November 16, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Montana Rancher Feature – Jed Evjene of Two Dot

This week’s Montana Rancher Feature highlights Jed Evjene from Two Dot. Jed and his wife, Annie, manage the American Fork Ranch, which was recognized this year for their work in environmental stewardship, conservation and sustainability. The Evjenes raise Angus/Hereford cross cattle on their ranch. Learn more about the Environmental Stewardship Award Program. Connect with the American Fork Ranch on Facebook.

Be sure to leave Jed any questions in the comments section below and check out other posts in our Montana Rancher Feature series. Know a member of the Montana ranching community who should be featured in a future post? Use this online form to send us the information!

American Fork Ranch Environmental Stewardship Jed EvjeneHow is your family involved in the Montana ranching community? My wife is also ranching. My youngest son operates a ranch in South Dakota. My middle son works as a ranch hand during the summer on a ranch east of Big Timber.

I conserve water or work to ensure good water quality on my ranch by… Work very hard to ensure good water quality on the ranch by placing stock water tanks in upland places, lessening the impact within riparian areas with a controlled grazing plan in conjunction with placement of stock tanks.

My favorite cut of beef is… Rib eye steak

My role model (or superhero) is… Is my wife. She is the hardest working and the most honest person I know.

When I’m not ranching, I like to… Announce rodeos and tour other ranching operations

My favorite thing about being a part of the Montana ranching community is… Knowing we are helping feed the world and protecting the land while doing it.

I’m working to protect the environment on my ranch by… Management of livestock, land, water and people.

I’m working to prevent erosion on my ranch by… Making sure the native range grasses are healthy and better tillage practice.

I think we need more young people involved in ranching because… To continue to supply the world with the safest food products, continue to protect the land, water and environment.

I’m working to create healthy soil on my ranch by… Keeping good cover and lessening soil erosion as much as possible.

One way I utilize technology on the ranch is by… Record keeping with computers.

Proper handling and welfare of livestock is important to me because… Is the upmost importance! They are the means of harvesting our number one crop and that is our grass, which in return they provide us with a protein supply that feeds the world.

Click the image above to see more Montana Rancher Features!

Click the image above to see more Montana Rancher Features!

I work to provide for wildlife habitat on my ranch by… Increasing wildlife habitat and providing clean water, feed and shelter.

I always knew I would be in the ranching business. I chose the agricultural life because… I knew from a very young age that this is what I was meant to do.

I work to ensure we raise a safe and affordable beef product by… Practicing the best possible methods of animal husbandry we can with our livestock. Also by getting out there and telling our story.

What would you like beef customers to know about your role in the ranching community? That we care for our land, water, livestock and people more than any other business in the world.

November 2, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Montana Rancher Feature – Suze Bohleen from Wilsall

This week’s Montana Rancher Feature highlights Suzanne (Suze) Bohleen from Wilsall. Suze is in her 40th year as a cattle buyer and is frequently active in sharing beef education with youth across the state.

Be sure to leave Suze any questions in the comments section below and check out other posts in our Montana Rancher Feature series. Know a member of the Montana ranching community who should be featured in a future post? Use this online form to send us the information!

Suze Bohleen WilsallWhat is your role in the Montana ranching community? For the past 40 years, I have been in the business as a cattle buyer. I also manage cattle for out of state owners as they background cattle and then run them on grass before they take them to feedlots in the Midwest. In my spare time, I am the Beef Education Chair for the Montana CattleWomen. I work with teachers, educators and other Ag groups to bring Ag, especially beef, information and experiences to the classroom and afterschool experiences. I also am a volunteer for the Park County CASA program.

How is your family involved in the Montana ranching community? My mother still has the ranch she inherited in CA and my sister and brother-in-law, Chris and Dan Byrd, and their son, Ty Byrd, are Byrd Cattle Co of Red Bluff, CA, a registered Angus outfit.

I conserve water or work to ensure good water quality on my ranch by… When we had the ranch, we installed more efficient livestock watering systems and irrigation systems.

