November 4, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Montana Angus Breeders Donate Heifer to Benefit Stockgrowers

Idland Cattle CompanyA new tradition begins at the 2015 Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention with the generous donation of a 2015 purebred Angus foundation heifer by the Stars of Montana group. The Angus heifer (Reg. 18229568) will be auctioned during the Grand Finale Banquet, Saturday, December 5 in Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark. All proceeds go to support MSGA programs.

The Stars of Montana network of Angus breeders were founded in 2011 and host a joint female production sale the second Saturday in December at the Midland Bull Test Station in Columbus, Montana. This year’s event is slated for December 12, 2015.

Idland Cattle Company Angus Heifer DonationIdland Cattle Co. of Circle are the donors of this year’s heifer. Glen, Connie and Reece Idland have assembled one of the great cowherds in eastern Montana, backed by truly elite cow families. This program has topped several NILE and National Western Foundation Female Sales with their production and performance oriented genetics. They are Montana’s home to RB Tour of Duty 177, sire of the 2015 donation.

The heifer, ICC Blacklass 5208 (Reg. 18229568) has cutting edge performance EPDs from one of the disciplined seedstock herds in Montana. Support the future of the beef industry in Montana and attend the auction to purchase the 2015 Stars of Montana heifer.

To view all the highlights from this year’s Annual Convention, click here. RSVP on the Facebook event so you do not miss a thing. If you are following along on social media, share your experience (and anticipation!) with the hashtag #MSGA15 on Twitter and Instagram. View the tags from all networks on Tagboard.

October 28, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Montana Stockgrowers to Host 131st Annual Convention in Billings – December 3-5

2015 Annual Convention

Click image above for more event details!

On December 3-5. Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) will celebrate 131 years of serving the state’s ranchers with their Annual Convention & Trade Show. This year’s meetings move to Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark in Billings with a larger trade show, more educational workshops, policy meetings, over $100,000 in prizes and two nights of live music.

“Montana’s ranchers have had a busy year following work during the legislative session and changes in a dynamic cattle industry,” says MSGA President, Gene Curry from Valier. “Our 2015 Annual Convention will feature a large number of discussions and speakers on topics impacting our ranchers today.”

Robert O'NeillNavy SEAL and Butte native, Robert O’Neill will be the featured speaker during Friday’s Northern Ag Network Lunch. O’Neill, one of the most highly decorated combat veterans of our time, will share a riveting and inspiring message drawn on more than 400 combat missions overseas.

Ranchers will learn more about our global food chain and protein needs around the world as Grady Bishop of Elanco Animal Health highlights Opening General Session on Friday morning. Bishop, Senior Director of North American Market Access for Elanco, brings a deep appreciation for the roles technology and modern agriculture play in feeding the world. His presentation will help ranchers gain insight from his exposure first-hand to a broad spectrum of food insecurity.

A broad range of educational workshops will be offered during the Stockgrowers College. Speakers will touch on topics of vaccination programs, calf health and nutrition, weaned calf management, antibiotic use and Veterinary Feed Directives, risk management and estate planning.

Grady Bishop ElancoEach night of Annual Convention will feature viewing of the NFR on the big screens. Thursday night will include the first ever NFR Calcutta at MSGA Annual Convention, benefiting the Stockgrowers’ Research & Education Endowment Foundation. Friday night will feature live music from Exit 53 and Saturday night will feature entertainment from Crazy Mountain Express.

Saturday night’s Grand Finale Banquet will be highlighted by the annual live auction for Cattle Directory Priority Page advertisements. Over $100,000 in prizes will be awarded including a Ford F-350 Super Duty pickup, John Deere Gator, Massey Ferguson tractor lease and a trip to San Diego, California for the 2016 Cattle Industry Convention.

Policy meetings will take place on Thursday and Friday of Annual Convention. Guest speakers will address a number of topics affecting Montana’s ranching communities during the past year and in months to come. A Trade Show with over 100 booth spaces will be open to the public each day- Thursday from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m.

A full meeting agenda, hotel information, details of policy meeting discussions and Stockgrowers College workshops is available on our Annual Convention event page. Online and discounted registration closes Monday, November 23. On-site registration will be available. For more information, contact the Montana Stockgrowers Association at (406) 442-3420.

October 2, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Room Blocks Open for 2015 Annual Convention

The 131st Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention & Trade Show is moving dates and location for 2015, to make for the largest ranching industry convention in the state! All meetings, meals and events with this year’s Annual Convention will take place in Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark in Billings, December 3-5. Tickets may be purchased online at mtbeef.org beginning October 1.

