Niarada rancher joins state board

The Daily Inter Lake

Gov. Brian Schweitzer has appointed a Niarada rancher to the state's Livestock Loss Reduction and Mitigation Board.

John Herman is a fourth-generation rancher from the Niarada area just west of Flathead Lake. He also is a board director for the Montana Cattlemen's Association.

The board is responsible for reimbursing farmers and ranchers for animal losses from wolves.

"I have been living with wolves for years," Herman said in a press release, "but this year has been particularly challenging as wolves have been coming into our calving pasture at night, killing calves, and disappearing into the timber by daylight. I fully understand the problems many ranchers are experiencing and I will do my best to educate and protect the interests of all parties."

Scwheitzer also reappointed Whitney Wankel, a Montana State University student who ranches with her family near Miles City, to a second term on the seven-member board.