Montana

Local meat processing plants across the county will work to expand capacity, and improve efficiencies thanks to recent investments via the USDA.   “USDA's local meat capacity grant program, or we call it local MCap," said Department of Ag’s Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Moffitt.  "It provides targeted pr...

After the summer the Northwest has experienced, it should come as no surprise that pasture conditions in the area don’t look great to start the month of October.  USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey noted some of the driest lands are in the Great Plains, and out here in the West.   “Leadi...

At the Public Lands Council’s annual meeting, the Bureau of Land Management announced the winners of the 2024 Rangeland Stewardship and Rangeland Innovation awards.  The two organizations have partnered for 19 years to honor BLM livestock grazing permittees and lessees who demonstrate exceptional management, collaboration, and communication that restores, conserves, or enhances public lands.   Th

We may have just wrapped up the 2024 winter wheat harvest, but it’s already time to look ahead to 2025, as planting has begun across the country.  USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey looked at planting numbers from last week.   “Showing 2% of the intended acreage planted on that date," Rippey noted.  "Right now par with the ...

With the end of the most intense portion of the irrigation season with in sight here in the Northwest, how is water storage fairing as we prepared to head into fall?  USDA meteorologist Brad Rippy said when it comes to the 11 Western states they watch, nine of those states either close to normal or above normal storage.   “...

This weekend, for many is considered the unofficial end of summer, and it looks like Mother Nature will try to cooperate.  Temperatures are expected to climb back into the 90s with some locations forecasting triple digits this weekend.  USDA me...

Wheat harvest continues across the Northwest, but when it comes to national numbers, growers are in the home stretch.  USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey said as of Monday August 18th, 96% of the winter wheat acreage nationwide has been cut.   “...

Ranchers and small communities will have to learn to co-exist with bears. But there's more to it than just grabbing a gun and praying for the best. Here's how Montana is making things work.

Finding veterinarians in rural communities, especially vets that work with large animals is becoming more and more difficult.  Because of this growing problem, several western schools have teams up to try to address the problem for farm country.  Michael...

On Tuesday, central Washington’s Dan Newhouse, Chair of the Western Caucus, and California’s Doug LaMalfa, Vice Chair, introduced the Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act of 2023.  In addition House Legislation, companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Wyoming's Cynthia Lummis.   Supporters o...