The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s Rangeland Resources Program (RRP) promotes and advocates for healthy, sustainable rangelands that supports people, wildlife, recreation, clean water, and the natural scenic beauty of Montana.

News

Program to ‘reimagine’ rural Montana Nearly a dozen rural Montana communities have been selected to participate in the fourth annual Reimagining Rural virtual gathering set for three evenings this winter. Reimagining Rural is a free program offered through Montana State University Extension that invites small town residents to hear new ideas for rural community vitality.

Op-Ed: Natural Asset Companies Proposed Rule Threatens Property Rights Quietly, on September 29, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission, at the request of the New York Stock Exchange, proposed a rule to create a new type of company called a Natural Asset Company (NAC). According to the proposed rule, a NAC would “hold the rights to ecological performance,” giving these companies license to control the management of both public and private lands through quantifying and monetizing natural outputs such as air and water. In other words, NACs would use the air you breathe as currency.

Stocking rate and marketing dates for yearling steers grazing rangelands: Can producers do things differently to increase economic net benefits? Producers grazing yearling cattle (i.e., stockers) on rangelands deal with both weather/climatic variability and market volatility. As a result, their decision-making about stocking rate and marketing date is highly dynamic and involves complex tradeoffs. The many permutations of stocking rate and marketing date decisions can be overwhelming to producers, especially if they perceive less flexibility to change stocking rate and marketing strategies, relative to grazing rotation decisions.1

Meeting Cow Requirements While Winter Grazing The need to feed hay is not eliminated through winter grazing, especially during times of inclement weather and as spring cows advance in pregnancy. However, winter grazing can be used to reduce the amount of supplementation required via hay or other feeds. After weaning, the average nutrient requirements of a cow are about 50% total digestible nutrients (abbreviated as TDN) and 7% crude protein (abbreviated as CP). Typically, at the start of grazing, dormant grasses contain less than 6% CP.

Montana Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Applicants Nominations and applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Montana Leopold Conservation Award®. The $10,000 award honors ranchers, farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land. Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 27 states. In Montana, the award is presented with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, and the Montana Rangeland Resources Committee.   Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others with their dedication to environmental improvement. In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” Leopold called for what he called “a land ethic,” an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage. Award nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. The application can be found at www.sandcountyfoundation.org/ApplyLCA. Applications are reviewed by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders. Last year’s recipient was Kurt and PJ Myllymaki of Stanford. The application deadline is March 1, 2024.

Managing winter water supply Cold weather is here to stay for the remainder of this winter season. This creates a challenge for producers who house their herds in areas where there are limited water resources and available natural water sources (including ponds, creeks, and stock dams) may be frozen over. Even though water supplies are thought of during hot summer weather to aid in cooling of the body, cattle require this nutrient during all seasons. Water is still required for bodily functions and obtaining production goals during the cold, bitter winter months. A general rule of thumb is that mature cattle require 1 gallon of liquid water per 100 pounds of body weight.

What's preventing a new era of herbicides?

Some often wonder why there have not been any new herbicide modes of action registered in the past decade or so. In fact, it has been more than 30 years since the last unique herbicide MOA (HPPD/group 27) was introduced to the U.S. market.

First-of-its-kind technology analyzes cow muzzles to predict illness A collaborative study between animal agtech startup MyAnIML and the USDA successfully corroborated the technology's predictive ability to proactively manage devastating disease outbreaks in cattle production.

Price Taker or Price Maker? Tools & Techniques for Successful Risk Management  As producers, we often think of ourselves as price takers, not price makers. Come join the Good Grazing Makes Cent$ team as we untangle the complexities of risk management. This is your chance to get all your questions answered on strategies which help mitigate risk and increase predictability on your operation, both financially and ecologically. We'll cover the basics including defining vague terms we hear on market reports to reviewing tools to help guide ranch management decisions.

I spent a few days in Winnett and Malta this past month attending Winnett ACES and Ranchers Stewardship Alliance annual meetings. If you ever need inspiration from what small communities are doing to increase local vitality, check these two organizations out!  ACES' mission is to, "strengthen our community by enhancing the health of our land, economy, and traditions for future generations." Interested in learning more? Check out the ACES' recently released video highlighting their work.

~Stacey Barta, RRP State Coordinator 

Conservation & Partnerships

Montana Stockgrowers Foundation Accepting Applications for Education Heritage Scholarship Program

Applications due January 31, 2024

 Montana Stockgrowers Foundation [mtbeef.us8.list-manage.com] (MSF) is accepting applications for its annual Education Heritage Scholarship Program. Scholarships will be awarded to three students in the amounts of one $5,000 scholarship and two $2,500 scholarships.

Montana Stockgrowers Foundation Announces the Dr. Raymond Ansotegui Overeducated Cowboy Scholarship

Applications due February 29, 2024

The Raymond Ansotegui Family, in partnership with the Montana Stockgrowers Foundation [mtbeef.us8.list-manage.com] (MSF), is accepting applications for the Dr. Raymond Ansotegui Overeducated Cowboy Scholarships [mtbeef.us8.list-manage.com], a scholarship formed in memory of its namesake who passed away on March 2, 2023, after a seven-year battle with Alzheimer’s. Two $2,000 scholarships will be awarded in 2024.

