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 Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame will celebrate the 15th class of inductions into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame Saturday, Feb. 11 at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls. 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. There is still time to register for the Inductee Recognition Ceremony Brunch, which begins at 10:30 a.m., to celebrate the notable accomplishments and lasting legacies of the inductees to the Montana...
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications for the Community Agriculture Initiative. This initiative supports the conservation efforts of Montana’s farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners from small acreage to large. NRCS accepts applications year-round, but applications for the current funding cycle must be submitted by Feb. 14, 2023. “Agricultural producers of all sizes provide local, nutritious food to their communities. Through this initiative, NRCS is prioritizing assistance to first foods efforts, fa...
The market report for the Glasgow Stockyards as of Feb. 2, shows 3,702 cattle sold. Cows and bulls higher on a very light test. Utility and commercial cows brought in $72 to $86.50; canner and cutter cows $60 to $72; young feeding/turnout cows no test; bulls $88 to $104. Feeder cattle were higher, with over 15 feeder buyers on the seats and on the internet. Cattle sold to Texas, California, Nebraska, Kansas, North and South Dakota, Montana and Canada. 300-400 SC $290 to $328, HC $217-$233; 400-500 SC $243 to $304.50, HC $214-$235.50; 500-600...
Lucky Clover 4-H met on Jan. 8 at the senior center. We started off with a talk all about Jan. 19, Nashua school had a big home game where the Lucky Clover 4-H club served sloppy joes Afterwards Gracyn gave an illustrated talk on Choosing a lamb, Finley gave an illustrated talk on How to Make a Rice Bag, and Kala gave an illustrated talk on Party Mints. The next meeting will be Feb. 12....
Montana Farmers Union supported ranchers and consumers in the fight to receive fair markets and transparent labeling through HB 350 this week. Many proponents advocated for the bill, which is a priority for MFU, during its hearing in House Ag Committee. MFU policy urges Country of Origin labeling of all agricultural commodities and processed food products sold in the U.S. Montanans want to know where their food comes from and consumers deserve honest and transparent labeling when it comes to all food products, which we do not have for beef and...
On June 22, 2022, in Shelby, Mont., Zora Rose Holt of Hinsdale, Mont., became the 45th person to get her name engraved on the Montana Range Days Top Hand Trophy. To the best of our knowledge, she is the first person to have shared the trophy with a parent. Montana Range Days started in 1977 in Jordan, Mont., and has been going strong ever since with a pause for 2020. The third week in June, it offers two and a half days of non-stop learning, tours, and contests for the whole family from age...
The market report for the Glasgow Stockyards as of Jan. 26, shows 162 cattle sold. Light run for the last sale of January. The cow market seems to have turned the corner. Cows this week selling $5 to $10 higher. Utility and commercial cows brought in $68 to $80; canner and cutter cows $57 to $68; young feeding/turnout cows $85 to $115; and very light test on bulls $88 to $102.50. Thursday, Feb. 2, is the Big Feeder Special and All Class Cattle Auction with over 3,500 consigned. Replacement quality heifer calves; 2-way steers and heifers and str...
AgWest Farm Credit donated $256,870 for shot clocks of Class C Montana schools following a new rule voted on last year by the Montana High School Association requiring all Montana schools to implement 35-second shot clocks for the 2022-2023 basketball season. “We are excited for the opportunity to invest in so many of our Montana Class C schools and their student athletes. As someone that grew up and is raising my own family in rural Montana, I am passionate that we advocate and protect the hopes and dreams of our rural communities,” said AgW...
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. Consumers deserve to know where their meat comes from and Montana ranchers deserve a fair market. This week, Rep. Frank Smith introduced HB 350 that will ask retailers to make a reasonable effort to display a sign at the meat case with transparent c...
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. Jan. 30, 2023: Deadline to request all Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish (ELAP) assistance for 2022 calendar year losses. Jan. 30, 2023: Deadline to request Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) assistance for 2022 calendar year losses. Jan. 31, 2023: Deadline to enroll in Dairy Margin Coverage...
The market report for the Glasgow Stockyards as of Jan. 19, shows 888 cattle sold. Cows steady, bulls steady on seven head test and feeders steady to strong on light test. Utility and commercial cows brought in $64 to $72.50; canner and cutter cows $52 to $64; young feeding/turnout cows $80 to $108; and bulls $84 to $94. 400-500 SC brought in $207 to $253, HC $194 to $201.50; 500-600 SC $195 to $225, HC $182 to $200.50; 600-700 SC $183 to $201, HC No Test. Thursday, Jan. 26, is the All Class Cattle Auction. Thursday, Feb. 2, is the Big Feeder...
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. Whether it’s a combine, a loader tractor, or a powered wheelchair, equipment owners should have the right to repair their own equipment, and Montana Farmers Union testified in support of HB 195, which would revise consumer rights laws to repair powered wh...
For the 2022 calendar year, Missouri River basin runoff above Sioux City, Iowa, totaled 19.3 million acre-feet, 75 percent of average. This was the 30th lowest annual runoff for the Missouri River Basin in 125 years of record-keeping. The ongoing drought shows little relief in sight and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers predicts runoff into the mainstem reservoir system will remain below normal. For 2023, runoff in the Missouri River basin above Sioux City, Iowa, is forecast to be 20.8 MAF, 81 percent of average. This is based on current runoff...
