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Making Springtime Fertilizer Decisions in 2026 According to Clain Jones, MSU Extension Soil Fertility Specialist, Dry soil conditions will result in less soil nutrient release and availability, though warmer conditions might have counteracted this to some degree. The question is how these conditions have affected soil nutrient levels and whether it’s worth re-sampling soil if it was sampled last fall.” In general, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur levels aren’t expected to change much from last fall, as dry conditions have likely preve...
Each year, communities across the United States pause to recognize the farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers who provide the food, fiber, and fuel that sustain the nation. Agriculture Appreciation Week, often observed in March, is a time to celebrate the people whose daily work keeps grocery shelves stocked and rural communities thriving. For towns across Montana, agriculture is not just an industry—it is a way of life passed down through generations. The Roots of Agriculture Appreciation Agriculture Appreciation Week grew from broader e...
10 Chouteau County Invitational Shoot Results The 4-H Shooting Sports 2026 Chouteau County Invitational Shoot was held February 28 in Fort Benton with 75 members registered to shoot. Participants were mostly from the Golden Triangle counties. Other counties participating were Liberty, Hill, Pondera, Cascade, Toole, Flathead, Lewis and Clark, Glacier, Teton, Wheatland and Gallatin. Medals went to the following Chouteau County participants: REGULAR TARGET Name Division Award Score Bradshaw, Theodore Bare Bow (ages 9-10) gold 215.00 Brown, Emma...
Many Reasons Why Deciduous Trees Should Not Be Topped Topping is the drastic removal or cutting back of large branches in mature trees. The tree is sheared like a hedge and the main branches are cut to stubs. Many homeowners top trees when they reach heights considered unsafe fearing a strong wind might blow large trees over. However, the extensive root system of a healthy tree provides adequate support for the tree. Below are a number of reasons why deciduous trees should not be topped. Starvation: Trees need leaves to manufacture starches...
So far, this year’s cheer season has been one to remember. Ali Morsette, myself, along with underclassman Natalie Lavenger, have been coming up with new moves and new cheers to get the student section to participate more. Chase Gasvoda continues to don the Pioneer mascot costume for home games. We try to keep positive attitudes and lift each other up because that is what being a team is all about. Come, watch a game and cheer along with us! Go, Pioneers!...
Top Yielding Spring Wheat Varieties for Chouteau County Producers MSU Agricultural Research Centers have one test plot for spring wheat in Chouteau County which is managed by MSU Northern Agricultural Research Center (NARC) north of Loma. A special thanks to Peggy Lamb (NARC agronomist) for establishing and maintaining the Chouteau County test plot. The Extension office would also like to thank the McKeever family for donating the use of their land for MSU research. The Loma area top three yielding spring wheat varieties (10-year average...
Registration for Montana Farmers Union’s low-cost, high-impact summer camps at Arrowpeak is now open. The camps are part of MFU’s commitment to education and youth and feature lessons about agriculture and cooperatives at MFU’s Arrowpeak facility in the Highwood Mountains. “Montana Farmers Union Arrowpeak camps are a unique blend of hands-on learning, social activities, group interactions, and outdoor adventures. The facilities provide the amenities of comfort with access to the wild adventures of camping. There are so many exciting opportu...
FFA stands for Future Farmers of America and is located in all 50 states. I interviewed the FFA teacher, Mr. Taylor, and asked him how he would describe FFA. He said “FFA is an intracurricular student lead organization for students enrolled in junior high and high school agriculture education classes. FFA is not just for farm kids. It focuses on helping students develop as leaders and gain knowledge and skills through hands-on experience competing in a variety of contests linked to all kinds of careers in agriculture. Contests like food science...
This month’s meeting started with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Austin and the 4-H pledge led by Paxton, followed by roll call with the question, “What is your favorite part of Valentines?” After the 4-H reports we played “Chairs”, led by Chaz and Gabe. The winner got a gift card to Taco Bell, which Colt won. Members voted to decide who will be the recipient of the money earned from the “Egg My Yard” fundraiser. This month we listened to a presentation on “Market Animal Selection, Nutr...
High school students are invited to apply to participate in Montana Tech’s Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Summer Program that will take place on the University’s Butte campus June 21-26, 2026. Lodging, meals, and all course materials will be provided free of charge (participants will be responsible for transportation to and from the campus). This week-long residential program is for rising high school juniors and seniors interested in exploring careers in science or engineering. The program features hands-on learning in addition to...
This week marks the start of Lent, the 40-day season in the Christian church calendar that runs between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. One of the most visible signs of the start of the Lenten Season is the mark of ashes on the forehead that is received on Ash Wednesday. Though many are familiar with the practice and treat it with reverence, its origins and meanings are less well known. Ritual and practice can be powerful tools in one’s spiritual life, and understanding the meaning behind the practice and its origins are what give it real sign...
MontGuide Available for Bull Buyers Kari Lewis and Wendy Becker, MSU Extension Agents from Glacier County and Fort Peck Reservation have developed a resource for the bull buying season. The MontGuide is available at the Chouteau County Extension office or online at https://bit.ly/43kVAsL. Bull selection is one of the most important management decisions a producer can make. Bulls are assessed phenotypically (appearance), genotypically (their genetic potential), and on performance (feed efficiency, carcass ultrasound, etc.) Bulls have a...
Winter Tree Management During Drought Conditions Peter Kolb (PhD) MSU Extension Forestry Specialist sent this email to Extension Agents last week. It is very timely for winter tree management in drought conditions. Such warm weather events are not entirely uncommon across Montana. Most of our native tree species need a minimum chilling period before they are able to break dormancy. There is a chance that this freezing requirement has not yet been met. Studies have shown that delays do take place in the breaking of tree dormancy. Some tree...
