Montana Senator Steve Daines Challenges USTR to Re-Engage in the Trans-Pacific Partnership

May 14, 2021 - Montana Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) has challenged U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to re-engage with the Trans-Pacific Partnership because he says TPP is important to America's...

Farmers Business Network Has Grown to 25,000 Members

May 14, 2021 - FBN, the global farmer-to-farmer network, announced that its membership community had exceeded 25,000 farmer members globally, adding over 10,000 new farming enterprises over the past s...

Cattle Industry Groups Hold Closed-Door Meeting to Discuss Price Imbalances

May 14, 2021 - The current price imbalance between the packer, the feedlot and the ranch, was at the heart of a closed-door meeting among cattle industry representatives this week in Phoenix.

Grassroots Advocacy

May 13, 2021 - Podcast: The Montana Farm Bureau is celebrating its members during the month of May. From grassroots advocacy, membership benefits and growing the Farm Bureau footprint, it is a busy ti...

Governor Gianforte Proclaims May as Beef Month in Montana at Hahn Ranch near Townsend

May 13, 2021 - On Wednesday, Governor Greg Gianforte proclaimed the month of May to be Beef Month in Montana. He made the announcement at the Hahn Ranch in Broadwater County.

Bringing Education Straight to the Ranch

May 13, 2021 - “Cattleman U is an educational platform and community for the next generation of
producers or people who want to raise livestock or crops in the near future. So many of
this generation...

Ag Producers Could See Decline in Plastic Supplies and Higher Prices for Baler Twine and More

May 12, 2021 - A shortage of resin could make plastic agricultural products such as baler twine, net wrap and silage bags harder to find or considerably more expensive this growing season.

Montana Cattle Ranchers Eager For New Veterinary Diagnostic Lab

May 10, 2021 - Livestock producers around Montana are thrilled with the recent signing of House Bills (HB) 14 and 632 by Governor Greg Gianforte. Both bills included $26 million in funding for infrast...

Commodity Trading Expert Explains Why Wheat Markets are at 10-Year Highs

May 10, 2021 - Tightening supplies and drought in the Northern Plains is helping to push wheat prices to some of their highest levels in over ten years. Jim Bower with Bower Trading says the wheat mar...

LRP Insurance Available to Help Cattle Producers Manage Risk

May 7, 2021 - Cattle futures have been getting hammered lately on the sharply higher corn prices. And that has a lot of cattlemen and women talking about how they can manage risk and protect their bot...

Producer Partnership Set to Open Processing Unit in Montana by 2022

May 6, 2021 - The Producer Partnership is more than excited to announce plans to open the first non-profit, federally inspected livestock processing facility in Montana. It will be located 12 miles ea...

UW Extension Publication Examines Fall Feeder Cattle Price Slide

May 6, 2021 - This publication can help producers understand how fall feeder cattle prices are affected by weight, feed prices and finished cattle prices, which may impact how they manage livestock in...

Record-Breaking Performance for U.S. Beef and Pork Exports in March

May 6, 2021 - U.S. red meat exports ended the first quarter on a very high note, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), with March beef and pork ex...

Dan Reimer Selected to Lead Operations at Montana State Grain Labs

May 5, 2021 - With a background in mechanical engineering, Dan has led teams throughout the world, including as General Manager of a manufacturing plant in Mexico, and most recently, Executive Directo...

Magagna & White Eagle to Receive UW Honorary Degrees

May 4, 2021 - The University of Wyoming will confer its highest award, the honorary doctoral degree, upon two individuals who will be recognized during UW commencement ceremonies May 14-15. They are J...

Ranching Groups Submit Comment on Elk Management Plan Guiding Principles

May 3, 2021 - The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA), the Montana Public Lands Council (MPLC), and the Montana Association of State Grazing Districts (MASGD) submitted joint comments on Fish, Wil...

Farm Bureau Launches Farm State of Mind Resource Directory to Support Mental Health Month

May 3, 2021 - In recognition of May as Mental Health Month, the American Farm Bureau Federation launched a comprehensive, easy-to-use online directory of resources for farmers, ranchers and their fam...

Cattle Rancher to Congress: Active Management Necessary to Curb Wildfires

April 30, 2021 - This week fifth-generation California cattle producer Dr. Dave Daley testified before the U.S. House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands. Daley shared his expert...

Pulse Growers Excluded from CFAP Funding Results in Urgent Call to Action

April 30, 2021 - The Northern Pulse Growers Association and USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council urge pulse growers to join them in writing to USDA and Congress asking them to include pulses in coronavirus fu...

