August 16, 2018 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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National Cattlemen’s Foundation Accepting Applications for W.D. Farr Scholarships

The National Cattlemen’s Foundation is now accepting applications for the W.D. Farr Scholarships for the 2018-19 school year. Two annual $15,000 grants will be awarded to outstanding graduate students who demonstrate superior achievement in academics and leadership and are committed to beef industry advancement. The awards will allow the students to further their study in fields that benefit the industry.

The scholarship was established by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation to honor the successful career of the late W.D. Farr. Farr, a third-generation Coloradan, pioneer rancher, statesman and banker was known for his extraordinary vision. His dedication to improving agriculture, livestock and water development has resulted in significant changes in farming methods that have influenced the practices of ranchers and farmers throughout the nation.

To apply for the scholarship, graduate students planning to pursue a career in the beef industry should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, description of applicant’s goals and experience, and statement of belief in the industry, as well as a review of the applicant’s graduate research and three letters of recommendation. Applications close at midnight on Friday, Sept. 14, 2018. For more information and to apply, visit www.nationalcattlemensfoundation.org. All applications must be submitted online.

October 19, 2017 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Applications Now Open for Ten $1,500 CME Beef Industry Scholarship

The National Cattlemen’s Foundation is now accepting applications for 2018-2019 beef industry scholarships sponsored by CME Group and administered by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF). Ten scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded to outstanding students pursuing careers in the beef industry, and one student—the overall essay winner—will receive a trip to the 2018 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show in Phoenix, Ariz.

“The CME Beef Industry Scholarship represents an investment in the future of the cattle industry, and is an outgrowth of nearly three decades of partnership with the National Cattlemen’s Foundation and NCBA,” said Tim Andriesen, managing director of agricultural products for CME Group. “By helping the next generation of cattlemen and women further their education, CME Group is helping to advance the future of the U.S. agricultural economy. Participating in this scholarship enables us to further underscore the importance of risk management to the beef industry while contributing to the education of tomorrow’s industry leaders.”

The CME Beef Industry Scholarship was first introduced in 1989 in partnership with CME Group. Today, the scholarship recognizes and encourages talented students who will each play an important role in the future of food production in America. Students studying education, communication, production, research or other areas related to the beef industry should consider applying for the scholarship.

Applicants for the 2018-2019 scholarship must submit a one-page letter expressing their career goals related to the beef industry. Students must also write a 750-word essay describing an issue in the beef industry and offering solutions to this problem. Applicants must be a graduating high school senior or full-time undergraduate student enrolled at a two- or four-year college.

The 2017-2018 CME Beef Industry Scholarship overall essay winner was Taylre Sitz a student at Montana State University pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science, as well as a minor in Business Administration.

“Growing up on a ranch, I developed a commitment to the beef industry at an early age,” Sitz said. “I am interested in becoming a large animal veterinarian, and through ranch life, I have been able to see and visit as they doctored cut horses or lame cattle. These experiences only furthered my desire to pursue the large animal veterinary career.”

Online applications should be submitted by Nov. 15, 2017. To apply, or learn more about the scholarship, click here. Scholarship winners will be announced during the 2018 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show.

For more information visit www.nationalcattlemensfoundation.org.

December 20, 2016 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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NCBA Announces CME Scholarship Recipients

Montana brought home not one but two of the scholarships! A big Congratulations to Taylre Sitz for winning the overall essay! Taylre attends Montana State University and is active with the Collegiate Stockgrowers at Montana State University. Dan Johnson of Dillon, MT also received a scholarship; he is attending Kansas State University. Congratulations to these two stand-outs from Montana!

 

Ten top-notch college students, who are pursuing careers in the beef industry, have been chosen for the 2017-2018 $1,500 CME Beef Industry Scholarships. The scholarship is sponsored by the CME Group and administered by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF). Taylre Sitz of Bozeman, Mont., is the overall essay winner.

