MAY 2015
Vol. XVI No. 4 P.O. Box 306 Valier, MT 59486-0306
Phone 406-279-3291 Fax 406-279-3249 website: tradersdispatch.com E-MAIL: trader@3rivers.net
NRCS sets program funding application cutoff for June 1 The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has set a June 1, 2015, application cutoff for agricultural operators to be considered for 2016 conservation program funding through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. NRCS provides funding and technical assistance to help farmers and ranchers implement conservation practices that provide environmental benefits to help sustain agricultural operations. Conservation program participation is voluntary and helps private landowners and operators defray the costs of installing conservation practices. NRCS accepts conservation program applications yearround; however, applications for 2016 funding consideration must be submitted by June 1, 2015. Applications made after the June 1 cutoff will be considered in the next funding cycle. Additional information is available on the Montana NRCS website at www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov under the Programs tab.
UPCOMING AUCTIONS
May, Pate Auction Inc., Online...........................................................................A17 May 16, Flying D Auction, Johnson & Schaack Combined Auction, Conrad..A3 May 16, Pate Auction Inc., State of Montana Surplus, Helena..........................A4 May 20, Frtiz Auction, Moog Enterprises, Joplin...............................................A5 May 21, www.ironplanet.com, LM Machinery, Equipment, Online..................A22 May 21, River’s West Auction Co., Sker Construction, Arlee..........................A11 May 21, Shobe Auction & Realty, Noble Estate Ranch Equipment, Grass Range................................................................................................................A7 May 23, Weaver Auctions, Farm & Ranch Consignment, Drummond............A18 May 26, Musser Bros. Auction, Bailey Estate, Colstrip.....................................A9 May 30, RK Statewide Auctions, Snowbelt Angus Farm, Jordan...................A15 June 1, Musser Bros Auction, Manley Estate, Hardin.......................................A8 June 4, Shobe Auction & Realty, Dixon/Smith Ranch Equipment, Lewistown...A7 June 5 & 6, Shobe Auction & Realty, Reuben Miller Farm, Moore..................A19 June 6, Ophus Auction Service, B&M Lund, Fort Benton...............................A27 June 6, Hi-Line Auction, LaFond Liquidation, Malta........................................A29 June 6, RK Statewide Auctions, Stepan Farm, Fairview..................................A21 June 6, Barnes Auction Service, Surplus Farm & Ranch, Dillon....................A28 June 13, Salisbury Auction Service,. Leavitt Retirement & Consignment, Florence..........................................................................................................A30 June 13, Musser Bros Auction, Wright Farms, Bozeman................................A35 June 22, Shobe Auction & Realty, Snowy Mountian Ag Commercial Real Estate, Online..............................................................................................................A19
Youth Trapper Camp offered in June
By Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks The 2015 Youth Trapper Camp is accepting applications. The three-day camp—established 16 years ago by the Montana Trappers Association (MTA), Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), and Montana 4-H—offers youth and adults the opportunity to learn all aspects of trapping from qualified instructors. The family-oriented camp will be held June 12-14 at Camp Kiwanis in the Bears Paw Mountains, south of Havre. Fees are $50 per youth and adult camper, with a $20 scholarship available to youngsters on request. New participants will attend nine classes on trapping basics, conservation, regulations, ethics, furbearer identification, safety and health. Returning participants will receive advanced, hands-on training. All meals, snacks, drinks, educational materials and overnight accommodations are included. Adults are encouraged to attend with their children. Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by an adult. To register, visit the MTA website at www.montanatrappers.org. For more information, contact Jim Buell via email at 7mbuell@itstriangle.com, or call 406-376-3178.
Conrad FFA Alumni Seminar Mechanics section presenters, from left to right: Aaron & Adam Klette teaching Electricity, Travis Walter teaching Plumbing, Nathan Hunsucker teaching GPS, Garrett Moritz teaching Plumbing, Joel Farkell teaching Sprayer Nozzles, Gary Olson teaching Natural Resources (pertaining to the use of sprayers), Cody Erickson teaching Sprayer Parts, Eric Lemay teaching Welding, and Travis Seidler teaching Sprayer Parts. Photo courtesy of Joylynn Petrosky, Ag Education Instructor and FFA Advisor, Conrad High School.
May is Wildfire Awareness Month in MT
Communities, families and organizations are urged to join together in May to become more prepared for wildfire season. May has been designated as Wildfire Awareness Month, and the purpose is to raise awareness about wildland fire safety, community preparedness, hazardous fuels mitigation, and fire prevention. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, nearly 2.5 million acres, an area the size of Yellowstone National Park, are burned each year by human-caused wildfires. In Montana, top causes of wildfires change through the course of the season: escaped debris and agricultural burns in the spring; escaped or unattended campfires in the summer; and sparks from dragging trailer chains, lawn mowers, chainsaws or field machinery in the late summer and early fall when grasses are cured and ripe for ignition. Here are a few ways to prevent and pre-
PRIVATE TREATY
Feddes Herefords, Manhattan..................................... A23 Gunderson Hereford, Rudyard...................................... A6 K.L. Slagsvold Herefords, Lindsay.............................. A23 McMurry Cattle, Billings............................................... A23 Prickly Pear Simmental Ranch, Helena...................... A22
pare for wildfires: · Clean out gutters, roofs and other areas where debris has settled · Avoid burning on windy days and never leave a burn pile unattended · Maintain equipment to reduce sparks and check that trailer chains do not drag · Create an evacuation plan and practice the route with family members · Practice campfire safety by ensuring your fire is dead out before leaving the campsite · Keep the space around your home clear of dense vegetation · Help your community by organizing a wildfire preparedness event Preparedness is a shared responsibility. Encourage others in your community to take steps to prepare for wildfire season.
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ADVERTISING DEADLINE FOR JUNE The deadline for the JUNE 2015 issue is
Wed., May 27