After Four Previous Attempts, Bill on County Approval for Bison Relocation in Montana Signed Into Law

April 29, 2021 - On Thursday, the Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) joined Governor Greg Gianforte and bill sponsor, Representative Josh Kassmier, for the signing of House Bill (HB) 302. The pre...

Texas Ag Commissioner Sues Biden Administration Over Debt Relief Plan Discrimination

April 29, 2021 - Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is suing the federal government claiming that the Biden administration's COVID-19 relief plan passed last month discriminates against white f...

Drought: Covering Your Risk

April 29, 2021 - While we cannot control Mother Nature, many producers are sleeping easier at night because they anticipated the lack of rainfall and found a risk management tool to protect their life...

First Generation Organic Farmer Excited for New Planting Season

April 29, 2021 - Another spring planting season is finally here. As temperatures warm up and fields dry out, farmers like those in Montana's Gallatin Valley are anxious to get back into the fields.

Mexican Supreme Court Rules in Favor of U.S. Potatoes

April 28, 2021, - The Mexican Supreme Court ruled by a unanimous vote of five to zero in favor of overturning a 2017 lower court decision that prevented the Mexican federal government from implementin...

Governor’s Office Issues Montana Water and Supply Drought Outlook Report

April 27, 2021 - According to data in the report, 42 percent of the state is classified as abnormally dry, with another 18 percent of the state in severe to extreme drought conditions. May and June ar...

Tyson Announces Support for U.S. CattleTrace

April 27, 2021 - Beef industry efforts to develop a voluntary animal traceability system gained significant traction today as Tyson Fresh Meats announces its support for U.S. CattleTrace.

Dr. Maggie Baldwin Named Colorado State Veterinarian

April 26, 2021 - The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) is pleased to announce that Dr. Maggie Baldwin has been named state veterinarian. In the role, Dr. Baldwin will manage CDA’s Animal Health...

UW Extension hosting Wyoming Sheep Seminar in Powell

April 26, 2021 - Industry speakers and chute-side discussions are part of the Wyoming Sheep Seminar in Powell May 10-11. A late afternoon session is at the Park County Fairgrounds Monday, May 10, then...

Columbia Grain CEO Discusses West Coast Shipping Congestion

April 26, 2021 - West Coast port congestion continues to have the attention of the U.S. agriculture industry as the container shipping crisis has severely injured food and other U.S. ag and forestry e...

Beware of Hay Scams

Western Ag Network and the Public Lands Council has received several unconfirmed reports of hay scams directly targeting the agriculture community.

AQHA Honors Wyoming Ranch with 2021 Best Remuda

Honoring a long legacy of ranching, Miller Land & Livestock is the 2021 AQHA Best Remuda winner. Since 1992, the American Quarter Horse Association has honored the contributions ranch horses have made...

May Ranch Receives Colorado Leopold Conservation Award

April 22, 2021 - The May Ranch is owned and operated by the Dallas and Brenda May family of Prowers County. The conservation practices that the Mays have implemented on their cattle ranch have improve...

USDA Expands and Renews Conservation Reserve Program in Effort to Boost Enrollment and Address Climate Change

April 22, 2021 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that USDA will open enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) with higher payment rates, new incentives, and a more targeted...

Farmers and Ranchers Celebrate Earth Day as the Original Environmentalists

April 22, 2021 - Words like sustainability and environmental stewardship aren’t just buzz words; they’re every day action items that hard-working farmers and ranchers implement every day on their farm...

Big Win for Domestic Sheep Grazing

April 21, 2021 - Yesterday, a federal district court judge in Washington denied a request for preliminary injunction by Plaintiffs Western Watersheds Project and WildEarth Guardians to halt domestic s...

Montana Governor Announces Settlement Agreement Ending FWP Bison Plan

April 20, 2021 - In the settlement agreement, FWP and UPOM agree the Final EIS failed to adequately consider disease transmission between bison, livestock, and other wildlife, there was an inadequate...

South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources

April 19, 2021 - Governor Noem announced her plan to merge the two departments in August 2020 and, in January 2021, issued Executive Reorganization Order 2021-03 combining the two departments into DAN...

Florida Rancher and Celebrity Chef Talk Sustainability

April 19, 2021 - This past week, Blackbeard’s Ranch in SW Florida-the 2019 National Environmental Stewardship Award winner-hosted a satellite media event where rancher Jim Strickland and celebrity che...

Sheep Genetics USA Plans May 11 Webinar

April 19, 2021 - Sheep Genetics USA will offer a webinar on Improving Genetic Tools to Enhance Profitability on May 11 at 6 p.m. mountain daylight time. The webinar is part of a series of webinars spo...

