Divisions

Buckaroos (4-8 years old)

Little tykes have fun and learn about the rangeland environment while their parents attend workshops and contests. Our instructors are tops with keeping little hands and minds busy and happy.

Superstarters (9-11 years old)

Elementary students explore rangeland ecology and learn basic plant identification during Tuesday workshops, and are tested on Plant Anatomy and Plant ID Wednesday. Student/Instructor ratio is approximately 5:1 and the group is stationed near the older group.

Wranglers (12-13 years old)

Tuesday workshops challenge Junior High students with hands-on learning activities focusing on plant anatomy and ID and introducing range sites, proper grazing use and stocking rate. Students are tested on these topics Wednesday morning. Student to Instructor ratio is approximately 5:1.

FFA Youth/Open Youth (14-19, not graduated from high school)

High school students register as FFA or Open Youth and rotate through workshops with instruction from specialists in each topic. 4-Hers compete as “Open Youth”.

Rancher/Open Adult

Adults rotate through workshops along with the Youth. Adults may choose to attend tours any of the three days and still participate in workshops or contests.

_____________________________________________

Tours

Mon. 1:00-5:00 Range Ecology Field Trip

Tues. 7:30-4:00 Fort Keogh Field Trip

Wed. 7:30-11:30 Sage Grouse Field Trip

Workshops

Plant Anatomy

Learn the basics of plant anatomy and plant groups, and use simple plant keys based on this knowledge. Explore how plant anatomy relates to plant growth and development.

Plant Identification

Identify common Montana rangeland vegetation and discuss growth characteristics. Get to know unique local vegetation.

Range Sites/Soils

Study geology, climate, topography, soils, vegetation, and animal life associated with local rangelands. Use basic keys to identify soil textures and range sites.

Inventory/Monitoring

Discover how vegetation and forage production on range sites changes over time with different grazing management. Compare present day vegetation and forage production to historic plant communities (Similarity Index), and evaluate Range Trend & Range Health.

Stocking Rate/Utilization

Calculate stocking rates, figure grazing capacity, measure utilization of key forage species, and discuss how grazing use affects range plants.

Range Planning

Consider a real-life ranch scenario and the range management decisions that maintain resources and keep the ranch in business.

_______________________________________

NEW! Youth are invited to attend the Ecology Field Trip Monday afternoon, even though this conflicts with the usual Study Site opportunity. Study sites will be available at all times.

Contests

Range Exhibits (4-19 years old)

Lot 1 Plant Collection, present year

Lot 2 Plant Coll., past & present years

Lot 3 Weed Collection, present year

Lot 4 Weed Coll., past & present years

Lot 5 Range Display by Individual

Lot 6 Completed 4-H Range Units

- Each contestant is limited to one plant collection and one range display for points.

- “Present year” means 6/15/08 to 6/15/09.

- The Montana Weed Control Association will award cash prizes to the top collections that include noxious weeds listed on the Montana Noxious Weed List. Lots 1 & 3 must contain five noxious weeds, and Lots 2 & 4 must contain eight.

- Collections must be in place by 8:00am Tuesday.

Illustrated Talks (4-19 years old)

- Present any range-related topic as a 6-8 minute illustrated talk, and answer judge’s questions.

- Bring Powerpoint presentations on a CD or flash drive. A laptop and overhead screen will be provided.

Range Plant Anatomy

- Answer multiple-choice plant anatomy questions about flagged plants.

- Identify plant specimens using a simple plant identification key and MRD plant anatomy notebook information.

Range Plant ID

- Identify common name, type of plant, life span, grazing response, season of growth, plant origin, and poisonous or non-poisonous for 20-30 flagged range plants.

- Name must be correct for plant characteristic points to count.

- Plants lists for each division can be found at www.cartercd.org

Range Management

- Identify 3 Range Sites at contest location.

- Calculate 1 Range Inventory (Similarity Index and Range Trend). Answer 3-5 quiz questions

- Determine Range Utilization Percent on 3-5 utilization plots

- Answer 5 Stocking Rate questions related to a real-life scenario.

- Answer 3-5 quiz questions on stocking rate and utilization.

Individual Competition

- “Top Superstarter” and “Top Wrangler” awards are based on total test scores. Talk and Exhibits scores are not included.

- “Top Range Hand” (15-19 years old) and “Top Green Hand (14 years old) will receive Montana Silversmiths belt buckles. Scores are totaled from these contests: Plant ID, Plant Anatomy, Range Management, Illustrated Talk, and Range Exhibits.

- These awards can only be won once by the same individual.

- Plant identification scores will be used to break all ties.

- See www.cartercd.org for point values.

Team Competition, Youth Division

- Teams must register as FFA or Open.

- FFA Chapters may enter only one team, with all team members being from that Chapter.

- Teams must have at least three members and no more than four.

- Team points will be scored from the highest three individual scores.

- Former first place teams must replace at least one of the previous high three-team members.

- Team points do not include Illustrated Talk or Range Exhibit points.

- Montana’s 4-H Team to Old West Regional Competition is usually made up of top 4-H Individuals at MRD.

Registration

Individuals – Before June 1: $30.00

After June 1: $35.00

Family – Before June 1: $80.00

After June 1 is $85.00

Fee includes workshop materials, 3 meals Tuesday, and 2 meals Wednesday. Monday noon and evening meals will be available at the Fairgrounds at your expense.

Registration Form at www.cartercd.org

Lodging

Camping is available at the Eastern Montana Fairgrounds. Restroom and shower facilities will be available.

Big Sky Campground & RV Park 234-1511

KOA Campground 232-3991

Comfort Inn 234-3141

Econo Lodge 232-8880

Guesthouse Inn 232-3661

War Bonnet Best Western 234-4560

Holiday Inn Express 1-888-700-0402

Packing List

- Warm coats, hats, slickers, and overshoes

- Sunscreen, mosquito repellent,

- Clip board, pencils, calculator, 10-power hand lens

- Tent and sleeping bag, toiletries, towels

- Fishing pole, swimming suit, camera and plant press optional

MRD Scholarships

$1,000 Harold & Lillian Jensen Scholarship

$1,000 Bob Sitz Memorial Scholarship

$1,000 Range Days Scholarship

Applications due April 30.

College credit will be offered by Northwest College, Powell, Wyoming. Register at MRD.

Statewide Sponsors

BASF Corporation

Carter County Conservation District

Cattleman’s Choice Loomix

Dow AgroSciences

DuPont Crop Protection

Great Northern Properties

Hubbard Feeds, Inc.

Montana CattleWomen

Montana Land Reliance

Montana Stockgrowers

Montana Weed Control Assoc.

Montana Association of State Grazing Districts

MT Livestock Ag Credit, Inc.

Northwest Farm Credit Services

Society for Range Management

-International Mountain Section-Northern Great Plains Section

Stockman Bank of Montana

Wells Fargo

Western Energy Company

Western Ranch Supply

Wilbur-Ellis Company

MRD @ MC

P.O. Box 1396

Miles City, MT 59301

(406)853-3388 Jan Pratt

(406)232-6359 Scott Kaiser

(406)232-3807 DNRC FAX

www.cartercd.org

33^rd Annual Montana Range Days

Miles City, MT

June 15-17, 2009

Eastern Montana Fairgrounds

Hosted By:

Custer County Conservation District

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Northern Ag Network