RANCHER RESOURCES

 The next Montana Board of Livestock meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 7, 2022 from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm in the Montana Department of Livestock Conference Room #319, Scott Hart Building, 301 N. Roberts, Helena, MT. THE PUBLIC IS WELCOME TO ATTEND THIS MEETING IN PERSON, BUT ATTENDANCE WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE VIRTUALLY BY ZOOM. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MEETING WILL BE LIVE-STREAMED ON THE BOL WEBSITE. 

The agenda will be posted to the Department of Livestock website at liv.mt.gov soon. For instructions on how to join the meeting virtually or, if you would like a printed copy of the agenda, please call 406-444-9321 or email at [email protected] 

Rangeland Resources Committee Upcoming Meeting

Date: August 29^th

Location: Crystal Inn in Great Falls.

Time: 9:30 am

Districting and Apportionment Commission Meetings

When: August 25, 26, 30, 2022

Where: August 25 in Pablo, August 26 in Missoula, August 30 online only

On August 25^th, 26^th, and 30^th, the Montana Districting and Apportionment Commission will hold the first of nine public hearings on four draft legislative map proposals. Six hearings will be in-person hearings; three will be online only.

On August 25, the commission meets in Pablo at Salish Kootenai College. On August 26, the commission meets in Missoula at the University of Montana law school. On August 30, the commission will hold an online meeting. Agendas for all three hearings are now available online with details on meeting times, locations, and how the public can provide comments. The August 30 agenda includes instructions on how to sign up to receive the online meeting link.

The draft maps and related information are available on the commission’s website: www.mtredistricting.gov.

The commission will hold additional public hearings in September, including on:

• September 1 in Bozeman
• September 7 in Great Falls
• September 9 on Zoom
• September 15 in Crow Agency
• September 16 in Billings
• September 19 on Zoom

Times and locations for the September hearings are available online and agendas for each meeting will be available soon.

The public is welcome to attend the in-person or Zoom hearing that is the most convenient to them. The regional designations are suggestions to help guide public comments and map submissions, but do not limit where or when an individual may attend a public hearing.

The commission encourages written comments and provides a variety of ways the public can send in those comments. A tip sheet on the commission’s website provides guidance on how the public can ensure their comments are received.

Please visit the commission’s website for more information on its work, the public hearings, or the draft maps.

Commission website: www.mtredistricting.gov Commission staff: Rachel Weiss or Joe Kolman at [email protected]

2022 Montana Range Tour

Hosted by the Cascade Conservation District in Partnership with the Rangeland Resources Program

Great Falls, MT | August 30 – 31, 2022

Tuesday, Aug 30

Sieben Live Stock, Inc Ranch Visit
Winter Grazing and Performance Evaluations
Beaver Mimicry

Keynote Speaker: Alejandro Carrillo
Drought Resiliency Presentation

Awards Banquet
2022 Leopold Conservation Award

Wednesday, Aug 31

Fire Recovery Seeding Using Drones

Feral Swine Update

Predator Management

Animal Science & Air Quality Emissions

Alejandro Carrillo Closing Remarks

Featured Speakers

Alejandro Carrillo: A successful fourth generation rancher in the drought stricken Chihuahuan Desert.

Awards Banquet Including
The Announcement of the 2022 Leopold Conservation Award winner!

Cost to Attend

$125/participant

Includes:
Lunch and Banquet Dinner 8/30
Breakfast and Lunch 8/31
Beverages/Snacks for both days

To Register

Please fill out the registration form or contact:
The Cascade Conservation District
(406) 866-0028
[email protected]

Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee Meeting – Yellowstone Ecosystem Subcommittee

November 16-17, 2022

Bozeman, MT

https://igbconline.org/news/

Interagency Bison Management Plan Meeting

November 30, 2022 | 8 AM – 5 PM | Holiday Inn West Yellowstone

https://www.ibmp.info/meetings.php

Host: NPS. Lead Partner: Cam Sholly of NPS.
LOCATION: Holiday Inn West Yellowstone(315 Yellowstone Ave; West Yellowstone MT 59758)
LODGING: Partners and staff can reserve government rate rooms until Nov 1 by calling 406-646-7365 or 800-HOLIDAY and asking for the “BIS” block of rooms

Join us for a Regional AgrAbility Workshop!

