February 2019 Montana Grass Roots Edition

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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

ST YOU JU D

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IN THIS EDITION:

Altitude

ATV SAFETY – RIDE TO LIVE

MT FARMERS UNION CAMP 2019

PAID

GREAT FALLS, MT PERMIT NO. 93

NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE

2019 ARROWPEAK SUMMER CAMP PREVIEW

MFU TAKES ATV SAFETY ON THE ROAD

both in and out of agriculture. After spending considerable amount of time and research MFU has worked to put together Farm and Ranch Safety has always been im- a program to bring awareness to safety to portant to Montana Farmers Union and its all who use ATVs. This winter Montana members. National Farmers Union, with Farmers Union purchased an ATV Simulafunding from Montana Farmers Union and tor that will be taken all over the state and other Farmers Union states, has developed available for the public to use. The idea is a whole farm safety program with videos to focus on safe riding techniques to avoid that are available and free to the public at roll overs and tipping of ATVs. The simuNFU.org. While all safety is important, lator puts an ATV on a tilting table and one area has caused growing concern and replicates an ATV moving about on side that is ATV accidents and deaths. ATVs hills, and up and down hills. are used by a large population of all ages

BY JUSTIN LOCH M E M B E R S H I P D I R E C TO R

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IN THE FEBRUARY EDITION...

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MFU Legislative update

The impact of the Government Shutdown on Agriculture

MSU Directing Seed Royalties Back to Crop Research

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IN THIS ISSUE

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!!

Member

Recruited by

M AY N A R D B O R N E R , M I L E S C I T Y D U S T I N & S H A E K A U T Z , H U N T L E Y S T E V E S E S S I O N S , W O R D E N R AY H A B E L I N C . , D U T T O N M I S K E R A N C H I N C , W I B A U X B E T T Y S E D E R , H A R D I N C H R I S T A L W I N T E R R O W D , H A R D I N A N T O N I C H R A N C H L L C . , B E LT M A R K & J O A N N A T H O M P S O N , B E LT C L I F F O R D & C AT H E R I N E E V A N S , MISSOULA J A C K & S TA R B A C K E N , L I B B Y M AV E R I C K & T E R R I O G L E , K A L I S P E L L J A C K E V A N S F A M I LY L L L P, H A M I L T O N O RV I L L E B J O R G E , P O L S O N K U RT & R H O N D A L U O M A , P H I L I P S B U R G C H E L S I & D A N B AY, H E L E N A JENNA FOSTER, KALISPELL A N D R E A G E T T S , C O L U M B I A FA L L S CAITLIN COGHLAN, KALISPELL G I N N Y C R AW F O R D, H E A RT B U T T E N I C K C R AW F O R D, H E A RT B U T T E J U S T I N C R AW F O R D, H E A RT B U T T E B R E N N A S E L L A R S , W H I T E F I S H

The 66th Montana Legislative Session Update, Chris Christiaens Page 3

R O N & B L AY N E W AT T S R O N & B L AY N E W AT T S K J FAU T H DIRK ELINGS D A L L A S H A G F E L D T, J R .

M E L I S S A WA C K E R M E L I S S A WA C K E R ERIC HINEBAUCH JEFF THILL PA M J A C O B S E N

A message from the President, Alan Merrill Page 4 Meet SYAC Member Abby Clark; MFU Offers Scholarships Page 5

COLLEEN WOOD C H A R L E S M O N RO E B RYA N J O N E S ANDREW LUEDTKE ANDRE MARCURE MFU OFFICE MFU OFFICE MFU OFFICE MFU OFFICE MFU OFFICE MFU OFFICE MFU OFFICE MFU OFFICE

Page 6 Montana Delegation Columns Page 7-8 MFU Takes ATV Safety on the Road Page 9

G. Dennis McOmber, Fairfield

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MSU Directing Seed Royalties Back to Crop Research Page 10

Altitude MT FARMERS UNION CAMP 2019

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 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, Judith Gap Paul Kanning, District 3, Flaxville Eric Bergman, District 1, Fort Shaw Sig Rudie, Fairview, At-Large director Jan Tusick, District 6, Ronan State Office Staff:

Washington Corner, Roger Johnson

In Memoriam

ST YOU JU D

MONTANA FARMERS UNION

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 © Montana Farmers Union, 2019 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 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

2019 ARROWPEAK SUMMER CAMP DATES Junior I Camp: June 16-20 Junior II Camp: June 23-27 Teen I/Senior Camp: July 14-19 Teen II Camp: July 21-26

Registration opens in April.