My favorite cut of beef is… Old Fashioned Pot Roast with vegetables from my garden

My favorite quote is… “It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” — Henry David Thoreau”

When I’m not ranching, I like to… Watch my Horses run at some Barrel Races

My favorite thing about being a part of the Montana ranching community is… I love how our community takes care of each other and supports each other.

I think we need more young people involved in ranching because… We are all getting older.

Click the image above to see more Montana Rancher Features!

Click the image above to see more Montana Rancher Features!

I’m working to create healthy soil on my ranch by… Controlled grazing, and weed spraying.

Proper handling and welfare of livestock is important to me because… Safety first for our animals and everybody who works around them.

I work to provide for wildlife habitat on my ranch by… We must have done a good job, we had Moose, Elk, and Deer on our place. We allowed controlled hunting (with written permission).

What would you like beef customers to know about your role in the ranching community? I love BEEF, and it’s important to give them a great piece of BEEF, too.

August 19, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Affiliate Highlight: Southwestern Montana Stockman’s – Dillon

Pushing cattle in Ledford Creek Grazing Allotment by Neil Barnosky

Pushing cattle in Ledford Creek Grazing Allotment by Neil Barnosky

Here in southwestern Montana we are having a good start to the summer season. It is still dry but the grass in the mountains is exceptional in most areas, although there have been some problems with stock water. It is a busy time but sure a rich time of year to be involved in the livestock business.

The Department of Labor is proposing changes to the H-2A guidelines for sheep herders that would be extremely difficult for ranchers to comply with. The wages for herders could increase 3 to 4 times and the living conditions that would be mandated could be impossible to meet in open range situations. The DOL is also proposing changes to the housing requirements for H-2A irrigation workers that would be expensive to meet. We have sent comments to the DOL on both for these issues and are hoping that common sense will prevail.

The matter in this area that has everyone’s attention is a lawsuit filed by a Bozeman-based sportsman’s group to stop the grazing of sheep on seven U.S. Forest Service allotments on the Gravelly Range Mountains. An injunction was sought against two of the allotments for this grazing season. U.S. District Judge Brian Morris rejected the injunction as he was not convinced that the suit is likely to succeed on the merits or likely that irreparable harm was likely to occur while he decides the merits of the case.

At issue is that grazing of sheep threatens to harm federally protected grizzly bears and prevents the return of bighorn sheep to the Gravelly Range. It is hard to keep a straight face when you say that sheep are a threat to grizzly bears. Sheep have grazed in this area for around 150 years and the grizzly bear population continues to grow. We feel that this is not a sheep issue but a grazing of livestock on public lands issue and running livestock in an area where a protected species exists, issue. We are seeking council as to the best approach to help in this lawsuit.

We talk in our different groups how we are not getting out the message of how important the livestock industry is to our local communities, our state and our nation. We end up reacting rather than being proactive. Some of our younger members are tackling this through the use of social media. In listening to their understanding of how all of this works and the ideas they are working on, I am excited to see where this goes. Right now they are gathering pictures, videos, and information about the contributions of livestock to our lives so as to begin with some real substance. MSGA has volunteered to help in any way possible and we are very appreciative of their support.

This is a great industry we have the privilege to be a part of. I hope this finds you all well.

August 17, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Montana Rancher Feature – John Henry Beardsley from Terry

This week’s Montana Rancher Feature highlights John Henry Beardsley from Terry. John Henry is 24, grew up on the family ranch and has recently branched out to his operation during the past year. He runs a small cow-calf operation with a small feedlot and row crop operation.

Be sure to leave John Henry any questions in the comments section below and check out other posts in our Montana Rancher Feature series. Know a member of the Montana ranching community who should be featured in a future post? Use this online form to send us the information!

John Henry BeardsleyWhat type and/or breed of livestock and/or crops do you raise? I have an Angus based cow herd. I incorporate cross breeding using Hereford and Irish Black bulls to attain an F1 female. I then in turn take a Charolais bull and put back on the F1 females that have been retained, I feel the 3-way cross calves give me more return and greater performance. I currently raise corn for silage but plan to integrate more crops into the program.

Off the ranch, what type of services or products do you provide to the Montana ranching community? This is my third year as a marketing representative for Superior Livestock Auction. As a marketing representative I travel to various ranches consigning their livestock to our video auction. Traveling the countryside you get to see the great cattle that are being raised in this part of the country along with witnessing the benefits that agriculture has on the environment.

