June 7, 2016 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Meet the Leadership Series | Lacey Sutherlin

Lacey Sutherlin

Stevensville, MT
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Lacey

About Lacey:

Lacey Sutherlin was raised in Western Montana. Her parents are Mike & Janet Hunter. She has an older sister, Michele Hunter, who has a son and a daughter. Lacey enjoys being an Aunt. She also has a younger brother Isaac Hunter who works for Montana State University.

Sutherlin attended college at Northwest College in Powell Wyoming for Agricultural Business and then went on to Montana State and received a bachelor’s degree in both Animal Science and Agricultural Communications. She was part of the Livestock Judging team at both NWC and MSU.

Her first job out of college was at ORIgen Breeder to Breeder Genetics near Billings, MT. Lacey started in the distribution department and finished as a Marketing Director. In December of 2015 Sutherlin started with ABS Global as a Beef Sales Team Leader in Montana. She is sales support staff for the beef cattle representatives in Montana and works with beef producers to set-up synchronization-breeding programs via artificial insemination.

Lacey and her husband Chad Sutherlin own and operate 3C Cattle. They raise both registered Black and Red Angus. Sutherlins have annual production sales on the first Friday and Saturday in March at the Sutherlin Farms Feedlot in Stevensville, MT.  They also sell some females by private treaty. In addition to cattle they raise some hay and small grains.

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What sparked your interest in Agriculture?

When I was a kid my uncle had a ranch in central Montana that I would visit during the summer and I really enjoyed being around the cattle. My love for animals especially cattle and a passion for the beef industry is also what sparked my interest in Ag. I also enjoy the challenge of the Agriculture industry. It doesn’t matter what season it is every day is different.

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What makes a great leader?

I truly think a huge part to being a great leader is being an excellent listener and also knowing how to read people and actually getting the most out of not only yourself but the people around you.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

I think after traveling to Costa Rica early this Spring I would learn another language. Communication is a key to being  successful in everything that we do and I think it would create more opportunities for us to market our own agriculture products easier if we knew additional languages beyond English.

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Justin

Where do you hope to be in 5 years?

I am happy where I am at in life and truly loving the path that I am on. Chad and I are doing great in our operation. We are at the point that genetics we have selected are now having their first calves and it great to see what is being created. I just started working for ABS but thus far I am truly enjoying being out in the country with customers and cattle. In five years I hope to have continued to reach goals in my business ABS by increasing market share in Montana. Chad and I will continue to makes changes to our cattle herd and operation by making constructive breeding decisions and hopefully increase our customer base for both bull sales by offering sound proven genetics.

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What do you hope to gain from the leadership series?

I am hoping to work on my public speaking skills and be more confident when giving presentations.  I hope to gain more people to be a strong part of my professional network. And have more resources in my toolbox to not only make myself better but the Montana Agricultural Industry as a whole.

The Leadership Series is made possible through the direct support of our members and the Research and Education Endowment Foundation. To learn more about the Leadership Series, please email [email protected].

May 2, 2016 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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REEF Announces winner of scholarship

MSGA’s Research Education and Endowment Foundation announces winner of Educational Heritage Scholarship

Amanda Williams has been chosen as the recipient of the $1000 Scholarship. Amanda is from Miles City, Montana where she grew up on the family ranch, 2DO Ranch. She is currently attending Montana State University where she is majoring in Animal Science with a minor in Rangeland Management and Ecology.

Amanda

Though she is only finishing her second year at MSU, she is already at a junior status. She plans to become a county extension agent after graduation following in the steps of her father, grandfather and grandmother. Amanda believes this will be an excellent career for her because she will be able to work with not only the children of the community but also the adults and producers. Some of her fondest memories have been with members of the community through my jobs and helping people work cattle or working with a group of extension agents.

Another goal for Amanda is to return to the family ranch and try to expand it. She hopes through her coursework at MSU and the many hands on experiences will make her better equipped to help out and expand the ranch. The ranch is one of her favorite places to be and there are few things she enjoys more than working on the ranch or helping someone work cattle.

Amanda is currently serving as the President of the MSU Collegiate Stockgrowers. She is also active in the Range Club, College of Ag Student Council, Collegiate Cattlewomen, Collegiate FFA, Collegiate Young Farmers and Ranchers, MSU Plant ID team, and the Undergraduate Range Management Exam team. She has been on the Dean’s List twice and the President’s List!

