MonDak Stockgrower's Association Annual Meeting Held Nov. 19

The MonDak Stockgrower's Association held their meeting Monday, November 19th. They discussed many issues in the industry and had two main guest speakers. The speakers were Dr. Jude Capper and Julie Ellingson.

Following dinner, Errol Rice, Executive Vice President of the Montana Stockgrowers Association spoke briefly on the advancements in the organization. He also spoke about the new book, Big Sky Boots. The first in the five-part Montana Family Ranching Series: a photographic story-telling project of the Montana Stockgrowers Association. In "Big Sky Boots" readers can journey through the ranching years and learn about the great people that take care of the land, livestock and their families. This first book focuses on the cowboys themselves; the men and the seasons. Books can be purchased on their website at http://www.mtbeef.org.

Julie Ellingson, the executive vice president for the ND Stockmen's Association spoke on Measure 5. She explained what it was and how it would affect the beef industry.

Jude Capper, independent Sustainabilty Consultant, spoke on the myths that the social media is portraying about the beef industry and the scientific facts that have been discovered. She compared the two and it showed that the calculations were not even close. Capper has done a few studies, one of which found that "Cattle born on Montana ranches supply 12.2 million people with safe, affordable, nutritious beef every single year."

Following the speakers, the annual awards were handed out. The Ranch of the Year went to the Haugen Ranch, while the Business of the Year went to High Plains Vet Clinic.