How is your family involved in the Montana ranching community? The family operation recently celebrated it’s Centennial. My great grandfather homesteaded near Ismay, MT and as the fourth generation my siblings and I carry on the tradition of ranching. We are all involved in agriculture and the family operation.

My favorite song is… Troubadour by George Strait

My favorite cut of beef is… As long as it is beef, I am happy

My favorite quote is… “Do what you can, where you are, with what you have” – Theodore Roosevelt

When I’m not ranching, I like to… Team rope, ranch rodeo and golf

I conserve water or work to ensure good water quality on my ranch by… I manage runoff from my feedlot to be utilized as fertilizer and not spill into waterways. Strive to have less tillage in our fields to retain moisture and prevent erosion.

My favorite thing about being a part of the Montana ranching community is… Agriculture is the one business where a disaster will strike and people may have nothing left but they are still willing to take the shirt off their back to help someone out.

I’m working to protect the environment on my ranch by… Implementing cover crops to improve soil health and grazing pastures on a rotational program to improve the grass and the soil. I have the philosophy that we are selling our grass through the cattle. Without a healthy environment, you do not have a healthy business.

I’m working to prevent erosion on my ranch by… Maintaining a healthy cover on fields and pastures decreases erosion greatly.

I think we need more young people involved in ranching because… Throughout the industry, the average age of the rancher is 65 years old. The current demand for beef is higher than it has ever been. There are endless opportunities for young people to get started in Agriculture and we need someone to fill the gap.

I’m working to create healthy soil on my ranch by… Implementing a cover crop rotation along with our regular crops builds up nutrients and organic matter than replenishes soil health. Grazing is very critical as well. The hoof action churns up the soil to allow moisture in and plants to thrive.

Click the image above to see more Montana Rancher Features!

Click the image above to see more Montana Rancher Features!

One way I utilize technology on the ranch is by… GPS on the equipment along with wireless cameras to help check on cattle

Proper handling and welfare of livestock is important to me because… Quiet cattle mean healthy cattle, which in turn makes for happy cattle.

I work to provide for wildlife habitat on my ranch by… I like to leave crop residue and cover for wildlife to flourish. On my operation, there is riverfront with very dense cover, and an abundance of crops to make many species thrive.

I work to ensure we raise a safe and affordable beef product by… Keeping adequate records on animal health along with feedstuffs. My cattle are enrolled in a hormone free and government certified all natural program. This program ensures that customers are getting the product that they have asked for.

What would you like for beef customers to know about your role in the ranching community? I am very young so I have not played a big role yet. What makes me happy is when I can encourage one of my fellow peers to get involved in Agriculture. I like seeing people succeed.

August 13, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Affiliate Highlight: Crazy Mountain Stockgrowers – Big Timber

AMPThe Crazy Mountain Stockgrowers Association is made up of a group of local ranchers, farmers and producers from the Sweet Grass County area. We have a board of 9 directors, with the county extension agent serving as ex oficio. Our membership consists of over 100 members in 70 families. As individuals and as an association, we continue to watch issues that affect our county, our surrounding counties, our state, as well as at the national level.

In the winter and spring of each year, we, in conjunction with the extension office, host Rancher Roundtable Discussions. These are open to all CMSGA members as well as to the public. We bring in experts to share information on different topics and give those attending the opportunity to increase their knowledge and learn from neighboring producers.

In 2015, we hosted discussions on Vaccinations and Vaccine Protocols, Mineral Nutrition, What Cattle Buyers Look For, and Cattle Markets with Gary Brester. We also worked with the extension office to host an adult education class called ‘The Beef Puzzle’. The focus of this class was to demonstrate how a beef goes from the field to the freezer, concluding with carcass grading at a local locker plant. We plan to continue this class with a follow up on how to cook different cuts of meat. We also held a beef appreciation and promotional BBQ at our local homecoming football game.

We support local businesses and associations with their educational endeavors. In January, we were a sponsor for the Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Program that hosted family business speaker, Jolene Brown, in Big Timber. She presented her Ag family workshop on Family Communication and Estate Planning with Multiple Generations.

