Summer 2020
The magazine of Montana State University Extension
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Sara Adlington Jason Stutzman Josie Evenson Millie Veltkamp Jesse Fulbright Mat Walter Mandie Reed Wendy Wedum Adam Sigler Roubie Younkin LINE & INTERIM MANAGING EDITOR Sara Adlington CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sara Adlington Kimberly Woodring Bethany Chinadle Carla D. Sanford Jeremiah Eaton Adam Sigler Karen Inbody Tahnee Szymanski Dara Palmer Mary Tuck Brenda Richey Mat Walter Hannah Riedl Wendy Wedum THANK YOU TO OUR REVIEWERS Mat Walter Mandie Reed Jane Wolery Mary Rumph Jared Beaver Carrie Ashe Melissa Schaar Shelley Mills Edward Evanson Emily Standley Pat McGlynn Patty Howard Nori Pearce Kristin Blackler Campbell Barrett Logun Norris Megan Van Emon Cynthia Grubb Kalyn Waters Anastasia Burton Becky Lovejoy Kelly Engel
Copyright Š 2020 by Montana State University. All rights reserved. Excerpts from this magazine may be reprinted with permission from the Managing Editor. Please provide appropriate credit to Montana State University Extension and supply copies of printed materials to the editor. Opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the university administration. Montana State University Extension is an ADA/EO/AA/Veteran’s Preference Employer and Provider of Educational Outreach. Common chemical and trade names are used in this publication for clarity of the reader. Inclusion of a common chemical or trade name does not imply endorsement of that particular product or brand of herbicide and exclusion does not imply non-approval.
Innovative Approaches Help Us Connect Digitally MSU Extension faculty and staff have implemented innovative approaches in response to social distancing and closures over the last few months, especially in digital and virtual program delivery. This shift to increasing online programs and webinars is a way to foster social connections and continue learning. Many of the free weekly, and sometimes daily, programs include time for questions and interaction to stay connected with the changing needs of the people Extension serves across Montana. Some online programs are recorded to be available in the future, and were/are offered in topic areas
of estate and financial planning, nutrition, mental health, 4-H and youth development on facebook live, pesticide education, beef cattle reproduction, home weatherization and maintenance, gardening and more. Many online publications and resources are available to download for free. Explore msuextension.org to find areas of interest and a calendar of upcoming online webinars, programs and events. MSU Extension is also on Facebook at facebook.com/msuextension.
Cody Stone is the Executive Director of MSU Extension and has worked in Extension for over 20 years, primarily in leadership and youth development programs.
featured contributor Carla D. Sanford, PhD
Carla D. Sanford has been an MSU Beef Cattle Specialist since 2019, covering research, teaching and Extension responsibilities. She hails from South Georgia where her family lives on their fifth generation diversified ag operation that includes row crop, produce, hay, and commercial beef cattle production. She holds degrees from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, the University of Georgia, Texas Tech University, and the University of Florida. Her work focuses on efforts to improve reproductive efficiency, heifer and bull development, as well as nutrition and reproduction interactions using the latest reproductive tools.
04 Kalispell Kreamery: Continuing the Dairy Tradition on Their Own Terms 07 Five Ways to Make the Most of National Parks 08 Managing Livestock Needs: Don't Skimp on the Minerals 10 Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs): Identifying Risks and Taking Precautions 13 Feral Swine: An Invasive, Non-native Species 15 Celebrating Learning Through Traditional Native Games 17 Beekeeping Laws in Montana 18 Nitrate Testing in MSU Extension
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18 Small Steps to Address Growing Problems with Plastic Waste 19 Rx for Safe Drug Disposal 20 Cyber Safety 22 Training a Puppy 22 Master Gardener Spotlight: Becky Lovejoy at the Daly Mansion
15 Have an idea for a story or a question for Ask Steward or our Master Gardeners? E-mail: ExtensionMagazine@montana.edu Phone: 406.994.2502 Front and back cover photos by Carla D. Sanford. See article on page 8. Lives & Landscapes is published quarterly by Montana State University Extension. Also available online at msuextension.org. To receive a free online subscription, or purchase a print subscription, visit: msuextension.org/magazine.
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KALISPELL KREAMERY:
Continuing the Dairy Tradition on Their Own Terms By Mary Tuck About 10 years ago, Bill and Marilyn Hedstrom of Kalispell were visiting their daughter and son-in-law Mary and Jared Tuck in Bozeman. Little did they know, they would return to their dairy farm with a new business model that would change their small, 150cow dairy to a full-scale milk processing operation with over 300 cows.