AgrAbility Regional Training Workshop-Reno, NV

November 29^th -December 1^st 2022

The Silver Legacy Resort

407 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89501

Cost- $150 for all 3 days

other registration options available

For more information and link to register go to http://www.agrability.org/rtw/agrability-regional-training-workshop-2022/. Registration is open through November 18th

The Regional Event in Reno, NV is being coordinated in conjunction with the Western Region Agricultural Stress Assistance Program, and the University of Nevada-Reno Extension. The first 2 days of this workshop will focus on farm stress and mental health, adaptive tools and technology, and

worksite assessment. Lunch and snacks will be provided.  The third day participants embark on a guided venture to Fallon, in Churchill County, to tour diverse operations in “the oasis of Nevada”.   Lunch will be provided.

AgrAbility is a program sponsored by the US Department of Agriculture that provides assistance to farmers, ranchers and other agricultural workers, and farm family members impacted by disability, illness or chronic conditions.  The program is funded through a competitive grant process for one National Project and State/ Regional Projects (currently serving 20 states).  Each project involves a collaborative partnership between land grant universities and various non-profit disability services organizations.

A nightly rate of $35 plus a $30 daily resort fee is available at the Silver Legacy Resort through 10/29/22. You can reserve a room by clicking on the hotel name.

For more details, please contact National AgrAbility Partners at Goodwill:

Tess McKeel: [email protected]

JoBeth Rath: [email protected]

Learn more at: www.agrability.org

Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee Meeting – Executive Committee

December 6 – 8, 2022

Location TBD

https://igbconline.org/news/

2022 Fish and Wildlife Commission Meetings

• January 28 – Meeting agenda and recording
• February 3 – Work session agenda and recording
• February 4 – Meeting agenda and recording
• April 19
• June 23
• August 25
• October 20
• December 16

The seven-member Commission is appointed by the Governor from the FWP administrative regions. The appointments are to be made without regard to political affiliation and to be made solely for the wise management of the fish and wildlife of the state. At least one member must be experienced in the breeding and management of domestic livestock.

The Commission is a quasi-judicial citizen board whose general authority and duties are further defined and shaped by specific responsibilities in the statutes.

The Department is an executive branch agency under the Governor. The Director of the Department is appointed by the Governor and reports to the Governor. The Department has duties and responsibilities as provided by statute.

In summary, the Department administers the day-to-day activities of the Department under the executive branch with specific statutory duties and the Commission sets fish and wildlife regulations, approves property acquisitions, and approves certain rules and activities of the Department as provided by statute.

More info at www.fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/commission

USDA Searching for Innovations in Climate-Smart Agriculture and Soil Health

BOZEMAN, Mont., July 26, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today it will invest $25 million this year for the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials program.

Through CIG, partners work to address our nation’s water quality, water quantity, air quality, soil health and wildlife habitat challenges, all while improving agricultural operations. The On-Farm Trials component of CIG supports widespread adoption and evaluation of innovative conservation approaches in partnership with agricultural producers. This year’s funding priorities are climate-smart agricultural solutions, irrigation water management, nutrient management and soil health.

“Through science and innovation, we can develop solutions to tackle the climate crisis, conserve and protect our water, enhance soil health, and create economic opportunities for producers,” said Terry Cosby, Chief of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). “Through On-Farm Trials, partners can work directly with farmers and ranchers to test and adopt new strategies on agricultural lands, accelerating the development and application of conservation that works for producers and the land.”

For FY 2022, to ensure that equity is incorporated in the planning and delivery of On-Farm Trials, at least 10% of the total funds available for On-Farm Trials are set aside for proposals that entirely benefit historically underserved (HU) producers. Additionally, applicants competing for the HU set-aside can waive non-federal match requirements.

Applications for On-Farm Trials are being accepted now through September 22, 2022. Private entities whose primary business is related to agriculture, nongovernmental organizations with experience working with agricultural producers, and non-federal government agencies are eligible to apply. For more information and to apply, visit grants.gov.

About CIG On-Farm Trials

On-Farm Trials projects feature collaboration between NRCS and partners to implement on-the-ground conservation activities and then evaluate their impact. Incentive payments are provided to producers to offset the risk of implementing innovative approaches.

The Soil Health Demonstration Trial (SHD) component of On-Farm Trials focuses exclusively on conservation practices implementation and systems that improve soil health.

