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M O N TA N A
GRASS ROOTS F E E D I N G T H E F U T U R E T H R O U G H F A R M E R S U N I O N E D U C AT I O N A P U B L I C AT I O N B Y M O N TA N A F A R M E R S U N I O N
BUY LOCAL THIS HOLIDAY SEASON vive another year and provide for their family. But imagine putting It’s no mystery the world of ag- your heart and soul into your work riculture can be challenging and and having great success raising a unforgiving. Especially today with crop or livestock only to be told declining markets and trade wars. that you aren’t going to get paid It’s bad enough that farmers and or are going to get paid far less ranchers are already working on than you expected. In most jobs tight margins just to try and sur- where we work for an employer we would be able to walk away
and find a new job. Agricultural producers don’t have that luxury. Yes, it might be nice to work for yourself, but it doesn’t come without its headaches or lessen the fact that society needs producers. If we force the producer to find other employment besides raising food we shrink our supply chain and make access to food that
much harder. Bigger operations may take on the acres or livestock given up by an outgoing producer, but we end up creating somewhat of a monopoly in agriculture that caters to the big producers. When I began my work with Montana Farmers Union the biggest attraction to me was it focused
PAID
C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E GREAT FALLS, MT PERMIT NO. 93
NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE
BY JUSTIN LOCH M E M B E R S H I P D I R E C TO R
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MFU HIRES LOBBYISTS FOR 2019 LEGISLATIVE SESSION Cindy Palmer and Levi Ostberg will be representing MFU as lobbyists for the 2019 legislative session. Palmer lives in Helena and ranches near Geyser. Palmer has worked in education and has a degree in English from the University of Montana. She has experience working in the legislature as a volunteer. Palmer was a member of the 2019 MFU Policy Committee and participated in the Farmers Union Enterprise Couple’s Leadership program. Levi Ostberg farms cooperatively with his parents Ron and Carol Ostberg on the family farm near Fairfield. He has worked for the Montana Department of Agriculture in the pesticide program and as program specialist with the commercial feed and fertilizer program. Ostberg lobbied for MFU in the previous legislative session and has served as a national delegate, and on the MFU Policy Committee. MFU will provide weekly legislative updates to membership and a wrap up of the session in the May edition of Montana Grassroots.
Conference Agenda Friday, February 1, 2019 4:00-6:00: Check-in 5:00-6:00: Cocktail hour/social (Sapphire Room) 6:00-7:00: Dinner (Sapphire) 7:30-8:30: Keynote Speaker; Laura Peterson (Ponderosa Room) Enjoy Hot Springs!!
Saturday, February 2, 2019 8:00-8:30: -Breakfast (Sapphire) 8:30-9:15: Morning Speaker (TBA) (Sapphire) 9:15-9:45: - Break 9:45-11:30: Jolene Brown:“Balancing Act: 10 Ideas to Relieve Stress and Bring Renewal to Our Farm and Family Life.” (Ponderosa) 11:30-12:00: MFU Presentation (Ponderosa) 12:00-1:00: - Lunch - (Sapphire) 1:15 Load the bus (Meet in lobby) 1:30 - 4:00 Tours: Montana Craft Malt & Headframe Spirits
4:00: Load bus 4:30-5:00: Return to hot springs 5:00-5:30: Free time/ Social hour (Ponderosa) 5:30-6:15 -Legislative Update: Cindy Palmer -NFU Women’s Conferece: Laura Garber (Ponderosa) 6:15-7:00: - Dinner MFU Launches Foundation: Jan Tusick (Sapphire) 7:15: Night Activities: -Dancing(Bitterroot Rm) -Paint & Party (Meadowlark; limited to first 25 participants) -Enjoy the Hot Springs!
Sunday, February 3, 2019 8:00-8:30: - Breakfast (Sapphire) 8:30-9:30: Closing Keynote: Jolene Brown “Who’s Hiding the Humor” (Ponderosa) See you next year!
