Governor Greg Gianforte yesterday requested President Donald J. Trump issue a presidential Major Disaster Declaration as a result of the severe windstorm that affected nearly all counties in Montana. “Beginning late on December 16, 2025, the State of Montana experienced a long-duration, high impact wind event and associated blizzard resulting in widespread damage and impacts to the region,” Gov. Gianforte wrote in a letter to Pres. Trump. “Significantly eclipsing prior December events, this storm delivered frequent gusts between 60 and 90 MPH in valleys and over 100 MPH in the mountains for multiple hours, primarily during the morning. Reported impacts...

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The 2026 National Western Stock Show Collegiate Livestock Judging Contests took place on January 16. In the Senior College Division, Hayden Schroeder of Texas Tech finished as the high individual overall. She was followed in second by Madie Alldredge of Auburn University and Carter Hoge of Western Illinois University in third place. Olivia Nitschke, of Kansas State came in fourth and Ally Loosen, our of Western Illinois University, rounded out the top-five.   In the Junior College contest, Madison Fischer with Northern Oklahoma College took the top spot and Hudson Drake, of Lake Land College finished in a close second. Chase Harker, of Black Hawk East,...

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Written Friday, January 16 The cattle markets succumbed to the rumor mill as prices opened at the highs and crashed as talk of the New World Screwworm appearing in Texas sent prices crashing as traders wanted out of long positions in front of the upcoming three-day holiday. The USDA never confirmed the story and the story changed somewhat during the session. The Commissioner of Texas’ Agriculture gave a speech on television stating that it was inevitable that the screwworm would appear in Texas. In my opinion, if this is true (I haven’t seen the speech), his talk was all about...

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Washington state has technical and financial assistance available to help producers recover from flooding Agricultural, ranching, Tribal and forest operations in Benton, Chelan, Clallam, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, King, Kittitas, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Whatcom, Yakima counties and all other Tribal nations within those listed counties have been significantly impacted by flooding this winter. As producers move into recovery mode and assess damages, they should contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from...

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Cowgirls are known for their strength, courage, and resilience. Whether they’re working on a ranch, in the arena, at an easel or a workbench, they apply their skills and ingenuity to solve problems and create masterpieces, using their hearts, hands, and creativity. The late Tammy Pate, founder of Art of the Cowgirl, knew this from experience and sought to celebrate and empower women in Western arts and contemporary trades by breaking barriers to entry, investing in their education, empowering them and enriching their lives, while preserving traditions and inspiring innovation. This is the core of the Art of the Cowgirl...

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The Montana Farm Bureau, along with Phillips County Farm Bureau, triumphed in a proposed decision to remand American Prairie Reserve’s grazing leases. In its verdict yesterday, the Bureau of Land Management reversed a 2022 decision that allowed bison to graze on seven federal land allotments leased by the American Prairie Reserve. The nexus of BLM’s decision was that APR’s bison herd was not being raised for economic production and thus is a violation of the Taylor Grazing Act. In November 2022 the Montana Farm Bureau Federation and Phillips County Farm Bureau were granted the right to intervene in three appeals...

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The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) dropped a landmark decision regarding BLM’s Final Decision to allow bison grazing on seven allotments in Phillips County. DOI and BLM released a Notice of Proposed Decision to rescind the 2022 Final Decision and cancelled all associated allotments, a win for public lands ranching in Montana. Montana Stockgrowers along with North and South Phillips County Grazing Districts have long fought for the decision to be appealed due to the lack of process followed for this decision and the very clear violation of the Taylor Grazing Act (TGA)...

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Nominations are open for the 2026 recipients of the National Golden Spur Award and the Ranching Heritage Association Working Cowboy Award East and West, three of the highest national honors in the ranching and livestock industries. Established in 1978, the National Golden Spur Award is the most prestigious national honor in ranching, recognizing a lifetime of exceptional achievement and service to the industry. The Ranching Heritage Association Working Cowboy Award honors individuals who make their living caring for livestock and the land daily, primarily on horseback. “The National Golden Spur Award and the RHA Working Cowboy Award represent the very...

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The Animal Agriculture Alliance opened registration for its 2026 Stakeholders Summit, themed “High Steaks: Navigating Pressure on Animal Protein.” The 2026 event is set for May 5-7 in Kansas City, Mo. and an initial agenda has been posted. Early bird registration rates are available through March 6, offering savings up to 0. Register here. The animal agriculture and food communities are feeling the heat. With headlines, regulations, and expectations all bearing down, the stakes have never been higher. But this is a rare opportunity. Only at the 2026 Stakeholders Summit will attendees find the most passionate minds sparking together. It’s...

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“I thought you said this was close?” Banjo said. “Well, I didn’t say it was far,” Moose said. “Are we at least somewhere in the same vicinity,” Rufus said. “I thought you had a snozz like none-other ‘round these parts.” The basset hound had his nose to the ground. He was going in circles, then up and around the sides of the trees, across the ditch, and beneath the chokecherry trees. “Ah-ha!” he bayed when he found the treasure. Banjo and Rufus ran towards him. “It’s right here,” Moose said, and began digging once. “Was the pocket watch loose in...

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