Western Montana Stockmen Active in Communities for 2014
By Kurt McPhearson, President and Kyle Middlemist , Director, Western MT Stockmen’s
We are looking forward to the coming year as an affiliate of the Montana Stockgrowers Association. We have all enjoyed a year of high cattle markets, higher than many of us ever expected to see. With the demand of good beef and the low cattle numbers it would seem that, we should expect the high markets to continue.
This last year has been an exciting and busy one here in western Montana. WMSA has been involved in various activities throughout the year. One thing we were excited and proud to do was raise money for the South Dakota producers coping with the aftermath of winter storm Atlas. Two heifers donated by WMSA president Kurt McPherson and director Greg Gardner were auctioned off in a rollover style auction with all proceeds and heifers going to South Dakota. We also gathered up eleven head of donated females from association members, hauled them to Miles City, and left them in the care of Ty Linger with “Heifers for South Dakota”. Special thanks to Montana Livestock Auction in Butte and Missoula Livestock Exchange in Missoula for helping with the auctions. Also big thanks to all the producers from western Montana who donated females and money to the cause.
Livestock producers and veterans, Charles D. Jacquier and Warren J. Trosclair, were able to participate in the Honor Flight program thanks to the help of Western Montana Stockmen
Western Montana Stockmen’s Association has also established a “Goodwill Fund” funding projects each year to help others in need in our communities. So far in 2014, we sponsored two local livestock producers who are also veterans Charles D. Jacquier and Warren J. Trosclair to participate in the Honor Flight program. The Honor Flight is a chance for veterans to fly to Washington D.C. to be recognized alongside fellow veterans. Although the Honor Flight was a free flight for veterans, they still had the expense of getting to Billings. WMSA paid for the trip to Billings, including hotels and meals. These two gentlemen did not know each other but traveled together and had an outstanding trip. Both gentlemen are World War II veterans.
Last January, our annual meeting and banquet was a huge success with over 200 in attendance. We honored Jimme Wilson as past president of WMSA, MSGA and NCBA with our lifetime achievement award, which recognizes association members for their service to WMSA and to the cattle industry. Our Keynote speaker was Derrell Peel Agriculture Economist from Oklahoma State University. Derrel gave an excellent talk on the nation’s cattle numbers and the future of beef prices.
Our 2015 annual meeting will be held January 24 at the Best Western resort in Polson, MT. We have many things on our agenda. Along with the good markets comes many dissensions to our cattle industry that need to be addressed, but as a larger group with members all pulling together for our great industry, we can do this. There will be a chance to win one of two rifles or two pistols along with dozens of other items donated by our generous sponsors. Our speaker will be Rachel Endecott MSU Extension Beef Specialist. The food is good as well as entertainment and dancing. We always enjoy meeting cattlemen from all over our state and extend an invitation to join us.
Be sure to check us out on our Facebook page – Western Montana Stockmen’s Association. Give us a like and stay up to date with all of our events. Remember to thank your grocer for the Country of Origin labeling on our outstanding beef. Happy holidays to every MSGA member across this great state.