Registration: $95/Members; $135 Nonmembers; includes meals and lodging Register at montanafarmersunion.com
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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!! Member
Killen Land & Livestock, Angela Helm Ranch, Miles City Andrew & Nancy Pehl, Terry Greg Herden, Brockway Brad Marshall, Hinsdale Mary Cooley, Musselshell Charles & Marjorie Hall, Billings Matrix Farms Inc., Brady My Snowy Place LLC, Aventura FL Carl Vander Molen, Bozeman Reid & Anita Hankisn, Bridger Dan & Margaret Schwend, Bridger Horob Family Partnership, Williston ND John & Judy Strub, Billings Michael & Janna Yuhas, Great Falls Barbre Grain & Grass LLC, Great Falls Bradley & Jonel Hodgskiss, Choteau Estate of Ina Marie Friedt, Kalispell David & Darlene Burtch, Florence Kenneth & Dixie Davis, Troy Lois Friede, Victor Loretta Stark, Brea CA Lori & Bill Moran, Kalispell Tracey Genet & Pat Greytak, Stevensville Alexis Bonogofsky, Billings Hadley Gideon, Missoula
IN THIS ISSUE Columns from the Montana Delegation, Senator Steve Daines & Senator Jon Tester Page 4
Recruited by Tayler Kennedy Ron & Blayne Watts Ron & Blayne Watts Kaylen Lehner Jesse Fleming K J Fauth K J Fauth Dirk Elings Daryl Hansen Craig Parker Wes Schwend Wes Schwend J R Johnson Melissa Wacker Eric Hinebauch Aeric Reilly Mathew Luedtke Randy Bloom Sally Miller Colleen Wood Bryan Jones Andrew Luedtke MFU Office MFU Office MFU Office MFU Office
MONTANA FARMERS UNION PO BOX 2447 300 RIVER DRIVE NORTH GREAT FALLS MT 59403 PHONE: (406) 452-6406 1-800-234-4071 FAX: (406) 727-8216 mfu@montanafarmersunion.com www.montanafarmersunion.com
My Neighbor in Need Helping Communities in Need, Alan Merrill Page 5 Washington Corner, Roger Johnson Page 6-9 Buy Local, Justin Loch; Preview of 2019 Producer Conference Page 7 Sreekala Bajwa Named New MSU Vice President of Agriculture
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Board of Directors: Alan Merrill, President Rollie Schlepp, Vice President, Conrad Erik Somerfeld, District 2, Power Jeff Bangs, At-Large Director District 1& 2, Inverness Brett Dailey, District 4, Jordan William Downs, District 5, Molt Ben Peterson, At-Large director, District 5 & 6 Judith Gap Eric Bergman, District 1, Fort Shaw Sig Rudie, Fairview, At-Large director District 3&4 Jan Tusick, District 6, Ronan State Office Staff: Jan Johnson, Office Mgr., Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer Lyndsay Bruno, Communications Director Chris Christiaens, Legislative & Project Specialist Justin Loch, Membership Director Dave Snuggs, Facility Director Violet Green, Education Coordinator Copyright Š Montana Farmers Union, 2018 Montana Grassroots is the official publication of the Farmers Educational and Cooperative Union of America, Montana Division. MFU reserves the right to reject any advertisements. Third Class bulk postage paid at Great Falls MT 59401. Membership: $50.00 per year
YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
MSU Recipient of $3.2 Million USDA Grant for Lentil Crop
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K J Fauth, FU Insurance, Billings Kaylen Lehner FU Insurance, Circle Tom McKenna, FU Insurance, Lewistown Charles Monroe, FU Insurance, Kalispell
Montana Grassroots is published 10 times each calendar year with two combined issues. Article submissions are requested by the 15th of the month. Advertising space is available. Copy Editor: Jan Johnson Editor/Designer: Lyndsay Bruno
MFU Holds Joint Meeting on Industrial Hemp Page 11
MFU 2019 POLICY Policy adopted at the 2018 convention will be published in the 2019 MFU Policy Book which will be available in December in hard copy form and on montanafarmersunion.com.
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A MESSAGE FROM SENATOR JON TESTER
DECEMBER 2018
still issues to be hammered out, and it’s cru- mission hydropower approvals and relicensing and expedites licensing of closed loop cial we get it right. pump storage. More rural hydropower projI’m still going through all the details to see if ects means a more reliable grid and cheaper USMCA delivers on what it promises. That’s electricity prices. why I want to hear from you. As you’re looking through it, please tell me what you think. For ag producers in North Central Montana, Email trade@tester.senate.gov with your the bill also authorizes early funding for the Blackfeet water rights settlement so that its comments. water-related infrastructure projects can be Together we’ll make sure America’s trade completed in a more efficient manner. The Blackfeet settlement has been years in the agreements work for Montana’s farmers. making and, now that it is finished, it is time to get these projects up and running for the good of local communities.
