Predator issue focus of Livestock Meetings

The month of November are traditional times for the Phillips County Livestock Association (PCLA) and the Hi-Line Wool Pool to meet. Large carnivore predators were the focus of both meetings. For the PCLA, Dave McEwen noted that it changes your perspective totally when you have a situation thrust upon you like a grizzly bear attack. He noted that from where the bear killed the 54 sheep is only 160 miles from Malta. In just a few days’ bears could cover that distance, according to McEwen. McEwen also noted that livestock do not like to go back and stay in pastures were the attacks occurred.

In other business PCLA members received updates from Montana Stockgrowers, Senator elect Mike Lang, Phillips County Commissioners, Public Land Council and the local Bureau of Land Management. Some members questioned why the State and BLM are making an issue out of sage grouse when the bird is not listed as an endangered species. The Montana Stockgrowers state wide meeting will be December 7-9, 2016 in Billings.

At the Hi-Line Wool Pool meeting grizzly bears were also a focus. For the first time, Wildlife Services (WS) spent more money in Montana managing grizzly bear issues than they did on wolves in 2016. This is due in part because there is hunting allowed on wolves but also because there are a lot of grizzly bears, according to Craig Glazier of WS. Bears are eating a better diet and having more triplets than before.

At the Hi-Line Wool Pool meeting, Dr. Whit Stewart, Montana State University Sheep Specialist discussed management strategies for internal parasites in the face of no new anthelmintic (wormer) chemistry development. The wool growers also discussed selecting rams with the use of EBV’s (Expected Breeding Values). In the cattle and swine sectors they have made huge advances in genetic makeup of animals through genetic data and selections. The National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP) is working to create and expand genetic information for the sheep industry. Growers were also informed of a program called Lamb 300. A three-day educational program on the growing, finishing, and processing of lamb. The Ag Agents from Blaine and Phillips County had attended this conference in Laramie, Wyoming. The Montana Wool Growers state wide meeting is December 1-3, 2016 in Billings.