KALISPELL KREAMERY
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hile visiting during dinner, conversation led to the a blessing it was for them to take us on,” said Mary Tuck. uncertain future of the 35-year-old dairy farm that As their popularity grew, so did their accounts. Kalispell Bill and Marilyn had built from the ground up. They had Kreamery milk is now available throughout Montana. raised four children, including Mary, on the farm. There was a lot of volatility in the raw milk buyers’ market and From the beginning, Kalispell Kreamery faced a few discussion of retiring and selling the cows was on the major challenges. Their business plan was to sell only horizon. Realizing the beloved family farm was on the Cream-On-Top whole milk. Sales were planned to grow chopping block, Mary suggested the idea of starting a slowly as the dairy continued selling most of its milk to a creamery. She felt the community of Kalispell was well- big co-op. The plan was to mitigate risk and help everyone suited for local milk sales and there was get their feet wet in the new business a movement for natural, homegrown model. However, the milk co-op was I just cold-called foods. The suggestion had merit. With displeased with the plan and dropped that spark, Bill and Jared starting the dairy completely. The Hedstrom’s Rosauers and drawing floor plans, on a napkin, for a and Tuck’s were faced with the reality surprisingly, they creamery next to the milking barn. One of 30 days to sell all the milk their cows year later, in 2009, Kalispell Kreamery were producing (about 900 gallons a wanted to give officially began bottling whole, Creamday). They went back to the drawing it a try. On-Top fluid milk. board and came up with a new plan. First, they diversified products. The Dairy resources are hard to come by in Montana. It has a product line would include reduced fat milk, skim milk, small dairy industry, with few dairy cows and even fewer heavy whip, and half-and-half (all still cream-on-top). processors. Kalispell Kreamery is one of just four fluid milk Next, they diversified packaging; products would be processors in Montana. Hedstrom’s project to expand into available in gallon, half gallon, quart, and pint. Then they dairy processing was a huge undertaking. After a year of marketed to major dairy consumers, selling to coffee scrimping, ingenuity and luck, the creamery became state shops, restaurants, third-party distributors, and expanded certified and was open for business. From the beginning distribution throughout the state. Also, they culled the the community was supportive. Everyone seemed excited herd to about 100 cows. Finally, all the extra milk the dairy about local milk. Thirty-five years of dairy farming made produced was donated to the local food bank. the Hedstrom’s masters at producing raw milk, but not at processing, marketing, and distributing their own That plan worked, and after a couple months of oversupply, milk. As they fell into natural roles, Mary took on the the pendulum swayed. Within six months, demand was challenge of marketing and sales, while Jared managed greater than supply. Since then, Hedstrom Dairy has the plant operations. grown to 300 Holstein dairy cows, producing over 1,800 gallons of milk a day. Kalispell Kreamery has expanded its “10 years ago, I didn’t know what I was doing so I just product line to include chocolate milk, cold brew coffee cold-called Rosauers (a local grocery store) and surprisingly, (with milk, of course), greek yogurt, and ice cream. they wanted to give it a try. I didn’t realize then just what
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Every year, Kalispell Kreamery and Hedstrom Dairy host a free, family “Milk and Cookies” event. This educational open house gives families and customers an opportunity to tour the farm, meet the cows, sample products, play “cow” games, and get a free glass of milk and a cookie. The past couple years have seen more than 2,000 visitors at the event. If you miss the open house, they have an open-door policy, welcoming guests anytime to come and meet the cows. There are times the Hedstrom’s and Tuck’s look back to that dinner conversation and think “what did we do!?” But through all the risks, late nights, early mornings, and trial and error, the learning curve has evolved into a project of passion that supports 22 families, supplies a supportive community with wholesome milk, and allows another generation to continue the dairy tradition, but this time, on their own terms. Mary Tuck is one of the owners of Kalispell Kreamery.
TOP: THROUGH THE LENS 406 PHOTOGRAPHY. BOTTOM: KALISPELL KREAMERY
“Milk is perfect when it comes from the cow, it’s everything we do to it afterward that degrades it,” said Bill Hedstrom. Hedstrom Dairy and Kalispell Kreamery strive to produce all natural, minimallyprocessed dairy products, “from moo to you.” The milk’s high quality starts at the dairy, with the intentional practice of natural husbandry and following a “Cow Bill of Rights.” At the creamery, milk is pasteurized but never homogenized, so it is as close to raw as you can get in Montana. Most of the milk is less than 24 hours old when it gets to grocery stores.
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FIVE WAYS TO
Make the Most of National Parks
National parks can provide dramatic settings for some of the greatest family adventures. Here are five tips to help make the most of an exploration at one (or all!) of our country’s 58 national parks. By Karen Inbody
SARA ADLINGTON
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Plan ahead When the few hours of daylight we get in January are obscured by snow, take the time to plan a summer trip. Visit the national parks online through videos, blogs, reviews and more to decide on a plan. Campgrounds generally open for site reservations six months ahead of travel dates. Hotel reservations have a similar reservation timeline, though some more desirable spots fill up earlier. Center on an adventure A ride into the Grand Canyon on a mule, kayaking across Bowman Lake in Glacier National Park, or catching a train to Denali National Park is a great way to add action to a trip. Think through early in the planning of what you want to do in the park. Memories are made of things you do, not necessarily things you see. Find some quiet Aim for off-hours and shoulder season to trade the tourist hordes for wildlife. In Glacier National Park, for example, by 8:30 a.m. on most summer days, the parking lot at Logan Pass is full, and roads are clogged. Instead of drinking in the scenery, drivers must battle traffic. Instead, start driving up Going-to-the-Sun Road at 4 p.m. to get evening light and space for scenic views.
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Become a junior ranger Nearly every national park has a Junior Ranger program, and it’s a fun way for children to learn about the park. Yellowstone National Park also offers a Young Scientist program at Canyon and Old Faithful visitor centers. Why just look at Morning Glory Pool when you can instead point a temperature gun at it, loaned by the park for young researchers? If you’re too old to collect Junior Ranger badges, get a national park’s passport and collect stamps instead. Gift stores and visitor centers have cancellation stations. Get out of the car The “windshield tour” has become a national park cliché. Instead of budgeting minimal time to drive through the park, plan time for walks in the woods and rigorous hikes, for leisurely meals and picnics, for detours, for s’mores, and staring at the stars. Get out of the car. Even if it’s only for a half-mile walk down a trail, you’ll be richer for the experience and appreciate the park in a different way.
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MANAGING LIVESTOCK NEEDS:
Don't Skimp on the Minerals By Carla D. Sanford
CARLA D. SANFORD
Minerals are essential for maintaining health and achieving optimal growth and reproductive function in livestock. Mineral supplementation is not new to Montana livestock producers, but choosing a specific product can be challenging. Which minerals are important Livestock require some minerals in large amounts, macrominerals, while others are needed in very minute amounts, trace minerals. Essential macrominerals include sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, chlorine and sulfur. Trace minerals include iron, manganese, copper, zinc, selenium, cobalt and iodine. Minerals can be found at varying rates in soil, forages, feedstuffs and water sources. Trace mineral nutrient composition of forages is greatly dependent on the type of forage, the mineral status of the soil, stage of maturity, dry matter yield, climate and grazing practices. Many forages are adequate in mineral nutrient composition but decline with maturity. Copper is present in low levels in forages but is necessary for many metabolic functions and disease resistance, making supplementation vital.