A MESSAGE FROM SENATOR STEVE DAINES
I am committed to supporting Montana agriculture. Please don’t hesitate to contact my offices in Montana or Washington, D.C. with any concerns or updates.
The uncertainty in the marketplace is having a real impact on Montana farmers. The trade war is hurting our bottom lines.
MFU TO SEND MEMBERS TO NATIONAL WOMEN’S CONFERENCE
It’s paralyzing our ability to plan, stalling sales, and keeping grain in our bins for far too long. That’s why I’m encouraged the Administration recently renegotiated a new trade agreement with our neighbors, the United StatesMexico-Canada Agreement. While there remains a lot of work to be done, preserving the ability to trade with our neighbors will ensure Montana producers have access to markets they need to sell their crops. One of the biggest assurances in the USMCA is a change to the Canadian wheat grading system.
While the water bill is an important step forward, we still have work to do as 2018 winds down. We still need to pass a Farm Bill. With farmers and ranchers facing so much uncertainty, Congress and the administration need to get the Farm Bill done and signed into law before the end of the year. I’ll continue fighting to ensure we finish the job.
For Montana’s agricultural communities, water is their most basic need. Montana’s crops and livestock feed our nation and the world. Yet, our farmers and ranchers could not do what they do without reliable access to water resources. That is why it was so vital that Congress passed America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, which the President signed into law last month. This bipartisan bill prioritizes important water infrastructure projects in Montana, helps fight against aquatic invasive species harming Montana ecosystems, and increases access to water for farmers and ranchers.
Currently, when U.S.-grown wheat crosses the border to be sold in Canada, it is downgraded as feed, even if it’s the highest quality wheat we have to offer. That’s not fair. Montana’s wheat farmers grow the best wheat in the world, and deserve to have their wheat valued Not only does this bill ensure water delivery to Montana ranches and farms, it also promotes fairly when it crosses the border. more rural hydropower development. The bill But the new USMCA isn’t perfect. There are streamlines Federal Energy Regulatory Com-
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Montana Farmers Union will be sending members Laura Garber and Hadley Gideon to the Natioanl Farmers Union Women’s Conference in San Diego January 13-17, 2019. NFU’s 2019 Women’s Conference theme is “Farming in Community.” Farming is never a one-woman job – it takes a village to run a successful operation. This conference will not only focus on the concept of agricultural community building, but it will provide attendees with their own network of women farmers and ranchers they can reach out to throughout the year.Farmers, policy makers, educators, and specialists will present on a number of subjects, including financial management, food safety, innovative marketing conservation,USDA programs, and more. Laura Garber will present on the national convention at the Montana Farmers Union Women’s Conference Feb 1-3, 2019.
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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT was in an accident or struggling with an illness. From the beginning MNIN has had the full support of the MFU Board of Directors. We are proud to continue the amazing partnership with MNIN.
Initially Dave Snuggs planned on 200 or so annual requests. Little did he know from 2012 to date there have been well over 12,000 requests fulfilled to the tune of roughly 2,000 per year! The program extends beyond the Great Falls area.
receive help for students from generous individuals in our communities. MSIN is in over 160 schools throughout Montana and growing. The needs fulfilled is now close to 3,000. The Program helps kindergartens to seniors in high school. Please check out mystudentinneed.org to see a list of needs.Young people are our future and MSIN fills a void that really impacts our community. MSIN partners with The Great Falls Tribune. The paper regularly publishes needs of students which makes the process seamless.
Members of Montana Farmers Union should take pride in supporting MNIN. If you come across someone in need spread the word about MNIN. They can be reached at 406-750-2542 or online at myneighborinneed.org.
Remember all of us at one time or another may be in need of a program like MNIN or MSIN. It’s all about neighbors helping neighbors - the cornerstone of Montana Farmers Union. Have a great holiday season!
I have served on the MNIN Board of Directors from the beginning and continue to do so. I am amazed at the role MNIN plays in helping those in need.
In the Fall of 2011 Montana Farmers Union entered into a partnership with a new project called My Neighbor in Need (MNIN). Founder Dave Snuggs sat in my office for more than a couple of hours telling me about his idea and wondering if MFU would help sponsor or get involved in some way. Dave described how he thought it could work and the results of such a plan. The concept completely amazed me. Over a century ago homesteaders would come together to help their neighbors. In some cases this meant shutting down their seeding or harvesting to help a neighbor who
Seeing a need to help youth in the area Dave Snuggs developed My Student in Need (MSIN). My Student in Need provides anonymous resources for teachers to ask for and
A recipient of MNIN speaks to local media about her experience with the program.