Our 2014 Appreciation Award was given to county extension agent, Marc King. He has proven himself a very dedicated asset to this county during his 21 years as the extension agent, and was very deserving of this award. He is a strong advocate to our local Ag industry. Congratulations to Marc.
We are also extremely proud of our South Central District Director that has been making state association news lately. Jed and Annie Evjene are members of the CMSGA and were recently awarded with the Montana and Regional Environmental Stewardship Award.
They are an integral part of the agricultural community in Sweet Grass County and we are honored to call them our friends and neighbors. Congratulations to the American Fork Ranch, Jed, and Annie Evjene.
Our primary fundraiser in 2014 was a raffle for a guided youth elk hunt. Anchor Outfitting donated this, and the hunt was held in November 2014. The winner of this hunt was a local man who chose to donate it to a 13-year-old boy in the community. We are proud to say that this young man went home with his very first elk.
Our 2015 fundraiser is a rifle raffle made by Shiloh Rifle Manufacturing Co. It is a 45-70 with brass escutcheons, semi fancy wood, pewtertip, steel shotgun buttplate, 30” heavy octagon barrel, full buckhorn and a blade front sight. We set up a booth at the local Sweet Grass Fest, informing the public of the issues that we follow and selling some of our raffle tickets. The winner of the rifle will be drawn at our Annual Banquet in November 2015.
For the 2015-2016 academic year, we awarded scholarships to three different, deserving individuals. These future agriculturists will be going into Agriculture Education, Construction Engineering and Diesel & Ag Mechanics. We expect great things in their futures and are confident that they will contribute and give back to the agricultural community.

We send out periodic newsletters to our members, helping to keep them informed on the local and state issues that are affecting our livelihoods. We strive to keep ourselves informed on current issues that may have a potentially negative affect on our operations. We continue to keep current on these issues, such as the IBMP Bison Management Plan, the Yellowstone Basin Advisory, the CKST Water Compact, and DNRC landowner rights topic.

The CMSGA is dedicated to providing our members with the services and resources necessary for their success. We intend to maintain our presence as a positive influencer in the community, and will continue to monitor all livestock, land, and health issues as they pertain to our future as producers. With the hard work and dedication of both our members and board, we are ever optimistic about the future of agriculture in Sweet Grass County.

August 10, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Montana Rancher Feature – Jerry Jones from Kirby

In this week’s Montana Rancher Feature, we highlight Jerry Jones from Kirby. Jerry works on the family ranch as owner/manager. Jerry says, “this means that I do every part of the ranch work – feeding cattle in the winter. calving cattle out, haying and gathering cattle in the fall.”

Be sure to leave Jerry any questions in the comments section below and check out other posts in our Montana Rancher Feature series. Know a member of the Montana ranching community who should be featured in a future post? Use this online form to send us the information!

Jerry JonesMy favorite song is… Landslide by Fleetwood Mac

My favorite cut of beef is… Rib Eye

What type and breed of livestock do you raise? I have a herd of cattle that are mostly Black Angus. I breed these cattle to black bulls and some Hereford.

How is your family involved in the Montana ranching community? My dad is pretty much retired so he does not do much of the work lately. It is pretty much just me working the ranch. When the ranch was started, there were three brothers. One of the brothers moved away and started his own ranch and the other brother and my dad stayed where we are now. My dad’s brother passed away two years ago and as I said, my dad is pretty much retired.

When I’m not ranching, I like to… Used to play golf and volleyball. In the winter I would go skiing

My role model (or superhero) is… My role model is any of the ranchers who will step forward and become a director or officer in Montana Stockgrowers (yes, I know a shameless plug). It takes a lot of effort and time to put forth this kind of commitment.

My favorite quote is… “The difficult we do immediately, the impossible takes us a little longer.” — My uncle (Hugh Jones) told me this one time and it sticks in my head. Anytime I have a hard task I just think of this quote.

My favorite thing about being a part of the Montana ranching community is… In my area, everybody helps each other- branding cattle, gathering and moving said cattle. They will do anything that needs done if you were in an accident and could not do your own work.