Visit montanafarmersunion.com for details.

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66TH SESSION OF THE MONTANA LEGISLATURE IN FULL SWING

The 66th Montana Legislative Assembly started meeting with business and election of their leadership on Monday, January 7 as well as the swearing in of all 100 members of the House and 25 members of the State Senate. Legislators met in Helena during the previous week for training and information meant to assist them in working with each other and becoming familiar with resources available to them during the next 90 days of the session which is slated to adjourn on May 1.For the 1st month in session, the legislature will not be working 6 days a week, but will be in session Monday through Friday and taking Saturdays off.

This is a departure from the previous sessions where the legislature worked six days a week.

This will change to the 6 day format in February and through the balance of the session.

nafarmersunion.com. Should you have questions regarding a particular bill, you can call our office and speak with President Alan sible to draft that many bills. Remember also Merrill or this writer. Legislative guides are that any bill not heard in either house and tra- available at the information desk at the capinsmitted by the 45th day is considered dead. tol or you can contact the Montana Electric The 45th day is March 2nd this year and it is Cooperative’s Association by e-mail: meca@ also the last day to request appropriation bills. mtco-ops.com or calling them at (406)7618333 for copies available for a small fee. For Rules of both houses require 24 hour notice session information or to leave a message for of bill hearings, however that rule has not a legislator, members of the public can call held in the last week and a half as bills have (406)-444-4800 or go to www.leg.mt.gov to been rescheduled the afternoon before posted find up-to-date information. hearings. This makes it particularly difficult for residents spread across this vast state to drive to Helena and find once there that the bill hearing has been canceled for hearing to another day. As an example the House and Senate Agriculture committees meet on Tuesday and Thursdays and would make it diffiREGISTER TODAY FOR THE cult for someone to reschedule and attend the NFU CONVENTION! hearing two days later. One would expect this problem to be corrected in the near future.

117th Anniversary Convention March 3-5, 2019 Every Friday morning a report is sent to mem- Bellevue, Washington bers who have an e-mail address with those Register: nfu.org/convention/ bills either supported or opposed by our lobbyists during the previous four days of the legislative action. If you have not shared your e-mail address and wish this information, please do so. A hard copy of the legislative report is mailed to members who choose this format.

During the 1st 10 days of the legislature, bill drafts may be requested and as of the day of this writing over 3000 requests have been submitted to legislative services staff. It is impos-

Our testimony depends on the policies brought forth from membership and adopted at the October convention. That policy book is available by going to our website at monta-

BY CHRIS CHRISTIAENS S P E C I A L P RO J E C T S

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Hyatt Regency Bellevue in Bellevue Washington

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A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT....

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rizes the vision of the organization. It states: “A family farm or structured family agriculture operation is run by a family, assumes the economic risk and makes the management decisions. We oppose the consolidation of farmland ownership in the hands of a few. Instead we support a climate which will permit family based farms to flourish including availability of monetary support, adequate credit opportunity, a fair-trade balance and equitable profitability for agriculture producers.’

We support a farm program that provides adequate support to the producers and that support be provided at the grass roots level.”

Rest assured you as a member are very well represented in the Montana Legislature. This year and throughout the year our policies are on our website at montanafamersunion.com.

Feel free to read and call with any questions.

Cooperation: The last side of the triangle is cooperation. Cooperation is a guidepost of the Montana Farmers Union. We support patronowned, democratically controlled cooperatives, which is built on the principles of one person, one vote, with distribution of savings in direct proportion to patronage through the years.

Farmers Union was the key farm organization As I was thinking of all the ways MFU helps that helped start the co-ops you know today. to educate the agricultural community, one These co-ops are profit sharing with their pamust keep in mind that the triangle is MFU’s trons. In monetary numbers, sometimes this can symbol. At the bottom is education and on be in the thousands of dollars. MFU supports the two sides is legislation and cooperation. co-ops which in turn support the family farm.

I was asked a question, awhile back, why Montana Famers Union did not support family farming. My first reaction was what a silly question to ask. This same person went on to ask why the other farm groups in Montana did not support family farming. I can only speak for MFU on how we support family farming.

Each year MFU holds the state convention for family farms. At this convention we as members go over policy to update it for the coming year.

The preamble of the MFU Policy book summa-

There are so many ways Montana Farmers Union tries to help the family farm and ranch.

