The Montana Stockgrowers Foundation (MSF) is proud to announce the winners of the 2024 Cattle Drive Program, Montana’s largest steer feedout contest. These steers were donated in the fall of 2024 and harvested in late summer of 2025.
The awards were announced at the Cattle Drive Donor Banquet in Billings, MT, on Dec. 10, 2025. Awards recognize donors for excellence in average daily gain (ADG), carcass value and overall performance, highlighting the quality cattle genetics raised by Montana producers.
“We are continually impressed by the quality of cattle donated to the Cattle Drive Program and the dedication of the donors who make it possible,” said Monty Lesh, Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) second vice president and Cattle Drive Committee chairman.
“Each donation is more than just a gift,” he said. “It’s an investment that keeps on growing, providing valuable performance data, supporting Montana’s youth and leadership programs, and strengthening the future of our state’s cattle industry.”
The Cattle Drive program allows ranchers and supporters to donate a steer—or the market value of a steer—to benefit MSF programs, including educational scholarships and leadership development. Donated steers are transported to Yellowstone Cattle Feeders in Shepherd, MT, where they are fed to ideal market weight. Once harvested, all proceeds support MSF initiatives, creating a meaningful impact on Montana’s agricultural community.
Benefits of participation include:
• (ADG) and carcass data on all donated steers.
• Custom-branded Cattle Drive apparel.
• NEOGEN Igenity and Igenity BCHF genomic test results.
• Opportunities to win grand prizes and incentive prizes from Montana breed associations.
• Charitable tax deductions.
• Genetic consultation opportunities with Cattle Data Genie.
Through partnerships with Montana breed associations, donors may also receive financial incentives when steers sired by registered bulls place in the contests, further showcasing the state’s high-quality cattle genetics.
The steer with the highest combined scores in ADG and carcass value is recognized as the champion steer. In partnership with Western Ranch Supply and MJE Livestock Equipment, the overall 2024 winner will receive a panel trailer and set of panels valued at over $17,000. Steers are also graded on ADG and carcass value, and the top three steers in each category were recognized at the 2026 MSGA Annual Convention & Trade Show.
Champion Steer awards
First place: Jim and Lesley Robinson, Lazy YE Cattle Company of Dodson.
Second place: Turk and Jenny Stovall, Stovall Ranches of Billings.
Third place: 2023 M Bar class members, Rocky Forseth, Al Koenig, Stan Olson and Cameron Wolenetz, with a steer purchased from Cornwell Ranch of Glasgow.
Fourth place: Cody Cornwell and Jake Newton, Glasgow Stockyards of Glasgow with a steer purchased from Veseth Cattle Company of Malta.
Fifth place: Jim Steinbeisser, Steinbeisser & Sons of Sidney.
Sixth place: Don and Pam Griffin, Griffin Ranch of Miles City.
Seventh place: Ty Jones, Jones Cattle Company of Miles City.
Eighth place: Dusty Hahn, Hahn Ranch of Townsend.
Ninth place: Lee and Madylon Cornwell, Cornwell Ranch of Glasgow.
Tenth place: Montana Stockgrowers Board of Directors and Foundation Trustees members Cheryl Curry, Kirk Donsbach, Dean Lerum, Ty McDonald and John Patterson with a steer purchased from Curry Cattle Company of Valier.
ADG awards
First place: Turk and Jenny Stovall, Stovall Ranches of Billings. The Stovall Ranches steer was sired by a registered Angus bull through the American Angus Association and the Montana Angus Association supports this sired verified steer.
Second place: Jim and Lesley Robinson, Lazy YE Cattle Company of Dodson.
Third place: Garrett and Donna Harshbarger, Waterloo Land & Cattle of Waterloo. The Waterloo Land & Cattle steer was sired by a registered Hereford bull through the Hereford Association. The Montana Hereford Association supports the sire verification of this baldy steer.
Fourth place: Lee and Madylon Cornwell, Cornwell Ranch of Glasgow.
Fifth place: Cody Cornwell and Jake Newton, Glasgow Stockyards of Glasgow with a steer purchased from Veseth Cattle Company of Malta.
Sixth place: Montana Stockgrowers Board of Directors and Foundation Trustees members Cheryl Curry, Kirk Donsbach, Dean Lerum, Ty McDonald and John Patterson with a steer purchased from Curry Cattle Company of Valier.
Seventh place: Don and Pam Griffin, Griffin Ranch of Miles City.
Eighth place: Matt & Kris Pierson, Highland Livestock Company of Livingston.
Ninth place: Jim Steinbeisser, Steinbeisser & Sons of Sidney.
Tenth place: Keith and Christl Bales, Bales Ranch of Otter.
Carcass value awards
First place: Gary and Tammy Heiken, Walking 5 Ranch of Lavina. The Walking 5 Ranch steer was sired by a registered Simmental bull through the Simmental Association and the Montana Simmental Association support this sired verified steer.
Second place: Jim and Lesley Robinson, Lazy YE Cattle Company of Dodson.
Third place: 2023 M Bar class members, Rocky Forseth, Al Koenig, Stan Olson and Cameron Wolenetz, with a steer purchased from Cornwell Ranch of Glasgow.
Fourth place: Kyle Kelley, Paws Up Cattle Company of Greenough.
Fifth place: John Grande, Grande Ranch of Lennep.
Sixth place: Jim Butcher, Gateway Simmental of Lewistown.
Seventh place: Turk and Jenny Stovall, Stovall Ranches of Billings.
Eighth place: Tyrell McClain, Sunlight Ranch of Parkman, Wyoming.
Ninth place: Wayne and Karalee Slaght, Two Creek Monture Ranch Company of Ovando.
Tenth place: Joe Dooling, Cedar Creek Land & Livestock of Helena.
MSF invites ranchers and supporters across the state to join the 2025 Cattle Drive Program and make a difference in Montana agriculture. For more information, visit mtbeeffoundation.org. — MSF
