For 50 years, the Montana Angus Tour has been instrumental in promoting the Black Angus breed. It has become more than just a tour of fantastic cattle, but also a meeting place for old and new friends alike. Simply put, the tour has become its own community: chock-full of Angus enthusiasts who share a passion for the breed and similar goals when it comes to advancing production.

This year’s tour was nothing short of spectacular. Besides the record rainfall received—2” to 5” at differing host stops—during the two days of the tour, there were over 400 unique attendees throughout the event, representing 24 states, 5 countries, and 2 Canadian provinces. Of those registered, there were approximately 100 sponsor attendees, both at a state/national industry level, as well as local central Montana community support, and 50 host/tour stop attendees. 

I had the opportunity to chat with Weston Merrill, who works for the Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) as an international trade specialist. Merrill works on connecting our Montana ag exporting companies with markets overseas, which includes cattle and cattle genetics. He was instrumental in organizing and planning for the Angus Tour’s overseas attendees. It will probably come as a shock to no one just how much work goes into planning something like this. 

“In this instance, with the Angus Tour, the Montana Department of Agriculture is a member of an organization called U.S. Livestock Genetic Export,” Merrill explains, “and that is the designated USDA entity to market U.S. livestock genetics overseas.” Essentially, this means that in the Farm Bill, there is money specifically for foreign market development, which can be used to help pay for some of the expenses of tour attendees who travel from overseas. As a member, Montana puts in applications for the projects they’d like to do, and with Merrill’s background in ranching and connections with Montana breeders, he can help build those activities. 

This year was a bit different, however, as interest from European breeders attending the Angus Tour came in suddenly. “Specifically to [this year’s] Angus Tour, we had Finland, Estonia, Austria, Hungary, and Bulgaria,” Merill states. The group of overseas attendees included 37 people. Interestingly enough, many of these attendees are already using Montana Angus genetics in their herds at home. Merill tells me that one of the attendees from Hungary had just imported over 100 embryos and many of those embryos were Montana bloodlines.

“The trip was not just genetics, but also because of interest in the management and looking at facilities,” Merill expresses, “and that was something that was pretty interesting, to see them so excited about all of that.” Not only is the tour a place for learning, it is also a place for building relationships. The building of these relationships helps because when people from overseas want genetics, they’re calling Montana. “They love the cattle and are very interested in the genetics. I already know the Hungarian group wants to come back,” Merill says. 

It’s incredible how much momentum and reach the Montana Angus Tour has, not just within Montana or even the United States, but outside of it as well. This actively demonstrates the quality and care that goes into what producers are achieving here. It’s that type of care, Montana hospitality, and quality cattle that keeps people coming back to the Angus Tour year after year.

Kim Woodward, a Nebraska cattle rancher, is a long-time Montana Angus Tour attendee. Over the years, he’s incorporated Angus genetics into his herd. However, his ties to the Angus breed go back much further, as his uncle and grandfather raised Angus cattle in the 50s and 60s. Woodward enjoys the traditional way of doing things, focusing on developing his own bulls that he uses on his maternal herd.

The first time Woodward attended the tour 16 years ago was more of a spontaneous decision. He and his father-in-law were attending another breed tour in North Dakota when they saw an ad in the paper for the Angus Tour. The two of them decided to make the drive to Billings, where they attended their first tour. “It's been interesting to observe more than one breed tour, if you will. This one is extremely well organized,” Woodward expresses. Ever since, he’s been a part of the Angus Tour, having made his way through all seven regions.

“With the popularity of the Angus breed, it's just something that it just keeps growing and getting bigger. And I've met a lot of people on the tour from other states or countries that I always look forward to seeing them again once a year,” Woodward states. One of the best parts for him is not only building these relationships but also being able to find common ground with other people in the industry. Many of the people you meet on the tour face the same problems you do, and by discussing them, you might be able to find solutions you may never have thought of. Besides the good conversations, Woodward has loved the opportunity to look at cattle and see new sires and new bloodlines, stating, “It's still amazing how much difference there is within the breed and the directions people are headed.” He emphasizes how important it is for producers to not get stuck on one thing and to allow for variety within their herds. 