Amanda hopes to continue her education throughout her life, whether that is through college classes, work or life experience. Her education at MSU will be crucial in her career path of extension and expansion of the family ranch. Amanda plans to continue her education for years to come and help others, as well as remain involved in the cattle industry and Montana Stockgrowers Association.

Congratulations to Amanda, MSGA looks forward to seeing your future accomplishments!

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The Montana Stockgrowers Association, a non-profit organization representing nearly 2,500 members, strives to serve, protect and advance the economic, political, environmental and cultural interests of cattle producers, the largest sector of Montana’s number one industry – agriculture.

April 27, 2016 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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REEF Announces Selections for Young Cattlemen’s Conference

MSGA’s Research & Education Endowment Foundation Announces Selections for Young Cattlemen’s Conference

Helena, MT – Montana Stockgrowers Association’s Research & Education Endowment Foundation (REEF) has selected two delegates to represent MSGA at the Young Cattlemen’s Conference this year. Andy Kellom of Hobson, MT and Ariel Overstreet-Adkins of Helena, MT will represent MSGA at this year’s conference. The Young Cattlemen’s Conference, held June 1 – June 9, is an opportunity for cattlemen and cattlewomen between the ages of 25 and 50 to visit segments of the beef industry in other parts of our nation with young cattlemen from other states. Facilitated by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), participants will travel with national attendees to Denver, Chicago and Washington D.C.

The primary objective is to develop leadership qualities in young cattlemen and expose them to all aspects of the beef industry. The tour helps these young leaders understand all areas of our industry ranging from industry structure to issues management, from production research to marketing. It is through the support of REEF and the Young Stockgrowers that MSGA is able to send two people to this conference.

Andy

Andy Kellom is the cattle manager for Bos Terra LP. He manages the day to day cattle operations for a 7,000 head stocker operation and a 15,000 head feedlot. In addition to his responsibilities at Bos Terra, he also runs a personal herd of 500. He is the Vice President of the Judith Basin Stockgrowers and Chairman of the Cattle Feeders Subcommittee for MSGA. Andy was instrumental in the startup of Verified Beef and development of the USDA Process Verified Program and database to provide Age and Source, NHTC, Never Ever 3, and Grass Fed Verification to cow-calf producers. He believes the knowledge and experience he gains on the YCC trip will be invaluable to him as an individual MSGA member, he intends to continue to “be at the table” to contribute to the process of policy development.

Ariel

Ariel Overstreet-Adkins was the Director of Communications for MSGA until she left to attend law school with the goal of becoming a more effective advocate for rural Montana and agriculture. This May she will graduate from the University of Montana School of Law with her juris doctor degree. After graduation she will spend a year clerking for a U.S. District Court judge in Montana. In the fall of 2017 she will begin work as an associate at the Moulton Bellingham law firm in Billings where her focus will be on natural resource and agricultural law, particularly water and property law. Ariel is confident that the YCC trip will give her further education and insight to be a great advocate for Montana’s family ranchers whether in the courtroom, the Legislature, or in the court of public opinion.

MSGA would like to thank all those that applied and congratulate Andy and Ariel on their selection!

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The Montana Stockgrowers Association, a non-profit organization representing nearly 2,500 members, strives to serve, protect and advance the economic, political, environmental and cultural interests of cattle producers, the largest sector of Montana’s number one industry – agriculture.

February 3, 2016 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Now Taking Applications for Educational Heritage Scholarship

EHS Banner

 

 

Montana Stockgrowers Association’s Research & Education Endowment Foundation (REEF) is offering an Educational Heritage Scholarship in the amount of $1,000. This annual scholarship is awarded to a MSGA student member.

Last year we had two scholarship recipients, Allie Nelson was awarded a $1000 scholarship and Kamron Ratzburg was awarded a $500 scholarship. Allie is majoring in Agriculture Relations with Agriculture Business as a minor and Kamron is majoring in Animal Science. Both recipients attend Montana State University.

To be eligible for the Educational Heritage Scholarship, students must currently be enrolled in college and have completed at least one semester of coursework, be a member of Montana Stockgrowers Association, and demonstrate a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

Applicants must complete the application form (mtbeef.org/educational-heritage-scholarship), include a copy of their current transcript, write a 500-word essay discussing their educational pursuits and what they hope to do with their education, and include two letters of recommendation.

