Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have mailed ballots for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee elections to all eligible agricultural producers and private landowners across the country. Elections are occurring in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAA) for these committee members who make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. Producers and landowners must return ballots to their local FSA county office or have their ballots postmarked by Dec. 2, 2024, for those ballots to be counted...
The Lucky Clover 4H meeting was called to order by Jadeen. Elise shared club history and a little bit of how all the states do 4H. Lucky Clover members went door to door selling 4H wreaths. We voted to donate a wreath to Nashua School and Nashua Senior Center. We will do a 4H float in the Parade of Lights on Dec. 7. Bronwin had us play a game with fruit to represent our offices in 4H and we got to make a fruit salad. We welcomed a new family to our 4H club- the Vigils. And we will accept any new families willing to join. Awards and Recognition...
Applications are now open for the 2025 Farmers Union Enterprise Leadership Program, a Farmers Union Enterprises and Farmers Union Industries sponsored program to help cultivate and build Farmers Union Leaders from the FUE states of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Minnesota Farmers Unions. The free, yearlong program includes three in-person sessions, one during National Farmers Union Convention in Oklahoma City March 8-11, one in mid-summer in Wisconsin, and one in Washington, D.C., for the NFU Legislative Fly-In in S...
USDA in Montana reminds agricultural producers of important Farm Service Agency (FSA) program dates. Contact your local service center to apply and with any questions. Visit online at farmers.gov and fsa.usda.gov/mt. Nov 29: Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP) application deadline Dec. 2, 2024: Voted FSA County Committee Election Ballots to be returned to the FSA County Office or post-marked. Dec. 20: Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) Ranking Date Jan. 30, 2025: Deadline to apply for 2024 ELAP and LFP benefits...
As the transition to the newly elected administration begins, National Farmers Union (NFU), representing family farmers and ranchers across the country, has sent a letter to President-elect Trump urging focus on policy priorities essential to the health and vitality of rural America and the sustainability of our nation’s agricultural system. “Family farmers and ranchers face challenges that demand urgent attention and continued support. Our next president has an opportunity to lead with policies that secure fair markets, strengthen the far...
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Montana is accepting applications for Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) and Agricultural Land Easements (ALE). There are several dates to be aware of for the current funding cycle of these programs. ALE Farm Bill: Nov. 29, 2024 Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (WRE and ALE) Inflation Reduction Act-2: Dec. 20, 2024 Agricultural Land Easements: Part of the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, ALEs help private and tribal landowners, land trusts, and other entities such as...
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that it will begin issuing more than $2.14 billion in payments to eligible agricultural producers, and landowners—providing much needed support through key conservation and safety-net programs. Producers should soon receive payments from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) for their participation in these programs aimed to conserve natural resources and keep family farms economically viable. Specifically, program participants are expected to receive more than $1.7 billion through the Con...
Governor Greg Gianforte announced on Nov. 8, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) recently entered into a $26 million loan agreement with the Milk River Joint Board of Control (MRJBOC) to support needed repairs on the St. Mary Canal. “The State of Montana will continue to come alongside local and federal officials to ensure resources are available to make needed repairs to the damaged St. Mary and Halls Coulee siphons,” Gov. Gianforte said. “The effect of the failure has been widespread, especially on water users...
The market report for the Glasgow Stockyards on Oct. 24 show 2,155 cattle sold. Utility and commercial cows brought in $110 to $126; canner and cutter cows $85 to $110; young feeding/turnout cows $170 to $207.50; and bulls $125 to $148. Light run of feeders. 400-500 SC: 177 Head Avg. 330 Top 357 500-600 SC: 330 Head Avg. 311 Top 332 400-500 HC: 155 Head Avg. 311.50 Top 334 500-600 HC: 76 Head Avg. 278.30 Top 291 64 Head 617# Open Heifers 267.50 164 Head 663# Open Heifers 265.25 39 A.I. Bred Heifers $3025 Bull Bred Heifers $2600-2850 51 Coming...
Birds chirp in no-man's land. A tall red barn, weathered paint but no hint of a lean, stands as the beacon welcoming you into the yard of Paul Williams, military veteran and newly invested Montana landowner. For all the silence, his yard is lively. A smiling Jack Russell Terrier looks up from the seat of an old ranch pickup. The reluctant Australian Cattle Dog keeps a wary eye on a drone capturing aerial footage, eager to grab hold if it gets too close. Crisply colored chickens waddle behind...
According to the National Weather Service in Glasgow, the month of October was a warm and dry month. The average October temperature in Glasgow was 52.7 degrees Fahrenheit, which is seven degrees above normal. This past October was the fifth warmest on record. Since 1893, this has been the third warmest year so far. Only 0.33 inches of rain fell during the month of October, which is 0.59 inches shy of normal. There was no snow reported during the month, which is the first since since 2015. A 92 mile per hour wind gust did occur on Oct. 4,...
To celebrate our hunting heritage in Montana, Gov. Greg Gianforte launched the third annual Youth Hunting Story Contest in August for Montana youth and apprentice hunters ages 10 to 17. The deadline to enter the contest is Monday, Dec. 2. To enter the contest, hunters must submit a story of no more than 500 words and a photo from their 2024 hunt. Hunters must be Montana residents and licensed hunters or apprentice hunters between the ages of 10 and 17. Eligible entries include harvesting any legal game, furbearer animals or birds in Montana. Th...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is now accepting applications for its Habitat Conservation Lease Program. A habitat conservation lease is a voluntary, incentive-based agreement between FWP and private landowners in which the landowner commits to specific land management practices that protect priority wildlife habitat. In turn, FWP pays landowners a one-time per-acre fee for the lease. These agreements have a term length of 30 and 40 years. The lease program is in addition to the conservation tools already available to landowners. The focus of...