Throws Spun from Wyoming Wool will Boost UW Sheep Program

April 16, 2021 - Profits from sales of limited-edition throws made from wool grown and knitted in Wyoming will be reinvested back in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources sheep and wool pro...

American Lamb Board Announces Industry Storytelling Video Contest

April 16, 2021 - The American Lamb Board (ALB) is calling on industry members to help share our production story with information-hungry consumers. From April 15 to May 31, the American Lamb Board inv...

Truth in Buffalo Labeling Act Introduced

April 15, 2021 - Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Representatives Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.) and Billy Long (R-Mo.) today introduced the Truth in Buffalo Labeling Act, legis...

Court Decision Protects Montana Water Rights

April 15, 2021 - The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) applauds the decision coming from the Montana First Judicial District Court ruling in favor of the State of Montana regarding a case surrou...

Montana's Agriculture Industry Opposes California's Prop 12

April 15, 2021 - Twenty states are in agreement of the North American Meat Institute’s petition challenging the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 12 (Prop 12). Montana farmers and ranchers...

Update on Beef Export Markets

April 14, 2021 - Beef exports have evolved significantly in recent years in a very dynamic environment of global politics and trade policies; direct and indirect impacts of animal disease outbreaks; a...

Montana Sheep Producer Elected to National Office

April 12, 2021 - Over the years, Montana’s agriculture industry has been well represented on the national level. And that trend will continue with the recent election of Ben Lehfeldt, a Lavina, Mont....

New Montana State FFA Officers Announced

April 10, 2021 - At the conclusion of the of 91st Montana State FFA Convention on Saturday, eight new Montana State FFA Officers were sworn into office.

The Value of Corn in the Pet Food Industry

April 10, 2021 - The study found that corn and corn gluten meal are the top two most used plant-based ingredients in pet food products. Corn is the dominant plant-based carbohydrate at 1,283,674 tons,...

Livestock Water Supply Program Announced for North Dakota Livestock Producers Suffering Drought

April 9, 2021 - North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring have announced that the State Water Commission has reactivated the Drought Disaster Livestock Water Supply Proj...

CoBank Quarterly: U.S. Economy Gathers Momentum, Policy Decisions Will Reshape the Future

April 9, 2021 - The transition to a less COVID-restricted world has begun. But for the economy and rural industries, there will be no going back to pre-COVID conditions. A transformed policy environme...

Lesley Robinson to Serve as Chair of the Fish and Wildlife Commission

April 8, 2021 - The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission held its first meeting which welcomed the new Governor-appointed commissioners, Brian Cebull, Patrick Tabor, K.C. Walsh, and Montana Stockgrow...

Initiative Opponents Statement on the Rehearing for Initiative 16 in Colorado

April 8, 2021 - Coloradans for Animal Care, a coalition of Colorado-based agriculture and livestock organizations will request the State Supreme Court review today’s decisions by the State Title Board...

NILE Selects Chad Reisig as New General Manager

April 8, 2021 - Chad Reisig, currently an Area Sales Manager for Genex will join the NILE in mid-July. Meanwhile, current general manager Jennifer Boka will stay part of the NILE Team thru Nov. 1, 202...

Glatt to spend four years in prison for cattle crimes

April 7, 2021 - A Mandan, N.D., man will serve four years in federal prison for bank fraud and transporting stolen livestock across state lines.

USDA Reopens CFAP 2 Signup

April 6, 2021 - Producers can once again sign up to receive funding from the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program after a freeze on the program from the early days of the Biden administration and the r...

Legislation Introduced to Rehabilitate St. Mary’s Diversion Dam

April 5 ,2021 - Montana Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines along with Congressman Matt Rosendale have introduced bipartisan legislation to make rehabilitating the St. Mary’s Diversion Dam more affor...

NILE Foundation Scholarship Winners Announced

April 3, 2021 - Since 1990, the NILE and NILE Foundation has awarded over $1,300,000 in cash and 'live animal' scholarships to deserving youth active in 4-H, FFA, and their communities. The following...

USDA Predicts Decline in U.S. Spring Wheat Planted Area as Dryness Continues in the Northern Plains

According to the March 31 USDA 2021 Prospective Plantings report, total U.S. total spring wheat planted area is expected to fall to 11.7 million acres (4.34 million hectares), down 4% from last year,...

It's Stand Up for Grain Safety Week

April 1, 2021 - Safety is important in any industry but especially Agriculture as its one of the most dangerous occupations to work in. That’s why industry partners created “Stand Up for Grain Safety...

Grizzly Bears Retain Threatened Status: Stockgrowers Dissatisfied with Decision

HELENA, Mont. (March 31, 2021) – Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced it will be recommending no change to the current listed status of the grizzly bear in the lower 48 states as threat...