Visit myneighborinneed.org for a list of needs.
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significant implications for local, state, and federal issues - including food and agriculture.Though trade, renewable fuels, corporate consolidation, and other important farm policy will undoubtedly be influenced by shifts within the House and Senate, the upcoming farm bill will probably be among the first and most notable affected pieces of legislation.Should the Farm Bill drag into the new year, the entire process would start anew, Each chamber would again need to pass its own version of the legislation, and the differences between the two would ultimately be reconciled by a new conference committee. The makeup of the committees may shift, particularly on the House side where leadership positions B Y RO G E R J O H N S O N will markedly change. Because Democrats reN AT I O N A L F A R M E R S U N I O N gained control of the House, current Ranking With the midterms behind us, Americans have Member Collin Peterson (D-MN) would take gained some clarity as to what Congress will over Chairman Mike Conaway’s (R-TX) role look like for the next two years. However, at the head of the House Committee on Agthere’s still a lot up in the air for family farm- riculture. The final bill would then need to be ers and ranchers. The 2014 Farm Bill expired approved by a Congressional vote and signed at the end of September, and there is a great by President Trump. deal of uncertainty about the content and timing of its replacement. Many are optimis- It is unclear how precisely the outcome of the tic that a new bill will be passed before the midterms might affect the content and timing end of the year, which would provide some of the farm bill. However, many expect that amount of stability and predictability in farm this will expedite its passage, as Republicans country. But there are other ongoing issues would prefer to negotiate and vote while they that need to be addressed, including a trade still hold a majority. Many Democrats are also war with China and other major trading part- motivated to pass the bill this year, so as not ners, the relentless rise of agricultural mega- to unnecessarily extend the process and leave mergers, the use of biofuels in the American farmers and ranchers, rural communities, and transportation sector, and the regulation and hungry Americans without crucial support. labeling of animal cell culture products. 200+ FARM, FOOD AND RURAL MIDTERM RESULTS COULD GROUPS ENDORSE MERGER INFLUENCE FARM BILL MORATORIUM Voters came out in record numbers for the National Farmers Union (NFU) joined a comidterm elections this year, a likely symptom alition of 213 farm, food, rural, faith and of greater political engagement and anxiety. consumer advocacy organizations to deliver a The outcomes of these elections will have letter to Congress endorsing food and agri6
business merger moratorium bills and to urge members of the House and Senate to cosponsor the legislation. Senator Cory Booker (DNJ) and Representative Mark Pocan (D-WI) introduced the Food and Agribusiness Merger Moratorium and Antitrust Review Act of 2018 companion bills earlier this year. These bills would impose an 18-month moratorium on mega-mergers that have swept the agribusiness, food manufacturing and grocery industries. This wave of consolidation has contributed to falling farm prices, declining farm incomes, stagnant wages for food workers, and economic stagnation in rural communities.
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2019 PRODUCER CONFERENCE
MONTANA FARMERS UNION & MSU-N COLLEGIATE STOCKGROWERS
TENTATIVE CONFERENCE AGENDA Friday, January 25, 2019 2:30-3:30 3:30-4:30 6:00
Aeric Reilly –Ag Risk Coverage Jess Peterson- US Cattlemens (Fake Meat and ELD’s) MSUN Collegiate Stockgrowers Beef N’ Brews Event Chick Wilfong- Keynote and Entertainment)
Saturday, January 26, 2019 9:00-10:00 10:00-11:00 11:15-12:15 12:15- 1:00 1:30-3:30
John Walker- Farmers Business Network Corbitt Wall- Cattle Markets and Futures Keith Horton- Cargill Canola Project Lunch- Matt Perdue NFU- Lobbying and political scene in D.C. related to Ag Curt Pate- Cattle Handling Clinic
Conference Registration: $25 members; $50 nonmembers. One night lodging is available for an additional $25. Register at montanafarmersunion.com. BUY LOCAL CONTINUED
on advocating for family farms and ranches. Growing up east of Dutton on a farm and ranch I grew up with many friends and classmates who lived on a family farm and were part of several generations. Today many of those family farms that were running where I grew up are gone. Several of those farms are now farmed by one or two big producers. Not only is the family farm gone, but the community has suffered greatly. Schools have had to consolidate, businesses have closed, churches have been forced to close, and much more. The once thriving community I grew up in is left to a sad state of affairs. It’s more than
sad. I won’t have the opportunity to show my kids part of how I grew up and the fun I had in little Dutton and Power Montana. But mark my words part of the family farm that my grandfather and father have worked tirelessly to build will remain in our family until there is something out of our control to take it. It will remain a place for my kids, and someday grand kids, to experience what I had as a kid. Don’t get me wrong a lot of the family farm I grew up on is leased out and my father works at the local co-op, but we are able to still keep it in the family and experience the farm life and stay active in agriculture by focusing more on livestock. I don’t mean to go on a rant, but I wanted to paint a picture of how hard 7