Zinc is critical for maintaining hoof and claw integrity, important for grazing Montana’s large pastures and range. Selenium deficiency impacts immune function and can result in white muscle disease. Additionally, selenium is highly variable by geographical region, ranging from low to overabundant, which can result in toxicity. Selenium is the only trace mineral regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. For livestock fed primarily forages, salt should be provided consistently as it is the most lacking in forages. It is common to purchase a commercial product or premix containing essential minerals to ensure health, immune function, and growth through metabolic functions required for bone development, digestion, reproduction and lactation. While recommended requirements are available for beef and dairy cattle, horses, and sheep from the National Research Council, mineral composition of actual forages, feedstuffs,
pastures and water is beneficial to know for developing a specific mineral plan. Mineral supplementation products are frequently used when not necessary, as adequate minerals are available through forages in combination with supplements or rations. Precision of supplementation is required to avoid toxicity issues and unnecessary operation costs. However, green forages do not always meet mineral requirements of livestock, so daily supplementation can be critical. Weather conditions and fertilization can alter mineral levels in feed, forage and soil, thus mineral status of livestock alone may not be sufficient in determining actual mineral availability. Incidences in mineral variability can also be impacted from year to year. How to determine mineral status While it is common to utilize soil samples to evaluate needed inputs for soil health when growing a crop, samples can also be used to evaluate the mineral status to determine
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supplementation needs for livestock. Both soil samples and tissue samples from forages are great tools for determining the baseline mineral status at a given location. A forage analysis can assist in determining mineral concentrations and how to balance livestock needs with availability. If mineral deficiency or toxicity is suspected, contact the MSU Extension agent and local veterinarian to determine if samples of liver or serum and feed, forage, water and supplements are needed for analysis. Sampling from a subset of animals ranging in age and body condition from the operation can be used to give a representation of the whole herd or flock. Developing a mineral supplementation program There are many commercial mineral products available for Montana producers. The decision to include a specific product should include consideration of source, bioavailability, and costs associated with implementation. The quality of a mineral supplementation program is dependent on the source and form. While loose minerals are easy to provide and the most common method, opt for weather-resistance and offer by using a mineral feeder to minimize loss of product. When monitoring intake, consumption may vary due to palatability, time of year, forage conditions, and many other factors. Minerals containing fly control are effective at minimizing negative effects of pests on livestock when implemented properly, but some ingredients can decrease palatability. One misconception is that livestock know what they need and will consume minerals at the time and rate needed to meet demands. Unfortunately, livestock
consume minerals based on palatability. The addition of salt to a mineral mix results in an increase in consumption, to a certain extent. Salt may also be used to control mineral intake. There are other means of supplementing minerals to cattle, swine, sheep and horses including by tub, top dress, liquid, injectable, or bolus administration (a time-release tablet). There is no one-size-fits-all mineral supplementation program, as mineral nutrient composition and availability varies by geographic location, season and weather. When beginning to develop an appropriate mineral program, include forage, other feedstuffs, and water sampling. Mineral availability will change with the seasons, so sampling once a season allows for a more representative sample of what is available for livestock. Samples should also be taken over the course of several years. MSU Extension agents and specialists can assist producers by discussing how to collect samples, laboratory interpretations, needed minerals and how to balance for operation needs. It is critical to establish a mineral plan specific to an operation, the health and performance of livestock depend on it. For assistance developing a mineral supplementation program for a livestock operation, contact your local MSU Extension agent or specialist. Carla D. Sanford, PhD, is an MSU Extension Beef Cattle Specialist.
BIGSTOCK
Below, It is common to purchase a commercial product like mineral blocks, or a premix containing essential minerals to ensure health, immune function, and growth.
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HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS (HABs)
Identifying Risks and Taking Precautions By Hannah Riedl and Adam Sigler Algae is a term often casually used to describe anything green that is growing in water. Some green growth in waterbodies is natural and necessary because it feeds insects that feed fish. When algae growth accelerates however, it causes an “algal bloom.” Cyanobacteria are a specific type of algae that can release cyanotoxins (toxins), which are the concern associated with Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). HABs can cause illness in people and even death in pets and livestock. HABs occur every year in Montana, so it is important to understand how to identify a potential HAB and avoid risks.
MONTANA STATE HAB PROGRAM
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armful algal blooms are caused by cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae; HABs are not caused by green algae (see sidebar for differentiation). HABs are most commonly observed along the windward side of standing water (lakes, reservoirs, ponds, etc.), often washing up along shorelines. Less frequently, they may also occur in slow-moving eddies or side-channels of streams and rivers. While it is feasible that cyanobacteria or their toxins could travel downstream from lakes and reservoirs, flowing water is not considered at high risk for HABs.
If exposed to a potential HAB and symptoms occur, shower immediately and contact a doctor or veterinarian. In humans and animals, symptoms may include: skin, ear, eye, nose, or throat irritation; respiratory issues; lethargy, paralysis, tremors or seizures; abdominal pain, diarrhea, or vomiting.
