USDA Opens 2022 Signup for Dairy Margin Coverage

December 8, 2021 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) opened signup for the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program and expanded the program to allow dairy producers to better protect their operati...

Cattlemen's Beef Board Launches 'The Drive in Five' Web Series

December 8, 2021 - The Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) has launched a new web series designed to help beef producers learn how their Checkoff dollars are being used to increase beef demand. The Drive in...

U.S. Lawmakers Establish Congressional FFA Caucus

December 7, 2021 - A new group established in Congress will focus on challenges affecting tomorrow’s ag industry. U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann (R-Kan.) and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) announced the c...

"Bone Dry" Documentary Looking Back at the 2021 Growing Season Premieres Tonight

December 7, 2021 - The documentary “Bone Dry” features seven producers and ag professionals from across the state and is designed to give viewers an in-depth look at the trials and tribulations these...

Tester, Thune Lead Colleagues in Requesting Assistance for Livestock Producers Affected by Drought

December 2, 2021 - (U.S. Senate) – United States Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont) and John Thune (R-S.D.) this week led a bipartisan group of senators in urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) F...

Higher Prices Boost USDA Net Farm Income Forecast

December 2, 2021 - Higher prices are the main driver behind USDA boosting projected net farm income for 2021 to grow by $22 billion, or more than 23%, compared to last year as USDA updated its farm se...

Risk Management Agency Eases Prevented Planting, Haying and Grazing Rules

December 1, 2021 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making updates to crop insurance to respond to the needs of agricultural producers, including organic producers, as well as to support c...

Montana Grain Grain Growers Meet in Great Falls for Annual Convention

December 1, 2021 - This week, members of the Montana Grain Growers Association (MGGA) are meeting in Great Falls, Mont. for their annual convention. It's an opportunity for lots of networking with oth...

U.S. Wheat Associates Crop Quality Report Now Available for the World's Wheat Buyers

November 29, 2021 - As a key part of its commitment to transparency and trade service, U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) has produced its annual Crop Quality Report that includes grade, flour and baking dat...

Red Hot Lamb Market Fueling Strong Optimism in U.S. Sheep Industry

November 29, 2021 - Sheep producers across the nation are enjoying some of the highest prices for their lambs in years. The American Sheep Industry Association’s president Susan Schultz from DeGraff,...

NILE Says Farewell to General Manager Chad Reisig

November 26, 2021 - Coming on the heels of a very successful NILE Stock Show and Rodeo, the NILE Board of Directors regrets to inform the membership, volunteer base, exhibitors, vendors and NILE fans...

U.S. Court of International Trade Agrees to Review Fertilizer Tariffs Amid Rising Costs

November 26, 2021 - The U.S. Court of International Trade this week said that it will review an amicus brief submitted by the National Corn Growers Association and other ag groups in a case it’s consi...

BLM Begins Evaluation of Plans for Sage-Grouse Conservation

November 24, 2021 - In order to protect the long-term health of sage-grouse populations, review new science and comply with court direction, the Bureau of Land Management is beginning a process to con...

Sugar Beet Growers Wrap Up Another Successful Harvest

November 22, 2021 - Farmers across our region and America have successfully harvested another sugar beet crop. The American Sugarbeet Growers Association’s Luther Markwart says despite some challenges...

Sustainable Oils, Inc., to Build 600,000 Bushel Grain Facility in Havre, Montana

Facility will provide added grain handling convenience and flexibility for
Sustainable Oils and its camelina growers in Montana

Montana Senator Jon Tester Introduces Bill to Suspend Brazilian Beef Imports Amid Safety Concerns

November 18, 2021 - Following repeated issues with delayed reporting of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), or Mad Cow Disease, in Brazilian beef, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today introduced legislat...

Increasing Packer Capacity and Market Transparency Big Issues for Montana Stockgrowers Association

November 18, 2021 - This week, the Montana Stock Growers Association (MSGA) met in Billings for their annual convention and trade show. MSGA President Jim Steinbeisser from Sidney says for cattle prod...

Vietnam to Eliminate U.S. Wheat Import Tariff

November 17, 2021 - Vietnam’s government has announced it will eliminate a 3 percent tariff on U.S. wheat imports effective December 30, 2021, is welcome news to producers at home and their customers...

Montana Stockgrowers Association Members Meet in Billings for Annual Convention

November 16, 2021 - The Montana Stockgrowers Association’s Annual Convention is underway in Billings. And this week MSGA members from across Big Sky Country are discussing important issues, setting po...

Evaluators Needed for American Wool Assurance Program

November 16, 2021 - Wool growers are now progressing through the American Sheep Industry Association’s American Wool Assurance program, and as outside verification is needed for advancement to level I...

