Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 94
Last year's Montana Farm Bureau Virtual Farm Fair was so well received that the state's largest agricultural organization is again holding their Virtual Farm Fair April 26-30. The Virtual Farm Fair features lively videos from Farm Bureau members' farms and ranches. Although the videos are directed toward a fourth-grade learning level, they are appropriate, fun and educational for all ages-even for parents. These farm-fresh videos offer corresponding activities and lesson plans. Monday, April 26...
National Ag Week, a time to celebrate agriculture, is March 21-27 with National Ag Day March 23. Agriculture remains the number-one industry for Montana, outpacing mining, tourism and forestry products along with oil and gas. Montana agriculture is diverse and known throughout the world for its wheat, beef, pulse crops and barley, plus the state’s farmers and ranchers produce plenty of other agricultural products including bees/honey, cherries, sugar beets, corn, canola, seed potatoes, dairy products, hogs, chickens/eggs and more. ...
The American Farm Bureau Federation is calling on Congress to remove barriers to farm ownership. Bills aimed at eliminating the estate tax were introduced in the Senate and House last week. The American Farm Bureau Federation supports both. Sen. John Thune (R-SD) and 25 cosponsors introduced S. 671 and Reps. Jason Smith (R-MO) and Sanford Bishop (D-GA) introduced H.R. 1712, with 121 cosponsors. Both bills would allow for a complete repeal of the estate tax, which, according to AFBF analysis, threatens more than 74,000 family farms across the...
The American Farm Bureau Federation is calling on lawmakers to require increased transparency in America’s cattle markets. AFBF supports the Cattle Market Transparency Act of 2021, sponsored by Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). The bill focuses on ensuring robust regionally negotiated cash trade and providing producers with more pricing information. The Cattle Market Transparency Act aligns with the goals set forth by the AFBF Cattle Market Working Group in 2020, as well as new cattle marketing policy passed at Farm B...
The State of Montana has a voluntary tax check-off designation for Agricultural Literacy. These funds have the potential to provide materials and agricultural curriculum to teachers and schools across the state providing adequate knowledge of agriculture for students. On your 2020 Montana tax return, choose the voluntary check-off program to support ag literacy in Montana schools. These funds have the potential to provide materials and agricultural curriculum to teachers and schools across the state. Whether you are using a tax preparer or...
Manhattan, MT - Montana Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation (MAITCF) and Gallatin County Conservation District are pleased to announce the updated version of the Montana Pollinator Education Project. This project focuses on vital information regarding pollinator species and their crucial role in Montana’s conservation and agriculture sectors. This project showcases species and families of pollinators that make Montana their home. Each species has its own unique biodiversity and role in pollination. Factors such as housing, plant r...
Karli Johnson, a young rancher from Choteau (formerly from Sidney), bested three other competitors to win the Montana Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Discussion Meet. She received the keys to a Ranger® 570 EFI and will be eligible to compete in the national competition which will be held during the virtual American Farm Bureau Convention in January. The three other contestants were Mark Boyd, Alder; John Walker, Nashua; and Morgan Rose, Terry. The Final Four of the Discussion Meet was...
Thanksgiving celebrations will look different for many Americans this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gatherings are likely to be fewer and farther between, with social distancing and perhaps even remote family get-togethers. One tradition that continues this year is the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual cost survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table. Farm Bureau’s 35th annual survey indicates the average cost of this year’s Thanksgiving feast for 10 remains affordable at $46.90 or less than $5 per person. Thi...
President Trump and USDA Secretary Perdue have announced a second round of aid through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Up to $14 billion will be used to help farmers devastated by the economic disaster caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Almost $10 billion from the first CFAP provided much-needed support to livestock, dairy, non-specialty and specialty crop producers throughout the country. Some farmers were initially left out of CFAP, and although the program was expanded to include more commodities, aid was only made available...
President Trump and USDA Secretary Perdue have announced a second round of aid through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Up to $14 billion will be used to help farmers devastated by the economic disaster caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Almost $10 billion from the first CFAP provided much-needed support to livestock, dairy, non-specialty and specialty crop producers throughout the country. Some farmers were initially left out of CFAP, and although the program was expanded to include more commodities, aid was only made available...
The Montana Farm Bureau applauds Congressman Gianforte (R-MT) for his co-sponsoring of two important bills for livestock producers: The Requiring Assistance to Meat Processors for Upgrading Plants (RAMP-UP Act) and the Direct Interstate Retail Exemption for Certain Transactions (DIRECT) Act. MFBF has been actively pursuing legislation and other actions that will improve cattle markets for producers in Montana and the rest of the country. “One huge problem in Montana is a lack of livestock processing capacity,” stated MFBF National Affairs Direc...
The Senate has passed by unanimous consent H.R. 266, the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. The House is scheduled to vote Thursday, April 23 and President Trump announced he would sign the bill into law. The American Farm Bureau, along with the Montana Farm Bureau, supports passage of H.R. 266 and has sent a letter to the House. This bill expands farmer and rancher eligibility for the Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, providing additional funding for the Paycheck...
This time of year, Montana grade school students are generally attending farm fairs across the state, learning about various aspects of agriculture. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, farm fairs which would be teeming with eager students have been nixed, but the Montana Farm Bureau is holding a virtual farm fair to bring the educational ag-related topics directly to your home. Montana Farm Bureau's Virtual Farm Fair is scheduled to run on social media beginning May 11 and throughout that week. "When...