Applications must be completed and postmarked or mailed no later than April 1, 2016.

For more information on these scholarships and to apply online, visit the MSGA website at mtbeef.org. For questions, please email Jesse Gill at [email protected]. If you are interested in these scholarships but are not currently a member of MSGA, join today. Student memberships start at just $20.

 

November 24, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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NFR Calcutta to Support Stockgrowers Foundation

Stockgrowers NFR CalcuttaWatching the National Finals Rodeo on the big screens has always been a big part of attending the Stockgrowers Annual Convention & Trade Show. This year, we add the first ever NFR Calcutta auction at a Stockgrowers Convention to benefit our Foundation. This is sure to add a level of competition and fun to our nightly entertainment while watching the biggest rodeo of the year live from Las Vegas.

Why?

The objective of the REEF – NFR Calcutta is to raise funds for the Research & Education Endowment Foundation of the Montana Stockgrowers Association while having some fun.

What?

The term “Calcutta” describes a type of auction-pool wagering that can be applied to rodeo. In a Calcutta, people bid, auction style on the individuals or team who they think will win the event. All or a portion of the money raised through the auction goes into the pool or pot. At the end of the event, those who purchased the teams that win gets a pre-determined payout from the auction pool.

How Much Is Paid Out?

This Calcutta has a 30:15:10 payout. The “calcutta owner” of the team that wins first place is awarded 30% of the “pool”, “calcutta owner” of the second place team is awarded 15% of the “pool”, and “calcutta owner” of the third place team is awarded 10% of the “pool”.

When and Where?

The “calcutta auction” will take place on Thursday, December 3 at the MetraPark Rimrock Auto Arena (Trade Show area) during MSGA’s Annual Convention. If you can’t be present Thursday and would like to bid then send someone in your place to bid. Please remember you may buy as many teams as you would like to purchase. 45% of funds raised will go to support the Research & Education Endowment Foundation so keep that in mind and have some fun with the bidding.

The 2015 Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention & Trade Show is just a few days out. This year’s meeting offers a great lineup of speakers and educational workshops for Montana ranchers. 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.

June 1, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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MidYear Includes Reception Benefiting MSGA Foundation

REEF Reception MissionThe week of our MidYear meeting is here and Stockgrowers is excited to see everyone in Bozeman beginning Thursday afternoon, June 4! Following our Cattlemen’s College with guest speaker and leadership coach, Sarah Bohnenkamp, everyone is invited to attend the Welcome Reception at the Best Western GranTree Inn starting at 7:00 p.m.

Proceeds from the Welcome Reception will benefit our Research & Education Endowment Foundation (REEF), a 501(c)3 which supports MSGA youth, education and leadership programs. The reception will feature appetizers, fun, networking and live music from Crazy Mountain Express. This is sure to be a great time to join everyone in celebrating the MidYear meeting.

REEF will recognize recipients of numerous programs the Foundation supports, including the Educational Heritage Scholarships, the Environmental Stewardship Award Program, Montana’s delegates to the Young Cattlemen’s Conference, the MSU Nancy Cameron Chair in Animal and Range Sciences and the Montana Stockgrowers Fellowship Fund.

During this week’s Welcome Reception, a live auction will be held with a variety of items to support REEF programs. Auction items will include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Bobcat football package with 2 tickets to a MSU Bobcat football game with MSU shot glass, Camelbak water jug and cap
  • Two Bobcat/Grizzly football packages. Each package includes two tickets to the Bobcat/Griz game in Bozeman and $100 gift certificate for dinner at Ferraro’s Fine Italian Restaurant.
  • A package for the NFR: includes a condo on the Las Vegas Strip with one bedroom and living room with fold-out couch for Monday December 7, 2015 through Saturday, December 12 2015. Rodeo tickets for two people for two nights.
  • A rope mirror with the MSGA steer head and REEF’s license plate wording Heritage-Integrity-Tradition etched on it.
  • Two Adirondack chairs
  • David Graham print of the painting commissioned for the MSGA convention in Miles City
  • An assortment of prints
  • A case of wine from Yellowstone Cellars & Winery

Tickets for the Welcome Reception can be purchased today for $35 at mtbeef.org. After June 1, tickets can be purchased on-site for $40.

