September 23, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Longevity of Ladies and Livestock

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(By Lauren Chase, author of the new photography book, Ladies and Livestock, to be released October 1 exclusively on the Apple iBooks store.)

When I began traveling across Montana and collecting content for the Montana Family Ranching Project, I had no idea what all I would get to see and experience on the ranches. I went from knowing absolutely nothing about cattle production to being able to discuss topics like heterosis without just nodding along. Beyond gaining knowledge of beef and a better understanding of agriculture, something else stuck me as important: the longevity of Montana’s ranches. While many Americans can no longer relate to multi-generational family businesses, it’s still viewed with high esteem and awe.

Vicki Olson on her family's ranch near Malta, Montana.

Vicki Olson on her family’s ranch near Malta, Montana.

It’s hard for me to comprehend what fifth and sixth generations actually mean. However, many of the women featured in Ladies and Livestock wear that title with pride. Their ranches have been within their families for more than 100 years…through droughts, fires, blizzards, poor economic times, and even differences in opinions on how the ranch should run. They have gone from log cabins and no electricity to some of the largest and most efficient ranches in the country…and all kept in the family name.

“We have had parts of the ranch in the family for almost 100 years. Each generation has loved it and the lifestyle as much as the next,” said Vicki Olson of Malta, Montana.

This attitude of ranch life is shared by women all across Montana.

“I get to spend every day with the love of my life and together we raise our children to appreciate this life as much as we do. Breeding good black cattle, riding great ranch horses and conserving the beautiful nature around us is not what we do…it’s who we are,” said Lori Swanson of Chinook, Mont.

Ladies and Livestock coverReflecting on stories from grandparents and parents, women learn to appreciate their heritage and livelihood on the ranch, and work hard to raise their children with the same upbringing and passion for cattle ranching. It’s important to remember that beef production is a business, but ran by families who hope that for many generations to come will still be raising healthy, wholesome and nutritious beef for the world.

You can read more stories about Montana ranch women in the Montana Stockgrowers Association’s new digital photo book, “Ladies and Livestock: Life on the Ranch,” which will be available for download on the Apple store for $14.99 starting October 1, 2014. Be sure to flip through the pages to watch video interviews with some of the ladies and follow MSGA’s social media sites for daily updates about Montana ranchers.

September 18, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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New Digital Photography Book to Feature Ladies of Montana Ranching

LL Book Promo BannerHelena, MT – “Ladies and Livestock: Life on the Ranch,” the second book in the Montana Family Ranching Series, from the Research and Education Endowment Foundation of the Montana Stockgrowers Association (REEF), is set to be released on October 1. The digital book is a pictorial explanation of Montana women and their roles in the ranching community.

“Women are often described as the ‘backbone’ to the ranch and we want to capture what that means in this book,” said Lauren Chase, author and photographer.

Ladies and Livestock is leading the way in multimedia technology and storytelling as it will be released in digital format instead of print. Available in the Apple iBook store beginning October 1, 2014, readers will be able to download Ladies and Livestock to their iPads and flip through the vivid imagery with the swipe of their fingers.

This book features over 130 pages of stories, photographs and video features of the ladies who raise livestock, care for the land, and build their families’ legacies on Montana ranches. Not only are these Montana women working on the ranch, many have jobs in town, volunteer in their communities, and are involved in the legislation process of issues affecting agriculture.

Ladies and Livestock is the second in a series of book featured in the Montana Family Ranching Series. The first edition, Big Sky Boots, released in 2012, features the working seasons of the Montana cowboy and is available in print edition from the Montana Stockgrowers Association by visiting bit.ly/BigSkyBoots.

 “This series is meant to help people understand what it takes to make a Montana ranch operate successfully and also, to show the wonderful ranch families that make it possible. Creating the book for the iPad is really exciting for us because we can reach new audiences much easier through digital means,” said Chase.

