Phillips County

Phillips County is located in North Central Montana along the Hi-Line. Covering around 5,212 square miles, it features 363,000 acres of cropland, including 40,000 acres of irrigated land. This makes it the second-largest county in Montana by land area and the third-largest by total area. Key crops produced here include winter wheat, spring wheat, alfalfa, and various pulse crops, with irrigated options such as corn, alfalfa, and grass hay. The livestock sector primarily consists of cow-calf beef cattle operations, along with a few sheep farms. The Phillips County 4-H program boasts 150 youth members, 35 volunteers, and five active clubs. The county's population is around 5,000, and residents enjoy a range of recreational activities, from hunting and fishing to boating and UTV riding.

Schumacher Day 2024

The Annual Jim Schumacher Livestock Day took place at the Great Northern Hotel in Malta on January 29, 2024, featuring a lineup of speakers from across Montana. Wendy Becker kicked off the event by discussing the Livestock Risk Protection Program, a valuable resource for safeguarding herds against unforeseen events. Hannah Speer, Animal Science Specialist at the Northern Ag Research Center, followed with insights on Beef Cattle Nutrition, emphasizing the importance of body condition before calving. She recommended maintaining a body condition score of 5-6 prior to calving to ensure healthier cattle and successful recovery post-calving. Regular body scoring while feeding can help assess nutritional needs. Megan Van Emon, MSU Extension Beef Cattle Specialist, also addressed cattle nutrition, highlighting the necessity of testing hay for nitrates and overall nutritional content. She outlined the daily nutrient requirements for a 1,400-pound cow at various stages, stressing the importance of meeting these needs for both the cow and calf. Dr. McKenna Levesque spoke about Johne’s Disease, a fatal gastrointestinal illness in cattle that can go unnoticed for years. She stressed the importance of record-keeping and testing new animals to prevent the disease's spread. The event concluded with an "Ask a Veterinarian" panel, allowing producers to engage and learn from shared experiences. A special thanks to the Malta Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring lunch and to the Phillips County Cattlewomen for the delicious cookies.

Caption: Audience at the Great Northern Hotel for the Annual Jim Schumacher Day

Credit: Christina Murphy

Nitrate Knowledge

Forage quality is vital for the health and wellbeing of livestock in Northeastern Montana. Certain feedstuffs can accumulate potentially toxic nitrate levels due to plant stress from factors such as drought, frost, hail, over-fertilization, and excessive watering. The region has experienced four years of drought and grasshopper infestations. To support producers facing these challenges, the MSU Extension office in Phillips County offers free nitrate testing for forage grown under adverse conditions. The strip test method used provides a range of nitrate content rather than a simple positive or negative result. This range helps inform management decisions regarding feeding rations and allows for further analysis if nitrate levels are concerningly high. This quick, easy, and cost-free test has helped ranchers save time, money, and stress by reducing livestock losses.

Caption: Crop getting a good start this spring

Credit: Philips County Extension

Fair Improvements

The 2024 Phillips County Fair was an absolute blast, thanks to the incredible teamwork of the 4-H and Livestock Committee! This year, we brought a whole new level of comfort for both our livestock and fairgoers alike. We introduced a fabulous 20x40 event tent that provided refreshing shade on those sunny days we all know and love. It was the perfect spot to cool off and soak in the excitement of the fair! To kick things off, we streamlined the weigh-in process, allowing animals to weigh in earlier on two separate scales through designated alleyways. This made the whole experience smoother and quicker, ensuring that both humans and animals could relax and prepare for the swine show that afternoon. And the thrill didn't stop there! Contestants had the chance to compete for stunning belt buckles as grand champions in our livestock and horse events. A massive thank you to all the sponsors who made the buckles possible, and a huge congratulations to the hard-working contestants who earned these coveted awards! Your dedication truly made this year’s fair one for the books!

Caption: 4-H Member Beau Merriman

Credit: Kalen Wiebe

Contact

10 1/2 So. 4th East
Malta, MT 59538
406-654-2543
https://www.montana.edu/extension/phillips/