I did (or did not) always know I would be in the ranching business. I chose the agricultural life because… I kind of knew I wanted to be in the ranching business when I was in high school. It just seemed like it was a great way to make a living and do what I wanted to do.

Click the image above to see more Montana Rancher Features!

Click the image above to see more Montana Rancher Features!

I think we need more young people involved in ranching because… The ranching community is not getting any younger and we need new ideas brought forward from the younger generation.

I work to provide for wildlife habitat on my ranch by… I leave my pastures in fair shape so the deer, elk can have good grazing themselves.

Proper handling and welfare of livestock is important to me because… We must show our consumers that we care for the food they eat. We don’t want to sell a sick or injured animal because this would be a discount.

I work to ensure we raise a safe and affordable beef product by… I worked to obtain my Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification.

What would you like for beef customers to know about your role in the ranching community? That a majority of the ranchers in the U.S. raise a safe and wholesome product. We try to take care of our animals as best as we can do.

June 3, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Montana Rancher Q & A: Scott Wiley of Musselshell

36As part of the Montana Family Ranching Project, Montana rancher features are imperative for telling the beef story. Today, we feature Scott Wiley of Musselshell, Montana. Scott and wife Kathy, along with their two daughters and son, run the Wiley Ranch located in the Bull Mountains. Not only does Scott ranch, but he also volunteers with the local 4-H, Montana Stockgrowers Association, and a cultural exchange program for youth called, “Provider Pals.” After reading this feature, please share the link with your friends in order to help more people learn about Montana family ranching.

How long has your family been involved in ranching? 

I grew up on a ranch in Idaho and worked for various ranches in the area. As often happens, the ranch was not big enough to support all of us which lead me to Montana. Upon completion of a MS degree in Animal Science at Montana State University, my wife and I were hired to manage Dyer Land and Cattle. After running the ranch for 12 years, we were given the opportunity to lease all of the land and buy all of the cattle. We have been in this situation for the last 10 years. The only time in my life that I was not involved with ranching was when I was going to college, but even then I worked on the college farm and local ranches on weekends.

What was your favorite part about growing up on the ranch? 

My favorite part of growing up on the ranch was being outside and working with animals. There was never a dull moment with 2 older brothers, horses to ride, open spaces and the freedom to enjoy it.

Tell us about your ranch today.43

Today the ranch is raising Gelbvieh and Angus cross cattle. We have over 13000 acres of leased ground and can run as many as 400 mother cows. With all of the kids grown up and doing things of their own, my wife Kathy and I are the only family members involved. I am probably most proud of the condition of this land that we have been caring for. Bob Ross whose family homesteaded part of this ranch, came here and toured the place. He is a retired Range Conservationist so when he told me that I was doing a wonderful job managing this range I was very proud.  The number of wildlife that share this land with us has increased dramatically which to me is an indicator of good range management.

What have been some of the trials you’ve had to overcome? 

We have so far been flooded, burned out, taken over by grasshoppers, gone through drought, gone through severe snow storms and terrible cold. The fire of 2012 was the worst, we lost almost all of the range and had to start feeding hay real early just to keep the cows. The aftermath of that fire will be with us for years to come as the cattle did not perform very well after the smoke inhalation, the stress and being fed poor hay for nearly 8 months. The range is recovering with good rains and snow but we will be looking at burned trees forever, reminding us of the devastation.

What is one thing you wish more people knew about life on the ranch?35

I wish that more people would know about the reality of ranching. We do not get up at dawn every day, saddle up the horses and ride around all day. That only occurs on a few days of the year. Reality is we spend many days fixing fences, fixing water lines, putting up hay, feeding the hay, fixing machinery and doing many little things to keep the ranch running. People need to know the way it feels to work very hard trying to save a new born calf only to have it die as well as the feeling of helping a heifer deliver a live calf and hear her talking to her new baby as she cleans it off. Ranching can be really rewarding but it can be just as depressing. My daughter wrote of ranching: “It is decisions. All building up on one another until it seems as if one can’t take it anymore. Burdens of making decisions that affect too much and burdens of when there was nothing you could do.”