Trichomoniasis identified in WY cattle herd

Trichomoniasis, a venereal disease of cattle, was recently identified in a herd in Fremont County.  Commonly known as “trich”, the disease is caused by the protozoa, Tritrichomonas foetus, which is transmitted from cow to cow by infected bulls. This disease reduces calf production by decreasing fertility and inducing abortions.

Cooper's infamous Winter Grazing Workshops are back.  The workshops will start at 10am and go until about 4pm.  The cost is $100/person, and lunch is provided.  The workshops take place in the field so please dress accordingly.  Below are the tentative dates (weather permitting):

• Friday, February 23
• Tuesday, March 5
• Thursday, March 21

If you or anyone you know would like to attend a workshop, please email Cooper at  cooper@siebenlivestock.com

"Rural Resilience" Webinar Series

Growing our ranching and rural community’s financial, ecological, and social resilience with experienced, hand-selected speakers, the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance “Rural Resilience” webinar series is back for a fourth year!

While final details are still being ironed out, here’s a look a the dates and topics:

• Thursday, February 22 – Lessons Learned with Goats w/ Carmen Salveson
• Thursday, March 28 – Rural Trends w/ Julia Haggerty, Montana State
• Thursday, April 25 – Beef Direct Marketing w/ Montana RancHERS Beef Co.

Each FREE webinar will last 90 minutes with plenty of time for interaction.

Migratory Big Game Conservation Highlights the Best of West From mule deer and elk to pronghorn, our Western rangelands support some amazing animals. Many of which make impressive annual migrations, rivaling the famous movements of Wildebeest in the Serengeti and Caribou of the north. These populations possess a special ecological, cultural, and economic importance to communities across the U.S.

Agency Updates

DNRC administers a wide range of grants and loans for Montana, assisting cities and towns, conservation districts, private landowners, and other groups in managing natural resource issues at the local level. 

Apply Now!

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Significant Progress to Catalyze Solar Energy Development Throughout the West

The Department of the Interior today announced an updated roadmap for solar energy development across the West, designed to expand solar energy production in more Western states and make renewable energy siting and permitting on America’s public lands more efficient. The Bureau of Land Management also announced the next steps on several renewable projects in Arizona, California and Nevada, representing more than 1,700 megawatts of potential solar generation and 1,300 megawatts of potential battery storage capacity.

Submit Proposals for NRCS Montana Partners for Conservation Cooperative Agreement Opportunity

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Montana is making funding available for eligible entities to address local natural resource issues, encourage collaboration, and develop state- and community-level conservation leadership in Montana. Submit applications via Grants.gov by March 5, 2024.

Restoring Montana's Forestland

Dennis and Karen Davaz acquired property along Eldridge Creek near Livingston, Montana in 2019 less than three weeks after inquiring with the previous owners—their long-time friends. After closing the deal on the property, they promptly set about identifying ways they could improve the landscape. Now the couple is committed to restoring the land, which had been idle for over 45 years. That involves working toward a landscape state similar to the period before suppression of the natural fire regime allowed for extensive conifer encroachment into grazing lands.

Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument solicits public input on Left Coulee Access

Planners seek public input on a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposal to open a 0.6-mile segment of road providing legal public motorized and mechanized access to the Bullwhacker area of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument.

In 2023, the Square Butte Grazing Association and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks finalized a Public Access Land Agreement through a private parcel located along Cow Creek in Blaine County, Montana. The proposed opening of the 0.6-mile road segment would follow the alignment of a primitive, unapproved route that was closed in 2008 and connect the now publicly accessible road crossing private property with 51 miles of existing BLM roads in the Bullwhacker area. The proposed road segment extends south from the private parcel to the Left Coulee Airstrip where it meets BLM road 241215. No engineered road-construction activities are proposed.

REAL Montana program accepting applications until March 31

REAL Montana, a program from Montana State University Extension, is accepting applications for its next class until March 31. REAL Montana is a comprehensive two-year program offering in-depth education and training in the agriculture and natural resource industries. REAL stands for Resource Education and Agriculture Leadership.

Classes consist of up to 20 participants competitively selected to represent a variety of agriculture and natural resource industries across the state. REAL Montana prioritizes diversity in class structure, including geography, gender and industry sectors. This will be the sixth class offered.

Commission to consider amendments on upland game bird, black bear regulations

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission will consider two amendments to the proposed 2024 Upland Game Bird Regulations and one to the Black Bear Regulations when it meets Feb. 16.

The proposed 2024 Upland Game Bird Regulations are currently out for public comment. The two amendments would adjust the regulations for nonresident bird hunters.

