APRIL 2018
Vol. XIX No. 3 P.O. Box 997 Conrad, MT 59425-0997
Phone 406-271-5533 Fax 406-271-5727 website: tradersdispatch.com E-MAIL: advertising@tradersdispatch.com
Renewal options for expiring CSC
Agricultural producers wanting to enhance current conservation efforts are encouraged to renew their Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) contract. Through CSP, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) helps private landowners build their business while implementing conservation practices that help ensure the sustainability of their entire operation. Participants with existing CSP contracts expiring on Dec. 31, 2018 can access the benefits of the recent program changes through an option to renew their contracts for an additional five years if they agree to adopt additional activities to achieve higher levels of conservation on their lands. NRCS will mail contract renewal notification letters to all participants whose contracts expire in 2018, which will contain instructions on how to apply for renewal. Applications to renew expiring contracts are due by April 13. Through CSP, agricultural producers and forest landowners earn payments for actively managing, maintaining, and expanding conservation activities like cover crops, ecologically-based pest management, buffer strips, and pollinator and beneficial insect habitat – all while maintaining active CONTINUED ON PAGE A3
AUCTION SALES
Mar. 26-Apr 23, Musser Bros Auction, Online Equipment, Online..................A10 Apr. 1-May 6, Smith Sales, Spring Fever, Online......................................... A8, A9 Apr. 14, Matt’s Auction Service, Consignment, Vaughn MT..............................A6 Apr. 14, RK Statewide Auctions, Unrau Retirement, Wolf Point MT................A19 Apr. 20, Rivers West Auction, Spring Consignment, Evaro MT.......................A18 Apr. 21, RK Statewide Auctions, Ryder Retirement Farm, Froid MT..............A20 Apr. 21, Shobe Auction & Realty, Boyum Farm, Havre MT..............................A15 Apr. 28, Kamerman Auction Co., Cedar K Farms, Three Forks MT.................A17 Apr. 28, RK Statewide Auctions, Park Plaza Motel, Sidney MT.......................A21 Apr. 30, RK Statewide Auctions, Richland County Land Auction, Richey MT..... .............................................................................................................................A26 May 5, O . phus Auction Service, Otto Inventory Reduction, Havre MT...........A29 May 10, Stan Howe & Associates, Front Range Auctioneers, Dick Alberts, Helena MT........................................................................................................................A27 May 12, Toavs Premier Auctions, O’Brien Farm, Poplar MT............................A30 May 17, LA Auction, Equipment, Fairfield MT..................................................A36 May 17, Rivers West Auction, Pierce Construction Retirement, St. Ingatius MT. .............................................................................................................................A33 May 19, Springhill Auctioneers, Farm Auction, Brady MT...............................A22 May 19, Weaver Auctions, Consignment, Drummond MT...............................A18 June 1, Fritz Auction, Consignment, Chester MT............................................A32 June 8, 9, 10, Montana Mule Days, Whitehall MT..............................................A34
Grazing permit renewal process workshop
By University of Wyoming Extension Practical guidance for navigating the grazing permit renewal process is being offered Friday, April 13, in Baggs, Wyoming. The workshop is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Valley Community Center, 255 W. Osborne St., with a break for lunch, said Glenn Owings, University of Wyoming (UW) Extension educator. Wyoming and Colorado ranch owners and managers and federal grazing permit holders and local policy makers are invited. The cost is free with lunch included. Interested persons are asked to RSVP to Owings, or for more information, at 307-367-4380 or email gowings@uwyo.edu. Those attending can learn how they can be involved in the permit renewal process, gain the tools to know what to do and who to call when they don’t, said Owings. CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
If you live in Montana you know that if you don’t like the weather “wait a day, it will change”. That was quite obvious the past couple of weeks. One day we have flooding, the next day we have snow drifts. Photo courtesy of Becky Kujava, Conrad, Montana.
When that time comes: some thoughts on successful pasture reseeding
By Brian Sebade, University of Wyoming Extension educator and Master Gardener coordinator based in Albany County and serving southeast Wyoming the plant’s physiological needs can mean Has your dryland pasture reached that almost certain failure. point? You know, when the plant species Many great resources for selecting speoriginally established no longer exist, maycies for reseeding are available. University be invasive or unwanted plants outnumber of Wyoming Extension Bulletin 1206 (bit. the desired species, or you just feel it is a ly/plantspecies) gives a great outline of time for change? No matter the reason, there grasses and forbs for reseeding based on are some important considerations to work annual precipitation, elevation and soil. through before you start planting a new field “Dryland Pastures in Montana and Wyoor pasture. ming,” available at bit.ly/drylandpasture, Understanding your soil is another great resource on species and The physical and chemical properties of seeding techniques. your pasture play a major role on the types CONTINUED ON PAGE A3 of plants that will succeed or fail. Completing a soil test prior to planting is an important step. Most routine or basic soil tests PRODUCTION SALES provide information related to soil texture, pH, nutrient levels, organic matter and salt Apr. 18, Milk River Angus, Chinook MT........................A2 Apr. 24 , Currant Creek Angus, Miles City..................A11 concentrations. Completing a soil test prior Apr. 26, Mangen Angus Ranch, Belle Fourche SD.......A7 to planting can steer your species selection May 3, Nelson Ranch, Glasgow MT.............................A17 to accommodate your soil’s physical and chemical properties. Follow-up testing is also a great way to see if you are building PRIVATE TREATY or loosing organic matter after a new field Bulls of the Big Sky, Billings.......................................A44 is established. Clay Creek Angus, Greybull, WY.................................A16 Selecting Species Curlew Cattle Co., Whitehall MT..................................A23 Dallas Polled Herefords, Canyon Creek MT.................A4 Matching the plant species to the cliDuncan Ranch Co, Joplin MT......................................A10 mate of your pasture helps promote better Dutton Hereford Ranch, Gold Creek MT.....................A23 germination and establishment. Annual Elk Park Angus, Columbia Falls..................................A14 Feddes Herefords, Manhattan MT...............................A23 precipitation, number of growing days, avGeib Red Angus, Dagmar MT........................................A6 erage high and low temperatures and timing J Bar E Ranch, Plentywood MT...................................A23 of precipitation affect the ability of plants K & C Herefords, Deer Lodge......................................A23 to grow and produce desired forage. Newly LRK Cattle Co., Lolo.....................................................A12 McKechnie Herefords, Shelby MT...............................A23 seeded plants growing at the wrong time of McMurry Cattle, Billings MT........................................A23 year or in a climate that does not align with Peterson Angus, Drummond MT.................................A43
Advertiser Index Page B1 Recipe Patch Page A46
Praise the Lord Gelbvieh, Reserve.............................A38 Prickly Pear Simmental Ranch, Helena......................A13 Thomas Herefords, Gold Creek MT.............................A23 Wichman Herefords, Moore MT...................................A23