Sorted by date Results 1546 - 1570 of 2265
Pesticide applicators can save money by inspecting their spray equipment, calibrating their sprayers and testing the quality of their water before spraying, said Montana State University Extension Pesticide Education Specialist Cecil Tharp. “It’s easy for applicators to focus on purchasing pesticide products while neglecting to calibrate the output of their spray equipment or test the quality of their water being used for spray applications,” Tharp said. Offering three tips for spring spraying, Tharp recommended first that applicators inspe...
The Montana Department of Agriculture announced the award of over $1.4 million in grant funds for the development and implementation of noxious weed management programs. “We all have a stake in combating the spread of noxious weeds at a statewide level. The Noxious Weed Management Advisory Council has a unique opportunity to look holistically at the state’s noxious weeds and fund areas that are going to be the most effective. This year the council reviewed over $2 million in proposals and awarded more than $1.4 million in funds for edu...
A Montana district court recently ruled that Montana laws dealing with the wild or domestic status of bison are “ambiguous.” Those laws certainly are complicated, and for good reason. The Montana legislature has purposely given joint jurisdiction over bison to our state’s livestock and wildlife agencies because bison pose a unique management situation. They pose a dire threat to Montana’s livestock industry because much of the Yellowstone bison herd carries the dangerous disease brucellosis. But more than that, bison have the capacity to do a...
Researchers from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the University of Montana released preliminary results today of a new technique for estimating wolf numbers in Montana. The study was developed to produce a less expensive and more accurate population assessment that accounts for wolves not actually verified in the state’s annual wolf count. Statewide wolf population estimates were derived for the years 2007 through 2012 via a mix of rigorous statistical evaluations; wolf observations reported by recreational hunters during the annual hunter-h...
On Monday, the Montana Hail Board voted to expand coverage, including a slight increase in premiums on hail insurance. At producers’ request and with the authority granted in House Bill 189, the board voted unanimously to increase per-acreage coverage on non-irrigated land from $50 to $75 and on irrigated land from $76 to $114 or a 50% increase in coverage. “Producers were looking for increased coverage and the legislature granted the board authority last session. The board was happy to provide the coverage and unanimously pass the mot...
The Williston State College’s 4th Annual Carcass Challenge is underway at the Hovde Feedlot near Arnegard, ND. The following livestock producers have donated calves to the program this year. Aaron & Shelby Jacobson of Noonan, ND Emmet & Hugh O’Neil of Columbus, ND Bradley Rosenquist of Columbus, ND Jonathan Enget of Stanley, ND Helen Glasoe of Wildrose, ND Mark & Shelley Ellis of Williston, ND Curt & Nancy of Severson of Cartwright, ND Brent Svangstu of Noonan, ND Chuck Hanson of Noonan, ND Ger...
The National Park Service (NPS) and the State of Montana (State) have agreed to prepare a joint Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to consider possible changes for managing wild Yellowstone bison and the non-native disease brucellosis. The process will allow the NPS and the State to account for substantial new information and changed circumstances since the implementation of the Interagency Bison Management Plan (IBMP) began in 2001, and could result in the creation of a plan to replace the IBMP. The NPS and the State will be working within...
The Montana Department of Agriculture announced that funding is available and applications will be accepted to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. After receiving funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the state will disburse $305,000 to successful applicants through a competitive grant process. Specialty crops are fruits and vegetables, culinary and medicinal herbs, dried fruits, horticultural, and nursery crops, including floriculture. Eligible plants must be intensively cultivated and used by people for...
The state's first rabies quarantine of 2014, issued last week for Big Horn County, should serve as a good reminder for pet owners to review vaccination records for their dogs, cats and ferrets. "It's that time of year," said assistant state veterinarian Dr. Tahnee Szymanski. "If your pet hasn't been vaccinated recently, or if you aren't sure, contact your veterinarian and get it taken care of now." Based on statistics from the past three years, rabies generally makes an appearance in early...
Wheat stem sawflies heavily damage more wheat than any other insect in Montana, and now Colorado and Nebraska are experiencing unprecedented outbreaks, says Montana State University entomologist David Weaver. Continuing to search for solutions, experts from three countries and four states will share their findings at the Sixth International Wheat Stem Sawfly Conference to be held April 3 and 4 at the Procrastinator Theatre in MSU's Strand Union building. The conference is free and open to the...
What do you get when you combine 225 miles of laterals, 118 miles of drains, the Lower Yellowstone Diversion Dam, Thomas Point Pumping Plant and the main canal? The answer is, The Lower Yellowstone Project. Approximately one-third of the project lands are in western North Dakota and the remaining two-thirds are located in east-central Montana. According to a recent article written by Gerald 'Jerry' Benock, of the Montana Area Office (MTAO) of the Bureau of Reclamation, "This project is...
A federal certificate is now required for Montanans to spray restricted use pesticides on tribal land, says Montana State University Extension Pesticide Education Specialist Cecil Tharp. Restricted use pesticide dealers within tribal boundaries must register their businesses by April 7, Tharp said. In addition, private, commercial and government applicators applying restricted use pesticides within tribal boundaries must apply for the federal permit immediately. Tharp said Montana applicators who already have a state pesticide license don’t h...
