Hi-Line Farm & Ranch April 2017

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Cattle: Swanson: 'We try to stick to the basics'

Help for firehit ranchers

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Young calves shelter up in March in a hollow under a grove of trees on the Diamond Bar Ranch in the Bear Paw Mountains. bull for his baldy cross.

Most of his Angus bulls are Shipwheelbred, he added.

Swanson said, he breeds bulls that will give his customers cow herd improvement.

“We truly try to stick to the basics,” he said, “just cattle with a lot of longevity that are going to make our commercial customers money. They’re going to be good mothers, have good flushing ability (for embryo transplant), … have good feet and udders and disposition, and some carcass traits as well. That’s our main focus … not to get too extreme in anyway. Not small, not too big.”

Come sale time, the second Wednesday in December every year, Swanson’s focus is on getting his registered bulls sold. He said, they have a feedlot to finish the bulls, a sale barn for the auction right on their place and set up the auction for live, online and telephone bidding. Customers also can preview the bulls via videos on their website.

Swanson said they sell a few bred heifers at their sale and retain some registered heifers as replacements, but any heifers beyond those numbers get sold with his commercial cows in October.

Shipwheel bulls typically sell across Montana and into Idaho, the Dakotas and Iowa, he said, adding that they deliver the bulls for free to the buyers after the sale and

before their calving season starts again.

“We enjoy seeing new country, and we’ve had the opportunity to meet a lot of great people in this business,” he said.

Kleinjan said he keeps his sales simple.

He said he doesn’t try to speculate on the ups and downs of the market, because it can change quickly, so he just secures a contract for his calves in July, and gives them their preconditioning shots prior to shipment in the fall.

Once the calves are gone, the cows go back to winter pasture with a protein supplement, he said, adding straw and hay when a big cold snap hits and in the spring prior to calving.

Cowan, who said he did OK on cattle prices last year despite the market, sells his cattle through Northern Livestock Video Auction in August, and said he has had good luck with that system.

Bidders purchase weanlings by pot loads which is, depending on weight of the calves, how many will fit in a tractor-trailer load.

He said he contracts steer calves for a set weight with an allowable variance.

He usually sells only one load of heifers and keeps the rest of the heifers for replacement, he said, adding that if he has extra heifers he just sells those at auction because mixed loads of steers and heifers haven't

Photo Rene Brown

sold well for him in the past.

His steers, he said, usually sell at about 560 pounds and the heifers at 520. Years with good grass can bump those numbers up by 20 pounds, he added.

“Last year we had all kinds of grass.

They should’ve been heavy,” he said, but with an abnormal 25 to 30 inches of rain last summer the grass either didn’t have a chance to mature or the moisture leached nutrition from the plants, so it looked good, but didn’t add weight to his calves.

“It’s something that I’ve never saw, and the guys that are older than me say the same thing,” he said, adding that he was luckier than a lot of producers in the area and harvested his crops and hay between wet spells.

Some of that hay, though, and other hay that he bought got wet in the bale, but he said he was able to feed it using a processor to knock the mold out and using supplements.

“What this year will bring I don’t know,” he said with a laugh.

“It is a good lifestyle. I’m not going to say it isn’t. It has its drawbacks, it definitely does,” Cowan said, “but you show me something that doesn’t.”

In response to the more than 2 million acres of land burned, homes, buildings and fences destroyed, and countless livestock lost or injured in the March wildland fires that spread in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado, the Montana Angus Association will be donating at least $16,000 for relief efforts.

The state organization and the association’s seven regions have committed to donating $2,000 apiece, said Klint Swanson of Shipwheel Cattle Co. in Chinook, president of the north-central region.

At least eight people lost their lives in or related to the fire, including two first responders as well as a semitractor-trailer driver who died from smoke inhalation.

“Rebuilding will take years, not months, and tens of millions of dollars to rebuild herds, fence and other infrastructure these ranchers rely on for income,” Meagan Cramer with the Kansas Farm Bureau told Fox News.

A lot of people in the agriculture industry are frustrated by the disconnect between rural and urban areas, Swanson said, adding that national news hasn’t covered the devastation enough.

“If you eat, you are involved in agriculture,” Swanson said.

This is one of the ways the ag community comes together to help neighbors out, he said.

Amy Van Dyke-Crowder, executive administrator for the state association, said each region is raising money in their own way, but she said she thinks at least some of the money is coming from donations already made to the respective regions to be used for their operations and activities.

Van Dyke-Crowder said a fundraising auction will be held during the Midland Bull Test Sale’s Angus Banquet April 6 in Columbus at the Little Metra at 6 p.m.

Swanson said letters requesting donations from the north-central region members will have been sent by print deadline. No fundraisers had been set in north-central Montana by print deadline, but Swanson said people can contact him if they want to donate to the relief effort for affected farmers and ranchers.

He can be reached at 357-2492 or 9454180, or people can go online to http:// www.mtangus.org for other contact information.

Havin’ a Cow

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In the midst of calving season, ranchers talk about the business of cattle production Pam Burke community@havredailynews.com After 2016, when cattle prices dropped to as low as half the prices seen the previous two years, cattle producers are working their way through a typical weather-diverse Montana winter and spring to get calves on the ground safely and start the progress to the sale market again.

Though calving season most often starts in January or early February for the purebred cattle breeders, Klint and Lori Swanson of Shipwheel Cattle Co. south of Chinook wait until March, calving their herd of 350 registered black Angus cows along with their 1,000 head of commercial cows.

Klint Swanson said March 26 that he was halfway through his band of first-year heifers and just starting the cows.

“We’re not your typical purebred operation. We raise coming 2-year-old bulls, so we don’t have to calve early,” he said. “We calve later, then hold them over, and we grow them out slow.”

Swanson was raised on the family’s ranch in Valier where they calved early in the year, and he said he came to the conclusion that the January-February weather was too

tough on both humans and livestock.

But, he said, he also feels calving later gives him a good product to sell to his customers during his bull sale.

Registered cattle are born as early as possible in the year, he said, to give them the longest time possible to grow before being sold the next spring as yearling bulls.

The problem with that, he added, is that the bulls have to be pushed with a more aggressive feed program to physically mature enough in size, but nothing can guarantee mental maturity.

Sometimes, these bulls are pushed too hard to create early growth, and this cuts back on their useful longevity, he said, and as yearlings in a herd, older bulls will likely run the young bulls off the cows, limiting the

Photo Rene Brown A cow stands watch over her newborn calf that is drying off while curled up on a patch of dry ground in a snowy pasture on the Diamond Bar Ranch in the Bear Paw Mountains in early March.

Cover Photo: Havre Daily News/Floyd Brandt A calf stands in the sun at the Northern Agricultural Research Center south of Havre in mid-March.

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protective during a storm or against coyotes, or she has a disease that caused her to be sterile or abort.

Culling these cows has made his herd strong, he said, and he has a high ratio of live births to cows with a positive preg-test as well as calves surviving to be shipped in the fall.

“We shoot for between 95 and 100 percent — which a hundred percent, as far as I’m concerned, is unreachable in our situation,” he said. “But normally we’re in between 95 and I’d say 98 percent. We’re pretty consistent with that.”

Calving later in the spring would help with calf loss due to cold, Cowan said, but he and his son, like many other producers, also juggle farming into their schedule. March calving gives the calves their best option for weaning weight, but gets the calving done in time to start seeding their crops, he said.

Cowan said he keeps 70-100 replacement heifers each year.

Kleinjan runs black baldy Angus-Hereford crosses because, he said, the crossbred cows have more vigor and put on more pounds, adding that he got started with this cross following one simple philosophy.

“Seems to me like all the studies they do, everything they compare, they compare to the F-1 baldy calf, which is a Hereford-Angus baldy calf, and I figure if everyone is comparing to that why not be raising it,” he said.

July 4, Kleinjan said, he put bulls out with his cows, crossing his straight Angus cows to a Hereford bull and his baldies to an Angus

Photo Rene Brown A calf at Diamond Bar Ranch lies curled up on a snowbank and wet ground after a late winter-early spring snowfall blanketed the Bear Paw Mountains in March. wheat in early May. He grazes large numbers of cows on small acreage for three to four days then moves them on to the next patch. Most pastures are grazed only once a year, he said, and he only puts out straw or hay in the worst of winter cold spells and in early spring before calving.

