Agriculture

Spring is in the air

When I get a phone call from Hubby and the conversation starts with “What are you doing?” it really means “Can you drop everything you are doing, I need something.” That something could be anything from watching grandkids while the guys get an outside job done and mom is at work, to picking up parts and running them out to the ranch, to bringing a hungry man food.

Conservation stewardship program signup is underway

Farmers and ranchers interested in enrolling in the Conservation Stewardship Program have until May 10 to submit paperwork.

Producers reminded to get coverage through Montana’s Hail Insurance program

The Montana Department of Agriculture is reminding producers to get covered through the State Hail Insurance Program. Montana producers can conveniently access and fill out applications for state hail insurance online by visiting the program’s website.

Producers can insure crops against hail damage at the maximum coverage rate of $75 per acre for dryland and $114 per acre for irrigated land. Rates charged are a percentage of the insured amount and vary by county. A detailed list of rates by county and crop can be found here.

Fieldwork underway, thanks to warmer weather

After a slow start to spring, warmer weather and scattered rain allowed for some fieldwork to get underway in Montana, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Topsoil moisture conditions for the state were 92 percent adequate to surplus, above last year’s 88 percent. However, Lake County reported fields are still too wet to plant in some areas, but are beginning to dry out after the snow melt.

Subsoil moisture conditions are 87 percent adequate to surplus, which is above last year’s 74 percent.

Winifred senior earns $1,000 ag scholarship

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Anna Slivka of Winifred has earned $1,000 toward her freshman year college costs from the Farm Kids for College Scholarship of National Farmers, Ames, Iowa. The scholarship program is for agricultural majors.

A senior at Winifred High School, Slivka intends to attend Montana State University to major in agricultural communications.

“Anna’s communications skills are exemplary,” said Cheryl Udelhoven, Slivka’s business teacher and BPA adviser.

Farmers Union reps concerned about train freight rates

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Chris Christiaens of Montana Farmers Union and the presidents of the North South Dakota Farmers Unions met last week with the Surface Transportation Board in Washington, D.C., to discuss increase

Women in ag encouraged to participate in national survey

The American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Program has launched a Women in Ag online survey that aims to gauge the goals, aspirations, achievements and needs of women who hold various

MDA announces Noxious Weed Trust Fund grant recipients

The Montana Department of Agriculture and Noxious Weed Management Advisory Council has awarded over $1.79 million for the development and implementation of noxious weed management programs across Montana. The grants,

Farm income drops and farmers get older

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The statistics from the 2017 Census of Agriculture, the most recent poll of agriculture in the U.S., were released last week. The results show some interesting trends in farming. But

Governor temporarily lifts hours of service regulations

With a compressed spring planting schedule and an increased fertilizer delivery demand facing farmers across Montana, Governor Bullock signed an executive order, April 8, temporarily exempting certain carriers from hours

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