Keeping Agriculture The Backbone Of Our State's Economy

Growing up on a ranch outside Helena, Max learned at an early age that Montana is an agriculture state, and he is proud that products like wheat, livestock, and sugar are the backbone of our economy. That's why Max has worked hard the past several years to secure more than $100 million for Montana's agricultural industry.

In order to help all of our state's producers and consumers, as well as the state's economy as a whole, Max has fought to make sure that Montana's agricultural programs are treated right: he has worked to fund research that's made Montana producers more efficient, to enact legislation that reduces competition from foreign imports and to help farmers and ranchers who have been hurt by natural disasters. And as the only member from Montana on an Agriculture Committee, Max canvassed the state meeting with producers to make sure the Agriculture Industry remains strong. The bottom line is that Max knows if Montana's producers are doing well, everyone who calls Big Sky Country home will be doing well.

Max is a 4 time recipient of the Friend Of The Farm Bureau award.

Ensuring Montana Farmers And Ranchers Can Compete And Win In A Global Economy

Max was an original cosponsor of country-of-origin labeling for beef, lamb, pork and perishable agricultural commodities. Though the act faced resistance, Max did not give up. Determined to protect Montana's farmers from foreign producers, he pushed to get the country-of-origin labeling in the 2002 Farm Bill.
Max stood up for Montana's cattle producers and told Korea that in order to get their trade agreement passed, the country must start accepting American beef products.
Max secured the first-ever sale of Montana goods to Cuba which included more than $10 million worth of agricultural products including wheat and dry beans.
Max used his leadership position on the Senate Finance Committee and negotiated the sale of an additional $15 million worth of Montana goods to Cuba.
Max helped to secure a sale of $7.8 million of premium Montana peas and lentils to Cuba.
Max pressured the Bush Administration to ensure that free trade agreements would not jeopardize the U.S. sugar program.

Bringing Money Home To Montana To Help Agriculture Production

In the past several years, Max has helped bring $100 million for Montana's agricultural industry.
Since 2000, Max has secured over $4 million to help the Montana Beef Network assist producers with selection and management techniques, develop a cattle ID system, and develop and apply technology to enhance the safety of beef products.
Since 2000, Max has secured approximately $2.8 million to help protect Montana's wheat production from the destructive wheat stem sawfly.
Max helped secure $4 million for MSU to develop a facility that will focus on enhancing the productivity, safety, and quality of beef production.
Max helped secure over $500,000 for the MSU Institute of Bio-based Products and Food Science to research the potential of crop and animal agricultural systems in order to create high-value products.

Funding Research Projects To Make Montana's Agriculture Production Even More Profitable

In 2006, Max helped secure over $500,000 for the Montana Sheep Institute to help livestock and land managers maintain a sustainable sheep industry.
Since 2000, Max has delivered over $13 million to Butte for appropriation technology transfer for rural areas, providing producers with the latest information and research on sustainable agriculture.
In 2006, Max secured nearly $1 million for the Joe Skeen Institute for Rangeland Restoration in order to study and develop livestock management technologies to restore, maintain, and enhance rangeland productivity.

Fighting To Provide Montana's Farmers With Timely Disaster Relief

As a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Max helped to write and pass the new Farm Bill. He included $5 billion in permanent disaster assistance.
In 2007, Max used his seniority on the Senate Agriculture Committee to deliver as much as $20 million in disaster relief back to Montana's farmers and ranchers.
When the Farm Service Agency proposed closing 7 offices, Max proposed and passed an amendment in the Senate which helped keep Montana FSA doors open.
Max was a co-sponsor of the 2007 Emergency Farm Relief Act which provided $3 billion in emergency funding to farmers and ranchers who have suffered from weather-related crop production shortfalls, quality losses and damage to livestock feeds as well as payments for the loss of livestock.
Max was a strong supporter of the 1999 bill that included $121 million in emergency payments to Montanan grain producers, who were hurt by depressed commodity prices.
Max was a key player in shaping legislation which provided $3.6 billion dollars for agricultural disaster funding, a significant portion of which went to Montana. This money was intended to go towards crop loss assistance, livestock assistance, emergency watershed programs and emergency conservation programs.

Developing Cutting Edge Ag-Energy Policy That Works For Our Farmers And Ranchers

Max inserted a provision into the Farm Bill to provide grants to farmers and ranchers who engage in on-farm energy productions projects.
Max helped write and pass the new Farm Bill which includes over $1 billion in energy provisions. These funds will help our farmers, ranchers, and rural businesses increase income and jobs in rural America.

Helping The Next Generation Of Farmers And Ranchers

Max helped create a 10% set-aside in the new Farm Bill to help beginning farmers and ranchers get their businesses started. These are especially helpful for those who would use federal programs such as CSP and EQIP.
Max helped write and pass the new Farm Bill which includes adjusting the interest rates to either 4% below standard direct farm ownership rate or to 2% - whichever is greater to help alleviate some of the financial pressures on new farmers and ranchers.

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