The TG Ranch was announced as the 2020 Environmental Stewardship Award (ESAP) winner Aug. 19 at the Montana Stockgrowers Association’s Mid-Year Meeting in Billings, MT.
The ESAP award recognized a Montana ranch that exemplifies environmental stewardship and demonstrates a commitment toward improved sustainability within the beef industry.
David, June and Vance Voldseth accepted the award on behalf of the family ranch. The family has been ranching in the valley of the upper Mussellshell River for more than 140 years, working to preserve and enhance the land for generations to come.
The ranch’s conservation efforts include the use of their two reservoirs, utilizing efficient irrigation practices for hay and pastureland, and adding stock tanks around natural springs. The family’s work to improve pasture health has almost doubled the carrying capacity on approximately 2,350 acres across the ranch.
“Typically, what we focus on is the grasslands, because we’re basically in the grass business. We only have cows as a harvesting mechanism,” said David. “If you don’t have healthy grasslands, you don’t have much when it comes to ranching.”