Woodward considers himself a cattle and horse junkie, which only demonstrates his passion for the industry. That kind of passion is a common thread for most within the cattle industry, but specifically within the Angus industry. He continues to look forward to the tour, year after year. 

David Billingsley of Billingsley Angus Farm in Louisiana has been attending the Montana Angus Tour since 2010. First introduced to the tour by his friend, Billingsley has come to love all that the tour offers. Besides the opportunity to look at some fantastic cattle, the chance to be around other folks in the industry has always been a standout piece for Billingsley. When asked what his favorite part of the tour is, Billingsley expresses, “I'd have to say the people, just to get on a bus and be surrounded by three or four hundred Angus breeders, who all have the same passion. You know, it kind of sparks your enthusiasm again, and it's just a very refreshing thing.” 

Billingsley has been raising registered Angus cattle since 1996, and all of his current females can be traced back to the cows he bought prior to 1998. The tour has provided his operation a lot of opportunity. Through his attendance, he’s been able to look for new sires and females. One of the best parts for him is being able to look at some of the progeny, which becomes incredibly helpful for him in his breeding decisions. “If you want to go to a state where they raise real-world cattle, it's pretty hard to beat Montana,” Billingsley states. Montana boasts a variety of different production styles, which allows for variety within the cattle themselves. But, no matter what ranch you visit in Montana, they all have one thing in common: hardy, real-world cattle that are able to thrive in harsh conditions. 

The Angus tour offers a chance to visit other facilities and learn about other methods of production. We need all types of cattle, from maternal-forward to efficiency, and it’s great to be able to see what methods are working for each type. Further, you might even get introduced to things you may not have ever thought of. When asked how the tour has changed and improved over the years, Billingsley only had one thing to say: “Gosh, it was good from day one.” He and his wife are never quite ready to head back home after the tour is over.

But, perhaps one of the best things Billingsley has been able to take away from the tour is the relationships he’s built and the honesty that each person possesses. You can call up the friends you’ve made, asking questions about a bull, and they’ll always tell you exactly what they think. Everyone always maintains a level of honesty about their cattle, something special to the industry. 

Billingsley is looking forward to the next tour and plans to keep coming year after year. “​​You can't beat the lifestyle and you can't beat the people,” Billingsley expresses. 

Pearl and Mike Silvey have been in the Angus business for 20 years, running their cattle in Texas. They fell in love with the Angus breed due to the breed’s docility and mothering abilities. Their first set of cattle was purchased from Bill Clark, a long-time breeder and former President of the American Angus Association. They learned a lot from him, contributing much of what their herd looks like today to what he helped them first select. 

Much like Billingsley, the Silveys were introduced to the Angus Tour through a friend, Bobby Daniels. “He's the one that got us coming on the tour. He knew Leo McDonald and several Montana people. He was just in that group,” Pearl says, “And that is the man that started this wonderful relationship we now have with the Montana people.” Since then they’ve attended 10-12 tours, loving each one. The tour hasn’t changed at its heart, but Pearl and Mike believe that it’s gotten better each year as more people attend and they can view more operations. They look forward to each tour, both for the chance to catch up with lifelong friends and to enjoy the Montana hospitality. “That's what really surprises me more than anything is just how friendly they are to each other,” Mike states. The overall feel of the tour isn’t overshadowed by competition for clients, rather, the tour focuses on looking at good cattle and enjoying conversation with like-minded people. 

Like many others who attend the tour, the Silveys use it as an opportunity to influence their breeding decisions. “It’s probably been the one thing that's helped us more than anything to move our program where we want it is to just go up there and make breeding decisions on what you're actually seeing,” Mike starts, “And big contemporary groups, big sire groups, that we can make a decision [based on, so] that when we use a bull, we're enthusiastic about getting the offspring on the ground and what we're going to do with them.”

