Montana Stockgrowers to host annual convention in Billings

Montana Stockgrowers Association will celebrate 134 years of serving the state’s ranchers at their Annual Convention and Trade Show Dec. 11 to 13. This year’s meetings at the Northern Hotel and DoubleTree Hotel in Billings will feature a trade show, educational workshops and policy meetings.

“Our 2018 Annual Convention will feature a large number of discussions about issues that will turn into policy for the Association,” noted MSGA President Bryan Mussard of Dillon. “Policy set at Convention will guide the actions of MSGA at the upcoming Montana Legislative Session. I encourage everyone to come to Billings to lend their voice to help guide the future of Montana Agriculture! Your voice is your future. Share your insight, learn from others and help shape our industry.”

Department of Interior’s Tim Williams, the deputy director of external affairs, will be the featured speaker during the Opening General Session. Williams originates from Nevada, where he served as deputy director of the Donald J. Trump’s presidential campaign. Prior to that, he was a partner at a political consulting firm, managing local, state and Congressional races.

A broad range of educational workshops will be offered during the Stockgrowers College. Speakers will touch on topics of calf health and nutrition, calf management, heifer development, antibiotic use, access issues, soil health, EID systems, DNA technology, risk management and estate planning.

Policy meetings will take place on all three days of annual convention. Guest speakers will address a number of topics affecting Montana’s ranching communities during the past year and in months to come. A Trade Show with over 100 booth spaces will be open to the public Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Grand Finale Banquet will be highlighted by the annual live auction for Cattle Directory Priority Page advertisements and a beef dinner.

A full meeting agenda, hotel information, details of policy meeting discussions and Stockgrowers College workshops are available on the MSGA website at mtbeef.org. Online and discounted registration closes Dec. 6. On-site registration will be available. For more information, contact the Montana Stockgrowers Association at 406-442-3420.