Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
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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...
Agricultural operations in Montana have been significantly impacted by drought and recent wildfires. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover from these adverse weather events. Impacted producers should contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure, and livestock losses and damages. USDA Disaster Assistance Producers who exp...
Wow! What a year, but here at the Glasgow Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, we’ve got (part of) our sights on making sure we finish the year stronger than ever. An amazing line up speakers has been secured for the 2024 New Trends in Ag Seminar taking place on Tuesday, Nov. 5, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., but we need your help. We are asking for nominations from the area on awarding the 2024 Del Strommen Trend Setter Award. Criteria includes innovation, overcoming adversity, business structure, community involvement and production in a...
Montana 4-H, the youth development program of Montana State University Extension, is celebrating National 4-H Week through Saturday, Oct. 12, with events and ceremonies across Montana. This year’s campaign, “Beyond Ready,” highlights the organization’s mission to prepare youth to become engaged, healthy and productive in their future communities. Throughout the week, 4-H communities will celebrate and spread awareness of the organization by hosting receptions and award ceremonies, preparing window displays in local businesses, hosting communi...
The market report for the Glasgow Stockyards on Oct. 3 show 126 cattle sold. Very light test on all classes of cattle and all classes are selling on a steady market. New schedules are in the mail. If you did not get one, contact the Glasgow Stockyards at 406-228-9306. 4-Wheeler raffle tickets for Randy Searer Medical Benefit are available at the Glasgow Stockyards office. Drawings will be held during the last sale on Dec. 19. Cash, check, credit card or pay by deduction from cattle proceeds are available as methods of paymen...
The National Weather Service in Glasgow has reported that September 2024 is the warmest September on record with archives dating back to 1893. September saw an average temperature of 67.8 degrees breaking the previous record by 1.9 degrees in 2022 when the average was 65.9 degrees. The highest temperature for the month was 99 degrees on the 29th, which set a daily high temperature record by 10 degrees and is the warmest so late in the season by nine days. A daily record high of 96 degrees was also set on the 25th. The coolest temperature for...
The Remington Fire that blasted up from northern Wyoming into southeastern Montana in late August burned 196,000 acres of grass, trees, hay, barns and most devastatingly, livestock. With erratic high winds and hot temperatures, ranchers had scant time to evacuate their animals. Livestock losses will not be entirely known until cattle are gathered this fall, but the loss is predicted to be substantial. Hearing about those losses caused ranchers across the state to step up to help. During their annual meeting Sept. 5, Big Horn County Farm Bureau...
This summer, Zora Holt had the opportunity to attend Montana's 4-H Congress at MSU in Bozeman. The Congress was held July 9-12, just before it was time to get really serious about being ready for Fair. The theme for the Congress was "Ticket to Leadership: Where Will You Go With It?" There were numerous dances and lots of quality time spent with 4-Hers from all over the state. There were exciting speakers, fun games, and a community service project preparing birthday party bags with a cake mix...
The Glasgow Stockyards report shows 3,747 cattle sold. During the 31st annual Big Fall Yearling Classic, the market was higher on all classes. Utility and commercial cows brought in $120 to $137; canner and cutter cows $110 to $120; and bulls $135 to $154.50. 139 Steers 701-745# Avg. 726# Avg. $265.97; top $285.75 97 Steers 749-795# Avg. 763# Avg. 254.78; top $274.00 221 Steers 799-845# Avg. 811# Avg. 250.63; top $256.00 349 Steers 850-896# Avg. 862# Avg. 246.27; top $250.50 160 Steers 900-997# Avg. 913# Avg. 234.07; top $245.00 175 Heifers...
The 2024 Transboundary Grassland Partnership (TGP) Workshop will take place in Shelby this October, marking a significant opportunity for cross-border collaboration on grasslands conservation. The workshop, set to run Oct. 22 through 24, will bring together ranchers, conservationists, indigenous leaders, and policymakers with a shared goal of sustaining healthy transboundary native biodiversity while supporting grassland ecosystems and communities. Kicking off on Oct. 22, the workshop will feature an optional field tour through Blackfeet...
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Northeastern Land Office has announced the appointment of Jocee Hedrick as the new Land Office Area Manager. Hedrick officially started in the position Aug. 26, 2024, following the retirement of former Northeastern Land Office Area Manager Clive Rooney, who served as the area manager for the past 22 years. “I’m thankful for the great service Clive has provided to the State of Montana for the past 22 years, and I am very excited to have someone of Jocee’s caliber and chara...
The meeting was called to order by Jadeen. Maddy started off by reading about 4-H life skills. The 4-H members succeeded in the fair and enjoyed rides. All the 4-H members received gold seals on their 4-H books. Jadeen did a presentation on his Washington, D.C., trip and he shared information on everywhere he went. We start a new 4-H year Oct. 1 and we will have our first meeting Oct. 13, at El Cor Del bowling alley. We will have a meeting to welcome new members and vote on officers. Anyone interested in joining Lucky Clover 4-H please come...
The Bureau of Land Management announced on Sept. 17, the winners of the 2024 Rangeland Stewardship and Rangeland Innovations awards, which recognize exemplary management and outstanding accomplishments in restoring and maintaining the health of public rangelands. The awards were presented Sept. 18, at a ceremony hosted by the Public Lands Council during its 56th Annual Meeting, held this year in Grand Junction, Colo. The BLM and Public Lands Council have partnered for 19 years to honor BLM...
For the last two years, North of Nowhere Farm has featured local food on the menu at the Opheim Rodeo and has donated concessions profits to the Valley County 4-H Washington, D.C. Trip Fund. North of Nowhere thanks Opheim Rodeo Club and rodeo attendees for making the donation possible. Thanks also go to Nutrien Ag Solutions for their donation of bottled water and to participants in the pre-rodeo Cornhole Tournament who supported concessions. Exceptional community backing of local food and 4-H...
Youth across Montana who would like to enroll in Montana 4-H are invited to do so during October. Montana 4-H is the youth development program of Montana State University Extension. It offers a range of choices and opportunities for youth to learn and grow, such as learning how to bake, knit and raise an animal, or learning about beekeeping, photography and robotics. In all, Montana 4-H offers more than 200 different projects and experiences that engage youth in learning. Montana 4-H is the largest out-of-school youth development program in...
The annual application period for FWP’s Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP) opened Sept. 1. WHIP is a grant funding program that focuses on large-scale restoration of high-priority wildlife habitats, on private and public land, through noxious weed management. Grant expenditures include herbicide, biocontrol and mechanical treatments, restoration seedings and grazing improvements. Awarded grants can be structured to provide funding for up to five years. Total available funding is $2 million annually; no single grant request can e...
