Montana

Some members of the Congressional Western Caucus are not happy with the Administration's proposal to withdraw ten million acres of federal lands via the Endangered Species Act. In a recent letter to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the lawmakers claim the Administration is using its decision to update the greater sage-grouse land management plans as an excuse to ban development in areas across Ida

The Idaho Wolf Depredation Control Board will have just over $1 million this summer to kill wolves across the state. Board officials requested $392,000 from the state’s general fund last week; that is the same amount the group requested in 2021. The ...

When it comes to the latest winter wheat conditions across the country, USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey said there is reason to pause. "This is probably the most concerning chart of the week, showing 44% of the crop rated as good to excellent, that is down 2% from a week ago," Rippey noted ...

Oregon's Ron Wyden and Montana's Jon Tester announced this week they are working with Republican Senators Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Deb Fischer of Nebraska rolling out the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act. The compromise cattle market bill is part of the effort to "to return fairness to the cattle marketplace dominated by four major meatpackers" ...

When it comes to poor pasture and rangelands conditions, Montana is the leader nationwide. "We see quite a long list of states running anywhere from 70 to 85% very poor to poor.  That list includes all three Pacific Coast states; Washington, Oregon, California. Alo ...

Idaho remains one of the top barley producing states in the county, but this year’s crop is well off normal numbers. According to NASS, total barley production this year is off by 21% year over year. That breaks down to 55 million fewer bushels. The ...

The U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., ruled a lawsuit brought by independent ranchers who say the Beef Checkoff Program threatens their livelihood can go forward. The court’s opinion denied a motion to dismiss by the USDA, writing that the ranchers have successfully alleged they have “associational standing” to challenge USDA’s practices. The case will proc ...

Last week, the Senate voted 50-45 to approve the nomination of Tracy Stone-Manning as Director of the Bureau of Land Management. The Montana resident takes over a department that manages about 12 percent of the total landmass in the U.S ...

It’s a problem that grows larger with time as more and more production animal veterinarians retire, and there is not a new generation to replace them. In many portions of the Pacific Northwest, it can be difficult for farmers to get skilled vets willing to travel to their property to offer needed care. ...

Last week, a bipartisan group of four Senators jointly announced the American Beef Labeling Act. The legislation would mandate the reinstatement of beef and beef products into the existing Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling Law (M-COOL), allowing for a 12-month development and implementation grace period. ...