Sorted by date Results 1571 - 1595 of 2265
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced increased opportunity for producers as a result of the 2014 Farm Bill. A fact sheet outlining modifications to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Farm Loan Programs is available here. “Our nation’s farmers and ranchers are the engine of the rural economy. These improvements to our Farm Loan Programs will help a new generation begin farming and grow existing farm operations,” said Secretary Vilsack. “Today’s announcement represents just one part of a series of i...
Agriculture experts with Montana State University have released a short video about mixed species cover crops potentially replacing summer fallow, presenting MSU’s ongoing research. Producers are increasingly planting cover crops to improve soil quality, help manage weeds or pests and provide livestock forage. Replacing summer fallow with a cover crop can decrease saline seeps, nitrate leaching and erosion, while increasing soil organic matter and microbial activity. “Until recently, the focus of cover crop research has been on single spe...
North Dakota beef cow numbers increased for the second straight year, but U.S. numbers continued an eight-year decline. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the much-anticipated “Cattle” report on Jan. 31. The report documented numbers for all classes of cattle on U.S. farms and ranches as of Jan. 1. It was anxiously awaited because the July 2013 “Cattle” report was not issued by NASS due to budget reductions. The good news is that NASS has indicated it will reinstate the July 2014 “Cat...
Generally, facts do not change and the application of facts to life determines success. In other words, life is more than luck. One needs to plan, implement, evaluate and replan to stay in touch. That was the essence of the integrated resource management program that was very successful with the help of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the cooperative efforts of the land-grant universities across the U.S. The program focused on beef financial and production data collection and evaluation followed by appropriate managerial adjustmen...
USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Bruce Nelson reminds Montana farmers and ranchers that the sales closing deadline of March 17th for most non-insurable 2014 spring planted and forage crops, including grass for hay and grazing, is fast approaching. Application deadline for the 2014 Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) for all non-insurable crops except for honey and value loss crops is March 17, 2014. The 2014 sales closing dates have already ended for honey (Dec. 2, 2013) and value-loss crops (Sept. 2,...
You don't have to be a cowboy to shop here! Saddle Up, Inc., located in Watford City, ND. brings a fresh take on the classic style. Mark and Dori Sparby opened Saddle Up in Blackduck, MN in 2007. When their full time positions brought them to Watford City, they brought Saddle Up with them. In 2011 the Sparby's opened their clothing store on Main St., and in January of this year they moved in to a 2600 sq. ft. building located at 109 6th Ave. SE in Watford City. The larger building has allowed...
The Richland County 4-H Jr. Leaders are once again busy "Making the Best Better." The Jr. Leaders are senior 4-H members from across Richland County who have dedicated themselves to going above and beyond the club level to develop leadership skills, plan and implement 4-H events, promote the 4-H program and serve as role models for younger 4-H members. The most recent event that the Richland County Jr. Leaders planned and implemented was a community service event, which provided care packages...
Thanks to everyone who made calls, neither COOL nor the enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act were weakened in the 2014 Farm Bill! These are both important victories for U.S. independent producers. The COOL lawsuit in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals is ongoing. R-CALF USA will continue to defend COOL. We encourage everyone to buy Made in the U.S.A. products. As consumers, we’re voting with every dollar we spend. Checkoff In response to R-CALF USA’s request for an investigation, the USDA Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued an upd...
Montana State University Extension's Pesticide Education Program is offering a new MontGuide about pesticide performance and water quality. Poor water quality can significantly reduce the efficacy of many pesticide products. The MontGuide, “Pesticides and Water Quality,” explains why pesticide applicators should always test their water for turbidity, pH and hardness prior to using a pesticide mixture. Because pesticide mixtures are often composed of greater than 95 percent spray solution, a slight variation in water quality can have a significa...
Data is essential for finding the desired genetics when selecting bulls. Early discussions of animal breeding and selection always grouped producers into three types, which were the breeder, multiplier and commercial producer. Generally portrayed as a pyramid, the base represented the large group of commercial producers who are in the business of producing products for the consumer. These producers would obtain breeding stock from the second level within the pyramid. The second level...
Montana’s hail insurance program paid out record amounts in 2013. Due to the costs associated with the extensive crop damage, the hail board voted to not offer refunds to farmers this year. After issuing 2,082 polices last year, the Montana Department of Agriculture and the hail board covered 1,046 losses totaling more than $14 million from hail events. In the program’s 98 year history, Montana hail program experienced the worst loss on record. “The bottom-line is Montana had a bad hail year. With sound fiscal management and a strong reser...
Applications for the Richland County Conservation District Cost Share program will be accepted through March 7, 2014. The cost share program provides financial assistance for natural resource improvements within Richland County. The program is available to any private sector landowner on property in Richland County. Projects must be on the ground and follow the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) designs standards and specifications where applicable. Cost share assistance is 50% of the cost recommended on the NRCS cost list and is...
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...
USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Bruce Nelson announced a major policy change affecting crop eligibility for the 2014 Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) in some Montana counties. Today, the national FSA office approved Montana FSA’s request for an exemption in specific counties to allow the use of NAP coverage for nonirrigated corn intended for grain and silage (NAP practice of forage) beginning the 2014 crop year. Prior to January 2014, if catastrophic (CAT) risk protection level of crop insurance was a...
Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) is seeking a student intern for the summer of 2014. The internship will focus on involvement in the beef cattle community of Montana and will include work with MSGA Policy, Communications, and Marketing and Membership staff members. Students should be at least college Juniors, majoring in a field related to agriculture, and preferably have a background in (or working knowledge of) the cattle or beef industry. A more detailed description of the internship, application forms and required materials are...
North Dakota confirms its first case of the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus. Implementing strict biosecurity procedures is as important as ever, now that North Dakota has its first case of the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv), North Dakota State University Extension Service swine specialist David Newman says. The PEDv has killed more than 4 million U.S. pigs since it was discovered in the country in April 2013. The first North Dakota case was confirmed in a swine herd in the eastern part of the state this week. “For producers impacted b...
In recognition of National Agriculture Week (National Agriculture Day, March 25,2014), WIFE (Montana Women Involved in Farm Economics) invites Montana’s school children to express their ideas on farm life by participating in WIFE’s twenty-eighth statewide calendar art contest. Winning entries grades K through 8th will be awarded a cash prize at the 1st place ($30), 2nd place ($20), and 3rd place ($10), levels in each grades division. Two Honorable Mention places in each grade will be awarded certificates. Only 25 pictures are used on the calend...
Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project held its annual meeting Friday, February 14 at the Sidney Elks Lodge with a delicious lunch catered by Kountry Catering and skillful emceeing by LYIP Board of Control president Richard Cayko. Rod Stephens and Lonnie Schipman were thanked for their many years of dedicated service and congratulated on their retirement while operator Terry Jensen was recognized for 30 years of service to LYIP. Bud Groskinsky was presented a book of historical LYIP photos, some of which featured his father, upon his retirement...
Valley Irrigation has announced Agri Industries of Sidney, MT as a Valley Performance Plus Dealer at the company’s 2014 National Meeting. Agri Industries has earned this honor for excelling in the areas of Service, Aftermarket Support and Sales. The Valley Performance Program accredits dealerships that meet the highest standards across a variety of criteria. Evaluations are based on customer service ratings, goal achievements and core requirements in relation to dealership growth plans. Additional measure is considered to develop an overall eva...
According to the USDA, infected piglets less than 7 days old may have a mortality rate of about 50 percent. The mortality rate in suckling pigs may reach 50 to 80 percent, but then typically declines to 1 to 3 percent in larger pigs. Most older swine recover without treatment unless secondary infections occur. Test results have confirmed Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PED) at a swine production facility in Montana. “Add Montana to the list of states hit by the virus,” said state veterinarian Dr. Marty Zaluski after receiving laboratory con...
Forage crops provide substantial income to many Montana farmers. They are also an integral part of livestock production systems. Improvements in forage production through good soil fertility practices have the potential to increase income for farmers and ranchers. Montana State University Extension has recently published two bulletins, “Soil Nutrient Management for Forages: Nitrogen” and “Soil Nutrient Management for Forages: Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulfur, and Micronutrients.” These publications present soil nutrient management options for Mon...
While North Dakota has tremendous natural gas resources in the form of associated gas,the infrastructure to collect natural gas and move it is not fully developed, as evidenced by the continued flaring of gas. However, this is expected to change soon and in a big way. One of the activities I’m regularly involved with is siting new facilities. It’s fun to pull down a map, push pins, draw lines and evaluate communities against prioritized criteria. Among the most critical criterion for siting new biorefineries and other bio-based processing fac...
The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds producers in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming that the spring sales closing date is March 15. The spring sales closing and cancellation date applies to spring planted crops, and is also the deadline for producers to notify their agent if they have planted winter wheat in a county with only spring wheat coverage. There are also important changes for organic producers this year. The five percent surcharge for all acreage insured under organic farming practices has been removed and a...
Montana State University Extension will celebrate its centennial anniversary in 2014 with special events around the state and continuing local education programs. MSU Extension is a network of educators in all counties of the state and specialists on the MSU campus providing unbiased, research-based education programs and information to strengthen the social, economic and environmental well-being of Montana citizens. MSU Extension has been educating in Montana’s local communities for 100 years. It may show up as after-school or 4-H youth p...
Banquet held January 26, 2014 PeeWee Girls 2012-13 All Around Champion - Cassandra Schiffer 2012 – 13 All Around Runner up - Chalee Harms Poles 1. Chalee Harms, Miles City 2. Cassandra Schiffer, Rosebud 3. Harley Meged, Miles City 4. Rowan Ellingson, Sidney Goats 1. Cassandra Schiffer, Rosebud 2. Harley Meged, Miles City 3. Chalee Harms, Miles City 4. Draya Wacker, Melstone Flags 1. Harley Meged, Miles City 2. Chalee Harms, Miles City 3. Cassandra Schiffer, Rosebud 4. Rowan Ellingson, Sidney Barrels 1. Chalee Harms, Miles City 2. Draya W...
