Senate Agriculture committee confirms governor's appointees to hail, livestock and veterinary boards

At a Senate Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Committee hearing, members moved by voice vote to confirm a slate of the governor's nominees to four state boards overseeing hail insurance, livestock loss reimbursement, livestock policy and veterinary licensing.

The approvals came after short introductions from nominees, remarks from agency and industry proponents and committee questions about program priorities. Committee Chair Gillespie closed discussion and the committee took unanimous voice votes, with several senators recorded voting by proxy as “yes.”

The nominees and confirmations Vince Mattson and Bing Von Bergen were confirmed to the Montana State Hail Board (Senate Resolution 19). Both described long farming backgrounds; Mattson said he farms north of Chester and grows wheat, chickpeas, lentils, canola and mustard, and asked to continue his work on the board. Bing Von Bergen said he farms north of Moccasin and co-owns Heartland Seed Company. Proponents included a representative of the governor's office and the Department of Agriculture, Montana Farm Bureau Federation and Montana Grain Growers.

John Samsel was confirmed to the Livestock Loss Board (Senate Resolution 34). Samsel, a cattle and sheep producer from Judith Basin County, told the committee he has attended recent meetings and emphasized the board's role in responding to producer losses from predators such as grizzly bears. The Department of Livestock, Montana Stockgrowers Association, Montana Farm Bureau and wool- and sheep-producer organizations rose in support.

Frederick “Eric” Moore was confirmed to the Board of Livestock (Senate Resolution 35). Moore, who described experience with auction markets, feedlots and brand enforcement, spoke to priorities including animal health surveillance, brucellosis vaccination and responding to federal requirements for electronic identification (EID) across state lines. The department and commodity groups endorsed his confirmation.

Joshua Donald, Dr. Tia Nelson and Dr. Garrett Ryerson were confirmed to the Board of Veterinary Medicine (Senate Resolution 45). Donald (public member) and Nelson and Ryerson (veterinarian members) each introduced themselves. The Department of Labor and Industry and the Montana Veterinary Medical Association supported the nominees; DLI’s commissioner noted HB 87 from the previous session had required re‑staggering terms on small licensing boards so turnover would be less disruptive.

Key issues discussed Hail insurance: Nominees for the State Hail Board and committee members discussed how hail insurance is evolving with changes in federal Risk Management Agency programs and the rising importance of hail coverage in crop-risk strategies. Vince Mattson told the committee, “Hail is gonna play a more unique different role in, I think, the whole program of how you insure your crops.” Witnesses noted the state hail program had benefited from ARPA funds and that the board is positioned to adapt coverage as crop mixes and insurance choices change.

Livestock depredation and prevention: Members questioned Livestock Loss Board nominee John Samsel about predator pressures — particularly grizzly bears and the recent addition of black bears to eligible losses — and about verification and prevention practices. Samsel said verification by wildlife services is required before reimbursement can be considered and emphasized prevention measures, saying “preventative measures are very important” and noting grant-funded practices such as range riding, fencing and guard dogs can be reimbursed. Committee members asked about application timing for the Livestock Loss grant program; Samsel and others said forms will be circulated after April 1, applications reviewed in May–June and awards likely made in July.

Animal health and vaccine supply: Board of Livestock nominee Eric Moore and department staff described two operational issues: implementing a new federal EID requirement that affected some interstate cattle movements (the board helped negotiate reciprocity with neighboring states) and a national shortage of RB51 brucellosis vaccine. Moore said the RB51 shortage appears tied to production delays at “one factory in the United States,” and the department described efforts to secure supply and a temporary extension from USDA on the vaccination age requirement. Committee members and department staff discussed options to diversify suppliers and consider legislative or federal remedies to reduce future supply-chain risk.

Veterinary licensing and workforce: Supporters of the Board of Veterinary Medicine nominees emphasized the board's role in protecting the public and ensuring veterinary capacity across the state. DLI Commissioner Sarah Swanson noted the board must balance public protection with professional oversight, and witnesses flagged an ongoing shortage of large‑animal veterinarians in rural Montana.

Votes at a glance - SR 19 — Confirm appointment of Vince Mattson and Bing Von Bergen to the Montana State Hail Board: approved by unanimous voice vote (proxies recorded as yes). - SR 34 — Confirm appointment of John Samsel to the Livestock Loss Board: approved by unanimous voice vote. - SR 35 — Confirm appointment of Frederick “Eric” Moore to the Board of Livestock: approved by unanimous voice vote. - SR 45 — Confirm appointments of Joshua Donald, Dr. Tia Nelson and Dr. Garrett Ryerson to the Board of Veterinary Medicine: approved by unanimous voice vote.

What happens next Committee members moved the confirmations into executive action and the committee recorded the approvals. The nominees will proceed to the next steps in the appointment process per statute and administrative practice.

Sources and attributions Remarks and direct quotes in this report come from the committee hearing record: nominees Vince Mattson and Bing Von Bergen (state hail board); John Samsel (Livestock Loss Board); Frederick “Eric” Moore (Board of Livestock); Joshua Donald, Dr. Tia Nelson and Dr. Garrett Ryerson (Board of Veterinary Medicine); Department of Livestock executive officer Mike Honeycutt; Department of Labor and Industry Commissioner Sarah Swanson; and supporting witnesses from the governor's office, Montana Farm Bureau Federation, Montana Stockgrowers Association and Montana Veterinary Medical Association. The committee was chaired by Chair Gillespie of the Senate Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Committee.