Knowledge about HABs and ability to differentiate cyanobacteria blooms from green algae will empower you to avoid exposure or respond appropriately if exposed, including Stay out providing information to a doctor if in doubt. When cyanobacteria are present in a or veterinarian if needed. Imagine waterbody, there is a risk cyanotoxins returning from a walk to a local pond will be released. Unfortunately, predicting when with your child and/or your dog. A rash appears on cyanobacteria will release toxins is not easy. For this your child’s legs or the dog is acting lethargic. Did you reason, the best practice is to STAY OUT IF IN DOUBT. notice algae growth in the pond? If so, did it look like When a suspected HAB is present, keep children, pets, cyanobacteria or was it green algae? If it looked like and livestock away from the water so they cannot contact cyanobacteria, maybe you instead kept the child and or consume the cyanobacteria and possible cyanotoxins. dog out of the water, so exposure to cyanotoxins is not a possible explanation for the symptoms. Maybe the child Generally, the highest health risks associated with HABs got into stinging nettle or poison ivy or maybe the dog got come from consuming water with toxins present or from into an animal carcass or trash. In an alternative scenario, entering the water. However, indirect exposure from maybe the child or dog got into the water before you splashing or aerosolized water containing toxins can also noticed the algae, but you took notice and identified it as affect boaters, fishermen, and shoreline users. Boiling possible cyanobacteria; now you know that cyanotoxins is not effective at removing toxins for safe drinking, are a possible explanation and you can provide information may concentrate the toxins in the remaining water, and to the doctor or veterinarian. may introduce toxins into the air. There is not enough information to know if cyanotoxins are a concern with A few Montana waterbodies that commonly experience consumption of fish, but it is recommended to rinse the cyanobacteria blooms include Beaver Creek Reservoir skin with clean water prior to filleting and remove the and Bearpaw Lake (Hill County), Hauser and Canyon organs prior to cooking. Ferry reservoirs (Lewis and Clark County), Clark Canyon
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Reservoir (Beaverhead County), Hebgen Reservoir (Gallatin County), and Cooney Reservoir (Carbon County). To view a map of past and recent citizen reports, check out the State HAB Program’s webpage: hab.mt.gov. This webpage also has a link to submit citizen reports of potential HABs. The State HAB Program will evaluate report photos and contact you with a visual assessment of potential cyanobacteria presence. If cyanobacteria are visually confirmed, the State HAB program will contact local water managers or public health officials to distribute monitoring resources and recommend advisories as needed. Limiting nutrient loads to waterbodies and lowering water temperatures can reduce the risk of algae blooms, which in turn reduces the risk of HABs. Vegetation along waterbodies can increase shade and help lower nutrient loads from residential development, fertilizer application, and livestock waste. During warm summer months when algae growth is common, much of the nutrients entering streams come from groundwater. Proper maintenance of septic systems and best practices for fertilizer application are important actions for healthy groundwater and to limit algae growth. In summary, all Montanans can help manage HABs by becoming educated on how to identify them; by reporting them to the hab.mt.gov website if observed; and by taking steps to reduce nutrient inputs into rivers, lakes, and streams. Always remember, when in doubt, stay out. For additional information: • The state of Montana Harmful Algal Bloom website: hab.mt.gov • Avoiding Algae Issues in Stock Ponds:
https://apps.msuextension.org/magazine/ articles/5460 • Why pump your septic tank?: https://apps. msuextension.org/magazine/articles/1350 Hannah Riedl works in the Watershed Protection Section of the Montana DEQ and Adam Sigler is the MSU Extension Water Quality Specialist.
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7 IMAGES 1–5: MONTANA STATE HAB PROGRAM; IMAGES 6–7: ADAM SIGLER
Identifying cyanobacteria Cyanobacteria tend to be suspended in the water and can look like grass clippings (Image 1), spilled paint (Image 2), or pea soup (Image 3), and can be blue, green, gold, red, or brown. Green algae (Images 4 and 5) or macrophytes (Images 6 and 7) tend to be filamentous (stringy), commonly attached to the bottom, and green. If it has leaves, it is not cyanobacteria (floating duckweed, for example, has leaves, Image 6). A stick dipped into cyanobacteria generally comes out coated in the material; in contrast, green algae or macrophytes will tend to drape over the stick and hang down. This test can be confusing if green algae and cyanobacteria are present together; submit photos to HAB.mt.gov to double check. Common symptoms of exposure to cyanotoxins • skin, ear, eye, nose, or throat irritation • respiratory issues • lethargy, paralysis, tremors or seizures • abdominal pain, diarrhea, or vomiting
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However, domestic swine can also revert to a feral state in just a few generations. Because of this, Montana’s laws defining feral swine do not include a genotypic definition; they include any hog, boar, or pig that appears to be untamed, undomesticated, or in a wild state, or appears to be contained for commercial hunting or trapping. Common characteristics of feral swine include coarse hair with long bristles, a moderately long tail with sparse hair, and an elongated snout that is flattened on the end. Males may have tusks. Because of potential influence from domestic species of swine, feral swine may exhibit a wide variation of colors and sizes. Though size can vary, females typically range from 77–330 pounds and males from 130–440 pounds.
Feral Swine: An Invasive, Non-native Species By Tahnee Szymanski BIGSTOCK
If you look at a recent distribution map of feral swine (Sus scrofa) in the United States, you might wonder why there has been so much discussion regarding this invasive species in Montana. A few things driving this conversation include: • The presence of feral swine populations in Canadian provinces to the north. Populations have been reported in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. • The popularity of hunting feral swine and the risk of hunters transporting and releasing feral swine in Montana to establish populations for hunting. • The ability of domestic pigs that escape to revert to a feral state in just a few generations.
Feral swine are an invasive, non-native species to Montana and the U.S. as a whole. Existing populations have been created by either intentional transport and release or escape of domestic swine species. Species like the Russian or European boar were brought to the U.S. as domestic pigs from Europe and Asia and are considered the traditional species of feral swine, the ones that most people picture when discussing feral swine.
In 2015, the Montana Legislature passed a bill banning feral swine and designating the Montana Department of Livestock (DOL) as the primary agency responsible for responding to reports of feral swine. Prohibitions include importing, transporting, or possessing live feral swine; allowing swine to live in a feral state; hunting, trapping, or killing feral swine; feeding feral swine; expanding the range of feral swine; or assisting with or profiting from any of these activities. In addition to state law, DOL has regulations that prohibit domestic swine from running at large and Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) has designated Russian boars, European boars, and crossbreeds of both as prohibited species within Montana. The prohibition of hunting feral swine in Montana can be confusing. In a state where we do not want established populations, hunting seems like an effective solution. However, due to reproductive efficiency and movement behavior, feral swine cannot be eradicated by simple hunting practices. Hunting pressure that fails to eliminate all animals in a group (leaving a ‘sounder’) can
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result in further dispersion. Canada has radio collar data of hunting pressure moving collared animals 30 miles in a single day. An attempt to eradicate feral swine on private land in Colorado using hunting spread the animals an additional 100 miles before population control was achieved. Dispersion of feral swine can create multiple, new sounders that are educated to hunting threats and become difficult to manage. The ban on feral swine in Montana was a proactive approach to a potential introduction, either through expanding range or deliberate introduction. Feral swine damage crops,
Currently, there are no known populations of feral swine in Montana. DOL works in partnership with FWP and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services (USDA-WS) on response to reports of feral swine in Montana. Since the prohibition was passed by the 2015 Montana Legislature, DOL has historically received 1–2 reports per year of possible sightings in Montana. These include feral swine imported from Texas for hunting purposes, sightings by hunters along river bottoms, and reports from landowners along Montana’s highline. A report of a feral swine population in north central Montana in January 2018 resulted in 13 flight hours looking for evidence of feral swine in the area. In 2018, the DOL began work with the Montana Invasive Species Council (MISC) to increase awareness of feral swine laws. In 2019, the Squeal on Pigs campaign was launched, including a feral swine summit held in Billings. Representatives from DOL, MISC, and USDA-WS attended meetings to discuss the importance of reporting potential sightings. Montana law requires that feral swine sightings be reported to DOL within 24 hours. The Squeal on Pigs campaign has created a single point of contact to simplify reporting and ensure sightings reach the agency responsible for responding. Since implementing the campaign and with increased awareness across Montana, the number of potential sighting reports has increased. Fortunately, there are still no confirmed detections of feral swine in Montana.