NILE Merit Heifer Applications Available for 2022

March 30, 2021 - The opportunity for kids started in the cattle industry is knocking, and loudly. Applications for the NILE Merit Heifer program are now available for the 2021-2022 year.

Report Highlights How Stagnant U.S. Public Funding for Agricultural Research Threatens Food Systems

March 30, 2021 - Stagnant public funding for agricultural research is threatening the future vitality of U.S. food systems – posing risks to farmer productivity and profitability, the steady supply of...

Governor Gianforte Lifts Regulations for Fertilizer Delivery to Support Montana’s Ag Industry

March 28, 2021 - Governor Greg Gianforte has issued an executive order that temporarily suspends hours of service regulations for certain carriers to facilitate and expedite the delivery of fertilizer...

Report Assesses Sheep Industry in 2020

March 26, 2021 - The year of ups and downs for the U.S. sheep industry is summarized in 2020 Sheep Industry Review, a checkoff funded report commissioned by the American Lamb Board (ALB) and compiled...

Coalition of Ag Leaders Forms to Oppose Initiative 16 in Colorado

March 25, 2021 - A coalition of state agriculture leaders and their organizations has formed to oppose Initiative 16, a potential 2022 ballot initiative that would ask voters to criminalize commonly a...

Pulse Growers Encouraged to Sign-Up for QLA Program

March 25, 2021 - The USDA has extended the deadline for producers to apply for the Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA) Program to April 9, 2021 to assist those whose eligible crops suffered quality losses d...

More COVID Relief Money for Farmers and Ranchers on its Way

OMAHA (DTN) -- USDA announced the release of billions of dollars in aid to both crop and livestock producers through the suite of Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) aid as well as assurances U...

Final Hemp Rule Now in Effect

March 24, 2021 - The final rule builds on the interim final rule published October 31, 2019, that established the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program. The final rule incorporates modifications based...

Montana Ag Groups Meet with Taiwanese Delegation

On Tuesday, National Ag Day, Montana agriculture groups hosted Taiwan’s Director General Daniel Kuo-ching Chen and Vice Consul Ting K.T. Chen for talks surrounding trade opportunities for Montana bee...

House Passes Ag Labor Bill

March 22, 2021 - Agriculture took another swing at legalizing farmworkers and overhauling the H-2A guestworker program with the House again passing the Farm Workforce Modernization Act in bipartisan f...

Chase Hawks Memorial Association Offers Scholarships

March 22, 2021 - Chase Hawks Memorial Association scholarships are available online by visiting www.chasehawks.com and are also available in high school counselor offices. The application deadline is...

Governor Gianforte Proclaims March 20th “Montana Meat Day”

March 19, 2021 - Governor Greg Gianforte today proclaimed March 20th to be “Montana Meat Day” in honor and support of all Montana farmers and ranchers that feed Montana, the nation, and the world.

Winners of Montana Ag in Color Drawing Contest Announced

The Montana Farm Bureau Federation has announced the winners of the Montana Youth Agriculture Literacy program drawing contest. “Montana Ag in Color” was developed in recognition of National Ag Week,...

Noem Outlines Framework for $5 Million in COVID Funds for South Dakota Meat Processors

Governor Kristi Noem laid out a framework for up to $5 million in Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) to assist South Dakota meat processors expand capacity to respond to market and workforce disruption du...

Wheat Grower Organizations Welcome USTR Confirmation of Katherine Tai

March 18, 2021 - U.S. Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers welcome the U.S. Senate's confirmation of Katherine Tai today as the next U.S. Trade Representative. During the con...

NCBA Secures Introduction of Bipartisan HAULS Act

March 18, 2021 - The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has endorsed the Haulers of Agriculture and Livestock Safety (HAULS) Act of 2021. Introduced by Sen. Fischer (R-NE), Sen. Tester (D-MT...

Columbia Grain Predicts Better Year for Chickpeas

March 17, 2021 - Farmers are gearing up for another planting season and for pulse growers the outlook for chickpeas could be a little better here in 2021 than what we’ve seen the past couple of years....

Cattle Markets Looking for Spring

March 17, 2021 - After the fed cattle market works through ample cattle supplies in the first half of the year, beef production is expected to decrease year over year in the second half of the year. L...

Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year Nominations Now Open

March 17, 2021 - Farmers are invited to submit nominations for the 2022 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year contest, supported by Purina. This is the fourth year of the contest, which celebrates farm dog...

Conservation Stewardship Program Renewal Options Set to Close

March 15, 2021 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that it is accepting Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) renewal applications through March 31 for over 11,000 contracts s...