By utilizing the digital technology, “Ladies and Livestock” adds a new dimension to reading a book. Included on nearly 30 of the pages are video features that play with the touch of the finger. These videos show interviews of the ladies speaking on their ranch history, family life and how they feel about being part of Montana’s agriculture.

This book is a multimedia journey through the life of a woman on a Montana ranch. Not only can readers see photographs, but can hear the woman tell her own story and see the emotion on her face as she talks about how important her family is to her.

The book can be downloaded for $14.99 in the Apple iBook store by searching title: Ladies and Livestock. Proceeds from the sales of the book contribute to the Montana Stockgrowers Association’s Foundation to help support educational programs and scholarships for youth.

To learn more about this project and the author, visit www.mtbeef.org. You can also follow along with this story-telling project on MSGA’s Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Instagram and Pinterest pages.

The Research and Education Endowment Foundation of the Montana Stockgrowers Association is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization established to provide resources for education and research that support the Montana Stockgrowers Association in protecting and enhancing the ability of the Montana ranching community to produce healthy and environmentally responsible beef. To learn more about REEF programs or to donate to the Foundation, visit mtbeef.org/REEF or contact the Montana Stockgrowers Association, (406) 442-3420.
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September 17, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Montana Registered Dietitian Interns see Beef from Pasture to Plate

Registerd Dietitian Interns Beef TourThe Montana Beef Council recently hosted another successful pasture to plate tour for nearly twenty students pursuing a career as a Registered Dietitian. The tour was conducted in Nye, Montana with local rancher Noel Keogh where the attendees were able to experience first-hand where and how beef is raised.

This year’s tour began at the ranch headquarters where Keogh explained his family ranching operation and the history of the area to the interns to help them understand the importance of agriculture and specifically beef production.

“As a rancher it is important for me to share my story and help consumers understand where their food comes from,” said Keogh.

Throughout the tour the interns not only had the opportunity to see cattle and horses, but also shipping facilities, rangeland and more. Keogh shared his passion for plant identification as he described different forages and explained their nutritional value. While hiking around the ranch the interns learned about the entire beef cycle and that cattle spend the majority of their lives on pasture. Keogh thoroughly detailed the value of natural resources and how, as a rancher, it is important to maintain a healthy partnership with the land in order to be a good steward and remain a viable ranching operation.

“Ranching is sustainable. Your ranch doesn’t get to be one hundred years old without taking good care of the land and livestock,” Keogh said.

Following a healthy beef lunch, the interns heard from Montana Beef Council’s Registered Dietitian Lisa Murray. Murray explained the nutritional benefits of beef and helped the health professionals understand how beef can be part of a healthy lifestyle. The beef checkoff-funded study, Beef in and Optimal Lean Diet, was a focal part of the presentation to provide the interns with sound, science-based information.

“Providing these health professionals with accurate information and a first-hand experience enables them to feel confident when recommending beef to their patients and clients,” said Murray.

To complete the day, the interns were engaged in a media training workshop conducted by Daren Williams, Senior Executive Director of Communications for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the beef checkoff. During the workshop the interns learned valuable information for conducting a successful media interview and then put their skills to work for an on-camera interview about beef-related topics.

The Montana Beef Council is organized to protect and increase demand for beef and beef products through state, national and international consumer marketing programs including promotion, education and research, thereby enhancing profit opportunities for Montana beef producers. For more information, contact Chaley Harney at (406) 656-3336 or [email protected].

September 16, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Montana Rancher Q and A: Tyrel Obrecht

Many of us in Montana got to know Tyrel Obrecht pretty well while he was interning for the Montana Stockgrowers Association two summers ago. But today, we learn more about his family’s ranching background, some of the obstacles faced on a Montana ranch, and his advice for other young ranchers. Read today’s Q&A feature:

Tyrel Obrecht of Turner, Montana.

Tyrel Obrecht of Turner, Montana.

How long has your family been involved in ranching? 