A critical element of each On-Farm Trials project is evaluation. Partners must propose robust scientific approaches to their On-Farm Trials, resulting in data and analyses of the environmental, financial and, to the extent possible, social impacts of the trials.

NRCS intends to use the results of On-Farm Trials project evaluations and analyses to explore the development of new NRCS business practices, guidance documents, technical tools and conservation practice standards or modifications to existing ones.

For more information about the Conservation Innovation Grants program, visit the NRCS website.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

USDA Boosts Conservation on Grazing Lands and Support for Farmers and Ranchers

Bozeman, MT, August 8, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing up to $12 million in partnerships that expand access to conservation technical assistance for livestock producers and increase the use of conservation practices on grazing lands. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting proposals through its Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) until September 22, 2022.

“Privately owned grazing lands cover more than 40 million acres of Montana’s landscape, which means we have a tremendous opportunity to address climate change and conserve natural resources through voluntary, private lands conservation,” said Tom Watson, Montana State Conservationist. “NRCS enlists a wide variety of conservation practices to help livestock producers. These partnerships will also help us expand the footprint of conservation on grazing lands and could help better reach historically underserved producers.”

Project proposals for GLCI Cooperative Agreements will identify and address barriers to accessing grazing assistance for producers. These partnerships are encouraged to include outreach and support for reaching historically underserved producers. Projects must address one or more of the following priorities:

• Address local natural resource concerns.
• Use climate-smart agriculture and forestry practices and principles.
• Encourage existing and new partnerships through emphasizing equity in advancing the resource needs of underserved communities.
• Identify and implement strategies to quantify, monitor, report on and verify conservation benefits associated with grazing management systems.

Through GLCI, NRCS will leverage the partnerships to increase availability of technical assistance for farmers and ranchers engaged in grazing activities and act as navigators for grazers seeking additional resources. The opportunity encourages knowledge and expertise in working with historically underserved producers, with a desired outcome of strong participation by historically underserved producers in new and existing grazing coalitions. GLCI intends to expand and establish new peer-to-peer networks for grazers and direct financial support for grazing mentors working with new, beginning, or transitioning grazers.

Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to the following entity types based in any of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), and the Pacific Islands Area (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands):

• Nonprofit organizations having a 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) (other than institutions of higher education)
• Farmer or rancher organizations
• State and local conservation governmental agencies
• Agricultural Extension Services
• Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
• Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
• Land grant universities including 1890 or 1994 land grant institution (7 U.S.C. 3222 et seq.), Hispanic-serving institution (20 U.S.C. 1101a), or other minority-serving institution, such as a historically Black college or university (20 U.S.C. 1061), a tribally controlled college or university (25 U.S.C. 1801), or Asian American and Pacific Islander-serving institution (20 U.S.C. 1059g)

For more information and to apply, visit the funding opportunity on grants.gov. Applications are being accepted now through September 22, 2022.     

More Information

GLCI was developed as a coordinated effort to identify priority issues, find solutions, and effect change on private grazing land, enhancing existing conservation programs. GLCI also provides support to the National Grazing Lands Coalition to help state grazing coalitions boost participation from historically underserved producers; host a Triennial National Grazing Lands Conference; and to act as navigators for grazers seeking additional resources.

For more information about NRCS’s grazing lands efforts, visit the NRCS website.

Application available for FWP’s Habitat Conservation Lease Program

HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is accepting applications for its new Habitat Conservation Lease Program.

A habitat conservation lease is a voluntary, incentive-based agreement between FWP and private landowners in which the landowner commits to specific land management practices that protect priority wildlife habitat. In turn, FWP pays landowners a one-time per-acre fee for the lease. These agreements would have a term length of 30 and 40 years.

As it has for decades, FWP is still pursuing conservation easements and land purchases where support from landowners, local officials and the community exists. The lease program is an addition to the conservation tools already available to landowners.

The initial focus of the conservation lease program will be primarily for prairie habitats, with a priority on sage-grouse core areas and other plains habitats recognized by FWP as high priority for wildlife. That focus will be expanded to other priority habitats in subsequent years.

In areas critical to sage-grouse, these leases will ensure habitat protections that help keep populations healthy and allow the bird to remain off the Endangered Species List.

The Habitat Conservation Lease Program potentially could protect up to 500,000 acres in the next five years.

“Beyond protecting important habitat, this program will also be another tool to help keep family farms and ranches on the landscape, which will ensure our vital open spaces stay that way well into the future,” said FWP Director Hank Worsech.