What does it mean to you to be able to work with your family every day?66

Working with your family is one of the best things about ranching. Having your kids growing up working alongside of you is a really good way to teach them responsibility and a good work ethic. Working together makes you grow together when you face adversity and you take it head on as a family.

Is there anything you would have done differently on the ranch if given the chance? 

I am not sure what I would do different, certainly not anything major. Maybe little things like use AI more extensively early on or put fences in different places.

How would describe “building a legacy” on the ranch? 

Building a legacy to me would be that when I am gone people will say of me that I left the land in better condition than when I found it and that I had one heck of a good set of cows. All of our pastures are named after the original homesteaders, they left a legacy. I would like for someday that people would refer to some part of the place the ”Wiley Place”, that would be leaving a legacy.

Do you have any advice for future Montana rancher generations about running a successful beef cattle business?

The best advice I could give is get educated and never stop learning. That may not mean going to college but working with a mentor and going to every possible seminar or school that you can attend. It may mean getting a job on a ranch and learning the hard way. I also think that even ranch raised kids should go and work for other ranches to see how others function. One of the worst things that I have seen is ranchers who continue to do things the way that grandpa did it and they get into a rut, never improving. Being exposed to new and different things is good. Yes some of the things that grandpa did he did for a reason, but everything should be questioned and looked at from a business perspective.

What’s your favorite beef dish?

It would have to be a good roast, prime rib or top sirloin slow cooked on the grill to a medium rare with horseradish!

Is there anything else you can share with us?15

Every rancher should have at least 2 Corgi dogs that will help him work cows and snuggle on him at night!

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April 8, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Importance of Environmental Stewardship with Padlock Ranch’s Wayne Fahsholtz | Montana Rancher Q&A

Wayne Fahsholtz Padlock Ranch

Wayne Fahsholtz

Each year, the Montana Stockgrowers Association, Montana Beef Council and the Montana Stockgrowers Association’s Foundation, honors a Montana ranch that exemplifies environmental stewardship and demonstrates a commitment toward improved sustainability within their communities. This award recognizes Montana ranchers who are at the forefront in conservation and stewardship and are willing to serve as examples for other ranchers.

The Padlock Ranch, located in both Montana and Wyoming, has won both the respective state awards, and received the Regional ESAP recognition. Ranch manager Wayne Fahsholtz has worked with the ranch crew and family owners to implement outstanding stewardship practices and continues to strive daily to create an environmentally sustainable beef cattle operation. Wayne answered a few questions for us about winning the award and some advice for other ranchers:

Why do you think the Environmental Stewardship Program is important for Montana (and Wyoming)? 

The award is a way to communicate with others about good practices that are occurring on the land.  With rancher to rancher communication, we learn from each other and can improve or avoid costly mistakes.  With rancher to customer, it allows us to visit about what is happening and help dispel some of the myths about land management.  

In your opinion, what makes a Montana/Wyoming rancher a good steward of the land?

Good stewards know what condition their resource is in and have plans that will maintain or improve those resources.  

Can you give us a few examples of innovations and projects you are most proud of at the Padlock Ranch? 

The biggest impact was the implementation of a “planned time” rotational grazing system. This keeps livestock from being in pastures season long and it rotates the time of use for a pasture. It is fairly simple but has great results.  

Cattle on the Padlock RanchThe Padlock Ranch is a great example of how a beef cattle business and the western landscape can co-exist…how can other ranches follow this lead?  

One of the things that I have tried to do is to be transparent about how we operate.  Over 95% of our population is far removed from production agriculture.   We need to be creative in the ways we communicate and educate this population.  So, I would urge ranchers to share their stories and ranches with others around them that may not understand about agriculture.  

How did you feel when you learned that the Padlock Ranch was selected as both state and regional winner? 

It was a great honor and great to be able to share that with everyone involved with the ranch.  At the same time, it was humbling because I know what a good job my fellow ranchers do and to be singled out was an honor and hopefully I represented everyone well.  

Do you have any advice for ranches considering to apply for the award? 

Just do it! The application process can be intimidating but once you get started it flows fairly well. You can get help from stockgrowers staff and past winners.