“We’re pleased continue our support of the CME Beef Industry Scholarships, which provides education to future beef industry leaders,” said Tim Andriesen, CME Group managing director of agricultural products. “Our partnership with NCF enables us to continue investing in accomplished university students who represent the next generation of food producers here in the U.S.”

The CME Beef Industry Scholarship was introduced in 1989 in partnership with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Today this scholarship tradition remains strong by recognizing and encouraging talented college students who will one day be industry leaders. The National Cattlemen’s Foundation and the CME Group are committed to the future of the cattle industry and continue to support outstanding youth in the beef community.

“We cannot emphasize enough how grateful we are for the continuous support from CME for Beef Industry Scholarships to provide financial assistance for future beef leaders,” said John Lacey, chair of NCF Board of Trustees. “Each year we are impressed with the caliber of students that apply for these scholarships.”

In addition to the $1,500 scholarship, Taylre Sitz receives a trip to Nashville, Tenn., for the 2017 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show where she will be recognized at the Best of Beef Awards Breakfast. Sitz currently attends Montana State University where she is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science, as well as a minor in Business Administration. She is currently enrolled in the pre-veterinary program with plans to become a large animal veterinarian.

“Growing up on a ranch, I developed a commitment to the beef industry at an early age,” Sitz said. “I am interested in becoming a large animal veterinarian, and through ranch life I have been able to see and visit as they doctored cut horses or lame cattle. These experiences only furthered my desire to pursue the large animal veterinary career.”

In her essay, Sitz tackled the question of describing a risk confronting the beef industry and a solution to that risk by describing the risk of decreasing consumer confidence. Sitz wrote about the importance of using education through social media as a tool to improve consumer confidence in the beef industry.

Other $1,500 CME Scholarship winners are:
Thor Burnside, Fort Hays State University, Talala, Okla.
Cole Grisham, West Texas A&M University, Van Vleck, Texas
Emily Ivey, Land Lake College, Loudon, Tenn.
Abby Marion, University of Florida, Deltona, Fla.
Garrett Nichols, Iowa State University, Marshalltown, Iowa
Dan Johnson, Kansas State University, Dillion, Mont.
Shelby Schiefelbein, Texas A&M University, Kimball, Minn.
Madison Slaven, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Rachel Waggie, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan.

To learn more about scholarship opportunities and additional youth support from the NFC visit: www.nationalcattlemensfoundation.org/

August 16, 2016 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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National Cattlemen’s Foundation Accepting Applications for W.D. Farr Scholarships

The National Cattlemen’s Foundation is now accepting applications for the W.D. Farr Scholarships for the 2016-17 school year. The scholarship was established by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation to honor the successful career of the late W. D. Farr. Two annual $12,000 grants will be awarded to outstanding graduate students that demonstrate superior achievement in academics and leadership and will allow the students to further their study in fields that benefit the cattle and beef industry.

To apply for the scholarship, graduate students planning to pursue a career in the beef industry should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a description of applicant’s goals and experience, a statement of belief in the industry as well as a review of the applicant’s graduate research and three letters of recommendation. Applications close on August 31, 2016

Qualifications

  • Applicant must be enrolled as a graduate student in a Master’s or PhD program.
  • Applicant must attend an accredited institution of higher learning for the 2015-2016 academic year.
  • Applicant must demonstrate a commitment to a career in the beef industry through classes, internships or life experience.

For more information or to apply please visit the National Cattlemen’s Foundation website.

July 15, 2016 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Montana’s Cherry Creek Ranch Receives Regional Environmental Stewardship Award

Montana Stockgrowers Association members win Regional Environmental Stewardship Award

DENVER (July 15, 2016) – Cherry Creek Ranch, Terry, Mont., was honored this week as one of six regional Environmental Stewardship Award Program winners. The award, which is sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation, is presented to farmers and ranchers who are working hard to protect America’s natural resources.

