REAL Montana Class V visits Dillon to discuss livestock
Class V at the Selkirk Division- Matador Ranch on Nov. 3. Pictured are, back row, left to right, Jim Berkey, Joshua Senecal, Shelby George, Peter Taylor, Katie Kuhr, Clay Redding, Brian Hogue, Pedro Marques, Jessica Murray, Dean Peterson, David Crasco, Lacey Morrison, Simon McCann, Tyler Tintzman and Chaley Harney; front row, left to right, Chisholm Christensen, Cameron Wohlschlegel, Cassi Hammerness, Weston Merrill, Christopher Anderson, Tracy McIntyre, Shauna Dunn. (Provided photo)
Flathead Valley residents Shauna Dunn, Shelby George, Brian Hogue and Cameron Wohlschlegel recently returned from three days in Dillon and Dell, Montana as part of the REAL Montana program (Resource Education and Agriculture Leadership). For REAL Montana Class V, this was the seventh seminar in their 10-seminar educational program.
Class V began in Dillon, where they discussed the economics of the livestock industry in Montana, predator management and livestock loss, nutrition directives and the successes and challenges with federal grazing. Tours included the L and S Meats Processing Plant, Johnson’s Ranch in Dell and the Selkirk-Matador Ranch.
The group heard from leaders in the livestock industries on current regulations, legislative effects and the positive impacts livestock systems have on the environment. A skill-building session focused on Crucial Conversations and Emotional Intelligence. Class V toured the Reminisce feedlot, learning about feedlot practices and value-added options for producers.
"Beef is such an important industry here in Montana, especially for our rural communities” said Brian Hogue, Flathead resident and president at Arable Media. “Our class had the opportunity to experience the full cycle of the industry, from cow-calf ranches to feedlots and through to harvest. It was a really informative and interesting session."
Twenty of Montana’s top natural resource industry leaders from across the state were competitively selected to take part in REAL Montana Class V. The program’s mission is to build a network of informed and engaged leaders to advance the natural resource industries in Montana. The intensive leadership program features eight in-state seminars, a five-day national study tour in Washington, D.C., and a ten-day international trip. Seminars include training in natural resource development, agriculture institutions and agencies, public speaking/media, economics, state and federal policy, international trade, urban/rural relationships, water issues, and other current industry topics.
REAL Montana is funded by partnering with Montana State University Extension and private industry. An advisory board of industry leaders provides oversight.
Complete program information is available at www.realmontana.org.