Habitat conservation leases will maintain native habitats by protecting them from specific management that would alter their integrity, including tillage, energy development, building construction, and wetland filling or draining. Normal agricultural operations and noxious weed control will not be impacted.

Public access also will be part of the lease, but the details would be specific to each agreement.

Funding for the conservation lease program includes earmarked Habitat Montana funds, Pittman-Robertson funds and other sources dedicated to specific habitat types (e.g., wetlands). The Habitat Montana funds will be matched by federal funds at a 25/75 ratio, meaning every dollar of Habitat Montana money would be matched by $3 of federal money.

FWP conducted a programmatic environment assessment on habitat conservation leases earlier this summer and issued a decision notice last week supporting Habitat Conservation Lease Agreements.

More information and applications for the program are available on the FWP at https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/habitat/habitat-conservation/lease-program. The deadline for applications is Sept. 30.

FWP is also asking the Fish and Wildlife Commission to approve up to 500,000 acres of enrollments. The commission will make a decision on this proposal at its Aug. 25 meeting.

Montana FSA Program Dates/Deadlines

USDA in Montana reminds agricultural producers of important Farm Service Agency (FSA) program dates. Contact your local service center to apply and with any questions. Visit online at farmers.gov and fsa.usda.gov.mt.

Aug. 31, 2022: Last day to bale hay on CRP for Non-emergency and Emergency Haying (requires prior approval).

Sept 30, 2022: Deadline to enroll in Continuous CRP programs, including SAFE

Oct 31, 2022: Deadline to enroll in Organic and Transitional Education Verification Program (OTECP) and Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP)

Jan 30, 2023: Deadline to request all ELAP assistance for 2022 calendar year losses.

Jan 30, 2023: Deadline to request LFP assistance for 2022 calendar year losses.

ELAP notice of loss must be filed within 30 days of when loss is apparent for livestock and farm-raised fish losses.

ELAP notice of loss must be filed within 15 days of when loss is apparent for honeybee losses.

LIP notice of loss must be filed within 30 days of when the loss is apparent.

2023 Call for Applications for Clean Water Act Section 319(h) Projects to Address Nonpoint Source Pollution

HELENA—The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is seeking applications for approximately $1 million in funding for nonpoint source pollution reduction projects available under the Federal Clean Water Act. Nonpoint source pollution is the single largest cause of water quality impairment in Montana’s lakes and streams, and typically comes from diffuse sources that are not regulated under a discharge permit.

Common pollutants include sediment, nutrients, pathogens and toxic metals. In lakes, streams and wetlands, these pollutants can cause serious harm to aquatic life and can make the water unsafe for human recreation and consumption. DEQ monitors water quality in Montana’s lakes and streams and identifies water bodies that are impaired. This funding is one way that DEQ works to improve impaired waters across Montana.

This funding supports the implementation of locally developed watershed restoration plans. By working with local organizations, DEQ puts communities in the driver’s seat and leverages local knowledge to improve Montana’s lakes, rivers, and streams. Nonprofit or government organizations can submit applications for proposed projects that help reduce nonpoint source pollution. Examples of past projects include cost share for septic maintenance, restoring wetlands and native vegetation along streambanks, or working with farmers and ranchers to water quality best management practices while protecting their property from flood and drought impacts.

The recommended range for new applications is $10,000 to $250,000 per project, and 40 percent of the total project cost must be matched with non-federal funds. Approximately $500,000 of the available funding will be focused on projects in the lower Gallatin watershed. DEQ focuses funding on a specific watershed and rotates to a different watershed every two or three years. This targeted approach maximizes the cumulative impacts of water quality restoration projects within a watershed. The remaining $500,000 is open to projects across Montana. DEQ does prioritize some of the funding to administer mini-grant programs for low-cost nonpoint source pollution prevention activities and local capacity building.

The application form and instructions can be downloaded from DEQ’s website using the following hyperlinks:

• 2023 Call for Applications
• General and Focus Watershed Scoring Sheet
• Mini-Grant Program Scoring Sheet
• General and Focus Watershed Application Form
• Supplemental Project Application Form
• General and Focus Watershed Application Form Instructions
• Mini-Grant Application Form
• Mini-Grant Application Form Instruction

DEQ staff will be available, upon request, to provide feedback on project applications. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 7, 2022.