R-CALF USA Follows NCBA’s Lead in Calling for Suspension of Brazilian Imports

November 16, 2021 - R-CALF USA’s letter indicates it shares the concerns raised by the NCBA regarding Brazil’s repeated failures to provide timely notice regarding outbreaks of bovine spongiform encep...

NCBA Urges Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to Halt Brazilian Beef Imports

November 15, 2021 - In the letter to USDA, NCBA asked for a suspension until the agency conducts a thorough risk assessment and review of the processes that Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock...

Todd Fornstrom Elected to Sixth Term as Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation President

November 13, 2021 - Todd Fornstrom, of Laramie County, was elected to his sixth term as President of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation (WyFB) at the organization’s 102nd annual meeting in Cody.

Melrose Rancher Wins Young Farmer and Rancher Discussion Meet, Receives Polaris Ranger

November 11, 2021 - J.M. Peck, a young cattle rancher from Melrose, bested three other competitors to win the Montana Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Discussion Meet.

USCA Says Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Delivers Win for Livestock Haulers

November 12, 2021 - The House recently voted 228-206 to send the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to the President's desk. The bill makes a historic investment to rebuild America’s roads, bridge...

MGGA Travels to Kansas City for Fall Wheat Meetings

November 11, 2021 - Montana Grain Growers Association leadership attended the Wheat Industry Fall Meetings in Kansas City, Missouri. The meeting was a joint effort with National Association of Wheat G...

Montana Farm Bureau elects officers during annual convention in Billings

November 11, 2021 - Cyndi Johnson, a wheat farmer from Conrad, has been elected as president of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation during the organization’s 102nd annual convention Nov. 8-11 in Billin...

Pulse Growers Optimistic with Domestic Demand and Research Funding

November 11, 2021 - This week pulse growers met in Great Falls, Mont. for Pulse Days and despite challenges on the export front, domestic demand and research funding are two areas that growers are opt...

Nitrogen Fertilizer Prices Shatter Records as Anhydrous Hits $1,113 Per Ton

November 11, 2021 - The average retail price of anhydrous set a record this week at $1,113/ton after increasing 38% from last month. The seven other major fertilizers tracked by DTN for the first week...

Pulse Growers Reminded to Submit Harvest Price Data for Crop Revenue Insurance Program

November 10, 2021 - Producers play an important role in providing critical harvest price data. The harvest price is based on an average regional price by crop type from September 1 to November 30.

Young Farmers and Ranchers donate $5500 to the Montana Food Bank Network

November 9, 2021 - The Montana Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Committee presented a check for $5500 to the Montana Food Bank Network (MFBN) during a luncheon Tuesday,...

Montana Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Applicants

November 10, 2021 - Know a Montana rancher, farmer or forestland owner who goes above and beyond in the stewardship and management of natural resources? Nominate them for the 2022 Montana Leopold Cons...

Deal Struck on Legislation to Expand Cattle Market Transparency

November 10, 2021 - Four U.S. senators have struck a deal on a livestock price discovery bill to expand negotiated cash trade for cattle and a library to provide producers details of marketing contrac...

Sen. Daines Makes Ag Trade Mission to India

November 8, 2021 - In exclusive interview, Sen. Daines spoke with Western Ag Networks Lane Nordlund on his trade mission to India. Sen. Daines is working to remove the tariffs India has placed on U.S....

American Sheep Industry Association Needs Additional Targeted Grazing Information

November 7, 2021 - Targeted grazing is used to manage a variety of vegetation problems with the most common being control of invasive or encroaching species (80 percent of current respondents). Other...

National Farmers Union President Rob Larew Speaks on Panel at COP26

November 7, 2021 - NFU President Rob Larew joined a panel discussion at COP26 at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland to discuss the future of climate-smart agriculture. T...

Reduced Crop Yields, Orchard Removals and Herd Sell-Offs

November 3, 2021 - The 11 states in Farm Bureau’s Western region, plus the Dakotas and Minnesota, are vital to the U.S. agricultural sector, supporting one-third, or $128 billion, of total U.S. agricu...

Cow Processors Outpacing Fed Cattle Plants

November 5, 2021 - Cow and bull slaughter for 2021 continues outpacing last year’s totals, and cow processing plants are operating at higher capacity utilization levels than fed cattle plants.

Gov. Gianforte Launches $7.5 Million Value-Added Agriculture Grant Program

HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today launched a $7.5 million Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program to invest in value-added agricultural products across the state and strengthen the indust...

