Rangeland Resources Program
Welcome to the Rangeland Resources Program newsletter!
Featuring key information about our program, notifications about upcoming events, and news blasts, this newsletter will keep you up to speed with everything Montana rangeland. If you have any suggestions for future newsletters, please contact Stacey Barta at SBarta@mt.gov.
|
Montana Youth Range Camp
The 2020 Camp has been postponed until summer 2021.
|
What is the RILP?
Range Improvement Loan Program
|
|
 |
The Range Improvement Loan Program was established to provide low interest loans for range improvement projects. The real estate secured loan is an opportunity to help with projects such as cross fencing, water development, seeding they relate to range improvement. The loans amount is maximum of $75,000 over a 10 year period. For more information call Bill Herbolich at 406-444-6668 or visit the web site at Range Improvement Loan Program. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Working Lands Internship Program -Stacey Barta
2018 the Rangeland Resources Program and the Rangeland Resources Committee piloted a Working Lands Internship Program. The RRC had wanted to explore the idea of a mentorship/internship program.
In 2012, Wyoming conducted a feasibility assessment to identify needs related to agricultural training. It reviewed existing training programs and surveyed students, recent graduates, Wyoming landowners, academics, state and federal agency staff, and other stakeholders.
The assessment found there is a need for a program in which hands-on learning experiences and opportunities are the focus regarding agriculture and natural resources. It was easy to apply this information to most western states. This assessment gave perfect justification for the need, now to implement a program in Montana.
The 6 Rangeland Resources Committee members, each agreed to host interns for a 2 week stint. This would add up to a 12 week excursion for the interns who would travel from Elmo to Nye to Culbertson, and points in between during the summer of 2018. They would help fix springs, spray weeds, doctor calves, work on pivots, move cows, brand, do maintenance on equipment and as you can imagine everything in between. The program is now in its 3rd summer, with over 16 hosts ranches now hosting 3 interns. There are all kinds of agriculture operations involved-cow calf, sheep, some cattle and grain, located in just about every corner and ecotype in Montana.
If you are interested in hosting, or know of a student that may be interested, here is more information Working Lands Intern Program.
|
The Exotic Problem and a Potential Biological Solution
Across sagebrush landscapes in the western United States, exotic annual grasses such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and medusahead (Taeniatherum caputmedusae) have invaded fifty to 70 million of acres of rangeland in 13 western states. These invasive species thrive in disturbed areas and significantly alter landscapes, affecting soil properties, wildlife habitat, and livestock forage. Importantly, these plants also change natural fire regimes, fueling large wildfires when they die in late summer and fall, then crowding out native plants in the aftermath of the fire with their superior ability to establish and prosper in burned areas. See Cheatgrass and Medusahead for more information. full article.
Cattle producers, consumers and decision makers will have an opportunity to learn more about the current issues in the cattle and beef industries through the Intersection of the Cattle and Beef Industry webinar series. North Dakota State University Extension is co-hosting the series with Texas A & M Agrilife Extension and West Virginia University.
Webinars are at 7 p.m. CDT. Registration is required to sign up for live webinars or view the recording(s).
The USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program and its 25 Plant Materials Centers (PMCs) work with an array of partners to address resource concerns with plant studies and evaluations. Results of these studies include improved plants and new vegetative technology for NRCS conservation planners and the general public. The decline of pollinator habitat across the country is an example of a resource concern of importance to the agricultural community. The majority of crops we eat (fruits, vegetables, and nuts) and most plants found in natural ecosystems across the globe rely on pollinators for fruit and seed production. Healthy, abundant pollinator populations and habitat are needed to ensure that the next generation of plants will be produced. full PMC story
 |
|
Check out this video from Idaho and the Intermountain Joint Ventures on fires and cheatgrass.
|
Why is Sagebrush Country on Fire? June 3rd
BLM Outcome Based Grazing - Now available from the Society For Range Management YouTube videos on BLM's new Outcome Based Grazing presentations at this year's annual meeting in Denver.
Land Sustainability and Stewardship
Watershed Stories - Montana Watershed Coordination Council recently produced watershed stories, check them out.
Rangeland Podcasts- The Art of Range podcast provides education through conversation with some of the brightest minds in rangeland management.
This video covers field characteristics important for identifying four non-native annual grasses invasive in Montana: cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), Japanese brome (Bromus japonicus), ventenata (Ventenata dubia), and medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae).
Conversation with FWP on Bison EIS-Listen to Voices of Montana interview Martha Williams, FWP Director on the recently released Bison EIS.
Coordinator Corner
|
May, one of the best months of the year. Its been nice to see the country side green up and the trees start to leaf out, signs of new life is much appreciated.
June is usually a month filled with mid year meetings, tours and in the field workshops, this June is pretty sparse for those events. Make the most of newly found free time, and start some photo monitoring or transects on your rangelands, the hardest part is getting started. Contact your local Extension Agent, NRCS range specialist or get a hold of me, any of us can help you get started.
Starting in the next issue, I will be featuring one of the Rangeland Resources Committee members.
There are some great webinars and podcast links in this newsletter, be sure and check out at least one!
Happy Trails. -Stacey
 The Rangeland Resources Program recently embarked on a project to promote Montana’s Rangelands and the stories of the landscape and the role of private lands conservation. This months featured video showcases grazing and fishing can be beneficial, see how they are doing it on the Madison River.
September 9 & 10, 2020 Montana Range Tour-Malta Registration information.
NRCS Events. Calendar of conservation workshops and training
June 9- MSGOT Helena
Oct. 6-8 2020 NAISMA Annual Conference is the organization’s 27th Annual Conference and will be co-hosted with the Montana Invasive Species Council
Summit to Stream Symposium Oct 14-16, Butte MT -This is going Virtual
Stacey Barta, Program Coordinator
220 W. Lamme, Suite 1A
Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 594-8481
SBarta@mt.gov
Rangeland Resources Committee:
John Hollenback, Chairman
Steve Hedstrom, Vice Chairman
Diane Ahlgren
Noel Keogh
Connie Iversen
Sigurd Jensen
|