Attending the tour has been one of the best decisions they’ve made for the success of their operation. Talking to other people and being able to lay eyes on potential genetics to incorporate into your herd can be instrumental in the success of an operation. The Silveys have been able to learn a lot about different strategies for success, which has only enabled them to gain more confidence. The Silveys will absolutely keep attending the tours for many years to come. 

DAY ONE 

Ballyhoo Printing & Design

Ballyhoo Printing & Design is a full-service print shop dedicated to providing the highest quality products to all that they serve. Over 25 years ago, Gerri Campbell began designing the bull catalogs for her dad, Gary Parker of Shamrock Angus. She understood the challenges faced by ranchers who needed a printer that understood their unique needs. In May of 2000, Ballyhoo Printing & Design was born when Gerri and her family purchased the small printing shop she had been working with.

Nowadays, Ballyhoo specializes in bull sale catalogs and ag publications. Annually, they produce over 120,000 ag publications for over 70 different ranches. With these sale catalogs are the heart of their business, Ballyhoo also offers photo printing, wide format, and UV printing. They can print on nearly every surface. Our stop at Ballyhoo included a tour through the shop, where we were able to see their newest technology in action. Over the summer, Ballyhoo moved from traditional offset printing to digital. This has allowed the shop to run more efficiently and continue to provide exceptional service. Ballyhoo is there for all your printing needs; they thrive on being able to bring your vision and unique story to life!

Gaugler Angus 

Gaugler Angus is a family ranch committed to providing functional and profitable genetics that can last the test of time in varying environmental pressures. The family has a long history in central Montana, with some of their family being some of the first pioneers to settle in Gauglersville (now Martinsdale) in 1860. The ranch’s mission revolves around practicing stewardship of the land and livestock through raising superior Black Angus cattle. In 1960, Charles Gaugler acquired his first Black Angus heifer at the Harlowton Fair in 1960. After years of raising sheep and Hereford cattle, Charles and his wife Pauline came to appreciate the Angus breed for their ability to withstand the tough winters and short grass country attributed to the Judith Gap environment. Mark and Laurie, along with their two daughters, continue to uphold their family ranching legacy. 

In the past year, they teamed up with Ray Gardner of Gardner Angus and are running his cow/calf pairs in the Judith Gap area and their yearlings in Winnett. Gaugler Angus’ commitment to breeding Black Angus cattle has focused on like-kind performance-oriented bulls that are backed by superior maternal genetics. Their genetics must be efficient at converting grass to red meat with minimal supplementation. On the ranch, fertility is the top priority in their herd. Gardner Ranch’s genetics are influenced by forage-efficient sires from Duff, Coleman, Redland, and Ohide.

Their bulls and females are sold in their annual production sale on the second Saturday of December.

Gardner Angus Ranch

Gardner Angus Ranch, located in the heart of Petroleum County near Winnett, began in the mid-1970s by the Gardner family: Ray, Kale, Colter, and Jade. In 2023, they teamed up with Gaugler Angus. Through this, they moved their cow herd to Judith Gap and run the yearlings on both ranches. Both ranches have the same breeding philosophy, which has served them well during their partnership. Each ranch focuses on docile, moderate-framed cattle with excellent performance. Like Gaugler Angus, the Gardner Angus ranch focused on providing sustainable and profitable genetics. Their registered mature cows are synchronized to begin calving on April 1st. The mature cow herd largely consists of OCC Paxton genetics. Ray Gardner has also done some embryo transfer work with cows, including S&R Miss Thunder 528, S&R Miss Thunder 422, and S&R Paxton 3116Incl. 

Snowy Mountain Angus

Snowy Mountain Angus began in 2014. Theresa Abegglen owns and operates the small family ranch alongside her mom, Patti Lemmon. Theresa is the third generation on the operation. Kim Abegglen of Abegglen Livestock started the original herd through a group of heifers from Kreb’s Ranch in Nebraska. Their small herd calves in January and February, which allows them to provide bulls mature enough to get their jobs done by the time their bull sale rolls around. Along with the bulls, they also sell a small group of females and replacement heifers. Their first bull sale was in 2016 in partnership with JR and Katie Lund of Rockin L Genetics. They have continued as partners ever since.