Ranches wishing to apply for the award and recognition are asked to complete an application packet (available at mtbeef.org/mesap); due to the MSGA office by June 30. Nominations can be submitted by contacting the MSGA office. Ranches must be a member of the Montana Stockgrowers Association to qualify for the award. A committee, which will include representatives from Montana Stockgrowers, Montana Beef Council, past Environmental Stewardship Award winners, and others invested in Montana stewardship and conservation will evaluate the applications after all applications are completed.

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March 10, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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A Day In The Life of Calving Season | Give It Everything You’ve Got

sitz angus ranch cold calving february

The temperature was 20 degrees below zero. Ranchers were dressed in not one, but two pairs of thick Carhartt coveralls. If there was any moisture at all, it froze almost immediately. At the Sitz Angus Ranch in Harrison, Montana, the weather wasn’t going to impede the work needed to be done that February day.

The cowboys spirit knows no boundaries…it was in the thick of calving season on the ranch and with temperatures as bitter as they were, the ranch crew was charged with putting the livestock’s well-being before their own comfort (like every other day) and help cows have healthy baby calves.

I followed along with Rebecca Timm and Kurt Puckett as they brought cows about to calve in from the icy, snow-covered pasture to the warm, straw-filled barn. They moved the cows in the building so the calf wouldn’t have such a temperature shock when it came out of its 100 degree home.

Even with around-the-clock care, sometimes the cows have a quick  delivery and aren’t seen in time to bring into the barn before they calve. That’s what happened the day I was on the ranch to one cow in particular.  Only a few minutes after she delivered her calf, Kurt and Rebecca found the little one and brought it in as fast as they could. He wasn’t up and moving as he should…instead, laid flat and barely was breathing. Here’s what happened…

The ranchers hypothesized that the mother cow may have accidentally sat on her calf which caused him some internal injuries and the inability to urinate. The cold weather wasn’t the only factor to his unfortunate situation. Even though the calf didn’t make it through the night, hundreds of other calves did with tender care from the ranch crew. We all wish that the one featured in the video could have been saved, but the dedicated ranchers gave everything they had for hours on its care. That’s the cowboy spirit!

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Montana Stockgrowers Association Board of Directors Mick Denowh Sidney
January 16, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Mick Denowh of Sidney completes term on Montana Stockgrowers Board of Directors

Montana Stockgrowers Association Board of Directors Mick Denowh Sidney

This week we are highlighting three Montana ranchers who just finished their terms on the MSGA Board of Directors. We are very thankful for all of the ranchers and their families who dedicate time to making sure our organization operates smoothly and continues to serve Montana Ranching Families well into the future.

Mick Denowh of Sidney has completed two terms on the Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) Board of Directors representing the Northeastern District. His peers elected Mick to the 13-member board in 2009 and re-elected in 2011. Denowh was honored for his service at MSGA’s 129th Annual Convention and Trade Show at the Holiday Inn Grand Montana in Billings, Dec. 12-14.

“Mick had a long distance to travel to most MSGA meetings, but only missed one meeting due to his family’s spring bull sale,” says MSGA President, Tucker Hughes of Stanford. “Mick is attentive but quiet, a good quality when serving on a board with ranchers. He and his wife Debbie were always involved and I can speak for the entire board in saying we have enjoyed serving with Mick and thank him for his four years of service.”

Mick, along with Paul and Chad Denowh, run Gartner-Denowh Angus Ranch, a fourth-generation Seedstock operation. Mick is the ranch’s president. GDAR, which consists of two ranches located 35 miles apart, has been raising registered Angus since 1957.

Montana Stockgrowers Association Board of Directors Mick Denowh SidneyMick and his wife Debra have four children, Chad, Charles, Chase and Chantz, two daughter-in-laws Jennifer and Barbara, and two grandchildren Danica and Cambree.

Mick is a member of the American Angus Association, served on the Montana Angus Association Board of Directors for three years and has been a delegate to the AAA national convention numerous times. He is a member of the MONDAK Stockgrowers Association and served as 4-H leader from 1988-2006. Mick served on the Richland Youth Hockey Board of Directors for three years and was chair of the Fireworks Booth & Bulls R. Us.

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