My great-great Grandpa, George Petrie, got off the train in 1901 in Harlem, MT. From there, he headed north, and ran sheep on the ranch that is ours today. Today, my dad (Sam), and grandpa (Sonny) run cows. The ranch headquarters are exactly where they were when the ranch started

What was your favorite part about growing up on the ranch?

It’s something different everyday. The type of work changes with the seasons, and you are able to be your own boss and be outdoors whenever you want.  I’m also very fortunate the ranch was located in Turner, MT.  Small communities are like one big family. Neighbors always come help, and we return the favor.

Haying in full swing during the summer of 2014.

Haying in full swing during the summer of 2014.

Tell us about your ranch today.

We run Black Angus cattle.  I’m proud that the operation has been in my family for as long as it has and has been able to succeed through hard times.

What have been some of the trials you’ve had to overcome?

Weather is a big issue for cattle ranchers in Montana.  In the late early 2000s, the summers were dry and we spent a lot of time pulling black plastic pipe across our pasture to pump water for our cattle.  This also led to low hay production, so that added more stress to look for hay to purchase. There have also been a few harsh winters that require a lot of work to feed the cattle, break ice so they can drink, and plow snow.  Montana is certainly a land of extremes, and ranchers are exposed to every one of them.

What is one thing you wish more people knew about life on the ranch?

The time that ranchers put in to care for the animals.  There is a lot of negative media out there about animal cruelty, and agriculture seems to be in the spotlight for it.  What people don’t see is the rancher who is outside saving a calf when it’s cold in the spring or taking extra time at branding to examine an animal who appears sick.  These animals are how Montana ranchers make their living, so it is the rancher’s best interest to take the best care of them they can.

Tyrel and his father, Sam.

Tyrel and his father, Sam.

What does it mean to you to be able to work with your family every day? 

Working with family can be very hard, but it’s also a great learning experience.  By working along side another generation, you are able to learn what worked for them, and what didn’t.  Nobody knows more about an operation than the owner themselves, so being able to work alongside them is a great learning experience.

Tell us about your job now and how you keep connected to the ranch.

Being involved with Ag-lending with Wells Fargo has enabled me to meet producers from different areas and see what they do differently, as well as what they do the same as my family.  Majority of the bankers I work with came from an agricultural background, so everyone has similar roots, interests, and knowledge base.  Through building a network in banking, I’m able to continually share ideas with my dad.  Living in a place centrally located like Billings has also made it easy for me to come home on weekends from time to time and help.

Tyrel participated in the NCBA internship program during the Cattle Industry Convention.

Tyrel participated in the NCBA internship program during the Cattle Industry Convention.

After spending a summer as the MSGA intern, what did you learn from that experience? About Montana cattle ranching?

Just like my experience at Wells Fargo, working with MSGA enabled me to meet cattle ranchers from all over in Montana and learn about their success and trials.  The MSGA staff really showed me the importance of networking, and being able to meet as many people as you can.  That has really helped me so far in banking.  Knowing as many people as I can expands my knowledge base, which enables me to assist customers as efficiently as possible.

Do you have any advice for fellow young Montana ranchers about the beef cattle business?

Get to know as many people as possible, and treat people properly.  You never know obstacles you might meet in the future, and knowing as many people as possible could help make those obstacles much easier to overcome.  Also, when doing business or working with someone, treat them properly.  If they had a good experience working with you, chances are they’ll call back again.

What’s your favorite beef dish?

All beef dishes are good!  But barbequed t-bone steak is my favorite.

 To participate in a future Q&A or to recommend someone from the Montana ranching community, please contact [email protected].

September 10, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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MSGA Comments Following Establishment of Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Program

sage grouse signing executive order bullock montana habitat conservationOn Tuesday, September 9, Governor Steve Bullock signed an executive order establishing the Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Program. The program has been in the works for some time with several Montana groups having opportunity to provide input on maintaining state management of the Sage Grouse species and its habitat in the state of Montana.

