Stockgrowers Update From North Central Montana
By Jack Holden, Valier, MSGA North Central District Director
Greetings to everyone from northern Montana.
What a great calving season it has been for everyone this year. Spring is off to a great start and from my travels across Montana delivering bulls it looks like everyone’s grass is off to an early start. We are in need of some April showers and a little less or maybe even a lot less wind up in this part of the state, but there is still time and I hear a lot of the state got a nice little shot of moisture in recent weeks.
Cattle prices are holding up great and it sure sounds like another great year for the cow-calf producers. It has been a great spring for our seedstock producers also.
It is hard to believe that it is already the end of April. Seems like 2015 is going by fast this year. As I write this, there are only a few days left in the legislative session. First, I want to thank all of the people that are serving in the legislature for all their hard work to do what is best for the people of Montana and especially the ones that are working hard to protect and preserve Montana’s agriculture sector.
Also, thanks to Errol and Jay for all the work they do lobbying to help support or oppose bills that go along with the policies we have in place from our membership. I think it has been a successful year so far, with what has happened in the legislature for Montana’s agriculture sector.
I know there have also been some very contentious issues out there to deal with, and not all of our membership is on the same side of them. In these cases, we have to follow policy set in place and do the best we can. I hope when the session is done it all works out for the best with whatever decisions end up being made.
I hope to see you all in Bozeman for Mid Year meeting on June 4-6. We have a great program lined up and what a beautiful time of year to be there. Please come and be involved, and count on having a great time.
In closing, I want you all to know that your MSGA board and staff is committed to being fully engaged with our membership and keeping open the lines of communication. It was great to see a good turnout from our local affiliates at the AMP meeting in Helena in February. We want to continue to have our members and affiliates involved and their voices heard.
MSGA will continue to be the leader in representing your interests in the state of Montana and on the national level. This is only possible with a strong and active membership. Thanks for being a member of MSGA and being involved.