Ya Reckon
Author: Denise Thompson, MT43 News AG Correspondent
Denise Thompson
MT43 News AG Correspondent
Montana just celebrated Happy Montana Day (4-06), better known as “406 Day.” Those numbers not only represent the fact that the entire state, encompassing 147,040 square miles, shares only one area code number but also represents everything that makes the Treasure State a treasure! What a blessing to call Montana our home, ya reckon?!
The Big Sky, Big Leadership program through MSU Extension hosted the Meet Your Community event on March 25th at the 4-H building. It was a great opportunity to highlight many civic organizations that admirably serve Broadwater County. And what a wonderful representation of agricultural groups amongst so many strong and vibrant associations. We even had the honor of learning more about the longstanding Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) and the powerful world of Montana agriculture.
Ian Kane, MSGA Membership Representative, shared some key components of the organization that has served as a trusted voice for the cattle industry and Montana’s cattle ranching families since 1884! Wow! The group's mission is to protect and enhance Montana ranch families’ ability to grow and deliver safe, healthy, sustainably produced beef to the world. The MSGA’s 2025 legislative priorities is to continue to advocate for private property rights, protect senior water rights, manage wildlife issues pertaining to ranchers, and provide oversight on agency regulations that impact the ranching sector.
If someone doubts the impactful presence of agriculture in this state and its invaluable role in maintaining the integrity of the “treasure” of the Treasure State, well, please chew on a few facts shared by MSGA: 62.4% of land in Montana is farms and ranches. Cattle ranked #1 in Montana’s cash receipts by commodity in 2022, followed by wheat, hay, barley and lentils. Compared to 1977, today’s beef farmers and ranchers produce the same amount of beef with 33% fewer cattle. Improved efficiency and animal well-being mean a 16% lower carbon footprint and fewer natural resources used for every pound of beef produced. Always improving and focusing on sustainability. Agriculture is something to be admired and protected.
And for those who may have concerns about cattle grazing on public lands, consider if you will these points MSGA hit home: Public lands ranchers save the federal government (ultimately you, the taxpayer) $750 million annually in land management costs. It costs the Bureau of Land Management $5 per acre for ungrazed public lands vs. $2 per acre maintained by ranchers. Cattle mitigate the risk of wildfires, upcycle human-inedible plants into high-quality protein, coexist with natural ecosystems and preserve grasslands. Furthermore, ranchers worked with the USDA to conserve, restore, or maintain 4 million acres of sage grouse habitat, leading the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove the sage grouse from the Endangered Species Act.
While you are out enjoying the beautiful, vast natural resources of this great state, I hope you will pause to enjoy and fully appreciate the cattle and their beneficial function in maintaining the integrity of this great state.
For the Love of Ag, From the Heart of a Western Woman,
Denise Thompson
Article Images
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PhotoCredit: Denise Thompson
Image 1 Caption: Happy 406 Day, Montana
Photo Credit: Denise Thompson
Image 2 Caption: Montana's high cattle to people ratio is: 2.51 cattle per person
Photo Credit: Denise Thompson
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