The commercial cow-calf operation, located in eastern Montana, is one of the few remaining original homesteads, a fact that instills pride in Lon and Vicki Reukauf, the third generation to operate the ranch. That legacy also drives the management philosophy for the Reukauf’s, who place a strong emphasis on rotational grazing as a way to manage pastures and maintain soil health.

“For three generations we wake up every morning with the intention to get out of bed and have great intentions to improving the land and the landscape for our cattle and always putting their needs ahead of our own,” said Vicki Reukauf, who explained that the region’s silt soils mean the family needs to pay special attention to building root mass to help improve the soil and improve the water-holding capacity of the ground.

With an annual average rainfall of about 12.5 inches, keeping water on the land is a priority. One way they do that is by employing a rotational grazing system to help improve water infiltration into the soil. In 1983, Lon instituted a rotational grazing system and today rotates herds through multiple pastures to ensure grazing pressure is optimally distributed while also allowing a stockpile of forage for dry years.

“We felt that by having cattle on land for less time and giving it longer rest periods, we accomplished an increase in both species diversity and grass production and especially root depth on the plants that existed,” said Lon Reukaf. “I think by increasing the organic root depth of the plants you increase the organic matter in the soil. And I think it increases your water holding capacity in your soil and also having significant litter and good root mass in the ground makes the plants more efficiently utilize the moisture that you’ve got and lose less of that moisture to evaporation.”

Water distribution across the ranch also contributes to the successful implementation of stewardship practices of the Reukaufs. In fact, the family has installed 15 wells in strategic locations to provide the cattle with clean, fresh, consistent water, and they are slowly converting the wells to run off solar energy. So far, they have four done and plan to complete two more each year until they are all solar-powered. These tanks also help to pull animals away from lower riparian areas,” Lon said. “Putting this water in less sensitive areas is one of the single best factors in having a lot of species biodiversity in our plant community.”

Regional award recipients will now compete for the national Environmental Stewardship Award. The winner of the national award will be announced during the 2017 Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville, Tenn., in February, 2017.

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The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has represented America’s cattle producers since 1898, preserving the heritage and strength of the industry through education and public policy.  As the largest association of cattle producers, NCBA works to create new markets and increase demand for beef.  Efforts are made possible through membership contributions. To join, contact NCBA at 1-866-BEEF-USA or [email protected].

July 14, 2016 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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National Cattlemen’s Foundation Accepting Applications for W.D. Farr Scholarships

Scholarship Awards Graduate Students Committed to Beef Industry Advancement

DENVER (July 14, 2016) – The National Cattlemen’s Foundation is now accepting applications for the W.D. Farr Scholarships for the 2016-17 school year. The scholarship was established by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation to honor the successful career of the late W. D. Farr.  Two annual $12,000 grants will be awarded to outstanding graduate students that demonstrate superior achievement in academics and leadership and will allow the students to further their study in fields that benefit the cattle and beef industry.

2015 scholarship recipient Greta Krafsur, DVM, a third year anatomic pathology resident at Colorado State University believes that the scholarship is an investment in the future of sustainable production of food animals.

“By alleviating tuition expenses, the W.D. Farr Scholarship has allowed me to focus on my research of bovine pulmonary hypertension so that I may continue to find ways to improve health and productivity of beef cattle,” said Krafsur.

Krafsur’s ambitions include the formation of a consulting group, providing disease prevention and treatment protocols to reduce the incidence of respiratory disease and right heart failure in the beef industry.

Whitney Crossland, also a 2015 scholarship recipient, is PhD student at Texas A&M University studying the effects of common feed additives on animal performance, and will use the scholarship to take her studies international.

“This scholarship will allow me to visit beef production systems in other parts of the world to gain a better global understanding of our role as beef producers,” said Crossland.

Farr, a third generation Coloradan, pioneer rancher, statesman and banker was known for his extraordinary vision.  His dedication to improving agriculture, livestock and water development has resulted in significant changes in farming methods that have influenced the practices of ranchers and farmers throughout the nation.

