Montana Farmers Union two-day conference this weekend in Havre

Havre Daily News staff

Farmers and ranchers will come together in Havre this weekend for the Montana Farmers Union Producer Conference.

The conference features events including workshops on bull acquisition and genetics, the use of drones in agriculture, pulse crops, value-added agriculture and what is expected in the next Farm Bill.

The conference will include a tour of the Northern Agricultural Research Center at Fort Assinniboine south of Havre featuring cattle and crop studies and dinner Friday night, Beef ’N’ Brews.

Featured speakers include Robert Blair, the vice president of agriculture for Measure, Drone as a Service and a fourth-generation farmer from north-central Idaho managing 1,300 dryland acres of wheat, barley, peas, lentils, chickpeas, alfalfa and cows. The farm is situated on the edge of the rolling hills of the Palouse and not far from his alma mater, the University of Idaho, where he received his Bachelor of Science in agriculture business.

Blair’s journey with precision agriculture started in 2003 using a PDA for simple mapping. That evolved into all different types of equipment, including unmanned air systems — drones — 2006. Blair is the first farmer to own and use a UAS. His vision and advocacy of these technologies helped him become the Precision Ag Institute’s 2009 International Farmer of the Year.

Barbara Patterson is government relations director for National Farmers Union. She advocates for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities in Congress and the executive branch. Her focus is on trade, livestock, competition, cooperatives, nutrition and food safety. Prior to her employment with NFU, Patterson worked as a policy associate for New England Farmers Union. Patterson graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and recently graduated with a Master of Science in agriculture and nutrition policy from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University.

Eric Sannerud, co-founder and CEO of Mighty Ax Hops, is a farmer, thinker and entrepreneur. Sannerud is co-founder and CEO of Mighty Axe Hops, Minnesota’s largest hop farm. His first collection of poetry, “Keep Your Eye Out,” explores the reality and absolute sweetness of the farming life. Sannerud is listed in Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 and a Minnesota Business Magazine’s Top 35 young entrepreneurs. Sannerud is a founding member of the Central Minnesota Young Farmers Coalition, a Udall Scholar and a Fellow of the Future.

Cost is $35 for members and $50 for nonmembers and includes all meals and workshops. Lodging is $50 for two nights at the Best Western Plus Havre Inn & Suites. Child care is available. Registration is Friday from 3 to 4 p.m. and workshops begin at 4 that afternoon.

To register and for a full conference agenda online, go to http://montanafarmersunion.com/montana-farmers-union-producer-conference or http://bit.ly/2lpH007. For more information, contact Membership Director and Producer Event Coordinator Justin Loch at 452-6406, toll free at 1-800-234-4071 or by email at [email protected].

2017 Montana Farmers Union Producer Conference Agenda

Friday, March 24

3-4 p.m. — Registration

4-5 p.m. — Risk Management-Northwest Farm Credit Services

5-6 p.m. — Bull Acquisition and Genetics — Chad Murnin with Bar Star Cattle Company

6:30 p.m. — Dinner — Beef ’N’ Brews event at various restaurants with Montana State University-Northern Collegiate Stockgrowers

Saturday March 25

8:30 a.m. — Breakfast

9 a.m. — Welcome

9:15-10:15 a.m. — Farm Bill and political scene in D.C. — Barbara Patterson, National Farmers Union

10:15-10:30 a.m. — Break

10:30-11:30 a.m. — Intro to Pulse Crops — Jeff Winkler, Mountain View Co-op

11:40 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. Drone Technology in Agriculture — Robert Blair, Measure Drone Service

12:45-1:45 p.m. — Lunch — Montana Farmers Union Background and Programs

2-4:15 p.m. — Cattle/crop studies — Darrin Boss, superintendent Northern Agricultural Research Center. Workshop ia at research center.

4:15-4:30 p.m. — Break

4:30-5:30 p.m. — Hops production: A Beginning Farmer’s Success Story — Eric Sannerud, Minnesota Farmers Union Member

6 p.m. Dinner at Havre Inn & Suites

7 p.m. Paint and Pour Party. Attendees will paint an ag-related picture with instruction.