MSU Extension

The Montana Department of Livestock and Montana State University Extension have issued guidance for the Montana livestock industry after a destructive parasitic fly called New World screwworm was detected in Texas.

For the first time since 1966, the New World screwworm – also known as NWS, or Cochliomyia hominivorax – has been detected in the United States. A confirmed case was found in Zavala County, Texas, on June 3. Since then, an additional five cases have been confirmed in south Texas.

Montana Department of Livestock and MSU Extension issue guidance after New World screwworm detected in Texas New World screwworm is a concern for the U.S. livestock industry due to the flies laying eggs in the wound of a living animal and the larvae feeding on the living tissue, causing severe tissue damage.

Cheatgrass is a problematic winter annual grass w**d across the Pacific Northwest and Northern Great Plains. Resistance to Group 2 herbicides in Montana was first reported in 2017. Recently, some cheatgrass populations have shown increased survival following glyphosate treatment. If widespread, it would further complicate management of this species.

Further details are provided in a recent Ag Alert.

www.montana.edu Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L), also known as downy brome, is a problematic winter annual grass w**d across the Pacific Northwest and Northern Great Plains. In Montana, resistance to Group 2 herbicides was first reported in 2017. More recently, some populations of cheatgrass have shown increased sur...

Recreating in grizzly country requires an added layer of awareness. Whether you’re a hunter deep in the backcountry, a family camping for the weekend, or a runner on your favorite trail, learn what anyone spending time outdoors in Montana should know.

Enjoying the Outdoors Safely in Grizzly Bear Country - MT202602AG - Extension Store Grizzly bear populations are expanding across Montana, reclaiming historic ranges once lost to human activity (Image 1). While this is a conservation success, it also increases the chance of human-bear conflict, bringing more people into shared spaces with grizzly bears (Image 2).

The Montana Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES) invites you to its annual Field Days to connect with researchers and see cutting-edge agricultural research in action. Field Days will take place from June through August across the state.
These events are free and open to the public. View the full schedule and event details:

Montana State’s agricultural field days series begins June 17 The series will include events at all seven of MSU’s research centers across the state, plus two campus farms in the Gallatin Valley

Several diseases, pests, and environmental factors can cause wheat to appear yellow in spring. Careful evaluation of plant symptoms, field patterns, and environmental conditions can help guide diagnosis and identify the underlying cause of poor crop health. Learn the most common contributors to yellowing wheat observed this season:

www.montana.edu There are several biotic (diseases and insect pests) and abiotic (environmental) factors that can cause wheat to appear yellow in spring. Careful evaluation of plant symptoms, field patterns, and recent as well as past environmental conditions can help guide diagnosis and identify the underlying cau...

A Small Business Webinar on EEOC for Small Businesses will be held next Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 11:00 AM. Whether or not your business currently falls under EEOC jurisdiction, it’s never too early to start building good habits and practices to protect your employees and prepare yourself as an employer. In this session, an expert from EEOC will provide a quick overview of the federal laws they enforce, help you understand your responsibilities under the law, and share some best practices for preventing harassment and discrimination in the workplace. This webinar will be presented by Zachary Florent, an Outreach and Education Coordinator for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission based in Seattle, Washington. For more information, visit: https://www.montana.edu/extensionecon/smallbusiness.

MSU Extension Nutrition Educator Havilah Burton led a nine-week nutrition and culinary course in the Flathead Valley, where participants received Instant Pots. This program has expanded across the Flathead Reservation and awarded more than 400 Instant Pots to participants, allowing them to cook more easily at home.

Watch the story in the Montana Partnership to End Childhood Hunger (MT-PECH) video series:

MSU Extension Creates a Path to Healthy Food in Polson - 7 min Community culinary classes and Instant Pots help Polson community members learn to cook and use good food to get healthy. And, the cooking-class and Instant ...