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While the arrival of new vaccines for COVID-19 should enable a return to in-person events, the sheer mechanics of their mass distribution mean that early 2021 events are still primarily virtual. That’s certainly true for the 4th Annual MonDak Agricultural Research Summit, typically held late in the year, but now moved online and converted to a webinar series, beginning Thursday, Jan. 14. Webinars will be held on Zoom every other Thursday, with one Tuesday thrown in, and all will run from 10-11:30 a.m. MT/11 a.m.-12:30 pm CT. According to organi...
While the arrival of new vaccines for COVID-19 should enable a return to in-person events, the sheer mechanics of their mass distribution mean that early 2021 events are still primarily virtual. That's certainly true for the 4th Annual MonDak Agricultural Research Summit, typically held late in the year, but now moved online and converted to a webinar series, beginning Thursday, Jan. 14. Webinars will be held on Zoom every other Thursday, with one Tuesday thrown in, and all will run from...
Helena, MT - The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) is reminding hemp growers and processors to submit their hemp checkoff payments before the end of the year. The Montana Hemp Advisory Committee will decide how to allocate the checkoff funds for research, market development and education to develop and enhance Montana’s hemp industry. Montana hemp growers voted to approve the nation’s first hemp checkoff earlier this year. The checkoff was established at 1% of the value of the crop being sold at the first point of sale. Hemp growers can s...
Washington - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds farmers and ranchers to apply for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) by Dec. 11. This program provides direct relief to producers facing market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19. “With over 300 eligible commodities, from livestock and row crops to specialty crops and aquaculture, most farmers and ranchers are potentially eligible for CFAP 2,” said Richard Fordyce, Farm Service Agency administrator. “FSA offers sever...
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...
Fargo, ND - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is temporarily restricting in-person visits for USDA Service Centers in North Dakota because of elevated rates of coronavirus community spread, but USDA employees will continue to assist agricultural producers with programs and services. USDA is using a phased, data-driven approach to determine which Service Centers are open for in-person appointments. Fieldwork, including conservation planning assistance, will continue with appropriate social distancing. “While many of our Service C...
Ali Merritt, Sidney High School seniorand member of the Montana JR Registered Red Angus Association, was awarded Overall Grand Champion Red Angus Bull with her March born bull calf and Overall Reserve Champion Red Angus Bull with her yearling bull at Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE). Merritt explained that the exposition was held virtually this year, so contestants participated in a virtual show where pictures and videos of animals were submitted to be judged. This year, she represented her own cattle company, AJM Red Angus,...
This year, Cooper McNally, from Sidney earned high honors at Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE) and American Royal Livestock Show. At the virtual NILE, he showed two crossbred barrows: a calico and blue-butt barrow. These animals were awarded the titles of overall Grand Champion Barrow and Reserve Champion Barrow. “This show was done virtually this year, which made it more challenging, as we had to get a great video and then compete this way,” stated McNally At the American Royal Livestock Show, He showed two market bar...
Bryce Jorgensen: Bryce Jorgensen, Savage, averaged 29 tons per acre and 20.09% sugar. "I was very pleased that I made it in the 20/20 club. Sugar beet farming is a risky business and profit margins are getting tighter every year so there is more pressure to grow a good crop these days," stated Jorgensen. To qualify for this exclusive club, a sugar beet producer must average over 20 tons per acre and 20% sugar for the entire crop. "This is an elite group of growers," added Duane Peters,...
Bozeman — The 2020 Montana and Wyoming Malt Barley and Sugar Beet Symposium has been canceled due to COVID concerns. In its place, educational webinars will be offered at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, and Thursday, Jan. 14. The webinars are hosted by the Mountain States Crop Education Association, or MSCEA, which comprises agriculture industry representatives as well as Montana State University Extension faculty members. The webinar presentations on Jan. 13 will focus on malt barley topics. Howard Neibling, University of Idaho Extension water m...
Washington – The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday unanimously passed a measure from Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-MT) to ensure the Sidney and Kinsey Irrigation Districts continue receiving affordable power that enables irrigation. “This critical legislation ensures many family farms in eastern Montana have access to reliable irrigation, and I look forward to President Trump signing it into law,” Gianforte said. “Agriculture is Montana’s top industry, and I’ll continue working hard to protect it.” “This is about protecting Mont...
MonDak area sugar beet receiving stations have been receiving truckloads of sugar beets since the end of September. The Sugar Valley site kicked off sugar beet pre-pile on Monday, Sept. 21. Followed by the Sidney factory yard, which began on Wednesday, Sept. 23, and the Savage site, Friday, Sept. 25; Culbertson and Pleasant View started pre-pile on Monday, Sept. 28. As of Tuesday, Sept. 29, Duane Peters, Sidney Sugars Incorporated Agriculture Manager, estimated harvest to be "roughly 10%...
