Page 2 THE MONTANA STANDARD, BUTTE, MARCH 2012
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THE MONTANA STANDARD, BUTTE, MARCH 2012 Page 3
Provider Pals program bridges rural, urban BY PAT HANSEN for The Montana Standard
Provider Pals, a presidential award winning urban/rural cultural exchange program, established 12 years ago by Bruce Vincent, a Libby businessman, is helping to build a bridge of understanding between urban and rural cultures through natural resource providers. The Wall Street Journal called the program, “the most exciting educational initiative in decades.” Vincent said, “Most Americans are three generations from the farm,
and 80 percent live in urban areas. They just don’t know where Vincent their ‘stuff’ comes from. On the other hand, rural Americans know little about urban realities.” The Provider Pals program is an opportunity for urban classrooms to “adopt” farmers, loggers, fishermen and miners. Providers and students communicate throughout
the school year. The program is hugely successful with more than 60,000 students in 35 cities becoming a “pal,” and it continues to grow as more providers and schools become involved. “We are looking for those who want to be adopted, particularly ranchers and producers,” Vincent said. “They are starving to meet us. We have a lot to learn about urban realities as well. It is an opportunity to make friends for a lifetime.” Find more information about the non-profit program at www.providerpals.com.
Montana’s Livestock Loss Board has released a new specialty license plate intended to raise money for wolf depredation efforts. The plates feature the board’s ag-oriented logo and are on sale at county treasurers’ offices around the state. The plates cost $40, with $20 going to the
LLB; subsequent renewals cost just $20. Established by the state Legislature in 2007, the Livestock Loss Board reimburses livestock producers for livestock killed by wolves. Program coordinator George Edwards said the board has had enough funding to pay for livestock claims, but not
enough to pay for prevention efforts. The board has paid out $418,003 on 879 animals since its inception. For more information about the Livestock Loss board or specialty plates, see the website at www.liv.mt.gov/LLB or contact Edwards at (406) 444-5609 or gedwards@mt.gov
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Page 4 THE MONTANA STANDARD, BUTTE, MARCH 2012
WITH VISION, THERE IS HOPE A
merica is on a vision collision says Bruce Vincent, a Libby businessman who believes America is ready for a new vision of conservation and environmental stewardship that is based upon hope instead of fear. Vincent was keynote speaker at the 40th annual Livestock Seminar held in Deer Lodge recently. “When urbanites come to Montana, they fall in love with what we love. When they leave Montana they leave with a desire to protect the Last Best Place with its forests, water, wildlife and air quality, but their vision has a flaw; there is no provision for the last best people. They are fighting to implement policy that has nothing to do with reality, but the public’s perspective of reality.� People want fiber and food, but do we want to import everything, or produce it at home? The leading threat to the world is poverty, not profit, he said. He explained that in the 1960s we
saw the little planet Earth from outer space and realized we only have one planet and that sparked clean water, clean air, conservation and endangered species legislation. Now we make decisions every Vincent day that affect our environment – such as the type of car we drive, plastic, paper or reusable bags for groceries. But every day is earth day for a farmer/rancher. Production agriculture is helping to restore the environment, Vincent said. However, in the 1960s society also learned to market fear about the environment. That movement is still alive, but it attacks common sense and hope. “Americans are very concerned about the environment, but they often don’t know the truth,� Vincent said. “The problem is ignorance.�
A THIN LINE A fifth-generation logger, Vincent explained that it is the natural cycle for fire to burn public forests, but it is far better to harvest and then have small fires to regenerate the forests. There is a thin line between environmental sensitivity and environmental
insanity such as lawsuits and policies that stop all forest management by man; the same is happening to grazing and mining, he said. The Vincent family has been logging in the Libby area since the early 1960s but now uses their logging equipment
See VISION, Page 5
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THE MONTANA STANDARD, BUTTE, MARCH 2012 Page 5
Area ranchers receive Montana Neighbor awards BY PAT HANSEN for The Montana Standard
