Sorted by date Results 26 - 35 of 35
As weeds like kochia develop resistance to glyphosate herbicides, more Montanans are turning to herbicides that contain the active ingredient paraquat, says Montana State University Pesticide Education Specialist Cecil Tharp. Paraquat is very effective as a broadspectrum herbicide, but unlike glyphosate products, it is highly toxic to humans, Tharp said. Just a few drops to one teaspoon can kill the average 160-pound person. As a result, Tharp warns applicators to be aware of the personal protective equipment requirements that are listed on...
The Montana Department of Livestock’s Brands Enforcement Division recovered and returned 4,630 head of lost, stolen and strayed livestock, worth $6.4 million, to their rightful owners in 2013. That’s a return to producers of nearly $2 for every dollar the division spends, said Christian Mackay, executive officer for the Montana Board of Livestock. “Helping resolve ownership issues is one of our core responsibilities, and we’ve been at it a long time,” Mackay said. Over the past 10 years, the department – the state’s oldest law enforcement a...
Richland County Farm Bureau is helping to promote this year’s Montana Farm Bureau 2014 Photo Contest, put on by the Women’s Leadership Committee. The photo contest will be held this year during the Montana Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Annual Convention at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center, November 9th-12th. Photos will be on display and voted on by popular vote. The winners of first, second and third places will be announced at the awards banquet on Tuesday, November 11th. First place earns $75, second place $50 and third place $25...
At 12 years old, Becca Deming shows a work ethic and sense of responsibility beyond her years. At this year's Richland County Fair she won Grand Champion Market Lamb for the second year in a row along with Grand Champion Breeder Lamb, Grand Champion Junior Lamb Showman and Grand Champion Junior Over-all Showman. This year Deming was up against approximately 17 other market lambs and plans on attending the Northern International Livestock Expo (NILE) held in Billings MT in October which is a...
Four students from the Department of Animal and Range Sciences at Montana State University tied for second place in the National Academic Quadrathlon, held July 20-21 in Kansas City, Mo., and Manhattan, Kan. Anna Downen of Columbia Falls, Preston Kiehl of Winnett, Jessica Roloff of Bozeman, and Ben Stokes of Pflugerville, Texas, competed in a four-part contest that consisted of a comprehensive written exam, impromptu oral presentation, hands-on lab practicum, and a double-elimination quiz bowl t...
The recent heavy rains, and a breakdown temporarily stopped the critical rocking process of the Intake diversion dam by Lower Yellowstone Irrigation. By August 14,the river level over the dam was approximately 2.9 feet and rising due to both the rocking and the rain. In 2012, the last year when rocking was permitted, 15,000 cubic yards of sandstone boulders were used to bring the height up to 2.5' above the dam. The 2012 rocking was extensive after the flooding of 2011. This year, the ice jams...
The Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE) is now taking applications for participants in the 2014 NILE Internship Program. The Internship program provides the opportunity to gain training and work experience in the livestock and equine industries as well as events based business through The NILE Stock Show and Rodeo, a non-profit organization. During the program duration, interns will have the opportunity to assist in all aspects of event planning and execution for The NILE Stock Show and Rodeo. “Being an intern with NILE helped m...
The days of going to the local elevator and buying common oats or barley to spread as a cover crop are gone. Increasing interest in cover crops, especially mixtures of crop varieties, is generating questions from producers, seed retailers and seed variety owners. All seed sold for use as a cover crop must be labeled according to state seed laws. “Most varieties of cereals and legumes utilized in cover crops are protected by intellectual property laws,” says Ken Bertsch, North Dakota’s state seed commissioner. “Plant variety protection (PVP) a...
All storage options should keep the grain dry and provide adequate aeration. With a considerable amount of last year’s grain crop still in storage, and a bumper crop and low prices this year, the demand for grain storage is high. “Grain can be stored in many types of facilities,” North Dakota State University Extension Service agricultural engineer Ken Hellevang says. “But all storage options should keep the grain dry and provide adequate aeration to control grain temperature.” Grain must be dry and cool (near the average outdoor temperatu...
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Juan M. Garcia announced today that farmers should start receiving notices updating them on their current base acres, yields and 2009-2012 planting history. The written updates are an important part of preparing agricultural producers for the new safety net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill. “We’re sending these reports to make sure that farmers and ranchers have key information as they make critical decisions about programs that impact their liv...
