Sorted by date Results 51 - 75 of 94
With the 2018 farm bill being critically important to Montana’s farmers and ranchers, the Montana Farm Bureau was extremely disappointed that H.R. 2 failed by a 198 for and 213 against vote. The failure to pass this farm bill was a vote against the country’s hard-working farmers and ranchers. “The House version of the 2018 Farm Bill is good for farmers, ranchers and rural Montana. It protects key features of federal crop insurance, improves commodity programs, and streamlines conservation programs in ways that are good for producers and the env...
Ever wander around a sugar beet factory? Want to learn about the controversy surrounding the Lower Yellowstone Intake Diversion Dam? Plan to take part in the Montana Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Regional Ag Tour June 1-2 in Sidney. The tour, which departs from the Best Western Golden Prairie Inn, kicks off mid-Friday afternoon with a stop at the Sidney Sugar Beet Factory followed by a tour, social and dinner at Meadowlark Brewing. Saturday’s first tour stop is Safflower Technologies, which grows seed for farmers in Montana and N...
Five Montana Farm Bureau members traveled to Washington, D.C. in early March not only to attend the American Farm Bureau Issues Advisory Committee meetings but to meet Montana's Congressional Delegation and visit two agencies that have a strong effect on ag policy-the U.S. Trade Representative's office (USTR) and the Department of the Interior (DOI). Members included MFBF Director of National Affairs Nicole Rolf; Tonya Liles, a cattle rancher from Terry; Megan Mattson Hedges, a grain farmer...
Four Montana Farm Bureau members have been chosen to serve on National Issue Advisory Committees for American Farm Bureau Federation. These committees play an important role in AFBF’s policy implementation and development. Over the past years, committee members have made significant contributions to AFBF’s mission, from participating in advocacy fly-ins and doing media interviews to helping Farm Bureau develop comments on proposed regulations and providing input into the resolutions process. The committees will meet March 8-9 at the Ame...
David McMillen, a long-time member of Richland County Farm Bureau, received the Distinguished Service Award from the Montana Farm Bureau during the MFBF Awards Banquet November 14 in Billings. According to Richland County Farm Bureau President Don Steinbeisser, Jr, McMillen is "one of the most respected ranchers and businessmen in the region. He has instilled in his children and grandchildren the importance of being excellent stewards of the land and supporting agriculture." McMillen, who has...
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) and Mexico’s Consejo Nacional Agropecuario (CNA) sent a joint letter to Canadian, United States and Mexican government officials reiterating their calls that NAFTA re-negotiations should aim to modernize the agreement, rather than dismantle it. The AFBF, CFA, and CNA agree that agriculture represents one of NAFTA’s biggest success stories. Agricultural reciprocal trade between the three countries has grown exponentially since the agreement was implemented mor...
Immigration and trade-top stories in mainstream news-are major issues for farmers and ranchers. During the 2017 Farm Bureau National Commodity Conference July 16-18 in Rogers, Ark., state Farm Bureau commodity leaders shared issues and policy development ideas for their states to submit for national resolutions. They shared ways they have dealt with their commodity problems other than public policy. The commodities represented were beef, feed grains (corn and soybeans), cotton, forestry, poultry, specialty crops and wheat. Jill Streit, a pulse...
"Sustainability" has become the buzz word in today's society and especially Earth Day, which is on April 22. The word "sustainable" truly describes farms and ranches that have been in the family for generations. "Farmers and ranchers welcome the rest of the world joining them for Earth Day," said Montana Farm Bureau President Hans McPherson. "It's important people realize what farmers and ranchers have advocated for many generations; the need to sustain and even improve the environment so ranches can be productive and passed on from generation...
The American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Pork Producers Council have closed the final chapter of their lawsuit challenging EPA’s release of farmer and rancher personal information, when a federal judge approved a settlement that secures the private information of thousands of livestock and poultry farmers in 36 states. “This lawsuit has won a major victory for personal privacy,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. “Months ago, we won a court decision that vindicates the rights of farmers and all Americans to...
The Montana Farm Bureau is offering four scholarships to students seeking higher education: two from the MFB Foundation and two from the MFB Women’s Leadership Committee. A new scholarship available is the MFB Foundation’s Future of Agriculture Honor Scholarship which will be awarded for the Fall 2017 semester. Its purpose is to assist students towards the completion of a degree in a field pertaining to agriculture. A special emphasis will be given to applicants who have shown ingenuity in agricultural production and advancement of small sca...
The Montana Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) has presented Montana Senator Steve Daines a "Friend of Farm Bureau Award." Daines received the award from MFBF members who were in the national's capital for the American Farm Bureau Advocacy Conference. "We are very honored to present this award to Senator Daines. He has been a real champion for agriculture and rural Montana," said MFBF Director of National Affairs Nicole Rolf. "Whether it's supporting good legislation to protect farmers from harmful...
Farm succession planning is complex and requires careful thought, according to Roger McEowen, Washburn University School of Law. He addressed workshop attendees at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2017 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show in Phoenix. Top things to consider are whether or not you want to keep your farm going and what needs to be done to prepare your family for you not being there, according to McEowen. Montana Farm Bureau members Kenny and Kathy Hanson found the workshop to be valuable. “He suggested starting your pla...