The Montana Stockgrowers Association has been involved in this process from the earliest stages, representing the interests our ranching family members and property owners across the state. During the development process of this plan, we recognized a few important principles

  • to keep the management of this species in our state,
  • to develop a plan with Montana priorities and values
  • and most importantly, to have a plan that works for Montana

We appreciate the work of the Advisory Council and the process in which they deployed in making recommendations. The series of meetings provided a platform in which all stakeholders could participate and provide science based information for the Council to consider. The Montana Stockgrowers Association along with our colleagues from other important Ag groups, like the Montana Farm Bureau, were able to express our interests in a fair and transparent way.

Stockgrowers feels that in-state management of the sage grouse is critical as 64% of the species’ Montana habitat is in private ownership and livestock grazing is the most common land-use activity across the sagebrush spectrum.

Even though the plan is finished, we know there is a considerable amount of work to be done. We look forward to continuing our work with Governor Bullock and his team to put forth Sage Grouse solutions that work for Montana and minimize the impact to Montana ranching families and livestock grazing.

Sage Grouse Habitat Montana
September 9, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Governor Bullock Signs Executive Order Establishing the Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Program

Sage Grouse Habitat MontanaHelena, Mont. – Today, Governor Steve Bullock was joined by representatives from natural resource industries, ranchers, wind power advocates, sportsmen, and conservationists, as he signed an executive order establishing the Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Program. The Program, which was developed from the ground up, and has broad support from a diverse group of interests, seeks to maintain state management of the Sage Grouse by protecting its habitat, while respecting the private property rights of Montanans.

“Montanans recognize that it is in the best interest of our state, its economy, and our quality of life, to maintain state management of the Greater Sage-grouse,” Bullock said of the executive order. “Through a public process, and the work of a diverse group of stakeholders, we’ve developed a dynamic, and science-based approach to ensure this bird remains under state management, and is not listed under the Endangered Species Act.”

Once established, the Program will work to implement the requirements laid out in the executive order, including a review process for actions that might impact the bird or its habitat, including industry-specific measures. In addition, the order addresses, among other topics:

  • Adopts a comprehensive Program for keeping sage grouse management in the states hands;
  • Recognizes the important role that Montana’s private landowners play in sage grouse conservation and the need for voluntary incentives to help those landowners to stay on the land and preserve vital sage grouse habitat;
  • Creates the Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Program and the Montana Sage Grouse Oversight Team, attached to the Governor’s Office, to maintain state leadership, administer the program based on sound science, and continue to bring Montanans together to move sage grouse management forward;
  • Strikes the appropriate balance to preserve the sage grouse and its habitat and protect valid rights and existing land uses and activities; and
  • Ensures that Montana and Montanans will continue to manage this iconic species for the benefit of future generations – and continue to economically prosper from the industries that have existed in sage grouse country.

In addition, the executive order makes it clear that existing land uses and activites are not subject to the order, some uses and landowner activities are exempt from compliance with the strategy, including  county road maintenance, and production and maintenance activities associated with existing oil, gas, communication tower, and power line facilities.

“We appreciate the efforts and leadership from Governor Bullock to ensure that management of the sage grouse remains in state hands,” said Dave Galt, Executive Director of the Montana Petroleum Association. “By working together, we’ll ensure that we can protect not only this bird, but also economic opportunity and quality of life for all Montanans.”

“Continued state management of the sage grouse is important for all Montanans, especially for cattle ranchers,” Errol Rice, Executive Vice President of the Montana Stockgrowers Association said. “With an eye towards solutions, stakeholders with diverse viewpoints have come together to find science-based ways to ensure that we are protecting this bird, while respecting the needs of Montana ranching families.”

“We applaud the Governor’s willingness to step up to the plate to launch this important conservation program. Science shows that business-as-usual will have devastating effects on sage-grouse over the long-term. We all need to follow the emerging science and work closely together to conserve this iconic species. And what’s good for sage-grouse and sagebrush is good for a whole host of at-risk wildlife species—making this an important conservation program for the state of Montana and our wildlife,” said Janet Ellis, Program Director for Montana Audubon.

