Montana Stockgrowers Foundation’s (MSF) Cattle Drive Program just completed another successful program year. With a record 83 steers donated, and a focus on securing a local food supply chain with the Montanan’s Feeding Montana initiative, this program continues to raise funds to invest in Montana’s ranching community and ensure the future of Montana’s cattle industry.  

The 2023 Cattle Drive Program also included a new focus highlighting the quality genetics that Montana producers develop within their herds. MSF partnered with Montana Angus, Hereford, Red Angus, and Simmental Associations, to provide financial awards to contest winners if the winning steer was sired by a registered bull of that breed. Parentage verification was done through DNA samples of each qualifying steers and that information will be provided back to the donating producer. 

Each fall MSF’s Cattle Drive Program seeks donations of either live steers or the value of a steer from ranchers and businesses across Montana. Steers are then transported to Yellowstone Cattle Feeders in Shepherd, MT where they are put on contest and finished. When each steer is at optimum weight they are sold and harvested with all proceeds benefiting MSF programs, including educational scholarships and leadership development.  

This one-of-a-kind program allows donors to monitor the steer’s progress for the duration of the contest. Steers will be penned together, which results in feeding consistency, and are finished on a mixture of locally produced corn silage, corn, beet pulp silage, alfalfa and grain. Yellowstone Cattle Feeders welcomes visitors by appointment to view their facilities, the process and the cattle.  

Once a steer is harvested, donors receive valuable data on their steer’s performance against some of the best cattle in the state. The top three in average daily gain and carcass data, as well as an overall champion steer are recognized at MSGA’s Annual Convention and Trade Show each December. 

The 2024 Cattle Drive officially launched October 1, 2024. If you are interested in donating a steer or partnering to purchase a steer, please contact Heidi Kool at [email protected] or 406-461-0642. 

MSF would like to extend a special thank you to Marc King for his services in grading the steer carcasses. 

Thank you to our purchasing partners:

This program would not be possible without our generous donors. Thank you!