Download the results

Montana Stockgrowers Foundation Partners with Western Ranch Supply and MJE Livestock Equipment to Provide Grand Prize for Cattle Drive Program

HELENA, Mont. (April 1, 2025) – ​​ The Montana Stockgrowers Foundation (MSF) today announced an exciting new feature to its Cattle Drive Program. In partnership with Western Ranch Supply and MJE Livestock Equipment, MSF will award the overall winner of the 2024 Cattle Drive Program a portable panel trailer package, valued at over $18,000. 

The Cattle Drive program allows ranchers and businesses across Montana to donate a calf directly or donate the market value of a steer calf. Steers are then transported to Yellowstone Cattle Feeders in Shepherd, Montana, where they are put on contest and finished. The top three animals in average daily gain and carcass data, as well as an overall champion steer are recognized at MSGA’s Annual Convention and Trade Show each December. 

“We are thrilled to partner with Western Ranch Supply and MJE Livestock Equipment to announce yet another great feature to the Cattle Drive Program,” said Monty Lesh, Cattle Drive Committee Chair. “Our goal is to provide as much benefit to our donors as possible and we can’t wait to see how this year’s program stacks up with this added bonus.”

The grand prize portable panel trailer package, sponsored by Western Ranch Supply and MJE Livestock Equipment, will include 36 10-foot panels, four 10-foot overhead gates, and a panel trailer. MSF has also partnered with Montana breed associations to provide incentives for the quality cattle genetics raised by Montana producers. Montana Angus, Hereford, Red Angus and Simmental associations have pledged a combined $20,000 in award money for the program.

Harvest for the 2024 cattle crop is expected to begin in June 2025 and continue into the fall as the steers reach their optimum weights. Once a steer is harvested, donors receive valuable data on their steer’s performance against some of the best cattle in the state. 

Update from March 27, 2025 – The 2024 Cattle Drive Program is excited to be partnering with NEOGEN to provide you with more valuable information on your steers performance. This year you will receive data from Igenity’s Feeder test and the results from BCHF testing.

Also partnering with MSF again this year for the breed contest are Montana breed associations. Montana Angus, Hereford, Red Angus, and Simmental have pledged a combined $20,00 to be paid out to steers placing in the ADG and carcass value contests, if they are sired by a registered bull of that breed.

NEOGEN has collected TSU samples and will be running tests on all steers. Parentage for the breed contest will be verified through the TSU samples as well.

In order to verify parentage we need to know the breed and the sire (or possible sires) registration numbers.  This information is required if you wish to be entered into the breed contest. Please complete this information by March 30.

If you purchased a steer, we will contact the seller for you to collect this information.
Please email, call or text Heidi at 406-461-0642 to provide that information.

All steers were weighed on February 6 and officially put on contest. Below you will find all steers starting weights. If you have not received your steers tag #, please text or call Heidi Kool at (406) 461-0642 or email, foundation@mtbeef.org.