SPECIAL NOTICES MCA WORKING FOR CATTLE PRODUCERS Montana Cattlemen's Association held their 7th annual Cattlemen's Day on Saturday, November 8, in Lewistown. A great day and evening provided a wealth of information and an opportunity for cattle producers across Montana to visit and discuss issues relative to their operations. MCA President Brett DeBruycker applauded Executive Officer Christian Mackay and the Board of Livestock and Department of Livestock for laying the groundwork for a comprehensive approach to solving the brucellosis challenge. Mackay reviewed the proposed Montana Brucellosis Action Plan which will be required as a step to regain Montana's class free status. Mackay also reported on a recent meeting of the U.S. Health Association and its resolution calling for recognition of a special zone around the Yellowstone Park region of Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. Quentin Kujala, FWP Management Bureau Chief, gave an excellent slide-show presentation illustrating migratory habits of the Yellowstone elk herds and the prevalence of brucellosis in those herds. DeBruycker commended the on-going research by Fish, Wildlife, and Parks and stated, "The hard evidence being assembled relative to elk will be extremely useful in formulating individual herd plans for producers running cattle in close proximity to the Greater Yellowstone Area. MCA appreciates FWP's willingness to work with cattle producers to deal with the brucellosis problem." Marty Earnheart, Meats and Livestock Marketing Officer for the Montana Department of Agriculture, reported the Montana Certified Natural Beef Program is now up and running. Producers interested in enrolling in this program may download the forms indicated below. John Munsell of FARE was the guest luncheon speaker and reviewed the reasons for his proposed legislation relating to meat contamination traceback. John's personal experience with inadequate USDA meat inspection and e-coli contamination traceback has led him on a crusade to rectify outdated and inappropriate rules and regulations in the meat packing industry. John's bill is supported by MCA and the content may be found by clicking: Meat Traceback Bill (pdf) . Alan Charles, Coordinator of Landowner/Sportsman Relations for FWP, discussed upcoming stream/bridge access legislation. This legislation will now allow a landowner to attach a fence to or abutting a county road bridge edge, guardrail, or abutment as long as it provides for public passage to the stream via a gate or other method designed for public passage and livestock control. FWP will work directly with the landowner and will provide the materials, installation, and maintenance of necessary fence passage modifications to provide for public passage. Christian Mackay reviewed the proposed brand re-recording fee increase from $100 to $150 per brand. He also gave an update on the work being done by the Montana Livestock Loss Reduction & Mitigation Board which oversees the state's wolf depredation reimbursement program. United States Cattlemen's Association (USCA) government relations representative Jess Peterson spoke on the state of the cattle industry and addressed the issues of animal and premise identification, increased imports, free trade agreements, the JBS merger, working with state veterinarians on various animal diseases, making sure COOL is properly implemented, and the beef checkoff. Jess encouraged producers to stay involved in MCA and USCA to support the US cattle industry. The featured speaker at the prime rib dinner was Big Sandy farmer, Senator Jon Tester. Senator Tester, while providing an overview of the challenges facing producers during these difficult economic times, also spoke of his initiative entitled the Beef Checkoff Modernization Act of 2008 (S. 3404). John Herman, MCA director from Lonepine noted, "It has been 22 years since the checkoff was instituted and a whole generation of producers are now in the business that have never had an opportunity to participate in a vote on the program. Additionally, I appreciate Senator Tester's proposal to utilize a portion of checkoff funds to promote USA beef." MCA Vice-President Kim Baker commented, "As profitability for ranchers disappears, promoting USA beef through the checkoff program and differentiating our beef from cheap foreign imports through country-of-origin labeling will be of primary importance." A highlight of the evening was a presentation of a check in the amount of $3,625.00 by Western Energy Company's IUOE Local 400 union members to the Montana Cattlemen's Association Foundation Beef-On-Every-Plate program. This program collects cattle donations from Montana ranchers, processes the beef, and distributes the hamburger to local food banks across the state. IUOE members donated one hour of their salary to this worthwhile program, which will go to help pay for processing costs, and they received a standing ovation for their contribution! MCA would like to thank Farm Bureau for contributing $1,000 to help MCA provide worker's safety information to our members. MCA would also like to thank the sponsors for Cattlemen's Day: Montana Ranch Brand Meats for supplying an exceptional prime rib; Montana Land Reliance; Central Montana Co-Op; Steel, Etc. LLP; Manning International, Inc.; Pacific Steel; Fort Dodge Animal Health; Cowpoke Ranch Supply; Westfeeds, Inc.; Torgerson's LLC.; and Northwest Farm Credit Services. ______________________________________________________________
MDOL Presents Draft Brucellosis Action Plan The Montana Department of Livestock has released a draft Brucellosis Action Plan to help the state regain its Brucellosis Class Free status. State Veterinarian Dr. Martin Zaluski presented the plan, which was created with input from a diverse group of stakeholders, to the Board of Livestock in September. Public comments have been accepted and will be considered when drafting the final plan. The plan, which is required by the USDA's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service for reinstatement of class free status, defines management areas for the state and outlines strategies for each area based on the level of risk: Area 1 - Special Focus Area (elevated exposure potential); Area 2 - Assurance Area (minimal or no exposure potential); Area 3 - Area of No/Unlikely Exposure Potential.
"We're most concerned about cattle commingling with brucellosis-positive wildlife in the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) ," Zaluski said. "Obviously, management strategies are more intensive in Area 1 where the highest risk exists." The draft plan, complete with maps and a Frequently Asked Questions sheet, is available on the department's web site at http://liv.mt.gov/ or through the links below. Be sure to contact us either via email or telephone if you have any questions. Click here for: Draft Brucellosis Plan (pdf) Click here for: Fact Sheet (pdf) _____________________________________________________________ BRAND FEE INCREASE COMMENTS WANTED The Board of Livestock will vote at their next meeting on November 17-18 on whether to increase the brand fees. The Brands Enforcement Division has requested the increase due to increased operational costs. The proposal would increase re-record fees, which are assessed every 10 years, from $100 to $150 (50%); new brand application fees from $100 to $250 (150%); and duplicate brand fees from $5 to $10 (100%). The $100 fee for ornamental brands would remain unchanged. The proposal would also implement a graduated fee for grazing permits which are now $10 regardless of the number of livestock grazed. The proposed fee would be $10 for 1-19 head; $15 for 20-100 head; $20 for 101-199 head; $30 for 200-299 head; $40 for 300-399 head; $50 for 400-499 head; and $75 for 500 or more head. The proposed increase would generate more than $2 million in additional revenue for the Department of Livestock. You may email your comments regarding these changes to MCA at mca@montanacattlemen.org or to the Department of Livestock at livemail@mt.gov. You may also submit written comments to: Department of LivestockBrands DivisionBrand Fee CommentsP.O. Box 202001Helena, MT 59620-2001___________________________________________________________
MONTANA CERTIFIED NATURAL BEEF PROGRAM The Montana Certified Natural Beef Program, spearheaded by MCA last year, 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. |
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