For more information on eligibility and to see current and recent applications, visit the DEQ website at: https://deq.mt.gov/water/Programs/sw#accordion4-collapse3

You may also call or email Mark Ockey at 406-444-5351 or [email protected]

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)

CRP is a land conservation program administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). In exchange for a yearly rental payment, farmers enrolled in the program agree to remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and plant species that will improve environmental health and quality. Contracts for land enrolled in CRP are from 10 to15 years in length. The long-term goal of the program is to re-establish valuable land cover to help improve water quality, prevent soil erosion, and reduce loss of wildlife habitat.

Signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1985, CRP is one of the largest private-lands conservation program in the United States. Thanks to voluntary participation by farmers and landowners, CRP has improved water quality, reduced soil erosion, and increased habitat for endangered and threatened species.

2022 Signups

The Grassland CRP signup runs from April 4, 2022 to May 13, 2022. The signup for CLEAR30 runs from April 1 to Aug. 5, 2022. The Continuous CRP Signup is ongoing. Producers interested in enrolling in CRP should contact the FSA office at their local USDA Service Center. The General CRP signup ran from Jan. 31, 2022 to March 11, 2022. Read more in our Grassland CRP signup news release and our CLEAR30 signup news release.

2021 Enrollment

Producers and landowners enrolled 5.3 million acres through CRP signups, including nearly 2.6 million in the Grassland signup, nearly 1.9 million acres for the General signup, and 902,000 acres for the Continuous signup (as of September 10, 2021). This year’s signup surpassed USDA’s 4 million-acre goal.

For Grassland CRP, producers and landowners submitted offers for nearly 4 million acres, the highest in the signup’s history. Read more in our September 10, 2021 news release.

Meanwhile, Continuous CRP was highly successful in large part because of a recommitment to incentives and partnerships, including the expansion of the Clean Lakes, Estuaries, and Rives Initiative 30-year (CLEAR30) from two regions to nationwide as well as moving State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) practices from the General to the Continuous signup. Read more in our August 23, 2021 news release.

Improvements to CRP

In 2021, FSA introduced higher payment rates, new incentives, and a more targeted focus on CRP’s role in climate change mitigation. To learn more about updates to CRP, read our “What’s New with CRP” fact sheet or our April 21, 2021 news release.

CRP and Climate Mitigation

Through the CRP Climate Change Mitigation Assessment Initiative, FSA will further quantify program benefits to better target CRP toward climate outcomes and improve existing models and conservation planning tools.

In October 2021, USDA awarded a total of $10 million to three partners that will monitor and measure how key CRP practices impact soil carbon. These practices include perennial grasses, tree plantings and wetlands.

To learn more, read the October 12, 2021 news release, May 25, 2021 news release or visit our page on CRP Monitoring, Assessment and Evaluation projects.

CRP Resources

• CRP fact sheet
• CRP General Enrollment Signup fact sheet
• CRP 58th General Environmental Benefits Index (EBI) fact sheet
• CRP TIP fact sheet
• CRP Continuous Signup fact sheet
• CRP State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) Initiative fact sheet
• CRP Clean Lakes Estuaries And Rivers (CLEAR) Initiative and New Prairie Strips practice fact sheet
• Grassland CRP Working Lands fact sheet
• Grassland CRP Ranking Factor fact sheet
• CRP CLEAR30 Pilot fact sheet
• CRP CLEAR30 Primary Practices
• CRP Forest Management Incentive program fact sheet
• CRP Forest Management Incentive program news release – January 2021

Availability of Low-Interest Physical Loss Loans for Producers Affected by Natural Disasters

Availability of Low-Interest Physical Loss Loans for Montana Producers Affected by Natural Disasters

The Montana Master Hunter Program provides advanced hunter education that increases skills, competence, ethical behavior, and knowledge of agriculture and stewardship.

One Montana (1MT) launched the Master Hunter Program to help the State of Montana and private landowners improve wildlife management efforts by restoring the cooperation between hunters, private landowners, and game managers.

Find more info at www.mtmasterhunter.com

Comprehensive Water Review

Dedicated website is live now!

A website dedicated to the Comprehensive Water Review has been launched. The site details each of the identified key challenges and provides a single place for the public to learn more about upcoming events, find information, receive updates, and submit comments or questions.