“We’ve had really good luck with that, really improved the quality of the grasses and the way they use them. You’re forcing them to eat spots. You know, a cow is lazy by nature. She’ll stand there and grub everything around the watering hole if she can and never go to the far end of a pasture,” he said. “Where we got them in, like, 20-acre parcels, and we force them to be up there utilizing it all.”

This pasture rotation requires some extra fencing and development of more water lines or hauling water, he said, but it was well worth the effort and expense for the improvement in production and pasture health.

“There’s a lot of re-growth … and a lot of the native grasses are starting to come back,” he said.”

Tim Cowan, who ranches 10 miles north and east of Turner, said, unlike typical operations where the cows are brought to corrals, calving barns or even smaller pastures closer to the barn so they can be brought inside for birthing, his herd of about 650 mother cows are left out on pasture, using coulees and natural shelter for calving.

He said March 23 he was in full calving season, with his son and himself checking the cows first thing in the morning and again before dark, adding a few extra checks if the weather was bad.

Cowan said he runs mainly black Angus because he feels like they have the right mothering traits for his production methods.

“We select for motherability, that’s one of the things we look for,” he said. “Cows that can save that calf no matter what happens are the cows that we want the heifers kept out of for our replacements.”

Sometimes protective cows can be aggressive with humans, he added, but they are careful to cull the ones who are too aggressive, as well.

“That’s one thing we watch for, and we select for that, too. There’s a fine line,” he said. “If they’re too aggressive they go down the road, too. We do put ear tags in

www.havredailynews.com

n Continued on page 12 every calf so we can follow them through up to weaning. If they’re aggressive toward humans we don’t want them around. It’s no benefit to us. … if they are aggressive when they calve, they will be aggressive in the coral — in other words, when you wean the calves, preg test the cows, stuff like that — and we rely on neighbors to help us to do those jobs, so we can’t have that. There’s a fine line, and we try to keep that line within reason.”

Another rule he said he strictly follows to ensure hardiness in his herd is to sell any cow that doesn’t have a calf at the end of the summer.

“They’re gone. We don’t keep them — they don’t get a second chance. It doesn’t matter what the reason is,” he said.

“They’re gone.”

Sometimes the calf might be lost to bad luck, he said, maybe a cow slipped on the ice, or a storm hit, or the coyotes came in, or some anomaly occurred and the cow didn’t get pregnant or lost a calf later — but maybe the cow is lame, or failed to be

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Cattle: Kleinjan changed procedures after attending a ranching business seminar n Continued from page 3 lot longer in the winter and don’t have to put near as much hay in them — and then calve them a lot closer to green grass and get them babies on grass a lot quicker,” he said.

He started the later calving season about three years ago, he added, after attending a Ranching for Profit seminar that was held in Billings.

Despite the shorter growing time for his calves, Kleinjan said, he sees little difference in weight come sale time from those who calve earlier in the spring and feels like he makes up the difference.

“We’re off maybe 15, 20 pounds is all,” he said. “For the amount of money I save in feed and everything, boy, it more than offsets what little we’re down in weight. And I hardly ever lose one from cold or frozen ears or anything, so I think the death loss alone more than offsets the weight loss.”

He also cuts down on feed expenses through careful pasture rotation, he said.

“We have a lot of grass,” he said. “We try to graze as long into the winter as we can.”

He said he began the intensive grazing practice three or four years ago. He turns his cow-calf pairs out on pastures of crested

n Continued on page 11 Photo Rene Brown Pregnant cows at the Diamond Bar Ranch eat fresh-layed straw during a late winterearly spring snow storm in the Bear Paw Mountains.

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Havre Daily News/Floyd Brandt Cows and young calves at the Northern Agricultural Research Center gather in March to eat hay that had been run through a processor, in background, to help make the hay more easily digested. number of cows they will breed. Sometimes young bulls get hurt in this fight for dominance, he said.

His 2-year-old bulls are allowed to grow slowly and gain mental maturity with the extra year, Swanson added.

“Yearling bulls work fine if they don’t get worked too hard, just kind of depends on what kind of terrain that they get run in,” he said.

“There are some guys that really like the older bulls,” he said. “Typically, guys that are running in big country and need some bulls, they don’t like the yearling bulls because they just can’t cover the ground that the 2-year-olds do. And when they come in in the fall (the 2-year-old bulls) are not so run down — they don’t have to baby them.

The 2-year-olds are more mentally and physically prepared for the job.”

Dennis Kleinjan spent March calving out a small herd of 40 cows for a friend, and the first heifer calves in his herd of 200 commercial cows had started arriving by March 19.

The rest of his cows were due to start around the first of April, he said.

He said calving later in the spring makes good business sense in the long run.

“It makes it to where I can graze them a

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Does the Farm Come First?

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BULLS BRED FOR: H Gentle Disposition H Maternal Strength H Soundness & Longevity H Calving Ease

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MICHELLE BIGELBACH / FOR FARM & RANCH

On March 19, flooding was still visible near the Milk River, east of Hinsdale, along Highway 2.

The Month in Weather

BRANDON BIGELBACH FOR FARM & RANCH March was somewhat of a roller coaster month for northeast Montana. The month started out relatively warm and dry before a large cold airmass set up over the region.

For about a week afterwards, conditions were cold and wet with three accumulating snowfall events over that timeframe. Right about the middle of the month, there was a fairly sudden warmup, and with the arrival of spring and daylight savings time, the region was greeted with warm and dry conditions for much of the latter half of the month. This sudden warmup caused a rapid snowmelt across the region and in southern Saskatchewan, along with further breaking up of river ice, caused ooding issues through the middle portion of the month. At the end of March, many locations along the Milk River still reported elevated water levels, but generally remained below ood stage.

Per the National Weather Service in Glasgow, the highest observed temperature for the month was 69 degrees on Mar. 18, and the lowest was -5 degrees on Mar. 11. The total snowfall for the month was 6.2 inches.

The total liquid equivalent precipitation was 0.38 inches, which will end up being close to average for the month. Over a 24-hour period, the greatest snowfall total was 2.6 inches, which fell on Mar. 12. The overall mean temperature for the month, as of press time, was 31 degrees, which was about 1 degree above normal.

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor was released on Mar. 21 and reported two areas of abnormally dry conditions, one in the southwest and one in the far east/southeast.

There was a small area of moderate drought reported in the far southeastern corner of the state. Locally, only Wibaux County was reported as having abnormally dry conditions.

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Wild turkeys on April 3, 2013. "I haven’t really had an opportunity to catch them in action like that again," said Hinsdale-based photographer Mona Doebler. "I just happened to be in the right place at the right time."

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A flash flood in July, 2013, at Flowing Wells, near Circle, MT.

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ELIZABETH SHIPSTEAD FOR FARM & RANCH “The Farm comes first.� “Eat, Sleep, Farm.� “I can’t commit to anything, because I’ll probably have to be doing something on the farm.� “My farmer has no hobbies or outside interests. All he does is farm.�

How many times have you heard, or made statements like these? I know I’ve made them! And I hear them often too! In our culture we are very private, hard-working, and many of us sleep, eat and breathe farming and ranching.

When that happens, it is easy to let that become such an all-encompassing focus that we lose sight of other things that help build us up and grow as people. Hobbies become nonexistent, and community and friend interactions are limited because “the farm comes ďŹ rstâ€?.

But within a culture where the farm or the ranch comes ďŹ rst, health and the care of oneself comes second.

Self care is easily maintained when things are ok. But, when things get tough, and dairy prices are so low that dairy farms are closing, and wheat farmers are struggling to ďŹ nd ways to diversify, and the relationship with the bank is faltering, this is when the practice of taking care of oneself becomes so so important!

If all you have to fall back on is the farm or the ranch and all of a sudden that ceases to exist, and you can’t imagine doing anything else besides that, that’s when thoughts of suicide become reality or become a part of the way a person talks or thinks.

Rural agricultural folks are very private, proud people, but we must realize that we’ve got to take care of ourselves! We also must take care of our loved ones who may be in the shoes of a “single-minded, all-encompassing focus�. The conversations will be uncomfortable, but they must be had! If we don’t make self-care a priority it is likely that suicide and depression is going to continue to increase in our communities.

Self-care and seeking help at, or before you or your loved ones’ lowest point, needs to be considered, applauded and pursued.