UDSA-APHIS
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/wildlifedamage/operational-activities/feral-swine/sa-fs-history
pastures, waterways, and carry diseases that can spread to livestock, people, and wildlife. They are predatory in nature and will prey upon ground-nesting birds and small mammals, including fawns, lambs, and even calves. Feral swine damage is not limited to agricultural resources; they can also damage cultural sites and urban properties, including lawns and golf courses. Feral swine damages in the U.S. are estimated to be in excess of $2.5 billion dollars annually. Swine brucellosis (Brucella suis), pseudorabies, swine influenza virus, African swine fever, tuberculosis, and trichinellosis are just a few examples of 30-plus diseases and parasites that feral swine can carry. With an existing wildlife reservoir of bovine brucellosis (Brucella abortus) in the Greater Yellowstone Area, the introduction of swine brucellosis through feral swine populations would complicate disease management in Montana. Currently available blood tests used for routine surveillance are not able to distinguish between the two brucella species.
Tahnee Szymanski is an assistant state veterinarian for the State of Montana.
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Celebrating Learning Through Traditional Native Games By Brenda Richey
BRENDA RICHEY
Traditional Native American culture has always included games for both individual and team competitions. Indigenous games focus primarily on three developmental areas: physical skill and endurance, intuition, and chance. First contact explorers were exposed to games as early as the 1500s. Many games were adopted by visitors and taken back to their countries of origin. Native games such as stickball, shinny, and footbag soon made their appearance as baseball, cricket, hockey and soccer.
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ames such as stickball might be used to settle tribal disputes over hunting territories. Instead of declaring a catastrophic war, tribal elders would agree to a game. Rules were few, but strictly adhered to and playing fields were often miles in width and length. These games were intense, often taking days to conclude and warriors could still be critically wounded or killed. It was a civilized way to settle disputes and it protected the non-warriors of each tribe. Tribal elders honored the pre-game arrangement for winnings. Not doing so could cause the tribe as a whole to “lose face” and could lead to being ostracized. Native communities depended on elders to teach games to youth. The games taught life skills needed to survive in the world. When Indian children were removed from their homes and sent to boarding schools, teaching through games was lost. When and if youth returned to their tribes, they lacked the cultural knowledge developed through traditional games that enabled them to protect and provide for their families. Paul Phillips, a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes is the CSKT Tribal Health Lead Fitness
Specialist and an international Native games player. He has traveled the U.S. and other countries encouraging audiences to learn from and participate in Native games. Several years ago, Phillips worked on a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Part of the research identified if incorporating Native games into daily life would encourage healthier eating and lifestyle choices. Phillips discovered that because Native games are fun and can be tailored to fit audience needs, participants were more likely to join in. Players felt better mentally, saw physical improvements, and were more willing to address food choices and eating habits. Playing Native games has a positive impact on both physiological and psychological well-being. This creates a healthier individual, and then creates healthier communities. It is traditional for entire communities to take part in games, either as active players or as avid supporters. All ages are welcome to participate. At the 2019 Montana State University Extension Annual Conference, Phillips was invited to speak and incorporate traditional Native games. Phillips said, “The main thing I’d like to stress is
Above, both youth and adults can play the double ball stick game and learn social skills and expectations that also apply to life outside of the game.
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the way Native games teach social skills and expectations. The games teach us how to treat one another: how a man should treat a woman and children; how adult women should treat children; to teach a young man or warrior he is expected to protect, to provide, and to be humble to his own people, using his size and strength to protect his family and community. This is what Native games teach us.”
Below, all ages are invited to play traditional Native games, regardless of age or athleticism because there are team and individual strategies.
game is that it doesn’t require a lot of skill. Anyone can play, regardless of age or athleticism. The rules are simple and few which makes it easy to learn. It is a wonderful game – there are elements that let the individual play intensely, while there are team and defensive strategies to help get the individual with the ball to the goal.”
Today, thanks to continued research in the field of During the conference, approximately 20 individuals neuroscience, we know that games of intuition and chance participated in the Native game activity. Players were that promote observational and sensing skill development encouraged by supporters who cheered for both teams. are just as important as physical strength and endurance. Native games are not without injury, and one player said, Holistically, humans need each, in order to thrive in a “I was stunned at how fast Phillips got to me after I fell, world with constant assessment and adjustment to an to protect me from the stampede of players. He models ever-changing and fast-paced environment. No matter the values of the games he teaches. Watching from the your personal or professional background, age or ethnicity, sidelines, it was magical to see a master player move in and traditional Native games bring us all into one circle as a out of the group, stealing the ball, and shifting the play.” community enhancing the physical, psychological, and spiritual journey of each participant. The youngest player, age two, ran up and down the sidelines pretending to join in, while his pregnant mother worked Want to learn more? to keep him out of harm’s way. The adult game paused, For more information regarding Native Games of Montana and Phillips and other players quieted the group to bring Tribes please go to http://www.traditonalnativegames.org/. the eager young player onto the court. Now, the little one had an open floor with teams cheering him, his own stick, You can also find free, age-appropriate lesson plans at http:// and the double ball! For this little one, Native games made opi.mt.gov/Portals/182/Page%20Files/Indian%20Education/ him the hero of the moment. Health%20Enhancement/Traditional%20Games%20-%20 all.pdf. MSU Extension Agent Wendy Wedum, one of the adult active players, described her first Native game experience Brenda Richey is an MSU Extension agriculture and 4-H after the conference, “The beauty of the double ball stick agent in Flathead Reservation. LEFT AND LOWER RIGHT: BRENDA RICHEY. UPPER RIGHT: WENDY BECKER
a publication of Montana State University Extension
specific commercial seed, fruit, or other commercial agricultural product. They are only valid for the specified amount of time that a crop is in peak bloom. New beekeepers need to complete a one-time registration fee for $10. There are many options for joining a beekeeping association to learn more and network with fellow beekeepers, depending on location. For example, there is the Flathead Valley Beekeepers Association, the Northwest Montana Beekeepers Group, Southwest Montana Beekeepers, the Yellowstone Valley Beekeepers, and many more. There is also a group called Plan Bee, which is a group of beekeeping hobbyists who are also veterans.
