On July 12, the National Multi-Agency Coordination Group, which is comprised of fire representatives from every wildland fire agency, raised the wildfire preparedness level from Level 3 to Level 4, unlocking greater resources to be distributed nationally in response to what USDA described as an already “above normal summer fire season.” “We are in peak fire season and are rightfully raising the preparedness level to ensure we are protecting our public lands and communities from devastating fires. President Trump, Secretary Burgum, and our State, local, and Tribal partners are prepared to respond,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said in...

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For Reggie and Amber Willits, and their sons, Jaxon, Eli, and Hunter, their lives revolve around their faith, their family, baseball, and cattle. At certain parts of the year – like around their bull sale – their registered Hereford and commercial operation – Double Seven Ranch – takes precedence; but most days of the year, the family works around the competitive baseball schedules of their sons. Twenty-year-old Jaxon will be starting his junior season playing for the Oklahoma Sooners, 13-year-old Hunter is starting to get more competitive with his play, and 17-year-old Eli was just selected as the third youngest...

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My little family and I took a few days away from the ranch last week to head to Rapid City, South Dakota. Technically, the idea was that the trip was my birthday present, but for anyone who has little ones in their lives, you know that we really did it to give the kids some new experiences. The prime example of this is that we spent several hours at Reptile Gardens. If you don’t already know this about me, I have an above average fear of snakes. You could probably go so far as to call it a phobia. But...

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One of the main topics of conversation since President Trump took office and assembled his cabinet has been that of the new dietary guidelines that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) will be coming out with here in the very near future. In fact, he is promising to have them out by August. In mid-June, following a press conference held by RFK Jr. and others, Nina Teicholz, PhD, posted a short video from the press conference on Instagram talking about the need for more saturated fat in our diets. The caption on the video read, “Looks like the new Dietary...

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Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring has activated the North Dakota Harvest Hotline. “Farmers who need custom combining and combiners looking for a job should call us at 701-328-5110,” Goehring said. “Your name and information will be entered into the Harvest Hotline database to be matched up with other callers.” Goehring said North Dakota Department of Agriculture employees will answer calls to the hotline weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Callers can also leave a message on evenings and weekends. The service is free of charge. A self-service Harvest Hotline map is also available again this year. The map can be...

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The National FFA Organization plays a large role in the lives of students across the State of Montana. This program first started in 1928 and has since spread across all 50 states and 5 territories. Chartered in 1930, the Montana Association has a membership of over 6900 students, representing 111 chapters. The FFA Motto is “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve” and members practice this every day. Students have numerous opportunities to learn about potential careers, serve their communities, and develop skills that will last a lifetime. One special opportunity that took place recently...

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is now accepting applications for its upcoming agribusiness trade mission to Mexico City, Mexico, scheduled for November 3–6. U.S. exporters interested in exploring trade opportunities in Mexico’s dynamic agricultural market must apply by Thursday, July 31. “Strengthening export opportunities for American farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses is a top priority of USDA,” said Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Michelle Bekkering. “This trade mission will connect U.S. producers with key buyers in Mexico, expanding economic opportunities, supporting rural prosperity, and keeping American agricultural products globally competitive.” Mexico was the...

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Last week Daisy, the pup, and Bailee, the kitten, were lured into a grain bin and found themselves trapped. Will they find a way out or will they be rescued by an unsuspected friend? “It has to be Rascal out there,” Bailee said. “Even Rascal wouldn’t stoop this low and lock us in a grain bin,” Daisy said. “What happens when it gets too hot?” “Don’t worry, like I said earlier, there’s got to be a way out,” Bailee said. She leapt up onto the cat-paw sized ledges on the frame of the bin to search for a way out....

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Knox Arntzen, age nine, hailing from Arntzen Angus Ranch in Central Montana, north of Lewistown, helping AI cattle. Photo courtesy of Krista Arntzen.

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When I got married nearly 43 years ago, I won the mother-in-law lottery. Carol Metcalf was a truly amazing person that became my second mom. We were more like best friends than in-laws, and I cherish that. She danced with lymphoma and lupus until the music stopped on July 10.  I was lucky enough to spend the last nine days of her life with her. This is my tribute to this truly fine woman. . . When the Trail Forks by Susan Metcalf The day has come to tip our hats to a truly fine matriarch. The trail has forked, and...

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