FWP seeking public comment on environmental assessments, emergency closures

Sage Grouse Translocation Montana to Alberta Timeline Extension EA

FWP is seeking public participation and comment to extend the timeline to 2026 to complete a sage grouse translocation from Northeast Montana to Alberta, Canada. The translocation of sage grouse intends to supplement sage grouse populations in Alberta, while habitat is improved in southeast Alberta. By extending the project timeline to 2026 and pending Fish and Wildlife Commission approval, the translocation of 40 sage grouse is expected to bolster the sage grouse population in Alberta, as well as transboundary sage grouse that range between Montana and Alberta. 

Spotted Dog Wildlife Management Area grazing and water development draft plan out for review

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public review through Monday, Feb. 12 of its draft Environmental Assessment (EA) that outlines an approach to livestock grazing and associated water development on Spotted Dog Wildlife Management Area (WMA).

State agencies respond to questions about wildlife diseases 

Two diseases mostly affecting wild birds have been detected recently in Montana. These include pigeon paramyxovirus (PPMV), which has become more widespread in the past month, and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which has been detected in Montana since 2022. Mortality in wild birds from HPAI tends to cycle with waterfowl migrations, and detections of HPAI in Montana have increased recently due to seasonal migrations. 

Noxious Weed Management Advisory Council Recruits for Open Positions

The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) is currently recruiting for open positions on its Noxious Weed Management Advisory Council (NWMAC). The following council terms expire June 30, 2024:

• Recreationist / Wildlife Group Representative
• Noxious Weed Free Materials Representative
• Montana Weed Control Association Representative
• Eastern County Weed District Representative
• At-Large Member

USDA devotes $3 million to risk management training

USDA to Reopen Signup for Continuous Conservation Reserve Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin accepting applications for the Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (Continuous CRP) signup on Jan. 12, 2024. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) encourages agricultural producers and landowners interested in conservation opportunities for their land in exchange for yearly rental payments to consider the enrollment options available through Continuous CRP, which also includes the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) offered by FSA partners. Additionally, producers participating in CRP can apply to re-enroll beginning Jan. 12, 2024 if their contracts will expire this year.  

USDA Announces January 2024 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for January 2024, which are effective Jan. 2, 2024. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.

“I encourage our lenders and borrowers alike to work with our local offices and our cooperators to capitalize fully on the existing flexibilities in these important programs,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux.

Podcast Corner

Season Two: Sowing Possibility In my first season I brought listeners to cattle pastures, country churches, farm houses and my own homeplace on the Montana Hi-Line. In season two I expanded the geographic scope of my stories to bring you conversations with thought partners from across the West and Heartland who, like me, advocate for, study and make art out of the rural experience. These interviews unearth guests’ rural roots and take a deep dive into cultural forces and policies that have shaped rural America. They parse out social and environmental issues impacting our small towns, rural lands (and country at large) while offering solutions that you can implement in your community.

AoR 123: Virtual Fence in Action on Wild, Open Spaces in Idaho--Jay Smith & Joel Yelich Listen to Jay Smith, a rancher in Idaho, and Joel Yelich, a University of Idaho researcher, describe their experience managing cattle on a 100,000 acre U.S. Forest Service grazing permit that had burned the year before. Jay was able to keep grazing the permit because virtual fence allowed him to keep cattle off the burn footprint without putting up barbed wire or hotwire. Most rangeland grazing problems are related to animal distribution, and wireless fence may prove to be a game-changing distribution technology, almost a back-to-the-future approach to managing livestock distribution on large landscapes, places where physical fence is not feasible or advisable anymore. Virtual fence can enable effective herding on land with challenging topography and vegetation.

Research Center

To make the 406 Rangelands newsletter more reader friendly, the "Research Center" section has been permanently moved to the Rangeland Resources Program website. You can access it here.

February

• 2-4 - Montana Farmer's Union East Women's Conference (Miles City, MT) For agenda & registration information click here

• 6-8 - Montana Soil Health Symposium
  For registration details click here

• 8 - Understanding AG "The Power of Adaptive Grazing" Webinar (Virtual & no cost to attend)
  Click here to register

• 9-11 - Montana Farmer's Union Women's Conference (Fairmont Hot Springs) For agenda & registration information click here

• 20 - "Unpacking the Carbon Credit Conundrum" (Virtual & no cost to attend) Click here to register

• 20-21 - "Are You Faking It or Making It?" Financial Workshop (Livingston, MT) Cost is $50 & space is limited, register here

• 27 - "Unpacking the Carbon Credit Conundrum" (Virtual & no cost to attend) Click here to register

March

• 5 - "Unpacking the Carbon Credit Conundrum" (Virtual & no cost to attend) Click here to register

• 14 - Understanding AG "Picking the Low Hanging Fruit"
  (Virtual & no cost to attend)
  Click here to register

April

• 3 - Virtual Workshop: Defending the Core from Invasive Annual Grasses (Virtual & no cost to attend)
  For registration information and agenda, click here

Contacts

Stacey Barta, State Coordinator for Rangelands
(406) 594-8481
SBarta@mt.gov

Shantell Martin, Program Specialist
(406) 531-4584
shantell.frame-martin2@mt.gov

Rangeland Resources Committee:

Diane Ahlgren, Chair
John Hollenback, Vice Chair
Sigurd Jensen
Jim Anderson
Leah Lewis
Ron Devlin