The following is a weekly update of Montana Farmers Union involvement in the Montana Legislative Session. 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 Montana Farmers Union Legislative Team continued advocating on behalf of Montana’s family farmers and ranchers and rural communities during the second week of the Montana Legislative Session, supporting bills that would revise liv...
Right to Repair issues have been making news this week because of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between John Deere and the American Farm Bureau Federation. Despite this MOU, the issue of Right to Repair is far from fixed and the work from NFU and Farmers Union state divisions will continue. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF)-John Deere MOU is a non-binding agreement between only one group and one equipment manufacturer, and that manufacturer has a history of preventing farmers from being able to affordably fixing their...
The Montana Alfalfa Seed Committee is seeking proposals for demonstration projects, applied research, and market development projects designed to address needs and opportunities for Montana’s alfalfa seed industry. Proposals are due Feb. 8. The committee will review proposals at the first regular meeting of the year. It will review all applications and make recommendations to the department for funding. Generally, to qualify for consideration, proposals must have practical, near-term application involving practices or organizational a...
Fez, a Border Collie/Australian Shepherd trained and owned by Lexie Coniglione from Glasgow, was named runner-up/western region in the 2023 Farm Dog of the Year Contest. The contest celebrates farm dogs that work alongside farmers and ranchers as they sustainably produce nutritious food for families and their pets across America. Rounding up livestock and chasing off predators are among the many tasks performed by farm dogs. Fez came into Coniglione's heart at a low point in 2021. She had lost...
The market report for the Glasgow Stockyards as of Nov. 5 shows 2,386 cattle sold. Happy New Year from the Glasgow Stockyards! The new year was started off with a nice auctions. Cows and feeders were selling strong with bulls steady. Utility and commercial cows brought in $64 to $72.50, top $82; canner and cutter cows $52 to $64, young feeding/turnout type cows $75 to $110 and bulls $84 to $94. 300-400 SC brought in $230-$256.50, HC $197 to $220; 400-500 SC $207 to $243, HC $187 to $206.50; 500-600 SC $200 to $221, HC $180 to $190; 600-700 SC...
Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, there will be new assessment levels to be withheld on both wheat and barley at the point of first sale in Montana. This is a final notice of the change in those assessment levels. Old Assessment through Dec. 31, 2022: 20 mills ($0.02) per bushel of wheat 30 mills ($0.03) per hundredweight of barley New Assessment starting Jan. 1, 2023: 25 mills ($0.025) per bushel of wheat 35 mills ($0.035) per hundredweight of barley Founded in 1967, the Montana Wheat & Barley Committee has been serving Montana producers and foreign...
Growing our ranching and rural community’s financial, ecological, and social resilience with experienced speakers on soil carbon, cattle selection, small ruminant grazing, and rangeland monitoring, the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance “Rural Resilience” webinar series is back for a third year! Kicking off the 2023 series on Thursday, Jan. 19, is “Soil Carbon: What’s the Buzz?” with guest presenter Peter Donovan, founder of the Soil Carbon Coalition. Want a better grasp on soil carbon? Analyze the importance of soil microbiology and soil test resul...
Agricultural producers can now change election and enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage programs for the 2023 crop year, two key safety net programs offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Producers have until March 15, 2023, to enroll in these two programs. Additionally, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has started issuing payments totaling more than $255 million to producers with 2021 crops that have triggered payments through ARC or PLC. 2023 Elections and Enrollment Producers can elect covera...
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. Dec. 31, 2022: Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage closing date for Honey. Jan. 2, 2023: Honey covered under NAP must accurately be reported, to FSA by January 2 for the total number of colonies present in all counties. Please note that producers must notify FSA within 30 calendar days of any changes in the...
Governor Greg Gianforte announced on Dec. 23 his administration has filed its briefing in the appeal of a judge’s decision denying the state’s petition for stay after the Biden Administration approved the American Prairie Reserve’s request to graze bison on Bureau of Land Management land in northeast Montana. In briefing, entitled a Statement of Reasons (statement) and submitted to the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Board of Land Appeals, the Gianforte administration again requested a stay of the decision pending appeal, highlig...
Livestock producers in 44 Montana counties are eligible to apply for 2022 Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) benefits on small grain, native pasture, improved pasture, annual ryegrass, and forage sorghum. LFP provides compensation if you suffer grazing losses for covered livestock due to drought on privately owned or leased land or fire on federally managed land. County committees can only accept LFP applications after notification is received by the National Office of qualifying drought or if a federal agency prohibits producers from...
The Farm Service Agency’s Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) helps you manage risk through coverage for both crop losses and crop planting that was prevented due to natural disasters. The eligible or “noninsured” crops include agricultural commodities not covered by federal crop insurance. You must be enrolled in the program and have purchased coverage for the eligible crop in the crop year in which the loss incurred to receive program benefits following a qualifying natural disaster. And all acreage reporting must be compl...
