Tyson meat donation Montana
February 25, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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MSU Collegiate Cattlewomen making a difference with big food donation

Tyson meat donation MontanaBOZEMAN – A Montana State University club has won a national competition, and the prize – 30,500 pounds of chicken products from Tyson Foods, Inc.  – is scheduled to arrive the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Gallatin Valley Food Bank.

The Collegiate CattleWomen’s Club won the contest by collecting 500 pounds of canned goods during the annual “Can the Griz” food drive last fall and completing other weekly assignments in the annual Animal Agricultural Alliance Online College Aggies Scholarship Competition. The Animal Agriculture Alliance is one of the largest animal agricultural industry nonprofit organizations in the country. Since the group launched the national online competition in 2009, more than 1,500 college students from more than 100 colleges and universities have participated.

Bronya Renfrow, president of the Collegiate CattleWomen’s Club, said the MSU club decided to donate its prize to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank. Food Bank Coordinator Jill Holder said the food bank will share the gift with other groups, which might include senior centers, group homes and nonprofit organizations. 

She has never received a single donation this large during her time with the food bank, Holder said.

“This donation is a really big deal, and it’s incredibly helpful to our valley families,” Holder said. “This donation will provide protein for almost an entire year, so it’s an enormous contribution. Buying protein can get expensive so we’re thankful and excited for the donation.”

Renfrow said she is proud of her club for winning the competition.

“For such a small club to be able to accomplish something like this is incredible. It’s a huge honor. It hasn’t quite sunk in how many local families the donation will help to feed,” said Renfrow from Pleasantville, Iowa, a senior majoring in agricultural education (agricultural relations).

The club only placed food boxes in Linfield Hall and the Animal Bioscience Building for the fall food drive, Renfrow said.

“We were really surprised we won the food drive because we only placed boxes in a few buildings, so it’s a real testament to the staff, students and faculty in those buildings who helped us to win this,” she said.

The Collegiate CattleWomen Club has approximately 15 members, Renfrow said. One of 27 clubs in the MSU College of Agriculture, its mission is to promote beef.

“We emphasize that meat is a good source of zinc, iron and protein, and lean meat can be good for you,” Renfrow said.

In addition to the food drive, the MSU club handed out beef sticks and fact sheets last fall for a “Meet the Meat” event on campus. Last spring, it held a 5K race and barbecue, titled “Meat at the Finish Line.” It will hold the same event this year on Saturday, April 12. Throughout the school year, club members give “Perfect Cheeseburger” presentations at elementary schools, demonstrating and explaining the nutrition in each layer of a cheeseburger.

 

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February 18, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Montana State University’s Collegiate Quiz Bowl Teams Takes 4th in Nation

Montana Team Finishes Fourth in Nation at 2014 Cattle Industry Convention Quiz Bowl Competition

MSU Quiz Bowl Team (Pictured L to R): Drew Gaskill of Volberg, Katy Klick of Simms, Dr. Rachel Endecott (Sponsor), Jared Hardaway of Belgrade, and Lane Schmitt of Chinook

Winning several local and regional competitions throughout the year, Montana State University’s Collegiate Quiz Bowl team competed for the national title during the 2014 Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville in early February. These Bobcats were Kenneth Gaskill, Katy Klick, Jared Hardaway, Lane Schmitt and advisor, Dr. Rachel Endecott.

The competition places teams from across the country head-to-head to answer complex questions about the livestock industry as quickly as possible. In game show style, the student to “buzz in” first has the opportunity to answer the question and his or her team is then awarded points for correct answers and lose points for incorrect attempts.

During the national competition, MSU competed against teams from Kansas State University and Penn State University. Out of all the teams in nation, the Bobcats took home the 4th place spot. Congratulations to these students and help us to let them know how proud we are of them!

Below is a video feature of the Montana State University team. Click play to view.

Montana State University Collegiate Stockgrowers
January 30, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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January Collegiate Stockgrower Update

Montana State University Collegiate StockgrowersBy Kelsey Haughian, Secretary, Montana State University

A new semester has begun for members at Montana State University! We are excited to see what the semester will bring for Collegiate Stockgrowers as it is bound to be busy and fun for this crew! A new team of officers will be the first thing on the agenda in the coming weeks.

We ended last semester with the Annual Convention in Billings. We are thankful to be given such an opportunity as collegiate members to attend Convention. Over the four days, 12 members were able to meet others in the industry from across the state, as well as attend meetings on Tax, Finance and Ag Policies and Beef Production & Marketing. The club also appreciated the opportunity to speak at the Finale Banquet and draw for our bronze raffle.