Montana Angus Breeders Participate in Beef Genetics Trade Mission to Colombia

November 4, 2021 - Montana has long been known as the seedstock capitol of the world. And last week several Angus breeders participated in a beef genetics trade mission to Bogota, Colombia.

USDA Announces November 2021 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers

November 1, 2021- WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for November 2021, which are effective Nov. 1. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide imp...

USDA Provides $1.8 Billion to Offset Market Fluctuations

November 2, 2021 - The USDA is in the process of issuing $1.8 billion in payments to agricultural producers who enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs f...

American Lamb Board Releases New Consumer Insights

October 29, 2021 - A new survey shows lamb purchases continue to be dominated by a segment of heavy lamb users. The Lamb Consumer Survey was conducted by Midan Marketing, LLC, for the American Lamb Bo...

Freight Markets Ride The Waves Of Uncertainty

The effects of COVID-19 have turned the traditional flow of sea commerce upside down. And as economies reemerge from the pandemic-induced lull, logistic obstacles have abounded. “Global Supply-Chain P...

Tester Secures Over $1.5 Million to Help Train Beginning Farmers and Ranchers in Montana

October 27, 2021 - (U.S. Senate) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced he secured $1.5 million in United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding for four Montana organizations to teach and...

McDonald’s Testing McPlant Burger in November Made with Peas

October 28, 2021 - McDonald’s says it’ll test the “McPlant” burger in restaurants next month. The chain developed the burger in partnership with Beyond Meat. The USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council says it...

Biden Administration Rolls Back Trump Endangered Species Act Reforms

October 27, 2021 - The Biden administration issued a proposal to rescind several regulatory changes to the Endangered Species Act finalized by the Trump administration, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serv...

Winners Announced for the 2021 National Wheat Yield Contest

October 26, 2021 - The National Wheat Foundation’s (NWF) National Wheat Yield Contest (NWYC) offers growers the opportunity to compete with farmers from across the United States and improve their prod...

National FFA Convention Set to Begin This Week in Indianapolis

October 26, 2021 - FFA members and supporters from across the country will celebrate agriculture and agricultural education this week during the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis Oct...

Tester to Schumer, Wyden: “I cannot support the proposed changes…to ‘stepped-up basis’”

Continuing his aggressive effort to protect Montana’s family farms, ranches, and small businesses, U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.) sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and...

Corn Growers Forge New Partnership with Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever

October 24, 2021 - The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is proud to announce their partnership—funded by NCGA’s Production Technology Access Action Team (PTAAT)—with Pheasants Forever and Quai...

Potential Herbicide Shortages for 2022 Growing Season

October 22, 2021 - Supply chain disruptions and material shortages are fueling speculation about a herbicide shortage for the 2022 agriculture growing season. Glyphosate and glufosinate are the two ma...

Montana Stockgrowers Hosts Taiwan Delegation at Hahn Ranch to Discuss Opportunities for Ranchers

October 22, 2021 - The delegation talked trade opportunities for Montana beef producers, shared the work Montana producers are doing in beef genetics, and discussed current supply chain processes.

NRCS Announces Conservation Funding Opportunities for 2022

October 21, 2021 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing fiscal year 2022 assistance opportunities for agricultural producers and private landowners for key programs.

Montana Family Finds Success Raising Club Calves

October 21, 2021 - This week during the NILE Stock Show in Billings, Mont., one of the many livestock exhibiters is Vanek Cattle Services which has been showing cattle and raising club calves since th...

Cattle Contract Library Act Introduced to Provide Pricing Leverage to Cattle Producers

October 20, 2021 - Ranking Member of the Livestock & Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee Dusty Johnson (R-S.D) and Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) have introduced the bipartisan Cattle Contract Li...

NILE Stock Show and Rodeo is Back

October 18, 2021 - Every fall, one of America’s premier livestock events takes place in Billings, Montana-the NILE Stock Show and Rodeo. And after last year’s COVID induced 2.0 version, this year’s NI...

Dairy Checkoff Unveils Undeniably Dairy Campaign Evolution to Reach Gen Z

October 14, 2021 - The dairy checkoff is launching a new wave of the Undeniably Dairy campaign to create deeper connections between Gen Z and dairy and give them new reasons to choose it over other pr...

New Online Tool Available for Drought-Stricken Ranchers to Estimate USDA Compensation

October 14, 2021 - An online tool is now available to help ranchers document and estimate payments to cover feed transportation costs caused by drought, which are now covered by the Emergency Assistan...

Columbia Grain Helping Farmers Market Wheat Crop Impacted by Drought

October 12, 2021 - The severe drought in the Northern Plains decimated durum and spring wheat production this year. And for grain merchandisers like Columbia Grain International, the drought’s impact...