Congress recently appropriated $310 billon of additional funding to the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and an additional $60 billion for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. RJ Karney, American Farm Bureau Federation congressional relations director, says farmers and ranchers are now eligible for the programs, but must act fast. “What’s most critical right now is for farmers and ranchers to go meet with their tax accountants, to meet with their financial planners, and review these two progr...
A statement from Montana Farm Bureau and the Montana Agribusiness Association For the next two weeks and likely longer, steps are being taken throughout Montana to minimize the spread of the Coronavirus. Schools, government offices, and businesses have closed or reduced hours of operation. Meetings and events have been cancelled or limited in size of attendance. People are encouraged to minimize outside interaction (“social distancing”) as much as possible Agricultural operations are no different. While many are secluded, other people come to...
American Farm Bureau has released its first assessment of the impact on farmers and ranchers in the wake of the national mitigation efforts to combat COVID-19. In a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, AFBF President Zippy Duvall pledged that “America’s farmers and ranchers will be with you every step of the way, doing all that we can to help you win this fight and to ensure the health, safety and prosperity of all America.” USDA invited Farm Bureau to convey agricultural issues or concerns arising as the pandemic mitigation effor...
Recognizing the high levels of stress affecting America’s farmers and ranchers, Farm Credit, American Farm Bureau Federation and National Farmers Union have partnered on a program to train individuals who interact with farmers and ranchers to recognize signs of stress and offer help. Based on the farm stress program Michigan State University Extension developed for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency, this combination of online and in-person trainings is designed specifically for individuals who interact with farmers and...
Montana Farm Bureau members attending the organization’s 100th Annual Convention November 11-14 in Billings will have the opportunity to attend a variety of informative workshops. Those workshops will cover current topics of interest to farmers and ranchers including employment, rural broadband, mental health, estate planning, social media marketing and leadership. Bob Milligan, professor emeritus, Cornell University, is offering two separate workshops: one on hiring farm and ranch employees; the other concerning interpersonal relationships w...
Registration is now open for the 16th Annual Young Ag Leadership Conference (YALC)! This exciting, one-of-a-kind conference is set to take place October 4-6 at the Copper King Convention Center in Butte, MT. YALC is a collaborative effort between nine of Montana’s agricultural organizations, offering attendees a chance to discuss current ag issues, take part in various workshops, meet with industry leaders, and network with fellow young people who love Montana agriculture. The weekend kicks off on Friday offering a unique networking o...
The Montana Farm Bureau Federation turns 100 this year, and to celebrate its centennial, the Montana Farm Bureau Foundation is offering grant funding for the betterment of communities around the state. With these grants the Foundation looks to increase rural prosperity and stimulate economic development by strengthening its roots and bettering small towns across Montana. “The application deadline of December 31, 2019, will be here before you know it,” said Scott Kulbeck, MFB Foundation Coordinator. “This is Farm Bureau’s way of celebra...
Farm and ranch owners are urging their Congressional delegations to support S. 1149, the Main Street Tax Certainty Act, sponsored by Senator Steve Daines, R-MT. This important legislation will make permanent the Section 199A qualified business income deduction, which is currently set to expire after 2025. “Many farm and ranch families and other self-employed business owners should be interested in this bill as it has positive implications for retaining this helpful deduction,” said Cyndi Johnson, chair of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation Tax...
Four Montana Farm Bureau members traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the American Farm Bureau Issues Advisory Committee meetings and visit with senatorial offices. Members included Tonya Rolf Liles, a cattle rancher from Terry, Animal Care Committee; Megan Mattson Hedges, a grain farmer from Chester, Farm Policy Committee; Chuck Rein, a rancher from Big Timber, Federal Lands Committee; and Don Steinbeisser, Jr., a diversified farmer from Sidney, Environmental Regulations Committee. The...
Montana Farm Bureau Federation is making safety a priority through the Agricultural Safety Awareness Program with March 3-9 designated as Agricultural Safety Awareness Week. Each day of the week has a theme with March 5 focusing on Livestock Safety. Cattle, horses, pigs and other livestock are not pets and can be responsible for many injuries on the farm or ranch. In Montana, it’s calving season and that means being cautious around cows with calves whether you’re the rancher working with them or a visitor to a ranch. “It is a natural instinct f...
Four Montana Farm Bureau members traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the American Farm Bureau Issues Advisory Committee meetings and visit with senatorial offices. Members included Tonya Rolf Liles, a cattle rancher from Terry, Animal Care Committee; Megan Mattson Hedges, a grain farmer from Chester, Farm Policy Committee; Chuck Rein, a rancher from Big Timber, Federal Lands Committee; and Don Steinbeisser, Jr., a diversified farmer from Sidney, Environmental Regulations Committee. The...
Forty Farm Bureau members, legislators, agency people and Montana Governor Steve Bullock showed up for the Montana Farm Bureau Birthday celebration February 13 at the Capitol. The MFB Women's Leadership Committee held breakfast and attending Farm Bureau members had the opportunity to enjoy breakfast burritos and homemade cinnamon rolls with their legislators. In his comments to the crowd gathered at breakfast, Bullock read a Proclamation recognizing MFBFs 100th birthday and declaring February...
