Stockgrowers meeting set in Havre

North Central Montana's Stockgrowers Association will be holding it's annual meeting at the Student Union Building Ballroom at Montana State University-Northern Saturday, Nov. 14, along with a meet and greet hosted by the Northern Collegiate Stockgrowers Association.

The dinner is sponsored by CHS Big Sky, Independence Bank and Bear Paw Meats among others.

"We're reaching out to the community to build relationships within the community, and we want to build relationships within the community," said Mary Heller, director of MSU-Northern's career center and an adviser to the college group which started two years ago.

Students will set up and get the chance to sit in and help prepare the meeting of the North Central Stockgrowers that will start at 1 p.m. Members will elect new officers, handle budget issues and discuss other topics related to the agricultural industry with a special emphasis on topics affecting the beef industry.

There will be several speakers throughout the event, including representatives of a CPA firm that will talk about how ranchers can better manage their finances. Wildlife Coordinator Quentin Kujalaof Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks will talk about predator control issues. Later in the night, Jon Paterson of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association will speak about consumer trends within the beef industry.

At 5 p.m., there will be a happy hour followed by a free prime rib dinner. There will be both silent and live auctions throughout the night with proceeds going to both the North Central and MSU-Northern stockgrowers groups. At 8:30 p.m., the Milk River Band will perform until about 11:30 p.m.

There is no admission charge to the event, though donation for door prizes and the silent auction are welcomed. For more information, contact Mary Heller at 265-3708.