Montana State University Extension to co-host Montana Nutrition Conference and Livestock Forum April 15-16 in Bozeman

BOZEMAN - Montana State University Extension and the Montana Feed Association will co-host the 75th annual Montana Nutrition Conference and Livestock Forum on Wednesday and Thursday, April 15 and 16, at the Best Western Plus GranTree Inn in Bozeman, 1325 N. Seventh Ave.

The theme for the conference's diamond anniversary is "Tradition Meets Innovation: 75 Years of Stewardship, Science and Shaping Tomorrow." Beef cattle experts from MSU and other institutions will share expertise on contemporary topics with a nod to the past, including perspectives on cattle size; how precision livestock technology can connect to animal nutrition models; historical perspectives and modern preventions for coccidiosis disease in cattle; and outlooks on cattle and crop markets.

Marty Ropp, founder of the nonprofit New Acres, will deliver the keynote address, "Bringing New Hands, New Ideas and New Energy into the Agricultural Workforce." Ropp founded New Acres in 2024 to address the agricultural labor shortage by encouraging farmers and ranchers to look beyond the traditional pipeline to those who desire a career in agriculture but have little or no experience. The organization provides a platform to connect employers with those seeking opportunities.

Undergraduate and graduate students in the MSU Department of Animal and Range Sciences will share livestock research and other agriculture-related research during a networking social and poster contest. A trade show with industry and other representatives showcasing products and services will also be held.

The milestone conference celebrates 75 years of partnership between MSU Extension and the Montana Feed Association, a collaboration that began at a meeting in Great Falls in 1948. Attendees at the meeting went on record "favoring a conference on animal nutrition or feeds and feeding in cooperation with Montana State College to aid in developing a sound program of animal nutrition in Montana," according to a letter written by Clyde McKee, dean of the College of Agriculture at Montana State College and director of the Montana Agricultural Experimental Station. Montana State College is now Montana State University.

Inaugural committee members were E.A. Keyes, dairy industry (chairman); W.M. Burkitt, animal industry; L.H. Johnson, chemistry research; E.P. Orcutt, Extension animal specialist; J.O. Tretsven, Extension dairy specialist; and H. Welch, veterinary research laboratory.

"This year's conference reflects both its history and its continued focus on forward-looking topics such as cattle size and efficiency, nutrition on western rangelands, animal health, precision livestock technology and feed ingredient markets," said Sam Wyffels, MSU Extension beef cattle specialist and assistant professor in the Department of Animal and Range Sciences. "Whether you're a producer, consultant, Extension professional or student, the Montana Nutrition Conference and Livestock Forum offers timely information and meaningful connections to support decision making in today's livestock systems."

Cost information and registration is online at ecommerce.montana.edu/abio/. For more information and a detailed conference schedule, visit animalrangeextension.montana.edu/beef/nutritionconference.html.