Sorted by date Results 76 - 94 of 94
Forty-nine Montana Farm Bureau members who traveled to San Diego for the American Farm Convention January 9-14 had the opportunity to participate in workshops, hear speakers at the General Session, listen to the Young Farmer and Rancher contests, and meet other agriculturalists from across the country. The meeting kicked off with AFBF President Bob Stallman addressing the successes of Farm Bureau as well as the challenges. “Farmers and ranchers care deeply about our environment and are focused on continuous improvement. However, we cannot s...
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 29th annual informal price survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table indicates the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is $49.41, a 37-cent increase from last year’s average of $49.04. The big ticket item – a 16-pound turkey – came in at $21.65 this year. That’s roughly $1.35 per pound, a decrease of less than 1 cent per pound, or a total of 11 cents per whole turkey, compared to 2013. “Turkey production has been somewhat lower this year and wholesale prices are a little high...
April 22 marks the 44th anniversary of Earth Day, begun in 1970 and thought of as the day the modern environmental movement started. Even though the general public thinks about Earth Day as a time for rallies in the park, trash pickup and an uptick in recycling efforts, farmers and ranchers spend more time out in the natural environment than most people. “The success of ranchers and farmers centers around extensive resource management,” notes Bob Hanson, president of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation and a White Sulphur Springs rancher. “Wh...
The Montana Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) is expressing strong opposition to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grossly expanding government control of the Clean Water Act. The rules, which were released today, say normal farming, ranching and conservation activities, such as building fence, pruning shrubs and managing brush, could now all be under the jurisdiction of the EPA. “The Congress, as well as two decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court, stated that agriculture did not need a permit for normal farming practices. That’s going to cha...
The Montana Farm Bureau (MFBF) and the Montana Grain Growers Association (MGGA) held an informational session on the Agricultural Act of 2014 March 4 at the Bos Terra Auditorium in Hobson. The session was designed to provide the most up-to-date knowledge about the changes in the five-year 2014 Farm Bill. MFBF’s John Youngberg discussed the latest assistance available to livestock producers should disaster strike. “The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) has been approved and will be made retroactive to cover eligible losses back to Oct. 1, 201...
Register now for the Young Ag Leadership Conference (YALC), set to take place October 11-13 at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. The YALC is a collaborative effort between nine 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 aged 18-40 and interested or involved in any facet of agriculture is encouraged to attend. The conference is put together by a committee of r...
Register now for the Young Ag Leadership Conference (YALC), set to take place October 11-13 at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. The YALC is a collaborative effort between nine 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 aged 18-40 and interested or involved in any facet of agriculture is encouraged to attend. The conference is put together by a committee of r...
Whether you’re a seasoned runner or prefer to shamble along like a zombie, don’t miss Hoofin’ It for Hunger Sunday, Oct. 13 at Fort Keogh in Miles City. The race is being organized by the Montana Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers and USDA Fort Keogh Research Station with all proceeds going to the Montana Food Bank Network. The race offers divisions for every level of skill: a half-marathon, 10K, 5K and one-mile. Prizes will be awarded to overall winners and winners of each age divis...
The National Farm Health and Safety Week Sept. 15-21 is a time to pause and think seriously about safety on your farm or ranch. This year’s theme is Working Together for Safety in Agriculture. “What is so wonderful about working in agriculture is neighbors will step in and help. If someone is ill or injured and can’t get a crop harvested or cattle gathered, you often hear about neighbors simply showing up and lending a helping hand,” says Monica Switzer, chair of the Montana Farm Bureau Health and Safety Committee. “Often a few neighbors...
Register now for the Young Ag Leadership Conference (YALC), set to take place October 11-13 at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. The YALC is a collaborative effort between nine 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 aged 18-40 and interested or involved in any facet of agriculture is encouraged to attend. The conference is put together by a committee of r...
