The 2013 Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) Mid-Year Meeting, held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Missoula, June 7-8, drew approximately 175 participants from across the state for policy meetings and MSGA’s Annual Ranch Tour.
“We had an enjoyable Mid-Year Meeting in Missoula,” said Tucker Hughes, MSGA President. “Meeting new folks from Western Montana and touring the Bitterroot Valley was an enjoyable experience for all.”
Here are some of the highlights from the 2013 MSGA Mid-Year Meeting:
Opening General Session speakers were Monica Lindeen, Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, Montana State Auditor, who spoke about their role in state government and Dr. John Paterson, executive director of producer education for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, who discussed marketing beef to a new generation of consumers.
The 2013 MSGA Ranch Tour began at the Missoula Smokejumper Center where attendees had the opportunity to see how the Forest Service trains smokejumpers, as well as how they work to protect land and structures from dangerous fires. MSGA then traveled to the PEAS Farm which serves the local community, providing low-cost vegetables and fruit for low income individuals. The farm is also a community service outlet for troubled youth. The farm gave attendees a unique look into small scale, urban agriculture. Finally, the tour traveled to the picturesque Bitterroot Valley and local ranches, Sutherlin Farms and Mytty Angus.
Following the Ranch Tour, a delicious dinner was served at Lolo Peak Arena prepared by the Sutherlin family of Sutherlin Farms. Attendees were entertained by ranch humor and singing by Take Two Productions. MSGA’s Research, Education and Endowment Foundation (REEF) awarded Kelsey Haughian of Kinsey the 2013 MSGA Educational Heritage Scholarship and the “World Famous Stick Horse Race” fund-raiser.
One interim policy was passed through the policy process by the Cattle Health, Brands and Theft Committee recommending that the MSGA board develop and submit comments to the Texas Animal Health Commission relative to their proposed brucellosis testing requirements for Montana, Wyoming and Idaho which would require a post-entry test for all breeding cattle and a post-calving test for heifers. MSGA is concerned about the precedent this could set for other states to restrict trade of Montana cattle.
The keynote speaker at the Young Stockgrowers “Advocating for Ag” lunch was Captain Peter Shinn, Iowa National Guard. Captain Shinn discussed his work in Afghanistan, building communities up with agriculture. He discussed the needs of the Afghan people and how special teams composed of Ag-savvy National Guardsmen and women worked to help the affected communities, teaching the people farming techniques. Captain Shinn said, “It’s hard to have a national security without food security,” and regarded the United States as the most successful pioneer of Agriculture.
MSGA members learned about updates to Facebook and how to use Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram at the Digital Café. Attendees also learned what a “meme” is and developed their own.
Mid-Year photos can be seen on MSGA’s Facebook page.
Plans are already underway for MSGA’s Annual Convention and Trade Show which will be held December 12-14 in Billings at the Holiday Inn Grand Montana.
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