Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
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In 2022, 17 agricultural producers across Montana received more than $2.3 million in direct funds through USDA Rural Development’s Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program which helps businesses generate new products, create, and expand marketing opportunities, and increase overall producer income with the goal of growing local economies in rural and Tribal areas. Montana’s Value Added Producer Grant recipients in 2022 were: North of Nowhere Farm in Opheim received a $49,900 grant to assist with processing costs and expand its customer bas...
Members of Valley County 4-H came together on Dec. 29 to make tie quilts for Valley County Law Enforcement. Under the direction of Bobbie Britzman, members cut and tied around the edges of fleece to create four blankets to be given to the Valley County Sheriff's department with the hope they can be handed out to children and adults in times of need. Valley County Sheriff Tom Boyer was present for the presentation at First Lutheran Church. Each 4-H member completes at least 10 hours of service...
The Western Valley 4-H Club held our March meeting on March 5. Secretary Linden Holt asked the roll call question of "How many monkeys does it take to change a light bulb?" We had answers ranging from "one really smart one" to a billion. Michael Ketchum decided it "only takes one monkey to change a light bulb into broken glass!" The rest of our meeting passed uneventfully. After the meeting, members ate sandwiches, potato salad, and unicorn cupcakes prepared by the cooking cl...
Governor Greg Gianforte on March 7 proclaimed March 2023 Montana Agriculture Month to honor and celebrate the state’s agriculture industry, farmers and ranchers, and their contributions to the Montana way of life and the world. In his proclamation, the governor also declared the week of March 19-25, 2023, Montana Agriculture Week, and March 21, 2023, Montana Agriculture Day. “With more than 27,000 farms and ranches across our state, agriculture is the bedrock of our economy and communities,” Gov. Gianforte said. “We’ll continue to promote and i...
It’s emotional. It’s financial. It’s pivotal. And it often gets put on the back burner. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service reports that family-owned farms and ranches account for 97 percent of the 2.1 million total in the U.S. Yet only 30 percent of these survive into the second generation. Only 12 percent are still operating by the third. What’s more, some 69 percent of the family farms surveyed expected ownership to continue into the next generation, but only 23 percent had a plan. Where is t...
The following is a weekly update of Montana Farmers Union involvement in the 2023 Legislature. MFU is the state’s largest and oldest grassroots farm advocacy organization representing family farms, and has worked more than 100 years on behalf of Montana farmers, ranchers and rural communities. The farmers and ranchers of Montana Farmers Union believe that voting processes which secure ease and access to voting by all citizens are good policy. Members also oppose undermining the will of the people expressed by public vote. As such, MFU s...
The market report for the Glasgow Stockyards as of March 2, show 2,213 cattle sold. Cows and bulls steady. Utility and commercial cows brought in $80 to $98; canner and cutter cows $65 to $80; young feeding/turnout cows $90 to $134; and bulls $100 to $127. Feeder cattle were very strong. 400-500 SC $248 to $290; HC $226 to $237. 500-600 AC $235 to $268; SC $198 to $228. Monday, March 6 is the Veseth Cattle Co. Annual Bull and Female Production Auction starting at 1 p.m. Selling will be 55 Red Angus composite yearling bulls, 50 red bred...
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. March 1, 2023: Deadline to request Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) benefits for 2022 calendar year losses. March 15, 2023: Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage closing date for all spring crops except spring-seeded canola, rye, speltz, triticale, wheat, mixed forage, perennial and value-loss crops. Please no...
The market report for the Glasgow Stockyards as of Feb. 16 show 335 cattle sold with cows and bulls higher. Utility and commercial cows brought in $85 to $106, top $108; canner and cutter cows $85; young feeding/turnout cows no test and one bull 1780 pounds for $123. Thursday, March 2, is the March Feeder Special and All Class Cattle Auction with over 1,500 feeders consigned. Monday, March 6, is the Veseth Cattle Company Red Angus Production Auction. Thursday, March 9, is the Stock Cow and Bred Heifer Auction and All Cattle Auction. Thursday,...
The Lucky Clover 4-H club met at the seniors center Feb. 19. We discussed the dates of the Fair and Horse Show. The Horse Show is planned to be July 27 through 29. And the Fair is planned to be August 9 through 12. We had four demonstrations after the meeting. Isaac did a demonstration on Wood Working, Asher did a demonstration on Beekeeping, Titus did a demonstration on Emergency Kits, and last but not least, Jaydeen did a demonstration on water glassing (preserving) eggs....
The Montana Grain Growers Association (MGGA) and the Montana Grains Foundation (MGF) will each offer scholarships to be used for the 2023-2024 school year. MGGA will award two $1,000 scholarships to students pursuing an agricultural related degree at the college of their choice. Applicants or their parent, grandparent, or legal guardian must be a current producer member of MGGA. MGF will award two $2,500 scholarships to Montana State University juniors or seniors pursuing a degree in Ag Business, Ag Education, Plant Science or Environment...
The following is a weekly update of Montana Farmers Union involvement in the 2023 Legislature. MFU is the state’s largest and oldest grassroots farm advocacy organization representing family farms, and has worked more than 100 years on behalf of Montana farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Montana Farmers Union this week continued to support two bills that would give farmers and ranchers the right to repair their own equipment. House Bill 475, sponsored by Rep. Tom France, and SB 347, sponsored by Sen. Willis Curdy, were both heard s...