CONFER ENCE N ORT H ER N AG R ES EA RC H C EN T ER H AV R E , M ON TA N A JA NUA RY 25 – 26 , 2019
agriculture can be and that it does wear on a family and affect communities. As supporters of agriculture we need to keep fighting to help producers and make sure we do what we can as consumers. Next time you are at the store try to focus on buying more local or U.S. products. You aren’t just supporting the store you are shopping at, further down the supply chain you are helping that producer work another day and earn a living. We may not be able to control the trade wars that are going on and the downturn in markets, but we do have a voice and the ability to shop locally. Use your voice to contact your congressmen and let them know you support agriculture and that we need to open up our lines of trade. Contact Montana Farmers Union and give us your support or concerns so we can help agriculture at the state and national level. Many times a loud voice and strength in numbers can accomplish more than money ever will. Let’s work together to support agriculture and save the family farms we do have. As we enter the holiday season remember where your festive meals come from and enjoy your time with loved ones.
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SREEKALA BAJWA NAMED NEW MSU VICE PRESIDENT OF AGRICULTURE
DECEMBER 2018
its next vice president of agriculture. Bajwa has been serving as chair of North Dakota State University’s Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and professor of agricultural engineering since 2012. She will begin at MSU on Jan. 14.
new applications in agriculture and natural resources."
Bajwa said she is honored to be chosen as the next vice president of agriculture."I’m grateB Y M S U N E W S S E RV I C E ful for this opportunity to join a thriving university with a deep commitment to excelAs the vice president of agriculture, Bajwa lence and innovation," she said. "I intend to will oversee a teaching, education and research continue supporting the university’s diverse network that stretches across Montana with agroscience research while promoting MSU’s seven agricultural research centers, five aca- students, faculty and programs in line with demic departments and five Bozeman-based its land-grant missions. I very much look forcampus farms and ranches. The College of ward to getting to know the Big Sky state and Agriculture and Montana Agricultural Experi- working with our stakeholders and partners." ment Station collectively conduct research to address production challenges to benefit the Bajwa received her bachelor’s degree in agagricultural industry in Montana. ricultural engineering from Kerala Agricultural University in India, her master’s degree "The College of Agriculture and the Montana in agricultural engineering from the Indian Agricultural Experiment Station are corner- Institute of Technology Kharagpur in India stones of our land-grant mission," said MSU and her doctorate of agricultural engineerPresident Waded Cruzado."Our search pro- ing from the University of Illinois at Urbanaduced many strong candidates, but in Dr. Ba- Champaign. jwa, we have found someone extremely qualiAfter a national search, Montana State Uni- fied to lead agriculture at Montana State into versity has selected Sreekala Bajwa to become its future through her pioneering vision for
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WA S H I N G TO N C O R N E R C O N T I N U E D
The bills would also establish a commission to study the impacts of consolidation in the food and agricultural sectors on farmers, rural communities, and consumers. “Corporate consolidation has long been one of the greatest challenges plaguing family farmers, ranchers and rural communities,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “We applaud Senator Booker and Representative Pocan for introducing this legislation and urge other members of Congress to join the effort to pass this legislation.” NFU ENCOURAGES MOVE TO HIGH OCTANE FUELS In late August, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule for Model Years 2021-2026 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks, which would amend certain existing Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) and greenhouse gas emissions standards. The rule, among other things, recognizes the “potential benefits high octane fuels could provide,” and requested comment on the benefits of increasing fuel octane levels. In comments submitted in late October, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson said he was encouraged to see the EPA’s acknowledgement and urged the administration to move towards high level blends of ethanol. Johnson highlighted the myriad benefits of high-octane fuels, including “air emissions reductions, better oil conservation, and greater energy security,” as well as lower costs for consumers and “billions of dollars of capital investment, millions of dollars of new tax base, and many thousands of new good paying jobs with benefits” in rural America. NFU also launched radio ad buy urging President Donald Trump to keep his promises to family farmers by immediately implementing year-round E-15 and reversing the losses caused by the misappropriation of small refinery exemptions. “Farmers are still at a net loss from Trump’s actions on biofuels,” the ad says, due to the EPA’s allocation of waivers exempting large oil refiners from complying with the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). This decision has “destroyed 2 billion gallons of ethanol demand,” a volume that far exceeds any increased use of E15 expected over the next five years.