Area ranchers were among those receiving the 2011 Montana Neighbor Awards in recognition of their land stewardship and good neighbor policies. Jim Dinsmore of Hall and John and Irene Weaver of Ovando received certificates signed by members of the awards committee and Gov. Brian Schweitzer. For nearly four decades, Dinsmore and his family have been farmers and ranchers near Hall. Through the years Dinsmore has demonstrated a commitment to cooperation, land stewardship and community leadership. He allows public access for hunting and fishing on his property and has a permanent easement on a wetland on his property as part of the Natural Resources Conservation Service Wetlands Reserve Program. Since 1981 Dinsmore has been active with natural resource issues and landowner relations with the Granite Conservation District (GCD) of which he has served as chairman since 1985. Dinsmore is a modest man who is pleased to receive the award. “I just go about doing what’s sort of right and taking care of things,” he said of his stewardship philosophy. “I’m trying to keep things as they are. Some
growth is fine, but there’s a reason we like it here and appreciate it.” John and Irene Weaver have been ranching in the Ovando area since 1955. The couple has developed a reputation as solid, trustworthy neighbors who lead by their good example, wrote Stan Bradshaw of Trout Unlimited in his letter of nomination. The Weavers have demonstrated their conservation ethic on a number of fronts. They have placed much of their land into a conservation easement on 600 acres along the North Fork of the Blackfoot River, and converted part of their irrigation water right into a 30-year in-stream lease that helps maintain flows in the North Fork during critical migration times, wrote Bradshaw. The couple has actively participated in a number of cooperative initiatives within the Blackfoot watershed. Some of their efforts include working with the Blackfoot Challenge on an energy conservation initiative with the Missoula Electric Co-op, in cooperation with several groups they installed permanent electric fencing of their spring calving area to reduce conflict with grizzly bears and wolves, and they participate in a multi-landowner block-management initiative to keep substantial parts of their ranch lands open to public, walk-in
hunting. The Weavers are also active in the Ovando community. John served on the school board for many years and was instrumental in generating community approval for construction of the school gymnasium that has become an important community center, and Irene is active in a variety of community enterprises including the Brand Bar Museum. “We are very happy to get the award, but surprised, too,” Irene said. “There are lots of people who have done so much in our valley.” “It’s quite an honor, but we are just doing what we always do to look after the wildlife and take care of the land,” she said. Also receiving the award were Wolf Creek-area ranchers Mike and Lisa Bay, fourth-generation ranchers, who have a long record of working closely with their neighbors as well as public agencies in the area. The Montana Neighbor Award winners were selected by a committee comprised of members of the Montana Association of Land Trusts, Artemis Common Ground, Montana Farm Bureau Federation, the Nature Conservancy of Montana, Montana Council of Trout Unlimited and Montana Dept. of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
BLM, Forest Service grazing fees stay same The federal grazing fee for 2012 is the same as last year. It will be $1.35 per animal unit month (AUM) for public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management and $1.35 per head month (HM) for lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service. An AUM or HM — treated as equivalent measures for fee purposes — is the occupancy and use of public lands by one cow and her calf, one horse, or five sheep or goats per month. The newly calculated grazing fee, determined by a congressional formula and effective on March 1, applies to nearly 18,000 grazing permits and leases administered by the BLM and more than 8,000 permits administered by the Forest Service. The formula used for calculating the grazing fee — established by Congress in the 1978 Public Rangelands Improvement Act - has continued under a presidential Executive Order
issued in 1986. Under that order, the grazing fee cannot fall below $1.35 per AUM, and any increase or decrease cannot exceed 25 percent of the previous year’s level. The annually determined grazing fee is computed by using a 1966 base value of $1.23 per AUM/HM for livestock grazing on public lands in Western states. The figure is then calculated according to three factors — current private grazing land lease rates, beef cattle prices, and the cost of livestock production. In effect, the fee rises, falls, or stays the same based on market conditions, with livestock operators paying more when conditions are better and less when conditions have declined. Permit holders and lessees may contact their local BLM or U.S. Forest Service office for additional information.