One thing we cannot do is help in actual money lending. We cannot lend or give out money to keep the family farm working. We can and do stay in touch with lenders and pass on any information or advice they give us. We try our best in all areas of family farming to keep the farm operation together. These are tough times, but let me assure you we at Montana Farmers Union are out front doing our best to help keep the family farm as a way of life and then to Legislation: One side of the triangle is legisla- pass that way of life onto the next generation. tion. We have a number of lobbyists. The work done by MFU lobbyists have a direct relationship to their own family farm operations. These people are dedicated to promoting ag bills and go against bills that would hurt the family farm.

Education: Starting with education we at MFU start with our camping program, which is getting larger every year. The young people learn all about agriculture and the family farm that keeps agriculture together. It’s the beginning of our education for our organization. We put on seminars all year around about agriculture for both men and women. We also support organizations that teach agriculture including 4-H and FFA, among others. This support is to maintain the lifestyle of the family farm.

JOIN OUR TEAM! Position Duties: Job Description: MFU Youth Education Assistant • Set up school visits around the state Position Overview: Assist with developing comprehensive plans • Create lesson plans that we can use throughout schools and camps. that coordinate, implement and evaluate educational programs/events for youth on behalf of Montana Farmers Union.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have excellent oral and

written communication skills; the ability to assist in planning, coordinating, and implementing multiple projects and effectively utilizes work time for work related business. In addition, knowledge of agriculture, food, and cooperative business is helpful but not required.

• • • • • • • •

Assist with Ag Days Report/check in with Education Coordinator Assist with youth camps (Day camps & Arrowpeak camps) Assist with camp planning Attend all SYAC meetings Assist with State Convention Implement the STEM program into schools Must assist with all summer camps (hours will change)

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SYAC SPOT LIGHT Each edition we will feature members of the 2019 Senior Youth Advisory Council(SYAC). SYAC members help plan, organize, brainstorm and assist in the implementation of the upcoming summer camping program which includes theme nights, camp projects, crafts, camp souvenirs and other activities. In addition SYAC members host the senior leadership camp. This month we feature SYAC member Abby Clark.

Hello! My name is Abby Clark, and I’m a member of this year’s Senior Youth Advisory Council (SYAC). I’m from Fort Benton, Montana and attend school (with two other SYAC members) as a sophomore. I was first introduced to this program through my parents involvement in the Farmers Union Enterprise (FUE) program and their continuing involvement. They encouraged my sister and I to check out the summer camp which is located at Arrowpeak Lodge in the Highwood Mountains. One look at the campgrounds up at Arrowpeak Lodge and I fell in love.

I’ve been going to camps ever since and I wouldn’t have it any other way. To put a label on it, I’ve been going for about 5 years. I didn’t start going to camps extremely young, however, I still feel like it’s been my summertime home for many years. I can’t wait to see where my future in this program takes me!

APPLY TODAY! SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE The MFU Scholarship period is now open.

All scholarship applications must be sent to and approved by the Montana Farmers Union Foundation Board of directors. All applications must be postmarked by March 15, 2019. Below is a list of available scholarships:

Flathead County Wide - Local

by March 15, 2019. Scholarship questions Farmers Union Scholarship: should be directed to the education coordina1: $500 scholarship. Please contact county tor at 1-800-234-4071. schools for award criteria or the MFU state office.

Bud Daniels Memorial Scholarship: Montana Farmers Union Scholarship: 1: $500 scholarship in memory of Bud Daniels.

2: $500 scholarships. The recipient must Daniels had a life-long devotion to improving be a high school graduate planning to at- the lives of rural Americans and to keeping tend a university, college, community col- farmers on the land. He served as Montana lege or college of technology in or out of Farmers Union president from 1989-1993, state; the scholarship must be used the year was National Farmers Union vice president it is awarded; and Montana Farmers Union in 1992, and in 1999 he received the Meritofamily membership dues must be current. rious Service Award for his contributions to Farmers Union and to American agriculture.

Cascade County Farmers Union Scholarship: John Korsbeck Memorial Scholarship: 1: $1,000 scholarship 2: $500 Scholarships in honor of John KorsContact county schools for award criteria or beck. Korsbeck earned the Torchbearer the MFU state office.

Award, which is the highest award presented to MFU youth. Korsbeck was a Farmers Chouteau County Farmers Union Union Insurance agent from 1976-2005 and Scholarship: proudly served his country in Vietnam.

