The MSU Extension Profitability in Montana Agriculture podcast is a short series of four episodes, hosted by Joel Schumacher, MSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Leader, and John Hawley, MSU Extension Director of Communications. The series spotlights MSU Extension experts and others whose applied research and outreach help farmers and ranchers make informed decisions across the state.
Montana Beef: Opportunities in Processing and Profitability
In this episode of the Profitability and Montana Agriculture Podcast, MSU Extension agricultural economist Andrew Swanson discusses how changes in the U.S. meat processing industry could create new opportunities for Montana cattle producers. Swanson explains the growing interest in mid-sized meat processing facilities, often referred to as the industry's "missing middle," and how additional processing capacity could keep more value within Montana's beef supply chain. The conversation explores connections between cow-calf production, feedlots, processing infrastructure, branded beef programs, and consumer demand for locally sourced products. Swanson also examines challenges facing the industry, including herd reductions, feed availability, and the significant capital investments required to build new processing plants. The episode concludes with a discussion of how Montana consumers, producers, and communities can support a stronger local beef economy through purchasing decisions and strategic investments in agriculture.Find your local Extension agent (https://www.montana.edu/extension/localoffices.html)
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (https://www.ams.usda.gov/)
Certified Angus Beef ( https://www.certifiedangusbeef.com/)
12 Oct 2026
Managing for Longevity: Forages, Grazing, and Profitability
In this episode of the MSU Extension Profitability in Montana Agriculture Podcast, host John Hawley sits down with MSU Extension Forage Specialist Hayes Goosey to discuss practical strategies for improving profitability through better forage, grazing, and nutrient management. Dr. Goosey explains how soil testing, efficient fertilizer use, grazing management, and drought planning can help producers reduce costs while protecting long-term productivity. The conversation explores how healthy forage systems support livestock, improve drought resilience, and contribute to the overall success of Montana ranching operations. Listeners will also learn about emerging research on topics ranging from nitrate toxicity and integrated crop-livestock systems to the role of dung beetles in soil health. Whether you're an established producer, a beginning rancher, or simply interested in Montana agriculture, this episode offers research-based insights for building a more profitable and sustainable operation.
Find your local Extension agent (https://www.montana.edu/extension/localoffices.html)MSU Extension Forage Resources (https://www.montana.edu/extension/forages/)
In this episode of the MSU Extension Profitability in Agriculture Podcast, host Joel Schumacher visits with Dr. Zach Miller, horticulture professor and superintendent of MSU's Western Agricultural Research Center. This episode explores Montana's growing specialty crop industry, including apples, wine grapes, berries, vegetables, and other high-value crops that offer new opportunities for producers. Dr. Miller discusses how research helps growers make informed decisions about crop selection, production practices, profitability, and risk management in Montana's diverse environments. The episode also highlights emerging markets, local food systems, value-added agriculture, and the challenges facing specialty crop producers. Listeners will gain insight into how MSU research and Extension programs support innovation and economic opportunities across Montana agriculture.
Find your local Extension agent (https://www.montana.edu/extension/localoffices.html)
More information and resources can be found on the Western Ag Research Center Website. (https://agresearch.montana.edu/warc/index.html)
6 Apr 2026
Exploring Profitability in the Beef Industry
This episode dives into the profitability of Montana’s beef industry, featuring MSU Extension Beef Specialist Dr. Sam Wyffels, who explains how precision livestock technologies, supplementation strategies, and grazing management decisions impact economic outcomes for ranchers. The conversation covers emerging tools like virtual fencing, GPS ear tags, rumen‑monitoring boluses, drone use, and automated feeding systems, all aimed at improving labor efficiency, animal monitoring, and forage utilization. Dr. Wyffels also discusses research on dormant‑season grazing, protein supplementation, wildfire recovery strategies, and the role of Extension specialists in helping producers adopt management practices that fit their unique operations.
