Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 51
Thanks to everyone who made calls, neither COOL nor the enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act were weakened in the 2014 Farm Bill! These are both important victories for U.S. independent producers. The COOL lawsuit in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals is ongoing. R-CALF USA will continue to defend COOL. We encourage everyone to buy Made in the U.S.A. products. As consumers, we’re voting with every dollar we spend. Checkoff In response to R-CALF USA’s request for an investigation, the USDA Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued an upd...
Montana State University Extension's Pesticide Education Program is offering a new MontGuide about pesticide performance and water quality. Poor water quality can significantly reduce the efficacy of many pesticide products. The MontGuide, “Pesticides and Water Quality,” explains why pesticide applicators should always test their water for turbidity, pH and hardness prior to using a pesticide mixture. Because pesticide mixtures are often composed of greater than 95 percent spray solution, a slight variation in water quality can have a significa...
Data is essential for finding the desired genetics when selecting bulls. Early discussions of animal breeding and selection always grouped producers into three types, which were the breeder, multiplier and commercial producer. Generally portrayed as a pyramid, the base represented the large group of commercial producers who are in the business of producing products for the consumer. These producers would obtain breeding stock from the second level within the pyramid. The second level...
Montana’s hail insurance program paid out record amounts in 2013. Due to the costs associated with the extensive crop damage, the hail board voted to not offer refunds to farmers this year. After issuing 2,082 polices last year, the Montana Department of Agriculture and the hail board covered 1,046 losses totaling more than $14 million from hail events. In the program’s 98 year history, Montana hail program experienced the worst loss on record. “The bottom-line is Montana had a bad hail year. With sound fiscal management and a strong reser...
Applications for the Richland County Conservation District Cost Share program will be accepted through March 7, 2014. The cost share program provides financial assistance for natural resource improvements within Richland County. The program is available to any private sector landowner on property in Richland County. Projects must be on the ground and follow the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) designs standards and specifications where applicable. Cost share assistance is 50% of the cost recommended on the NRCS cost list and is...
More than 50 Montana farm and ranch youth now participate in the Montana Department of Agriculture’s Junior Agriculture Loan Program. Young people active in rural youth organizations like 4-H or FFA may be eligible for loans up to $8,500. The program has provided over 1,300 loans to young farmers and ranchers since its inception. The program is designed to help rural youth develop or expand livestock or agri-business projects like custom farming, marketing, and processing. The Department of Agriculture may finance up to 90 percent of a p...
USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Bruce Nelson announced a major policy change affecting crop eligibility for the 2014 Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) in some Montana counties. Today, the national FSA office approved Montana FSA’s request for an exemption in specific counties to allow the use of NAP coverage for nonirrigated corn intended for grain and silage (NAP practice of forage) beginning the 2014 crop year. Prior to January 2014, if catastrophic (CAT) risk protection level of crop insurance was a...
Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) is seeking a student intern for the summer of 2014. The internship will focus on involvement in the beef cattle community of Montana and will include work with MSGA Policy, Communications, and Marketing and Membership staff members. Students should be at least college Juniors, majoring in a field related to agriculture, and preferably have a background in (or working knowledge of) the cattle or beef industry. A more detailed description of the internship, application forms and required materials are...
North Dakota confirms its first case of the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus. Implementing strict biosecurity procedures is as important as ever, now that North Dakota has its first case of the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv), North Dakota State University Extension Service swine specialist David Newman says. The PEDv has killed more than 4 million U.S. pigs since it was discovered in the country in April 2013. The first North Dakota case was confirmed in a swine herd in the eastern part of the state this week. “For producers impacted b...
In recognition of National Agriculture Week (National Agriculture Day, March 25,2014), WIFE (Montana Women Involved in Farm Economics) invites Montana’s school children to express their ideas on farm life by participating in WIFE’s twenty-eighth statewide calendar art contest. Winning entries grades K through 8th will be awarded a cash prize at the 1st place ($30), 2nd place ($20), and 3rd place ($10), levels in each grades division. Two Honorable Mention places in each grade will be awarded certificates. Only 25 pictures are used on the calend...
Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project held its annual meeting Friday, February 14 at the Sidney Elks Lodge with a delicious lunch catered by Kountry Catering and skillful emceeing by LYIP Board of Control president Richard Cayko. Rod Stephens and Lonnie Schipman were thanked for their many years of dedicated service and congratulated on their retirement while operator Terry Jensen was recognized for 30 years of service to LYIP. Bud Groskinsky was presented a book of historical LYIP photos, some of which featured his father, upon his retirement...
Valley Irrigation has announced Agri Industries of Sidney, MT as a Valley Performance Plus Dealer at the company’s 2014 National Meeting. Agri Industries has earned this honor for excelling in the areas of Service, Aftermarket Support and Sales. The Valley Performance Program accredits dealerships that meet the highest standards across a variety of criteria. Evaluations are based on customer service ratings, goal achievements and core requirements in relation to dealership growth plans. Additional measure is considered to develop an overall eva...
According to the USDA, infected piglets less than 7 days old may have a mortality rate of about 50 percent. The mortality rate in suckling pigs may reach 50 to 80 percent, but then typically declines to 1 to 3 percent in larger pigs. Most older swine recover without treatment unless secondary infections occur. Test results have confirmed Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PED) at a swine production facility in Montana. “Add Montana to the list of states hit by the virus,” said state veterinarian Dr. Marty Zaluski after receiving laboratory con...
