BILLINGS, Mont. (December 12, 2023) – The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) concluded its 139th Annual Convention and Trade Show on Friday, December 8, in Billings, Montana. On the final day, attendees participated in the Beef Breakfast, Beef Production and Marketing Committee Meeting, General Session II, Presidents Lunch, Stockgrowers Colleges, and policy meetings. The convention ended with the Montana Agriculture Policy Action (MAPA) Reception, and Grand Finale Banquet.

The Beef Breakfast, sponsored by Pinion, kicked off the final day as participants listened to Kevin Bearley, a specialist in income and state tax solutions, speak about estate planning and generational transfer. In the policy meetings, attendees heard updates from the Montana Department of Livestock during the Beef Production and Marketing Committee, sponsored by CHS Nutrition. 

Then, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) CEO, Colin Woodall, joined the stage during General Session II, sponsored by Bank of the Rockies, to share updates from Washington D.C. Presidents Lunch, sponsored by Envu, recognized outgoing board of director members, Dana Darlington, Todd Olson, and Devin Murnin, along with presentations of the Montana Stockgrowers Foundation’s (MSF) Heritage Scholarship to Savannah Schneider, McLain Payne, and Nik Pierson. 

Members met to discuss proposed and expiring policy during committee meetings, sponsored by CHS Nutrition, Bobcat of Big Sky, and Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation. Policy discussions included topics on producer profitability, industry sustainability, endangered species, water storage, and watershed management. 

For the second year, MSGA’s Grand Finale Banquet celebrated Montana farmers and ranchers by providing attendees with a Made in Montana meal, which included a 14 oz. New York strip from MSGA member and Montana Stockgrowers Foundation Cattle Drive program steer buyer, Little Belt Cattle Co. of Martinsdale, potatoes from Bausch Potatoes in Whitehall, cheese and diary from Amaltheia Dairy in Belgrade, salad from Chance Farm in Bozeman, microgreens from Together at first Light Farms in Roberts, mushrooms from Garden City Fungi in Missoula, and flathead cherries from Fat Robin Orchard in Polson. 

MSGA and its sponsors raffled and auctioned multiple prizes over the course convention. Recipients included:

• Nutra-Lix Handcrafted Saddle: Todd Olson
• Agri-Best Feeds One Ton of SweetPro Feed: Lina Moore
• Agri-Best Feeds One Pallet of Redmond Natural Trace Mineral: Susan Lake
• Massey Ferguson Tractor: Tammy Dynneson
• Producer Partnership 27 Tons of Hay Auction: Yellowstone Cattle Feeders
• Western Ranch Supply $500 Gift Certificate: Hertha Lund
• Dot and Sassy Prints: Stockman Bank and Montana Livestock Ag Credit Inc. 
• C250 Cancrete Waterer: Dana Darlington
• Mountain West Ags One Ton of Protein Blocks: Bruce and Ian Glennie 

MSGA thanks its generous sponsors who donated these items! Proceeds from the auctions will support educational programs and opportunities for members in the coming year.

MSGA’s 2024 Annual Convention and Trade Show will be held in Billings, Mont. December 5-7, 2024. The organization will celebrate its 140th Anniversary., Visit www.mtbeef.org later this year for event details. 

The Montana Stockgrowers Association is a grassroots membership organization and is the trusted voice of cattle ranchers. With a 135 year 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/