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Montana State University’s College of Agriculture is seeking nominations for outstanding agricultural leaders to honor during its 2012 Celebrate Agriculture event Oct. 26-27. The college has recognized outstanding agricultural leaders each fall during Agriculture Appreciation Weekend. The name was changed this year to better encapsulate the events planned, said Jeff Jacobsen, dean of the College of Agriculture and director of the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station. “The weekend is all about sharing ideas and generating rel...
Agricultural scientists with Montana State University Extension are encouraging farmers to consider techniques that can increase wheat grain protein, which can be a financial boost to producers. In a recently published a bulletin entitled “Practices to Increase Wheat Grain Protein,” MSU Extension presents crop and fertilizer management practices that can increase grain protein without sacrificing yield. The bulletin came out of the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences and was co-authored by Clain Jones, an Extension soil fer...
Shirley Rolf noticed a spot above her eyebrow in 1996. “It was just after my father died of esophagus cancer. I found the spot above my eyebrow, and my mother urged me to go to the doctor,” says Rolf. The Miles City rancher grew up on a ranch, riding horses and doing ranch work, always without sunscreen or a hat. “I got it checked and it was skin cancer,” explains Rolf, a member of the Custer-Fallon County Farm Bureau. “I was referred to a doctor in Billings who did the surgery, and he said I had caught it early so it did no damage. Then I had...
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Joyce Swartzendruber reminds potential applicants to contact their local NRCS office soon to apply for the agency’s Organic Initiative. Applications for the final ranking period of 2012 are due at NRCS offices by close of business on June 1, 2012. “Part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Organic Initiative offers a wide array of conservation practices specifically designed for organic production,” Swartzendruber said. “Practices will help the selecte...
Sarah Jensen of Richey High School was recently presented the school’s highest agricultural honor, the DEKALB Agricultural Accomplishment Award, sponsored by Monsanto Company. Jensen, the daughter of Neil and Ellen Jensen, received the award for excellence in academics, leadership and agricultural work experience. Jensen’s significant experiences and accomplishments have included competing in Extemporaneous speaking at State and placing 3rd as a junior and 2nd as a senior. Sarah gained confidence by participating in State Talent, and she won...
3 year contract includes wage and pension increases, health care changes On April 18, 2012, members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Union Local 285G (BCTGM) voted to ratify a contract with Sidney Sugars Incorporated (SSI), a beet sugar processing company located in Sidney, MT. The terms of the three-year labor agreement include wage increases of 4% in year one, 3% in year two and 3% in year three. The contract also includes an increase in employee pensions and a change in health care coverage that moves union...
On February 27, 2012, Desiree Miller joined Sidney Sugars Incorporated as a Maintenance Planner. In this position, she will be responsible for acting as the local Plant Maintenance power user and planner ensuring the integrity of the data by conducting daily audits, correcting maintenance cost accounting, and generating management reports along with administering the equipment database and training end users. Desiree graduated from Northwest College with an Associate’s degree in Photographic C...
The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) is seeking nominations of Montana ranches for the Montana Environmental Stewardship Award. Each year, the Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) honors a Montana ranch that exemplifies environmental stewardship and demonstrates a commitment toward improved sustainability within the beef industry. This award recognizes Montana ranchers who are at the forefront in conservation and stewardship and are willing to serve as examples for other ranchers. “Montana ranchers take great pride in caring for t...
On April 10, the Watford City FFA Chapter held their 53rd annual banquet. Chapter officers presented the opening ceremonies. Nearly 200 parents, members and guests were in attendance. Ryan Taylor was the special guest speaker this year. He spoke about how his FFA experience as chapter president in Towner, ND, led him to serve in the state senate and now run for governor. Cody Folden, Northwest Region vice president, brought greetings from the State FFA Officer Team. Taylor Dwyer, Sam Jorgenson...
Rob Breuer, a native of the area, has recently taken over as the relationship manager at Northwest Farm Credit Services, Sidney. Breuer has worked at the Richland Federal Credit Union, Sidney, and American State Bank, Williston. He lives in Nohly near his parents’ and grandmother’s homes on the family ranch. For more information call Rob at 406-433-3920 or visit him at 123 N. Central Ave. in Sidney....
The Lambert Hi-Liters held their seventh meeting of the 4-H year on April 1, 2012 at 2:00 pm at the Fox Lake Senior Center in Lambert. In old business we discussed basketball court service project; fruit orders; speech and demonstration day, and had a Rec lab report In new business we talked about: 1. Julie Snediger leaving 2. mowing schedule Our next meeting is May 6, 2012 at 2:00 pm at Fox Lake Senior Center....
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Bruce Nelson today announced that the sign-up deadline for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) has been extended to April 13, 2012. “Due to strong interest in CRP, the decision was made to extend CRP sign-up 43 for an additional week. I encourage all eligible farmers and ranchers to take advantage of this opportunity to participate in CRP,” said Nelson. “Whether new enrollees or re-enrolling existing CRP contracts, producers who sign up for CRP help to conse...
Wheat stem sawfly has been on the rise in recent years and USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists in Sidney are looking at a variety of factors to keep the pest in check. In particular, Sidney researchers and their collaborators in Montana and North Dakota have been looking at numerous solid stem lines to determine their resistance to wheat stem sawfly but also their impact on native wasp parasitoids that attack and kill the pest. They want to know if varieties currently exist, or can be developed, that aid both efforts. They also...
