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HELENA – The Montana Departments of Livestock and Revenue would like to thank the livestock owners that have reported and paid their 2020 per capita livestock fees. The per capita fees provide critical funding for programs that benefit livestock producers such as programs to monitor animal health, monitor and restrict livestock imports, track animal movements, prevent and investigate livestock theft, and manage predators. The fees also benefit the general public in funding programs that prevent the spread of animal diseases to humans. The d...
Courtesy PR Extension Office With the recent warm temperatures, the crested wheat grass has shot up in growth. Unfortunately, this is also the time of year that we normally see the black grass bug explode, according to Mary Rumph, Powder River Extension Agent. People will first notice an “anemic” look to the grass in some areas, where it should be a healthy green color. The black grass bug literally “sucks the juices” out of the leaves, leaving a whitened, tough and stringy leaf. The black grass bug (labops hesperius) is one of the earliest pes...
Courtesy PR Extension Office The native forbs are blooming, enhancing the prairie with splashes of color. Unfortunately, not all that is growing is desirable, according to Mary Rumph, Powder River Extension Agent. “In addition to the grass and desirable forbs, I noticed poisonous death camas is present and blooming,” said Rumph. The two most prevalent species are meadow death camas and mountain death camas. While both species can be found in Montana, meadow death camas is the most common and can be found in foothills and on range. Meadow death...
March 26 - April 25 Coyotes: 189 Landowners Covered: 38 3 fox and 2 fox dens Data courtesy of the County Predator Control Board Kill report is based solely on county control measures....
Courtesy PR Extension Office A very fine stemmed, short, yellow blooming annual weed is now present, according to Extension Agent Mary Rumph. Yellow alyssum (Alyssum alyssoides) and desert alyssum (Alyssum desertorum) are non-native, annual, weedy forbs (i.e., herbs) that are becoming more prevalent and problematic, especially in western, central, and southeastern Montana. Though plentiful, the alyssum is fine stemmed, flowers and then dies, and is often not noticed later in the growing season, said Rumph. Yellow alyssum and desert alyssum a...
Courtesy PR Extension Office A nuisance weed, Catchweed Bedstraw, is just starting to grow this spring, according to Extension Agent Mary Rumph. “Reports are that the catchweed is about 4” tall,” said Rumph. “It is often unnoticed until it becomes tall enough to trip you! It loves to climb up corral, garden and lawn fences, between buildings, anywhere that the mower doesn’t get to.” The weed has small blue to violet flowers. The leaves and stems are covered with bristly hairs that cling to clothing and animals. The stems are weak so plants ten...
Courtesy PR Extension Office Prairie dog control methods, though limited in the spring, are valuable because of the timing for optimum control of the litters, according to Extension Agent Mary Rumph. Prairie dogs are social animals that live in towns of up to 1,000 acres or more. Larger towns are often divided into wards by barriers such as ridges, lines of trees, and roads. Within a ward, each family or “coterie” of prairie dogs occupies a territory of about 1 acre. A coterie usually consists of an adult male, one to four adult females and...
By Powder River Extension Agent Mary Rumph The “stay at home” order might provide ag families with an additional labor source at home able to help trap pocket gophers this spring. With the warmer weather, I’ve noticed fresh pocket gopher mounds. If the adult females can be trapped now, before producing litters, the size of the infestation will be greatly reduced. For a complete guide on controlling pocket gophers, please go to the Powder River Extension webpage, www.powderriver.msuextension.org, for the link to “Pocket Gopher Control Techniq...
Agriculture, and the protection of our food supply, has been declared critical infrastructure by the Department of Homeland Security during the COVID-19 response. This declaration means that we have a responsibility to maintain continuity within our agricultural industry. The State of Montana and the Department of Livestock recognize the importance of business continuity for farmers and ranchers. We also understand that ranching activities such as branding, pregnancy checking, and shearing may require involvement of multiple individuals. The...
Courtesy PR Extension Service With warm temperatures and moisture, the grass is greening up and cattle and sheep are chasing the new growth, noted MSU/Powder River County Extension Agent Mary Rumph. Producers are encouraged to take precautions to avoid losses due to grass tetany. What is grass tetany and when does is occur? Grass tetany is a nutritional or metabolic condition in beef cattle and sheep triggered by low amounts of magnesium (Mg) in the blood serum. This disorder occurs most frequently in the spring when livestock graze young, s...
Grants up to $5,000 available Helena, Mont. – The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) announced mini-grant funding is now available through its Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) Program. All projects will need to demonstrate how they expand Montana agriculture, but given the current public health situation with COVID-19, special attention will be paid to projects that strengthen and expand local food offerings, distribution, and infrastructure. “We’re excited to revive our mini-grant program, and now more than ever we need to invest in ou...
By PR Extension Office Last week Powder River Extension received its first call of the spring regarding a nuisance weed – bur buttercup! One of the earliest weeds to appear in the spring, as early as the mustards, is a small yellow flowering annual known as bur buttercup, according to Powder River Extension Agent Mary Rumph. It seems harmless, a small, gray-green tap rooted plant with three to four deeply lobed, fine-haired leaves resembling antlers. However, by mid spring it forms solid, 3 to 4 inch-tall mats. By early summer, it scatters its...
The Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch is looking for area ranchers to help out in their “Homes for Heifers” program. As a member of the program, a rancher has the option to receive a bred heifer from the Boys and Girls Ranch. The heifer, which has been selected for a good disposition, maternal traits, and soundness, is then run with the rancher’s cattle. Once the heifer calves, representatives from the Boys and Girls Ranch will pick up the calves for transport to the YBGR Feedlot (where it will provide youth with hands on experiences worki...
Submitted by Mike Riley Montana livestock producers are reminded to keep updated livestock inventory records. These records are necessary in the event of a natural disaster. The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), administered by USDA Farm Service Agency, provides assistance to eligible producers for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather, disease and attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government or protected by federal law. LIP compensates livestock owners and contract growers for live...
By Liz Riter Alyssa Riley was recently awarded a scholarship by the Powder River Conservation District, which will be used by Alyssa during her spring semester in vet school. She is the daughter of Mike and Margie Riley of Volborg, MT and is attending Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Pullman, WA. This scholarship award is presented to students attending a college, university, or junior college seeking an agricultural and/or related degree. Applicants must be...
By Mike Schuldt, MSU Extension, Custer County The importance of colostrum as the first meal for a newborn is well known in all species; however, the importance of timing has been a topic of research. Dr. Brian Vander Ley, University of Nebraska Veterinary Epidemiologist, recently shared information on timing. Colostrum serves as a loan of immunity from its mother until the calf has time to build its own. The small intestine absorbs the antibodies and is most efficient at this for the first four...
Submitted by Corey Swenson Anyone one who owns or operates land within the area encompassed by Hwy 212 on the north, the Sonnette Road on the east, Taylor Creek Road on the south and Otter Creek Hwy (484) on the west is cordially invited to attend an informational gathering at 2:00 on Monday, February 24th at the Sonnette Hall. A light meal, sponsored by the Powder River Conservation District (PRCD), will be provided to attendees. This meeting is organized by the Broadus Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to provide information and...
By Jackie Walden The Ashland Fort Howes Grazing Association will hold their annual meeting on Friday, February 21 at 2:00 p.m. at the Ashland Public School. Three organizations have committed to speak at that meeting on the value each organization can bring to grazing operations on the Ashland District of the Custer Gallatin National Forest. The Range Allotment Owners - National Grazing Lands Education Association (RAO) is a national level association of livestock producers who are Allotment Owners in the 17 contiguous Western States. The RAO...
Submitted by Mike Riley Contact the office to sign up and with any questions, at 436-2321. Dec. 9, 2019 to Feb. 28, 2020: General Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Signup Period Sept. 3, 2019 to March 15, 2020: 2019 Agricultural Risk Coverage Price Loss Coverage Enrollment and Program Election Period Oct. 15, 2019 to June 30. 2020: 2020 Agricultural Risk Coverage Price Loss Coverage Enrollment Period March 16, 2020 to May 15, 2020: CRP Grasslands Signup Period March 16, 2020 to May 14, 2020: 2020 CRP Spring Managed Grazing Period (prior...
The Montana Historical Society (MHS) is now accepting applications for the Centennial Farm and Ranch program. New inductees will receive a framed certificate signed by the governor, recognition at the “Ag Day” ceremony in the State Capitol during the 2021 legislative session, the ranch/farm history printed online and in our periodic Centennial Farm and Ranch yearbook, and a durable roadside sign. These 24-inch by 36-inch UV-coated metal signs are a new addition to the program this year, thanks to support from the Montana Department of Agr...
BOZEMAN, MT – Know a Montana rancher, farmer or forester who goes above and beyond in the care and management of natural resources? Nominate them for the 2020 Montana Leopold Conservation Award®. Sand County Foundation presents the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 20 states for extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation. In Montana, the $10,000 award is presented with the Office of Governor Steve Bullock, Montana Department of Agriculture, and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s Rang...
BOZEMAN, Mont., January 15, 2020 – USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) reminds historically underserved producers, who are participating in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), of the advance payment option. This option allows them to get conservation practice payments in advance of practice implementation. “The advance payment option makes NRCS conservation assistance more accessible to underserved producers,” said NRCS Chief Matthew Lohr. “It enables them to participate without having to worry about covering...
Helena – The Montana Department of Revenue is reminding all livestock owners that they need to report their livestock to the department by March 1, 2020. The numbers of livestock owned as of February 1 can be reported online at ReportYourLivestock.mt.gov. About 16,000 livestock owners who reported last year have already received notification to report. Livestock per capita fees, set by the Montana Department of Livestock, are due May 31, 2020. All livestock owners may pay these when they report. Otherwise, they will receive their bill in e...
Courtesy PR Extension Weeds to be aware of, herbicide resistance, forage quality, ration balancing and the importance of staying safe on the ranch are all topics that will be discussed at the annual Extension Ag Winter Series scheduled for Tuesday, January 21st, according to Extension Agent Mary Rumph. The program will begin at 12:30 p.m. at the Broadus Community Center. One private applicator recertification credit will be available. The first speaker, Dr. Tim Seipel, MSU Extension Cropland Weed Specialist, will address Combatting Herbicide R...
To be held November 5th, from 8:30 a.m. – Noon, at the Powder River County Election Room Palmer Amaranth, a pigweed relative, is one of the most serious weeds facing American agriculture today and it’s coming this way! After traveling across the southern U.S. and moving northward through the Midwestern states into North Dakota, it now sits on our doorstep. A free half day workshop, “Palmer Amaranth: It’s Coming! What You Need to Know” will be held in Sidney on Tuesday, November 5th. The workshop will also be broadcast as live webinar at County...
