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 USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Montana is accepting applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), and Wetlands Reserve Easements (WRE). To be considered for funding in the current cycle, producers and landowners should apply by Friday, Oct. 27, 2023. “NRCS provides funding and technical assistance to help farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners implement conservation practices that improve their e...
The market report for the Glasgow Stockyards as of Sept. 14, show 184 cattle sold. Cows steady to strong with last test of 8-31. Bulls softer with last test of 8-31. Utility and commercial cows brought in $95 to $115 with the top selling for $144.50; canner and cutter bulls $80 to $95; and bulls $114 to $127.50....
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Acting Under Secretary Roger Glendenning has announced that USDA is making more funding available for meat and poultry processors to expand operations, transform the food supply chain and create new and better markets for producers. This funding advances President Biden’s commitment to grow the economy from the bottom up and middle out by creating good-paying jobs and opportunities in every community. “The Biden-Harris Administration and USDA are committed to transforming our food system t...
U.S. Senator Jon Tester pressed Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler on Sept. 12 about concerns that the agency’s “climate disclosure rule” could lead to burdensome paperwork and bureaucracy for Montana family farmers and ranchers. Tester began his remarks during a Senate Banking Committee hearing by noting that as an active farmer himself, he understands firsthand that agricultural producers across Montana should not have to deal with burdensome reporting requirements: “You know, as many of the folks know, I’m somebody...
The Lucky Clover 4-H club met at the senior citizens center on Sept. 10. There were no presentations held. We would like to acknowledge and thank FMDH for the supplies for Farmer First Aid Kits, Heather Johnson for the coffee cans used to make the Farmer First Aid Kits, and lastly, Sheila Miller for her time and dedication to the Lucky Clover 4-H Club, you will be missed! The next meeting is Saturday, Oct. 7, at El Cor Del, we will be electing officers for our new 4-H year....
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. Sept. 30, 2023: Application closing date for 2024 NAP coverage for all perennial forage, fall and spring seeded garlic, rye, speltz, triticale, wheat, and mixed forage crops. Please note that the acreage reporting date for your NAP covered crops is the earlier of the established FSA acreage reporting date for the crop or 15...
The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) is announcing the opening of the FY2024 funding cycle for the Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) Program. Montanans interested in innovating or expanding agricultural businesses are invited to apply for funds through the state grant and loan program. “The Growth Through Agriculture program continues to help Montana businesses and agricultural operations add value, scale up, and access new markets,” said MDA Director Christy Clark. “I encourage producers, business owners, and those with innovative ideas...
Congratulations to these young men and women! They will receive heifers from their gracious donors this fall. After a year of monthly reports, monthly meetings with industry professionals, breeding the heifers, and completion of other requirements these recipients will show at the 2024 NILE and then take full ownership of their heifers. We’re excited to see young people interested in agriculture, and especially the beef cattle industry! Recipient Name — Donor Emmah Mix of Glasgow, Mont. — Walborn Cattle Company of Hardin, Mont. Olivia Corma...
Agriculture continues to rank as one of the most dangerous sectors in this country. according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Since 1944, the third week of September has been recognized as National Farm Safety and Health Week. This year’s dates are September 17-23, with the theme “No One Can Take Your Place.” Priority populations in agriculture take center stage for this year’s National Farm Safety and Health Week. Farms and ranches are a wonderful place for children to grow up, but we all have a role in keeping youth safe while t...
The Bureau of Land Management Missouri Basin Resource Advisory Council will meet Monday, Sept. 18, and Tuesday, Sept. 19, for their regular business meeting. The meeting is open to the public and will be held at the BLM office located at 111 Garryowen Road in Miles City. Start times are 10 a.m. on Sept. 18 and 8 a.m. on Sept. 19. To accommodate broader participation, the meetings will provide both in-person and virtual attendance options. Individuals that prefer to participate virtually must contact a resource advisory council coordinator by...
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development in Montana State Director Kathleen Williams has announced awards of more than $1.3 million in grant funding to 35 agricultural producers and rural small businesses across Montana through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) so they could invest in renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements. “These projects are part of one of the largest investments in history to foster a wider use of renewable energy. They benefit Montana’s agricultural producers and rural sma...
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...