A special thanks to Lazy SR Ranch of Wilsall for supply beef for the event and to the Welcome Reception sponsor, Loomix/ADM Alliance Nutrition.

MidYear Meeting 2015
April 30, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Montana Stockgrowers to Host 2015 MidYear Meeting in Bozeman

Mark your calendars to celebrate 131 years for Montana Stockgrowers Association at the organization’s MidYear Meeting, June 4-6 in Bozeman. This year’s MidYear event will be highlighted by Cattlemen’s College workshops, a tour of area businesses and live music with Ringling 5 and Crazy Mountain Express!

Mid-Year is one of two major meetings MSGA holds annually where 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. Policy Committee meetings this year will be hosted on the campus of Montana State University.

Events will kick off Thursday afternoon with Cattlemen’s College workshops presented by leadership coach, Sarah Bohenkamp. Ranchers will have the opportunity to learn more about growth in leadership, improving time management and developing skills to build strong relationships that are critical to being successful in the ranching business.

Friday’s Opening General Session will feature MSU Ag Economics Professor, Dr. Gary Brester, who will provide insight for current record cattle prices and provide context from historical market trends. Association policy meetings will take place on Friday with discussion on topics affecting Montana ranchers today. A review of the 2015 Montana Legislative Session activity affecting the ranching community will also take place during the meeting.

Ranchers will gather on Friday night for a steak dinner, fun and live music from Ringling 5. Area business leaders and the community are invited to a special fundraiser event on Thursday night for MSGA’s Research & Education Endowment Foundation, held at the Best Western GranTree Inn, with entertainment by Crazy Mountain Express.

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Best Western GranTree Inn and Holiday Inn. Rooms at discounted rates must be reserved by May 5. For more information about MSGA’s 2015 Mid-Year Meeting, contact MSGA’s office at (406) 442-3420 or join the Facebook event. Registrations are available online for a 20% discount if made prior to June 1. Visit our event page for more details.

April 16, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Ladies And Livestock Book Makes The Perfect Gift For Mom

Ladies and Livestock cover

Mother’s Day is just around the corner – May 10. Have you selected your gift for mom yet? If you are like most of us, mom is a champion who takes care of everyone in the family and worries about herself later. This year, as you are trying to find that gift that will let mom take a few moments to enjoy herself, consider an iBook that she can appreciate with a good cup of coffee.

Released this past Fall, Ladies and Livestock: Life on the Ranch, is a multimedia exploration of the roles of Montana women on the ranch. This book features over 130 pages of stories, photographs and video features of the ladies who raise livestock, care for the land, and build their family’s legacy on Montana ranches. Not only are these Montana women working on the ranch, many have jobs in town, volunteer in their communities, and are involved in the legislation process of issues affecting agriculture.

By utilizing the digital format, Ladies and Livestock adds a new dimension to reading a book. Included on nearly 30 of the pages are video features that play with the touch of the finger. These videos show interviews of the ladies speaking about their ranch history, family life and how they feel about being part of Montana’s agriculture communities.

This book is an educational tool for anyone who wants to learn more about where their beef comes from and understand the lives of the people who raise cattle. Not only can a reader see photographs, but can hear the woman tell her own story and see the emotion on her face as she talks about how important her family is to her.

Purchase or gift your copy of Ladies and Livestock today. Available exclusively on iTunes or in the iBooks store for only $14.99, or go to bit.ly/LadiesAndLivestock.

Proceeds from sales of Ladies and Livestock benefit the Research & Education Endowment Foundation of the Montana Stockgrowers Association, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization established to ensure the future of Montana’s cattle industry through producer and public education, and promotion of MSGA programs. For more information, contact the Montana Stockgrowers Association at (406) 442-3420 or go to mtbeef.org.

January 22, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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$1,000 Educational Heritage Scholarship Application Due April 1

reefLogoMontana Stockgrowers Association’s Research & Education Endowment Foundation (REEF) is offering an Educational Heritage Scholarship in the amount of $1,000. This annual scholarship is awarded to a MSGA student member.

Last year’s scholarship recipient was Ariel Overstreet Adkins of Big Timber, MT. Upon receiving the 2014 award, Ariel, a student at the University of Montana School of Law said, “this scholarship means a tremendous amount to my family and I as we work to pay for school. Scholarships allow students like me to graduate with less debt, which is significant because it means that I am going to be able to work on issues for the people I care about.”

