The Top Hand Program is the Montana Stockgrowers Association’s member recruitment program that recognizes outstanding members within the association who have shown commitment in building a stronger organization.
As a grassroots non-profit membership organization with a 140-year history of advocating on behalf of Montana cattle ranchers, MSGA ensures cattle ranching remains relevant, safe, and a sustainable way of life for generations to come. We all benefit when we share the benefits of MSGA membership with family, friends, neighbors and local businesses.
When you bring a new member into MSGA, why not get rewarded for your hard work?
Welcome to the Club
How do you become a member of the Top Hand Club? By recruiting a new MSGA member!
Any MSGA members who recruit a new member at any membership level between the dates of Oct 1, 2024 – Sept 30, 2025 will be a member of the 2025 Top Hand Club. The more new members you recruit, the better your chances are of winning BIG! Plus, you can recruit new members from anywhere. Whether you are catching up with a neighbor or watching a sale, there are endless opportunities to share the benefits of being an MSGA member.
Once you become part of the club, you receive:
- Your name listed as a Top Hand Club Member
- An entry into the Grand Prize Drawing for each new member a Top Hand recruits in the 2025 membership year
- Recognition at MSGA’s Annual Convention in December 2025 as a Top Hand Club member
Grand Prize
Grand Prize drawings will be held once a year at MSGA’s Annual Convention. For our 2025 membership year, the drawings will be held at the Annual Convention in December 2025. For every new member a Top Hand Club Member recruits in the 2025 membership year, an entry will be put into the Grand Prize Drawing. Meaning, the more members you recruit, the better your chances are of winning.
Only one Grand Prize can be claimed per Top Hand Club member per year. Members do not have to be present at MSGA’s Annual Convention to win.
One Year Wilson Trailer Lease
Sponsored by Wilson Trailer/KR Rauch Company of Billings
- All MSGA members who recruit a new member will be entered into the Grand Prize drawing of a Wilson Trailer one-year lease.
- Available to winner for 1 year use
- Trailer is available for use for one year, free of charge.
- All insurance coverages are the responsibility of the winner.
- After one year of use, the winner would have the opportunity to purchase the trailer with a 10% discount.
- If the winner does not wish to buy the trailer, it would be returned to KR Rauch Co.
- One entry per new member recruited.
Individual Top Hand Prizes
The Top Hand member who recruits the most new members from October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025 will be awarded the ‘Individual Top Hand Prize.’ The Individual Top Hand Winner will be announced and awarded at the MSGA Annual Convention in December 2025.
The Individual Top Hand Award winner will also be eligible to win a Grand Prize at the 2025 Annual Convention.
Henry Lever-Action Rifle
Sponsored by Dynneson Ranch Inc.
Valued at $1,000
2024 Top Individual: Travis Loehding, Ekalaka
Top Hand Club Members
Becky Nelson
Brian Nowicki
Thomas Rice
Cliff Cox
Cole Cook
Dale Veseth
Dan Boyce
Darrell Stevenson
Dean Lerum
Dennis Descheemaeker
Don Roberts
Doug Karpstein
Ed Malesich
Ethan Turner
Gary Clark
Gene Curry
Geroge Hammond Jr.
Jacob Smith
James Guercio
James Pribyl
Jeff Hockett
Jeff Johnson
Jim Butcher
Jim Garrison
Joel Christensen
John C Anderson
John Lewis
Kat Taylor
Keith Bales
Keith Dynneson
Kevin Arntzen
Kevin Koss
Klint Swanson
Larry Gatz
Larry Switzer
Leoma Wells
Lesley Robinson
Marc King
Mark Cooper
Matthew Pierson
Michael Capra
Monty Lesh
Nancy Ereaux
Nicole Rolf
Rich Roth
Rick Sandru
Robert “Bob” Berryman
Roger Hammersmark
Rusty Ellis
Tim Todd
Tom Ostendorf
Travis Choat
Travis Loehding
Turk Stovall
Ty Jones
Vicki Olson
W E “Bill” Garrison
Rules & Guidelines
- All new memberships sold at any membership level are eligible.
- All new memberships must denote “Recruited By” on the membership application. Recruiters can also contact the MSGA office to confirm credit for new recruits.
- New membership applications and payments must be postmarked by or submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on September 30, 2025.
- New memberships can be submitted online at www.mtbeef.org/membership/ or mailed or personally delivered to the MSGA Office, 420 N. California, Helena, MT 59601.
- The recruiting member must have an active paid membership for the 2025 membership year (October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025) to be eligible.
- Board members of Montana Stockgrowers Association are eligible to become members of the Top Hand Club, but will not have their name be put into any of the Grand Prize Drawings until their board term limit is up.