Mexico Rejects Bayer Corn Trait, Signals Future Resistance to Glyphosate, GMOs

October 12, 2021 - Mexico's health safety regulator, Cofepris, rejected a Bayer GM (genetically modified) corn trait for import last week because it contains glyphosate tolerance, the latest move by t...

New Lamb Quality Video Series

October 11, 2021 - The American Lamb Board (ALB) and Premier 1 Supplies are co-sponsoring a new American Lamb Quality Video Series. North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension Service is producing...

NCBA and PLC Blast Biden Administration for Restoring Utah Monuments

October 11, 2021 - The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) are criticizing the Biden administration's unilateral decision to put sweeping federal designations o...

Montana Department Of Livestock Confirms Bovine Tuberculosis Infected Herd In Blaine County

October 8, 2021 - Bovine tuberculosis (TB) has been confirmed in a Montana beef herd for the first time in decades. The Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) confirmed TB in a Blaine County herd foll...

Cattle Market Conditions and Solutions Discussed during House Agriculture Committee Hearing

October 8, 2021 - Lawmakers heard testimony on issues like transparency, processing capacity, price discovery and oversight.

North Dakota Rancher Testifies on Drought and Using Grazing as a Key Land Management Tool

October 7, 2021 - In the midst of one of the most severe droughts in our nations' history, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power hearing addressed the current status...

Higher Prices Have Sheep Producers Optimistic

October 7, 2021 - This fall sheep producers are enjoying some of the highest market prices in years. Strength in the lamb cutout value and primal values have been very supportive of both feeder and sl...

Farmers Face Fertilizer Price Squeeze

October 6, 2021 - As winter wheat planting continues and the 2021 corn and soybean crops are coming out of the fields, the supply situation for fertilizer and other chemicals is shaping up to make 202...

NCBA Supports Additional USDA Funding for Beef Supply Chains

October 5, 2021 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced an additional $100 million investment into the food supply chain infrastructure. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NC...

Hemp Growers Urged to Participate in Fall Survey

October 4, 2021 - This fall, the USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service will mail its first Hemp Acreage and Production Survey. Producers may complete the survey online at agcounts.usda.gov or they may...

Ranchers Seek Positive Action from Incoming BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning

October 1, 2021 - Montana’s Tracy Stone-Manning was confirmed Thursday night as the next Bureau of Land Management Director following a contentious confirmation process. The U.S. Senate confirmed her...

Spring Wheat Production Down 44% in 2021 as Drought Decimates Crop in the Northern Plains

September 30, 2021 - All wheat production for 2021 was pegged at 1.65 bb, down 10% from 2020 and a significant drop from the August WASDE's estimate of 1.697 bb. Of that production, USDA estimated 1.2...

USDA Announces $3 Billion Investment in Agriculture Package with Drought Relief Funds

September 30, 2021 - USDA is directing billions of dollars to prevent the spread of African swine fever, bolster disaster programs in response to drought hurting cattle producers and farmers facing ma...

Beef Quality Assurance Helping Ranchers Raise Consumer Confidence

September 30, 2021 - Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) is a national program that raises consumer confidence by offering proper management techniques and a commitment to quality within every segment of the...

Gianforte Submits Comment on APR Bison Grazing Proposal

September 28, 2021 - Earlier today, Governor Gianforte submitted public comment on the Bureau of Land Management’s Environmental Assessment of the American Prairie Reserve’s bison grazing proposal.
Th...

Biden Agrees to Resume Lamb Trade with U.K.

September 28, 2021 - Last week, United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that after talks with President Joe Biden the United States has agreed to lift the ban on U.K. lamb imports. The b...

Range Beef Cow Symposium Headed for Rapid City, South Dakota in November

September 26, 2021 - Cattle ranchers and industry professionals are invited to hear the latest cutting-edge information and updates for their businesses at the upcoming Range Beef Cow Symposium Nov. 1...

National Farmers Union Announces Campaign to Fight Monopolies in Agriculture

September 23, 2021 - The National Farmers Union has launched Fairness for Farmers. This campaign seeks to rally Americans to urge their Congressional leaders and the Biden administration to take concr...

Selecting Right Seed Variety is Important for Winter Wheat Planting This Fall

September 23, 2021 - Another wheat harvest in the books for another year and believe it or not farmers are already back in the fields planting the 2022 winter wheat crop. And given this year’s wide-sp...

Montana Farmers Welcome Dr. Venugopal Mendu as Winifred Asbjornson Plant Sciences Endowed Chair

September 22, 2021 - The Montana Plant Science Chair is a position funded in part by the cereal grain industry to support expanded research capacity critical to Montana grain growers. It's the first C...