Montana Rural Employment Opportunities

Because REO believes that everyone should have the opportunity for economic independence,

Rural Employment Opportunities (REO) provides outreach and services in all of Montana’s 56 counties to more than 400 adults and 900 children each year as they struggle to support themselves and their families. Through REO, Montana’s agricultural workers have access to educational programs to complete their high school credentials, children’s educational programs,  job training, and college certificates or degrees.  These opportunities lead to full-time employment, improved family income, and greater economic security.

Supporting Montana Agricultural Families

REO supports agricultural workers and their families with:

• Job search, placement and growth.
• Employment security and wage advancement.
• Funding for tuition, books and other related training costs

REO is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program and abides by all federal and state EOC regulations and laws.  Equal Opportunity is the law.  Program financed 100% with federal funds of $699,452 with 0% nongovernmental funds.

REO has operated this federal Department of Labor grant for over 30 years, serving farmworkers and their families across the state of Montana.  Through this grant, REO offers opportunities for farm workers, and/or their qualifying family members, to improve their earning capacity in agriculture or other career paths through education and training. REO staff members work closely with participants, helping them determine the best way to reach their educational and employment goals. The goal of the program is economic self-sufficiency and wages that allow workers to support and sustain their families.

Participants may choose to attend a vocational, technical, or trade school for short-term job training, work-related certification programs, college courses, or participate in an on-the-job training program or apprenticeship program. They may also work with REO for direct placement into the workforce. In addition, REO is able to support each participant with needed items for training or new employment such as tuition assistance, books, laptops, fuel vouchers, work clothing, and/or tools to help reach their goals.

We have updated our website at www.reomontana.org.  On Facebook, we have pages for “Rural Employment Opportunities”, “REO Southwest Montana”, “REO Northwest & North Central Montana”, and “REO Eastern Montana”.

USDA Working with Cooperative Development Centers to Expand Economic Opportunities for Rural Montanans

BOZEMAN, Mont., April 6, 2022 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced that the department is accepting applications through the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG)program to help Cooperative Development Centers improve the economic condition of rural areas by assisting individuals and businesses in the startup, expansion, or operational improvement of rural cooperatives and other mutually-owned businesses.

In Montana, USDA Rural Development has worked closely with Mission West Community Development Partners and the Montana Cooperative Development Center to provide funding through the RCDG program which, in turn, has been used to provide expertise and technical assistance to Montana businesses.

As a Regional Economic Development Organization, Mission West Community Development Partners provides community and economic development efforts to help businesses in Lake, Mineral and Sanders counties, as well as the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, grow and prosper.

“Our Cooperative Development Center is a key part of how we’re working to support and sustainably develop the economies of rural western Montana,” noted Mission West Community Development Partners Cooperative Development Center Director, Kaylee Thornley. “Through the USDA Rural Cooperative Development Grant program, Mission West has been able to provide technical assistance and training to 33 cooperatives in starting or expanding their business in the last two years.”

Rural Cooperative Development Grants may be used by Rural Cooperative Development Centers to fund operations such as conducting feasibility studies, developing business plans, providing leadership and operational improvement training, and facilitating strategic planning.

“As an example, through RCDG funding, Mission West assisted the Ronan Cooperative Brewery in successfully opening as Montana’s first cooperative brewery in 2020, contributing to the revitalization of Ronan’s rural Main Street,” added Thornley. “And, earlier this year, Mission West continued to assist the co-op brewery after its opening by providing technical assistance to expand its digital marketing presence to increase sales.”

The Montana Cooperative Development Center (MCDC) works with new and existing cooperatives and other groups to evaluate cooperative business models and strategies to meet their objectives.

“Montana Cooperative Development Center has proudly received RCDG funding for several years,” stated Montana Cooperative Development Center’s Executive Director, Tracy McIntyre.  “Our work across Montana shows the vastness of how cooperatives can address community and economic needs. We are working on developing cooperatives to address critical issues facing our state, including (but not limited to) childcare, housing, food and meat processing, food distribution, and workforce conversions to employee ownership.”

MCDC is the only statewide resource for cooperative development.  With financial assistance from state and federal sources, including previous USDA Rural Cooperative Development Grants, MCDC is able to offer services at little or no cost to project groups across the state.

“MCDC also works with all existing cooperatives and supports the work of the Montana Telecommunication Association and telecommunication cooperatives on broadband adoption and deployment. And, through the Socially Disadvantaged Group Grant, which is another USDA Rural Development program, MCDC is providing technical assistance to our Indigenous communities,” McIntyre added.