The Oliver County 4-H range judging team placed first in the senior division of the North Dakota 4-H and FFA range judging contest at Center. Team members are Breanna Hosman, Hebron; Olivia Klein, Max, and Reanna Schmidt, Katie Frank, Breanna Vosberg and Rylee Hintz, Center. Hosman received the Head of the Herd Award as the top-scoring individual in the 4-H division. The Oliver County team is coached by Rick Schmidt. The team will represent North Dakota at the National Invitational 4-H Range...
Helena, MT – The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) is currently recruiting for open positions on its Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage Advisory Council. The following council terms are currently vacant: • Certified Weed Seed Free Forage Producer (Eastern Region) • Certified Weed Seed Free Forage Producer (Any Region) • Outfitter’s or Guide’s Organization • Certified Weed Seed Free Forage Producer (Central Region) • Western County Weed District Representative • Eastern County Weed District Representative • Forage Product Processor Members o...
Richland County 4-H and Reynolds Market are excited for the 2020 Community Hay Bale Contest! Why, you ask? It's fun, entertaining for all, pulls the community together and best of all "IT'S SAFE." Join the community challenge; sign up your club, organization, business or family to decorate a hay bale display. Hay Bale Decorating Schedule Signup Deadline: Wednesday, Sept. 23 - Facebook Private Message Marci Lynn Sondeno, Amy Conlin or Reynolds Market, Sidney, to signup or for questions. If messag...
Bozeman - Montana State University Extension, in conjunction with Oregon State University, will offer a new agriculture business development course on direct marketing meat. The Western Meat School, Montana Edition, is an online or hybrid learning experience for farmers, ranchers, butchers and others. The six-week course will meet on Wednesday evenings beginning Nov. 4. It will cover key topics in production, processing and marketing to produce high-quality meat and then sell it to diverse market channels. It is not a processing or butchering...
Bozeman - Celebrate Agriculture, an annual weekend-long event held each year by Montana State University’s College of Agriculture, has been scheduled to take place virtually Friday, Nov. 13, and Saturday, Nov. 14. The weekend, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2019, will include many of the same elements as an in-person event, as well as some new virtual programming. Scholarship winners and donors will be honored, as will past recipients of the college’s Outstanding Agricultural Leader award, which has recognized more than 80 people sinc...
Helena, MT – The Montana Oilseed Advisory Committee will hold a virtual listening session on Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 10 a.m. The listening session gives growers and stakeholders the opportunity to provide input regarding a proposed referendum, including the amount of the proposed assessment and method of collection. The committee is proposing a 1% assessment on the following oilseed crops: mustard, soybeans, safflower, sunflower, flax and canola. Assessment funds will be used for research, market development, and education. Following the l...
Bozeman - U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is standing up a new team that will lead a department-wide effort focused on serving beginning farmers and ranchers. To institutionalize support for beginning farmers and ranchers and to build upon prior agency work, the 2018 Farm Bill directed USDA to create a national coordinator position in the agency and state-level coordinators for four of its agencies – Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Risk Management Agency (RMA), and Rural Development (RD). Faith H...
Washington - USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that organic producers and handlers can apply for federal funds to assist with the cost of receiving and maintaining organic certification through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP). Applications for eligible certification expenses paid between Oct. 1, 2019, and Sept. 30, 2020, are due Oct. 31, 2020. “For producers producing food with organic certification, this program helps cover a portion of those certification costs,” FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce said. “Cont...
Washington, DC - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that additional commodities are covered by the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) in response to public comments and data. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the deadline to apply for the program to Sept. 11, and producers with approved applications will receive their final payment. After reviewing over 1,700 responses, even more farmers and ranchers will have the opportunity for assistance to help keep operations afloat during these...
MONTANA – Governor Steve Bullock has announced nearly $100,000 has been awarded to 12 applicants through the Montana Farmer Student Loan Assistance Program, which was created to encourage Montana’s college-educated youth to pursue a primary career in farming or ranching. The program also seeks to reduce financial stress on farm and ranch operators and promote succession planning to preserve interest in the state’s agricultural future. “With the average age of producers in Montana at nearly 60 years old, it’s critical we invest in young fol...
Richland County 4-H program held their livestock judging and virtual sale last week at the Richland County Fairgrounds and Sidney Livestock Market....
Fargo, ND – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is standing up a new team that will lead a department-wide effort focused on serving beginning farmers and ranchers. To institutionalize support for beginning farmers and ranchers and to build upon prior agency work, the 2018 Farm Bill directed USDA to create a national coordinator position in the agency and state-level coordinators for four of its agencies – Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Risk Management Agency (RMA), and Rural Development (RD...