To apply for the scholarship, graduate students planning to pursue a career in the beef industry should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a description of applicant’s goals and experience, a statement of belief in the industry as well as a review of the applicant’s graduate research and three letters of recommendation. Applications close on August 31, 2016. For more information and to apply, visit www.nationalcattlemensfoundation.org.

September 18, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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NCF Accepting Applications for Beef Industry Scholarship

National-Cattlemens-Foundation-logoDENVER (Sept. 15, 2015) – The National Cattlemen’s Foundation is now accepting applications for 2016-17 beef industry scholarships sponsored by the CME Group. Ten scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded to outstanding students pursuing careers in the beef industry.

“The CME Beef Industry Scholarship enables us to invest in the next generation of our nation’s food producers, while helping them understand the importance of risk management to the beef industry,” said Tim Andriesen, CME Group Managing Director of Agricultural Commodities. “For more than 25 years, NCBA has been a key partner in advancing risk management education to future beef industry leaders through this important scholarship program.”

The CME Beef Industry Scholarship was introduced in 1989 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Live Cattle futures contract on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. It recognizes and encourages talented students who will one day be industry leaders. Students studying education, communication, production, research or other areas related to the beef industry should consider applying for the scholarship.

Applicants for the 2016-17 scholarship will be required to write a one-page letter expressing future career goals related to the beef industry. They also must write a 750-word essay describing an issue in the beef industry and offering solutions to this problem. Applicants must be a graduating high school senior or full-time undergraduate student enrolled at a two or four-year college.

Applications should be submitted by October 30, 2015 and sent to National Cattlemen’s Foundation, 9110 E. Nichols Ave., Suite 300, Centennial, CO 80112. The winning recipients will be announced during the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in San Diego, Cali., Jan. 27-29, 2016.

For more information visit www.nationalcattlemensfoundation.org.

August 5, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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National Cattlemen’s Foundation accepting applications for W.D. Farr Scholarships

National-Cattlemens-Foundation-logoThe National Cattlemen’s Foundation is now accepting applications for the W.D. Farr Scholarships for the 2015-16 school year. The annual W.D. Farr Scholarship awards were established by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation in 2007 to recognize outstanding students who plan to pursue careers in meat science and animal agriculture. Each $12,000 award recognizes superior achievement in academics and leadership, and will allow graduate students to further their study in fields that benefit the cattle and beef industry. Application deadline is August 31.

“By helping to make my student loan debt much more manageable, the W.D. Farr Scholarship has allowed me to pursue my interests at law school so that I may become a great legal advocate for farmers and ranchers,” said 2014 scholarship recipient, Ariel Overstreet-Adkins. “Knowing that my friends in the cattle industry support my efforts has been a constant source of encouragement in the face of a challenging and rigorous law school curriculum.”

Adkins received the award during her final year of law school at the University of Montana, where she focused her studies on property, land use, natural resource and water law. She said Farr’s legacy has set an example for others to aspire toward.

Josh Ison, PhD student at Texas Tech University studying food safety and epidemiology within animal science, echoed Adkin’s sentiment stating that the scholarship helped mitigate expenses associated with his dissertation research.

“This scholarship has supported my travel and subsistence for a research fellowship in antimicrobial resistance surveillance in Paris, France, to perform my dissertation research,” said Ison.

W.D. Farr was the first president of the National Cattlemen’s Foundation, and served as president of the American National Cattlemen’s Association, which would later become the NCBA. His career spanned 75 years and included innovations in cattle feeding, uniform beef grading, water conservation and banking.

To apply for the scholarship, graduate students planning to pursue a career in meat science or the beef industry should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a description of applicant’s goals and experience, a statement of belief in the industry as well as a review of the applicant’s graduate research and three letters of recommendation. For more information and to apply, visit nationalcattlemensfoundation.org.