Gil Gasper who serves as chair of the Montana Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee was named winner of the YF&R Discussion Meet during the Montana Farm Bureau Awards Banquet Nov. 15. Gasper won a 2016 570 Polaris Ranger as well as an all-expense paid trip to Phoenix to compete in the national competition in January during the American Farm Bureau Annual Convention. He bested three other competitors: Les Jensen of Circle, Charlie Hollenbeck of Molt and Shay Ritcher of Fort Benton...
Three Montana Farm Bureau members participated in Senator Jon Tester’s Farm Bill listening tour October 17 in Billings. Tester is holding listening sessions to hear farmers’ hopes and concerns for the new Farm Bill. Montana Farm Bureau Vice President Hans McPherson, who served on the livestock panel, said one of the difficulties livestock producers have is simply asking for help. “Livestock producers aren’t inclined to visit FSA offices to fill out forms. They aren’t in the habit of signing up for programs and completing reports. When ther...
FBNews, the online/digital newsletter of the American Farm Bureau Federation, this week began posting responses from the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees on a range of issues that concern farmers and ranchers the most. AFBF asked Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump the same questions. Both candidates explained their positions on biotechnology, trade, immigration reform, regulatory reform, food safety and more. “The fact that the candidates took the time in the middle of this very competitive e...
FBNews, the online/digital newsletter of the American Farm Bureau Federation, this week began posting responses from the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees on a range of issues that concern farmers and ranchers the most. AFBF asked Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump the same questions. Both candidates explained their positions on biotechnology, trade, immigration reform, regulatory reform, food safety and more. “The fact that the candidates took the time in the middle of this very competitive e...
Registration is now open for the 13th Annual Young Ag Leadership Conference (YALC). This exciting, one-of-a-kind conference takes place September 30-October 2 at the Holiday Inn in Great Falls. YALC is a collaborative effort between ten of Montana’s agricultural organizations, offering attendees a chance to discuss current ag issues, take part in various workshops, meet with industry leaders and network with fellow young people who live Montana agriculture. Anyone ages 18-40 who is interested or involved in agriculture is encouraged to a...
Registration is now open for the 13th Annual Young Ag Leadership Conference (YALC). This exciting, one-of-a-kind conference takes place September 30-October 2 at the Holiday Inn in Great Falls. YALC is a collaborative effort between ten of Montana’s agricultural organizations, offering attendees a chance to discuss current ag issues, take part in various workshops, meet with industry leaders and network with fellow young people who live Montana agriculture. Anyone ages 18-40 who is interested or involved in agriculture is encouraged to a...
Mark your calendar! Montana’s thirteenth annual Young Ag Leadership Conference (YALC) is set to take place September 30-October 2 at the Holiday Inn in Great Falls, MT. Young people involved and interested in agriculture, aged 18-40, are invited to attend this one-of-a-kind conference where leadership, personal development, education and networking take center stage. This year’s agenda boasts top-notch speakers, including the well-known advocate for agriculture, Dairy Carrie. There will be cutting-edge workshops, exciting entertainment and new...
The Montana Farm Bureau Federation is holding a Small Landowner’s Seminar Sunday, Nov. 8, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Missoula as part of their annual convention. The seminar will feature three sessions of panelists who have built successful agricultural operations on small pieces of land. The seminar will run from 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. The first set of panelists consists of small business commodity producers who have found a niche. These include Julie Pavlock, who will address the benefits of farming garlic...
The American Farm Bureau Federation honored 16 farm and ranch leaders as graduates of the organization’s ninth annual Women’s Communications Boot Camp. The group of agricultural leaders was recognized after completing an intensive three-day course featuring sessions on working with the media, public speaking, testifying and social media. Boot Camp graduates are encouraged to go back to their own communities and share their messages about agriculture with the non-farming public. Rhonda Boyd from Alder was selected to participate in this imp...
Many people involved in agriculture believe that agro-security centers around large farms and ranches with multiple buildings housing chickens and swine. They picture workers and visitors suiting up in white plastic coveralls with hair nets and booties dipped in disinfectant. However, in many cases, agro-security is paramount to keeping your animals from contracting a contagious disease, whether it's quarantining a new horse or not sharing water buckets at a 4-H show. "We frequently think of...
The Montana Farm Bureau will hold its Summer Conference June 9-11 in Sidney. The theme “Energizing Our Grassroots” will highlight energy development in the Sidney area and its effect on farmers and ranchers.The Summer Conference is a time when advisory committees meet to discuss current agricultural issues and concerns and surface ideas for policy development. On Wednesday, the keynote speakers will be Rayola Dougher, senior economic advisor for the American Petroleum Institute, who will address how we can turn present-day energy and eco...
Rikki Murrill has been hired to serve as Montana Farm Bureau's South/Central Montana Regional Manager. Murrill was raised in the Great Falls/Cascade area where she was involved in 4H and FFA, raising hogs, 4-H steers and starting her own herd of commercial cattle. She graduated from Montana State University in 2013 with a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Education. While in college, she was active in MFBF's Collegiate Young Farmers & Ranchers and is currently an active member of the Yellowstone...
For the 8th year, Montana Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) has been the first state in the nation to report quota to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). The AFBF membership quota is based on a state's past year membership plus one. Last year Montana ended the year with 18,805 members and quota for this year was 18,806. "Thanks to the efforts of our entire team, Montana reported 18,848 members or 42 members more than quota that was needed," noted Montana Farm Bureau President Bob Hanson. "We...
