2014 and still has several activities planned through the Fall months. Earlier in the year, the group hosted a series of educational workshops, with the great help of their local Extension agent, Mark King.
Marty Rupt from Allied Genetics discussed EPDs (expected progeny differences) with the group, Marty helped ranchers to understand how to read the numbers and understand their application to breeding and genetics in the cowherd.
Dr. Andy Roberts from Fort Keogh led an active discussion on managing and developing replacement heifers and gave the group a good overview of the work being done at the Fort Keogh Research Laboratory. The local veterinarian, Dr. Katie Peters, also worked with ranchers in a workshop, covering the dos and don’ts of calving season.
There are always great adventures discussed around these topics when you get a good group of ranchers gathered. There will be more educational meetings this fall and winter for anyone in the area who wishes to continue their learning.
The Crazy Mountain group has been active in discussions on wildlife and environmental issues important to local ranchers. The group has been active in Yellowstone Basin Watershed meetings and Bison Discussion groups, making sure ranchers’ voices were include in the comments.
Fun activities are also on the calendar for the Crazy Mountain Stockgrowers with a golf scramble coming up in August. They are also holding a fundraiser raffle for a youth elk hunt, donated by Chuck Rein at Anchor Outfitting. If you are interested in more information on these events or others with the local affiliate, please contact Matt Cremer.