Vision ... Continued from Page 4 for fire fighting in the forests that once provided hundreds of jobs and tax revenue. As producers of food and fiber we know we aren’t perfect and have made mistakes, but although imperfect, we are still the best there is in the world the safest, most productive, and most environmentally concerned. We are the green choice of the next millennium, Vincent stated.
DEMOCRACY WORKS “Democracy works, but it is not a spectator sport,” he said. “Farming, logging, fishing families make up 20 percent of the population of 45 million Americans. You must get involved.” He said, “The problem is we are fighting groups, instead of fighting ignorance. They want to know who we are and what we do. We need to ask them questions about what is it they want to know. Get involved, talk about what you are doing and your successes. He urged people to work with conservation districts, county commissioners, chambers of commerce, legislators and representatives and to give them accurate information. “When people lead, leaders follow,” Vincent said. “You are the experts. Talk about what you are doing, and your successes.”
A MOVEMENT OF HOPE He challenged listeners to spend one hour a week getting involved in cultural activities. “Teach the future generation environmental sensitivity and not environmental insanity,” he said. “Plan to spend one hour a week to do something for your culture by getting involved with 4-H, FFA and schools.” Vincent said, “Americans are tired of hearing about what is wrong and want to know what is right. The new movement is a movement of hope. Young people want a message of hope for this planet and their generation. They are desperate, and they need us. We need our young people back on the farms and forests to lead us into the future, and provide for 11 billion people on earth. There is a ripple of hope. Together we’ll make a wave.”
Page 6 THE MONTANA STANDARD, BUTTE, MARCH 2012
Grizzly bear management changes Ranchers question FWP about depredation, delisting
“In the ‘old days’ the original goal for delisting was 250, but that has been increased to 1,000. A move to delist the grizzly bear population will start in 2014-2015. We’re putting together a conservation strategy draft and hope to have it complete by mid-summer.”
BY PAT HANSEN for The Montana Standard
The number of grizzly bears and their interaction with humans and animals throughout southwest Montana has changed in the past 15 years. Jamie Jonkel, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks biologist in bear management, recently told an audience at a meeting in Philipsburg, “We are starting to see more things going on: more depredation and grizzly bears ‘hanging out.’ But it helps when I get photos because not all sightings are grizzly bears.” He cited examples of grizzly bear depredation including a calf killed in the Avon area last June. In that case, traps were set but the bear was not captured. In September, “Couglin” a sub-adult male raided a bee yard near Deer Lodge. He was caught in the Helmville Valley in 2010, but died during tranquilization in 2011. “Males get one chance after the initial kill, and females get two chances,” Jonkel said. “I haven’t had to put down a bear in more than five years. Sometimes people have livestock in places where they will be killed.” “Is the livestock on their private property?” retorted Brian Quigley, Avon rancher and president of Rocky Mountain Stockgrowers Assoc. “In 2011 I figured the deaths of 10 calves to grizzly bears, wolves and mountain lions and weight loss on the other calves cost me $21,000. That was money out of my pocket. If I came and took that money out of your pocket, you might think differently.” Chuck Johnson of Hall asked if a private property owner is allowed to kill a grizzly caught in the act of killing his livestock.” Jonkel replied, “No. If you see a grizzly killing livestock, you must call U.S. Wildlife Services trapper Bart Smith.”
