Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
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Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen called on a federal appeals board to overturn a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) final decision that rubber stamped a controversial and locally opposed change of use permit to allow bison grazing on several allotments in Phillips County. In an appeal filed Aug. 25, Attorney General Knudsen, who is the state’s chief legal officer, calls on the federal appeals board to overturn the BLM’s July 28, 2022 Notice of Final Decision authorizing American Prairie Reserve (APR) a general permit to graze in sev...
The annual application period for FWP’s Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP) opened Friday, 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 c...
The market report for the Glasgow Stockyards as of Aug. 31, show 172 cattle sold. Utility and commercial cows brought in $95 to $107.50; canner and cutter cows $80 to $95 and bulls $115 to $139.50. There will be no auction Thursday, Sept. 14. Monday, Sept. 18, is the last Northern Video Auction....
The 2023 Wheat and Barley Variety Survey report was released on Aug. 29 by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Mountain Regional Office. Funded by the Montana Wheat & Barley Committee (MWBC), this survey generates vital information to assist breeding programs around the state and beyond select varieties for seeding with the goal of increasing farm profitability. “In the Treasure State, one of the most impactful bottom-line decisions a wheat and barley farmer can make is varietal selection. There are hundreds of choices, e...
On July 23, part of the Western Valley 4-H Club attended Fort Peck Summer Theatre’s production of Matilda and swam in the Dredge Cuts afterwards. The only members who actually came were Michael Ketchum, Linden Holt, and myself. Matilda was brilliant, and anyone who didn’t get a chance to see it sorely missed out. Sewing Camp was July 30. Although our club was hosting, the only members who attended were Linden and I. We had some difficulties, as the people we thought were helping never sho...
On Aug. 16, Congressman Matt Rosendale (MT-02) sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland requesting more information on meetings her Department is holding on the potential reintroduction of bison in Montana. “It is within the interest of Montanans and my duty as one of their Congressman to be made aware of any action the Department is considering regarding the reintroduction of bison,” said Rep. Rosendale. “It is concerning that these hearings are occurring quietly with little to no information available to the public. I expec...
On July 7, USDA and its partner vendors announced the opening of the application period for Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which directs USDA to provide financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs prior to January 2021. The opening of the application process is an important step in delivering on USDA’s commitment of providing financial assistance to those who have faced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs. The application process i...
The market report for the Glasgow Stockyards as of Aug. 17, show 215 cattle sold. Utility and commercial cows brought in $95 to $109.50; canner and cutter cows $85 to $100; and bulls $118 to $134.50. There will be no auctions on Thursday, Aug. 24 and Thursday, Sept. 7....
In a letter to National Farmers Union, the Environmental Protection Agency affirmed that the Clean Air Act cannot be used as a basis to restrict independent repair of farm equipment. In their opposition to Right to Repair legislation, equipment manufacturers and dealers have invoked EPA regulations and the CAA – specifically related to tampering with emissions control systems – as justification for their need to restrict repair. “EPA confirmed what farmers have known all along – equipment manufacturers have been using bad faith justifi...
The USDA Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Direct Farm Ownership loans are a resource to help farmers and ranchers become owner-operators of family farms, improve and expand current operations, increase agricultural productivity, and assist with land tenure to save farmland for future generations. There are three types of Direct Farm Ownership Loans: regular, down payment and joint financing. FSA also offers a Direct Farm Ownership Microloan option for smaller financial needs up to $50,000. Direct Farm Ownership Loans can be used to construct, p...
The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public nominations for its Missouri Basin and Western Montana Resource Advisory Councils for existing and upcoming member vacancies. All resource advisory councils consist of 15 citizens with diverse interests in public land management, including conservationists, ranchers, outdoor recreationists, state and local government officials, and energy industry representatives. The councils provide advice to the Bureau of Land Management on public land issues. “We’re looking for members who are passionate abo...
July runoff in the Missouri River basin above Sioux City, Iowa, was 3.3 million acre-feet (MAF), 99 percent of average. Runoff was near or above average in all reaches except the Fort Peck reach, which was 68 percent of average. “Soil moisture conditions deteriorated in Montana, North Dakota, and northern South Dakota over the last month and improved across southern South Dakota and into the lower basin,” said John Remus, chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Missouri River Basin Water Management Division. Precipitation was below normal ov...
On July 19 Congressman Matt Rosendale (MT-02) released a Farm Bill priorities survey to ensure Montanans have a chance to lend their voice to the conversation. “Getting Montana’s priorities into this year’s Farm Bill is crucial to maintaining our state’s economic health. I’ve been working hard to make sure our needs are addressed in this massive piece of legislation and have held roundtable discussions to get input from important stakeholders,” said Rep. Rosendale. “I always appreciate the opportunity to hear more from Montanans about the iss...