To be eligible for the Educational Heritage Scholarship, students must currently be enrolled in college and have completed at least one semester of coursework, be a member of Montana Stockgrowers Association, and demonstrate a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

Applicants must complete the application form (mtbeef.org/educational-heritage-scholarship), include a copy of their current transcript, write a 500-word essay discussing their educational pursuits and what they hope to do with their education, and include two letters of recommendation.

Applications must be completed and postmarked or mailed no later than April 1, 2015.

For more information on these scholarships and to apply online, visit the MSGA website at mtbeef.org. For questions, please email Jesse Gill at [email protected]. If you are interested in these scholarships but are not currently a member of MSGA, join today. Student memberships start at just $20.

The Research and Education Endowment Foundation (REEF) of the Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization established to provide resources for education and research that supports the Montana Stockgrowers Association in enhancing the Montana ranching community, as excellent environmental stewards, in their production of healthy beef for the world.

 

September 24, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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An unforgettable day of golf at MSGA’s T-Bone Classic

Lone Peak above our golf course made for some amazing scenery for the day.

Lone Peak above our golf course made for some amazing scenery for the day.

The fourth annual T-Bone Classic golf outing took place on Sept. 12 at the award winning Big Sky Resort Golf Course. Four years ago, MSGA recognized a need to lessen the gap between Montana’s business and livestock communities. The T-Bone Classic was created with the primary mission to help fulfill this need by building relationships between these two communities that are both essential to Montana’s economy. This year MSGA partnered with our Research & Education Endowment Foundation (REEF) to help strengthen the existing relationships and help forge new relationships between Montana businesses and livestock communities.

REEF Chair, John Grande of Martinsdale, says the events at Big Sky went great! “The T-Bone Classic and Gala at Big Sky provided a unique opportunity to get acquainted with some great folks from different sectors of the Montana business community, as well as fellow ranchers. The Big Sky Mountain Village and the golf course down in the Meadow Village provided a warm and scenic venue for visiting with friends both old and new. Additionally, the MSGA Foundation trustees were able to take advantage of this relaxed setting to spend time in several meetings and informal discussions that helped to develop a new and more targeted direction for the Foundation. We look forward to the rollout of several new projects in the near future. The team at Big Sky Resort and a list of sponsors too numerous to mention really came through in making this a great event for the Stockgrowers organization.”

Winning Team from Havre, Montana - Erickson Financial

Winning Team from Havre, Montana – Erickson Financial

The tournament was followed by a beautiful evening at the Huntley Lodge overlooking lone peak enjoying the best T-bone steak Montana has to offer. The evening provided the opportunity for 100 Montana ranchers and related beef industry representatives to network with other T-Bone Classic participants from major businesses across the state of Montana and neighboring states.

MSGA and REEF would like to thank the many T-Bone Classic sponsors that helped make this unique event a success. A special thank you is extended to the members and staff of the Big Sky Resort. The well-kept course and courteous, proficient staff contributed in a large way to providing for an immensely successful fourth Annual T-Bone Classic.

In 2015, the T-Bone Classic will once again be scheduled for early September. The T-Bone Classic is designed to accommodate up to 30 teams with the intention that fifty percent of the teams originate from the heart of Montana’s ranch industry. MSGA will be searching for both ranch team and business team participants during the coming year. If your ranch can muster up a team for next year, let MSGA know you are interested. The prizes provided by the 18 hole sponsors, a hole-in-one to win a new Ford Pickup, or the best T-Bone steak we can offer could help make your day even more special!

Montana Cattle Women President, Wanda Pinnow, supporting beef and having fun on the golf course!

Montana Cattle Women President, Wanda Pinnow, supporting beef and having fun on the golf course!

Fred Wacker (center) stands in front of the steaks he raised for Tyson Open Prairie Natural Angus Beef, which were served at the Gala Dinner!

Fred Wacker (center) stands in front of the steaks he raised for Tyson Open Prairie Natural Angus Beef, which were served at the Gala Dinner!

Lacey Sutherlin Torgerson Putting Contest Big Sky Golf

Lacey Sutherlin, Young Stockgrowers Chair, stands with her $50 gift certificate for winning the Togerson Putting Contest!