GRIZZLY BEAR POPULATION The grizzly bear population in north-
Jamie Jonkel, biologist, Montana FWP
FWP PHOTO
MONTANA FISH, WILDLIFE AND PARKS OFFICIALS are seeing more killings of livestock by grizzly bears, and more bears “hanging out,” biologist Jamie Jonkel told residents and ranchers at a Philipsburg meeting.
west Montana was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1975. They remain under federal jurisdiction, but Montana Dept. of Fish, Wildlife and Parks is responsible for monitoring and management of the bears that have been found in 28 counties ranging 2.6 million acres beyond the 1993 recovery zone boundary set by the USFWS. According to a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) there are 765 grizzly bears in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) from north of Missoula to the Canadian border, 30-40 animals in the Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystem (CYE) in northwest Montana and northeast Idaho, and according to the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) website, 650 grizzly bears live in the Yellowstone Ecosystem. Adult females are considered the most important segment of the grizzly population and the major focus of any monitoring effort. Scientists estimate 470 of the 765 bears are females distributed throughout the NCDE study area, indicating good reproductive potential. Jonkel said during the study 103 females were collared and they produced an average litter size
of 1.97 cubs. There is a three percent increase in numbers each year, he said. “With bear numbers increasing the process for delisting has begun,” he assured. “To begin the grizzly delisting process we had to have a known population, a growth trend, and female survivability.” State Sen. Gene Vukovich, D-Anaconda, asked, “How many bears realistically do you want? They are multiplying and spreading.” “In the ‘old days’ the original goal for delisting was 250, but that has been increased to 1,000,” Jonkel replied. “A move to delist the grizzly bear population will start in 2014-2015. We’re putting together a conservation strategy draft and hope to have it complete by mid-summer.” Members of the audience were frustrated when Jonkel admitted individual biologists and scientists in the various ecosystems seldom share their information with colleagues. They wanted to know why information isn’t shared by overlaying computerized grizzly bear sightings and DNA information. Vukovich reminded Jonkel, “Bears do not stop at a line they don’t even
know exists.” Daniel Stackhouse of Philipsburg asked, “Why isn’t FWP putting information together from all management areas to get a state-wide delisting?” Because grizzly bears are a federal responsibility, folks wanted to know how much the studies cost. Jonkel responded it is a “team effort” with both federal and state funding. A 2010 USFWS survey showed $6,294.00 was spent per grizzly bear in the lower 48 states by government agencies.
BLACKFOOT CHALLENGE PROGRAM Jonkel estimates there are 60 bears in the Blackfoot River drainage and the numbers are increasing as they move south, east and west. He said from 2006-2011 eight grizzly bears were collared, 33 were captured with 22 of them going to research facilities, 11 were released elsewhere, and 36 bears died. He praised the Blackfoot Challenge pro-active community-based program working to minimize human-wildlife conflicts. According to the Blackfoot Challenge website, the group of 45 ranchers and other participating residents uses preventative strategies and projects that include range riders, removal of dead wildlife and livestock carcasses, purchase of bear-resistant dumpsters, installation of 14,000 linear feet of bear fencing around bee hives, calving and sheep pens, and a bear-alert phone tree with 100 residents on the line. Their actions have reduced humangrizzly conflicts by 50 percent, according to the website.
THE MONTANA STANDARD, BUTTE, MARCH 2012 Page 7
Sugarloaf mill cards wool BY PAT HANSEN for The Montana Standard “When life gives you lemons, grow an orchard and start a lemon business
… unknown
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hirteen years ago Ed James of Hall was irked that the price of wool was so low it cost him more to sell it than what he received. He explained, “Wool was bringing five cents a pound, but the wool pool was charging seven cents to sell it, and I had to make up the difference.’’ James and his wife, Sue, pondered the dilemma and realized the only way for wool to be profitable was to add value to the raw product. They set out and toured woolen mills in Oregon and Washington before deciding to establish their own small mill at 211 Lower Willow Creek Road, southwest of Hall. The Sugarloaf Wool Carding Mill was
the first of five small mills established in Montana. James said none of the mills compete with each other because each has its own niche. They constructed a building for the mill and were able to purchase all of the equipment in Montana. They were also fortunate to meet Svend Larson of Polson who was the professor of wool at the University of Wyoming for 25 years. “Svend’s eyes light up when you talk about wool,” James said. “He became our main resource and spent days helping us get the equipment set up and teaching us how to use it. We opened in April 2000 and had a steep learning curve, but it would have been even worse without Svend’s help. It’s been a school of hard knocks because there are no woolen mills close enough to intern at.” The Sugarloaf Wool Mill processes primarily Suffolk wool because it is non-felting wool with little market
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value. Sugarloaf Wool Mill developed a market for Suffolk fleeces by making batts, pillows, mattress pads and comforters. Although harder to find in this area, they process some good quality white wool into roving for the home spinners and do custom processing for
people who have sheep. Ed and Sue no longer raise sheep after they lost 70 head to wolves two years ago. “We just couldn’t sustain the loss,” he said.