Beekeeping Laws in Montana By Kimberly Woodring KATELYN ANDERSEN
Are you interested in beekeeping, but don’t know where to start? There are a number of beekeeping resources in Montana, as it typically ranks in the top five states in the U.S. for honey production.
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place to begin is by reviewing state and local beekeeping laws, as honeybees are regulated in Montana. Beekeeper registration must be paid to the Department of Agriculture by April 1 annually. Registration fees are paid to the Department of Ag and are used for regulatory programs that protect producers, consumers and the environment, as well as development and marketing programs to foster growth in Montana agriculture. Registration fees depend on which bee category is registered. There are four beekeeping registration categories in Montana: commercial, landowner, hobbyist, and pollination. 1. Commercial yards must be at least three miles from another commercial apiary
site operated by a different beekeeper. The distance can help prevent the spread of disease and pests. Commercial yards must also have at least 10 hives present from April 15 - October 15 for 10 consecutive days. Registration for a commercial yard is $35/yard annually. 2. Landowner yards are allowed to register any number of hives at the location. For this category, the apiary must be managed by the landowner. Registration for a landowner yard is $10/yard annually. 3. A hobbyist yard is defined as a beekeeper who has 10 or fewer hives and no more than two apiary locations. Registration for a hobbyist yard is $10/yard annually. 4. Pollination yards are provisional locations registered for pollination of a
If you are leasing a beekeeping site from another landowner, it is important to maintain communication with them. For many reasons, including hive health and being a conscientious neighbor, you may need to be in contact with the landowner, nearby pesticide applicators, renters, hunters, fishermen, and neighbors. Work closely with landowners to ensure that your bees stay healthy and protected, including from bears in certain areas. Ask neighbors to notify you when there will be upcoming pesticide applications. There may be a need to block, move, or net the hives to minimize pesticide exposure to the bees. You should also notify landowners and applicators when the bees arrive and when they need to be moved because the land may have changed hands and it’s important to keep everyone in the area updated on the bees location. Another important way to be a good bee neighbor is to make sure that hives are easily visible to applicators. Painting the hives a bright color will help them stand out from the surrounding area. Montana law states that each apiary site must be labeled with the beekeeper’s name and contact information. Information about Montana’s beekeeping laws, beekeeping associations, and various other resources can be found at the Montana Department of Agriculture Honeybee website https://agr.mt.gov/Honeybees. Kimberly Woodring is an MSU Extension agent in Toole County.
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Nitrate Testing in MSU Extension By Mat Walter Grain forages continue to be popular in Montana, and for good reason; they provide good feed quality, good tonnage (or volume per acre), and are excellent as a rotational tool in alfalfa programs. However, the benefits also come with a warning: nitrates.
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itrates accumulate in grain forages such as wheat, barley, millet, oats and sorghum, and can prove to be highly toxic to all classes of livestock. Nitrate accumulation commonly occurs at night, thereby producing higher levels in the morning. Once photosynthesis begins, the level of nitrates decreases as plants utilize the compound for growth and development. Plant stress created from drought, frost or excessive moisture can increase problems with nitrate accumulation. MSU recommends any levels below 1500 parts per million (ppm) be considered safe for all livestock to consume, and higher levels increase the risk of toxicity to livestock. As
grain forages are being used more regularly and as our research into nitrates improves, so too has our method for testing.
agents to determine a range of ppm from the forage. Using this method, we can provide a recommendation on whether the forage is below or above safe levels, something the Quik Test cannot offer. Currently, 19 MSU Extension offices offer the Strip Test and 17 offer the Quik Test. Extension agents rely on these two testing methods to determine preliminary results, although it is still the recommendation of MSU Extension to submit a sample to a certified lab for analysis if levels of forage nitrates are detected above the safe-to-feed range. MSU Extension agents and specialist can then help adjust feeding programs if needed. For more information, see MontGuide
Currently MSU Extension offices provide one of two methods for testing nitrates; the qualitative quick test and the quantitative strip test. The Quik Test uses an acid-based ‘Forage Nitrate Analysis: What method to use’ solution on plant tissue to identify whether (MT201817AG) or see MontGuide ‘Nitrate nitrates are present or absent, however it Toxicity of Montana Forages’ (MT200205AG). cannot give the amount of nitrates present. The purpose of the Quik Test is to determine Mat Walter is an MSU Extension agent in Lewis if a sample should be sent to a feed lab to and Clark County. quantify the amount of nitrates. The Strip Test, however, is a method that allows
Small Steps to Address Growing Problems with Plastic Waste
SARA ADLINGTON
By Jeremiah Eaton Living in Montana, it can be easy to distance ourselves from news stories about the island of plastic floating in the ocean that is nearly the size of Alaska. Issues with plastic waste are not limited to the oceans, micro plastics have been found in waters across the U.S., including Montana.
