The Montana FFA Association concluded a very successful 89th annual convention over the weekend in Bozeman. At its conclusion, a new state FFA officer team was announced for the 2019-20 year.
Caroline Roeder from the Choteau FFA Chapter was selected to serve as president.. She said her team looks forward to building upon the positive momentum of FFA in Montana.
“I think one of the things we really want to focus on this year is adding new chapters,” said Roeder. “There are quite a few schools that are very interested in starting a chapter but maybe haven’t been recognized or given the help they need.”
Other new members of the Montana FFA Association’s 2019-20 State Officer Team include: Culbertson’s Lucas Oelkers selected to serve at 1st vice president: Richey’s Isaac Sponheim selected to serve as 2nd vice president; Winifred’s Anna Slivka selected to serve as reporter, Broadwater’s Andrew Ferrat selected to serve as parliamentarian, Fairfield’s Emily Evans selected to serve as secretary, Park City’s Andee Baker selected to serve as Treasurer, and Missoula’s Kyla Andres selected to serve as sentinel.
The next deadline for Conservation Stewardship Program applications to be considered for funding in fiscal year 2019 is May 10th.
The NRCS plans to invest up to $700 million for new enrollments and contract extensions in fiscal year 2019.
The 2018 Farm Bill made several changes to this critical conservation program, which helps agricultural producers take the conservation activities on their farm or ranch to the next level.
Tom Watson, NRCS state conservationist in Montana, said CSP continues to be a very effective tool for private landowners working to achieve their conservation and management goals.
For more information, contact your local NRCS office.
The Montana Department of Livestock is conducting cattle testing related to the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis in animals during routine inspection conducted at out-of-state slaughter establishments.
These investigations, involving several states, stem from the detection of TB in a steer at slaughter in June of 2018, a second unrelated steer found in December of 2018, and a cow in March of 2019.
The purpose of the traceback investigations is to determine where an animal was infected, if possible, and to identify other potentially infected or exposed animals. At this time, no infected herds have been confirmed within Montana. Testing is expected to continue through the summer and into early fall of 2019.
According to a new report from CoBank, supplies of beef, chicken and pork are expected to continue to expand from 2018 levels, but domestic and international demand bring “much more uncertainty” this year. Overall U.S. animal protein production climbed by 2.5 percent last year, with pork leading the way at 3 percent.
Per capita U.S. protein consumption is up by 9 percent since 2014 and in 2019 is expected to test the record set in 2006 before the Great Recession by adding another 1 percent.
Trade negotiations with Canada, China, Japan, Korea and Mexico could dominate opportunities for U.S. protein producers, especially considering ongoing trade talks with China and Japan.
-Reported by Russell Nemetz/MTN News
