January 23, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame to honor inductees at Circle the Wagons Gathering and Cowboy Ball in Helena, Feb. 7

The Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Center (MCHF & WHC) extends an invitation to all to attend the 9th Annual Circle the Wagons Convention in Helena, Feb. 6 & 7 at the Great Northern Best Western Premier.

“This is an exciting time for the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame,” said MCHF &WHC President Bill Galt of White Sulphur Springs. “In this world focused on celebrity, fame and fortune, we are so glad to be able to honor those who set a positive example in their communities through their everyday deeds and hard work. We hope to see anyone and everyone who cares about Montana’s Western heritage at this fun event in Helena.”

The weekend will kick off Friday evening, Feb. 6 with a free Cowboy Social featuring entertainment by the Dillon Junior Fiddlers. The Inductee Recognition Ceremony Brunch will be held on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 10:30 a.m. to celebrate the notable accomplishments and lasting legacies of the inductees to the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame Class of 2014. Tickets are $30 per person. Early registration is recommended as this event sells out well in advance each year!

The 9th Annual Cowboy Ball and Benefit Auction will kick off at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday with a social hour and auction preview. This event will feature great Western music by World Livestock Auctioneer Champion Kyle Shobe and his band The Walk ‘Em Boys. There will be both a silent and live auction featuring unique and Western items. Tickets to the Cowboy Ball are $50 per person or $450 for a 10-person table.

Register online at www.montanacowboyfame.org, by calling (406) 653-3800, or email [email protected]. Rooms may be reserved at the Great Northern Best Western Premier in Helena by calling (406) 457-5500.

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The mission of the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Center is to “honor our cowboy way of life, American Indian cultures and collective Montana Western heritage.” We exist to serve as a resource to all who wish to see this way of life passed forward to the next generation. Our vision is “to be the state’s premier destination attraction that celebrates and passes forward Montana’s unique western culture and heritage.” To learn more, visit www.montanacowboyfame.org

August 13, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Daines Discusses Issues With Montana Agriculture Groups

Congressman Steve Daines answers questions from local television reporters prior to a meeting with Montana agricultural groups at the Stockgrowers office on August 7, 2014

Congressman Steve Daines answers questions from local television reporters prior to a meeting with Montana agricultural groups at the Stockgrowers office on August 7, 2014

Things were busy as we had several visitors at the office on Thursday afternoon, August 7. Congressman Steve Daines stopped by the Montana Stockgrowers’ office as a part of his agricultural tour across the state during the legislative August recess.

Daines met with a number of representatives from Montana’s agricultural coalition to discuss priority issues that are of concern for the state’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Representatives from the Grain Growers Association, Agricultural Business Association, Grain Elevators, Montana Livestock Ag Credit were on hand for the meeting. Stockgrowers staff also represented Public Lands Council and the Association of State Grazing Districts.

Each group had the opportunity to bring forward issues affecting their membership in an effort to help Daines stay up-to-date on critical matters impacting the state’s rural residents. Topics discussed included:

  • EPA’s Waters of the U.S. proposed ruling and its impact on farmers and ranchers across the state. Daines noted that this has been the number one issue for the agriculture community as he has traveled across the state. (Click here for MSGA’s preliminary analysis)
  • The importance of neonicotinoids use as a seed treatment and crop protectant for wheat growers was a concern, especially as it relates to criticisms of being associated with declining beef populations.
  • Grain elevators are concerned about increased inspections and fines imposed from OSHA. Elevator operators appreciate the emphasis on safety, but would like to see more cooperation from OSHA on compliance issues and information.
  • Rail transportation for grain growers across the state continues to be an issue of great importance as competition increases for exporting the state’s commodities. Rail backlogs, price competition, and union strikes at sea ports continue to put a strain on moving grain, especially as summer and fall harvests progress.
  • Implementation of Farm Bill programs through FSA offices continues to be a priority for farmers and ranchers across the state. Importance is placed on information sharing between FSA and producers to make sure available programs are implemented in a timely manner.
  • As cattle prices continue to reach record levels, access to operating capital is a growing concern for producers and banking institutions. Importance in placed on making sure banking and financial regulations are not a burden on banks being able to provide for their customers.
  • For cattle and sheep producers across the state, cooperation with federal agencies is important for access to grazing lands. Producers want to ensure their allotments are not threatened by retirement of the agreements.
  • Listing of the sage grouse as an Endangered Species continues to concern the state’s ranchers. Montana’s state sage grouse plan is due out this Fall and the state needs time to implement the plan and have time to showcase the effects before 2015 implementation of the federal rule.
  • Management of weed control, along with conifer and sagebrush encroachment on rangelands continues to be an important issue for grazing allotments on U.S. Forest Service lands. Concerns were raised about USFS budgets for these issues and allowance for wildfire control to be treated partially as natural disaster budget issues.

Prior to meeting at the Stockgrowers office in Helena, Congressman Daines spent the morning with Townsend rancher, Dusty Hahn. Hahn gave Daines a hands-on look at issues affecting central Montana ranches, including grazing leases on private and public lands, management of irrigation projects and raising livestock on a family operation.

The Montana Stockgrowers looks forward to continued work with all of our Congressional leadership and cooperative efforts with all members of the state’s agriculture coalition to address issues affecting Montana’s farming and ranching communities.

To learn more about our legislative and policy efforts, visit mtbeef.org or contact the MSGA office in Helena, (406) 442-3420.

January 12, 2009 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Young Stockgrowers Conference to be held in Helena, Jan. 22 and 23

On Jan. 22 and 23, the Young Stockgrowers will gather in Helena for the 2009 Young Stockgrowers Conference. Held during every legislative session, the conference features a legislative training, tour of the Capitol building, interactive workshops, educational speakers, policy reviews, and meetings with legislators. On Thursday evening, Jan. 22, attendees will enjoy a social sponsored by Montana Livestock Ag Credit and participate in a dinner with some of Montana’s legislative leaders and leaders from the agricultural industry.

The price for the conference is $35/person and will be held at the Best Western Helena Great Northern Hotel. Applications are available at www.mtbeef.org and are due Jan. 19. The conference is sponsored by the Bank of the Rockies, Montana Livestock Ag Credit and the Montana Stockgrowers Association’s Research Education and Endowment Fund. For more information, contact MSGA at 442-3420.