We need to not only consider ourselves and our own family, but consider our neighbors and fellow folks in our Ag community!

One of the things our rural communities do really well, is band together to help a neighbor, friend or family when they are struggling. There is story after story where somebody was injured or somebody passed away and neighbors and friends came from

near and far to help complete harvest or carry-on and complete that year’s work for the farming/ranching family.

Let’s take that same wonderful quality, apply it to ourselves, invest in ourselves and each other so that our own sustainability leads to the sustainability of our families, our farms/ranches, and agriculture.

Remember! Sustainability isn’t just about the environment or our operations, but also ourselves! We need to be able to sustainably continue in our Ag operations! We must take care of ourselves, outside of the money we make, the tradition we carry on, and the nuts and bolts of farming and ranching.

This begs the question, “What is ‘selfcare’ or ‘care of self’?� And “What does it actually look like for me?�

There’s really no easy answer for that.

Self-care for each individual is going to look completely different. For one person, it may be simply getting time by themselves ďŹ xing fence. For another, it might be making sure to get that yearly physical.

For another, it might just simply be being able to spend a night in a hotel room all by themselves without being needed during the night by their young children. For another it might be counseling. For another, it might be creating a consistent weekly practice of journaling, meditation, and Bible study. For another, it might be meeting up with friends and making a point to have that face-to-face connection.

I can’t tell you what self-care is going to look like for you, but what I can offer is some of the things you need to recognize as “red agsâ€? or warning signs that you need to make self-care more of a priority.

Here are some red ags and warning signs that you need to put more effort into self-care!

Trouble sleeping. Spinning thoughts.

Stress. Overwhelm. Not feeling like yourself. Feeling lost.Taking an inventory of your life or your day-to-day activities and realizing that you have no hobbies, you haven’t interacted with friends for quite a while, or you can’t remember the last time you and your spouse had a date night.

Wow! If that list isn’t a bit convicting, I don’t know what is!

So, start taking inventory; Start having conversations around the subject about personal sustainability and self-care; Start gathering your courage and have those hard conversations! I hope this encourages you and spurs you towards ďŹ nding a balance between “The farm coming ďŹ rstâ€? and caring for yourself.

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ServSafe Class Set for April 11

ROUBIE YOUNKIN FOR FARM & RANCH Food service professionals make a commitment to food safety every day as they prepare and serve foods to the public.

ServSafe training is offered to help them understand all of the food safety risks faced by their operation. Being aware of these risks helps managers make decisions in their operations to keep their staff and customers safe.

ServSafe training is the most effective means of ensuring that each person in charge has this necessary knowledge and certiďŹ cation.

The eight- hour food manager’s course is

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Fergus Co. Ranchers Oppose 'Free-Roaming' Bison

designed for anyone who is preparing food for others to consume. The program blends the latest FDA Food Code, food safety research and years of food sanitation training experience. Managers learn to implement essential food safety practices and create a culture of food safety. All content and materials are based on actual job tasks identiďŹ ed by food service industry experts.

MSU Extension Agent Roubie Younkin will offer the eight-hour Food Handlers ServSafe Training April 11, 2017 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Please contact the Valley County Extension OfďŹ ce at 228-6241 for more information and to preregister for the class.

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MONA DOEBLER / FOR FARM & RANCH

Mona Doebler captured these two images in the Hinsdale area. The Rufous hummingbird below especially delighted the photographer. To read more, see full story on Page 6.

RON POERTNER FOR FARM & RANCH Landowners in north Fergus County have become increasingly concerned about the growing potential for the establishment of bison herds in their backyards, and have taken action to address that threat.

Recently, area landowners joined in a community effort to protect their properties from the threat of bison, by placing a negative easement on their land prohibiting wild, free roaming or domestic bison from being placed on their individually owned properties.

During February and March 2017, 133 property owners in Fergus County began the process of placing a negative bison easement on their properties that prohibits bison from occupying their deeded land for a period of 20 years. The bison easement became effective March 7, and applies to over 200,000 acres in Fergus County. Landowners have the option to renew the easement at the end of the 20-year sunset clause.

Landowners signed the negative easement not only for the beneďŹ t of themselves and their neighbors, but to preserve the historic, cultural and natural values associated with their private properties and to mitigate the negative and lasting impacts bison pose on their way of life.

Landowner concerns over wild bison are well documented and center on the bisonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unpredictable migratory behavior, their social and innate behaviors, and their tendency to carry brucellosis and other diseases.

Winifred resident Ron Poertner has closely followed bison planning issues and stated â&#x20AC;&#x153;Landowners continue to face bison restoration initiatives from state and federal agencies and from private entities and bison advocacy

MONA DOEBLER / FOR FARM & RANCH

groups. Because of the high level of outside interests, landowners saw a compelling need to act decisively to protect their properties from the threat of bison.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Frankly,â&#x20AC;? Poertner said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;landowners are just plain fed up with wild bison proponents of every stripe who want to turn bison loose on the prairie.

Bison restoration efforts in Montana that Poertner refers to include: Department of the Interiorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bison restoration plan for the west is described in a 2014 document titled Bison Report- Looking Forward. For Montana, the report identiďŹ es the CMR National Wildlife Refuge as a potential site for bison restoration and focuses on large landscape ecological restoration without fences.

The CMR Refugeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Comprehensive Conservation Plan published in 2012 states that the Fish and Wildlife Service would cooperate with Montana and other partners if the state develops a plan to restore bison as a wide ranging species in eastern Montana.

Governor Bullock, during his ďŹ rst term, directed Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to develop an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) pertaining to bison restoration in the state. Four alternatives are contained in the EIS that address the path forward on the bison issue and are currently being considered by the governor, making his decision in this matter a pivotal one for landowners.

The American Prairie Reserve (APR), a non-proďŹ t organization, has for several years been implementing its vision to restore millions of acres of north central Montana to a native setting to include the establishment of See BISON Page 6

Black & Red (mostly black) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Polled Yearlings & Two Year Olds â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Satisfaction & Calving Ease Guaranteedâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;

Praise The Lord Gelbvieh

Dale & Cindy Andersen Reserve, Montana

406-286-5602

Cell: 765-7836 765-7834

Red & Black Simmental & Sim/Angus

BULL SALE May 4 â&#x20AC;˘ Glasgow Stockyards

Lunch at noon â&#x20AC;˘ Sale starts at 1 p.m.

40 Head Solid Head Solid Red 50 Black Headâ&#x20AC;˘ 40 Black

15 Head Solid Red Composite YEARLING BULLS Thick â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Meaty â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Moderate Framed â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Easy Calving A. I. Sires Represented

Black Angus â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Rampage, Resource,Visionary, Payweight 1682, Tour of Duty Red Angus â&#x20AC;&#x201C; HXC Conquest, Redemption, Andras Fusion Black Simmental â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Catalyst Red Stabilizer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cadillac, Big Gene Black Stabilizer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Prophet, Trinity,Yosemite This herd has produced the top rate-of-gain steer 8 of the last 9 years at the NE Montana Fair.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Breeding Simmentals since 1969â&#x20AC;?

Don Nelson

Nelson Ranch

(406) 367-5261 â&#x20AC;˘ cell 263-5261 188 Nelson Rd. â&#x20AC;˘ Glasgow, MT 59230

Floyd Nelson, Jr.

(406) 228-2024 â&#x20AC;˘ cell 263-5251 PO Box 254 â&#x20AC;˘ Glasgow, MT 59230

66

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FARM FARM & &RANCH RANCH

April 2017 April 2017

Photographer Keeps Low Profile in Hinsdale

Whitetail observe Hinsdale-based photographer Mona Doebler.

A.J. ETHERINGTON FOR FARM & RANCH Hinsdale native Mona Doebler grew up in northeast Montana, and after college worked as a teacher in Fort Benton and Cut Bank before moving to Alaska.

In 2001, she moved back to the area and retired from working as a legal secretary around 2004.

At the same time she began her hobby in photography, describing her situation “I needed an escape for my creative side.”

Doebler began with a Canon Rebel XT and has progressed over time working with a Canon EOS 40D, but switching lately to a smaller easier to wield Canon SX – 50HS. Doebler described it as, “Really a neat little camera... as long as I can hold it steady.” Doebler’s love of wildlife, birds and interesting cattle, such as longhorn steers,

is apparent in her work, but still she says the real motivator is her husband. “You can thank my husband for all those photos.

