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News you can use
People stop in a field at the Northern Agricultural Research Center south of Havre during a tour at the center's annual Field Day.
Scott Young, left, shakes the hand of Max Vogel, chair of the Chamber's Agri-Business Commiittee, after accepting the the committee's Outstanding Agricultural Advocate award for himself and his wife, Kaye.
Neil McCorkmick, back from left, Davy Lyn McCormick, Ryan McCormick, Lylas McCormick, front, from left, Chad McCormick and Quincy McCormick pose for a photograph after Chad and Ryan McCormick accepting the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce Agri-Business Committees Outstanding Agricultural Leader Award.
The annual 2016 Field Day at the Northern Agricultural Research Center Wednesday brought together agricultural experts, seed sellers, herbicide dealers, ag bankers, farmers, ranchers and more for a day of disseminating and receiving of information.
Superintendent of Northern Agricultural Research Center Darrin Boss said the event was a way to connect the farmer and the rancher with everyone else in the ag business.
"Our goal is trying to find what works best for farmers and ranchers," he said.
The day started at 3 p.m. and by 4 p.m. the tours of the research center grounds began. People climbed on the back of trailers and were pulled by tractors out into the fields, where various crops were growing and cattle were grazing.
Farmers and ranchers, along with experts from the research center and the land grant school Montana State University in Bozeman, shared research information about specific things such as the prevalent weed of the year wheat streak mosaic and the fact the market prefers yellow peas.
Among the locals to disseminate information were NARC research scientist Peggy Lamb and MSU Hill County Extension Agent Nicole Gray.
Steak and mashed potatoes and fruit salad with cookies and ranch rolls were served at 5:30 p.m. Tables had been laid out under a large tent. Boss emphasized that the field day, which he guesses has been happening consistently since 1985, couldn't have been possible without the sponsors and that all the food came from Havre's backyard. Bear Paw Meats donated the steaks.
Before awards were presented to locals who've helped the ag industry, representatives from U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke and senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester told the large crowd that the elected officials are well aware of how important the ag business is to Montanans and wholeheartedly support farmers.
Scott and Kaye Young won the award for Ag Advocate of the Year for being "extremely supportive" of ag-related organizations and youth events. The Kayes are not producers, but it's things like barbecuing meat for the ag appreciation banquet and lending their barbeque grill for cooking at the NARC field days that earned them the award.
Ryan and Chad McCormick won the Ag Leader award.
Six McCormicks, five generations, came up to accept the award. The presenter said the McCormicks have been farmers in Hill County since their great-grandparents on both sides homesteaded here about 100 years ago.
Ryan McCormick said, after the award presentations, that the award means "you have to give back to the industry that supports you." He said it was a great award and he was overwhelmed.
The McCormicks grow crops including durum, winter wheat, peas and flax.
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