Montana Cattlemen's Association

MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF LIVESTOCK

BRAND RERECORDS

Brands rerecord - which effects every rancher in the state - is coming up soon. MDOL will be sending out rerecord notices in January 2011, with renewals due by December 31, 2011. In the meantime they are trying to make sure everyone has their addresses up to date - there have been a lot of changes due to revamping of rural 911 systems, and if folks don't have their correct address on file, it could potentially delay delivery of their rerecord notice. To update your address go to:

http://liv.mt.gov/be/rerecord/index.asp

MONTANA CERTIFIED NATURAL BEEF PROGRAM

The Montana Certified Natural Beef Program, spearheaded by MCA, is now ready to be implemented.

The Montana Certified Natural Beef Program strives to add value to Montana beef products using state verified protocols.

To participate in the program, beef cattle owners must apply for certification using a producer application form. The cattle enrollment form is used to identify animals that are to be included in the program. A health records form is used to keep track of any medicines given to animals, and must be sent to the department before sale of the animals.

For additional information, visit: http://agr.mt.gov/business/certifiedBeef.asp or contact Marty Earnheart, livestock marketing officer at the Montana Department of Agriculture at (406) 444-2402 or by email at mearnheart@mt.gov

Natural Beef Application Form (pdf)

Cattle Enrollment Form (pdf)

Cattle Health Records Form (pdf)

Certification Law and Rules (pdf)

The Montana Cattlemen’s Association was reactivated to provide representation to the cattle producers of Montana. MCA has a long history stretching back to the 1950’s of representing Montana cattle producers on issues vital to the future of our industry. Our goal is to continue that tradition with the help of experienced cattle producers across the state.

The purpose of MCA is to address the market interests of Montana cattle producers. MCA will serve to support the environmental, cultural and historical interests of Montana cattle producers. A primary purpose is to restore prosperity to rural Montana by advancing the interests of agriculture.

MCA is composed of 12 districts throughout Montana. Each district selects its own director. Those districts and current directors can be found by clicking on the officers & directors button above. Your voice through your director is important to the success of MCA and your future.

With increased imports, decreased market share, a collapsed finished cattle market, and a host of other challenges facing the cattle producer and his way of life, it is imperative that each and every cattleman in the State of Montana becomes more active in protecting his livelihood.

By joining MCA your voice will be heard and with hard work, dedication, and perseverance the cattle industry can become profitable once again!

MCA Mission Statement

To actively participate with Montana cattle producers to protect our industry's future.

To address market interests, serve to support Montana’s environmental, cultural and historical heritage, and protect the interests of Montana cattle producers in international markets and trade issues.

The Montana Cattlemen’s Association shall be true environmentalists in protecting and advancing their environmental positions in water rights, mineral rights and natural resources.

Senator Tester's Treasure State Export Seminar

   Senator Jon Tester will host his Treasure State Export Seminar, a daylong event in Billings to create jobs and boost the state's economy by expanding opportunities to sell Montana goods and services to customers in other countries.

   All interested Montanans are invited to attend the June 3 seminar, to be held at Rocky Mountain College, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

   "There's a goldmine of opportunity for Montana manufacturers, service providers, farmers and ranchers," Tester said. "A lot of folks don't export because they're not familiar with the resources out there to help make the process easy. I want to make sure they have the tools they need to open the door to new markets, new opportunities and new jobs."

   Tester noted that 95 percent of the world's customers do not live in the United States, but only one percent of U.S. businesses export to other countries.

   The Treasure State Export Seminar will feature various workshops and speakers, including a keynote address from Fred Hochberg, the chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. The Bank is an independent, self-funded federal agency that provides loan guarantees and insurance for businesses interested in exporting goods and services to other countries.

   The Treasure State Export Seminar builds on Tester's successful Small Business Opportunity Workshops held in Great Falls and in Bozeman over the last year. More than 350 small businesses attended Tester's Bozeman event.

   The Treasure State Export Seminar is free and open to the public, but anyone wishing to attend is asked to RSVP at tester.senate.gov/export, or by calling Tester's office toll-free at 866-554-4403. (The agenda may also be found on this website.)

Special Membership Offer

Due to the current state of the economy and the financial strain on Montana cattle producers and their families, the MCA Board of Directors have unanimously voted to temporarily reduce membership dues from $50 per year to $20 per year. It is important every cattle producer, or individual supporting agriculture, has the opportunity to belong to a state organization working on their behalf, which is why our directors have reduced dues to a more affordable $20 per year.

Join MCA

MCA Submits Beef Checkoff Improvement Recommendations

The Montana Cattlemen's Association (MCA) has submitted recommendations to amend the Cattlemen's Beef Board checkoff program as follows:

1. Checkoff dollars be used to promote only U.S.A. beef from cattle born, raised, and processed in the United States of America.

2. A periodic vote on the checkoff program (every five years).

3. Prohibit any one cattle organization from serving as the "prime contractor" for the program, but allow all U.S. cattle organizations to participate in approved projects on a case-by-case basis.

4. Reform the Cattlemen's Beef Board to reflect proportional representation from all national cattle organizations.

5. Allow for checkoff expenditures to protect U.S.A. beef and cattle from unfair trade practices and to protect the U.S. cattle herd from import practices which threaten cattle herd health and beef consumers.

6. Allow checkoff expenditures to promote branded products from small and large packing entities.

7. Provide that 70% of all funds collected remain in the state where collected, and 30% to the national Cattlemen's Beef Board.

8. Provide an exemption for producers contributing equal or greater funds into a private sector self-help effort.

In addition, the MCA Board recommends any increase in the checkoff assessment fee not be considered unless or until the above recommendations are implemented.