For any beer lovers in Montana, the Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) will host its first annual beverage show on November 4 in Helena.
Vendor registration is now open with a deadline set for September 6. Buyer registration opens on July 15.
People can expect to see breweries, distilleries, wineries, and more at the show, which will take place at the Delta Hotel Helena Colonial.
You can visit the MDA’s website for more information.
In other state news, recent spring weather has delayed planting for many area producers.
In response to the delays, the MDA has extended the 2019 hemp license application deadline to Friday, June 14.
An industrial hemp license issued by the state provides authorization for the production of hemp in Montana.
Licenses expire on the last day of April following the year the license is issued.
Applicants are subject to a $450 license fee, a $400 planting fee and may be subject to additional fees depending on seed varieties.
With severe weather knocking on the door, now is the time to think about crop hail insurance.
The Montana State Hail Program began its operations earlier this spring and staff is now prepared to accept new policies through August 15th of this year.
Producers can insure crops against hail damage with a maximum coverage rate of $75 per acre for dryland and $114 per acre for irrigated land.
Rates charged are a percentage of the insured amount and vary by county.
In national news, Iowa farmers continue to battle the elements. The Iowa Soybean Association stated sales are down 25 percent.
Uncooperative weather, the government shutdown, and the trade war with China collided at the same time and hit the state’s soybean market.
