MAY 2024
Vol. XXV No. 4 P.O. Box 997 Conrad, MT 59425-0997
Phone 406-271-5533 Fax 406-271-5727 website: tradersdispatch.com E-MAIL: advertising @ tradersdispatch.com
Montana Student Loan Assistance Program
The Montana Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Student Loan Assistance Program is now accepting applications. Established during the 2019 legislative session, this program provides student loan assistance to Montana’s collegeeducated youth pursuing careers in farming or ranching. “The Student Loan Assistance Program seeks to relieve the financial stress facing our young producers so that they can focus their energies on raising some of the world’s highest quality commodities and carrying forward Montana’s agricultural traditions,” said MDA Director Christy Clark. “And when we can keep a family ranch in family hands, that is a success for Montana agriculture.” Qualified farmers and ranchers are eligible for student loan assistance through the program for up to five years. Applicants must be a Montana resident designated as the primary owner, heir, successor or assignee of a farm or ranch in Montana that obtained their associated or baccalaureate degree(s) from a Montana college or university and have agreed to operate their farm or ranch for at least five years. Applications are due June 3rd, 2024, and can be submitted through WebGrants. Full program guidelines are available CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
AUCTIONS
May 13 - 15, Ascent Auction Service, Spring Equipment & Vehicle, Online..... ..................................................................................................................... A3 May 13 - 20, Dooley Auction, Firearms, Ammo, Coins, Collectibles, Online..... ..................................................................................................................... A2 May 13 - 26, Smith Sales Co, 24th Spring Fever Auction, Online.........A4 & A5 May 13 - 30, Musser Bros Auctions & Real Estate, Gregory Bradbrook Estate, Online........................................................................................................... A7 May 13 - June 6, Musser Bros Auctions & Real Estate, Multi-Seller Auction, Online......................................................................................................... A20 May 18, Shobe Auction, Cabin Fever, Lewistown MT................................... A9 May 18, Weaver Auctions, 11th Annual Spring Consignment, Drummond, MT.............................................................................................................. A10 May 19, RLP Auctions, Cowboy Collectibles, Hamilton MT........................ A12 May 25, Montana Auction Company, Holzworth Estate/Sidney Air Service/VCH Inc. Sidney MT........................................................................................... A11 May 25 - 29, ReSource Auction, Sidney Area Equipment & Truck, Online........ ................................................................................................................... A13 May 27 - June 1, Yellowstone Auction, Equipment Auction, Online........... A15 June 1, Barnes Auction Service, 24th Annual Farm & Ranch Equipment, Dillon, MT.............................................................................................................. A17 June 1, GSI Auction Service, Pearl Nickels Estate, Fort Peck MT.............. A19 June 1, RK Statewide Auction, Harris Farm, Wolf Point MT....................... A21 June 6, Shobe Auction, Mesaros Ranch Retirement, Cascade MT............ A23 June 7, Shobe Auction, Eugene Hughes Estate, Sun River MT .................. A23 June 11, Fritz Auction, Croft Petroleum Dissolution, Cut Bank MT............ A25 June 15, RK Statewide Auction, Richland County & Consignment, Sidney MT.............................................................................................................. A27
Loss prevention grants
Each July Montana’s Livestock Loss Board receives a limited amount of funding for loss prevention grants. Wolf or mountain lion related grants issued by the board require a 50% cost share from the applicant. Grizzly bear related grants issued by the board require a 30% cost share from the applicant. A separate application is needed for grizzly, wolf, or mountain lion related projects. Cost share may be in the form of cash and/or in-king contributions. All cost share information must be documented. Receipts for materials and labor are essential. State law directs funding to grizzly bear and wolf projects over projects related to mountain lions. Applications must be received by the board office by 5:00 pm on May 31. Grant applications are available on the board’s website www.llb.mt.gov by contacting the board office to request an application via mail or email.
FFA members in Augusta, Montana, received shirts from MFU to mark their receiving a $2500 MFU FFA New Chapter Sponsorship. Photo courtesy of MFU. Article on page C4 of this issue.
The Nebraska Range Short Course and Grazing School team up
The 2024 Nebraska Range Short Course is teaming up with the Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition (NGLC) Grazing School on June 25 – 27, 2024 at the Spring Lake Ranch south of Gordon, Nebraska to host an event that will give individuals an opportunity to increase their skills with grazing, rangeland management, and livestock production. The three-day, in-person course will be taught through classroom and field sessions focused on the underlying principles of grazing and rangeland management. “The goal of this event is to provide up-to-date, applicable information and training for the efficient and sustainable use of rangelands for livestock production and multiple ecosystem services,” said Mitch Stephenson, associate professor and range management specialist with the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Course topics include setting appropriate stocking rates, improving grazing returns, rangeland inventory and monitoring, grazing for healthier soils, managing for diversity, and plant identification. “The Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition is excited to partner with Nebraska Extension to bring the summer Grazing School and the Range Short Course together in an event for livestock producers, agency representatives, and anyone interested in improving grazing lands,” said Leah Peterson, executive direc-
tor of the NGLC. “Healthy grazing lands are essential to all, and this opportunity to improve upon those practices is packaged into a hands-on learning experience in the Nebraska Sandhills.” Presenters include Bart Carmichael and Pat Guptill of Principled Land Management, LLC, ranchers who have been using diverse grazing management strategies for soil health, NRCS specialists, and Nebraska Extension rangeland specialists. “A healthy ecosystem benefits livestock, the environment, wildlife, and ultimately, producers’ bottom lines,” Stephenson said. “In this course, we’ll use research and experiences from skilled grazing managers to show that.” Registration is $200 and includes monitoring tools, meals, and interactive class materials. The short course can be taken for university credit, which is an additional cost. Applications are due June 1 and enrollment is limited. For more information contact Leah Peterson (director@nebraskagrazinglands. org) or Mitch Stephenson (mstephenson@ unl.edu). Visit the Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition website (nebraskagrazinglands. org/Events) to enroll in this event.
OTHER DATED
Browning Angus, Fallon MT....................................... A8 Clay Creek Angus, Greybull WY.................................. A2 Dallas Polled Herefords, Canyon Creek MT............. A10 K & C Herefords, Deer Lodge MT.............................. A24 Maloney Angus & Simmental, Turner MT................... A6 McMurry Cattle, Herefords, Billings MT................... A24 Wichman Herefords, Moore MT................................ A24
May 17 - 18, Quality Sales, Open House, Great Falls MT.......................................................................... A12 June 11, Churchill Equipment, Grand Opening, Belgrade MT............................................................................ A9
PRIVATE TREATY
ADVERTISING DEADLINE FOR JUNE ISSUE
Wednesday, May 29
Advertiser Index B1
Email: advertising@tradersdispatch.com
Recipe Patch A32
Website: www.tradersdispatch.com