The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) is encouraging producers, agribusiness professionals, and industry partners to register for the Agriculture Labor Summit, scheduled for January 21–22, 2026, at the Northern Hotel in Billings. This first-of-its-kind event will focus on addressing the agricultural labor shortage.
Developed in response to feedback gathered during MSGA’s Producer Profitability Initiative listening sessions, the Agriculture Labor Summit was created to tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing Montana agriculture today: access to a reliable workforce. The two-day event will bring together producers, industry leaders, and policy experts to foster collaboration, share solutions, and strengthen the future of Montana’s agricultural workforce.
Day one will focus on building a domestic labor workforce in agriculture with sessions such as ‘Rebuilding America’s Rural Workforce,’ ‘Challenges and Opportunities in Domestic Ranch Labor,’ and breakout sessions cover topics such as developing recruitment, apprenticeship and training programs, veterans in agriculture, and enhancing worker productivity and safety. The day will close with an open floor discussion and a networking reception.
Day two will focus on foreign and immigrant labor in agriculture covering topics such as immigration policy and the future of U.S. agriculture, the role of immigrant labor in agricultural sustainability, reforming the H-2A program, and designing a resilient agricultural labor system with foreign workforce integration.
MSGA is joined by several partner organizations committed to securing the future of agriculture in Montana, including the Montana Agribusiness Association, Montana Association of State Grazing Districts, Montana Farm Bureau Federation, Montana Grain Growers Association, Montana Pork Producers Council, and Montana Wool Growers Association. This conference is also made possible by generous support from the Browning Kimball Foundation, Livestock Marketing Association, Montana Department of Agriculture, Montana Department of Livestock, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Rangeland Resources Program, Montana Pulse Crop Committee, Montana State Fund, Montana State University Dan Scott Ranch Management Program, Montana Stockgrowers Foundation, Montana Wheat and Barley Committee, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Corn Growers Association, Northern Pulse Growers Association, and Western Ag Network.
Producers and industry professionals interested in attending can learn more about the Ag Labor Summit on www.mtbeef.org/events.
The Montana Stockgrowers Association is a grassroots membership organization and is the trusted voice of cattle ranchers. With over 140 years of history, MSGA advocates and ensures cattle ranching remains relevant, safe and a sustainable way of life for generations to come.
MEDIA CONTACT
Keni Reese Lairy
Director of Marketing & Communications
(406) 442-3420
To view more MSGA news, visit https://mtbeef.org/news/
