Inflation, supply chain issues, input costs and commodity markets drove the focus of the Montana Farm Bureau Summer Conference June 13-15 at Fairmont Hot Springs. The event provided a time for the 180 farmers and ranchers to surface policy ideas in their advisory committee meetings while hearing from experts in the field. Two speakers, Duane Lenz, senior analyst with Cattlefax, and Shelby Myers,

Average gasoline prices in Montana have fallen 1.3 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.94/g on Monday, June 27, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 615 stations in Montana. Prices in Montana are 53.3 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand $1.87/g higher than a year ago. According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Montana was priced at $4.52/g on Sunday,

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., spoke to reporters about how the Meat Packing Special Investigator Act and the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act will benefit the nation’s ranchers. Both bills passed out of the Senate’s committee last week. During a media conference call on Thursday, June 23, Tester said, “For years, Montana ranchers have told me that it’s becoming harder and

Roosevelt County currently has six active COVID cases. There have been 3,327 total cases in the county. County health officials encourage all residents aged 5 and up to be vaccinated and those over 16 should consider getting booster doses. Immunizations are by appointment only. For questions or to schedule an appointment, call 406-653-6223. Area Statistics Daniels County had one active

Montana Farm Bureau president Cyndi Johnson testified virtually at the Capitol last week during the “Skyrocketing Energy Costs Are Hurting Americans” forum hosted by the Committee on Natural Resources Republicans and the Committee on Energy and Commerce Republicans to examine the Biden administration’s energy policies and their impact on American families and businesses. In her testimony,

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on several proposals slated to go to the Fish and Wildlife Commission in August. Under the new commission process, FWP is taking public comment on these proposals now and will present the collected comments and proposals to the commission for their review and decisions on Aug. 25. Commissioners can offer amendments to the proposals