SDFU PUSHES STRONGER MEAT LABELING The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hosted a joint meeting in October to discuss the nomenclature, regulation, and jurisdiction of animal cell culture products.
ing transparent and truthful labeling of meat products. Karla Hofhenke represented SDFU at the hearing, while Eric Sumption spoke on behalf of South Dakota Stockgrowers. SDFU members Rocky Forman and Brett Kenzy also testified.
“Allowing a protein that is grown in a petri dish to be labeled as “meat” is misleading and Representatives from both agencies as well creates consumer confusion,” said Hofhenke. as a number of diverse stakeholders spoke to “The only sure way to avoid misleading conthe various costs and benefits of allowing ei- sumers is to restrict the definition of meat to ther the USDA or FDA or some combination the tissue or flesh of an animal that has been thereof to regulate the production of such born, raised, and harvested in the traditional products. They also argued for various label- manner.” ing practices, ranging from “clean meat” to “animal cell culture.” The Washington Corner can also be found at Several members of South Dakota Farmers www.nfu.org/corner. Union (SDFU) submitted testimony advocat-
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MSU RECIPIENT OF $3.2 MILLION USDA GRANT FOR A BETTER LENTIL CROP B Y E V E LY N B O S W E L L F O R T H E M S U N E W S S E RV I C E
Montanans have grown lentils for two decades, at times producing more lentils than any other state. But growers and scientists still have many questions about managing the crop that is said to be uniquely suited for the northern Great Plains and Pacific Northwest. Take root rot, for example. Caused by complex fungi that thrive under dry conditions, it's a major threat to the lentil industry in North America and worldwide. "We are just shooting in the dark on how to mitigate it," said Charlie Cahill of Scobey, a grower and owner-operator of a seed company with his wife, Tammy. Looking for answers, Montana State University has received a $3.2 million grant from the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture. It allows MSU Extension Plant Pathologist Mary Burrows, along with a team of scientists from Montana, North Dakota and Washington, to conduct a four-year project investigating root rot and effective ways to prevent or overcome it. The multidisciplinary team is composed of agronomists, food scientists, plant geneticists and plant pathologists as well as farmers, industry representatives and other stakeholders from Montana, North Dakota, Washington and Canada. "Mary did a remarkable job of pulling together this group of interested scientists around a common theme," said Perry Miller, a cropping systems professor in the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences in MSU's College of Agriculture. "Lentil is a crop that kind of snuck up on us in Montana from trivial acreage in the 1990s to over 700,000 acres in 2017," Miller added. "There was never much focused research on lentil agronomy in the USA, and the Northern Plains in particular, because the acres didn't warrant it. Best management practices are not well researched." Understanding root is a complex endeavor, since agronomy and disease likely interact with genetics, Miller said. Noting that lentil genetics vary widely, Miller said plants range in height from short to very short. Seed size probably varies fourfold. Seed color ranges from light green to rose to orange speckled or black. Understanding the
Investigators at Montana State University, in collaboration with a regional team of scientists, have been award a four-year $3.2 million grant from the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture to investigate root rot in lentils, pictured above.