The bronze raffle was a huge success, raising over $2,500! The winner of the bronze was Baylie Rodenbaugh of Miles City. Baylie is a high school junior and the daughter of Jeff and Cathy Rodenbaugh. Baylie bought her ticket at the Southeastern Montana Stockgrowers Association affiliate meeting in Miles City. Thank you to everyone who supported us in this fundraiser!

On January 15 – 19, 13 collegiate members from Bozeman and Havre traveled to Denver to take in a once-in-a-life time opportunity. Members toured the JBS-5 Rivers feedlot and JBS packing plant, along with the headquarters of the National Cattleman’s Beef Association and the take in the National Western Stock Show. This trip allows students to learn about the beef cattle industry from a national perspective.

Our meetings are the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. We would love to have MSGA members come and be our guest, to speak a few words of advice, and mostly interact with our young members! For questions/inquires, email [email protected]. And don’t forget to “like” our Facebook page!

 

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January 20, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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MSU Extension and MSGA announce 2013 Steer of Merit certifications

Montana Stockgrowers and Extension Steer of Merit Recipients

L to R, Lane Brush (Madison County), Randy Kramer (Carbon County), Kayla Sylvia (Lewis and Clark County), Shelbie Oblander (Yellowstone County), Ty Handy (Richland County), and Rachel Endecott (MSU Extension)

Montana State University Extension and the Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) distinguished 135 “Steers of Merit” out of over 900 entries for 2013. Out of 775 steers entered in the Carcass Division, 111 were deemed Steers of Merit. In the Ultrasound Division, 24 out of 141 entries received the distinction.

“The Steer of Merit award promotes and recognizes the production of the highest quality of Montana beef with carcass characteristics that meet the U.S. beef industry’s standards of excellence,” said Errol Rice, MSGA’s Executive Vice President. “We are proud to sponsor this great youth program that teaches and awards 4-H and FFA beef projects that have met or exceeded these industry benchmarks in order to meet both domestic and global consumer demand for the 21st century.”

The exhibitors and breeders of the top five steers in each category were honored at MSGA’s Annual Convention, Dec. 12-14 in Billings at the Holiday Inn Grand Montana. The top five steer entries in the Carcass Division were: 1) Timothy Eash, Lincoln County (Ed Braaten, breeder); 2) Randy Kramer, Carbon County (Justin Oswald, breeder); 3) Karleigh Bolin, Missoula County (Jeremy & Kate Roberts, breeder); 4) Kayla Sylvia, Lewis and Clark County (Troy Wheeler, breeder); and 5) Lane Brush, Madison County (Gerald Brush, breeder).

The top five steer entries in the Ultrasound Division were: 1) Mackenzie Lepley, Yellowstone County (breeder unknown); 2) Ty Handy, Richland County (Larry & Lauri Handy, breeder); 3) Brielle Gorder, Richland County (Allen Gasho, breeder); 4) Shelbie Oblander, Yellowstone County (Pam & Dale Bilyeu, breeder); and 5) Jalyssa Gorder, Richland County (Gartner-Denowh Angus Ranch, breeder).

The number of Steer of Merit certifications for 2013 increased by nine steers, with 26 more entries submitted compared to 2012.

“Steer of Merit certification didn’t change much in 2013 compared to 2012,” said Rachel Endecott, Montana State Extension Beef Cattle Specialist. “This was the second fair season under the new hot carcass weight and back fat standards set by the Steer of Merit Committee in 2011; perhaps some adjustment to the new standards is occurring. And summer 2013 probably had better cattle feeding weather and conditions than summer 2012.”

The Montana Steer of Merit program was initiated in 1967 as a joint effort between the Montana Stockgrowers Association and Montana State University Extension. The program was designed to measure, record, and improve carcass characteristics in beef cattle. Data from these carcasses has been summarized and analyzed statistically. Over time, significant increases have been made in quality grade and in yield grade, or cutability, indicating that cattle can be selected for leaner carcasses with higher cutability and still maintain high quality grade as reflected by marbling.

To be designated a Steer of Merit, carcasses are evaluated by a qualified individual using information that relates to yield of lean meat and eating quality. Beef carcasses must meet criteria set by the Steer of Merit Committee in the areas of hot carcass weight, dressing percent, fat thickness over 12th rib (back fat), total rib eye area, yield grade, percent cutability, and quality grade. Computer software programs help compile data and rank carcasses for state and county awards. Data is also analyzed periodically to track genetic and feed management progress. The minimum standards for Steer of Merit are reviewed each year and the program is updated to meet the changing industry standards.

