Sweet Grass County

The summer of 2022 was marked by a severe drought. With the drought making forage production challenging, many producers were facing livestock liquidation. MSU Extension responded by testing more than 400 samples of annual forages for nitrate levels. Nitrate at high levels in forages can cause bred cows to abort calves and at high levels, it can kill cattle. Through testing, local livestock producers were able to make informed decisions on how to utilize the forages that were raised and or purchased for the ranch. MSU Extension also offered programs on risk management for livestock and pasture management that helped producers understand how to protect prices, options for building soil health, and creating alternative forage options.

Sweet Grass County MSU Extension presented programs on ration balancing using non-traditional forages such as baled corn stalks to assist ranchers in balancing nutritional requirements based on stages of production and available forage resources. Producers learned how to interpret feed tests on forages and other feed resources to balance rations and create the most economically-feasible alternatives for wintering livestock. It is widely held that winter feed costs are the single largest input affecting the profitability of a cow/calf enterprise.

The spring of 2023 was a cold, wet season. Roughly 92 percent of the livestock producers in Sweet Grass County calve and lamb during the spring season. Many producers faced difficult conditions that led to higher-than-normal birthing difficulties and as such, MSU Extension partnered with the Crazy Mountain Stockgrowers and presented a class on calving and scours treatment for ranchers. Reports from this program were positive with numerous ranches reporting that the class helped them better prepare for calving problems and to treat scours issues on their own, which resulted in reduced veterinary costs to the livestock enterprise.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increased interest in home gardening. In Sweet Grass County, most residents were not interested in becoming certified Master Gardeners but wanted programs on basic horticulture. To this end, MSU Extension presented a six-week gardening program to 32 residents. The classes focused on gardening principles, including soils and soil fertility, plant selection, garden design, plant diagnostics, integrated pest management, and greenhouse design and management. Participant evaluations indicated that the class was well received and presented information that all participants desired. The program further led to increased awareness in horticulture and an increase in traffic in the MSU Extension office for more information on garden management and food preservation.

Sweet Grass County had 171 youth enrolled in 4-H during the 2022-2023 4-H year. These youth were mentored by 25 registered volunteer leaders. Youth participated in a wide variety of projects, learning valuable life skills through the program.

One highlight of the year was five members participating in the National 4-H Livestock Judging contest in Louisville, Kentucky (the North American International Livestock Exposition). The youth earned the trip by placing first at the 4-H Congress contest held on the MSU campus in Bozeman. Livestock judging has taught the youth skills such as decision-making, time management, and public speaking. The team placed sixth overall and fourth in swine. Two members were named to the All-American team by placing in the top 20 competitors in the contest. Three members from this team earned full-ride scholarships (representing more than $10,000 per student in financial savings to these students and their families) to colleges to further their education and participate in livestock judging.

The Sweet Grass County Fair is held in late July every year and is the culmination of youth members’ project work. Members learn skills of perseverance, time management, salesmanship, knowledge of various projects and interviewing, and then present their projects to be judged at the fair. The Sweet Grass County Fair Sale provides 4-H members with the opportunity to sell their completed projects to the community. This year the Sweet Grass County Fair Sale grossed $434,336. These funds are dispersed to the participating members and are typically used by youth to fund their future educational endeavors.