1: $500 scholarship Please contact county schools for award crite- Visit montanafarmersunion.com for a list of ria or the MFU state office. scholarship criteria and to download a scholarship application which must be postmarked 5

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B Y RO G E R J O H N S O N N AT I O N A L F A R M E R S U N I O N

It’s a new year, but unfortunately farmers and ranchers are dealing with many of the same challenges as last year. Tense trade relationships continue to contribute to depressed commodity prices and oversupply, and the EPA is still undermining the Renewable Fuel Standard by misappropriation of small refinery exemptions. But on top of all the old problems, there’s a new one: an extended government shutdown has all but crippled the U.S. Department of Agriculture, preventing the agency from providing essential services like loan distribution, disaster assistance, and the publication of economic reports. Despite the difficulties, Farmers Union and its members are carrying on. As part of the organization’s grassroots policy process, members of NFU’s 2019 Policy Committee met in D.C. to discuss current agricultural issues and to edit NFU’s Policy Book.

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the programs they oversee are crumbling without funding. Farmers, who rely on a number of federal programs for information and financial and technical assistance, are among those most immediately and directly affected by the shutdown. Starting on December 22, the first day of the shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) suspended activities including the publication of reports from the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and the Economic Research Service (ERS), agricultural research, the allocation of new grants and rural development loans, and investigations of anticompetitive activities. Other rollbacks were slower to kick in; on December 31, county Farm Service Agency offices were closed. This will delay the review of applications for the Market Facilitation Program (MFP), which is intended to assist farmers affected by ongoing trade disputes. However, in early January, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that the application deadline for MFP will be delayed for as many days as FSA office closures last, giving farmers extra time to certify their production. In addition to NASS and ERS data, the USDA did not issue a number of important reports on their scheduled publication date of January 11.

These reports include the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE), the Winter Wheat Seedings report, the Grain Stocks report, a citrus production report, and a 2018 crop production report. Cumulatively, these reports inform spring planting, loan allocation, business planning, futures purchasing, and other economic decisions. All of the delayed reports are expected to be released sometime after the government reopens.

TRADE AID RESUMES, BUT SHUTDOWN WREAKS HAVOC ON FALLS SHORT FARMERS Following reports that the White House would As the longest ever government shutdown delay or potentially cancel the second and fidrags on, more and more federal agencies and nal round of Market Facilitation Program(M-

FP) payments, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that the payments would, in fact, resume as initially planned. MFP was part of the administration’s plan to provide relief to farmers and ranchers struggling with low farm prices due to trade volatility from the administrations trade war with China.

Given the ongoing financial difficulties family farmers and ranchers are enduring, the original rumor was met with frustration and disappointment from National Farmers Union (NFU). “Months ago, President Trump entered and escalated this trade war with China and much of the rest of the world, depressing already low farm prices and ruining America’s reputation as a reliable trading partner,” said NFU President Roger Johnson in a press release. “Now, during this period of significant financial strain, is not the time to renege on promises to farmers to help mitigate the losses.” However, the USDA’s announcement doesn’t do enough to assuage the organization’s concerns. “Support through MFP is welcome news to family farmers and ranchers who are suffering the brunt of the retaliation from China and other trading partners, but this trade aid falls woefully short of the sort of support required to blunt current and future damages of the administration’s trade wars,” said Johnson in a second release. Because the farm economy will feel the effects of Trump’s policies for years to come.

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Johnson emphasized that farmers needs far exceed that of a two-time payment. “The administration needs to understand the grave consequences of its international trade strategy for American family farmers and ranchers, and act in a meaningful way to support farm families during this time of significant financial strife.”

EPA CONTINUES TO UNDERMINE RFS In the past several months, there have been a number of accounts of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency allocating “financial hardship waivers” to refineries owned by large oil and gas corporations, thus exempting those refineries from requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). In the most recent of such stories, Reuters reported that the EPA granted a waiver to a refinery owned by Exxon Mobil Corp, which is the largest American oil and gas company, reporting earnings upwards to $20 billion last year. The refinery, located in Billings, Montana, produces 60,000 barrels per day. After

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significant backlash from National Farmers Union (NFU) and other organizations, the EPA reportedly suspended the distribution of exemptions starting in November while the agency reviewed the program. Exxon Mobil received the waiver prior to the freeze. The RFS supports family farmers and rural communities by driving investment in American grown biofuels. However, the misappropriation of waivers cut demand for biofuels by 2.25 billion gallons in 2016 and 2017 while saving already wealthy corporations millions of dollars. “With farm economy at its weakest state in nearly three decades, it is frankly disgusting that multibillion dollar corporations are receiving government handouts at the expense of struggling family farmers and ranchers,” said NFU President Roger Johnson in a statement. “The EPA must not only halt the misappropriation of these so-called ‘hardship waivers,’ but they also must work to find other mechanisms to account for the billions of gallons of demand they have already destroyed.”

