SEPTEMBER 2026
Vol. XXVII No. 8 P.O. Box 997 Conrad, MT 59425-0997
Phone 406-271-5533 Fax 406-271-5727 website: tradersdispatch.com E-MAIL: advertising @ tradersdispatch.com
Suicide prevention webinars
Research shows that people working in agriculture experience higher rates of stress and suicide than in many other occupations. Studies also indicate that strong social support and access to helpful resources can significantly reduce stress levels and suicide risk. To help address these challenges, North Dakota State University Extension will offer two “Question. Persuade. Refer.” suicide prevention webinars on September 1 at 11 a.m. and October 6 at 1 p.m. The free 90-minute webinars will focus on the unique stressors facing people in agriculture and the impact those pressures can have on mental and emotional well-being. Similar to how CPR training prepares people to respond during a medical emergency, QPR training equips participants to recognize the warning signs of mental health distress or suicidal thoughts. Participants will learn practical skills to approach CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
PRODUCTION SALES
Nov 13, Heartland Cattle Co., Lewistown MT................................................ A6
AUCTIONS
Sept 3 - 10, Booker Auction, Rhoades Farms, Online.................................... A5 Sept 10 - 24, Roshon’s Auction Service, Dan & Sue Aylesworth Downsizing, Online........................................................................................................... A2 Sept 11 - 22, Booker Auction, Craig Kelsey Estate, Online............................ A5 Sept 12, Kuhbacher Auction Service, Kukowski Estate, Miles City MT........ A4 Sept 12, Pate Auction, State of Montana Surplus, Helena, MT.................... B28 Sept 14 - 19, VanderBrink Auctions, LLC, Born Family Collection, Online.. A11 Sept 14 - 23, Booker Auction, Consignment, Online...................................... A5 Sept 14 - 29, Musser Bros, Northwest Regional Auction, Online.................. A7 Sept 19, Kuhbacher Auction Service, Broadus Annual Fall Community, Broadus MT.............................................................................................................. A12 Sept 24 - Oct 1, Booker Auction, Mulkey Farms Retirement, Online............ A5 Sept 25 - 26, VanderBrink Auctions, LLC, Redwood County Truck & Car Collection, Redwood MN................................................................................ A11 Sept 26, Burow’s Auction Service, Inc., Lou & Sharon Thoenes Downsizing & Guest, Cascade MT...................................................................................... A6 Oct 3, VanderBrink Auctions, LLC, Chevrolet Celebration, Fremont, NE..... A11 Oct 5 - 20, Ascent Auction Services, Statewide Fall Equipment, Online..... A10 Oct 5 - 22, Ascent Auction Services, Fall Belgrade Equipment & Vehicle, Online............................................................................................................. A10 Oct 10, Kuhbacher Auction Service, Boo Crane & Slug Mills Estate, Broadus MT.............................................................................................................. A14 Oct 10, Roshon’s Auction Service, Will Warner Estate, Columbia Falls MT.. A8 Oct 24, VanderBrink Auctions, LLC, Jim Finney Model Tz, Oblong IL.......... A11 Nov 4, Fritz Auction, Lanay Kapperud Estate & Family, Online................... A16
MT Agritourism Conference
From the MSU News Service The third annual Montana Agritourism Conference will be held on November 5-6 at the Yogo Inn in Lewistown, bringing together farmers, ranchers, tourism professionals, educators and community leaders to explore opportunities to strengthen Montana agriculture through agritourism. Hosted by the Montana Agritourism Association, this year’s conference, “Cultivating Opportunity: Growing Montana Through Agritourism,” will feature educational sessions, keynote speakers, networking opportunities and optional farm tours designed to help participants build and grow agritourism businesses. The first day will include farm tours around the Lewistown area along with an evening social, followed by a day of keynote speakers, panels and breakout sessions on Friday, Nov. 6. The sessions will feature producers, industry professionals and representatives from state agencies and organizations discussing a range of topics related to developing, marketing and growing agritourism businesses. A full schedule and list of sessions can be found on the conference website. Shannon Arnold, a professor in MSU’s Department of Agricultural and Technology Education, said the conference is designed for anyone interested in the intersection of agriculture CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
These wonderful draft horses were part of the horse sale near Moore, Montana, where the local Amish community uses them for transportation. They also build the carts the horses are pulling.
NDSU Extension to offer education and exhibits at Big Iron Agricultural safety, rural stress and mental health, weed plant identification, data centers in North Dakota, and leadership and civic engagement will highlight the North Dakota State University Extension exhibit at the Big Iron Farm and Construction Show in West Fargo, North Dakota, on September 15-17. NDSU Extension personnel will feature exhibits at the east end of the Hartl Ag Building. In addition, NDSU Extension agents and specialists will be available to answer questions about crop and livestock production and other rural topics. “NDSU Extension has had a longstanding presence at Big Iron, and we are happy to be present at the show again this year,” says Rob Proulx, NDSU Extension ag technology and grain systems specialist. “Please stop by to view the displays, ask questions, provide input, or simply to visit – all are welcome.” Agriculture ranks among the most hazardous industries. Farmers are at very high risk for fatal and nonfatal injuries, and farming is one of the few industries in which family members, who often share the work and live on the premises, also are at risk. Grain entrapment is one of the major hazards related to grain farming. Visitors will have an opportunity to measure their “pull” in a tug-ofwar with grain entrapment. A person buried to the waist in grain requires an extraction force
PRIVATE TREATY
McMurry Cattle, Herefords, Billings MT.............. A36 Pam Durhams, Kevin MT....................................... A2 Wichman Herefords, Moore MT........................... A36
equivalent to their own body weight plus an estimated 600 pounds. Proper grain entrapment rescue procedures will be shown along with other grain safety guidance. Another aspect of the exhibit will focus on resources available to help farmers and ranchers thrive amid occupational stresses and challenges. Working in agriculture is accompanied by managing a variety of stresses on a regular basis. NDSU Extension specialists who focus on farm and ranch stress will be available to discuss resources and methods of appropriately dealing with stress. The exhibit will also feature live plant samples of several economically important weed species. NDSU Extension personnel will be on hand to demonstrate the proper identification of each species. Copies of the NDSU Extension publication “Data Centers: A Guide to Common Questions” will be provided at the exhibit. Recently developed by the leadership and civic engagement team, the guide is designed to help communities engage in informed, transparent and respectful conversations about proposed data center development. An accompanying video display will provide a factual overview of existing, in-progress and planned data centers within the state. CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
OTHER DATED
Sept 18 - 20, Teton Antique Steam & Gas Threshing Assoc, Threshing Bee and Bazaar, Choteau MT...A4 Seot 22 - 23, MT Conservation Corps, Landowner Field Days, Conrad & Dupuyer MT..................... A34 Sept 22 - 24, North Central Montana Angus Tour, Havre MT.............................................................. A9
ADVERTISING DEADLINE FOR OCTOBER ISSUE Wednesday, September 30
Advertiser Index B1
Recipe Patch A32