MSU-Northern Collegiate Stockgrowers Head into Summer with busy schedule
Jaylee Berg (Secretary/Treasurer) and Hollyn Cardani (President), MSU-Northern Collegiate Stockgrowers
With the end of school and summer right around the corner we would like to give you a little recap of what our MSU Northern Collegiates have been up to this Spring semester. Picking up where we left off with our last update, as previously planned, our group had the opportunity to tour the Northern Agricultural Research Center at Fort Assinaboine.
Darrin Boss and his associates were kind enough to answer all our questions we had and did a great job showing our group around their facility. The tour consisted of a very well formatted calving barn that incorporated Dr. Temple Grandin’s livestock handling corral designs and the bud box system. They were in the peak of their calving season so we were able to witness first-hand how the science worked behind the scenes.
Darrin Boss, Julia Dafoe, Les Gray and Andy Matakis spoke to us about some of the different types of research experiments they are currently conducting; including many studies on cross-breeding and genetics. One test that particularly interested me was studying what causes newborn calves to immediately get up and nurse the cow. We greatly appreciated the hospitality that Darren and his crew showed us and are looking forward to future learning experiences with them.
A few days later some of our members headed to Chinook, just 20 minutes east of Havre, to represent our Collegiate Stockgrowers group at the Nissen Angus production sale (Jeff & Christie Nissen). Then, a few weeks later, we went back to Chinook Livestock for the Montana Northern Premier Angus sale which includes breeders such as Top Notch Angus (Marv Cross), Whistling Winds Angus (David & Katie Sattoriva), Kel McC Angus (Kelly McCracken), Peterson Grain & Cattle (Kim, Nola & Andee Peterson).
Next on our agenda was Jeff Solomon’s branding. This was the second year our group was invited out to help and we were very thrilled for that opportunity. We are always excited and willing to lend a hand to our local Hi-Line ranchers.
As the end of the year came around, we had our second annual end of the year barbecue. We had a great turn out at First Lake out at Beaver Creek Park and reminisced on all this year’s great opportunities and experiences. Our group would like to give a huge thank you to all of our supporters that have helped us grow and prosper over these last few years. We look forward to next year and many more to come.