Hotel rooms are available at a discounted rate and should be booked soon.

  • Northern Hotel (Host Hotel) – $124+tax. Make reservations by calling (406) 867-6767 and reference ‘Montana Stockgrowers Association’. Room block expires November 1.
  • Crowne Plaza – $109+tax. Make reservations by calling (800) 588-7666 and reference ‘Montana Stockgrowers Association’. Room block expires November 19, 2015.
  • Boothill Inn & Suites – $99+tax. Make reservations by calling (406) 245-2000 and reference ‘Montana Stockgrowers Association’. Room block expires November 7.
  • Dude Rancher Lodge – $69+tax. Make reservations by calling (406) 259-5561 and reference ‘Montana Stockgrowers Association’. Room block expires November 19.

This year’s event will include a large number of Cattlemen’s College workshops, policy meetings, and guest speakers. Convention wraps up on Saturday with the annual Grand Finale Dinner, featuring the live Cattle Directory Priority Page Auction and live music.

A tentative agenda, registration and sponsorship information is available on the Events page of mtbeef.org. Trade Show booths are filling fast. Contact Katie Stokes to reserve your spot at [email protected] or (406) 442-3420.

July 8, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Stockgrowers Foundation to host Gala Dinner and Golf Tournament

TBone Classic LogoLeaders from Montana’s ranching and business communities are invited to gather for a round of golf and networking at the T-Bone Classic Gala Dinner and Golf Tournament at Big Sky Resort, August 27-28. The annual event benefits the Research and Education Endowment Foundation (REEF) of the Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA).

“The T-Bone Classic is organized to address the need for stronger relationships between leadership from Montana’s business and ranching communities; both essential parts of our state’s leading economies,” says John Grande of Martinsdale, Chair of the Stockgrowers Foundation. “The Classic provides the opportunity to network in the atmosphere of a gala dinner event and friendly golf tournament at one of the best locations in Big Sky Country.”

Events at the T-Bone Classic will include a fundraiser gala dinner and auction at Huntley Lodge on Thursday evening, August 27. Starting early Friday morning, attendees are invited to a brunch followed by a friendly round of golf on Big Sky’s golf course. An awards banquet with announcement of winners will close out the event on Friday afternoon.

MSGA’s Research and Education Endowment Foundation (REEF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization established to ensure the future of Montana’s livestock community and businesses through producer and public education. REEF works to educate our future generations on the importance of values, work ethic, leadership, innovation, respect, collaboration and optimism.

With these essential elements, the Foundation can continue to work towards MSGA’s vision, “to be the premier institution that exemplifies leading global beef innovation while preserving Montana’s complex natural landscape, history, economy, ethics and social values.”

Tickets for the T-Bone Classic are now available on our Events page. Teams will consist of four players and individual tickets are available for the gala dinner event. A block of rooms at Huntley Lodge is reserved through July 27. For more information, contact Montana Stockgrowers Association at (406) 442-3420.

July 6, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Stockgrowers Attend Ranch Leadership Workshop at MidYear

Lacey EhlkeBy Lacey Ehlke, Townsend, Young Stockgrowers Vice-Chair

MSGA’s 2015 MidYear Meeting was a very well planned and executed event. We are all extremely lucky to have such a wonderful staff that is committed to organizing informational, interesting and fun events all year round. If you were not able to attend this year, I highly recommend attending next summer in Great Falls!

At this year’s MidYear, our opening workshop was put on by leadership coach, Sarah Bohnenkamp. I really enjoyed her workshop, as it was applicable to people of all ages. She had a different approach than I have seen in past leadership trainings I have attended. She really focused on self-confidence.

Sarah had us do activities in the group that involved talking about ourselves and our accomplishments, which is not always easy for some people, but is completely necessary to become a good leader. If you do not have confidence in yourself, how can you expect others to have confidence in you?

She also focused on listening skills, which is also a very important in leadership. With more hands-on activities, Sarah taught us the best way to listen to someone so that you understand them, and they know they have been understood. This sounds very simple, but is a crucial part of communication.

Sarah was a great resource and I learned a lot from her. Learning valuable leadership skills is critical today, especially when working with family. I am on the family ranch and work with my parents and sister on a daily basis and communication is key to everything. Realizing the things that you are good at, and working on the things you are not helps everyone to be more efficient, productive and happy to be at home.

We have some exciting plans in the works for the young leaders in our ranching communities. So stay tuned later this summer as we roll out new programs to help build our Association and ranching industry here in Montana.