“We all have a role to play in ensuring the state retains management of the sage grouse for the benefit out our state’s economy and quality of life,” Glenn Marx, Executive Director of the Montana Association of Land Trusts said. “Through incentive-based conservation projects and actions, this plan recognizes that private land owners will play an important part in our success going forward.”

The Program will be administratively attached the to the Governor’s Office. When fully implemented, the Program will have up to six full-time staff. The Governor’s upcoming budget will include funding for the program, however until that budget is approved, the Governor intends to work with stakeholders to raise private funds help the Program get off the ground.

In addition, the Governor indicated that his upcoming executive budget will include a proposal for a Sage Grouse Stewardship and Conservation Fund, designed to, among other objectives,  promote and fund voluntary incentive-based non-regulatory programs and practices on private land to conserve sage grouse habitat (if approved by the Legislature).

The executive order was based off of recommendations of the Greater Sage-grouse Habitat Conservation Advisory Council, which Bullock established in 2013. The Advisory Council gathered information, and brought stakeholders and experts together in a public process to recommend conservation measures to address the primary and secondary threats to the Greater sage-grouse in Montana. These recommendations were presented to Bullock in January 2014.

The executive order is available online at: http://governor.mt.gov/Portals/16/docs/2014EOs/EO_10_2014_SageGrouse.pdf

(This press release is courtesy of Governor Bullock’s office)

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September 9, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Affiliate Highlight: Fergus County Livestock Association

Todd Olsen on Ag Ed DayThe Fergus County Livestock Association is striving diligently to accomplish its purpose to “provide a local, organized body to aid the individual livestock producer and to promote knowledge and information to the industry as a whole.” Both the quality and quantity of the information sources we have made available to our membership has improved as we have formed alliances and partnerships within our community.

One of the best examples of our collaborative efforts was the Montana Winter Fair Farm Forum held in January. We sourced a $5,000 speaker through Scott Hughes from our sister affiliate Judith Basin Stock Growers. The speaker was approved by the forum committee and it was agreed that they would help us to promote and advertise the event statewide. Next, we sought and received major corporate sponsorships from Torgerson’s and Northwest Farm Credit Services.

With these financial commitments in place, and some money from Fergus County Livestock Association and the Judith Basin Stock Growers, we were successfully able to pursue co-sponsorships from the Montana Grain Growers Association, the Montana Farm Bureau Federation, the Montana Stockgrowers Association, and the Montana State University Extension, all of whom helped us promote this event statewide.

Bret Smith on Ag Ed DayLast fall we partnered with Zoetis to bring in a 50 K presentation, and with Western Sustainability Exchange and Torgerson’s to bring in a low stress livestock handling seminar. We found that while some of our membership attends the seminars regularly, we are able to engage a broader portion of our membership by bringing in different topics.

During September of last year, we put a considerable effort toward both welcoming and participating in the National Red Angus Association convention. The programs and activities that they had available to commercial cow calf producers was yet another value-added opportunity for our membership.

Some examples of activities that we sponsor and provide resources to on our own include providing ice cream to the grade school kids that attend the annual ag day in May, and supplying and cooking the beef portion of the meal for the local Chamber of Commerce ag tour which occurs in October of each year. These annual activities are part of what keeps our organization present in the local media and top of mind with community leaders, community organizations, and community businesses.

All of this activity and publicity contributes to the success of our annual banquet, which last year saw $1600 in gift certificates being donated, as well as many hundreds of dollars’ worth of merchandise in door prizes. During the banquet, in addition to entertainment by cowboy poet Jeff Bolstad, we held a director slave auction, which raised $2000 and funded three scholarships, one for $1000 and two at $500 each. The consistency of this level of support and generosity has contributed to the growth of our organization, which is currently 189 members in this, our 60th year as an organization.