Find your local Extension agent (https://www.montana.edu/extension/localoffices.html)
MSU Extension Beef Program (Dr. Sam Wyffels) (https://animalrangeextension.montana.edu/beef/)
MSU Animal & Range Extension – Nutrition & Grazing Research (https://animalrangeextension.montana.edu/)
Red Bluff Research Ranch (used in wildfire‑related studies) (https://agresearch.montana.edu/campusfarms/redbluff.html)
Montana Nutrition Conference & Livestock Forum (https://animalrangeextension.montana.edu/beef/nutritionconference.html)
(Hosted by MSU Extension + Montana Feed Association)
Montana Feed Association (https://www.montanafeedassociation.com/)
30 Mar 2026
The Economics of Conservation: An Exploration with an Agricultural Profitability Lens
This episode explores how conservation programs and easements intersect with agricultural profitability, featuring insights from MSU Extension Specialist Dr. Kelsey Larson. The discussion covers permanent conservation easements, short‑term programs like CRP, NRCS incentives such as EQIP and CSP, and the emerging but unpredictable world of agricultural carbon credits. Listeners gain a practical understanding of how these tools can support generational transitions, protect working lands, and create new revenue streams while preserving Montana’s agricultural and natural landscapes.
Hosted by: Joel Schumacher
Featuring: Dr. Kelsey Larson
Find your local Extension agent (https://www.montana.edu/extension/localoffices.html)
Montana Association of Land Trusts (https://www.montanalandtrusts.org/) (to find conservation easement partners)
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) (https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/conservation-programs/conservation-reserve-program/)
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) – NRCS (https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/eqip-environmental-quality-incentives)
23 Mar 2026
Effects of Fertilizer Management on Agricultural Profitability
This episode of the MSU Extension Profitability in Montana Agriculture podcast focuses on how soil health and soil fertility directly influence farm profitability across Montana. Guest Dr. Clain Jones, MSU Extension Soil Fertility Specialist, explains the importance of soil testing, nutrient management, sulfur and phosphorus decisions, and how local research from MSU Extension and the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station guides producers’ real‑world choices. The conversation highlights the Four R's of fertilizer management, the economics of nitrogen use, and practical strategies to avoid soil acidification, leaching, and unnecessary input costs.
Hosted by: Joel Schumacher
Featuring: Dr. Clain Jones
Find your local Extension agent (search tool) (https://www.montana.edu/extension/localoffices.html)
Montana Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES) (https://agresearch.montana.edu/)
MSU Soil Fertility / Clain Jones resources (https://landresources.montana.edu/soilfertility/)
MSU Economic Nitrogen Rate Calculator (Clain Jones & Dwayne Griffith) (https://www.montana.edu/extension/econtools/nitrogen/)
MSU Soil Testing Guidelines (https://landresources.montana.edu/soilfertility/html/SoilTestLabs.html)
MSU Fertilizer Guidelines (N, P, K, S) (https://www.montana.edu/extension/Full_HTML_Pubs/eb161-fertilizerguidelines/EB0161-FertilizerGuidelinesForMontanaCrops.html)
Information on soil acidity & liming (https://landresources.montana.edu/soilfertility/acidif/acidif-mm.html)
13 Mar 2026
Invasive Pests, Cropping Systems, and their Impacts on Producer's Bottom Line
This episode of the MSU Extension Profitability in Montana Agriculture podcast explores how invasive pests and cropping‑system decisions impact producer profitability across Montana. Guests Dr. Jane Mangold and Dr. Tim Seipel discuss integrated weed management, real producer case studies, and how MSU Extension and the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station provide research‑based solutions to help farmers reduce inputs, improve yields, and avoid costly mistakes. The conversation also highlights the role of the Schutter Diagnostic Lab in early pest detection and accurate identification, which can prevent significant financial losses.
Hosted by: John L. Hawley
Featuring: Dr. Jane Mangold and Dr. Tim Seipel
More resources from this episode:
Find your local Extension agent (search tool) (https://www.montana.edu/extension/localoffices.html)
Schutter Diagnostic Lab (https://www.montana.edu/extension/diagnostics/)
Montana Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES) (https://agresearch.montana.edu/)
MSU College of Agriculture (https://agriculture.montana.edu/)
Dr. Ricardo Pinto – Precision Agriculture Specialist (https://agresearch.montana.edu/narc/Programs_and_projects/narc-precisionag/)
Integrated Pest / Weed Management (IPM/IWM) resources (https://www.montana.edu/extension/invasiveplants/)
Montana Weed Districts & Noxious Weed Information (https://fieldguide.mt.gov/displayInv.aspx?id=NOX)
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