HAVRE, Mont. (June 19, 2022) – The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) wrapped up the 139th MidYear Meeting on Thursday, June 15 in Havre, Montana. The event hosted over 130 attendees who gathered for three days of education, policy, fellowship and fun.
The MidYear Meeting is one of two meetings that is held to set association policy that guides the Association through the year. Interim policy set at MidYear will be voted on again at Annual Convention in December for it to become official MSGA policy. While the main focus of the meeting is for the setting of interim policy, MSGA also uses the meeting as a networking opportunity for the MSGA membership.
Members of the association voted to support interim policy encouraging the BLM to recognize managed grazing of domestic livestock as a sustainable use for a healthy rangeland. The interim policy also opposes BLM’s current proposed rule on conservation leasing.
Other topics discussed during policy meetings included animal health, traceability, water law, and national and state beef checkoff concepts.
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President, Todd Wilkinson, opened the event on June 13, and discussed the work NCBA has done in the last year including Foreign Animal Disease Prevention and the USDA traceability rule.
The Goggins Ranch of Ennis and McAllister, Montana, was announced as the 2023 Montana Environmental Stewardship Program (ESAP) winner for their work in sustainability. Each year, the ESAP award recognizes a Montana ranch that exemplifies environmental stewardship and demonstrates a commitment toward improved sustainability within the beef industry.
The evening followed with the Sunset After Party Banquet where the Montana Stockgrowers Foundation (MSF) held an auction and raffle. Proceeds raised by MSF help ensure the future of Montana’s cattle industry through producer and public education, and promotion of MSGA programs.
Thursday morning started as Vice President, Dean & Director, College of Agriculture and Montana Agricultural Experiment Station, Sreekala Bajwa, shared updates on the Montana State University’s (MSU) College of Agriculture animal and range sciences programs. Dr. Darrin Boss, Superintendent of the Northern Ag Research Center also spoke and answered questions regarding the current research being done by MSU.
The MidYear Meeting ended withMSGA members listening to JR Vezain, Professional Bareback Rider and 6-time WNFR qualifier, who shared his story about breaking his back in a rodeo accident and how he has continued to make strides of recovery.
For more information on MSGA or the MidYear Meeting, visit www.mtbeef.org
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
[email protected] view more MSGA news, visit https://mtbeef.org/news/
