Sorted by date Results 26 - 38 of 38
Field peas may be an alternative to distillers grains as a protein source in cattle feed if the field peas are at a low enough cost, according to a North Dakota State University Extension livestock systems specialist. Distillers grains are a coproduct of producing ethanol from corn. "Distillers grains are a very palatable feed that usually has a feed test of 30% crude protein dry-matter (DM) basis," says Karl Hoppe, who is based at NDSU's Carrington Research Extension Center. "Typically, dried...
Sheep producers need to keep their marketing options open during the COVID-19 outbreak, says Travis Hoffman, North Dakota State University Extension sheep specialist. "We are undoubtedly in a different time than expected for livestock producers in today's COVID-19 situation," he says. "Breeding decisions were made, we put in the effort to get calves, piglets, lambs and/or kids on the ground and growing well. However, we are facing an unprecedented challenge for harvesting the fruition of our...
Monday, April 27 - Montana - Governor Steve Bullock sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to allow some local processing in order to avoid food waste and get local meat to Montana food banks for Montanans hardest hit by the impacts of COVID-19. The USDA recently denied a request by the Montana Department of Livestock to consider modified protocols that would allow selected processors to process some local demand from Montana producers and farmers, instead of continuing to require that product be processed at...
Bozeman, MT - April 29 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today a $15 million investment to help support the adoption of innovative conservation approaches on agricultural lands. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting proposals through June 29, 2020, for national Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). CIG projects inspire creative problem-solving solutions that boost production on farms, ranches and private forests and improve natural resources. This year’s priorities are water reuse, water quali...
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...
"Providing the correct mineral supplement is necessary to ensure optimal health, performance and reproduction," says Janna Block, Extension livestock systems specialist at North Dakota State University's Hettinger Research Extension Center. The costs of mineral supplementation vary widely, but most estimates are from $20 to $50 per cow per year. "Due to the importance of minerals and the investment required, it is imperative for producers to develop a good understanding of mineral supplement...
Montana Pork Producers Council (MPPC) recognizes the importance of evoking the Defense Production Act for Meat and Poultry. Providing federal guidance to packing plants to ensure they can remain open, the Executive Order signed by President Trump on Tuesday evening is an unprecedented action for unprecedented times in the agricultural industry. MPPC looks forward to seeing additional details of a plan to ensure workers remain in a safe environment while providing these essential food processing services. “We expect our processors to continue f...
HELENA – The first phase of a PSC commissioner censure proceeding, involving serious allegations of ethical misconduct by Commission Randy Pinocci (R-Sun River), was held at a 9:30 business meeting of the commission on Tuesday, May 5. The censure motion is being brought by Commissioner Roger Koopman (R-Bozeman.) PSC attorneys believe protocol requires a two-part procedure, with commissioners first voting to see the evidence and allow the censure process to go forward. Tuesday’s commission vote is for that purpose only. After process approval ...
Tuesday, May 5, 2020 – Governor Steve Bullock today announced that families, small businesses, non-profits, health services centers and individuals across Montana hardest-hit by impacts of COVID-19 will be eligible to apply for grants through nine new programs created in response to the emergency. Guided by more than 1,400 public comments and his Coronavirus Relief Fund Advisory Council, Governor Bullock is making $123,550,000 available in the first round of emergency grants funded through t...
MONTANA – Governor Steve Bullock today announced additional Phase One guidelines that will allow gyms and fitness studios, movie theaters and museums the option to reopen beginning Friday, May 15 as long as they adhere to strict guidelines limiting capacity, requiring social distancing, and imposing thorough sanitation requirements. “In consultation with public health experts, we have determined that these businesses can carefully reopen under strict capacity, social distancing, and sanitation guidelines,” Governor Bullock said. “As Montana...
HELENA – The Montana Department of Labor & Industry today is issuing guidance to Montanans returning to work during Phase One of the reopening of Montana’s economy. “We at the Department of Labor & Industry have been intently focused on getting benefits to the Montanans who have had their employment affected by COVID-19,” Acting Commissioner Brenda Nordlund said. “While we continue to focus on that mission, we also know that many workers and businesses are reopening and returning to work.” DLI has launched a new page on its COVID-19 we...
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...
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Doug Burgum today highlighted a new capability that will help North Dakota meet demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) during the coronavirus pandemic, as the state’s number of recovered COVID-19 cases surpassed the number of active cases. On Monday, the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) will begin operation of a Battelle Critical Care Decontamination System for PPE. The mobile decontamination system is self-contained and uses vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide to decontaminate N95 respirator masks. “Ha...