He’s the reason. He tours me all over the countryside.”

Doebler was asked what kind of advice she would offer to someone starting photography as a hobby and her advice was to keep it simple. “Start with a simpler camera,” Doebler said, “one without so many bells and whistles. I found out you really don’t need all that stuff.”

Still, she says she has been fortunate as her photos have been published in Birds & Bloom magazine as well as many farmer and rancher publications. True to her nature though she likes to keep a low profile saying, “I just have fun with it... I’m strictly an amateur and I love it.”

MONA DOEBLER / FOR FARM & RANCH

MONA DOEBLER / FOR FARM & RANCH

Antelope search for food during the winter of 2011-12. "Many died of starvation," said Doebler. "It bothered me so much, that I had to stop taking photos. They ate hay, but couldn’t digest it properly, so they starved."

www.glasgowcourier.com www.glasgowcourier.com

BISON

7 7

April 2017 April 2017

Hi-Line Hi-Line

www.glasgowcourier.com FARM & RANCH www.glasgowcourier.com FARM & RANCH MSU Extension Offers Sugar Egg Workshop ROUBIE YOUNKIN FOR FARM & RANCH Elaborate sugar eggs, also called panorama Easter eggs, are a tradition that dates back to the Victorian Era. The peek-inside Easter egg made from hard sugar and frilly decorations fit the Victorian sensibility and Easter celebration very nicely. They still come around every Easter, and their pretty innards always captivate children and adults alike.You can make your own sugar eggs

FROM PAGE 5 free roaming bison herds. APR’s plan calls for the stitching together of state and federal lands along with their deeded properties to create a so-called American Serengeti. To achieve its goals, APR raises bison as domestic livestock yet operates on the belief that if government policies change in the future to manage bison as wildlife, they would be happy to donate their bison herds to the public as they would no longer need to own and manage them.

Dan Boyce, who ranches next to the Judith River, said, “I believe the bison easement now in place is a clear demonstration of community solidarity and sends a compelling message that we do not want unmanaged bison in our area.” “Landowner response to the bison easement has been extremely positive and I expect to see the concept implemented in other prairie communities as well,” Boyce said.

Matt Knox, who raises cattle in the Missouri Breaks, states “We have seen multiple bison initiatives over the years from the Buffalo Commons and the Big Open concepts to the various bison initiatives that now confront us. Unfortunately, bison advocacy groups now appear to be in lock step with state and federal planners and share a common goal to block up large tracts of land to support bison herds.” “I think this bison easement offers landowners the protection needed to address that planning,” Knox said.

Cleo Boyce, whose ranch borders the Missouri Breaks Monument, says “We are a little tired of always being on the receiving end of these preservation schemes that keep cropping up. Those who want to take our area back to the Pleistocene Era should remember that there are many hard working rural families that live on the prairie who represent the economic engine that helps sustain many local businesses including bankers, doctors, lawyers, implement dealers, farm suppliers, movie theaters, grocery stores and yes, even funeral homes.”

Gladys Walling, longtime Winifred area farm wife, said “I was one of the first to sign up for the bison easement because I felt it was important to stand up in support of our farm and ranch communities. I want to keep my land in agriculture and not have bison running through my fields and pastures.”

“The looming world food shortage should convince our leaders to do everything possible to sustain agriculture and reject concepts that diminish it” Walling added.

Most landowners do not see wild bison herds and cattle operations as being compatible in the same area including Everson Bench rancher Terry Knox who stated “We are just trying to protect the ranching heritage that has been in our family for the past 106 years and the bison easement we placed on our property provides that safeguard.”

this year at a workshop offered by Valley County Extension Agent, Roubie Younkin, Thursday, April 6. The workshop will be held in the Community Room of the Valley County Courthouse beginning at 5:30 p.m., and will continue until your creation is finished. Plan to bring a photo or small figurine if you would like to personalize your egg. There will be a supplies charge of $15 per egg. Call the Extension office at 228-6241to register for this Easter season opportunity.

O C U H NT R T R Y NO Performance to Profit

Humbert Angus

Fossum Angus

Lee (406) 783-5341 (406) 783-7771

Jim (406) 724-3327 (406) 724-7119

60 Yearling Angus Bulls Peformance Tested MONA DOEBLER / FOR FARM & RANCH

A snowy owl north of Hinsdale in February, 2012. "I haven’t spotted any so far this year yet," said Doebler. "It sat on the post for several minutes while I snapped photos of it."

EPDs Length

Á

Á

Á

Fertility Tested Á

Delivered

Á

Á

Growth

Glasgow Stockyards Sires Represented Connealy Capitalist 1922 RA Identity A52 Humbert HD 2677 HAR Program 2938

Reg. #17585540 Reg. #16919860 Reg. #17386405 Reg. #17386433

RA Identity A52

Humbert Identity 4914 Reg. #17970079 BT Final Product 1533 Reg. #17662629 S Chisum 0338 Reg. #16661694 BT Final Product 1533

“Two Breeders – With One Idea”

Breed cattle that work for us and our customers View bull sale data at Pelton Livestock Marketing & Consulting – www.billpelton.com

66

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FARM FARM & &RANCH RANCH

April 2017 April 2017

Photographer Keeps Low Profile in Hinsdale

Whitetail observe Hinsdale-based photographer Mona Doebler.

A.J. ETHERINGTON FOR FARM & RANCH Hinsdale native Mona Doebler grew up in northeast Montana, and after college worked as a teacher in Fort Benton and Cut Bank before moving to Alaska.

In 2001, she moved back to the area and retired from working as a legal secretary around 2004.

At the same time she began her hobby in photography, describing her situation “I needed an escape for my creative side.”

Doebler began with a Canon Rebel XT and has progressed over time working with a Canon EOS 40D, but switching lately to a smaller easier to wield Canon SX – 50HS. Doebler described it as, “Really a neat little camera... as long as I can hold it steady.” Doebler’s love of wildlife, birds and interesting cattle, such as longhorn steers,

is apparent in her work, but still she says the real motivator is her husband. “You can thank my husband for all those photos.

He’s the reason. He tours me all over the countryside.”

Doebler was asked what kind of advice she would offer to someone starting photography as a hobby and her advice was to keep it simple. “Start with a simpler camera,” Doebler said, “one without so many bells and whistles. I found out you really don’t need all that stuff.”

Still, she says she has been fortunate as her photos have been published in Birds & Bloom magazine as well as many farmer and rancher publications. True to her nature though she likes to keep a low profile saying, “I just have fun with it... I’m strictly an amateur and I love it.”

MONA DOEBLER / FOR FARM & RANCH

MONA DOEBLER / FOR FARM & RANCH

Antelope search for food during the winter of 2011-12. "Many died of starvation," said Doebler. "It bothered me so much, that I had to stop taking photos. They ate hay, but couldn’t digest it properly, so they starved."

www.glasgowcourier.com www.glasgowcourier.com

BISON

7 7

April 2017 April 2017

Hi-Line Hi-Line

www.glasgowcourier.com FARM & RANCH www.glasgowcourier.com FARM & RANCH MSU Extension Offers Sugar Egg Workshop ROUBIE YOUNKIN FOR FARM & RANCH Elaborate sugar eggs, also called panorama Easter eggs, are a tradition that dates back to the Victorian Era. The peek-inside Easter egg made from hard sugar and frilly decorations fit the Victorian sensibility and Easter celebration very nicely. They still come around every Easter, and their pretty innards always captivate children and adults alike.You can make your own sugar eggs

FROM PAGE 5 free roaming bison herds. APR’s plan calls for the stitching together of state and federal lands along with their deeded properties to create a so-called American Serengeti. To achieve its goals, APR raises bison as domestic livestock yet operates on the belief that if government policies change in the future to manage bison as wildlife, they would be happy to donate their bison herds to the public as they would no longer need to own and manage them.

Dan Boyce, who ranches next to the Judith River, said, “I believe the bison easement now in place is a clear demonstration of community solidarity and sends a compelling message that we do not want unmanaged bison in our area.” “Landowner response to the bison easement has been extremely positive and I expect to see the concept implemented in other prairie communities as well,” Boyce said.