POLICY COMMITTEE CONVENES IN D.C. National Farmers Union’s 2019 Policy Committee met in Washington, D.C., in early January to begin the organization’s policy-setting process. Over the course of the week, the committee met with congressional staff members and industry experts to discuss important agricultural issues. Additionally, they began editing NFU’s Policy Book to reflect current concerns and priorities. These changes will be presented to delegates at NFU’s Convention in March, who will then have the opportunity to assess, approve, and adopt recommendations. The members of this year’s committee are Marcy Svenningsen of North Dakota, Wayne Herriman of Oklahoma, Todd Hagenbuch of Colorado, Steven Read of Minnesota, Saleh Azizi of Hawaii, and Oren Jacobson of Wisconsin. The committee members are all outstanding leaders in their state/regional Farmers Union organizations, and were nominated by their respective states’ presidents to serve on the committee.

MESSAGE FROM CONGRESSMAN GREG GIANFORTE I hope 2019 is treating you, your family, and your friends well. After a successful 2018 when a new Farm Bill that works for Montana family farmers and ranchers became law, I’m looking forward to a productive year of putting Montana first.

In January, House Republican leaders tapped me to serve on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce which has broad jurisdiction over many issues important to Montana, including telecommunications, consumer protection, food and drug safety, public health and research, environmental quality, and energy policy.

I’ll focus on our Montana priorities on the Energy and Commerce Committee. We can expand opportunities to more Montanans by improving access to broadband in our rural communities and promoting teleworking.

We have an opportunity to fix our broken health care system. We have a problem, and it needs to be fixed. We must make health care more affordable and accessible to Montanans while also preserving rural access to care and protecting individuals with preexisting conditions.

My door is always open. Let me know what I can do to help you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or my staff for anything.

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A MESSAGE FROM SENATOR STEVE DAINES

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those living in big cities. After I was able to secure funding in FY2018 appropriations bill, the Department of Agriculture announced it is offering $600 million in loans and grants to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America as part of the ReConnect Program.The ReConnect Program funding targets communities of less than 20,000 people where service is slower than 10 megabits per second download and 1 megabit per second upload. You can read more about this program at reconnect.usda.gov.

I’m glad that, despite so much division in Washington DC, we have bipartisan agreement within Congress and the Administration that rural broadband needs to be a priority. I will continue working to ensure it stays that way.

A MESSAGE FROM SENATOR JON TESTER Montana’s rural communities offer a quality of life that is unmatched. Safe streets, good schools, good neighbors, open land, and strong community bonds make these places truly special places to live. However, there is an aspect to life across the rural west that hinders economic development and folks ability to make a living: that is the lack of rural broadband internet access. According to the FCC nearly thirty percent of rural Americans lack access to broadband compared to just two percent who live in urban areas. In Montana, over forty percent of those living in rural areas lack access.

As your U.S. Senator and the Chairman of the Senate Western Caucus, one of my top priorities has been to work to close the rural digital divide and expand access to broadband internet for rural customers. The ability to have a reliable internet connection is a huge factor in allowing rural economies to compete in the 21st Century. The recently passed Farm Bill contained several provisions aimed at increasing broadband access. Importantly, I was able to include language that prioritizes expanding access in rural areas before upgrading existing infrastructure in urban areas. Further it required the Federal Communications Commission to work with the United States Department of Agriculture to boost broadband deployment in rural areas, including cropland and ranchland so that our farmers have the same opportunities to the global market as

But as a result of this shutdown, FSA offices sit empty as producers struggle with questions about new Farm Bill programs.

I’ve had family farmers contact me because they have an issue with their USDA farm equipment loan, but they can’t get anyone to pick up the phone. They still have payments going out to vendors, but they can’t access the capital they need, and time is running out.

And while the Farm Bill reauthorized funding for top-notch USDA research facilities like the Northern Plains Research Lab in Sidney, those labs are now locked and scientists aren’t doing work to strengthen our rural economy.

I’m working day in and day out to resolve this crisis, but its consequences will be felt long after the President finally decides to reopen the government.

We can continue to debate about the border without holding Montana’s ag producers hostage.

It’s time for folks in Washington to reopen the government and restore the level of certainty Montana’s farmers and ranchers need to succeed.

2019 MFU MID-YEAR CONFERENCE JUNE 5-6, 2019 KALISPELL RED LION HOTEL The government shutdown is hurting Montana’s number one industry—agriculture.

