The first cattle ranchers came to Southwest Montana in the 1860s. Driving cattle from Texas, Colorado, and Oregon, these pioneer ranchers settled in and around the gold fields of Alder Gulch. Like all savvy businessmen of the era, they were following the market. By 1865, there were more than 30,000 hungry gold miners in the region which meant a profitable and captive market for fresh beef. The gold played out, but for the next 100 years ranching drove the local economy.
In the 1960s, the graduating classes from Madison County schools came from predominantly ranching families. In 2005, less than 10 percent did. The other ranchers had sold out, sub-divided their land, or, all too commonly, went bankrupt. To put it simply: It was tough to make a living by running a cow/calf operation. According to the Montana Cattlemen’s Association, the state is losing 250 cattle ranches every year.
What changed? Why the rapid decline?
The causes are varied and numerous. Cattle prices have not kept up with inflation. Free trade agreements have led to a flood of low-cost cattle onto the American market. Three large agri-business conglomerates consolidated the beef market and thus limited selling options for ranchers. Perhaps most importantly, consumers did not question commodity beef, its taste and nutritional value, how it was processed, or where it came from. Today, a typical food product travels 1,500 miles and changes hands 33 times before reaching the consumer. For Montanans, this means that we rarely, if ever, eat Montana beef.
Cattle ranching no longer makes economic sense for many Southwest Montana ranch families. Unless some new ideas emerge, a 150 year tradition will come to an end. The Madison County Economic Development Council is not going to let this happen without a fight. Please tour this website to learn more.
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