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he most effective way to address the plastic issue is to reduce the plastic we buy and use at grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, etc. Reducing single-use plastic is a critical step to eliminate plastic waste because most plastic is not recyclable. In addition to limitations in general plastic processing, recycling in Montana is often further limited due to infrastructure and transportation issues. Each community must
recognize limitations and only recycle items accepted by local recycling programs. The key to maintaining these programs is to reduce recycling contamination, which occurs when recycled items contain food waste, when nonrecyclable items go in bins, or when items go in the wrong bins. Recycling contamination costs money to remove or could cause the entire bin to be sent to the landfill. Most local programs in Montana only accept #1 and #2
a publication of Montana State University Extension
Rx for Safe Drug Disposal By Wendy Wedum
ROSE MALISANI
According to the Montana Department of Justice’s Resolve Montana website, the rate of prescription drug overdose has doubled since the year 2000, and 70% of abusers get these drugs from family and friends. Users include children as young as 12 years old to mature adults.
plastics, but this may vary by location. In the Gallatin valley for example, most plastic collection is currently limited to items labeled with #1 or #2, and having a bottle or jug shape (plastic bag recycling is available at some retail stores). Before recycling, ensure plastic waste is accepted by the local recycling program and is clean of any contamination. If in doubt, throw it out. Critical things to avoid • No Contamination – remove food waste from containers before recycling • No Wishful Recycling – only recycle things you know a recycling collector accepts, not things you hope they accept Jeremiah Eaton is a contributing member of Climate Smart Glacier County and recent State of Flathead's Plastic event.
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rescription medicines can be particularly harmful to people who are not prescribed the medication because the doctor takes many factors into account including the person’s health history, current illness, weight, age, and pre-existing conditions. What might be safe for one person could be deadly for another. Prescription drugs in the home may be found in bathrooms or kitchen cupboards. These are convenient storage areas for the person prescribed the medicine, and are also convenient for friends or family members to steal the medicine. Take precautions to safely and responsibly store and dispose of prescription medications by: • Storing medicines in a lock box or location known only to you to reduce accidental poisoning or theft. • Disposing of any prescription medications at a Rx Drop Box or a prescription take-back event in your community. Use this link for a list of Montana Rx Drop Box locations: https://dphhs.mt.gov/amdd/ substanceabuse/dropboxlocations
If you are unable to use a Rx Drop Box, follow these steps to safely dispose of unused or outdated prescription medications: 1. Take prescription drugs out of their original containers. 2. Mix drugs with an undesirable substance, such as cat litter or used coffee grounds. 3. Put the mixture into a disposable container with a lid, such as an empty margarine tub or sealable bag.
4. Conceal or remove any personal i n fo r m a t i o n , i n c l u d i n g t h e prescription number, on the empty containers by covering it with black permanent marker or duct tape, or by scratching it off. 5. Place the sealed container with the mixture and the empty drug containers in the trash. Other ways to prevent prescription drug abuse include: • Read all instructions on medications. • Use ONLY as directed, ONLY as prescribed. • Store medicines in a lock box or in a safe, undisclosed area. Remember, sharing is NOT caring when it comes to prescription medications. It is important for parents to talk with their children about the correct uses, safe storage and disposal of prescription drugs. Kids who learn about risks of prescription medications from their parents may be less likely to use drugs than those who do not hear this critical message. Wendy Wedum is an MSU Extension agent in Pondera County.
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Cyber Safety By Bethany Chinadle
BIGSTOCK
Cybersecurity is a complicated matter, but experts agree on a few key points on how to protect yourself. The first step is to understand what cybersecurity is and why it’s crucial.
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ybersecurity is critical because it encompasses everything that pertains to protecting our sensitive data, personally identifiable information, intellectual property, and data from theft by criminals and adversaries. Cybersecurity risk is everincreasing in this globally connected society. A combination of even more data being stored
in the cloud and increasingly sophisticated cyber criminal networks and software lead to increasing cyber-attacks and data breaches. In the past, a simple firewall or antivirus software was enough to protect a network and information – not anymore. Our society is increasingly reliant on the Internet.
Personal data that could result in identity theft is now stored on multiple social media accounts, and sensitive information, such as credit cards, are now stored in accounts online. Whether for home or business, most of us rely on connected devices daily.
a publication of Montana State University Extension
Here are 10 tips to protect yourself in this ever-connected world with increased threats to data security. Tip #1: Everyone is a target to hackers • No one is immune to being targeted. • Keeping personal and business information secure is a responsibility for everyone. Tip #2: Be careful of phishing scams – emails, phone calls, and pop-ups • Phishing scams are a constant threat, and they tug at emotions, using social engineering to influence you to release username and passwords, credit card and banking information, etc. • If you have any doubt about the request, call the person it is from to verify they sent the request. • Be suspicious of any email, phone call, or text that asks for personal information or for you to verify personal information. • Be wary of computer pop-ups stating it has been infected with a virus, and you must contact Microsoft to fix it; often, these are scams. When you call as instructed, scammers will request remote computer access and offer to fix it for hundreds of dollars. If you pay them, usually you have just fallen for a hoax. Tip #3: Be cautious when clicking • If you are not expecting an attachment or link in an email, or it looks suspicious, don’t click on it. Call the person to verify they sent it. • Avoid visiting websites or downloading software from untrusted sources. Tip #4: Keep software programs up-to-date • Always install the latest security updates on all devices. • Turn on automatic updates for your operating system. Tip #5: Use hard-to-guess passwords • Use a password management program like LastPass if you have trouble remembering passwords. • Passphrases can help to remember passwords. A passphrase is a long password, usually a string of words like a short sentence. • Don’t use the same password on all sites. • Update passwords every six months or whenever password compromise is suspected. Tip #6: Physically protect devices • Lock or turn off the computer when leaving the desk. • Use a passcode or pattern on all portable devices. A pattern is a series of finger swipes that can be used to gain access to a device instead of a password.