Kenny Darlington was born on February 10, 1931, at home in a sod house on the Midway Ranch, He was the second oldest of six children born to Harley and Alma Darlington, and the only one not delivered in a hospital. As Kenny likes to tell it, when his dad came home from the mountains that night, “he had two sons instead of one.” Midway Ranch earned its name as a resting point for travelers who couldn’t make it to town in a day. Over the years, it welcomed many characters, including a young man w...
Master Gardener Level 1 Class in Chouteau County (Please Pre-register) MSU Extension Level 1 Master Gardener classes will take place in Chouteau County pending pre-registration numbers. Now is your chance to participate in an excellent educational opportunity. A minimum of 15 pre-registered participants is required. The class traditionally begins the first week in March. Please contact the MSU Chouteau County Extension office at 622-3751 to pre-register. The Level 1 Master Gardener course requires 16 hours of class time, and is taught by local...
New Montguide on Native Plants for Montana’s Home Gardens Abiya (Abi) Saeed, MSU Extension Horticulture Specialist, Andrea Beery, MSU Extension, Big Horn County and Noelle Orloff, MSU Schutter Diagnostic Lab Plant Identification Diagnostician have developed a new Montguide on native plants. Hard copies are available at the Chouteau County Extension Office. Landscaping with Montana’s native plants can have countless benefits. Native plants have cold and drought hardiness, provide food and habitat for beneficial insects, including pol...
Soil Acidity Workshop in Fort Benton on February 17th The Chouteau County Conservation District, Natural Resource Conservation Service and MSU Extension are collaborating for a soil acidity workshop on February 17th from 10:00-1:30. The event will take place in Fort Benton at the Community Bible Church located at 1600 Main Street. A special thanks to the Chouteau County Conservation District for sponsoring the event and for furnishing prizes for participants. Farmers in several Montana counties are experiencing nearly complete yield loss in...
Our Big Sandy FFA chapter has been staying busy and involved in some fun and tough competitions. So far this year all kids have been working hard in their agriculture classes to prepare for these tough competitions such as the most recent one, Milk River Winter Districts in Fort Benton. Individual placings, our top three Jr mechanic placers were Davy Overbay, Jack Sant, and Ethan Johnson sitting at the spots of 1, 2, and 4. In Jr vet science we had Abby Sietsema, Eden Pansch, and Marquell Houle...
Montana’s Next Generation Conference Returns to Shelby, MT, Jan. 31, 2026 The 2026 Montana’s Next Generation Conference is back Saturday, January 31 at the Shelby High School in Shelby, MT. The conference will offer keynote speaker, Rob Sharkey, followed by 30 workshops to choose from including recordkeeping, market outlooks, marketing, crop and livestock production, succession planning and business topics. The morning will kick off with a much-anticipated keynote address “Sharks Don’t Swim Backwards” from Rob Sharkey, also known as The Shark...
Master Gardener Level 1 Class in Chouteau County (Please Pre-register) MSU Extension Level 1 Master Gardener classes will take place in Chouteau County pending pre-registration numbers. Now is your chance to participate in an excellent educational opportunity. A minimum of 15 pre-registered participants is required. The class traditionally begins the first week in March. Please contact the MSU Chouteau County Extension office at 622-3751 to pre-register. The Level 1 Master Gardener course requires 16 hours of class time, and is taught by local...
Update from the English Department By: Marla Ray The juniors and seniors have been creating beautiful poetry for the past several weeks, beginning with the easier forms and Free Verse, progressing to the more difficult form of a Shakespearean sonnet. This particular type of poetry, whose theme is always “love” for someone or something, must have a specific rhyme scheme for each quatrain: ABAB, CDCD, EFEF, with a rhyming couplet at the end (GG) that sums up the meaning of the poem. These sonnets must also have a specific rhythm. While the stu...
HELENA – The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission will hold its next meeting on Feb. 12. Agenda items for that meeting are now open for public comment. The meeting will be held virtually starting at 8 a.m. Public comment on agenda items can be submitted online or by mail. Public comment on agenda items will be taken through Jan. 27. Agenda items include the following proposals from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: Approval of Future Fisheries Improvement Projects Fish removal projects for 2026 Administrative rules for the fisheries division A...
November and December have been busy months for the Sunshine Snippers 4-H club! In November, we wrapped up our annual Martinson’s Ranch Chocolates fundraiser. Thank you to all the community members, family and friends who brought chocolates and donated to our efforts. We will use these funds to support our clubs’ activities and learning experiences throughout the year. Congratulation to the top seller of Martinson’s Chocolate, Ashlynn! This is her second consecutive year of being the top choco...
As the calendar turns and a fresh year begins, communities everywhere pause to celebrate New Year’s Day—a tradition that feels timeless, yet has evolved dramatically over thousands of years. From ancient civilizations watching the stars to modern-day countdowns and resolutions, the story of New Year’s is one of renewal, hope, and humanity’s desire for a fresh start. The earliest recorded New Year celebrations date back more than 4,000 years to ancient Mesopotamia. The Babylonians observed the new year in late March, aligning it with the spr...
Thank You to Those That Helped Out on Chouteau County Agricultural Business Day A total of 75 junior and senior students from Big Sandy, Fort Benton, Geraldine, Highwood and Chouteau County home schools participated in the 2025 Chouteau County Agricultural Business Day. The event took place on December 17th. The mission statement of the event was to educate Chouteau County juniors and seniors about agricultural career opportunities in an effort to promote growth in agricultural related careers. A special thank you to those businesses that contr...