They pride themselves on their cattle’s calm temperament. Snowy Mountain Angus’ main focus is maternal power and performance. The smaller herd size allows them to better know each animal on the operation, as well as understand their behavior during calving and in the pasture. They strive to produce well-performing animals with workable dispositions. 

Their annual bull sale is March 18, 2025.

Carr Angus

Clint and Valerie (Stevenson) Carr began Carr Angus in 2010. Previously, they had been partnered with Basin Angus Ranch, but upon their dispersion, Clint and Valerie retained a small herd of registered cows. In 2014, their son Kyle and his wife Stephanie returned to the ranch full-time. They currently run about 300 registered females. Carr Angus’ goal is to develop high-producing maternal cows. They have achieved this through thoughtful management, precise culling, careful selection, and strict guidelines regarding their cattle’s performance. Thanks to these guidelines, they even have an impressive percentage of pathfinder cows in their herd, some with four generations currently in production. Their females are AI-bred to calve from the second week of January to the middle of March. Carr Angus has expanded into embryo transfer in the past few years as well, with donor cows that include CAR Lucy D205, CVC Ruby Z16, CAR Pamela D424, Diamond Trojan Erica 385H, and 2XL Clova Pride 6230. Currently, they implant 30-50 embryos annually. 

Their herd is pastured on native grasses and their calves never receive creep feed. Calves are culled heavily at weaning, as they only retain their top heifers for development. Their bulls are subject to an intense selection program based on performance, genetics, and phenotype to ensure that they are offering top-quality animals. The bulls are narrowed down to around 60 head, where they are then developed on a high-roughage ration in preparation for their annual bull sale. For 2025’s sale, they have a crop of calves hailing from sire groups including CAR Hobson, Basin Jumbo 1315, FHCC Foundation 1558, Diamond Calvary 104, Baldridge Versatile, and Diamond Logo 707H. 

Their annual bull sale is held on the second Thursday of April. Their top 50 head are offered in the sale with a few offered private treaty.

Stevenson’s Diamond Dot

In 1992, Clint and Adana Stevenson formed Stevenonson’s Diamond Dot. With the help of Clint’s parents, Wayne and Marian Stevenson, the two purchased a ranch south of Hobson, which adjoined Clint’s previously acquired land. The cattle in Diamond Dot’s herd had been influenced by Stevenson family genetics for 64 years before Clint and Adana bought their land. They started from a group of cattle put together by Clint in his youth, including his first heifer in 1979, a set of heifers from his father’s ranch, Basin Angus Ranch, and a set of embryos. From about 1992 to 2010, Diamond Dot sold cattle through the family marketing company. Today, Diamond Dot holds their own sales and markets approximately 625 bulls through a fall sale, spring sale, and private treaty sales. Their fall production sale boasts 240 yearling bulls, 130 coming two-year-old bulls, 100 registered females, and over 1100 commercial females. Their spring sale, “Bulls and Beers”, is as unique as the bulls on display.

Clint and Adana raised five children and are proud to have three of them working on the ranch today. Two of their children’s spouses also work on the ranch, overseeing daily operations, marketing, and so much more. Over the years, the ranch has transitioned its farming operation to mainly produce forage for the cattle that is used to develop the bulls and heifers. Diamond Dot strives to produce moderate-framed, easy-fleshing, and problem-free cattle that will produce big calves and withstand the harsh environment. They utilize the latest in technology to help their production and management decisions but continue to keep the herd’s look and type at the forefront of their operation.

Their annual fall production sale will be held the Monday after Thanksgiving. 

Little Belt Classic

The Mikkelsens come from a long line of diversified agriculturists. They have always maintained a strong passion for producing quality animal protein. The herd is largely commercial, but the heart of the operation lies with their registered Black Angus mother cows. Brian Frank, a long-time employee, has been perfecting his cattle herd for over 30 years with top genetics. The Little Belt Classic Production sale was started shortly after Brian merged with the Mikkelsen Ranch. With the two herds of cattle coming together, they shared a common goal of producing top-quality bulls with power, fertility, and structural integrity that can withstand the harsh Montana conditions. 

