Most livestock owners are very familiar with feeding alfalfa or grass hay. These perennial forage plants have good yield and nutritive quality, and they are widely grown on about 2.7 million acres in Montana. Alfalfa and perennial grasses do not need to be planted every year, and they provide many benefits, such as season-long growth, soil stabilization, nutrient recycling, wildlife feed and habitat,

Would you buy a car and not do the title work or licensing to drive it? Many people buy horses and do not get a change of ownership inspection by the brand inspector. This inspection is similar to doing the title work on a car and becomes your proof of ownership. Montana law states it is unlawful to sell or to take possession of an animal without doing a change of ownership brand inspection. Even

In recent years, the algae that shows up in the ponds and reservoirs people visit and use has caused them to take a closer look. This concern is valid because when blue-green algae are present, harmful algal blooms are possible (more information at the DPHHS website: hab. mt.gov). HABs produce toxins that can sicken or kill animals that enter or drink the water. Cattle deaths from HABs have been