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Members attend national issues advisory meetings
Montana Farm Bureau members traveled to Washington, D.C. February 12-13, 2025, to participate in the American Farm Bureau Issues Advisory Committee meetings. State Farm Bureau members are appointed to committees to discuss agricultural issues of concern and surface ideas to be presented to their county Farm Bureaus. MFBF members this year included Greg Gabel—Technology, Jess Bandel—Market Structures, and Gary Heibertshausen—Federal Lands. Leading the group was MFBF Senior Director of Governmental Affairs Nicole Rolf.
“Agriculture is diverse across our massive country. Even within certain issues, farmers and ranchers might have differing viewpoints,” said Rolf. “It’s essential that we have a Montana voice at the table during these discussions so they can share our unique perspective with peers
from other parts of the U.S., and also learn from them.”
Rolf led the members to meet with Senator Tim Sheehy and with the staff of Senator Steve Daines, Representative Ryan Zinke and Representative Troy Downing.
The group visited about MFBF’s priorities for the upcoming Congress which included renewing and making permanent expiring provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act such as the increased estate tax exemption and 199A, the passage of a five-year farm bill with a focus on important programmatic areas, trade, and regulatory reform.
“When we travel across the country for meetings with AFBF, you can bet we are also going to make plenty of Hill visits,” Rolf said.
Read more at mfbf.org/Media/News. March 2025
Scholarship time
The Montana Farm Bureau Foundation and Women’s Leadership Committee are once again offering more than $7,000 in scholarships to students pursuing higher education. Educating youth is part of the MFBF Mission Statement: Montana Farm Bureau is a grassroots organization dedicated to preserving and improving the agriculture and natural resource industries through member involvement in education, political activities, programs and services.
Montana Farm Bureau Foundation is offering the $1500 Bernard Greufe Memorial Scholarship, the $1500 Future of Agriculture Honor Scholarship and the $1000 Collegiate YF&R Scholarship. The MFBF Women’s Leadership Committee is offering two $1500 scholarships.
All scholarships are due by midnight on April 1, 2025.
For more information on the rules and to apply visit mfbf.org/Foundation/Foundation-Scholarships.
Legislative Session
The Montana Legislative Session is well underway and MFBF has several ways to keep members informed. If you receive this News Brief, you should also be receiving the monthly Legislative Highlights.
If you have questions about the weekly Legislative E-Source, email sagez@mfbf.org. Also, don’t miss Live With Your Lobbyist on Facebook every Friday around noon.
Montana Farm Bureau members Greg Gabel, Jess Bandel and Gary Heibertshausen traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in the American Farm Bureau Issues Advisory Committee meetings.
March Madness
The Montana Wheat & Barley Committee is hosting their 2nd Annual March Madness March 24 in Bozeman. The MW&BC encourages producers to attend this “Shark Tank” event to hear about MW&BC-funded projects conducted by Masters and PhD students.
In this competition, students have five minutes to share their project’s progress including its potential impact for producers and the grain industry.
RSVP at montanawbc.com/marchmadness-2025/
Pesticide Disposal
The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) is facilitating spring pesticide disposal events April 1 – 3, 2025, in Kalispell, Plains and Drummond. Summer disposal events are set for June 30 – July 2, 2025, in Polson, Hamilton and Butte. These additional pesticide disposal events were made possible through the Montana Pesticide Stewardship Partnership Program (MT PSPP).
The pre-registration deadline for the spring event is Tuesday, March 25, 2025, and the pre-registration deadline for the summer event is Monday, June 23, 2025. Visit the Montana Waste Pesticide Disposal Program page at agr.mt.gov to register. For more information, visit agr. mt.gov/Pesticide-Waste-Disposal-Program or contact Carli Davis at 406-4650531.
Disease plan
The Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) has been awarded a grant through the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP) to develop a statewide Communication/Response Plan for a foreign animal disease outbreak. The development of the plan will include MDOL holding interactive discussions across the state from March through August with numerous organizations/stakeholders. Contact Dr. Brenee Peterson at brenee.peterson@mt.gov or call 406-5589312 for more information.
STATE NEWS
Ag in Color Winners Announced
The Montana Farm Bureau Federation announced the winners of the Montana Youth Agriculture Literacy program drawing contest. “Montana Ag in Color” was developed in recognition of National Ag Week, March 18-24, as a creative competition for elementary school children. Each grade was given a different agricultural theme ranging from “Grains of Montana” and “Cattle in Montana” to noxious weeds, farm safety and ag-related careers.