Matt Knox, who raises cattle in the Missouri Breaks, states “We have seen multiple bison initiatives over the years from the Buffalo Commons and the Big Open concepts to the various bison initiatives that now confront us. Unfortunately, bison advocacy groups now appear to be in lock step with state and federal planners and share a common goal to block up large tracts of land to support bison herds.” “I think this bison easement offers landowners the protection needed to address that planning,” Knox said.

Cleo Boyce, whose ranch borders the Missouri Breaks Monument, says “We are a little tired of always being on the receiving end of these preservation schemes that keep cropping up. Those who want to take our area back to the Pleistocene Era should remember that there are many hard working rural families that live on the prairie who represent the economic engine that helps sustain many local businesses including bankers, doctors, lawyers, implement dealers, farm suppliers, movie theaters, grocery stores and yes, even funeral homes.”

Gladys Walling, longtime Winifred area farm wife, said “I was one of the first to sign up for the bison easement because I felt it was important to stand up in support of our farm and ranch communities. I want to keep my land in agriculture and not have bison running through my fields and pastures.”

“The looming world food shortage should convince our leaders to do everything possible to sustain agriculture and reject concepts that diminish it” Walling added.

Most landowners do not see wild bison herds and cattle operations as being compatible in the same area including Everson Bench rancher Terry Knox who stated “We are just trying to protect the ranching heritage that has been in our family for the past 106 years and the bison easement we placed on our property provides that safeguard.”

this year at a workshop offered by Valley County Extension Agent, Roubie Younkin, Thursday, April 6. The workshop will be held in the Community Room of the Valley County Courthouse beginning at 5:30 p.m., and will continue until your creation is finished. Plan to bring a photo or small figurine if you would like to personalize your egg. There will be a supplies charge of $15 per egg. Call the Extension office at 228-6241to register for this Easter season opportunity.

O C U H NT R T R Y NO Performance to Profit

Humbert Angus

Fossum Angus

Lee (406) 783-5341 (406) 783-7771

Jim (406) 724-3327 (406) 724-7119

60 Yearling Angus Bulls Peformance Tested MONA DOEBLER / FOR FARM & RANCH

A snowy owl north of Hinsdale in February, 2012. "I haven’t spotted any so far this year yet," said Doebler. "It sat on the post for several minutes while I snapped photos of it."

EPDs Length

Á

Á

Á

Fertility Tested Á

Delivered

Á

Á

Growth

Glasgow Stockyards Sires Represented Connealy Capitalist 1922 RA Identity A52 Humbert HD 2677 HAR Program 2938

Reg. #17585540 Reg. #16919860 Reg. #17386405 Reg. #17386433

RA Identity A52

Humbert Identity 4914 Reg. #17970079 BT Final Product 1533 Reg. #17662629 S Chisum 0338 Reg. #16661694 BT Final Product 1533

“Two Breeders – With One Idea”

Breed cattle that work for us and our customers View bull sale data at Pelton Livestock Marketing & Consulting – www.billpelton.com

88

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April2017 2017 April

What do â&#x20AC;&#x153;low costâ&#x20AC;? ag suppliers

FARM FARM & & RANCH RANCH

REALLY do for you?

When You Buy From Us, We Give You Added Value!

Let's Work Together

We Can Only Continue To Provide Service In Our Communities If YOU Support Those Services!

www.glasgowcourier.com www.glasgowcourier.com

ServSafe Class Set for April 11

ROUBIE YOUNKIN FOR FARM & RANCH Food service professionals make a commitment to food safety every day as they prepare and serve foods to the public.

ServSafe training is offered to help them understand all of the food safety risks faced by their operation. Being aware of these risks helps managers make decisions in their operations to keep their staff and customers safe.

ServSafe training is the most effective means of ensuring that each person in charge has this necessary knowledge and certiďŹ cation.

The eight- hour food managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s course is

55

April 2017 April 2017

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FARM & RANCH FARM & RANCH

Fergus Co. Ranchers Oppose 'Free-Roaming' Bison

designed for anyone who is preparing food for others to consume. The program blends the latest FDA Food Code, food safety research and years of food sanitation training experience. Managers learn to implement essential food safety practices and create a culture of food safety. All content and materials are based on actual job tasks identiďŹ ed by food service industry experts.

MSU Extension Agent Roubie Younkin will offer the eight-hour Food Handlers ServSafe Training April 11, 2017 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Please contact the Valley County Extension OfďŹ ce at 228-6241 for more information and to preregister for the class.

Farm Land for Lease. Located 29 miles SW of Brockway, Mt. 2500 acres of CRP land that has expired. Will lease all or a portion of. Land can easily be certified organic. Call 406-485-2179

Thursday, April 13, 2017

Lunch at noon â&#x20AC;˘ Sale starts at 1 p.m. â&#x20AC;˘ Glasgow Stockyards Selling g rlin 50 Yea ulls B Angus

A Valley County longhorn on March 28, 2017.

We Have . . . A Full Agronomy StaďŹ&#x20AC; Available

To All Of Our Patrons Across Our Trade Area

The People, The Know How And The Products To Cover All Your Needs . . .

Bulk Fuel Delivery Tires - Batteries - Brakes 24 Hour Gas & Fuel Oxygen/Acetylene Tanks Full-Line Hardware Store

:H $OVR 2ÍżHU )XOO &RPPRGLW\ 0DUNHWLQJ

Value Added Services . . . Use them to your advantage and maximize your yields!

Are You Getting This Kind Of Value Where You Buy?

!

Plus, if you pay in advance, earn a 6% premium Or 6% discount for cash at time of purchase!

$ % #" % % ch % % ur Butte 487-2741

474-2231

893-4398

724-3353

762-3231

783-5519

Call for more information Dorothy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 230-1201 (cell) or Monte â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 406-486-5684, 406-957-5684 (cell)

Gelbvieh & Balancer Bulls

â&#x20AC;˘ Crop Scouting â&#x20AC;˘ Weed IdentiďŹ cation Services â&#x20AC;˘ Soil Analysis â&#x20AC;˘ Crop Spraying â&#x20AC;˘ Application Recommendations â&#x20AC;˘ Fertilizer Application â&#x20AC;˘ And Much More

â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘

â&#x20AC;˘ Performance & Fertility Tested â&#x20AC;˘ Gentle Dispositions

For Sale At Private Treaty Performance Tested

When you buy your chemical & fertilizer from us we can help you with . . .

â&#x20AC;˘ On Farm Tire Service â&#x20AC;˘ Shop Services & Minor Repairs â&#x20AC;˘ Oil & Filters â&#x20AC;˘ Feed (Crystalyx) â&#x20AC;˘ Lawn Care Items â&#x20AC;˘ Fencing Equipment

Did you know Classified Ads placed in The Courier also run online and in the Hi-Line Shopper at no extra charge? Call 228-9301 to place your ad!

EAYRS ANGUS BULL SALE

After The Initial Saleâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; WHAT Is Your 'LVFRXQW 6XSSOLHU 2ÍżHULQJ <RX"

:H 2ÍžHU 0DQ\ 6HUYLFHV WR 2XU &XVWRPHUV

www.glasgowcourier.com www.glasgowcourier.com

MONA DOEBLER / FOR FARM & RANCH

Mona Doebler captured these two images in the Hinsdale area. The Rufous hummingbird below especially delighted the photographer. To read more, see full story on Page 6.

RON POERTNER FOR FARM & RANCH Landowners in north Fergus County have become increasingly concerned about the growing potential for the establishment of bison herds in their backyards, and have taken action to address that threat.

Recently, area landowners joined in a community effort to protect their properties from the threat of bison, by placing a negative easement on their land prohibiting wild, free roaming or domestic bison from being placed on their individually owned properties.

During February and March 2017, 133 property owners in Fergus County began the process of placing a negative bison easement on their properties that prohibits bison from occupying their deeded land for a period of 20 years. The bison easement became effective March 7, and applies to over 200,000 acres in Fergus County. Landowners have the option to renew the easement at the end of the 20-year sunset clause.

Landowners signed the negative easement not only for the beneďŹ t of themselves and their neighbors, but to preserve the historic, cultural and natural values associated with their private properties and to mitigate the negative and lasting impacts bison pose on their way of life.

Landowner concerns over wild bison are well documented and center on the bisonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unpredictable migratory behavior, their social and innate behaviors, and their tendency to carry brucellosis and other diseases.

