The Montana Farm Bureau Foundation and Women’s Leadership Committee are once again offering more than ,000 in scholarships to students pursuing higher education. Educating youth is part of the MFBF Mission Statement: Montana Farm Bureau is a grassroots organization dedicated to preserving and improving the agriculture and natural resource industries through member involvement in education, political activities, programs and services. Montana Farm Bureau Foundation   Bernard Greufe Memorial Scholarship - Applications will be considered for the [post_excerpt],500 Bernard Greufe Memorial Honor Scholarship administered by the Montana Farm Bureau Foundation. The purpose of this scholarship is to assist Montana Farm Bureau...

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“I can’t believe she’s eating those pastries,” Tuff said. He gawked at Bailee. “She likes them,” Pudge said. “It’s not a big deal.” “I have to agree with him,” Banjo said. “Every one of those pastries is filled with something that would turn even a scavenger like Rascal’s stomach.” “That’s probably why he did it,” Tuff muttered. “Everything that he thought tasted vile, he added into these goodies.” “If you can’t take the heat,” Pudge said. “Get out of the kitchen.” Tuff grumbled. “I’m going to make rounds,” he said. “And look for something with snarling teeth to chase off...

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The 2022 Agricultural Census was just released. We use census data to track the trajectories of the critical infrastructure needed to maintain a viable domestic cattle and sheep industry. It’s unfortunate but we have to wait every five years for the publication of a new census to gather the necessary data. The news from this newest census is not good, but it’s what we expected given that neither the Department of Agriculture nor Congress has taken any meaningful steps to protect independent cattle and sheep producers from the abusive market power emanating from the highly concentrated meat packing industry and...

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(RFID = electronic identification tags with the official U.S. seal) The RFID tag rule, touted by Brazilian packers and the Biden administration, requires RFID tags for intact cattle over 18 months of age crossing state lines since November 2024. Most of the tags come from China, and a system to read the tags is not in place. Although the tags can’t be routinely read, they are supposed to help with disease traceability. The tags are easily lost in brush, transit, and shipping points. Australian ranchers found that the Chinese processors refused animals that had lost their tags. Will Brazilian processors...

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I tower above the prairie. I shade the valleys. Man fears what lives within me. I am home to a rippling brook. In spring, I shed tears. My trees welcome the fall breeze. Cattle graze at my feet. I protect the rancher. My rugged edges require sure feet. From deep in my shadows, the wolf howls at the moon. My winding trails lead to great adventure. Some find peace by me. I watch over the west. I am a mountain.

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The Core Master Gardener course is now open for registration in Yellowstone County. These in-person classes will be held on Tuesday evenings, March 18 through May13, from 6:00-8:00 pm, at the MSU Extension office in Yellowstone County.  Registration deadline is March 7. The program consists of eight weekly classes with sections taught by MSU Extension agents, plant professionals, and Master Gardener volunteers. The course fee is 5 ( for military/veterans who provide an ID Card) and includes the Master Gardener Course Handbook. For more information and to register for this course visit:montana.edu/extension/yellowstone/horticulture/mastergardener/index.html. You can also call the Yellowstone County Extension Office...

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One good thing about the old-fashioned nasty winter we have been having is that I find myself with more time to read and of course scroll on Facebook. As I was scrolling, I found this hilarious guide to ranching by Seth Nitschke of Turlock, California. He owns Mariposa Ranch Grass Fed Beef, and he has hit the nail on the head about how ranching is portrayed on social media. One of my former colleagues in the journalism business told me he learned everything he knows about ranching from my column, so I sincerely hope he is not out trying to...

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Casey Lane Todd is three-years-old and loves everything rodeo, cattle, and roping! He’s pictured here with his rodeo-themed Valentine’s Day card box. His mom, Kensie Darst-Todd, wrote, “In our first home as a family, his father always had his rope on display in the living room. Just around six months, Casey was attracted to having a rope in his hand. On his first birthday, he received his first Classic Rope and has been obsessed ever since!” Casey loves watching the Cowboy Channel and often stays up past bedtime to “watch the cowboys.” His mom added, “Needless to say, we have...

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One of the most famous citizens of my hometown was a Harlem Renaissance Singer we knew as “Manny” Gordon, although his name was Emmanuel Taylor Gordon. His sister, Rose, was a friend of my Grandmother. I occasionally saw her around town, but after she found out I liked to sing, we got to know one another a little better and she told me about her famous brother. Bob, the older brother, frequently bought a newspaper paper from me when I had paper routes. He paid me an extra dime and would always say, “don’t spend it all in one place.”...

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From the February 10 Livestock Marketing Information Center’s “In the Cattle Markets.”   The first quarter of the calendar year is typically soft for cattle and beef markets. But not this year. Live cattle futures and cash liveweights have traded above per pound. Nebraska and Iowa-Minnesota have been the strongest regional markets in the 5-Area report. With the information in the now-annual USDA Cattle report from 1/31, the supply side of the market outlook for 2025 is fairly straightforward. Tight supplies are here to stay and there is no substantial evidence of herd building. When herd building does commence...

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