Helena, Mont. – As Spring transitions to Summer and we finish up planting and branding, pulse growers throughout Montana will have the opportunity to make their voice heard over the coming weeks. The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA), on behalf of the Montana Pulse Advisory Committee (MPAC), is mailing surveys to the state’s pulse growers to gauge interest in raising the assessment rate from 1{43a21437b022293ea22983a65937d7e18883fb2ff2b11e03a1041d36bd400603} to 1.5{43a21437b022293ea22983a65937d7e18883fb2ff2b11e03a1041d36bd400603} for all pulse commodities. Assessment funds are used to advance the industry through research, marketing and education.
“As Montana’s pulse industry continues to grow, it’s important for us to engage growers throughout the state,” said MDA Director, Ben Thomas. “This survey will give the pulse advisory committee the information they need to represent all pulse growers in Montana.”
On Monday, the Northern Ag Network's Russell Nemetz talked with Kim Murray-a pulse grower from Froid, MT-about the assessment increase and why its good for Montana's pulse crop industry.
Pulse acres in Montana have grown substantially in recent years, due in large part to the innovation and foresight of Montana’s producers. As the number of elevators and processing plants increase throughout the state, more producers are including pulses in their rotations. Pulses are a versatile crop that promote biodiversity, improve soil health, and generate income from local and global markets.
With Governor Bullock’s recent signing of SB 285, the MPAC will transition from an advisory committee to a decision-making, quasi-judicial committee (similar to the Montana Wheat and Barley Committee) at the beginning of July.
The Montana Department of Agriculture’s mission is to protect producers and consumers, and to enhance and develop agriculture and allied industries.
To download the Montana Pulse Producer Assessment Survey, Click Here.
Source: MDA & Northern Ag Network