Kindergarten- Kinsley Weyrauch, Saco Elementary School; Teacher: Nicol Mavencamp
First Grade- Claire Brence, Ekalaka Elementary School; Teacher: Mardee Guyer
Second Grade- Kaleb Dahle, Choteau Elementary School; Teacher: Mrs. Cornelius
Third Grade- Ivan Donnelly, Greenfield School; Teacher: Mrs. Lee
Fourth Grade- Kannin Crasco, Malta Elementary School; Teacher: Trinity Young
Fifth Grade- Charlie Richards, Hawks Home School; Teacher: Katie Owen
Sixth Grade- Mesa Scalese, Geyser Elementary School; Teacher: Sue Neumann
Entries were judged by the Montana Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee on agricultural content, originality, neatness and reproducibility.
For the full story visit mfbf.org/Media/News and watch for the drawings to be published in the MFBF Spring 2025 Spokesman.
Meet the Bulls in Helena
Legislators, agency directors and many Farm Bureau members showed up to Lewis & Clark Farm Bureau’s Meet the Bulls event February 11, following MFBF’s Calling on the Capitol. The event, held at Prickly Pear Simmental Ranch outside of Helena, kicked off on a sub-zero evening with MSU researchers sharing their knowledge about precision agriculture—including flying a drone over the ranch. Montana Department of Revenue Director Brendan Beatty shared information about tax legislation and a panel of members shared thoughts about the reform of the tax structure.
Prior to the program, legislators had the opportunity to visit with Farm Bureau members. A delicious meal was served and despite the bitter-cold weather, a pen of bulls was available for perusal.
Many thanks to Loretta and Gary Burnham for sharing their sale barn for this event.
Calendar
MFBF Summer Conference June 9-11 - Fairmont Hot Springs
MFBF Annual Convention November 17-20 - Missoula
People
AFBF Issues Advisory Committee members Jess Bandel, Gary Heibertshausen and Greg Gabel shared their insights from the trip to Washington, D.C., with KMON, Northern Ag Network and Western Ag Network, respectively.
MFBF Vice President Casey Mott was interviewed by Montana Ag News Network Television regarding HB 119, the Montana Cattle Committee bill.
Yellowstone County President Jodie Drange and Lewis & Clark member Ty Wells interviewed with KGHL during the MATE in Billings.
MFBF President Cyndi Johnson interviewed with KMON regarding Calling on the Capitol.
MFBF District 6 Director Don Steinbeisser, Jr., participated in a panel discussion with Farmers Union and Montana Stockgrowers where they talked about priority initiatives, international trade, the farm bill and other hot-button topics.
MFBF Lobbyists Nicole Rolf and Karli Johnson interview weekly with Northern Ag Network about the Montana Legislative Session.
Director of Revenue Brendan Beatty, left, visits with District 3 Director Kris Descheemaeker and MFBF Executive Vice President Scott Kulbeck.
COUNTY NEWS
County Farm Bureaus active with book readings, trade shows, more
Above: Dawson/Wibaux County President Bernard Evans at the booth at the Glendive Agri-Trade Exposition February 14-15. County leaders will be reading “The Soil in Jackie’s Garden” to first and second grade at Jefferson Elementary, March 18-20, in Glendive.
Above: Yellowstone County members manned the booth at the MATE in Billings. Pictured is Barry Kinsfather visiting with county FB President Jodie Drange and past president Kathy Teter. They hosted dinner at MacKenzie River Pizza that Friday evening. In addition, members of their board supported the Huntley Project FFA by attending their annual Sweetheart Ball.
Case IH discounts
Farm Bureau members save $500 per unit on the purchase or lease of Case IH Maxxum® and Vestrum® tractors, self-propelled windrowers and large square balers, plus more. Plus, Case IH is offering $200 per unit incentives for selected utility tractors and compact tractors along with a variety of balers. Farm Bureau members save $100 per unit on the purchase of the Case IH Farmall Compact 25A®.
Details at mfbf.org/benefits.
Below: Northwest Counties held a Winter Calving Seminar Sunday, February 9 at Lakes Glacier View Farm. Dr. Katie Rein (a Sweet Grass County member) brought her fiberglass cow, Stella, and gave an educational presentation regarding calving and calving difficulties. In addition, this busy county kicked off Calving Bingo in mid-February. The county is one of the hosts for the Montana Legislative Session Update March 12 at the Ronan Community Center.