See WOOL, Page 8
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Wool ... Continued from Page 7 Today they purchase wool from individuals throughout Montana, but generally from within a 100 mile radius. “This gives us a better opportunity to educate producers about how to handle the wool to get what we want,’’ James said. “Most people don’t shear before lambing. But for the best quality wool it must be sheared before lambing or at LAKE HELENA RANCH First time offered in over 60 years! 100 acres with a half mile of deeded lake frontage, paved access, lush hay and pasture ground and an old time farmstead. Working livestock facilities. This property is an ideal candidate for a conservation easement. Less than 10 miles to Helena. $1,125,000
PAT HANSEN PHOTOS
DESI MASON SEPARATES WOOL from fleeces purchased in 400-pound bales and puts it through the cleaner to remove dirt and debris at the Sugarloaf Wool Carding Mill.
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least no more than two weeks later because the fever a ewe has during lambing causes the wool to break during processing. By educating producers we get better quality wool and pay more for it.’’ The wool arrives at the mill in fourfoot square bales weighing up 400 lbs. The first step of the process is to mechanically open the fibers and clean out the dirt. Once the fibers are open, the wool is washed by hand three times
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THE MONTANA STANDARD, BUTTE, MARCH 2012 Page 9
MARCH BALER BAILOUT SUPER SPECIALS 0% FOR 36 MONTHS ON SELECT USED BALERS & WINDROWERS
WHEN A BATT IS COMPLETE, Ed James cuts it off the roller and pulls it onto a table for folding and packaging.
Wool ... Continued from Page 8 in 150 degree water and liquid dishwashing detergent to remove the lanolin. Then it is rinsed, run through an extractor to spin out the water and dried in a dryer for 1 to 2 minutes. “Wool fiber does not absorb moisture, it stays on the outside, so the wool dries in just a few minutes,” James said. “Air does the majority of the drying.” The cleaned wool is loaded into a two-bank carder that weighs a hefty 32,000 lbs. and will process 2-3 million pounds of wool before needing an overhaul. There are more than 200 breeds of sheep in the world and the wool from each breed has different qualities. No one carding machine will do them all, James said, ours does medium to coarse wool. James explains that carding aligns the fibers laying them parallel for batts and rovings. Crimp creates elasticity in wool fiber. Fine crimp Merino (80 spin count and up) is a small diameter fiber used for wool clothing and is preferred by hand spinners. A 60-70 spin count works best for batting and felting. Sugarloaf Wool ships products to buyers throughout the country. Wool is
INTERESTING FACT: Suffolk wool produces a 54-62 spin count. One pound of 62 spin count wool will make 10 miles of single ply yarn.
2
0% 36 MONTHS
not heavy, it also breathes and wicks away moisture which is good in areas with high humidity. Green builders are using wool batts treated with borax for insulation. James explained that 3 ½inch batts have about the same R factor as fiberglass. Wool is naturally fire resistant, and borax is an effective treatment for moths. “Many people have come so far from their roots that they don’t know where wool or cotton fabric comes from,” James said. He added that all natural fibers are better for a person’s health than synthetic but conceded there is a place for synthetics. At first the couple only made batts and roving. Then Sue began handcrafting pillows of different sizes and density, quilts, mattress pads and comforters, as well as wall hangings, recliner blankets, dryer balls and wool toys.