MidYear Meeting 2015
June 10, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Stockgrowers Meet in Bozeman for MidYear

The 2015 Montana Stockgrowers Association’s (MSGA) Mid-Year Meeting, held in Bozeman on June 4-6, drew over 150 ranchers and members of the cattle industry from across the state for policy meetings, a leadership-training workshop, the annual Ranch Tour and a concert with Ringling 5. Special guests in attendance included Dr. Gary Brester and Senator Steve Daines.

“Stockgrowers is very thankful to the Bozeman community and Montana State University for welcoming our MidYear event into town,” said MSGA President, Gene Curry from Valier. “Our ranchers enjoyed the opportunity to visit and learn more about the economy and businesses in the Gallatin Valley during this year’s meetings and tour.”

IMG_1668 Ranchers in attendance kicked off the event by taking part in a workshop with leadership coach, Sarah Bohnenkamp. Ranchers of all ages participated in the engaging workshop, learning how to develop individual strengths to be better leaders on family operations and in ranching communities across the state.

A Welcome Reception was held on Thursday evening to benefit the Stockgrowers’ Research and Education Endowment Foundation. The reception included a live auction and recognition of Foundation programs, including scholarship recipients, Young Cattlemen’s Conference Attendees, Environmental Stewardship Award Program honorees and introduction of the Foundation’s new specialty license plates.

Senator Steve Daines joined ranchers in discussions during interim-policy meetings on Friday morning. Daines expressed support for the state’s ranchers and provided an update on important legislation debated this year on Capitol Hill. Contentious topics of discussion included passage of the Trade Promotion Authority, limiting of EPA’s proposed Waters of the U.S. rule and keeping sage grouse off the Endangered Species list.

Other topics discussed during interim-policy meetings included repeal of mandatory Country of Origin Labeling, proposed EIS for bison management in the Greater Yellowstone Area, changes in the Department of Livestock and the state’s Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory along with updates on programs from MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Opening General Session featured MSU agriculture economics professor, Dr. Gary Brester with insight on current cattle market trends. Brester was optimistic on the cattle market outlook, confident that high quality will continue to support strong international demand for U.S. cattle genetics and beef.

IMG_1647MidYear attendees had the opportunity to learn about businesses and the rural economy of the Gallatin Valley during the annual Ranch Tour and Dinner. Tour stops included Simms Fishing Products at Four Corners where ranchers learned about the company’s international business in fishing gear and clothing products. The tour then visited Copper Spring Ranch to learn more about the performance quarter horse operation and the ranch’s investments in holding benefit events to help those in the ranching communities across the state.

Ranchers wrapped up the event with a dinner at Broken Hart Ranch near Gallatin Gateway and live entertainment by Ringling 5.

Plans are in the works for Stockgrowers’ Annual Convention and Trade Show, taking place December 3-5 at the MetraPark in Billings. To learn more about Montana Stockgrowers membership, programs and events, visit mtbeef.org or contact the MSGA office at (406) 442-3420.

For more photos from the event, visit our Facebook page.

June 4, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Kicking off 2015 MidYear Meeting in Bozeman

If you're on the MSU campus, keep an eye out for our Massey Ferguson tractor to designate our reserved parking lot this week! Also, don't forget to purchase your raffle tickets for the chance to win an 8-month/200-hour lease for this tractor!

Montana Stockgrowers is certainly excited to kick off our 2015 MidYear Meeting in Bozeman today! Preparations are going well and the staff at the MSU Department of Animal & Range Sciences are more than gracious hosts, allowing the use of their Animal Bioscience Building for the majority of our meetings this year.

Our schedule for the next two days includes a number of meetings, guest speakers and great topics for the Montana ranching community. We’re excited to host Sarah Bohnenkamp, leadership coach and active member of the ranching community, for a leadership workshop in today’s Cattlemen’s College. Friday morning’s Policy Committee meetings will include a variety of topics to discuss policy subjects impacting Montana’s ranchers and landowners. Opening General Session will answer a question all ranchers have – How long will these record cattle prices last? Dr. Gary Brester will take a look at historic spikes in market prices and share what we might learn and apply to today’s cattle markets.

If you’re on the MSU campus, keep an eye out for our Massey Ferguson tractor to designate our reserved parking lot this week! Also, don’t forget to purchase your raffle tickets for the chance to win an 8-month/200-hour lease for this tractor!

Be sure to follow along with our events on social media through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We’ll be using the hashtag #MSGA15 and encourage everyone in attendance to share the experience through online posts!

A big Thank You to all of our sponsors for this year’s meeting and to all of those in attendance this week!