Ag Tour CooksIn January, four of our directors went to Helena for MSGA’s AMP program. Thank you to MSGA for having us and we think this will be a great way to keep local groups connected.

Our Board of Directors includes President Todd Olsen, Vice President Kirk Donsbach, Treasurer Thad Moseman, Ryan Green, Eric Wickens, Bret Smith, Scott Jenni, Dennis Descheemaeker, and Cory Merrill. The board is supported by secretary Joe Eckhardt and office administrator Linda Jones.

September 8, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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T-Bone Classic Golf Tournament & Gala at Big Sky, Sept. 12

By John Grande, Martinsdale, Research & Education Endowment Foundation Chair.

Tbone Classic Golf Tournament Gala Montana Logo JPEGPlanning for the Montana Stockgrowers’ Foundation T-Bone Classic is off and running in a new location. After several years of the Montana Stockgrowers holding the T-Bone Classic Golf Tournament in Billings, the tournament is now being hosted by the Research, Education and Endowment Foundation (REEF) and has been moved to Big Sky. A full itinerary is planned with the golf tournament being held at the Arnold Palmer –designed Big Sky Golf Course on Friday, September 12, followed by the T-Bone Classic Gala that evening at the Huntley Lodge.

In addition to the new host and new location, another new feature is the expanded T-Bone Classic Gala banquet. Anyone is welcome, non-golfers as well as those in the tournament. We are particularly reaching out to the business community to get others outside of the beef industry to attend so we can all get acquainted and work together.

The MSGA board and the REEF trustees will both be meeting at Big Sky prior to the T-Bone Classic. The REEF trustees will be using this as an opportunity to do some goal-setting and long-term planning in addition to our normal business, so if anyone has input as to where our foundation should be headed, please provide your input to any of the trustees. As always, we appreciate any support you can give to help us in our educational efforts on behalf of the Montana Stockgrowers Association.

Sponsorship opportunities for the T-Bone Classic are almost filled up and as of this writing we have sixteen golf teams confirmed and about ten more in the works so if you’re interested in golfing, sign up now before the field is full. For more information, contact the MSGA office or any REEF trustee. Details and registration are listed on the website at mtbeef.org/tboneclassic.

September 3, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Beef It’s What’s For Dinner on Facebook | Beef Briefs

Beef Its Whats For Dinner FacebookDid you know… The “Beef. It’s What For Dinner.” Facebook page has reached a new milestone by recently surpassing 825,000 Facebook Fans!

Consumers continue to engage with likes, comments and shares on posts such as the Personal Beef Pizza recipe and a Tips and Technique post, which explained the differences between rubs and marinades. Each post helps the consumer make an easy, delicious beef meal any day of the week. Even the checkoff’s Twitter handle now has more than 9,400 followers and growing every day. This summer, visit the checkoff’s social media pages, see how consumers are engaging with beef information, and join the conversation! To learn more about your beef checkoff investment, visit MyBeefCheckoff.com.

Beef Briefs is your monthly snapshot of beef checkoff news affecting the beef and dairy industries.
Provided by the great folks at the Montana Beef Council.

September 2, 2014 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Montana Rancher Q and A: Hollyn Cardani, Havre

 Hollyn Cardani isn’t an average college student. Between balancing classes, homework, and extracurricular activities, she is running her own cow herd (with her boyfriend) and trying to make it a  successful business in northern Montana. Hollyn has been an instrumental part of the Collegiate Stockgrowers at MSU-Northern club and today we learn more about her in the follow Q&A:

Hollyn Cardani and her horse.

Hollyn Cardani and her horse.

How long has your family been involved in ranching? 