To learn more about business investment resources for Montana’s rural areas, contact Montana’s Business and Cooperative Programs Director, Lad Barney, at (406) 309-3350 or [email protected]

Additional information on the required materials and how to apply for the RCDG program are available on page 19842 of the April 6, 2022, Federal Register.

If you would like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.

WASHINGTON, May 4, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has updated three key crop insurance options for livestock producers: the Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP), Livestock Gross Margin (LGM), and Livestock Risk Protection (LRP). USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) revised the insurance options to reach more producers, offer greater flexibility for protecting their operations, and ultimately, better meet the needs of the country’s swine, dairy, and cattle producers. The updates were published last week for the 2023 crop year, which begins July 1, 2022.

“Great and sound customer service is the most important thing we can provide our nation’s producers, making sure the programs and products we offer give them the most useful tools for covering their risks,” said RMA Administrator Marcia Bunger. “Agriculture is not a static industry, and these updates reflect the importance we place on always knowing the evolving needs of producers and offering the most people the best risk management tools we can.”

DRP is designed to insure against unexpected declines in the quarterly revenue from milk sales relative to a guaranteed coverage level; LGM protects against the loss of gross margin (or livestock’s market value minus feed costs); and LRP provides protection against price declines.

Producers will now have more flexibility for DRP, LGM, and LRP, when indemnities are used to pay premiums, which can help producers manage their operation’s cash flow. With these updates, producers can now have both LGM and LRP policies, although they cannot insure the same class of livestock for the same time period or have the same livestock insured under multiple policies.

Additional updates by insurance option include:

Dairy Revenue Protection

• Dairy producers are now able to continue coverage even if they experience a disaster, such as a barn fire, at their operation.

Livestock Gross Margin

• Cattle, Dairy, and Swine coverage has been expanded, making it available in all counties in all 50 states.

Livestock Risk Protection

• Insurance companies are now required to pay indemnities within 30 days, rather than the previous 60 days, following the receipt of the claim form.

• Head limits have been increased:

oFed Cattle: 12,000 head per endorsement and 25,000 head per crop year

oFeeder Cattle: 12,000 head per endorsement and 25,000 head per crop year

oSwine: 70,000 head per endorsement and 750,000 head per crop year

• The termination date under LRP has been extended from June 30 to August 31

• Location reporting requirements have been relaxed to list only state and county, instead of the precise legal location.

Learn more on RMA’s Livestock Insurance Plans webpage. Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA Agent Locator.

More Information

These improvements to livestock insurance options build on other efforts by USDA to improve programs for livestock producers. Recently, USDA expanded the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish to cover transportation costs of livestock to feed as well as feed to livestock. And USDA expanded Dairy Margin Coverage to enable dairy producers to enroll supplemental coverage.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.

Online Modules Now Available for Calf Care and Quality Assurance Program

DENVER, May 11, 2022 – Farmers and ranchers raising calves now have access to the free Calf Care and Quality Assurance (CCQA) program online at www.calfcareqa.org. CCQA promotes a way of thinking that prompts calf raisers to approach management decisions with thoughtfulness and an appreciation for the responsibility they have to their animals, consumers, the environment and the broader cattle industry in the United States.

“Healthy calves are the cornerstone of every beef, dairy and veal facility,” said Trey Patterson, Wyoming rancher and chair of the Beef Quality Assurance Advisory Group. “Committing to calf health management is the right thing to do for calves, producers and consumers, and completing CCQA’s online modules is an easy way to demonstrate that commitment.”

The program was developed with an understanding of the diversity of calf-raising enterprises, being science and outcomes based while maintaining facility type and size neutrality. While the practices identified in the animal care reference manual are not the only practices that can meet the desired outcomes, the program provides a framework that serves as a resource for anyone working in the calf-raising industry. In addition to the manual, online modules and self-assessment tools, CCQA will release an audit tool later this year. Completion of the CCQA online modules provides certification equivalent to Beef Quality Assurance certification.

Certification through CCQA helps ensure optimal calf health and welfare and is the first, collaborative educational tool that provides guidelines for calf raisers. The CCQA program is a joint initiative led by NCBA’s Beef Checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program and the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) program, managed by the National Milk Producer’s Federation (NMPF) with support from the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association, and the Beef Checkoff-funded Veal Quality Assurance (VQA) program.

