MSU Extension 2019 Winter Ag Series

Montana State University-Extension is hosting 10 ranch-related seminars in Southeast Montana as a part of the 2019 Winter Ag Series

Dates & Locations:

January 7 , 12-3PM- Hilltop Cafe, Jordan MT. Contact Eric Miller  557-2770

January 7, 4-7:30PM- McCone County Fairgrounds, Circle MT. Contact Ken Nelson 485-2605

January 8, 12:30-3:30PM- Community Center, Broadus MT. Contact Mary Rumph 436-2424

January 8, 4:30-8:30PM- Parish Hall, Ekalaka MT. Contact Elin Kittelmann 778-7110

January 9, 11AM-3PM- Fallon County Fairgrounds, Baker MT. Contact Elin Kittelmann 778-7110

January 9, 3-6:15PM- Fairgrounds, Wibaux MT. Contact Danielle Harper 796-2486

January 10, 11AM-2:30PM-Courthouse Basement, Glendive MT. Contact Bruce Smith 377-4277

January 10, 3-7:30PM- American Legion, Terry MT. Contact Sharla Sackman 635-2121

January 11, 11AM-3:30PM – Fort Keogh, Miles City MT. Contact Mike Schuldt 874-3370

January 11, 1:30-5:30PM- Haugo Center, Forsyth MT. Contact Melissa Ashley 346-7320

About the presentations:

Making Alternative Forages Work for You – Dr. Emily Glunk Meccage, MSU Extension Forage Specialist and Assistant Professor at Montana State University in Bozeman, coordinates and conducts research on best forage management practices, from fertilizing and grazing recommendations, to appropriate species for producer needs.  She will share production data from research at Montana Experiment Stations to compare annual forages with alfalfa in addition to discussing grazing strategies when nitrate might be an issue.

Rangeland Restoration & Management–Dr. Jeff Mosley, MSU Extension Range Management Specialist. A focus on understanding the impact that the Drought of 2017 had on our rangelands and how to manage these lands back to good health. The explosion of previously unknown annual plants this spring combined with crested wheatgrass dying have many ranchers (and range specialists) scratching their heads.  How can these annuals be managed? What has brought this on? Is reseeding necessary? If so, what species should be used? Seeding rates? Do grazing systems need to be changed? Jeff will help you assess these questions and develop a strategy to implement the answers.

Rancher “Rules of Thumb” – Bridger Feuz, University of Wyoming – Livestock Marketing Specialist/Area Educator will explore the “rules of thumb” often shared among ranchers.  As he traveled around Wyoming and many other western states conducting workshops on economic ranch tools for producers, ranchers would share “rules of thumb” that they use to make decisions. Bridger started collecting those rules of thumb and writing them down.   He says, “I received some good rules, some fun rules and some not-so-good rules.”  Bridger uses the tools on the Wyoming Ranch Tools website, uwyoextension.org/ranchtools to analyze some of the rules of thumb a little more closely.  His presentation is humorous and informative and a great introduction to the economic decision making tools available to producers.