HELENA, Mont. (June 20, 2023) – During the Opening General Session of the Montana Stockgrowers Association’s (MSGA) MidYear Meeting, MSGA leadership announced the results from the association’s rollover auctions which raised funds to support the appeal MSGA filed against the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) decision regarding American Prairie’s grazing allotments earlier this year. The appeal is in partnership with North and South Phillips Grazing Districts and under the counsel of the Budd-Falen Law Offices, LLC.
In an effort to raise funding for support of the appeal, MSGA held a series of rollover auctions throughout the state from March through May. Funds raised for the MSGA Advocacy Fund allows for a collective voice for cattle ranchers advocating for change and accountability at the state and federal levels.
A total of 11 rollover auctions were hosted, raising over $155,000!
Auctions were held at Bear Paw Livestock Auction, Dillon Livestock Auction, Five Valleys Livestock Auction, Glasgow Stockyards, Headwaters Livestock Auction, Lewistown Livestock Auction, Miles City Livestock Commission, Montana Livestock Auction Company, Public Auction Yards, Sidney Livestock Market Center, and Western Livestock.
“The support we have seen makes it very apparent that there are many people around that state who are passionate about this issue and how the federal government is disregarding long-standing policies like the Taylor Grazing Act.”
shared John Grande, MSGA President.
In recent years, MSGA has raised a variety of issues with the American Prairie Reserve’s (APR) request to BLM to change the class of livestock from cattle to bison, change the authorized seasons-of-use, and the removal of interior fences and have shared disappointment in the BLM’s draft Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). Six out of seven allotments were awarded changes requested by the APR, with only slight modifications.
The final decision is a significant change to grazing on federal lands and will have serious repercussions on BLM grazing throughout the West. American Prairie’s American Serengeti concept is a threat to the grassland ecosystem, rural communities, and Montana’s cattle industry.
To stay updated on MSGA’s appeal of the BLM’s decision and other MSGA news, visit www.mtbeef.org/news/
The Montana Stockgrowers Association is a grassroots membership organization and is the trusted voice of cattle ranchers. With over 135 years of history, MSGA advocates and ensures cattle ranching remains relevant, safe and a sustainable way of life for generations to come.
CONTACT:
Keni Reese
Director of Marketing & Communications
406-442-3420
To view more MSGA news, visit https://mtbeef.org/news/
