On Dec. 3-5, Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) will celebrate 131 years of serving the state’s ranchers with their Annual Convention and Trade Show. This year’s meetings move to Rimrock Auto Arena, MetraPark, Billings, with a larger trade show, more educational workshops, policy meetings, over $100,000 in prizes and 2 nights of live music.
“Montana’s ranchers have had a busy year following work during the legislative session and changes in a dynamic cattle industry,” says MSGA President Gene Curry, Valier. “Our 2015 Annual Convention will feature a large number of discussions and speakers on topics impacting our ranchers today.”
Navy SEAL and Butte native, Robert O’Neill, will be the featured speaker during Friday’s Northern Ag Network Lunch. O’Neill, one of the most highly decorated combat veterans of our time, will share a riveting and inspiring message drawn on more than 400 combat missions overseas.
Ranchers will learn more about our global food chain and protein needs around the world as Grady Bishop, Elanco Animal Health, highlights Opening General Session on Friday morning. Bishop, Elanco North American Market Access senior director, brings a deep appreciation for the roles technology and modern agriculture play in feeding the world. His presentation will help ranchers gain insight from his exposure first-hand to a broad spectrum of food insecurity.
A broad range of educational workshops will be offered during the Stockgrowers College. Speakers will touch on topics of vaccination programs, calf health and nutrition, weaned calf management, antibiotic use and Veterinary Feed Directives, risk management and estate planning.
Each night of the annual convention will feature viewing of the NFR on the big screens. Thursday night will include the first ever NFR Calcutta at MSGA Annual Convention, benefiting the Stockgrowers’ Research & Education Endowment Foundation. Friday night will feature live music from Exit 53 and Saturday night will feature entertainment from Crazy Mountain Express.
Saturday night’s Grand Finale Banquet will be highlighted by the annual live auction for Cattle Directory Priority Page advertisements. Over $100,000 in prizes will be awarded including a Ford F-350 Super Duty pickup, John Deere Gator, Massey Ferguson tractor lease and a trip to San Diego, CA for the 2016 Cattle Industry Convention.
Policy meetings will take place on Thursday and Friday of the annual convention. Guest speakers will address a number of topics affecting Montana’s ranching communities during the past year and in months to come. A Trade Show with over 100 booth spaces will be open the public each day; Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 1-9 p.m.
A full meeting agenda hotel information, details of policy meeting discussions and Stockgrowers College workshops is available on the MSGA website at mtbeef.org. Online and discounted registration closes Monday, Nov, 23. Insight registration will be available. For more information, contact the Montana Stockgrowers Association at 406-442-3420.
Reader Comments(0)