Bacon Maintained Star Status During the Pandemic

March 15, 2021 - The COVID-19 pandemic created a year of challenges and change, but one thing remained unchanged: American consumers’ love of bacon. In terms of specific cuts of meat consumers are lik...

Farmers Union to Donate Meals to National Guard Troops in Washington, DC

March 12, 2021 - National Guard troops on duty in our nation’s capital will soon be getting fresh from the farm food. Farmers Union Enterprises (FUE), announced today it will be donating $50,000 to pr...

CoBank Spring Outlook: A Time to Plant, a Time to Prosper

March 12, 2021 - Farm supply cooperatives and distributors are positioned to benefit from an active and profitable spring agronomy season driven by high commodity prices, strong input demand and an ex...

Cattlemen Support the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2021

March 11, 2021 - The Death Tax Repeal Act of 2021 was introduced this week by U.S. Senator John Thune of South Dakota and U.S. Representatives Sanford Bishop (D-GA) and Jason Smith (R-MO).

U.S. Sheep Industry Launches Sheep Genetics USA

March 11, 2021 - Kickstarting genetic research and implementation is the main goal of an industry-wide mandate for the U.S. sheep industry called Sheep Genetics USA. Industry stakeholder are excited a...

Don't Use Ivermectin to Treat or Prevent COVID-19

March 9, 2021 -There seems to be a growing interest in a drug called ivermectin to treat humans with COVID-19. Ivermectin is often used in the U.S. to treat or prevent parasites in animals. The FDA h...

Court Rules for WOTUS Replacement in Colorado

March 8, 2021 - The Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR)--the Trump administration’s replacement for the Obama administration’s Waters of the United States rule--will go into effect in Colorado, th...

Comment Period Re-Opened on Lamb Promotion Rule

March 8, 2021 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service is providing an additional 30 days for public comment on the proposed rule that would amend the Lamb Promotion, Rese...

USDA Extends Application Deadline for the Quality Loss Adjustment Program

March 8, 2021 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the deadline from March 5 to April 9 for agricultural producers to apply for the Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA) Program because of...

National Ag Day Activities Announced

March 5, 2021 - Food brings everyone to the table. And this year, the virtual Ag Day celebration will bring everyone together to recognize the importance of American agriculture. The program will incl...

BLM Rescinds Hammond's Grazing Permits

March 4, 2021 - Grazing permits for the Hammond Ranches were restored in January 2019 in one of the final acts by former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, but the reversal came from the Biden administrat...

40-Cent Wool LDP Currently Available

March 4, 2021 - With shearing beginning in parts of the country and ramping up soon around the United States and after a difficult year for the industry, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Marketing...

Study Shows Consumers Still Favor Beef as Protein Source

March 4, 2021 - Consumers who prefer beef over plant-based protein alternatives said they are willing to pay nearly two dollars more per meal for a burger when dining at a restaurant, according to a s...

Colorado State University Bows to Activist Pressure and Denies Surgical Experience to Veterinary Students

March 2, 2021 - The Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine announced, without input from doctors of veterinary medicine students, faculty or external stakeholders, the cancellation o...

U.S. Cattle Producers Rally Around the Cattle Market Transparency Act of 2021

March 2, 2021 - U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) have introduced the Cattle Market Transparency Act of 2021. The legislation seeks to accomplish two main goals: ensuring regionall...

Optimism in Beef Industry Fueled by Strong Demand with Higher Prices Anticipated

March 1, 2021 - CattleFax says despite pandemic disruptions, consumer demand for beef at home and around the globe remained strong in 2020, a trend that will continue in 2021 and beyond, especially as...

Farmers Union Kicks Off 119th Anniversary Convention

March 1, 2021 - National Farmers Union (NFU) officially convened the final portion of its 119th Anniversary Convention this morning to celebrate American farm families and to set the organization’s po...

Environmental Lawyer Second in Charge at BLM

February 27, 2021 - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently announced that Nada Wolff Culver, a Colorado environmental attorney, was appointed as deputy director of policy and programs, a positio...

MSGA Works to Bring Forward Significant Legislation; Aims to Protect Private Property Rights

February 26, 2021 - House Bill 554 (HB 554), a bill which would require the Montana Legislature’s approval
of National Heritage Areas (NHA) and National Trail Designation in Montana, was heard Friday...

Colorado Cattlemen's Association Encourages "Meat In Day" on March 20

February 26, 2021 - To combat the misinformation and fight against the MeatOut movement, CCA and the livestock industry will be coordinating with restaurants, grocery stores, and other retail fronts t...