Their sale has been running for 6 years, but combined, they have been raising and selling registered Angus and Hereford cattle for well over 50 years. They work hard to hold their herd to high standards in terms of fleshing ability, disposition, and feet and udder quality. Together, they are constantly striving to better their herd. Their sale showcases 50 head of Angus bulls, as well as a set of no-brand bred heifers selected from their commercial herd. The bulls available during this year’s sale come from Ellingson Prolific, Connealy Craftsman, Coleman Rock, Sterling Pacific, and Sitz Classic. 

Their annual production sale is held on the second Saturday of November. 

Judith Basin County Farms, LTD

Judith Basin County Farms, LTD was founded in March of 2020 with the purchase of the feedlot and farm and ranch property near Hobson from Bos Terra. This ranch was historically Basin Angus Ranch. The owners of JBC Farms are from the Schooten and Serfas families in southern Alberta. JBC Farms was established as a supply line of high-quality feeder cattle for the Alberta finishing operations that each family owns. JBC Farms is currently farming approximately 20,000 acres of both owned and leased ground. The farm supplies feed for the feedlot, with the main crop being silage. They grow many varieties of winter and spring cereal forages alongside the corn silage. 

Approximately 4,000 yearling steers are run on grass near the feedlot. The feedlots’ capacity of 30,000 head. Their focus is on a forage-based growing ration with the goal of cattle gaining around 2.5 pounds a day. In recent years, JBC has invested in the infrastructure of the operation, including the addition of a concrete silage pad and a completely new and redesigned water system. They are currently working on a large storage lagoon for fresh water to ensure there is always enough water in the feedlot for cattle during peak demand. 

Stevenson Angus

The Stevenson Angus Ranch has a long, rich history. Over a century ago, the first of the Stevenson family moved from Missouri and decided to make central Montana their home, long before Hobson was established. James R. Stevenson’s son, Jamie, eventually purchased 240 acres of land. Jamie and Jeanette Stevenson graduated from one of Hobson’s first graduating classes and were married in 1936. Together, the two of them built Stevenson Angus Ranch and purchased their first registered heifers in 1947. They were both incredibly active in promoting the Angus breed. Stevenson Angus Ranch was a Charter Member of the Montana Angus Association and Montana Angus Auxiliary. Today, Keith and Roberta Stevenson, along with their sons and families, continue the Stevenson Angus Legacy.

The first sale was in 1961 and this year marks the 65th consecutive annual bull sale. The Stevenson Angus philosophy is centered around optimum balance. They aim to produce cattle that thrive in harsh conditions and push to improve maternal ability, overall performance, and end carcass merit. Their genetics have been exported to every state and traditional beef-producing country in the world. 

Their annual fall sale takes place at the home ranch and the annual spring sale at Stevenson Down T in White Sulphur Springs. 

DAY TWO

Hilltop Angus Ranch

Hilltop Angus, located 15 miles north of Denton, is rich in history. Otto Poser, Sr. started the ranch in 1914. The birth of his son, Otto Poser, Jr. in 1923 marked the beginning of what is now 100 years of farming and 50 years of registered Angus cattle. The ranch continues to be operated by Otto and Dolly’s son, Gary, and their grandson, Cory. Gary worked away from the ranch for a time before coming back in 1985 to partner with his father, Otto. Gary and his wife, Carmen, had 10 children. 

Cory grew up in Denton, attended college, and then joined the Navy. After his service, he came back to the family ranch, having always known he wanted to ranch side by side with his dad. Cory and his wife, Tammie, became partners in 2003. The ranch focuses on offering some of the best Angus cattle for the Black Angus connoisseur. In the annual sale, they sell 100 performance-tested registered yearling Black Angus bulls. 

Hilltop Angus hosts an annual production sale on the second Tuesday of April. 

Dvorak Angus Ranch

The Dvorak Angus Ranch is located 20 miles southeast of Lewistown. The ranch first began in 1956 when Cathy’s grandfather purchased the land. Her grandfather raised sheep and Herefords, but when Cathy’s parents bought the ranch in 1975, her father started buying Black Angus bulls. In 1992, Cathy came back to the ranch full-time after graduating from Montana State.

