PC Livestock Fundraiser this Saturday at Pavilion

In 2016, Phillips County voted in the Bison Ordinance with a 79% voter approval rating. In that Ordinance, it requires ALL bison to be tested and certified disease free, and requires all bison to be branded, tagged, tattooed or otherwise identified to track health status. In that same year American Prairie Reserve requested a variance from that Ordinance. Reason for the request was because they stated it was an unnecessary hardship on them to have to abide by such ordinance. I must be clear that in NO way does this ban bison. Since the majority of our county is agriculture driven (cattle livestock), our County was just trying to protect our heritage and future for the community as a whole. If you would like more information on this Ordinance, I encourage you to contact our local Conservation District. As a result of this requested variance, our Livestock Association has joined forces with our South and North Grazing Districts and our Phillips Conservation District to adamantly defend our counties ordinance. With legal fees nearing $18,000 (and growing) their funds are nearly depleted. And that is where HI-LINE HERITAGE CELEBRATION comes into play.

About 4 weeks ago I kept hearing more and more of a hearing coming up soon involving our Livestock Association and the APR and I wanted to learn more about it and wanted to learn how I could help. After multiple phone calls I decided enough was enough and that if someone was going to do something, it might as well be me. I have accumulated quite the variety of people to help with this FUNdraiser and it's becoming even larger than I had hoped! On Saturday October 12th, at the Milk River Pavilion, our events will be starting as early as 10 a.m. and will be going all through the evening hours. With ALL proceeds going towards the Livestock Assoc. We will have Ranch Roping (10 a.m.), Family Ranch Sorting (1 p.m.) And then at 5 p.m. doors will open for the silent auction. At 5:30, we will start serving a Free Will donation dinner and move onto our evening events that include: Boot Races, Ribbon Pulling, and Wild Goat Milking (kids) and that will include a Calcutta of the teams. At 7 p.m. we will start our live auction and will follow with a Live Band. Beer Garden will be provided by Lucky Bullet. Flyers can be found around town as well as surrounding communities.

It is so important that everyone come out and support this event. The agriculture in Phillips County (livestock sales and farm crop sales in 2012) totaled $109.4 MILLION!! Can you imagine if we lost all of our agriculture in this community. That money will no longer be cycling through the local businesses or schools. If there are any left. Phillips County also ranks 3rd in livestock production for the entire state of Montana! Go Producers!! This challenge we are facing is real and it's knocking at your back door. Just remember, having money does not make you a good neighbor, having good morals, ethics and heart does. And that is something that our local Ag producers have and cannot be replaced.

All Cash Donations can be sent directly to

Phillips Livestock Association

P.O. Box 430

Malta, MT 59538

To donate time or silent, live auction items, you can contact Katie Brown (406)390-6581 or email [email protected]. Items can be dropped off at the Malta Business Center in room 10 or 12. Also check out our facebook page for updated sponsors and donated items.