August 2021

Farmers are ‘worse off’ National Farmers Union Larew tells Senate Judiciary Committee

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Family farmers and ranchers have suffered fewer choices, less innovation, lower prices and poorer treatment due to “domination and market manipulation of multinational meat companies,” National Farmers Union President Rob Larew told the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.

In verbal testimony presented during a hearing titled “Beefing Up Competition: Examining America’s Food Supply Chain,” Larew discussed the extent of corporate consolidation in the livestock industry and its ramifications for food producers.

USDA will begin issuing new market reports following USCA Request for Greater Transparency

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that beginning Monday, Aug. 9, it will issue two new Market News reports based on Livestock Mandatory Reporting data. The news follows a letter the United States Cattlemen’s Association sent to USDA on July 13, requesting the publication of additional data collected under the LMR program that would provide important insights into the cattle marketplace.

Specifically, these two new reports will include the following information:

Anticipated livestock export delays threaten family ranches

This week Governor Greg Gianforte urged Secretary Tom Vilsack of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to resolve anticipated delays in the approval of export certificates for Montana livestock.

FWP seeks public comment on emergency haying/grazing leases on WMAs

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking public comment on a proposal to establish emergency haying and grazing leases on portions of 14 Wildlife Management Areas in the state.

The purpose of these late summer/ fall 2021 leases is to improve wildlife habitat while making forage available for area agricultural producers. This proposal is in support of Gov. Gianforte’s July 1 statewide drought emergency declaration and is a collaborative effort between FWP and the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

Miles City rancher, author John L. Moore reminisces on drought

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For those whose ranching days in Eastern Montana trace back to before 1988, this year’s drought might be giving them deja vu.

John L. Moore, Miles City’s own cattle rancher and writer, shared a vivid account depicting the life of eastern Montana ranchers during the severe drought of 1988 in a couple of articles he wrote that received national recognition.

Our public lands are intended to serve a broader purpose

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The Bureau of Land Management did the right thing by advancing a longstanding request by American Prairie Reserve to allow bison to restore the health of 70,000 acres of public lands in Central Montana.

If you favor restoring the health of Montana’s lands and native wildlife, then I encourage you to support the BLM’s Alternative B.

Montana needs more inspected plants or the rules changed

Montana Cattlemen’s Association has a foundation (Montana Cattlemen’s Foundation), which is the parent company of “Beef on Every Plate.” This program was organized about 10 years ago to help feed the needy of Montana. Ranchers donate cows, etc. to the “Beef on Every Plate” program and the foundation pays the processing and donates the hamburger packages to food banks and other non-profit organizations that distribute food around Montana.

Willing workers are right at the border

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For more than a year, our country longed for the economy to restart. But now that businesses are once again open, employers find themselves wondering where all the workers have gone.

In my town of Durango, Colorado, labor shortages have deeply affected the entire community. One business owner is Juvenal Corona, originally from Mexico, who co-owns Nayarit, one of Durango’s most popular Mexican restaurants. Since Covid restrictions lifted in the spring, he’s been short-staffed and says he’s never worked harder in his 20 years in the restaurant business.

Farmers and ranchers will benefit from new Executive Order

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Farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers across the U.S. will benefit from a new Executive Order by President Biden to promote competition in the American economy.

Agriculture has become increasingly consolidated, with fewer and fewer corporations accumulating more and more control of production agriculture, from equipment to animals. This consolidation of corporate power threatens the people's livelihoods growing our food, undermining national food security. The first agriculture order provides direction for the USDA to issue new rules under the Packers and Stockyards Act.

Daines visits with Montana students from Grass Range High School

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Senator Steve Daines met with Montana students from Grass Range High School in Fergus County during their visit to the U.S. Capitol.

Daines spoke with the young Montanans about the importance of Montana agriculture and forest management as Montana continues to combat a terrible drought and wildfire season.

Daines added, “I had a great morning visiting with students from Grass Range High School. It always brightens up my day when I get the chance to meet with young Montanans and answer their questions about issues important to Montana.”