Agriculture

Stevenson Diamond Dot ranked third in Montana Angus Registrations for 2021

Stevenson Diamond Dot of Hobson, operated by Clint and Adana Stevenson, ranked as third largest in registering the most Angus beef cattle in Montana with the American Angus Association during fiscal year 2021, which ended Sept. 30, according to the press release from the American Angus Association.

NASS conducts its first hemp acreage and production survey

On Oct. 18, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service sent its first Hemp Acreage and Production Survey to 2,000 Arizona, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming producers. The hemp survey will collect information on the total planted and harvested area, yield, production, and value of hemp in the United States.

Bovine tuberculosis infected herd in Blaine County confirmed

Bovine tuberculosis has been confirmed in a Montana beef herd for the first time in decades. The Montana Department of Livestock confirmed TB in a Blaine County herd following detection of the disease in a cow at slaughter. The infected cow was identified by meat inspectors during routine inspection at a Minnesota plant. Identification collected from the infected cow at the time of slaughter linked the animal to a Blaine County beef herd and subsequent herd testing revealed additional TB infected animals. The herd has been placed under quarantine.

Most sheep, lambs off pasture due to dry conditions

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Cooler temperatures and scattered snowstorms were prevalent across Montana last week, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 100% of the state is under severe to exceptional drought conditions and 22% of the state is currently under exceptional drought conditions, both unchanged from last week.

2022 winter wheat crop made noteworthy progress last week

Dry conditions and minimal moisture continued across Montana last week, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 100% of the state is under severe to exceptional drought conditions, equal to last week. Twenty-two percent of the state is currently under exceptional drought conditions, also equal to last week.

Montana crop production down in most sectors

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Based on Oct. 1 conditions, canola production in Montana is forecast at 158.40 million pounds, down 34% from the 2020 crop, according to the Oct. 1 Agricultural Yield Survey conducted by the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

USDA offers online tool for drought-stricken ranchers

An online tool is now available to help ranchers document and estimate payments to cover feed transportation costs caused by drought, which are now covered by the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised Fish Program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture updated the program this year to include feed transportation costs as well as lowered the threshold for when assistance for water hauling expenses is available. USDA’s Farm Service Agency will begin taking applications this fall.

Another Acronym?

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It seems that anymore there are acronyms for everything. They show up in our everyday conversations -FYI and BRB – and in our everyday activities – ATM and BLT. So, I apologize in advance for adding another acronym or two to your vocabulary but let me introduce you to … FADC and SMDC.

The FADC, which stands for Food and Agriculture Development Center, is the newest addition to the numerous services offered at Snowy Mountain Development Corporation. This grant-funded center is an ideal addition to serve the agriculture strong communities and businesses of Central Montana.

Calves being shipped at lower than average weaning weights, lack of forage

Dry conditions and minimal moisture continued across Montana during the past week, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 100% of the state is under severe to exceptional drought conditions, up 1 percentage point from last week. Twenty-two percent of the state is currently under exceptional drought conditions, up percentage points from last week.

Central Montana youth compete at the State 4-H Horse Show

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Central Montana was well represented at the State 4-H Horse Show held Sept. 24-26 at the Cottonwood Equine Center near Joliet. Seventy-four youth from counties across the state were at the show with over 100 horses competing.