“Certification programs such as CCQA establish guidelines and standards that help earn the public’s trust, demonstrating that beef and dairy producers share their values and are committed not only to quality animal care, but also to ensuring safe, wholesome meat and milk,” said Patterson.

For more information, visit www.calfcareqa.org.

Montana Meat & Poultry Inspection Bureau Cooperative Interstate Shipping Program FAQ

Question:        What is the Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) Program?
Answer:           The CIS program allows selected “state inspected” establishments to ship their selected products across state lines. This program is voluntary.

Question:        Who can apply for CIS?
Answer:           Any licensed establishment who has had a state Grant of Inspection for at least 90 days and has no more than 25 employees. The establishment needs a satisfactory Food Safety Assessment on record with no outstanding issues and the ability to take measures to completely separate CIS inspected products from all other activities with the establishment.

Question:        Who may not apply for CIS?
Answer:           Any establishment under USDA Grant of inspection. Any state inspected facility with over 25 employees.

Question:        I currently have a custom processing plant. Can I join CIS?
Answer:           Yes, however, you will need to maintain a state grant of inspection for 90 days before applying to enter the CIS program.

Question:        I am an eligible plant owner, what should I do first?
Answer:           Refer to FSIS Directive 5740.1 which describes the CIS process.

Question:        What regulations should I review before requesting the on-site visit?
Answer:           FSIS Directive 5740.1: Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program

9 CFR Part 313: Humane Handling of Livestock

9 CFR part 416: Sanitation

9 CFR Part 417: Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points

9 CFR Part 500: Rules of Practice

*For plants with poultry* 9 CFR Part 381: Poultry Products Inspection Regulations

Question:        What will the process involve?
Answer:           The basics will include:

• • • • Review of establishments hazard analysis and HACCP plans for all applicable processes
      • Review of recall plan, food defense plan and labels.
      • Onsite review of facility will be completed by state inspection staff.
      • Entrance meeting with USDA official will be scheduled to review: employee numbers, labels, facilities and equipment and product processes to finalize establishment is able to meet basic requirements.
      • If requirements are not met the representative will discuss with plant and state inspection staff what is necessary for eligibility. If USDA standards are not met by the second visit the establishment may not reapply for one year.

Question:        Once I am in the CIS program, where can I ship my products?
Answer:           Anywhere within the United States.

Question:        Who will be my inspector if I enter this program?
Answer:           A state of Montana Department of Livestock inspector will still be the regular inspector. A federal inspector will conduct less frequent, unscheduled inspections as well.

Question:        Who can I contact if I have additional questions?
Answer:           Interested facilities should contact the Department of Livestock at 406-444-5202 or [email protected]

Additional information regarding the CIS Program can be found at:
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/inspection/apply-grant-inspection/state-inspection-programs/cooperative-interstate-shipping-program

Cattle Industry Convention Funding Available to Cover Some Expenses

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (Aug. 17, 2022) – The 2023 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show is headed to the Big Easy, and funding is available to offset some costs for producers. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is offering a variety of scholarships and grants to help producers attend CattleCon23, which will be held Feb. 1-3, 2023, in New Orleans.

“We want everyone to have the opportunity to attend the 2023 Convention,” said NCBA President Don Schiefelbein. “These scholarships are perfect for youth, first-timers and others looking to expand their network at the largest event in the beef cattle business.”

Scholarship recipients receive a complimentary Education Package registration and discounted housing accommodations for three nights, Feb. 1-3, 2023. Scholarships will be awarded to up to five beef cattle industry members, up to three young beef producers, and up to three students (currently enrolled in classes) in the industry. Applications for all scholarship categories are due by Sept. 23, 2022, and will be evaluated based on eligibility and answers to application questions.

In addition to the scholarship program, NCBA also offers the Rancher Resilience Grant, which is designed to support cattle producer attendance at impactful education events, such as Cattlemen’s College held prior to convention. Administered by NCBA, the grant is made possible by a partnership between the National Cattlemen’s Foundation and Cargill Protein. To apply for a grant to cover registration costs and two nights hotel, visit  www.ncba.org/producers/rancher-resilience-grant. Cattlemen’s College will be an event option once convention registration opens in October.

For more information on these programs and to apply, visit https://convention.ncba.org. Convention registration and housing open Oct. 3, 2022.