Montana Governor Highlights Ag Innovation with Ranch Tour  

March 23, 2023

As part of his Montana Agriculture and National Ag Week tour of Montana, Governor Greg Gianforte traveled to a ranch nestled in the shadow of Tiger Butte south of Belt, MT.

The McCafferty Ranch has been in business since 1926 and raises grass-fed, sprout-finished cattle at the base of the Little Belt Mountains, finishing their cattle for 150 days on average on grass fodder from a custom hydroponic plant they developed. The beef is then processed at a local facility, aged 21 days, and brought to market.

WATCH: Click play to learn more about Gov. Gianforte's visit and the McCafferty Ranch.

Gov. Gianforte toured the cattle ranch today with members of the McCafferty family and Director of the Department of Agriculture Christy Clark, viewing the innovative plant which produces drought resistant, cost-effective feed.

“We are always excited to see innovation in ag in our state, especially when it comes to finding innovative ways to produce drought resistant feed,” Director Clark said, referring to the hydroponic plant.

In addition to selling directly to consumers, the McCaffertys serve their beef at local businesses, including the Roadhouse Diner and Central Avenue Meats, a craft butcher shop in Great Falls.

“Processing our beef locally at Central Avenue Meats has made a huge difference for us as we grow our business and market our beef across the country,” fourth generation rancher Megan (McCafferty) Gondeiro shared with the governor. 

Last April, Gov. Gianforte invested over $7.8 million in value-added agriculture projects, including many local meat processing operations. Under the governor’s leadership, meat processing in state-inspected facilities more than doubled in Fiscal Year 2022.

Source: Western Ag Network and Office of Gov. Greg Gianforte