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them while becoming more independent.” Sara says learning to juggle ranch life and kids can be challenging, but she has some valuable advice for new or soon-to-be moms. “Don’t take on more than you can handle. If you focus on trying to be perfect then you will be stressed. The time when kids are little goes by fast and it should be cherished. Find the time to play with the kids and get your work done. It’s a balancing act, but it can be done.” One fun fact about Sara, her middle child was born the day after Mother’s Day in 2009. Now, that’s one unique Mother’s Day gift! A big thank you to Barbara and Sara for sharing their story! It’s so important to recognize and celebrate all the hardworking moms out there who are busy raising the next generation of Montanans!
THANK YOU TO OUR VALUED BUSINESS BOOSTERS FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT!
Urick Log Homes & Construction, Belt
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MONTANA PRODUCERS TRAVEL TO COSTA RICA TO BUILD POTENTIAL FOR EXPORT OF CATTLE BY LISA SCHMIDT
Three Montana cattle producers recently spent three days in Costa Rica building the potential to export Charolais and Red Angus genetics to innovative beef producers in the Central American country. Charolais producers Howard Rambur and Cole Bravig, plus Red Angus producer Lacey Sutherlin learned that Costa Rican beef producers rely on exports to sell about 75 percent of their beef and that Charolais and Red Angus crossed with Brahma speed growth in calves significantly. “They want Charolais and Red Angus because those breeds can stand the intense sun and the bugs,” said Treston Vermandel, business development specialist for Montana Dept. of Agriculture. “Their F1 crosses do really well, but the next generation faces a lot of heat stress and other challenges,” said Sutherlin.Vermandel who helped organize the producer tour, along with the Kansas Dept. of Agriculture and the U.S. Livestock Genetics Export Inc. is pairing Montana bulls and semen with Costa Rican cows by introducing Montana breeders to the top producers in the mountainous country that spans 19,700 square miles, about one-eighth the size of Montana. The Montanans, along with three Kansas beef producers, participated in a field day at the 800-acre Los Diamantes Experiment Station in Guapales so Costa Rican producers could learn how genetics can improve muscling, body condition and time-to-maturity while the cattle still can withstand Central American heat About 100 Costa Rican cattle producers toured the experiment station during the field day, checking out the crossbred cattle. “The difference in the crossed calves was something to see. The weights, muscling and body condition scores were really improved,” Vermandel said. A crossbred calf also will speed production time, 19
improving Costa Rican producers’ ability to feed their 4.87 million fellow citizens. “Right now, their cattle are not ready for processing until they are 36 months old. The crosses cut that time almost in half, to 20 to 21 months,” Vermandel said. Sutherlin, who traveled as a Red Angus breeder and to teach artificial insemination (AI) techniques as an employee of ABS Global, demonstrated some of the finer details of successful AI to about 30 Costa Rican ranch owners, herdsmen, veterinarians and experiment station employees. Average conception when a Costa Rican veterinarian AIs is about 45 to 50 percent, Sutherlin said.“They know the basics. I talked about anatomy, sire selection, and AI protocols. Then everyone threaded into real (dead) reproductive tracts. The experiment station had 30 cows that we bred, too,” Sutherlin said. “They asked a lot of questions and were attentive. They appreciated the opportunity.” Next on the agenda, eight to 10 Costa Rican beef producers will spend two or three days in Montana on a “reverse mission,” Vermandel said. “It’s good to see different aspects of the cattle industry firsthand,” Sutherlin said. “They do so much with what they have. But seeing their challenges makes you appreciate what we have in the U.S.”
Montana Farmers Union is a grassroots organization. Our strength comes from the local level. Members have the opportunity to shape policy, develop local education programs and effect real change for Montana agriculture. If you are interested in starting a Farmers Union chapter contact our office for details at 452-6406 to get started!