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting offers for nearly 2.7 million acres from agricultural producers and private landowners through this year’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Grassland signup. This program allows producers and landowners to continue grazing and haying practices while protecting grasslands and further CRP conservation efforts. Grassland CRP is part of the Biden-Harris administration’s broader effort to address climate change and conserve natural resources. This year’s signup results include 180,690 acres...
On July 25, the United States Senate voted, 91-7, to include the “Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security Act” as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization (NDAA) to provide foreign adversaries, China, Russia, North Korea and Iran, from acquiring American farmland or agribusiness. It also adds the Ag Secretary as an ex-officio member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) board and require CFIUS review of large ag land purchases by foreign nations and connected entities. Earlier in the day, Senator Tester (D-...
Much of Montana has enjoyed a wet spring, and green grass has stretched well into mid-summer resulting in fat cattle and extensive haying. However, as the days grow warmer and the chance for moisture lessens, the odds of late summer fires increase whether man-made or from natural causes. For those ranchers and farmers haying, it’s important to check bales for moisture content. “This year, we may see folks putting up wet hay for the first time in a while, especially if they are running behind and want to catch up,” says Montana Ag Safety Progr...
There was no auction at Glasgow Stockyards for the week of July 27, but they just ended four days in Billings at the Northern Livestock Summertime Classic Video Auction. Prices were higher than the last peak in 2014. If you still have cattle to market, there are two video auctions remaining: Aug. 21 – 22 Catalog Deadline is Aug. 4 Sept. 18 Catalog Deadline: Sept. 1 Call Jake, Cody, Iva, Dean or Dylan to Consign Consignors Malta 500# Steer Calves 325.00 Wolf Point 525# Steer Calves 327.00 Fort Peck 525# Steer Calves 317.00 Glasgow 530# Steer C...
There's been entire books written on the history of fencing in the West. The evolution of barbed wire, the impact fences had on the landscapes, and the range wars that ensued when fences first went up are all remarkable and fascinating stories that will forever stand in the history of the American West and the ranching industry. But when those same fences that made history are still standing today, plans to upgrade have likely been discussed. Modern day ranchers, however, know the harsh reality...
The market report for the Glasgow Stockyards for July 20 show 385 cattle sold with cows steady with last test on July 6 and bulls steady to higher with last test on July 6. Utility and commercial cows brought in $95 to $112; canner and cutter cows $90 to $105; and bulls $120 to $14,200....
In light of storms throughout the state, the Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) is reminding producers that applications for State Hail Insurance Policy are available through MDA’s State Hail Insurance Program. Producers can insure crops against hail damage at the maximum coverage rate of $75 per acre for dryland and $114 per acre for irrigated land. Rates charged are a percentage of the insured amount and vary by county. A detailed list of rates by county and crop can be found online by visiting the MDA website. State policies are a...
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. July 26, 2023: ODMAP signup deadline. You can also read the News Release for more information. July 31, 2023: CRP CLEAR30 signup 59 ends August 1, 2023: Deadline to request a farm reconstitution or farm transfer for program year 2023. August 1, 2023: County Committee (COC) Nomination period for the 2023 Election Cycle Closes....
The market report for the Glasgow Stockyards for July 6 show 147 cattle sold with cows and bulls steady on a light test. Utility and commercial cows brought in $95 to $112; canner and cutter cows $75 to $95; and bulls $120 to $131.50. Town Weight Description Price Glasgow 1770 Bull $126 Fort Peck 1810 Bull $127 Glasgow 1940 Bull $130.00 Poplar 1965 Bull $128.00 Jordan 1985 Bull $131.50 Opheim 1680 Cow $108.50 Opheim 1670 Cow $108.50 Turner 1585 Cow $110.00 Billings 1560 Cow $112.00 Glasgow 1538 Cows $111.00 Glasgow 1538 Cows $112 Hinsdale 1520...
Twenty groups representing agricultural, environmental, forestry, wildlife, nutrition and hunger advocates have launched the “Farm Bill for America’s Families: Sustaining Our Future” campaign to urge passage of the 2023 farm bill this year. Farm Bill for America’s Families brings together stakeholders who support the farm bill and recognize its profound impact on the well-being of all Americans. The campaign seeks to engage consumers, leaders and lawmakers alike on the importance of the farm bill and highlights five core objectives: food securi...
USDA reminds producers that all non-emergency haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts must be discussed and approved with your local FSA county office prior to starting the activity. Under no circumstances may non-emergency haying or grazing be permitted if such activity would cause long-term damage to the vegetative cover on the land, determined on a site-by-site basis. Available to start 12 months after cover is fully established. Non-emergency activities may occur according to the conservation plan during drought /...
Governor Greg Gianforte on June 26 provided further opposition to a proposed rule by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) which would alter the use of BLM lands to the detriment of recreation, livestock grazing, responsible resource development, and public access. The proposed rule seeks to define “conservation” as a use within the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), which requires BLM to manage its lands on the basis of multiple use and sustained yield. In a letter to Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and BLM Director Tracy Sto...