See WOOL, Page 10
2
ON SELECT USED OVER $10,000
BU-20305792
Page 10 THE MONTANA STANDARD, BUTTE, MARCH 2012 ITEMS AVAILABLE FOR SALE at the mill include skeins of wool for knitting, roving for home spinners, pillows, quilts, felted pet beds and more.
Wool ... Continued from Page 9 To make felt, wool batts are layered horizontally and vertically with soapy water on a bamboo blind, rolled up and agitated in the felting machine. Felted wool used for dog beds is popular with owners and animals because the felted mats do not hold animal moisture or odor. They are hand washable in warm water and line dried. On the second Saturday of the month from October through April (except for December), a hand spinning session is conducted at the mill for those interested in learning the craft, or those who want to work on their own project in the company of friends. May through October,
PAT HANSEN PHOTO
you can find Sugarloaf Wool at the Clark Fork Market near Higgins Bridge in Missoula on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visitors are welcome at the mill. School children, quilt guilds, retired teachers, spinning and weaving guilds, and tourists have enjoyed
learning how wool is processed. To schedule school and group visits call 406-288-3398. The mill is open Monday through Friday, 9a.m. to 5 p.m., and weekends by appointment. For more information and directions to the mill, go to their website: www.sugarloafwool.com
Auctioneer’s Note: Rollie and Dorma Hebel of Mcallister, Montana have chosen our sale to liquidate their entire stock of tack, carts, implements and antiques. Also included is the Hebel’s unique collection f bit b ll d
THE MONTANA STANDARD, BUTTE, MARCH 2012 Page 11
Wheat plunges on Russia’s exports plan BILLINGS (AP) — Wheat prices are plunging after Russia decided against limiting grain exports this year. That could increase competition for U.S. wheat in the global marketplace. Wheat finished down nearly 3 percent Monday at $6.5225 per bushel. Russia’s prime minister says that the nation has overcome problems stemming from a severe drought in 2010, which prompted a ban on grain exports.
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His deputy, a top agriculture official, predicts that this year’s exports might reach 27 million tons. Investors have been speculating that U.S. wheat would be more in demand because it’s the cheapest in the world and some European crops may have been damaged by winter weather. In other trading, prices for gold, copper and oil are higher. Corn and soybeans are lower.
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Page 12 THE MONTANA STANDARD, BUTTE, MARCH 2012
Stockgrowers Assoc. celebrates first year BY PAT HANSEN for The Montana Standard
T
he Rocky Mountain Stockgrowers Association was organized in March 2011 by area ranchers after the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks proposed to relocate bison to the Spotted Dog Wildlife Management Area near Deer Lodge and Avon. An affiliate of the Montana Stockgrowers Association, RMSGA is a local association of stockmen and other supporters of agriculture in the Rocky Mountain region, not just the Tri-County area, who have united to address issues affecting the livestock industry in this area. President Brian Quigley, of Avon, said the organization is dedicated to providing education to the public and encouraging participation on issues not only related to bison, but to issues that include grizzly bears, wolves, water rights, private property rights, and now child labor laws
that will affect family businesses. “Some people don’t understand that as a family we work and play together. Branding and vaccinating cattle are just part of life,” Quigley said. “We look forward to presenting information on the issues. I can’t stress enough how important it is to get involved; to get educated about the facts and then educate others who may not understand what we are all about.” Vice president Joe Dippold of Deer Lodge said, “A lot of people felt like they were on a teetertotter when FWP purchased Spotted Dog saying there were no plans for bison but within three months they had completed plans to move
them to Spotted Dog. There comes a time when we need to stop being politically correct and stand up for what is right.” At the final RMSGA meeting of the year, members agreed to support a resolution presented by Crazy Mountain Stockgrowers to the Montana Stockgrowers Association requesting the state organization to develop a strong policy for the livestock industry as a whole concerning guidelines for relocation of bison in the state. More than 200 attended their first annual membership banquet held in October. The board of directors say they are unable to do all the work alone to address various issues. Dippold stressed the importance of all members getting involved on one or more of the standing committees that include: wildlife, banquet, scholarship, membership development, and others that may be established as issues arise.
