MILES CITY, Mont. (May 31, 2024) – The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) wrapped up the 140th MidYear Meeting on Thursday, May 30 in Miles City, Montana, with record breaking attendance of over 200 attendees. Spirits were high at the event which included a call for unity in the livestock industry, discussions on the Producer Profitability Initiative, and grassroots policy work that focused on the future of the livestock industry.
MSGA’s leadership held a moderated chat on the first day that shared insights learned during MSGA’s Producer Profitability Listening Sessions hosted throughout the spring. MSGA’s President, John Grande, First Vice President, Lesley Robinson, Second Vice President, Turk Stovall, and Executive Vice President, Raylee Honeycutt, discussed highlights from the roughly 24,000 miles road show the organization held. In recent months, over 1,000 ranchers participated in listening sessions across the state. The group shared that as the organization moves forward, the estate tax, industry mentorship, tools for succession planning, and labor will be a focus for the organization through this initiative.
One of the membership’s favorite highlights of the event included a weather update from MSGA’s partners, Meteorologist Brian Bledsoe. Bledsoe shared that the next few weeks will be a significant indicator of how long the moisture Montana has had in May will last but producers should be prepared for warmer than average temperatures, limited moisture through the summer months, and another winter like this past year.
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President, Mark Eisele, kicked off the event during the Opening General Session where he gave attendees updates on endangered species, federal land management, and the farm bill.
The Montana Stockgrowers Foundation’s (MSF) Sunset Banquet raised over $15,000 in support of MSF’s mission to ensure the future of Montana’s cattle industry through producer and public education, and promotion of MSGA programs. Kyle Shobe & the Walk ‘Em Boys closed out the night at the Sunset Banquet After-Party.
Thursday morning started as Amorette Allison, a local Miles City historian, shared a history of MSGA’s first ten years of conventions in its birthplace, Miles City, and a few of the association’s early accomplishments, during the Coffee Talks session.
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 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
Director of Marketing & Communications
406-442-3420
To view more MSGA news, visit https://mtbeef.org/news/
