The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) is a non-profit membership organization that has worked on behalf of Montana’s cattle ranching families since 1884. Today, MSGA is dedicated to finding proactive solutions to the most difficult challenges facing Montana’s cattle ranching families. MSGA works to represent our members and the policy they set at the state and national legislature, with governmental agencies, in the media and by promoting the work of Montana's family ranchers to the general public.

Mission:

"To protect and enhance Montana ranch families’ ability to grow and deliver safe, healthy, environmentally wholesome beef to the world."

Vision:

"To be the premier institution that exemplifies leading global beef innovation while preserving Montana’s complex natural landscape, history, economy, ethics and social values."

Values:

    Excellence: The highest professional and ethical standards will govern our work and relationships with all stakeholders.

    Leadership: We will lead in a way that is decisive but also trusted, credible, courteous and open to all viewpoints on behalf of our membership and all of Montana’s ranch families.

    Collaboration: We will always seek opportunities to work cooperatively with all stakeholders.

    Optimism: We retain a steadfast optimism about any and all possibilities to positively influence complex issues relevant to the prosperity and sustainability of Montana’s ranch families.

Membership:

The membership of MSGA consists of individual members and 20 local affiliate groups. Our members cover the state and include ranchers of all ages, ranching operations large and small, feedlot operators, affiliate businesses, private property owners, and supporters and friends of Montana ranchers. Click here to learn more about becoming a member!

Leadership:

MSGA is led by a volunteer and member-elected Board of Directors which consists of 13 members; two directors from each district and three elected officers. MSGA directors volunteer their time to travel to important industry events and meetings to ensure representation of Montana’s ranching families. Representatives from the Montana CattleWomen, Young Stockgrowers, Montana Association of State Grazing Districts and the Montana Public Lands Council also have seats on the MSGA board. Click here to learn more about this group of volunteer leaders and staff.

Policy:

Policy is set by MSGA’s members and affiliates during the annual convention and mid-year meeting. MSGA’s staff represents and promotes policies set by the membership in the state and national legislature, governmental agencies, media and consumer groups. Click here to learn more about MSGA's policy development process.

Partners & Programs

MSGA is proud to have some great partners in the Montana and U.S. beef industry. MSGA provides staff and administrative assistance to the Montana Public Lands Council, Montana Association of State Grazing Districts, MSGA's Research, Education, and Endowment Foundation (REEF), and Young Stockgrowers.Click here to learn more about our great partners and programs.

History:

The Montana Stockgrowers Association has a rich history in Montana dating back to the 1880's. MSGA was established in 1884 by cattlemen in the Montana Territory who saw the need to band together to protect their industry from cattle thieves, disease, predators and government interference. We also have copies of "The Weak Ones Turned Back, The Cowards Never Started: A Century of Ranching in Montana" for sale.  This book features stories and photographs from 142 Montana ranches that were 100 years or older as of 2009, still a working ranch, and in the same family and on the same land as when they began.Click here to learn more.