Agriculture

Food and agriculture listed as essential critical infrastructure

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On March 16, the President issued updated Coronavirus Guidance for America. This guidance states that:

Applications available, NILE Merit Heifer program

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The opportunity for kids to get started in the cattle industry is knocking, and loudly. Applications for the NILE Merit Heifer program are now available for the 2020-2021 year.

USDA Service Centers encourage phone calls

U.S. Department of Agriculture service centers are encouraging visitors to take proactive protective measures to help prevent the spread of new coronavirus. All service center visitors wishing to conduct business with the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service or any other service center agency should call service centers and make appointments before visiting.

Farm Bureau highlights immediate challenges facing the agriculture sector

American Farm Bureau has released its first assessment of the impact on farmers and ranchers in the wake of the national mitigation efforts to combat COVID-19.

Temporary hours of service exemption for livestock haulers

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Due to the COVID-19 emergency relief effort, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has exempted livestock haulers from compliance with federal Hours of Service rules that limit drive time until at least April 12. Drivers wishing to haul under this exemption are suggested to print out and keep in their cab a copy of the Expanded Emergency Declaration, https://westernskiesstrategies.us9.list-manage. com/track/click?u=c35966bef9b816acff772766f&id=07ce67d6 41&e=b3efbf0050. The Expanded Emergency Declaration provides relief to

Giving back

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The Lewistown Elks applied for a gratitude grant from the National Elks organization and received $2,500 which was donated to Fergus/Petroleum County 4-H. Shown are Wayne Little, Matt Martin, Angie Wright, Keithon Walter, Jennifer Saunders (representing 4H), Kris Gapay, Wade Stein and Chad Rogers. 

Agricultural Conservation Easement applications due by April 17

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Montana is accepting applications for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. While NRCS accepts easement applications on a continuous basis, applications for the next funding consideration must be submitted by April 17.

“Easements are sometimes a perfect fit for a landowner who is looking to protect his or her land from future development or to protect and improve wetlands or provide critical habitat for wildlife,” said Allen Persinger, NRCS assistant state conservationist for easement programs in Montana.

Clark selected as MDOA Deputy Director

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The Montana Department of Agriculture is pleased to announce Christy Clark has accepted the Deputy Director position. Christy has served at the department since 2015, most recently as the Agricultural Sciences Administrator, and formerly as the Agricultural Development and Marketing Bureau Chief.

“Christy has a deep connection to agriculture and her work across the agency makes her the right person to help lead the department,” said Director Ben Thomas. “I’m thrilled to serve Montana’s producers and the larger ag industry alongside someone with such expertise and passion.”

BLM releases statement concerning the Lewistown Field Office

The Proposed Resource Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Lewistown Field Office and portions of the Butte Field Office is now available. A Notice of Availability announcing its release was published in the Federal Register on February 14, 2020.

USDA to gather data about on-farm labor

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will conduct its biannual Agricultural Labor Survey during the second half of April. The survey will collect information about hired labor from more than 3500 farmers and ranchers in the Mountain Region states of Arizona, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

Poll

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