Forage crops provide substantial income to many Montana farmers. They are also an integral part of livestock production systems. Improvements in forage production through good soil fertility practices have the potential to increase income for farmers and ranchers. Montana State University Extension has recently published two bulletins, “Soil Nutrient Management for Forages: Nitrogen” and “Soil Nutrient Management for Forages: Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulfur, and Micronutrients.” These publications present soil nutrient management options for Mon...
While North Dakota has tremendous natural gas resources in the form of associated gas,the infrastructure to collect natural gas and move it is not fully developed, as evidenced by the continued flaring of gas. However, this is expected to change soon and in a big way. One of the activities I’m regularly involved with is siting new facilities. It’s fun to pull down a map, push pins, draw lines and evaluate communities against prioritized criteria. Among the most critical criterion for siting new biorefineries and other bio-based processing fac...
The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds producers in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming that the spring sales closing date is March 15. The spring sales closing and cancellation date applies to spring planted crops, and is also the deadline for producers to notify their agent if they have planted winter wheat in a county with only spring wheat coverage. There are also important changes for organic producers this year. The five percent surcharge for all acreage insured under organic farming practices has been removed and a...
Montana State University Extension will celebrate its centennial anniversary in 2014 with special events around the state and continuing local education programs. MSU Extension is a network of educators in all counties of the state and specialists on the MSU campus providing unbiased, research-based education programs and information to strengthen the social, economic and environmental well-being of Montana citizens. MSU Extension has been educating in Montana’s local communities for 100 years. It may show up as after-school or 4-H youth p...
Banquet held January 26, 2014 PeeWee Girls 2012-13 All Around Champion - Cassandra Schiffer 2012 – 13 All Around Runner up - Chalee Harms Poles 1. Chalee Harms, Miles City 2. Cassandra Schiffer, Rosebud 3. Harley Meged, Miles City 4. Rowan Ellingson, Sidney Goats 1. Cassandra Schiffer, Rosebud 2. Harley Meged, Miles City 3. Chalee Harms, Miles City 4. Draya Wacker, Melstone Flags 1. Harley Meged, Miles City 2. Chalee Harms, Miles City 3. Cassandra Schiffer, Rosebud 4. Rowan Ellingson, Sidney Barrels 1. Chalee Harms, Miles City 2. Draya W...
“The Northern Plains Resource Council believes that careful analysis of the just-released final Environmental Impact Statement will show that it is far short of demonstrating that the Keystone XL pipeline would be in the national interest,” said Darrell Garoutte, a Northern Plains member and rancher whose land would be crossed by the pipeline in McCone County, Montana. “The release of the final EIS means that it is now time for citizens, especially in the affected states with so much to lose, to speak up and let Secretary Kerry and President Ob...
The Montana Farm Bureau and American Farm Bureau support the recent announcement that farmers who are looking to plant new technologies have a reliable way to market their product with the “Right to Grow GMO” program. The program, developed by Syngenta and Gavilon Grain, LLC, will serve as a model to provide confidence for the American farmer that they will continue to have access to new technologies while meeting the needs of international customers. Montana Farm Bureau Wheat Committee Chair Ken Johnson expressed his enthusiasm for the pro...
Given that seven out of 10 Montanans die without writing a will, Montana State University Extension has developed materials to educate people about what happens to their property if they die without a will. The information can be accessed at: www.montana.edu/dyingwithoutawill, or by obtaining a free CD from MSU Extension. By clicking through a series of yes-or-no questions on the website, Montanans can see on a simple family tree how Montana law distributes their if property if they pass away without writing a will, said Marsha Goetting, MSU...
A simple way to deal with the table is to decide on what level of performance one wants to shop for. The discussion of how to utilize breed association expected progeny differences (EPDs) by setting individual goals requires that producers understand how bulls are positioned within the breed association’s data set. For example, if a producer is looking at a Simmental bull, then go to the American Simmental Association’s website at http://simmental.org/site/ and click on the “Industrial Science/Tech Advancement” tab. From there, hover on the “Ge...
Ron Haugen, NDSU Extension Service farm economist, has some items to note for your 2013 income tax preparation. Agricultural producers have until March 3, 2014, to file their 2013 income tax returns without penalty if they have not made estimates. “Producers have until April 15 to file without penalty if they have paid their estimated tax by Jan. 15,” says Ron Haugen, North Dakota State University Extension Service farm economist. Items to note for 2013 income tax preparation: New for 2013 is an additional Medicare tax of 0.9 percent on wag...
Networking, new ideas and leadership were all part of the American Farm Bureau National Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference February 8-10 in Virginia Beach, VA. Twenty-nine Montana Farm Bureau and Collegiate Young Farmers and Ranchers found the trip invaluable. MFBF YF&R Jenny Stovall found the networking incredibly worthwhile. "There were young farmers and ranchers from all commodities. We had differences but also similarities and struggles," said Stovall, who ranches with her...
Sleep is critical for functioning in daily life. “Daylight savings time is almost here. We can’t forget to move the clocks forward,” my husband commented the other day. “Oh, no. I have a hard time with losing an hour of sleep when we ‘spring ahead’,” I replied. Although I appreciate the extended daylight hours, I feel jet lag for a few days. That one hour of lost snoozing time has some major repercussions, according to a survey of 1,000 adults conducted by the Better Sleep Council in 2013 and 2014. About 61 percent of survey respondents s...
