LaneCast Ag Podcast

Montana Farmers Union and its partners are purchasing a mobile meat harvest unit. The mobile processing facility will become part of the first of its kind meat processing curriculum in the country that teaches meat processing from harvest to retail at Montana State University-Northern in Havre, MT. The mission of the collaboration is to produce more local food.

A report by the Montana Natural Resource Coalition addresses a request by the American Prairie Reserve to convert BLM grazing leases from traditional livestock production to indigenous animal or bison uses. MTNRC President and Fergus County Commission Ross Butcher shares more on what the grassroots report is about.

The Department of the Interior has removed the gray wolf from the endangered species list, signaling a successful recovery under the Endangered Species Act. The Public Lands Councils Exec. Dir. Kaitlynn Glover discusses how states and tribal governments will now take over the management of gray wolves. She also shares how the delisting is a win for livestock producers, sportsmen, conservationists,...

The first female from Montana to become a Natl' FFA Officer, Mamie Hertel discusses her year of service in the time of COVID-19.

Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Aurelia Skipwith discusses grizzly bear management in Montana and surrounding states among other issues.

USDA Under Secretary Greg Ibach was in Montana to announce a new draft policy for Brucella research. He shares more on the efforts to eradicate the disease in the Greater Yellowstone Area.

The 7th Annual Montana Ewe Sale and the 95th Annual Montana Ram Sale will be held on September 16 and 17 in Miles City, MT. Leah Johnson, Executive Secretary for the Montana Wool Growers Association, discusses this year's sale. https://mtsheep.org/95th-annual-montana-ram-sale/

On September 4th, 2020 the State of Montana Declared a State of Fire Emergency. The Montana Department of Livestock (DOL) Executive Officer Mike Honeycutt shares insight on exemptions livestock producers have udder the declaration. https://westernagnetwork.com/montana-declares-state-of-fire-emergency-exemptions-for-livestock-producers

Grant Heaton is six years old and was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at age three. Duchenne is a genetic disease that destroys muscle, all of them. There is no cure or real treatment for Duchenne. Boys that are affected by it don’t make it out of their 20’s and are wheelchair-bound from around age 10 to 15. Grant’s dad Paul shares information about how ranchers can donate part of their...

“The Beginners Guide to Direct Marketing Meat” webinar series will give participants the opportunity to learn about the do’s and don’ts of direct marketing. Webinar host and owner of High Five Meats Sarah Hollenbeck shares more.

As the spring wheat planting is close to wrapping up here Montana, there is a lot of farmers' minds. I spoke with the Montana Grain Growers President Vince Mattson of Chester, MT on how things are shaping up this spring.

Ranchers are stressed out and wearing thin. Folks have sent me inquiries about what a 50% mandatory negotiated cash trade will do for the cattle markets. Ag. Economist Dr. Gary Brester shared insight on cash trade, the backlog of cattle in feedlots, what prices could be for calves and risk management advice, and much more.

Montana U.S. Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines along with Congressman Greg Gianforte share their efforts to address livestock market issues ranging from MCOOL, packer investigations to removing red tape on meat processing and more.

Montana Attorney General Tim Fox sent a letter to U.S. AG William Barr expressing antitrust concerns involving meatpackers within the cattle industry. His efforts to help cattle producers along with ranchers voicing their concerns in the countryside have prompted President Donald Trump to ask the Department of Justice to investigate the meatpacking industry.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, farm fairs which would be teeming with eager students have been nixed, but the Montana Farm Bureau is holding a virtual farm fair to bring the educational ag-related topics directly to your home. MFBF’s Promotion & Education Committee Chair Bonita Cremer shares how Montana Farm Bureau’s Virtual Farm Fair is scheduled to run on social media beginning May 11 and thr...

Montana Farm Bureau President Hans McPherson took a break from calving to talk cattle prices, COVID-19, anxiety in the countryside.

With a consensus that we are in or heading into a recession in the aftermath of the coronavirus, what impact will it have on the cattle markets? Ag economist Dr. Anton Bekkerman gives insight to the marketplace and looks to past recession trends on what may occur. Dr. Bekkerman is an associate professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics at Montana State University. Click he...

Montana Attorney General Tim Fox is president of the National Association of Attorney Generals. This week he spoke on the phone with U.S. Attorney General William Barr. They discussed price gouging and consumer protection in the wake of the coronavirus. Fox also brought up the livestock markets and concerns livestock producers have with meatpacker profits.

Montana Stockgrowers Association Exc. VP Jay Bodner shares an overview of MSGA's efforts during the COVID-19 situation, a new job opening with the association and plans for the 2020 Summer Business Meeting.

There has been a drop in the cattle markets in the wake of the coronavirus. Why is that? Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association gives insight into how his group is working to get to the bottom of the market losses cattle producers are experiencing. While also working with USDA to make sure a steady supply of beef continues to be restocked in the neighborhood grocery store.

Trina Jo Bradley and her husband ranch in the shadow of the Rocky Mountain Front near Valier, MT. Ranching comes with its own set of challenges. Ranching with grizzly bears makes things even harder. Trina gives insight on recent announcements from the Department of Interior. She also shares updates from her volunteer work on the Montana Grizzly Bear Advisory Council and USDA APHIS Wildlife Advisor...

John Wilkes is a former farmer from the United Kingdom. Wilkes now resides in Washington D.C. where he works as an international livestock industry consultant and journalist. He joins the Agriculture Conversation and gives insight on how the Brexit impacts agricultural trade, what U.S. agriculture can learn from UK and European farmers and consumers trends and much more!

During the 101st American Farm Bureau Convention in Austin, TX Montana Farm Bureau (MFBF) President Hans McPherson and Exec. V.P. John Youngberg joins the Agriculture Conversation. They share updates on issues from trade, metal healthcare, revitalizing rural America and much more. Tune into the conversation today!

A conversation with the leaders of the Pacific Northwest Canola Association. A new commodity group whose mission is to grow the canola industry in the Pacific Northwest (ID, MT, OR, and WA) through education, advocacy, and marketing.

NCBA VP of Gov. Affairs Ethan Lane shares how NCBA is seeking solutions to the labeling requirements and verification procedures in place for beef products labeled as “Product of the U.S.A,” “Made in the U.S.A.,” or similar origin claims, which will resolve the concerns of beef producers, work at the speed of commerce, meet America's trade obligations and prevent confusion among consumers. https:/...