For more information about the Steer of Merit program, call Rachel Endecott, Montana State Extension Beef Cattle Specialist at (406) 994-3747.

 

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November 12, 2013 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Giving Back Through Steer-A-Year Program

Earlier this year, we featured MSU’s Steer-A-Year program where ranchers donate animals are receive performance data (28-day gains and carcass performance) and contribute to a hands-on learning experience for Bozeman students.

“Donated steers make a direct impact on students, particularly those participating in the livestock judging program,” according to program coordinator and Extension Beef Cattle Specialist, Dr. Rachel Endecott. The steers also contribute to the educational experiences of dozens of students in the College of Agriculture since the steers are used in animal science courses throughout the school year. Those courses include “Beef Cattle Management,” “Livestock Management – Beef Cattle,” “Meat Science,” and “Livestock Evaluation.”

Montana State Steer-A-Year Dusty Hahn

Endecott and Hahn

One of this year’s steer donors is Montana Stockgrowers Association’s Foundation chair, Dusty Hahn. “I’m supporting the Steer-A-Year program because, as an MSU College of Ag alum, I’m able to make a financial contribution to the MSU Livestock Judging team, but also help with practical, hands-on learning opportunities. The Steer-A-Year steers are feed by ruminant nutrition graduate students. They are evaluated by the judging team, animal science, and meat science classes. I hope that my contribution helps advance the education of our future ag producers and leaders.”

Thank to the many ranchers like Dusty Hahn who donated steers to this year’s program and help MSU students gain a better education with hands-on opportunities like the Steer-A-Year program.

C.R. Morrison Bronze Sculpture Texas Tradition
November 7, 2013 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Collegiates Raffle Morrison Bronze Scultpture

The Collegiate Stockgrowers at Montana State in Bozeman are selling raffle tickets for a bronze sculpture by Montana artist, C.R. Morrison. The sculpture, titled “Texas Tradition”, was donated by Julie Boyer. Proceeds of the raffle go to help CSG with costs of the club educational opportunities and guest speakers.

C.R. Morrison Bronze Sculpture Texas Tradition

The drawing for the sculpture will take place at MSGA Annual Convention and Trade Show on Saturday, December 14th. Contact MSU-Bozeman CSG via email ([email protected]) or find them on Facebook for more details.

September 19, 2013 1 Comment Montana Stockgrowers Association
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MSU Steer-A-Year program returns for 2013-14

Montana ranchers can once again donate steers to Montana State University. The Steer-A-Year program is back for the 2013-14 school year.

–MSU News Service

BOZEMAN – Montana State University has resumed its Steer-A-Year program after a one-year hiatus.

Montana ranchers who want to donate a steer to benefit students in MSU’s College of Agriculture should contact Extension Beef Cattle Specialist Rachel Endecott. Steers will be accepted Oct. 14 through 18. They will be housed and fed to finish at the Bozeman Agriculture Research and Teaching Farm west of Bozeman.

Donors will be honored at MSU’s Celebrate Agriculture!! on Oct. 25 and 26, Endecott said. Performance data (28-day gains and carcass performance) from the steers will be collected throughout the school year. The top feeder steer and donor will be announced at Celebrate Agriculture!! The top carcass and donor will be announced in the spring.

Donated steers make a direct impact on students, particularly those participating in the livestock judging program, Endecott said. The steers also contribute to the educational experiences of dozens of students in the College of Agriculture since the steers are used in animal science courses throughout the school year. Those courses include “Beef Cattle Management,” “Livestock Management – Beef Cattle,” “Meat Science,” and “Livestock Evaluation.”

For more information about the Steer-A-Year program or how to donate a steer, contact Endecott at (406) 994-3747 or [email protected]

April 25, 2011 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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MSGA Mid-Year Meeting to be held at MSU Animal BioScience Building, June 9-10


The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) will hold its Mid-Year Meeting, June 9-10 in Bozeman, Mont. at the Animal BioScience Building on the Montana State University (MSU) campus. Mid-Year is one of the two major meetings MSGA holds each year. MSGA members will gather to discuss the issues facing Montana ranching families and set interim policy to guide the association through the rest of the year. The highlight of this year’s meeting will be the Ranch Tour on Thursday afternoon, June 9. (more…)