With the general deer and elk season, a lot of folks will be hitting the field. Remember, it is up to the hunter to be familiar with the current year’s hunting regulations to be safe, ethical, and law-abiding. Below is one major regulation change this year in Regions 6 and 7 regarding mule deer doe hunting, along with the 10 most common mistakes hunters make. REGULATION CHANGE This year, in Regions 6 and 7, antlerless mule deer hunting is only permitted on private land. This includes mule deer B licenses for a particular hunting district, or a...
The market report for the Glasgow Stockyards on Oct. 17 show 1,854 cattle sold. Utility and commercial cows brought in $114 to $133; canner and cutter cows $90 to $114; young feeding/turnout cows $140 to $231; and bulls $115 to $146.50. Feeder cattle first test of fall run. 300-400 SC $346 to $399, 300-400 HC $322 to $322.50; 400-500 SC 316 to $364, 400-500 HC $296 to $341; 500-600 SC $276 to $317. Yearling heifers 700-800 brought in $240 to $246.50 and 800-900 brought in $220 to $237.50. Consignors: Malta 293 BC 400 Opheim 2335 Bull 146.50...
Reclamation has received the first sections of the 90-inch replacement pipe for the St. Mary Siphon, marking a major milestone of the extensive project to restore the damaged siphon. This milestone sets the stage for replacing the critical infrastructure that delivers water to the Milk River Project, a lifeline for north-central Montana ranchers, farmers, and communities. The St. Mary Siphon is an essential component of the Milk River Project, one of Montana’s most significant irrigation systems, which serves over 120,000 acres of farmland. For...
Fiscal year 2025 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) contracts will not be subject to payment limitations identified in the 2018 Farm Bill. However, the regulatory contract limitations still apply in 2025. Producers are encouraged to apply for conservation assistance even if they have reached their 2018 Farm Bill payment limitation. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Montana is now accepting applications for the EQIP, CSP, Regional Conservation Partnership Program...
Time is running out for thousands of farmers who may face steep fines and possible jail time for failing to file their businesses with the federal government. Jan. 1, 2025, is the deadline to file Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) with the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). New analysis in a Market Intel by American Farm Bureau Federation economists shows more than 230,000 farms are required to file, but government data indicates less than 11 percent of all eligible businesses nationwide have d...
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced an additional $250 million in automatic payments for distressed direct and guaranteed farm loan borrowers under Section 22006 of the Inflation Reduction Act. This significant step continues USDA’s commitment to keeping farmers and ranchers financially viable and support for agricultural communities. Over the past two years, USDA acted swiftly to assist borrowers in retaining their land and continuing their agricultural operations. Since President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act i...
Oct. 13 Notes Our meeting was called to order by Jadeen, and Jack led pledges. Reata did roll call and we had two birthdays, Elise and Maddy for the month of October. Maddy shared club History. We elected new officers, President is Jayden, Vice President is Luke, Secretary is Reata, Treasurer is Maddy, Reporter is Emma, Historian is Elise, and Sunshine Officer is Jack. We went bowling and had pizza to start off our 4H year. We will be selling 4H wreaths through Oct. 21. County Awards & Recognition Day will be Nov. 10, 4p.m. at St. Raphael’s C...
The Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Center (MCHF & WHC) announces their 17th class of inductions into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame. The inductees were chosen from a field of candidates nominated by the general public. Inductees are honored for their notable contributions to the history and culture of Montana. "The Hall of Fame exists to honor those who have made an impact in their part of the state and represent Montana's authentic Western heritage for future generations,"...
The market report for the Glasgow Stockyards on Oct. 10 show 339 cattle sold. Cows were steady while bulls were higher. Utility and commercial cows brought in $114 to $124; canner and cutter cows $90 to $114; and bulls $130 to $157. Consignors Opheim 2265 Bulls $153 Opheim 2095 Bulls $153 Dodson 2000 Bull $150 Malta 1940 Bull $151 Malta 1898 Bull $154.00 Wolf Point 1655 Bulls $157 Malta 722 Heifers $248 Malta 778 Heifers $245 Fall Season Update: As we head into the fall season here are a few reminders to help us keep things running smoothly: Pl...
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Montana is accepting applications for the St. Mary Initiative. Farmers and ranchers in Blaine, Glacier, Hill, Phillips, and Valley counties including the Blackfeet Nation and the Fort Belknap Indian Community directly impacted by the St. Mary Canal siphon failure should visit their local NRCS office now to apply. The final application batching date for the initiative will be Feb. 28, 2025. “We’ve been working closely with partners critical to the rehabilitation of the St. Mary sys...
Montana Farmers Union applauds the United States Department of Agriculture announcement the week of Oct. 7 about a series of actions in support of a fair and competitive agriculture market. “We appreciate the efforts of the Biden administration to increase more fairness in the marketplace for farmers and consumers. Holding the corporate monopolies accountable and more transparency in the marketplace are critical to creating a fair market. Increasing investments in local food production and processing helps create a more resilient and h...
