March 17, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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South Central Stockgrowers Host Meetings, Support Scholarships

Jed EvjeneBy Jed Evjene, Two Dot, MSGA South Central District Director

It looks like winter is coming to a close or at least on the downhill slide into spring. Although we can still see some spring storms that remind us, Mother Nature is still in charge. Some folks in the area have started calving while others do not get started until March & April.

To report on some of the Local Affiliates in the South Central District, they have been very busy.

Beartooth Stockgrowers held their membership meeting in January with a great turnout. MSGA President, Gene Curry, was invited to speak on the issues. One of their members, Lynda Grande Myers, was elected as the new Montana CattleWomen’s President at the convention in Billings last December.

Crazy Mountain Stockgrowers is holding Rancher Round Table Workshops on different issues and educational programs for ranchers in the area February through March. These workshops were started last year and are very well attended. Some of the topics covered will be mineral nutrition and cattle markets. If anyone would like more information, contact CMSGA President, Matt Cremer, (406) 537-4481.

Gallatin Beef Producers held their banquet and meeting in January that was very well attended. Ryan Goodman attended the business meeting and gave an update on behalf of MSGA staff. Longtime President, Brent Sinnema, completed his service this year and we would like to thank him for all his hard work and commitment.

Wheatland County Stockgrowers hosted an adult education course in October and November on ultrasounding cattle, injection sites, carcass quality and grading for their members and ranchers in the surrounding area. They are currently working on an April 17th fundraiser with a donkey basketball game for their scholarships. In June, they will host the banquet for the Montana Range Days. They continue to build and improve the carcass contest for the Wheatland County Youth Fair in August. If you would like additional information, contact WCSGA President, Ron Fischer, (406) 632-5598.

Fergus County Stockgrowers held their banquet in November and were able to raise $5,000 for their scholarships. Applications for these scholarships can be found at the Central Montana Foundation or by contacting any board member. The scholarships are open to anyone graduating high school or currently in college from the Fergus County area. The applications are due by April 10. They just finished the Montana Winter Fair in January and had great attendance at their Farm Forum. For additional information, please contact FCSGA President, Todd Olsen, (406) 350-0025.

Once again, the AMP program, held in Helena this month, was a success, very well attended and educational. Local Affiliates from across the state were able to meet and discuss issues that are affecting them in their areas and learn about issues that are affecting ranchers in other regions of the state. I would strongly encourage every Local Affiliate to send representatives next year.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at (406) 537-4405. I hope you all have a great spring and calving season!

December 6, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Update from South Central Montana Ranchers

Jed EvjeneWinter has returned to central Montana, as I am writing this article it is -18 below zero! We have been blessed with great Fall weather, high cattle prices and plenty of grass in the pastures.

There has been a lot going on around South Central Montana with calves being shipped and cattle work wrapping up just in time for this first winter blast of cold weather. There has been much discussion around the subjects of EPA’s Waters of the U.S., bison being moved to Fort Peck and elk overpopulation here in the Crazy Mountains.

Your Board of Directors has been busy attending local affiliate meetings around the state during November. It is exciting to travel around to the different affiliate meetings, visiting with people and learning about different issues in each area. This is a time when we as MSGA Directors can lend a helping hand and hopefully keep members up to date on issues that are facing ranchers on a state and national level. So please call us of the MSGA office with any questions on issues ranchers are facing in your area.

One of the pressing issues discussed at my local Crazy Mountain Stockgrowers meeting was the overpopulation of elk on the eastern slopes in Sweet grass County. The elk population is placing heavy grazing pressure on area forage stands and competing with hay production on local cattle ranches. Local ranchers have been discussing opportunities to work with hunters to address the issue.

Tim Todd and myself attended the Musselshell Stockgrowers banquet in Roundup in October. We gave an update of what MSGA has been up to. We are very excited to see this group getting back together and offered up any assistance that we can to help that process along. So welcome back Musselshell Stockgrowers!

We’re looking forward to the MSGA Annual Convention in Billings on December 11-13 and hope to see you all there! On site registration will be available if you weren’t able to preregister. The 14+ Cattlemen’s Colleges available, along with all the usual Association meetings will make the trip well worth your time!