Valmont Irrigation has announced Agri Industries, Sidney, as a Valley Performance Plus Dealer at the company’s 2012 National Meeting. Agri Industries has earned this honor for excelling in the areas of Sales, Service, and Aftermarket Parts. The Performance Plus Program, now in its ninth year, focuses on the recognition of dealers as they continue to meet the ever-increasing and ever-changing agricultural environment. “Receiving the Performance Plus Dealer achievement represents a significant dedication to Valley products, sales, and most imp...
On March 9, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announced regional pulse crop loan rates for the 2012 crop. Pulse crops include dry peas, lentils, small chickpeas and large chickpeas. Regional loan rates are established for dry peas, lentils and large chickpeas, but not for small chickpeas. Due to limited market price information from which to establish a 2012 regional loan rate for large chickpeas, the statutory loan rate will again be applicable in all states and counties. The West region includes Alaska, A...
There will be a High Tunnel Field Day in Glendive on March 29 at the Eastern Plains Event Center (EPEC), 313 South Merrill Ave., from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Local foods lunch will be provided. Registration by March 26 is free. After March 26, the cost will be $10. The day will begin with a video recording by Eliot Coleman, author of “The Four Season Harvest” and “The Winter Harvest Handbook” followed by lunch. The afternoon will include discussions on soil health, season-extending production techniques, and the use of tubing benders, among other t...
Agriculture/FFA students take time to witness, experience and participate in this pick-up site at Reynolds’ Market in Sidney. It is reported that the compactor truck is a welcome addition to ROI’s fleet and service to Richland County for recycling of cardboard products. The FFA encourages the community and businesses to join the efforts of ROI and assist financially and in participation in the recycling movement. Marianne Gartner applies the finishing touches on the truck. This project and add...
Big Muddy District concluded activities for the year with Leadership Career Development Events. Lambert FFA hosted the day event. Emily Schaff, Sidney FFA Chapter, participated in Prepared Public Speaking and Extemporaneous Public Speaking. This sophomore student produced an outstanding day of events by winning first place honors in both speaking events. She now moves on to State FFA Convention to represent BMD and Sidney FFA Chapter in both events. The State FFA Convention is March 28-31 in...
USDA’s FSA will conduct a four-week Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general signup, beginning on March 12 and ending on April 6. For more information, contact the FSA county office. FSA’s Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) was designed to provide financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops when low yields or prevented planting occurs as the result of natural disasters. Application deadlines for 2012 NAP coverage in Montana is March 15. For more info on NAP or other FSA programs, contact your local FSA off...
On Feb. 17 the senior 4-H Judging Team traveled to Dickinson, ND to compete in the Dickinson State Roughrider Judging Contest. The team won 3rd place with Jared Rosaaen winning 6th place, Rachael Oliver was 10th, Nettie Johnson placed 21st and Christian Prevost placed 23rd. Great job to our area livestock judgers. The judging team members would also like to thank all the parents and volunteers. The Richland County Extension Office and the 4-H judging teams would also like to say thank you to...
Northern Crops Institute (NCI) announces the Pasta Production and Technology Short Course will be April 10-12 at Northern Crops Institute, Fargo. This short course introduces pasta manufacturers to the fundamental and applied aspects of manufacturing extruded and sheeted pasta products. Raw material quality criteria, specifications and processing variables and their impact on final pasta product quality are presented in detail. Participants will have an opportunity to do actual hands-on pilot-scale pasta processing, followed by a cooking...
Russian olive, a popular shelterbelt tree in this region due to its hardiness, also has a darker side. At the USDA-ARS Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory near Miles City, Russian olive has escaped the confines of the shelterbelt and has now invaded thousands of acres of rangeland and riverbank, crowding out native plants and limiting river access with its painful barbs. As a result, its removal has become the focus of a new multi-agency study looking at not only what methods are most effective in getting rid of the tree where...
The re-scheduled Keith Steinbeisser Memorial Livestock Judging contest will be March 3. The contest will be at Gartner–Denowh Angus, north of Sidney. Registration will start at 8 a.m. and the contest will start at 9 a.m. There are excellent prizes (buckles) for each division including an adult division. Lunch will also be for sale. If there are any questions, please contact the Richland County Extension Office, 433-1206....
World record sugarbeet grower, Ben Abatti, Jr., Baja Farms, was honored at the California Beet Growers annual meeting for setting a new yield record using a Betaseed, Inc. variety. Baja Farms planted Betaseed’s 4521R sugarbeet variety in a 70-acre field that averaged 78.71 tons per acre, with 15.89% sugar content. Overall, Abatti’s crop produced 25,014 lbs.of sugar per acre, breaking the old record by 500 lbs. Knowing the land and matching it to a variety that works, is key in growing a top cro...
The Richland County Extension office will be offering the Master Gardener classes to anyone interested in learning more about the basics of gardening. The classes will begin March 1 and will be held every Thursday through April 19 from 6-8 p.m. at the Extension office. Cost for the class is $100 and covers the price of the Master Gardener manual, handouts and refreshments. However, upon completion of the requirements to become certified Master Gardener volunteers, participants will be refunded half of the registration fee. The class is open to...
