BILLINGS, Mont. (December 7, 2023) – Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) assembled for the second day of the 139th Annual Convention and Trade Show. Leaders in the livestock industry gathered at the Opening General Session, Stockgrowers Colleges, Northern Ag Network and Best of Beef Lunch, Tax, Finance and Ag Policy Committee, and the Trade Show Celebration Dinner.
Opening General Session, sponsored by Montana Livestock Ag Credit, brought livestock producers updates from the Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) leadership, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Montana Public Land Council (MPLC), and American National Cattlewomen (ANCW). Sponsored by Silveus Insurance, Keynote speaker Brian Bledsoe, Chief Meteorologist/Climatologist for KKTV 11 News in Colorado Springs, Colorado, provided a long range forecast to attendees, noting optimism in future weather.
The morning was rounded out with a variety of educational sessions at MSGA’s Stockgrowers Colleges covering topics such as verification programs, large scale disease response, risk management tools, and carbon credits. Each session gave attendees an inside look on a different topic in the beef industry.
The Northern Ag Network Best of Beef Lunch, sponsored by AgWest Farm Credit, opened with a live broadcast from the Northern Ag Network. Todd Olson, of Lewistown, was drawn as the winner of the Nutra-Lix saddle raffle. Awards were then presented to the Steer of Merit and Cattle Drive winners.
The session wrapped up with a panel discussion on producer profitability where moderator, Russel Nemetz with Western Ag Network, panelists, Turk Stovall of Stovall Ranches and Yellowstone Cattle Feeders, Rusty Ellis of 21 Mile Cattle Co., and Jake Parnell with Livestock Marketing Association took a look at issues facing beef producers and what that means for the future of the livestock industry.
MSGA members continued policy discussion during the Tax, Finance & Ag Policy Committee where attendees received updates on taxes, the Farm Bill, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
The day concluded with the Trade Show dinner, sponsored by Mountain West Ag Service, Tractor and Equipment Co., Montana Ag Safety, and the Montana Grain Growers. Tomorrow, MSGA’s Annual Convention will conclude with General Session II, Presidents Lunch, and the Grand Finale Banquet. Registration will be available at the DoubleTree Hotel December 8.
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/