Farmers Asked to Participate in National Sunflower Survey

September 22, 2021 - The Sunflower Crop Survey is conducted bi-annually prior to harvest. Volunteers from all levels of the sunflower industry visit sunflower fields to survey the crop condition. Team...

Beef Checkoff Plan of Work Approved for Fiscal Year 2022

September 22, 2021 - The Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) will invest approximately $38.9 million into programs of beef promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing,...

Net Farm Income in 2022 to Fall Sharply on Loss of Pandemic Aid

September 21, 2021 - Despite higher prices, farm income is projected to drop $23 billion in 2022 because of a sharp decline forecast in federal government payments and higher input costs, according to...

“Farm Safety Yields Real Results” theme for 2021 National Farm Safety and Health Week

September 21, 2021 - Agriculture is known as one of the most dangerous industries in America and abroad. During September 20-25, 2021, AgriSafe’s free webinars will share information on tractor and ro...

Crop Insurance Deadline Nears in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming

September 20, 2021 - The Risk Management Agency reminds producers of fall-planted crops in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2022 crop year...

Drought Tips for Fall Grazing of Sheep

September 20, 2021 - The Montana Ewe and Ram Sale in Miles City not only offers sheep producers some of the highest quality sheep genetics in the world but also an opportunity for producer education....

Biden Administration Moves BLM Headquarters from Colorado back to Washington, DC

September 17, 2021 - In a meeting with BLM employees today, Interior Secretary Haaland announced her intention to restore the BLM national headquarters to Washington, D.C., ensuring the bureau has a p...

American Sheep Industry Association President Attends Montana Ram Sale in Miles City

September 17, 2021 - The Montana Ram Sale in Miles City is a true western tradition. For 96 years, sheep producers from across the nation have attended this sale to purchase high-quality genetics to t...

Montana Beef Council and Wendy's Invite You to Celebrate National Cheeseburger Day

September 17, 2021 - National Cheeseburger Day is September 18, 2021 and it's a food holiday favorite for beef lovers everywhere! And the Montana Beef Council and Wendy's Restaurants in Montana have a...

USFWS Grants Radical Environmental Groups Review of Gray Wolves in the West

September 16, 2021 - The Service finds that the petitions by animal activist and environmental groups like Center for Biological Diversity, Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and Western Water...

Red Angus Association of America Approves Gene-Edited Traits for Animal Registration

September 15, 2021 - The Red Angus Association of America has announced they will provide herdbook registry of Red Angus animals carrying gene-edited traits for heat tolerance and coat color.

Luke Bryan, Bayer Team Up for 'Here's to the Farmer' Campaign

September 15, 2021 - After donating close to 5 million meals across the United States, Bayer will continue its partnership with five-time Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan in 2021 to celebrate Americ...

NCBA Slams Animal Activist Group Over Complaint about Sustainability Messages

September 15, 2021 - NCBA, working as a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, recently developed a campaign to transparently share the beef industry’s science-based sustainability story and connect consume...

Win Great Prizes in American Lamb Board Tailgate Adventures Campaign Contest

September 14, 2021 - Tailgating can be defined as an outdoor cooking adventure among fans who are eager to support their favorite team. So why not encourage consumers to include American Lamb in their...

Dairy Farmers and NFL Begin School Year with 'Fresh' Approach to Fuel Up to Play 60

September 14, 2021 - The dairy checkoff is positioning the farmer-founded Fuel Up to Play 60 program in a fresh way to help students and educators navigate the school year.

House Democrats Propose Cutting Death Tax Exemption and More in New Package

September 14, 2021 - Farmers, ranchers and other small-business owners will need to spend the next few months through the end of the year working with their accountants because of the ripple effects f...

USDA Accepts More than 2.5 Million Acres in Grassland CRP Signup

September 10, 2021 - This is double last year’s enrollment and brings the total acres enrolled across all CRP signups in 2021 to more than 5.3 million acres, surpassing USDA’s 4-million-acre goal. Pro...

Beef and Pork Export Values in July Remain Strong

September 10, 2021 - U.S. beef exports set another new value record in July, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). July export value climbed 45% f...

NCBA Looking for Singing Star to Perform National Anthem

September 10, 2021 - The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is looking for the next singing star to open the 2022 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show in Houston. The 9th annual NCBA...

State of Montana to Modernize Its Decades-Old Drought Management Plan

September 9, 2021 - Governor Greg Gianforte has announced efforts to improve Montana drought and water supply planning. This planning effort was discussed during today’s Governor’s Drought and Water S...