Winifred resident Ron Poertner has closely followed bison planning issues and stated â&#x20AC;&#x153;Landowners continue to face bison restoration initiatives from state and federal agencies and from private entities and bison advocacy

MONA DOEBLER / FOR FARM & RANCH

groups. Because of the high level of outside interests, landowners saw a compelling need to act decisively to protect their properties from the threat of bison.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Frankly,â&#x20AC;? Poertner said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;landowners are just plain fed up with wild bison proponents of every stripe who want to turn bison loose on the prairie.

Bison restoration efforts in Montana that Poertner refers to include: Department of the Interiorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bison restoration plan for the west is described in a 2014 document titled Bison Report- Looking Forward. For Montana, the report identiďŹ es the CMR National Wildlife Refuge as a potential site for bison restoration and focuses on large landscape ecological restoration without fences.

The CMR Refugeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Comprehensive Conservation Plan published in 2012 states that the Fish and Wildlife Service would cooperate with Montana and other partners if the state develops a plan to restore bison as a wide ranging species in eastern Montana.

Governor Bullock, during his ďŹ rst term, directed Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to develop an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) pertaining to bison restoration in the state. Four alternatives are contained in the EIS that address the path forward on the bison issue and are currently being considered by the governor, making his decision in this matter a pivotal one for landowners.

The American Prairie Reserve (APR), a non-proďŹ t organization, has for several years been implementing its vision to restore millions of acres of north central Montana to a native setting to include the establishment of See BISON Page 6

Black & Red (mostly black) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Polled Yearlings & Two Year Olds â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Satisfaction & Calving Ease Guaranteedâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;

Praise The Lord Gelbvieh

Dale & Cindy Andersen Reserve, Montana

406-286-5602

Cell: 765-7836 765-7834

Red & Black Simmental & Sim/Angus

BULL SALE May 4 â&#x20AC;˘ Glasgow Stockyards

Lunch at noon â&#x20AC;˘ Sale starts at 1 p.m.

40 Head Solid Head Solid Red 50 Black Headâ&#x20AC;˘ 40 Black

15 Head Solid Red Composite YEARLING BULLS Thick â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Meaty â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Moderate Framed â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Easy Calving A. I. Sires Represented

Black Angus â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Rampage, Resource,Visionary, Payweight 1682, Tour of Duty Red Angus â&#x20AC;&#x201C; HXC Conquest, Redemption, Andras Fusion Black Simmental â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Catalyst Red Stabilizer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cadillac, Big Gene Black Stabilizer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Prophet, Trinity,Yosemite This herd has produced the top rate-of-gain steer 8 of the last 9 years at the NE Montana Fair.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Breeding Simmentals since 1969â&#x20AC;?

Don Nelson

Nelson Ranch

(406) 367-5261 â&#x20AC;˘ cell 263-5261 188 Nelson Rd. â&#x20AC;˘ Glasgow, MT 59230

Floyd Nelson, Jr.

(406) 228-2024 â&#x20AC;˘ cell 263-5251 PO Box 254 â&#x20AC;˘ Glasgow, MT 59230

44

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FARM FARM & & RANCH RANCH

April2017 2017 April

www.glasgowcourier.com www.glasgowcourier.com

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FARM & FARM & RANCH RANCH

April 2017 April 2017

Does the Farm Come First?

NEWTON MOTORS, INC. NEW & USED TRUCKS AND CARS All In One Convenient Location

440 Highway 2 West â&#x20AC;˘ Glasgow â&#x20AC;˘ Across from the Fairgrounds 406-228-9325 â&#x20AC;˘ 406-228-4381 â&#x20AC;˘ 1-800-255-1472 Family owned by the Newton Boys!

Rent A Car See Doug, Andy, Terry, Kenny or Ted!

YOUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE READING HI-LINE FARM & RANCH â&#x20AC;&#x201C; THE AG MONTHLY FOR NORTHEAST & NORTH CENTRAL MONTANA

FAIRVIEW, MONTAN A

ANNUAL BULL SALE

4 . 12 . 2017

BULLS BRED FOR: H Gentle Disposition H Maternal Strength H Soundness & Longevity H Calving Ease

1:00 PM â&#x20AC;˘ AT THE RANCH

Also Selling: H 20 F1 Baldy Heifers

Other Sires:

MICHELLE BIGELBACH / FOR FARM & RANCH

On March 19, flooding was still visible near the Milk River, east of Hinsdale, along Highway 2.

The Month in Weather

BRANDON BIGELBACH FOR FARM & RANCH March was somewhat of a roller coaster month for northeast Montana. The month started out relatively warm and dry before a large cold airmass set up over the region.

For about a week afterwards, conditions were cold and wet with three accumulating snowfall events over that timeframe. Right about the middle of the month, there was a fairly sudden warmup, and with the arrival of spring and daylight savings time, the region was greeted with warm and dry conditions for much of the latter half of the month. This sudden warmup caused a rapid snowmelt across the region and in southern Saskatchewan, along with further breaking up of river ice, caused ďŹ&#x201A;ooding issues through the middle portion of the month. At the end of March, many locations along the Milk River still reported elevated water levels, but generally remained below ďŹ&#x201A;ood stage.

Per the National Weather Service in Glasgow, the highest observed temperature for the month was 69 degrees on Mar. 18, and the lowest was -5 degrees on Mar. 11. The total snowfall for the month was 6.2 inches.

The total liquid equivalent precipitation was 0.38 inches, which will end up being close to average for the month. Over a 24-hour period, the greatest snowfall total was 2.6 inches, which fell on Mar. 12. The overall mean temperature for the month, as of press time, was 31 degrees, which was about 1 degree above normal.

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor was released on Mar. 21 and reported two areas of abnormally dry conditions, one in the southwest and one in the far east/southeast.

There was a small area of moderate drought reported in the far southeastern corner of the state. Locally, only Wibaux County was reported as having abnormally dry conditions.

H PRA 141 249 H 078 Windy 499 JV H Pine Creek Traveler 5375 H RA Identity Z79

Glasgow Stockyards, Inc. Linda & Mark Nielsen, Owners Iva Murch, Manager 263-7529 Dean Barnes, Yard Manager 263-1175 Ed Hinton, Auctioneer 783-7285

18196325

Sire:

April 2017

6 13

Eayrs Angus Bull Production Auction, Wiseman Red Angus Bull Auction, Bred Heifer, Pair & All Class Cattle Auction

20

McRaeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Big Dry Angus Production Auction, Replacement Heifer & Feeder Special & All Class Cattle Auction

27

Humbert - Fossum â&#x20AC;&#x153;North Countryâ&#x20AC;?

Angus Production Auction, Anderson Bar Triangle Charolais Production Auction & All Class Cattle Auction

May 2017 Thursday

4 14043 County Rd. 340 Fairview, MT 59221 Jim Vitt 406-798-3653 Dale Vitt 406-798-3398 406-480-5676 C e-mail djvitt@midrivers.com

www.barjvangus.com

11 OCC UNMISTAKABLE AAA#

16294218 Sire: O C C Paxton 730P

MONA DOEBLER / FOR FARM & RANCH

Wild turkeys on April 3, 2013. "I havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really had an opportunity to catch them in action like that again," said Hinsdale-based photographer Mona Doebler. "I just happened to be in the right place at the right time."

SERVING AREA â&#x153;Ż LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS FOR 71 YEARS! 1946 - 2017

May 2017 (cont.)

Thursday

Bowles J5 Red Angus Bull & Female Production Auction, Feeder Auction & All Class Cattle Auction

H HL Pure Gold 4FX10

Daines Heavy Si 57Z

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A flash flood in July, 2013, at Flowing Wells, near Circle, MT.

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ELIZABETH SHIPSTEAD FOR FARM & RANCH â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Farm comes first.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eat, Sleep, Farm.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t commit to anything, because Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll probably have to be doing something on the farm.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;My farmer has no hobbies or outside interests. All he does is farm.â&#x20AC;?

How many times have you heard, or made statements like these? I know Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve made them! And I hear them often too! In our culture we are very private, hard-working, and many of us sleep, eat and breathe farming and ranching.

When that happens, it is easy to let that become such an all-encompassing focus that we lose sight of other things that help build us up and grow as people. Hobbies become nonexistent, and community and friend interactions are limited because â&#x20AC;&#x153;the farm comes ďŹ rstâ&#x20AC;?.