The weather in Montana has been unique and challenging for grain farmers. Montana Farm Bureau contacted David Weaver, PhD, associate professor, Department of Land Resources & Environmental Sciences, Montana State University to glean helpful information regarding storage and drying of harvested grain. “For many grain farmers, 2013 has been an unusual year, beginning with the weather patterns early in the crop season. Harvest has been equally unsettling, with all of the usual concerns compounded by very late planted crops that are slow to r...
There are many pressures on livestock farmers today. Many of these pressures are not the typical economic and resource challenges faced by all businesses, but additional political pressures related to antibiotic use in food production. Setting aside the politics, all scientific risk assessments published to date have shown a negligible risk to human health from resistant bacteria resulting from food animal antibiotic use. Those that argue against the use of any antibiotics in livestock raised for food should consider that animals not treated...
The American Farm Bureau Federation and other members of the Coalition for Animal Health hosted an educational briefing for congressional staff on meat production, public health and the importance of antibiotics. The briefing focused on helping legislators understand how and why farmers and ranchers use antibiotics. Presenters included Dr. Scott Hurd, a veterinarian and epidemiologist at Iowa State University; Dr. Christine Hoang with the American Veterinary Medical Association; and Dr. Rich Carnevale from the Animal Health Institute. The risk...
Just as you check your furnace or smoke detector batteries seasonally, spring is a good season to have an annual water well checkup before the peak water use season begins, according to the National Ground Water Association. NGWA calls attention to the need for annual well water checkups during Groundwater Awareness Week (March 10-16). An annual checkup by a qualified water well contractor is the best way to ensure problem-free service and quality water. Preventative maintenance usually is less costly than emergency maintenance, and good well...
The American Farm Bureau Federation and other members of the Coalition for Animal Health hosted an educational briefing for congressional staff on meat production, public health and the importance of antibiotics. The briefing focused on helping legislators understand how and why farmers and ranchers use antibiotics. Presenters included Dr. Scott Hurd, a veterinarian and epidemiologist at Iowa State University; Dr. Christine Hoang with the American Veterinary Medical Association; and Dr. Rich Carnevale from the Animal Health Institute. The risk...
The Montana Farm Bureau wants to remind all producers, their families and employees that Agricultural Safety Awareness Week is slated for March 3-9. This year’s theme “Agricultural Safety: Your Best Investment,” emphasizes that farmers need to make safety a priority as they prepare to plant crops. Making safety a priority on the farm and ranch can save both lives and resources by preventing accidents, injuries and lost time, according to Gene Surber, co-coordinator of the Montana Ag Safety Program. “It cannot be over emphasized how importa...
The Montana Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) is urging farmers and ranchers to ask members of the Senate Taxation Committee to remove agriculture land, also known as Class 3 property, from Senate Bill 4. SB 4 puts tax classes 3, 4 and 10 into a one-year reappraisal cycle instead of the current six year cycle. “It’s important to have a six-year reappraisal cycle with gradual phased-in increases because farmers and ranchers need to plan ahead for increases in their property taxes,” says MFBF Lobbyist Nicole Rolf. “If the other classes want the one...
Food Check-Out Week is a time to show consumers how to stretch their food dollars as well as celebrate the productivity of farmers and ranchers. Eating healthy while on a tight budget is within reach for most Americans, provided they’re willing to invest some time in strategic shopping. During Farm Bureau’s upcoming Food Check-Out Week, Feb. 17-23, farmer and rancher members will focus on spreading the word about how consumers can stretch their grocery dollars with healthy, nutritious food. They will use it as a time to reach out to con...
Members of Montana Farm Bureau Federation have been appointed to serve on the advisory committees of the American Farm Bureau Federation. The advisory committees meet annually in Washington, D.C. to provide input for future Farm Bureau policy. Serving on the 2012 AFBF Advisory Committees are: Equine – Milee Malone Dailey, Pray; alternate, Troy Kurth, Missoula Forestry – Betty Biggs, Bozeman; alternate, Bruce Vincent, Libby Honey/Apiculture – Ross Geise, Augusta; alternative Susan Geise, Augusta Sheep – Darin Stanley, Conrad; Gary Heibert...