Below: Carbon/Stillwater County held two book readings at the Stillwater County Library in Columbus including the Book PB & J Hooray. Pictured reading is Maureen Davey.
Sign up for Market Intel
Market Intel, produced by AFBF’s Economic Analysis Team, provides market and policy insight and analysis for farmer and rancher members nationwide, as well as policymakers on Capitol Hill. These economists do a deep dive into a variety of topics from tariffs to egg prices, farm bankruptcies and taxes to the cost of natural disasters in an easy-to-understand way.
Enjoy the convenience of the latest Market Intel delivered right to your in-box. Subscribe at https://www.fb.org/market-intel.
Above: Members of Cascade County Board and Collegiate YF&R attended the Great Falls Chamber Annual Ag Banquet. CCFB member Matt McKamey was honored as the Ag Advocate of the Year and Malteurop was named the Agribusiness of the year.
Ravalli County and Northwest Counties have teamed up for “Brandings and Bad Decisions” dinner and dance with music by Tanner Laws from 7 – 10 p.m. at the Missoula Fairgrounds Home and Arts Building Saturday, April 5. RSVP to Ravalli County President Ty Young at 406880-6260 by March 29. This sounds like an excellent way to kick off early spring; don’t miss it!
Front Range County will deliver homemade bread to their Ag in Color Winner March 11.
Richland County had a booth at the MonDak Ag Days and Trade Show March 6-7 in the Richland County Events Center in Sidney.
AgWest Grant
Applications are open for AgWest’s $15,000 New Producer Grant. This program was developed for those who have a vision for their operation but lack the funds to put their plans into action. Successful applicants will receive a one-time grant to support the growth of their operation. Learn more about eligibility and apply at AgWestFC.com/ New-Producer-Grant.
Applications open now through May 31, 2025.
MONTANA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION
100 Red Mountain Drive, Suite 101 Bozeman, MT 59718
ISSN: 1555-788X
The Montana Farm Bureau Federation News Brief is published monthly except for January, April, July and October by the Montana Farm Bureau Federation at 100 Red Mountain Drive, Suite 101, Bozeman, MT 59718. Subscription rates are $4 per year, covered by annual dues to the Montana Farm Bureau Federation. Nonmember subscriptions are $25 per year. Mail at periodical postage rate in Bozeman, MT and at additional mailing offices.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Montana Farm Bureau Federation News Brief, 100 Red Mountain Drive, Suite 101, Bozeman, MT 59718. 406-587-3153.
NATIONAL NEWS
Tariffs on trading partners a top concern
American Farm Bureau has reached out to the Trump Administration to express their thoughts regarding increased tariffs on agriculture’s top trading partners.
American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall said, “Farmers support the goals of ensuring security and fair trade with other nations, but additional tariffs, along with expected retaliatory tariffs, will take a toll on rural America. Farmers and ranchers are concerned with the decision to impose increased tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China. Last year, the U.S. exported more than $83 billion in agricultural products to the three countries.”
Approximately 85% of the U.S.. total potash supply – a key ingredient in fertilizer – is imported from Canada. For the third straight year, farmers are losing money on almost every major crop planted. Adding even more costs and reducing markets for American agricultural goods could create an economic burden some farmers may not be able to bear.
“We ask the president to continue working with our international partners to find ways to resolve disagreements quickly, so farmers can focus on feeding families in America and abroad,” Duvall said.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins met with the American Farm Bureau state presidents March 5 in Washington to hear their concerns. MFBF President Cyndi Johnson was present for the meeting. Rollins said she understands the issues farmers and ranchers are facing and assured the group she’s in close communication with the president and other cabinet members about the impacts on agriculture.
PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID Kalispell, MT
It’s BAACK - BOI
A decision from U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (Court) on February 18, 2025, has reinstated the filing requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act. Generally, most businesses subject to the filing requirement will have to file their Beneficial Ownership Information with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) by March 21, 2025. This is the second time the rule was issued, halted by court order, reinstated, halted by court order, and reinstated.
The Montana Farm Bureau, which orginally expressed concern about this rule, continues to urge anyone with questions about the BOI to visit the FinCEN website and consult with their accountant or tax attorney. If you file your business with the Montana Secretary of State, there is a good chance you will need to file a BOI. Failure to do so can result in stiff penalties.
Learn more at finCEN.gov.