County and state Farm Bureau leaders across the nation are sharing resources that will help farmers and ranchers keep safety top-of-mind through the Agricultural Safety Awareness Program. As part of this year's ASAP commemoration, March 6-10 has been designated as Agricultural Safety Awareness Week. U.S. Agricultural Safety and Health Centers will join Farm Bureau in promoting the week with its theme "Lead the Way in Agriculture." A different safety focus will be highlighted by Montana Farm Bure...
Grass is to cattle as water is to conservation. Ironically, that analogy could be shuffled in any order and still carry the same meaning. To conserve grasslands, it is critical to maintain the ability to stock pasture with cattle, and to do so, access to stock water is necessary. That is why groups like the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA), a non-profit based in Malta, Mont., invests in assisting ranchers with water development through their conservation program. These water projects are meaningful to ranchers on any given year, but as droug...
The following is a weekly update of Montana Farmers Union involvement in the 2023 Legislature. MFU is the state’s largest and oldest grassroots farm advocacy organization representing family farms, and has worked more than 100 years on behalf of Montana farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Two bills dealing with Montana Farmers Union’s priority of securing producers’ right to repair their own equipment have been introduced. Both HB 475, sponsored by Rep. Tom France, and SB 347, sponsored by Sen. Willis Curdy, would provide farmers and ranch...
The Montana Pulse Crop Committee invites proposals for market development and educational projects designed to promote and enhance Montana’s pulse industry. The Montana Pulse Crop Research & Marketing Program aims to stimulate and expand Montana’s pulse crop industry through research, promotion, and market development of pulse crops grown in Montana. A complete Request for Proposal, list of guidelines, eligibility requirements, and application procedures are available https://agr.mt.gov/Topics/N-P/Pulse-Crop-Pages/Pulse-Crop-Committee. The Mon...
Know a Montana rancher, farmer or forestland owner who goes above and beyond in the stewardship and management of natural resources? Nominate them for the 2023 Montana Leopold Conservation Award Nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. The application can be found at www.sandcountyfoundation.org/ApplyLCA. The application deadline is March 15, 2023. Applications can be emailed to [email protected] or postmarked by March 15, 2023, and mailed to: Leopold Conservation Award c/o Rangeland Resources...
Landowners have until March 15 to submit applications to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks for enrollment in the Unlocking Public Lands (UPL) Program or the Public Access Land Agreement (PALA) Program. These programs are designed to provide recreational public access to state (Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation) or federal (Bureau of Land Management or United States Forest Service) land where no or limited legal public access currently exists. For enrollment in UPL, landowners will receive a tax credit in the amount of $750 p...
The Western Valley 4-H Club held our January meeting on Jan. 28. Ten members, one leader, and four parents were present. The club received four thank-you letters for fruit baskets. After the uneventful meeting, we had make-your-own tacos for supper. Some members had a brief Nerf War before everyone had to go home. We held our February meeting on Feb. 4. Secretary Linden Holt asked the amusing roll call question of "What number is the ultimate answer to the universe?" We had answers ranging from...
The Montana State University College of Agriculture has announced finalists for a new leadership program focused on sustainable agriculture and agritourism. The Montana Agritourism Fellows Program will center on the goal of developing leaders to advance sustainable agritourism. The fellowship is designed to engage agricultural producers and train them in methods of communicating and promoting sustainable agriculture for farmers, ranchers, professionals and communities. It was funded by a grant from the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research...
The following is a weekly update of Montana Farmers Union involvement in the 2023 Legislature. MFU is the state’s largest and oldest grassroots farm advocacy organization representing family farms, and has worked more than 100 years on behalf of Montana farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Despite much testimony in favor of country of origin placarding, HB 350 to revise country of origin labeling was killed in the House Agriculture committee this week. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Frank Smith, was one of MFU’s top priority bills this session...
A new year brings new opportunities for youth in agriculture! The NILE Foundation is now accepting applications for scholarships for the 2023-2024 academic year. For over 30 years, the NILE (Northern International Livestock Exposition) has awarded scholarships to deserving FFA and 4-H students who have been leaders in their respective programs, excelled in the classroom, participated in NILE events and are actively involved in their communities. “Supporting youth in agriculture is a key component of the NILE Foundation’s mission,” says Leah...
It’s emotional. It’s financial. It’s pivotal. And it often gets put on the back burner. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service reports that family-owned farms and ranches account for 97 percent of the 2.1 million total in the U.S. Yet only 30 percent of these survive into the second generation. Only 12 percent are still operating by the third. What’s more, some 69 percent of the family farms surveyed expected ownership to continue into the next generation, but only 23 percent had a plan. Where is t...
In a continued push to support Montana cattle producers and combat anti-competitive practices in the meat processing industry, Senator Tester reintroduced his Meat Packing Special Investigator Act to fight consolidation and enforce the nation’s anti-trust laws on Feb. 8. The bill is co-led by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.). This Act will benefit Montana producers by helping create more fair markets and strengthening enforcement against anti-competitive practices. The bill would create the “Office of the Special Inv...
U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Representatives Matt Rosendale and Ryan Zinke sent a letter on Jan. 27 urging the Biden administration to hold its appeals hearing concerning the American Prairie Reserve Grazing Proposal in Malta, instead of Billings, which is over 200 miles away from Phillips County. This would allow Montanans most affected by the proposal to easily attend the hearing. “The American Prairie Reserve’s proposal, if implemented, will open nearly 70,000 acres in Phillips County to grazing by non-production livestock, eliminate int...
