Letters to the editor Aug. 22

Hay production

Dear Sen. Steve Daines:

Due to the severe drought in Montana, forage for grazing has been seriously reduced and some livestock operations are having to supplement their pastures and rangeland by feeding hay.

Dryland hay production has been only a fraction of the amount produced in average years. Much of the hay being produced in Montana in 2021 is from irrigated acreages and the asking price is very expensive. These two factors are resulting in a shortage of affordable hay for winter feeding, which is forcing some cattlemen to begin selling livestock.

Most of the western United States is abnormally dry, but we have heard from producers in Wisconsin and Kentucky who have hay for sale at a nominal price. However, trucking charges from those states to Montana would add considerably to the cost of the hay.

We have heard of one instance of a railroad shipment of hay from out of state to Shelby. It seems obvious to us that shipping a large quantity of hay by rail would be less expensive than hauling by individual semi-trucks. We would like to know if you could request federal agencies, such as the Department of Agriculture and Department of Transportation to arrange for shipping hay into Montana by rail to locations where stockmen could pick it up.

We are also open to any other means of getting much needed winter livestock forage into Montana at a cost that is affordable to stockmen.

Your attention to this critical situation will be very much appreciated.

—Doug Campbell, Montana Cattlemen’s Association board member

Trail support

Many thanks to everyone who attended, donated, sponsored and participated in Gateway to Glacier Trails recent Pints for Paths fundraiser at Heaven’s Peak. Because of you, we were able to raise $7,782 to help build local trails.

A special shout out to these businesses who made this event a success: Freedom Bank, The ZaneRay Group, and Pursuit. Tamarack Cannabis, Hungry Horse Liquor, Glacier Raft and Fun Beverage also helped us out.

We recently finished one of our projects, the trail along U.S. 2 from the Flathead River bridge east of Columbia Falls to Columbia Heights. Many thanks to all who collaborated in this accomplishment especially the Montana Department of Transportation.

If you weren’t able to make Pints for Paths you can show your support through The Great Fish Challenge. We have more projects in the works and your support helps us continue to move forward.

—Sarah Dakin, Columbia Falls

Climate purity

Do you think much about whether the place you live will be a good place to ride out climate change? The world, our country, the political parties, our churches, friends, coworkers, parent peers, city leaders — will all come to their senses in time, put aside their willful complacency, and give climate action its rightful place of priority.

I can do nothing more than I am doing. Be an example, be a lever creating political will. Take care of my family. Be kind as on the inside I'm shaking my head at the willful ignorance justifying the continuance of a ruinous status quo.

I often think of people in a grumpy Gandalf toward Pippin kind of way. But there's no use in allowing myself to express that or stay there.

The city of Kalispell will suffer from continued and worsening poor air quality as the wildfire smoke from a burning American West blows our way, even at times when the fires don't threaten us in close proximity. That is the reality of how we will ride out climate change.

And of course that's not going into the consideration of worst case scenarios. Air filters may be purchased. But it seems by the time the lakes are warm enough for swimming the air is filled with smoke, that can't be healthy.

Friends join me in action: decrease your carbon footprint, live a life of climate purity as much as practical. There is much to consider. Look at your consumer habits. Start talking about climate. Advocate for a price on carbon. Call your senators.

—Matthew Lamberts, Kalispell