August 5, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Big Timber native awarded W.D. Farr Scholarship from National Cattlemen’s Foundation

Ariel Scholarship Presentation Plaque--Ariel Overstreet-Adkins, a native of Big Timber, was recently awarded the W.D. Farr Scholarship from the National Cattlemen’s Foundation. The $12,000 scholarship is awarded to two graduate students each year, recognizing superior achievement in academics and leadership, while working to benefit the beef cattle industry. The award was presented at the Cattle Industry Summer Conference in Denver, Colorado.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF) and NCBA for the incredible honor,” said Overstreet-Adkins as she accepted the award. “It has been great to learn more about W.D. Farr’s life, leadership, vision and legacy; and it is certainly humbling for my name to even be mentioned in the same sentence as W.D. Farr.”

Ariel continued showing her appreciation by adding, “I have been incredibly blessed this summer to receive support from my friends in the cattle industry, with scholarships from the Montana Stockgrowers Foundation, Montana CattleWomen, and today from NCF. These scholarships mean a tremendous amount to me and my family as we work to pay for law school. These scholarships will allow me to graduate with less debt, which is significant because it means that I am going be able to work on issues for the people that I care about.”

Overstreet-Adkins is especially thankful to MSGA and MCW for their support. “Both associations have been instrumental in my professional development. Working for MSGA in communications, then having the opportunity to lobby for the Stockgrowers and CattleWomen at three Montana legislative sessions, really solidified my passion for the cattle industry.”

Ariel is a student at the University of Montana School of Law in Missoula. Expecting to graduate in 2016, Overstreet-Adkins intends to help ensure the continued influence of agriculture and rural America, by practicing with a focus on natural resource and environmental law, especially water law from an agricultural perspective.

Overstreet-Adkins received her undergraduate degree from Princeton University, where she graduated with Honors while studying Cultural Anthropology in 2006. For the five years prior to law school she worked for the Montana Stockgrowers Association in charge of the Association’s communications efforts and serving as a lobbyist at the Montana legislature for three sessions to help advocate for Montana ranchers.

The annual W.D. Farr Scholarship awards were established by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation in 2007 to recognize outstanding students who plan to pursue careers in meat science and animal agriculture. W.D. Farr was the first president of the National Cattlemen’s Foundation, and served as president of the American National Cattlemen’s Association, which would later become the NCBA. His career spanned 75 years and included innovations in cattle feeding, uniform beef grading, water conservation and banking. Farr died at age 97 in August 2007.

ESAP Application logo
November 18, 2013 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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NCBA Environmental Stewardship Award Calls for Entries

ESAP Application logoDENVER — The 24th annual Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) has officially opened its nomination season for 2014. Established in 1991 by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF) and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), the program has recognized the outstanding stewardship practices and conservation achievements of U.S. cattle producers for more than two decades. Regional and national award winners are honored for their commitment to protecting the environment and improving fish and wildlife habitat while operating profitable cattle businesses.

Seven regional winners and one national winner are selected annually by a committee of representatives from universities, conservation organizations, federal and state agencies, and cattle producers. The nominees compete for regional awards based on their state of residency, and these seven regional winners then compete for the national award. Candidates are judged on management of water, wildlife, vegetation, soil, as well as the nominee’s leadership and the sustainability of his or her business as a whole.

“America’s cattlemen and women have always been focused on environmental stewardship and conservation, and these awards give us a chance to celebrate their dedication,” said NCBA President Scott George. “Over the past two decades, the ESAP program has inspired cattle producers to try new techniques, and shown the world that we are the true environmentalists. If you haven’t taken the opportunity in the past to nominate a ranch family you know, now is the time!”

Any individual, group or organization is eligible to nominate one individual or business that raises or feeds cattle. Past nominees are eligible and encouraged to resubmit their application; previous winners may not reapply. Along with a completed application, the applicant must submit one nomination letter and three letters of recommendation highlighting the nominee’s leadership in conservation.

The program is sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the NCF and NCBA.

Applications for the 2014 ESAP award are due Mar. 7, 2014. For more information and a complete application packet visit: www.environmentalstewardship.org. – See more at BeefUSA.org.