After years of work, Republicans and Democrats came together to pass a strong Farm Bill into law in December.

The new Farm Bill reflects the feedback I received from Montana farmers and ranchers during my travels across the state. It keeps what is working from the previous Farm Bill, while changes what needs to be changed.

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AREA TOURS & WORKSHOPS

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AT V C O N T I N U E D

The table moves about in a slow and realistic motion so that the rider can see how they need to move their body to maintain a safe riding position and also to avoid tipping or rollover. The ATV is open to users of all ages, both child and adult. Along with the simulator MFU has other information to pass on in regards to safety gear and general rules to help avoid accidents.

Just to give you an idea as to how serious ATV accidents are, Montana is one of the nation’s leaders in accidents and deaths. Over the last three years Montana has averaged between 8-10 deaths per year caused by an ATV. There isn’t real accurate statistics on sole ATV accidents as many go unreported. But it’s been speculated there is at least one per day across the state. As a nation over 102,000

accidents were reported in the U.S. in 2017.

Over 24,000 of the reported accidents reported involved children under the age of 16.

Deaths associated with ATV’s in 2017 were reported to be just over 340. As you can see there is a significant number of injuries and deaths with ATV’s. MFU’s hope is that we can help lower those statistics in our state.

Look for us travelling across Montana to help bring ATV safety awareness.

If we can prevent one accident or help save one life then our efforts are worth it. Please talk to the MFU office if you are interested in booking the ATV simulator in your community. We would be happy to try and accommodate your event.

Here are some simple rules to follow when using an ATV: 1.

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Always wear your helmet One Person on ATV at a time Ride the right size ATV Always wear protective gear Never ride on main traffic roads Take a ATV safety course Tell someone where you are going Respect all trails and property Never use alcohol or drugs Always obey the rules

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MSU DIRECTING SEED ROYALTIES BACK TO CROP RESEARCH

Phil Bruckner, left, professor of plant sciences and plant pathology, and Jim Berg, research associate in the winter wheat breeding program at Montana State University, examine wheat plants.

MSU's new Cultivar Development Research Program routes an addtional 30 percent of the royalties generated when MSU licenses crop varieties and puts it toward crop breeding programs.

MSU Photo by Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez B Y T ROY C A RT E R , M S U T E C H L I N K CENTER FOR THE MSU NEWS S E RV I C E

A new program at Montana State University aims to increase the amount of money from royalties on crop variety licenses that goes back into crop breeding research.

The Cultivar Development Research Program routes 30 percent of the royalties generated when MSU licenses crop varieties to commercial partners and puts it toward university crop breeding programs.

MSU’s research into the genetics and breeding of cereal grains and pulse crops has led to the development of crop varieties that offer greater yields and improved resistance to diseases and pests. The research programs are . carried out by MSU faculty, staff and students in Bozeman and at MSU’s seven agricultural research centers across the state.

Over the past five years, royalties for crop variety licenses generated an average of $180,000 per year, according to the university’s Technology Transfer Office, which markets new varieties and arranges licensing agreements MSU Vice President of Research and Eco- with agricultural industry partners. nomic Development Renee Reijo Pera said that is in addition to the 35 percent the uni- The first variety licensed under the Cultiversity had already been sending back to the var Development Research Program was breeders.

MTF1435, a forage winter wheat variety that was licensed to be sold outside Montana. Its “The new program means that now 65 per- sister variety, MTF1432, also called Ray, was cent of royalties will support breeders and publicly released to the Montana market in their research programs,” she said. “This is 2018. Both varieties were created by the uniin keeping with MSU’s land-grant mission of versity’s winter wheat breeder, Phil Bruckner, investing in research to benefit the state of and are considered candidates to replace the Montana and help grow its economy.” popular Willow Creek forage winter wheat re10

leased by MSU in 2005.

Crop research is integral to Montana’s 5.4 million-acre wheat crop, which is valued near $1 billion annually. MSU-developed varieties account for more than 43 percent of Montana’s winter wheat crop and more than 31 percent of the state’s spring wheat.

“We are pleased that MSU’s research in wheat breeding continues to support Montana producers,” said Sreekala Bajwa, MSU’s vice president of agriculture. “Wheat is a critical component in the Montana economy, and MSU continues to develop, test and release varieties that improve what is already a top-notch, Montana-grown product.”

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WE’RE A FAMILY OF COMPANIES. AND FAMILY IS ALWAYS THERE FOR YOU.

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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