interplay of agronomy, genetics and disease is improvement in yield with optimized roll tima big goal, and this grant will help us take an ing could yield big returns for our region." important step in that direction," Miller said. The fourth goal involves sharing findings Burrows' team has four main goals for the with stakeholders and educating the next "Building a Better Lentil from the Ground generation of scientists. Two MSU graduUp" project. They plan, for one, to character- ate students have already been hired for the ize the major species of Fusarium, the pre- lentil project. Syd Atencio, a master's degree dominant and most difficult to manage of the student, will assist Miller. Collins Bugingo, fungi that cause root rot. They will explore a doctoral student, will work with Burrows. the interactions of those species and the role Another part of this goal is supporting a of seeds in establishing and spreading the graduate student exchange program between disease. Secondly, the researchers want to de- the United States and Canada. “Root rot has velop plants resistant to root rot using rapid been a problem longer in Canada than here breeding methods. Thirdly, they plan to study because they have been growing pulse crops the effect of farm practices on the severity of for many more years than us,� Burrows said, root rot and its impact on plant health, seed adding that Saskatchewan, Alberta and Maniyield and nutrition. Farmers and scientists, toba grow around 10 times more lentils than for example, aren't sure how often to plant the United States. lentils in rotation with wheat. Some alternate Miller said most of his experiments will take the crops every other year. Others wait two place at seven agricultural experiment stayears before planting lentils on the same plot. tions. They are located at Bozeman, Havre, "Even something so obvious as the need to Moccasin and Sidney in Montana and Carroll the land to smooth out the soil surface to rington, Hettinger and Minot in North Daenable harvesting has never been studied un- kota. Collaborators in Washington state will der no-till management,� Miller added. Bec conduct genetic studies, Burrows said. ause lentils are now grown so widely, and land rolling is a near-obligate practice, even a small 10
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MT INDUSTRIAL HEMP MEETING December 14 @ 10:00 am Great Falls, MT Times Square Building 3rd Floor - 525 Central Ave (Lunch will be provided) Goals of Meeting: Bring Growers, Processors, MT Dept. of Ag & others together to discuss: 1. What’s working well with the hemp industry in MT? 2.What can be improved or is missing in the hemp industry in MT? 3. How can we attract more processors and markets to MT? 4. What does the hemp industry look like moving forward in MT? 5. How can we support producers/growers with resources to move hemp forward in MT? 6. Are there legislative needs that need to be addressed in the upcoming session? 7. What is the licensing process and legal issues moving forward?
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Since 1915
OUR AGENTS LIVE AND WORK NEAR YOU. Anaconda Stefanie Thompson 563.5991 Belgrade Craig Parker 388.6774 Bigfork Janice Erickson 692.6020 Billings Jim Mathews 656.2323 Billings Steve Plaggemeyer 294.9491 Billings Judd Long 252.9391 Billings KJ Fauth 969.2282 Billings Jeanne Benson 252-9391 Bozeman Dean Derby 556.0893 Bozeman Trent Leintz 551.2163 Bozeman Art Hoffart 586.6230 Bridger Wesley Schwend 662.3930 Chester Gary Seubert 759.5150 Choteau Mathew Luedtke 466.5146 Circle Kaylen Lehner 485.3303 Conrad Dirk Elings 271.7047 Dillon Judy Siring 683.2365 Dillon Sara Nye 683.1250 Dutton Will Rasmussen 476.3444 Fairfield Matt Luedtke 467.3444 Froid Austin O’ Dea 766.2205 Glasgow Del Hansen 228.2284 Great Falls Eric Hinebauch 453.8413 Great Falls Aeric Reilly 570.5853 Great Falls Jeff Thill 452.7283 Hamilton Bryan Jones 363.6583 Hardin Melissa Wacker 665.1867 Havre Cindy Schubert 265.2693
Helena Todd Crum 443.4630 Kalispell Randy Bloom 257.1252 Kalispell Charles Monroe 756.7720 Laurel Dallas Hagfeldt, Jr. 628.6649 Laurel Lorna Olson 628.6649 Lewistown Tom McKenna 538.8736 Lewistown Raleigh Heitzman 538.8736 Libby Colleen Wood 293.6228 Livingston Daryl Hansen 222.7151 Malta Shane Anderson 654.1589 Miles City Tayler Kennedy 874.2560 Miles City Watts Agency 874.1804 Missoula Brad Bowman 721.2540 Missoula Pam Jacobsen 721.0599 Missoula Andre Marcure 543.7184 Plains Sally Miller 826.4633 Plentywood JR Johnson 765.2051 Ronan Andrew Luedtke 676.0173 Ryegate Audrey Stoican 568.2336 Shelby KW Insurance 424.8480 Shelby Russ Seubert 434.5211 Sidney Cathy Hintz 488.8326 Sunburst KW Insurance 937.6950 Terry Watts Agency 635.5782 Thompson Falls Sally Miller 827.3221 Whitefish Rial Gunlikson 862.4700 Wolf Point Jesse Fleming 653.2200