Surprisingly, the Cardani ranch has not been around as long as most of the family ranches throughout Montana. My family is originally from the east coast and my father, Steve Cardani, always dreamed of owning a Montana cattle ranch. After high school he moved to Montana, married and had three kids, he worked as contractor, building homes in the Flathead Valley. It wasn’t until the early 90s that he was able to acquire his first batch of black Angus cows and the first time the DS/ brand was ever used. In 1996, my dad bought each of his kids their own cow. Every yearwhen he sold the calves from those cows, my sister, brother and I received our calf check. In the early 2000s, my dad was able to buy a ranch in Teton county between Fairfield and Augusta, Montana. It didn’t take long for the ranch to grow into a small heard of about 130 head of registered black Angus cattle.

What was your favorite part about growing up on the ranch?

My favorite part about growing up on a ranch was being with the animals, the open space and the hard, rewarding work. Before I could walk, I was on a horse, and to this day that it is still my favorite place to be. Growing up on a ranch, you’re always outside from dawn until dusk and I love that way of life. I’m so thankful for all the work we had to do growing up…at the time, it wasn’t always what I wanted to do, but now, I’m very appreciative of the life lessons I have learned from it.

Tell us about your herd.

In 2012 my boyfriend and I bought 15 cows from a ranch that I had worked for south of Chinook. Most of the cows were Red Angus and a few Black Angus. It was one of the toughest decisions we have made financially and trying to go to college while running a cow herd is harder than one might think. Calving has proved to be the toughest part…not because of the cows, but because of classes and homework. We have been very fortunate to be able to lease pasture south of Chinook for the past two summers so as we can run them close to home. We are very lucky to have the support that we do from family and friends because without them we could not have ever made it our first year in the cattle business.

I am very partial to Red Angus cattle…I like their temperament…how they handle the heat and the bugs…their hardiness and their overall beef traits. I am very proud of the type of cows we have, most of the time due to my boyfriends work schedule, I do most of the cattle handling myself. Therefore, it is imperative that the cows are easy to handle.

Riding through the Red Angus herd.

Riding through the Red Angus herd.

What have been some of the trials you’ve had to overcome?

The most difficult trial of all has been the challenge of not owning any of our own land to run the cows on. Finding pasture to lease was extremely hard our first year and there were times when we thought we would have to give up and sell the cows. But thank God for the support of our friends and family that were always able to provide us with places to fall back on.

What is one thing you wish more people knew about life on the ranch?

I wish the public knew how much money was spent every day on cattle operations…to make sure the cattle are healthy, safe and productive. The cost of fencing supplies, vaccines, feed, leases, fuel, equipment, facilities, vet bills etc, have all increased and made it harder on the family rancher. For us specifically, our costs don’t even come anywhere near to what most farmers and ranchers spend that have anywhere from 100 to 1,000 head of cattle, yet we can hardly keep up.

What does it mean to you to be able to work with your family every day?

I really like working with my family but unfortunately, unlike many family run ranches, I usually only work on my dad’s ranch on certain times of the year. Typically, I’m only there for calving, branding, weaning/shipping, haying and a few times to move or trail cows. But during those times I really enjoy it.  He has been so supportive and open minded to all of my new ideas that I bring home from college. Having a father that encourages my Red Angus interest is amazing and knowing that he is proud of his daughter that shares the same love in cattle means more to him than what breed of cattle I have.

 

Hollyn and her Red Angus cow.

Hollyn and her Red Angus cow.

What do you hope the future looks like for you?

I will be graduating from MSU Northern next spring with a degree in Agricultural Operations Technology and a minor in Ag Mechanics. I am hopeful we will be able to find a piece of land to raise and increase our cattle herd where I can put my degree to good use. With the cattle market at the highest its ever been, there’s never been a better time to be in the cattle business and that’s just where I plan on staying.

What would you say to encourage other young ranchers in Montana?

Don’t be afraid to do something different. I thought my dad would be disappointed that I chose the Red Angus breed over Black Angus, but he wasn’t…he embraced it. Experimenting with new ideas is how we learn and grow, you might be pleasantly surprised with the reaction you get.

What’s your favorite beef dish?

A nice tender grilled beef steak!

To participate in a future Q&A or to recommend someone from the Montana ranching community, please contact [email protected].