Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
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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...
The Western Valley 4-H Club held our December meeting and Christmas party on Dec. 18. We exchanged Secret Santa gifts, enjoyed cookies the Cooking Class made, and filled fruit baskets for community members....
The market report for the Glasgow Stockyards as of Dec. 1, shows 4,544 cattle sold with cows steady and bulls lower. Utility and commercial cows brought in $57 to $70; canner and cutter cows $47 to $57; young feeding/turnout type cows $80 to $121 with top at $135; and bulls $80 to $91. 300-400 SC brought in $241 to $289, HC $202 to $226; 400-500 SC $218 to $259.50, HC $191 to $218; 500-600 SC $191 to $233, HC $182 to $211; 600-700 Sc $170 to $195.75, HC No Test. Thursday, Dec. 15, is the Last All Class Cattle Auction of 2022. There are several...
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). Signup have begun and 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. “It’s that time of year for produ...
The FFA Foundation’s Montana FFA Ag Expo is a three-day conference where high school and middle school FFA members from across Montana gather to participate in competitive events, leadership workshops, and career training on the Montana State University campus in Bozeman. This conference hosts over 1,600 students representing 100 FFA chapters throughout the Big Sky state and is Montana FFA’s largest conference. Twenty-five competitive events are offered for all FFA members to participate in, whether it is their first event in the blue cor...
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is asking for public input through a Federal Register request for information on implementation of more than $19 billion provided by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will use the investments provided through IRA-funded conservation programs to support farmers and ranchers in adopting and expanding climate-smart activities and systems. NRCS asks for comments on how to target program benefits, quantify impact, and improve program delivery and o...
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Wickens Construction will return in early 2023 to finish phase two of the Montana Highway 200 (MT 200) reconstruction project. The project is comprised of five phases aimed at improving nearly 37 miles of Highway 200 between Jordan and Brockway. “The Highway 200 Jordan to Brockway project is an important one for central Montana, as it is the major route for residents, commercial and agricultural vehicles, and visitors traveling across the center of the state,” said MDT Glendive District Adm...
Producers can now take a nationwide survey to help the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) improve and increase access to its programs and services for America’s farmers, ranchers, and forest managers. The survey includes new and existing customers. USDA encourages all agricultural producers to take the survey, especially those who have not worked with USDA previously. The survey gathers feedback on programs and services available through USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Risk Management Age...
Typically awarded during the yearly New Trends in Ag seminar put on by The Glasgow Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, which occurred in November this year, the Del Strommen Trendsetter Award is provided to an individual(s) who show innovation not only in the agriculture field but is also involved in the community. This year's recipients, Darrell and Margareta "Maggan" Walstad were presented the award after the seminar due to being out of town during the event. Darrell Walstad is a 1980...
Construction of PRO Co-op Ag Center’s new fertilizer plant in Antelope, Mont., is nearing completion and scheduled to receive product in the new year. This facility will greatly increase the access to dry fertilizer products used by farmers in northeastern Montana. Since 1928, PRO Co-op has been committed to serving rural communities across the northeast corner of Big Sky Country. Today, the organization remains steadfast in this commitment through strategic investment in assets to support local farms and ranches. The new 16,750 ton f...
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced plans for additional emergency relief and pandemic assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA is preparing to roll out the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Phase Two as well as the new Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program (PARP), which are two programs to help offset crop and revenue losses for producers. USDA is sharing early information to help producers gather documents and train front-line staff on the new approach. “We have worked diligently to help agricultural pro...
The Western Valley 4-H Club held our November meeting on Nov. 6. We welcomed new members Haizyn Rutherford and Ryan Jones during this meeting. The meeting was quite uneventful. We drew names for our Secret Santa gift exchange and discussed upcoming club activities. On Nov. 9, Western Valley 4-H Club members Haizyn Rutherford and Cooper Albus attended the Kiwanis meeting in Glasgow. Every year, Glasgow’s Kiwanis Club gives the top four 4-H Clubs an award. Haizyn and Cooper, the youngest members in attendance, were fortunate enough to accept W...
USDA welcomed the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, which will deliver $19.5 billion in new conservation funding to support climate-smart agriculture. This historic funding will bolster the new steps that USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced to improve opportunities for nutrient management. NRCS will target funding, increasing program flexibilities, launch a new outreach campaign to promote nutrient management’s economic benefits, in addition to expanding partnerships to develop nutrient management plans. Thi...