But within a culture where the farm or the ranch comes ďŹ rst, health and the care of oneself comes second.

Self care is easily maintained when things are ok. But, when things get tough, and dairy prices are so low that dairy farms are closing, and wheat farmers are struggling to ďŹ nd ways to diversify, and the relationship with the bank is faltering, this is when the practice of taking care of oneself becomes so so important!

If all you have to fall back on is the farm or the ranch and all of a sudden that ceases to exist, and you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t imagine doing anything else besides that, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when thoughts of suicide become reality or become a part of the way a person talks or thinks.

Rural agricultural folks are very private, proud people, but we must realize that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to take care of ourselves! We also must take care of our loved ones who may be in the shoes of a â&#x20AC;&#x153;single-minded, all-encompassing focusâ&#x20AC;?. The conversations will be uncomfortable, but they must be had! If we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make self-care a priority it is likely that suicide and depression is going to continue to increase in our communities.

Self-care and seeking help at, or before you or your loved onesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lowest point, needs to be considered, applauded and pursued.

We need to not only consider ourselves and our own family, but consider our neighbors and fellow folks in our Ag community!

One of the things our rural communities do really well, is band together to help a neighbor, friend or family when they are struggling. There is story after story where somebody was injured or somebody passed away and neighbors and friends came from

near and far to help complete harvest or carry-on and complete that yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work for the farming/ranching family.

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s take that same wonderful quality, apply it to ourselves, invest in ourselves and each other so that our own sustainability leads to the sustainability of our families, our farms/ranches, and agriculture.

Remember! Sustainability isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just about the environment or our operations, but also ourselves! We need to be able to sustainably continue in our Ag operations! We must take care of ourselves, outside of the money we make, the tradition we carry on, and the nuts and bolts of farming and ranching.

This begs the question, â&#x20AC;&#x153;What is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;selfcareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;care of selfâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;?â&#x20AC;? And â&#x20AC;&#x153;What does it actually look like for me?â&#x20AC;?

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really no easy answer for that.

Self-care for each individual is going to look completely different. For one person, it may be simply getting time by themselves ďŹ xing fence. For another, it might be making sure to get that yearly physical.

For another, it might just simply be being able to spend a night in a hotel room all by themselves without being needed during the night by their young children. For another it might be counseling. For another, it might be creating a consistent weekly practice of journaling, meditation, and Bible study. For another, it might be meeting up with friends and making a point to have that face-to-face connection.

I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tell you what self-care is going to look like for you, but what I can offer is some of the things you need to recognize as â&#x20AC;&#x153;red ďŹ&#x201A;agsâ&#x20AC;? or warning signs that you need to make self-care more of a priority.

Here are some red ďŹ&#x201A;ags and warning signs that you need to put more effort into self-care!

Trouble sleeping. Spinning thoughts.

Stress. Overwhelm. Not feeling like yourself. Feeling lost.Taking an inventory of your life or your day-to-day activities and realizing that you have no hobbies, you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t interacted with friends for quite a while, or you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t remember the last time you and your spouse had a date night.

Wow! If that list isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a bit convicting, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what is!

So, start taking inventory; Start having conversations around the subject about personal sustainability and self-care; Start gathering your courage and have those hard conversations! I hope this encourages you and spurs you towards ďŹ nding a balance between â&#x20AC;&#x153;The farm coming ďŹ rstâ&#x20AC;? and caring for yourself.

YOUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE READING HI-LINE FARM & RANCH â&#x20AC;&#x201C; THE AG MONTHLY FOR NORTHEAST & NORTH CENTRAL MONTANA

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Cattle: Kleinjan changed procedures after attending a ranching business seminar n Continued from page 3 lot longer in the winter and don’t have to put near as much hay in them — and then calve them a lot closer to green grass and get them babies on grass a lot quicker,” he said.

He started the later calving season about three years ago, he added, after attending a Ranching for Profit seminar that was held in Billings.

Despite the shorter growing time for his calves, Kleinjan said, he sees little difference in weight come sale time from those who calve earlier in the spring and feels like he makes up the difference.

“We’re off maybe 15, 20 pounds is all,” he said. “For the amount of money I save in feed and everything, boy, it more than offsets what little we’re down in weight. And I hardly ever lose one from cold or frozen ears or anything, so I think the death loss alone more than offsets the weight loss.”

He also cuts down on feed expenses through careful pasture rotation, he said.

“We have a lot of grass,” he said. “We try to graze as long into the winter as we can.”

He said he began the intensive grazing practice three or four years ago. He turns his cow-calf pairs out on pastures of crested

n Continued on page 11 Photo Rene Brown Pregnant cows at the Diamond Bar Ranch eat fresh-layed straw during a late winterearly spring snow storm in the Bear Paw Mountains.

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Havre Daily News/Floyd Brandt Cows and young calves at the Northern Agricultural Research Center gather in March to eat hay that had been run through a processor, in background, to help make the hay more easily digested. number of cows they will breed. Sometimes young bulls get hurt in this fight for dominance, he said.

His 2-year-old bulls are allowed to grow slowly and gain mental maturity with the extra year, Swanson added.

“Yearling bulls work fine if they don’t get worked too hard, just kind of depends on what kind of terrain that they get run in,” he said.

“There are some guys that really like the older bulls,” he said. “Typically, guys that are running in big country and need some bulls, they don’t like the yearling bulls because they just can’t cover the ground that the 2-year-olds do. And when they come in in the fall (the 2-year-old bulls) are not so run down — they don’t have to baby them.

The 2-year-olds are more mentally and physically prepared for the job.”

Dennis Kleinjan spent March calving out a small herd of 40 cows for a friend, and the first heifer calves in his herd of 200 commercial cows had started arriving by March 19.

The rest of his cows were due to start around the first of April, he said.

He said calving later in the spring makes good business sense in the long run.

“It makes it to where I can graze them a

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In the midst of calving season, ranchers talk about the business of cattle production Pam Burke community@havredailynews.com After 2016, when cattle prices dropped to as low as half the prices seen the previous two years, cattle producers are working their way through a typical weather-diverse Montana winter and spring to get calves on the ground safely and start the progress to the sale market again.

Though calving season most often starts in January or early February for the purebred cattle breeders, Klint and Lori Swanson of Shipwheel Cattle Co. south of Chinook wait until March, calving their herd of 350 registered black Angus cows along with their 1,000 head of commercial cows.

Klint Swanson said March 26 that he was halfway through his band of first-year heifers and just starting the cows.

“We’re not your typical purebred operation. We raise coming 2-year-old bulls, so we don’t have to calve early,” he said. “We calve later, then hold them over, and we grow them out slow.”

Swanson was raised on the family’s ranch in Valier where they calved early in the year, and he said he came to the conclusion that the January-February weather was too

tough on both humans and livestock.

But, he said, he also feels calving later gives him a good product to sell to his customers during his bull sale.

Registered cattle are born as early as possible in the year, he said, to give them the longest time possible to grow before being sold the next spring as yearling bulls.

The problem with that, he added, is that the bulls have to be pushed with a more aggressive feed program to physically mature enough in size, but nothing can guarantee mental maturity.

Sometimes, these bulls are pushed too hard to create early growth, and this cuts back on their useful longevity, he said, and as yearlings in a herd, older bulls will likely run the young bulls off the cows, limiting the

Photo Rene Brown A cow stands watch over her newborn calf that is drying off while curled up on a patch of dry ground in a snowy pasture on the Diamond Bar Ranch in the Bear Paw Mountains in early March.

Cover Photo: Havre Daily News/Floyd Brandt A calf stands in the sun at the Northern Agricultural Research Center south of Havre in mid-March.

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protective during a storm or against coyotes, or she has a disease that caused her to be sterile or abort.

Culling these cows has made his herd strong, he said, and he has a high ratio of live births to cows with a positive preg-test as well as calves surviving to be shipped in the fall.

“We shoot for between 95 and 100 percent — which a hundred percent, as far as I’m concerned, is unreachable in our situation,” he said. “But normally we’re in between 95 and I’d say 98 percent. We’re pretty consistent with that.”