Kayla Crooker, ND PAS State President and former WSC student, looks back on her education decisions and gives thanks to WSC Ag Department and her mentor, Kim Murphy. "When I enrolled at Williston State College, I was not sure what I wanted to do with my life. I knew I wanted to stay involved in Agriculture, but the industry has so many opportunities I couldn't choose which one I wanted to pursue. I enrolled as a double major in Farm & Ranch Management and Ag Sales. I was so nervous for my first...
Dr. Hans Schneider received his doctorate degree in plant pathology from Wageningen Agricultural University in the Netherlands, which is known world-wide for its agricultural educational and research programs. After several years of working in multiple areas of plant diseases and protection research, Dr. Schneider was offered a position at the Institute of Sugar Beet Research (IRS) in the Netherlands to develop an integrated control strategy to combat Rhizoctonia solani. During his thirteen...
More than 50 Montana farm and ranch youth now participate in the Montana Department of Agriculture’s Junior Agriculture Loan Program. Young people active in rural youth organizations like 4-H or FFA may be eligible for loans up to $8,500. The program has provided over 1,300 loans to young farmers and ranchers since its inception. The program is designed to help rural youth develop or expand livestock or agri-business projects like custom farming, marketing, and processing. The Department of Agriculture may finance up to 90 percent of a p...
March 24- USDA Montana Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Bruce Nelson reminds foreign persons with an interest in agricultural lands in the United States that they are required to report their holdings and any transactions to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. “Any foreign person who acquires, transfers or holds any interest, other than a security interest, including leaseholds of 10 years or more, in agricultural land in the United States is required by law to report the transaction no later than 90 calendar days after the dat...
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Juan M. Garcia today recommended that farmers and ranchers who plan to participate in FSA programs register in advance. Producers are encouraged to report farm records and business structure changes to a local FSA Service Center before April 15, 2014. Enrollment for the disaster programs authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, including the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) will begin by April 15, 2014. “We expect sig...
Tim and Kristin Larson of Sidney, MT pride themselves on promoting the Beef and cattle industry. Both raised on cattle ranches in Montana, Tim in Forsyth and Kristin in Big Timber, the BEEF and cattle industry is their way of life. They currently reside on a small ranch just outside of Sidney, MT with their 4 children: Grady (10), Garrett (8), Landry (5) and Leddy (3) who love the cattle industry (and their horses) just as much as mom & dad. Growing up, Tim was very active in 4-H and Rodeo and...
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Juan M. Garcia, today repeated his appeal to livestock producers affected by natural disasters such as the drought in the West and the unexpected winter storm in the upper Midwest to keep thorough records. This includes livestock and feed losses, and any additional expenses that are a result of losses to purchased forage or feed stuff. “The 2014 Farm Bill provides a strong farm safety net to help ranchers during these difficult times,” said Garcia. “We’l...
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the expansion of the Farm Storage and Facility Loan program, which provides low-interest financing to producers. The enhanced program includes 22 new categories of eligible equipment for fruit and vegetable producers, and makes it easier for farmers and ranchers around the country to finance the equipment they need to grow and expand. This is part of a broader effort to help small and mid-sized farmers and ranchers, as announced today by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Producers with...
The Montana Stockgrowers Association’s Research & Education Endowment Foundation (REEF) is offering an Educational Heritage Scholarship in the amount of $1,000. This annual scholarship is awarded to a MSGA student member. “The Foundation’s continued support of college students is imperative for young ranchers like me to further our education goals. The scholarship I received has allowed me to feel financially secure in my junior year of college at Montana State University,” said Kelsey Haughian, 2013 award recipient from Miles City, MT. To...
Spring is approaching, and now is a good time to assess forage inventories and finalize plans for 2014 production. However, in addition to planning for growing-season forages, springtime thawing often contributes to additional waste in the feed yard. Much has been printed about using good management practices during the feeding process to help minimize waste, including spoilage when wet forages are exposed to air. Forages such as corn silage are an important ingredient for lactating dairy cows. Silages this time of the year have fermented for...
The Montana Department of Revenue encourages Montana property owners whose homes are damaged or destroyed by flooding to apply for natural disaster property tax relief. A property owner whose home or outbuildings are partially or totally destroyed by natural disaster, rendering the property unsuitable for its previous use, may be eligible for property tax relief. Businesses who lose their equipment to flooding or other natural disaster may also qualify. The tax relief is prorated based on the number of days in the tax year that the property is...
Montana Farmers Union (MFU) President Alan Merrill and 14 MFU members traveled to the National Farmers Union convention in Santa Fe, NM, which was held March 8-11, 2014. In addition to Merrill, the group included six delegates who helped shape the direction of the organization’s national public policy. Delegates included Brett Dailey, Jordan, MFU board representative; Calvin Lane, Molt, MFU board representative; Jay Buckley, Great Falls; Jacob Cowgill, Power; Kristie Rutledge, Big Sandy; and Maggie Shane, Great Falls, youth delegate. William D...
The future of ranching will be the focus of this year’s Montana Nutrition Conference and Livestock Forum in Bozeman. The conference will begin the afternoon of Tuesday, April 22, and run through the morning of Wednesday, April 23, at the GranTree Inn, 1325 N. 7th Avenue. Speakers will cover a wide variety of topics, including water quality and mineral supplementation, the importance of mycotoxins in Montana, treating low quality forages to improve feeding quality, applying genomic selection, estate planning, the October 2013 blizzard in South D...
