For 55 years the Bitterroot Stockgrowers have celebrated their successes with an annual dinner and educational event. Traditionally the day is filled with opportunities for ranchers and farmers to learn from local experts about increasing hay quality or keeping their herd healthy. The evening is reserved for delicious steak, sharing memories and honoring members.
But this year, with the help of several generous sponsors, both Stockgrower Association members and the public will have the opportunity to learn from Dave Pratt, an internationally renowned expert on ranch management and profitability. Pratt will present “Ranching for Profit” a workshop part of his Ranching for Profit School focused on helping ranchers and farmers identify ways they can run a successful and profitable business, not just support an expensive hobby.
“We want to give our members the opportunity to review their operations and think critically about how they can be more profitable, because a profitable ranch is a sustainable ranch,” says Marlene Bolin, the Bitterroot Stockgrowers Association Secretary Treasurer and lead organizer of the annual event.
According to Pratt, the challenges of ranching have only increased through the years as input costs have risen. What was profitable in the 1970’s and 1980’s, Pratt says, simply isn’t going to be profitable today. By challenging many common practices, Pratt asks participants to think outside the box and critically evaluate how they manage and operate their ranch. Pratt also provides participants the tools to apply this knowledge to become more effective and economical managers of their business operations. Pratt brings with him over 20 years of experience teaching sustainable grazing and ranch operations, first as a Range and Livestock Adviser with the University of California Cooperative Extension Service followed by the Ranching for Profit School. He is also the author of “Healthy Land Happy Families and Profitable Businesses.”
“This is a great opportunity for ranches of all sizes to learn not only tips on good grazing practices but also how to make their operation work for them,” says Michelle Buker of Lakeland Feed and Supply, one of the event sponsors. “We are very fortunate to have a speaker of this caliber present here.”
The workshop will be January 17, 2015 from 10am-3pm at the St. Mary’s Family Center in Stevensville. Stockgrower Members and dinner ticket holders are free but the event is open to the public for a $10 charge which includes lunch provided by Mountain West Co-op, Cowpoke Ranch Supply and Lakeland Feed & Supply. Doors will open at 9:30am for coffee and donuts. Pratt will also speak at the Stockgrowers Annual Prime Rib Dinner which begins at 5pm following the workshop. His evening presentation, “Hard Work & Harmony- Effective Relationships in Family Businesses” will discuss managing family relationships for the longevity of the ranch. For more information and to register contact michelle@lakelandfeeds.com or marlene.bolin@yahoo.com. Registration fees can be mailed to BSA Secretary Treasurer 1536 Bolin Ranch Road, Stevensville, MT 59870.
Source: Bitterroot Stockgrowers
Posted by Jami Howell
