Every year calving season presents its own set of challenges for Montana ranchers and this year is no exception.
This weekend, we learned about a calf rescue along the Yellowstone River near Livingston.
On Sunday, the Montana Ag Network’s Russell Nemetz talked with Tucker Nelson, owner of Nelson Spring Creek Ranch and Nelson’s Guides and Flies about their river rescue.
“Every morning the first light we go out and check over our herd to see what calved the night before and it just so happened that morning we went out and I spotted a little black dot out on an island on the Yellowstone River and we realized it was a calf,” said Nelson. “The mother was running back and forth so, we used what resources we had available. We’ll do that to care for our animals and quickly came up with the idea to throw in the raft that I use to guide fishermen out of and row across and rescue the calf.”
He said the calf’s mama was very happy to have her calf back at her side.
“Naturally she was pretty upset and was running back and forth on the river bank,” said Nelson. “So, it didn’t take long once I crossed back over the river and got the calf up on level ground, she gladly took her calf and they ran off back into the field. But it all turned out well it was good strong calf obviously because it wasn’t more than a couple hours old when it swam the river. So, it was a story that ended well.”
He added it was a perfect example of being stewards of the land.
“We see a lot of ranches that have been divided up and subdivided and we just try to stay as diverse as we can try to use the opportunity of more people moving to the area to expand our business through the fly-fishing guiding just so we can stay safe stewards of the land. I think it’s also a perfect example how we’ll care for our animals and use any means necessary to make sure that they’re ok,” said Nelson.
In other news, the USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council has been working with the Food and Drug Administration for months to review the new Food Safety Modernization Act regarding an error in combining dry peas in with fresh vegetables.
The erroneous designation would have cost processors and growers more labor, and a speculatively large amount of money to comply by the standard.
It’s good news though for the pulse industry as the FDA announced it intends to exercise enforcement discretion for the requirements of the Produce Safety. After the Produce Safety Rule was finalized, FDA received feedback from stakeholders that wine grapes, hops, pulses, and almonds should be exempt.
Opportunities to volunteer are still available at the 89th Annual Montana FFA State Convention in Bozeman April 3rd through 6th, hosted by Montana State University.
Over 2,000 students will take part in numerous competitive Career Development Events, leadership trainings, local service projects in the Bozeman community, and explore the Career and Trade Show.
There is still a need for judges and volunteers at the competitive events. If you’re a lifelong supporter of the FFA or are new to the organization and wish to get involved, check out the opportunities to volunteer throughout convention by visiting www.montanaffa.org.
-Reported by Russell Nemetz/MTN News
