Each year, MSGA members create policy that directs the efforts of MSGA’s volunteer board of directors, officers, and staff. Policy is set at MSGA’s Annual Convention, held in December in Billings, Mont. Interim policy is set at MSGA’s Mid-Year Meeting, held in June in different locations across the state each year. Policies often originate from the local affiliates of MSGA who bring the proposed policies to the appropriate standing committee for discussion at MSGA’s mid-year meeting or annual convention. MSGA's policy development process begins with four standing committees. Each committee has MSGA board representatives and chairmen appointed by the president. Members attending committee meetings vote on proposed resolutions which must pass out of the committee with a majority vote and pass through Second Reading and Final Reading before becoming official policy. The following are MSGA's standing committees:
Beef Production & Marketing
MSGA Board Representatives: Larry Berg and Mick Denowh
Cattle Feeders Committee: Chairman Robert Bold, Winifred
Cattle Health, Brand and Theft Committee: Chairman Dick Raths, DVM, Lewistown; Vice Chair Lance Hughes, DVM, Hobson
Marketing Committee: Chairman Don Griffin, Ismay; Vice Chair John Rose, Three Forks
Seedstock Committee: Chairwoman Della Ehlke, Townsend; Vice Chair Tim Todd, Ryegate
Staff: Ariel Overstreet
Land Use & Environment
MSGA Board Representatives: Heath Martinell, Ray Marxer and Jeff Pattison
Endangered Species Committee: Chairman Wayne Slaght, Ovando; Vice Chair Dale Veseth, Malta
Landowner/Recreation and Wildlife Committee: Chairman Ed Fryer, White Sulphur Springs; Vice Chair Charlie Rein, Big Timber
Land Use Committee: Chairman Ned Zimmerman, Wilsall; Vice Chair Rich Roth, Big Sandy
Water Committee: Chairman Bill Bergin, Jr., Musselshell; Vice Chair Dusty Hahn, Townsend
Staff: Jay Bodner
Membership Development & Services
MSGA Board Representatives: Mark Harrison and Leon LaSalle
Allied Industries Committee: Chairwoman Heidi Borlaug, Gildford; Vice Chair Keith Robinson, Billings
Education & Research Committee: Chairwoman Rachel Endecott, Miles City; Vice Chair Heather Malcolm, Livingston
Outreach Committee: Chairman Leon LaSalle, Havre
Recruitment Committee: Chairman Ryan Hughes, Martinsdale; Vice Chair Tim Larson, Sidney
Young Stockgrowers Committee: Chairman Casey Coulter, Brusett; Vice Chair Collin Gibbs, Miles City
Staff: Lauren Chase and Katie Stokes
Tax, Finance & Ag Policy
MSGA Board Representatives: Jed Evjene and Fred Wacker
Chairman Bob Lee, Judith Gap; Vice Chair Chris Christensen, Hinsdale
Staff: Carl Mattson