Tip #7: Protect sensitive data • Don’t leave a list of passwords next to your device. • Don’t store sensitive information, such as credit cards and social security numbers, on a device. • Always use encryption when storing or transmitting sensitive data. Encryption is obscuring information so that only the intended recipient knows how to read it. Legitimate financial institutions may offer encrypted email services for sharing information. Tip #8: Treat mobile devices with the same level of caution as a work computer • Lock your device with a PIN (personal identification number) or password and set the device to electronically auto-lock after a certain amount of time • Only install trusted apps. • Keep smartphone or tablet operating systems and apps up-to-date. • Enable loss or theft prevention tools, such as Apple’s Find My iPhone or Android’s Device Manager. Tip #9: Use anti-virus software • Windows 10 has a free, built-in antivirus that has been very highly rated. • There are additional paid and free options available for download. • Keep antivirus programs and definitions up-to-date to ensure the antivirus program remains active. Tip #10: Back up data • Back up data on a regular basis. • Back up any files you would miss if they were lost. • If you are a victim of an attack, sometimes the only way to fix the device is to restore a computer back to factory settings. With a factory restore, you will lose all files stored on your computer unless you have a backup on another device. • Use a 3-2-1 back up strategy. Three copies of data, two copies on different media (external hard drives, flash drives, DVD’s, etc.), one copy offsite (Cloud, in a safe, in a lockbox, another building). The rise in widespread use of technology has brought efficiencies to our lives, but it also has brought on a rise in cybercrime. It is important to remain vigilant in online activities and if in doubt, do further research before indiscriminately clicking on whatever appears. No one is ever completely protected from cyber threats, but by using some of the tips, hopefully, you can reduce the risk of being caught off guard by cybercriminals. Bethany Chinadle works for Triangle Communications.
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With multiple methods of training available, those who get a new puppy might wonder what the best approach is for training a four-legged companion. Training is available at varying time and financial investments, and all of them suggest starting as soon as the puppy comes home. efore adopting or buying a dog, try to identify what role the dog will fill in a household. Consider a dog’s breed and what level of activity it will need. The relationship you want with the dog should influence the kind and amount of training needed. Dogs can benefit from training for daily routines (sleep and potty training), being alone in a crate or house, socializing, obedience (commands like sit/stay, and manners of not biting, walking on a leash), all the way to training for agility competitions, field trials or hunting. Make a list of behavior expectations before beginning to train a puppy.
SARA ADLINGTON
By Sara Adlington
Training a Puppy
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Training a puppy can begin from simply practicing consistent routines, to buying and using a book or video, up to paying a trainer who works with a puppy or young dog daily during formative months. No matter what is chosen, training will be useful for predictable home routines and when a dog interacts with other people or animals. In municipalities, dog
By Dara Palmer
Becky Lovejoy at the Daly Mansion
MASTER GARDENER SPOTLIGHT
ADRIANE GOOD
For Becky Lovejoy, volunteering at the Daly Mansion is “like coming home.” Having grown up in an architecturally similar house, she has a deep connection with the mansion. That is likely what bolsters her love of the grounds, especially Margaret’s garden, named for Margaret Daly, widow of copper king Marcus Daly.
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ovejoy, a Level One Master Gardener in Ravalli County, has been volunteering at the Daly Mansion since 2015. She has donated more than 837 hours of time, mostly to the grounds at the mansion. “It’s just a matter of time before I bring a bedroll,” Lovejoy jokingly said. With 46 acres to maintain, volunteers like her are essential to maintaining the integrity of the estate. Lovejoy coordinates a team of volunteers from the county, and they report directly to the Daly Mansion rather than the county agent, therefore taking some of the burden off the local MSU Extension office.
The Ravalli County Master Gardener volunteers involved with the Daly Mansion maintenance mainly focus on Margaret’s Garden, which is home to a new rose garden, a native plant garden, kids play area and an heirloom vegetable garden, as well as a U-pick berry patch. “Our heirloom vegetable garden has produce that might have been grown in the Daly Mansion heydays. They are not all necessarily official “heirloom” plants, however. The native plant garden got signage last year, so visitors can become acquainted with native plants that they might see in fields or meadows, or on local hikes. The kid’s play area is well used with a bean teepee, tic tac toe board,
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a publication of Montana State University Extension
owners are often expected to keep their dog under their control, either with a leash or voice commands. There are many no- or low-cost online sources for advice and videos. However, training at home combined with training in a group class allows a puppy to learn appropriate behaviors for multiple locations and settings. This combination of both can be an effective, low-cost approach. Start with an online search about training for basic routines and obedience lessons, available from the Humane Society, the American Kennel Club, pet food companies or retail pet product stores. Then look for in-person training or classes which may be offered by more local experts, such as veterinarians, the Humane Society, local dog trainers, the person or kennel the puppy came from, and some retail pet stores. Veterinarians, local pet stores, dog boarding facilities, and friends or neighbors can often recommend classes or a trainer.
Obedience and manners Obedience training establishes clear communication with a dog, and often includes the commands of sit, stay, lay down, come, heel, and walk on a leash. These basics can all be taught with repetition of a voice command or hand signal, and positive reinforcement like small treats and verbal praise for the correct behavior. Expanded training for obedience and manners could include things like crate training, not jumping or begging, asking to go outside, not nibbling or biting, and how to greet other dogs and greet people. More intense training for agility course or field trial competitions, and for hunting and retrieving skills or ranch work will still include repetition and voice commands, and might incorporate whistles or a remote training collar with a tone and/or shock. At these levels of training, dogs should have developed trust with the trainer or owner, and they can learn more elaborate signals and commands for correcting direction, overcoming obstacles, and more.
Training tips The common themes that emerge in books, online, or in-person training all suggest that daily, repetitive, short periods of training (just 5-10 minutes) can begin as soon as your puppy arrives. Consistency, patience and positive reinforcement are important. So is playtime, and toys meant for chewing. Access to toys meant for chewing or playtime in a consistent location can help teach a puppy what they aren’t allowed to chew. Voice commands should be short and consistent among all family members who live with the dog. For example, some people call a dog’s name as a command to come, and in other training, saying the dog’s name is a release for them to fetch or run. Whichever it is, consistency of the command and the expectation of predictable behavior is the key. Sara Adlington is an MSU Extension editor.
sandbox, beetle banks, and logs to jump on,” explained Lovejoy. The public is encouraged to pick berries from the berry patch and any excess produce from the vegetable garden goes to volunteers and the local food banks.
DARA PALMER
In her official capacity as Chair of Margaret’s Garden and the Butterfly Garden, Lovejoy keeps volunteers interested and coming back by limiting volunteers to 2-hour time blocks, saving the “fun stuff” for the volunteers and providing a to-do list with a wide variety of tasks. If you are interested in starting a community garden project and would like organizing advice, Lovejoy can be e-mailed at montanagal35@gmail.com. Dara Palmer is the MSU Extension Montana Master Gardener coordinator. A view of the butterfly garden at the Daly Mansion.
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