Calving later in the spring would help with calf loss due to cold, Cowan said, but he and his son, like many other producers, also juggle farming into their schedule. March calving gives the calves their best option for weaning weight, but gets the calving done in time to start seeding their crops, he said.

Cowan said he keeps 70-100 replacement heifers each year.

Kleinjan runs black baldy Angus-Hereford crosses because, he said, the crossbred cows have more vigor and put on more pounds, adding that he got started with this cross following one simple philosophy.

“Seems to me like all the studies they do, everything they compare, they compare to the F-1 baldy calf, which is a Hereford-Angus baldy calf, and I figure if everyone is comparing to that why not be raising it,” he said.

July 4, Kleinjan said, he put bulls out with his cows, crossing his straight Angus cows to a Hereford bull and his baldies to an Angus

Photo Rene Brown A calf at Diamond Bar Ranch lies curled up on a snowbank and wet ground after a late winter-early spring snowfall blanketed the Bear Paw Mountains in March. wheat in early May. He grazes large numbers of cows on small acreage for three to four days then moves them on to the next patch. Most pastures are grazed only once a year, he said, and he only puts out straw or hay in the worst of winter cold spells and in early spring before calving.

“We’ve had really good luck with that, really improved the quality of the grasses and the way they use them. You’re forcing them to eat spots. You know, a cow is lazy by nature. She’ll stand there and grub everything around the watering hole if she can and never go to the far end of a pasture,” he said. “Where we got them in, like, 20-acre parcels, and we force them to be up there utilizing it all.”

This pasture rotation requires some extra fencing and development of more water lines or hauling water, he said, but it was well worth the effort and expense for the improvement in production and pasture health.

“There’s a lot of re-growth … and a lot of the native grasses are starting to come back,” he said.”

Tim Cowan, who ranches 10 miles north and east of Turner, said, unlike typical operations where the cows are brought to corrals, calving barns or even smaller pastures closer to the barn so they can be brought inside for birthing, his herd of about 650 mother cows are left out on pasture, using coulees and natural shelter for calving.

He said March 23 he was in full calving season, with his son and himself checking the cows first thing in the morning and again before dark, adding a few extra checks if the weather was bad.

Cowan said he runs mainly black Angus because he feels like they have the right mothering traits for his production methods.

“We select for motherability, that’s one of the things we look for,” he said. “Cows that can save that calf no matter what happens are the cows that we want the heifers kept out of for our replacements.”

Sometimes protective cows can be aggressive with humans, he added, but they are careful to cull the ones who are too aggressive, as well.

“That’s one thing we watch for, and we select for that, too. There’s a fine line,” he said. “If they’re too aggressive they go down the road, too. We do put ear tags in

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n Continued on page 12 every calf so we can follow them through up to weaning. If they’re aggressive toward humans we don’t want them around. It’s no benefit to us. … if they are aggressive when they calve, they will be aggressive in the coral — in other words, when you wean the calves, preg test the cows, stuff like that — and we rely on neighbors to help us to do those jobs, so we can’t have that. There’s a fine line, and we try to keep that line within reason.”

Another rule he said he strictly follows to ensure hardiness in his herd is to sell any cow that doesn’t have a calf at the end of the summer.

“They’re gone. We don’t keep them — they don’t get a second chance. It doesn’t matter what the reason is,” he said.

“They’re gone.”

Sometimes the calf might be lost to bad luck, he said, maybe a cow slipped on the ice, or a storm hit, or the coyotes came in, or some anomaly occurred and the cow didn’t get pregnant or lost a calf later — but maybe the cow is lame, or failed to be

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Cattle: Swanson: 'We try to stick to the basics'

Help for firehit ranchers

n Continued from page 11

Young calves shelter up in March in a hollow under a grove of trees on the Diamond Bar Ranch in the Bear Paw Mountains. bull for his baldy cross.

Most of his Angus bulls are Shipwheelbred, he added.

Swanson said, he breeds bulls that will give his customers cow herd improvement.

“We truly try to stick to the basics,” he said, “just cattle with a lot of longevity that are going to make our commercial customers money. They’re going to be good mothers, have good flushing ability (for embryo transplant), … have good feet and udders and disposition, and some carcass traits as well. That’s our main focus … not to get too extreme in anyway. Not small, not too big.”

Come sale time, the second Wednesday in December every year, Swanson’s focus is on getting his registered bulls sold. He said, they have a feedlot to finish the bulls, a sale barn for the auction right on their place and set up the auction for live, online and telephone bidding. Customers also can preview the bulls via videos on their website.

Swanson said they sell a few bred heifers at their sale and retain some registered heifers as replacements, but any heifers beyond those numbers get sold with his commercial cows in October.

Shipwheel bulls typically sell across Montana and into Idaho, the Dakotas and Iowa, he said, adding that they deliver the bulls for free to the buyers after the sale and

before their calving season starts again.

“We enjoy seeing new country, and we’ve had the opportunity to meet a lot of great people in this business,” he said.

Kleinjan said he keeps his sales simple.

He said he doesn’t try to speculate on the ups and downs of the market, because it can change quickly, so he just secures a contract for his calves in July, and gives them their preconditioning shots prior to shipment in the fall.

Once the calves are gone, the cows go back to winter pasture with a protein supplement, he said, adding straw and hay when a big cold snap hits and in the spring prior to calving.

Cowan, who said he did OK on cattle prices last year despite the market, sells his cattle through Northern Livestock Video Auction in August, and said he has had good luck with that system.

Bidders purchase weanlings by pot loads which is, depending on weight of the calves, how many will fit in a tractor-trailer load.

He said he contracts steer calves for a set weight with an allowable variance.

He usually sells only one load of heifers and keeps the rest of the heifers for replacement, he said, adding that if he has extra heifers he just sells those at auction because mixed loads of steers and heifers haven't

Photo Rene Brown

sold well for him in the past.

His steers, he said, usually sell at about 560 pounds and the heifers at 520. Years with good grass can bump those numbers up by 20 pounds, he added.

“Last year we had all kinds of grass.

They should’ve been heavy,” he said, but with an abnormal 25 to 30 inches of rain last summer the grass either didn’t have a chance to mature or the moisture leached nutrition from the plants, so it looked good, but didn’t add weight to his calves.

“It’s something that I’ve never saw, and the guys that are older than me say the same thing,” he said, adding that he was luckier than a lot of producers in the area and harvested his crops and hay between wet spells.

Some of that hay, though, and other hay that he bought got wet in the bale, but he said he was able to feed it using a processor to knock the mold out and using supplements.

“What this year will bring I don’t know,” he said with a laugh.

“It is a good lifestyle. I’m not going to say it isn’t. It has its drawbacks, it definitely does,” Cowan said, “but you show me something that doesn’t.”

In response to the more than 2 million acres of land burned, homes, buildings and fences destroyed, and countless livestock lost or injured in the March wildland fires that spread in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado, the Montana Angus Association will be donating at least $16,000 for relief efforts.

The state organization and the association’s seven regions have committed to donating $2,000 apiece, said Klint Swanson of Shipwheel Cattle Co. in Chinook, president of the north-central region.

At least eight people lost their lives in or related to the fire, including two first responders as well as a semitractor-trailer driver who died from smoke inhalation.

“Rebuilding will take years, not months, and tens of millions of dollars to rebuild herds, fence and other infrastructure these ranchers rely on for income,” Meagan Cramer with the Kansas Farm Bureau told Fox News.

A lot of people in the agriculture industry are frustrated by the disconnect between rural and urban areas, Swanson said, adding that national news hasn’t covered the devastation enough.

“If you eat, you are involved in agriculture,” Swanson said.

This is one of the ways the ag community comes together to help neighbors out, he said.

Amy Van Dyke-Crowder, executive administrator for the state association, said each region is raising money in their own way, but she said she thinks at least some of the money is coming from donations already made to the respective regions to be used for their operations and activities.

Van Dyke-Crowder said a fundraising auction will be held during the Midland Bull Test Sale’s Angus Banquet April 6 in Columbus at the Little Metra at 6 p.m.

Swanson said letters requesting donations from the north-central region members will have been sent by print deadline. No fundraisers had been set in north-central Montana by print deadline, but Swanson said people can contact him if they want to donate to the relief effort for affected farmers and ranchers.

He can be reached at 357-2492 or 9454180, or people can go online to http:// www.mtangus.org for other contact information.

Havin’ a Cow