December 11, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
Share:

Havre Rancher Completes Term as Stockgrowers Director

Leon LasalleLeon LaSalle of Havre recently completed his second term of Director for the Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) representing the North Central District. LaSalle was recognized for his contributions at MSGA’s 131st Annual Convention and Trade Show at Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings on December 5.

“Serving as a Director for MSGA has been a rewarding experience, giving me firsthand knowledge of the challenges we face as an industry,” said Leon LaSalle. “Being on the Board has allowed me to meet and work with passionate ranchers from across the state. I know MSGA is in good hands as our ranchers handle challenges we face as an industry.”

During his term, Leon played an important mentoring role in the beginnings of a successful Collegiate Stockgrowers club at MSU-Northern. The club, currently the largest student organization at MSU-Northern, helps students be more involved in campus activities and network with area ranchers.

Leon is president of LaSalle Ranch, a family corporation that includes his father Robert L., his mother Jenny, and his brother Robert W, Robert’s wife Susie, along with his wife Shannon. LaSalle Ranch is a cow/calf and yearling operation, mostly located within the boundaries of the Rocky Boy Indian reservation.

Leon and his brother Robert W. represent the third generation to ranch in the area. “My grandfather Frank Billy was one of the first Chippewa Cree Tribal members to enter the livestock industry after World War II,” Leon said. “We are proud to carry on the ranching tradition.” The LaSalle Ranch was recognized in 2013 for their efforts in the areas of stewardship, conservation and sustainability through the Montana Environmental Stewardship Award Program.

Leon has been active in his local organizations, serving as past Director of the North Central Montana Stockgrowers Association in Havre. He is also an engineering technician with the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Havre.

LaSalle was elected by MSGA members to the 13-member board in 2011 and re-elected in 2013.

The Montana Stockgrowers Association meets annually to discuss and vote on policy measures, which guide the Association in representing its members on local, state and federal issues. MSGA’s 2016 MidYear membership meeting will take place June 9-11 in Great Falls. To learn more about Stockgrowers programs or membership, visit mtbeef.org or contact the office in Helena, (406) 442-3420.

Click here for more 2015 Annual Convention coverage from Montana Stockgrowers.

March 6, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
Share:

North Central Stockgrowers Work on Predator Control

Leon LaSalleBy Leon LaSalle, Havre, MSGA North Central Director

Greetings from North Central Montana. It seems like a long time since my last update in July. We had record rainfall in August that led to a very productive fall where our regrowth was in fact better than our spring, which helped put a bloom on the calves.

I had an opportunity to work with a group of ranchers from the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation who are in the process of forming a cattlemen’s association that would serve the Fort Belknap ranchers. This was also a great opportunity for me to educate them about MSGA, and how each group can help the other.

I was also able to attend North Central Stockgrowers’ annual meeting in November where predator control was identified as an ever-growing problem. A resolution was passed to work with Hill and Blaine counties to enact a petition, which if signed by 50% of cattle ownership, would allow for a per capita tax on cattle. This would give APHIS the needed funds to hire a trapper for the area and would provide a fund to pay for aerial predator control.

A resolution was also passed that asks for a surcharge on conservation licenses that would allow sportsmen to help us out with predator control. The resolution was forwarded on to MSGA and passed through the policy making process at the MSGA annual meeting.

Visit the North Central Stockgrowers on Facebook!

I also met with the MSU-Northern collegiate club recently to update them on current MSGA activities and to possibly set up additional meetings to support their club to the fullest amount possible. I realize that the smaller schools with Stockgrower clubs may need more support from MSGA to be successful as we are competing for a rather small amount of students.

I want to congratulate the American Fork Ranch, Jed and Annie Evjene, the 2014 winners of the MT Environmental Stewardship Award. As a past award winner, I know the time demand it takes to go through the application process. For me, I was uncomfortable talking about our ranch when I know there are so many other great environmental stewards throughout Montana.

During the January Board meeting, a subcommittee (Jim Steinbeisser, Jed Evjene, Leon Lasalle) was formed to ensure MSGA and Beef Council work together to fund the award to fullest. We believe this award can and should become a major priority to both organizations.