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Montana Range Days set June 18-20 BY PAT HANSEN for The Montana Standard
The 36th annual Montana Range Days will be held in Deer Lodge on June 18-20. The popular family-oriented event attracts people from throughout Montana for three days of educational classes, presentations, competitions, food, fun and friendship for all ages. Previously, Range Days was held east of the Continental Divide and the nearly 300 people attending last year’s event in Deer Lodge enjoyed seeing and learning about the different range ecology and plants of western Montana. John Hollenback, chair of the local committee said it is fun to see entire families enjoying Range Days together. Workshops will include: ■ Basic plant anatomy, common rangeland vegetation and growth characteristics. ■ Geology, climate, vegetation and animal life associated with local rangelands. ■ How vegetation and forage production on range sites change over time with different grazing management, with a comparison of present day forage production to historic plant communities. ■ Calculate stocking rates and how to measure utilization of key forage species and discuss how grazing use affects range plants. ■ Range planning with a real-life ranch scenario and the range management decisions that maintain resources to keep the ranch in business. Tours being offered for adults will include: The Old Montana Prison and Auto Museum, the Superfund cleanup sites and activity, Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site including their program to train cows to eat noxious weeds. The Deer Lodge Valley Conservation District, Natural Resource Conservation Service, and Northern Ag Network host the event. Registration, including workshop materials and six meals, is: Individuals $40, Family $90 Registration forms and more information are available on the website: www.montanarangedays.org. or call (406) 846-1703
PAT HANSEN PHOTO
FAMILIES ENJOY LUNCH on a sunny day during the 2011 Montana Range Days
$1,000 Range Days scholarships offered With an increasing commitment to rangeland education, the Montana Range Days program is offering three $1,000 scholarships to assist young people with an interest in Range Science. They are the “Bob Sitz Memorial Scholarship,” presented by the Sitz Family and the Sitz Angus Ranch of Harrison and Dillon, MT; a “Montana Range Days Scholarship,” and the “Harold and Lillian Jensen
Scholarship,” which is sponsored by the Jensen Family of Baker. Students planning to major in Range Science or a related field are encouraged to apply for all three of the scholarships by completing a simple one-page application form. The form can be obtained on the MRD Web site at www.cartercd.org or by contacting: Montana Range Days Scholarship Committee, Mike Sjostrom, Chairman, c/o Montana
Livestock Ag Credit Inc., P.O. Box 4549, Helena, MT 59604; (406) 442-3740. Selection is based on the applicant’s involvement in range activities, leadership, academic achievement and financial need. The deadline for applications is April 30, 2012. The winners will be announced on June 19 at the 2012 Montana Range Days.
Page 16 THE MONTANA STANDARD, BUTTE, MARCH 2012
ON THE TRAIL
PAT HANSEN
EARLY MORNING SUNLIGHT warms the Charley Graveley family of Avon as they trail cattle home from summer pastures.
First ... Continued from Page 12 Membership is open to individuals, partnerships, and businesses who are actively engaged in agricultural production or who support the industry. To become a member, send $25 dues made payable to Rocky Mountain Stockgrowers, P.O. Box 364, Avon, MT 59713. Include phone number and email address. For details, call Reece Price 439-7071 or Brian Quigley 459-4454.
RANGE DAYS WORKSHOP YOUNG PEOPLE check a reference book as they identify plants during a Montana Range Days workshop in 2011.
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THE MONTANA STANDARD, BUTTE, MARCH 2012 Page 17
SHARING THE SUNSHINE DRAFT HORSES AND ANGUS CATTLE enjoy a sunny mid-winter day in the Deer Lodge Valley
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