The Montana Stockgrowers Foundation’s Cattle Drive Program is growing rapidly in scope and participation, establishing itself as one of the state’s leading feed-out contests. Through the program, Montana ranchers have the opportunity to donate a steer or the value of a steer and receive data as the animal grows.
The program is unique in its mission to not only provide producers with valuable performance data but also connect local retailers and consumers with Montana ranches. In addition to offering over $15,000 in cash and prizes for contest winners, the Cattle Drive Program serves as a fundraiser for the Montana Stockgrowers Foundation (MSF), supporting scholarships, education, conservation and leadership.
As Monty Lesh, co-chair of the Cattle Drive Committee, explained to WLJ, “We’re working toward turning it into a contest with some significant premiums as well as bragging rights if you’re the winner.”
The program, now in its seventh year, has expanded from humble beginnings with just 13 steers to an impressive 90 steers representing over 80 operations across Montana. Originally based in Miles City, the program transitioned two years ago to Yellowstone Cattle Feeders in Shepherd, providing a more centralized location for both program participants and regional packers.
“It was a natural fit to work with the Montana Stockgrowers Foundation with this program because it aligns in many different ways of trying to create new ways for producers to be successful with their cattle,” Turk Stovall, CEO of Yellowstone Cattle Feeders and Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) first vice president, told WLJ.
The Cattle Drive Committee, Turk added, “is very committed to making this not only the largest and the best steer feed-out contest in Montana, but at some point, this will definitely be a contest that will be recognized on a national basis.”
Building on this vision, MSF is dedicated to supporting Montana’s agriculture community through scholarships and other programs.
“Our mission is to invest in the future of Montana’s ranching community through education, conservation and leadership programs,” MSF Program Coordinator Heidi Kool told WLJ. The foundation offers at least $10,000 in scholarships every year and is an active supporter of MSGA’s M Bar Academy program. In addition, the Environmental Stewardship Award Program recognizes outstanding conservation practices and environmental stewardship. The foundation also offers grants throughout the year for educational projects and efforts.
2024 Cattle Drive Program
For the second consecutive year, the program is partnering with Montana breed associations, which have provided award money to producers using registered bulls. These funds are awarded to winning steers sired by registered bulls, verified through DNA parentage processes. The Montana Angus, Hereford, Red Angus and Simmental associations pledged a combined $20,000 in award money for the program.
New this year, the program will also collaborate with Neogen to provide additional genetic data through Igenity Beef and Igenity Feeder, offering participants valuable insights into the genetic performance of their steers.
“The DNA sampling is really going to be an educational opportunity for the people that donate these cattle, because they’re going to be able to see the genetic traits that work well in the feed yard, and maybe they can correlate that back to their base cow herd,” Monty said.
He continued that his hope is for the program to open the eyes of producers to the potential that their cattle have. “Taking advantage of your genetic potential is probably one of the easiest and cheapest things that you can do if you’ve got that already in place,” Monty said.
The Cattle Drive Program has been accepting steers throughout the fall and winter, with the final deadline to become involved on Jan. 17. There is still time to participate by donating either a live animal or the value of a steer, set at $1,800. Participants also have the option to donate $900 and be partnered with another half owner to purchase a steer procured from MSGA members.
Anyone has the opportunity to purchase a fat steer, either as an individual or with the support of a local business supporting its customers. The program intends to foster a sense of community by encouraging partnerships that support local producers and the Cattle Drive Program’s overall mission.
“It takes a lot of people and businesses to make the beef industry a success,” Turk said. “And we really are looking at it as a total beef industry program and invite anybody that wants to help promote that to be involved.”
The contest will begin in early February, and as it runs, producers will be regularly updated with performance data. Cattle are sorted into groups of their optimal end weight, which determines how and when they’re sold.
Ranchers and donors have the opportunity to visit Yellowstone Cattle Feeders to see their steer’s progress firsthand. This year, the program will send some cattle to True West Beef in southern Idaho, where participants will also have the chance to visit the processing plant and experience a large-scale commercial operation up close.
“This is a growing program and we’re really excited about where it’s going,” Heidi said. “We’d love to have everybody participate, and all donations are tax deductible.”
Connecting consumers with ag
In addition to supporting ranchers and providing valuable data, the program is aligned with the Montanans Feeding Montana initiative. This effort connects local producers with consumers by selling cattle in smaller groups to Montana processors, with the resulting products featured in local restaurants.
This includes promotional dinners at restaurants like the Black Iron Grill in Miles City and the High Horse Saloon & Eatery in Billings, where the program’s featured cattle were highlighted. At these dinners, attendees learn about the ranches and feedlot where the steers were raised and fed, as well as the processors that harvested them.
The initiative aims to showcase the quality of Montana’s cattle and genetics, while encouraging more of the state’s beef to stay within Montana, benefiting both local producers and consumers. Over the past two years, the program has grown steadily, with new restaurants and processors joining each year.
2023 program winners
The 2023 Cattle Drive Program raised more than $220,000. Donated steers began the program on Feb. 20, 2024, and were harvested at their optimum weight.
“It was a good contest this year,” Lesh said. “I would say that over the years, the quality of the cattle has improved. And with these cash awards that are becoming available, we anticipate we’ll get more cattle and and probably higher end cattle.”
The top three winners in the average daily gain category were Merck Cattle Animal Health (steer purchased from Veseth Cattle Co.), David Schuett of Schuett Farms in Dillon, and Dale and Janet Veseth of Veseth Cattle Co. in Malta.
The top three winners in the carcass value category were Jim Steinbeisser of VS Inc. in Sidney, Kerry Erickson of Ismay, and Katelynn Larson and Alexis Dynneson of Dynneson Ranch in Sidney.
An overall champion steer was also awarded for the 2023 contest, which placed highest in both contest categories. The overall champion steer was Kerry Erickson of Ismay.
“When I looked through the list of winners, there was a variety of breeds represented in the winning categories, and that’s a very encouraging thing to see because there’s a big cross section of cattle in Montana,” Monty noted.
To participate in the 2024 Cattle Drive Program, contact Heidi Kool at foundation@mtbeef.org or 406-442-3420. — Anna Miller, WLJ managing editor
