The Montana Feed Association (MFA) represents the Montana feed industry and needs participation from all segments of business. We maintain a strong relationship with the Montana Department of Agriculture and the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA). These relationships allow the MFA to have a strong influence in the legislation and rule setting that governs our industry on both the state and national level.

Each quarter, we send out a newsletter called the “Concentrates” to keep our members informed. We are always interested in news items. The MFA Annual Meeting is the highlight of the year and offers a quality program with topics centered around the interests of feed dealers, manufactures, and suppliers to the livestock industry.

 

Our Story

Established in 1969, the purpose of the Montana Feed Association was to promote and cultivate good will among manufacturers, dealers and producers. Today, we maintain that mission by providing an opportunity for manufacturers and dealers to hear experts on subjects related to the feed business, such as marketing, sales, merchandising, livestock nutrition and customer service.

Our actions always reflect the interests of our members, not any particular company. One of the pleasant aspects of the Montana Feed Association is working together with normal day to day competitors, but with competition left at the door. Many life long friendships are formed through this association.

 

Our Officers

Dawn Schooley - President

Michelle Whiteside - Vice President

           Michelle Whiteside graduated from Texas A&M in 2006 with a BS in Animal Science.  She began her foray into the livestock world while in college, where she worked as a research assistant on a project studying fetal alcohol syndrome using sheep as the test subjects.  After graduation, she moved to Montana and worked as a research associate for the beef extension specialist at Montana State University.  She went on to become the Quality Control Specialist for Westfeeds, a Montana based livestock feed company.  Duties at Westfeeds included running the quality control program as well as assisting the nutritionist with feed formulations and cattle and sheep rations.  Michelle is now a Livestock Feed Formulator for Simplot Western Stockmen’s.  Other roles she has held include serving for 14 years on the Montana Feed Association board of directors and 5 years on the Montana Noxious Weed Seed Advisory Board as the Feed Industry Representative.  Michelle and her husband live in Eastern Montana on his family’s cattle and sheep ranch, with their two wonderful children.

Samantha Brooks-Sec/Treasurer

Samantha Brooks is a Relationship Manager with AgWest Farm Credit Services in Great Falls. She has worked for AgWest for 10 years and works to compile financials, analysis credit risk, and construct credit packages that help farmers and ranchers meet their financial and growth goals. Sam and her husband, Cameron live in Sun River, MT with their two kids, Caden and Maci.

Tillie Goddard - Past President

Directors:

Cole Morrison

Cole was raised in Northern California around the towns of Cottonwood and Red Bluff, and then moved Bozeman where he studied Ag Business and Finance. It was during this time that the MFA awarded Cole with a scholarship and began his relationship with the organization. After graduating in May of 2022, he moved to Great Falls to begin working with Northwest Farm Credit, and currently is in the process of training to become a Certified Appraiser for AgWest Farm Credit. In conjunction Cole enjoys pursuing his part time career in the auction industry and has recently been designated the 2023 Montana State Champion Auctioneer.

Zac Wald

Cash Yount

            Cash serves agricultural producers of Montana as the Regional Sales Manager of CHS Nutrition. Cash has been involved with agriculture his entire life developing a great appreciate for the hard work and dedication of the men and women who feed the world. Serving the Montana Feed Association has provided him with many educational opportunities and the drive to protect the industry within the state. Cash lives in Deer Lodge, MT, with his wife Alisha and daughters, Gracie and Logan. 

Baily Hagedorn

Justin McPherson

 

Membership

 Every member is vital to sustaining an effective organization. Your dues allow the organization to continue its commitment to the feed industry in Montana. The funds raised through membership and industry sponsorships are used to provide scholastic scholarships. Funds are also used to cosponsor (along with the Montana State University) the Montana Nutrition Conference meeting held in Bozeman, Montana every year in April where the scholarships are awarded.

We award two scholarships to MSU Undergraduate students who have been interviewed by MFA members. One scholarship is awarded to an animal science major in honor of Dr. John Paterson; the second is awarded to a student in the Ag Marketing field with emphasis in Agri-Business.

Montana Feed Association Membership Benefits 

  • Association with leaders in the feed industry

  • Montana Legislative representation

  • National representation through AFIA

  • Training: nutrition, customer service, Finance, Industry issues, dealer issues, feed regulations & compliance

  • Concentrates- quarterly newsletter

  • Association with Leading Feed Suppliers

  • Interaction with MSU Extension

  • Interaction with MSU College of Agriculture

  • Involvement in the Benefit of Future AG Leaders/ Employees through the MFA Scholarhsip Program

  • Networking and lifelong Friendships with like minded individuals