Cathy’s nephew, Zach Proue, and his wife, Kelsey began working alongside her three years ago. Over the last 20 years, Dvorak Angus has kept most of their heifer calves and AI’d them, as well as some cows, to continue to improve their cattle’s genetics. They strive to raise long, deep, thick, and structurally sound cattle that still maintain great mothering abilities. Their focus has helped them achieve 780-pound steer calves in the fall and great heifers to keep as replacements. 

Dvorak Angus’ steer calves are sold on Northern Livestock video auction and their bred heifers are sold to ranches around central Montana and beyond. 

Reisig Cattle

Reisig Cattle in Lewistown began in 2003 with Dustin and Rebecca. The family expanded the ranch to Hardin in 2007. The ranch partnered with Limestone LLC and Buford Ranches LLC. They used the Elba and Eriskay cow families to build their herd, finding that they held up well in their area. These cattle provided what they still maintain today: big-bodied cattle with good feet and udders. The ranch’s first production sale was in 2010 and they had consecutive sales up until 2022. Now, Reisig Cattle offers bulls and females through private treaty.

In 2018, the ranch transitioned to fall calving, which has allowed them to provide 18-month-old bulls to their clients. They are proud that they can sell bulls that are more mature, able to cover more cattle, and hold up with heavy use. This has been proven through the longevity of the bulls they raise. 

Rockin L Genetics

Rockin L Genetics is a first-generation ranch, run by J.R. and Katie Lund. The two of them always had a dream to ranch and own a piece of land to raise their family on. After they graduated from college, they bought their first seven head of registered Black Angus cattle. Several years later, they were able to buy a large group of registered mother cows from the ranch they had been managing. In 2017, they were able to purchase a winter base in Petroleum County. 

Today, Rockin L Genetics consists of 150 head of registered Black Angus cows and 120 head of commercial cows. They calve in mid-March and wean in mid-September. They strive to raise high-performance cattle with balanced carcass and maternal traits, as well as docile and easy-working cattle. Rockin L Genetics also runs a custom breeding business, where they breed around 2000 cattle every spring. This has also led to a sales rep position with ABS Global. Recently, they have also started selling their beef directly from farm to table, as they’ve partnered with the Beards to sell premium Wagyu and Angus beef under the label Black Butte Beef. 

Rockin L Genetics’ annual bull sale is the third Tuesday of March. 

Arntzen Angus Ranch

Arntzen Angus Ranch is a fourth-generation family-operated ranch located 23 miles outside of Lewistown. It is an agriculturally diversified ranch that operates in both ranching and farming sectors. They run 1,000 registered and commercial cows and dedicate much of their land to hay, wheat, and barley production. Ken and Sherry Arntzen started the ranch in 1953 with only five Black Angus heifers and one Black Angus bull. From there, Ken sold registered bulls private treaty until his passing in 1976. 1977 marked the first production sale for the ranch.

Ken’s children, Keith and Doug, have continued the operation since Ken’s passing. Their children and grandchildren also take part in all ranch operations. Their operation focuses on easy-fleshing, high maternal, calving-ease cattle, but they still place emphasis on performance for the harsh Montana environment. In focusing on maternal characteristics, the ranch has been able to produce cattle that consistently breed back and yield healthy, productive calves. Artnzen Angus is best known as the birthplace of AAR New Trend, AAR Really Windy 1205, and AAR Ten X 7008 SA. Their annual spring production sale includes 200 yearling bulls and an offering of registered replacement heifers. 

Arntzen Angus Ranch hosts their annual sale on April 3rd. 

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A special thank you to every person who attended the tour and to each breeder who put in the hard work of hosting a stop. This year’s tour was one for the books. Complete with record-breaking rainfall, great conversation, and fantastic cattle, the Montana Angus Tour continues to showcase the incredible breeders and people involved in the Angus industry. We hope you’ll join us next year in Southwest Montana!