Governor Gianforte Highlights Value-Add Ag at Oxbow Cattle Co.

Governor Gianforte Highlights Value-Add Ag at Oxbow Cattle Co.

• October 30 2024

MISSOULA, Mont. - Governor Greg Gianforte yesterday visited Oxbow Cattle Company in Missoula to spotlight owners Bart and Wendy Morris for their innovation and work to promote the value of Montana products.

"Across Montana, producers like Bart and Wendy are adding value to our world-class beef, grains, and other high-quality products," Gov. Gianforte said. "We'll continue to promote and invest in value-added ag operations and in hardworking Montanans innovating and feeding our communities and the world."

Gov. Gianforte talking with Bart Morris at Oxbow Cattle Co. in Missoula

On their ranch on the edge of a Missoula residential neighborhood, Bart and Wendy Morris have used regenerative practices such as intensive grazing, long periods of rest, and natural fertilization since purchasing the property in 2014 to maintain healthy soils and raise over 300 head of grass-fed, grass-finished cattle.

"It's a privilege to work the land and connect the community to the land where the beef is raised. This community has supported us unbelievably. We always say our unfair advantage is our location - I think we have more neighbors than any other rancher in Montana, but it's to our benefit," Bart Morris said.

What makes Oxbow unique is its farm-to-market (f2m) store open every day from six in the morning to nine in the evening that runs on the honor system for Missoulians to purchase their beef cuts and a variety of other products from Montana producers. Operating since 2019, the f2m carries eggs and lamb from Wild Rye Livestock Co. in Deer Lodge, pork from Lyon Ranch in Drummond, chicken raised on Living River Farms in Stevensville, beauty products made from the tallow from Oxbow cattle, and other made in Montana goods.

Touring the market, the governor joined Montana Department of Agriculture Director Christy Clark to discuss the Montana producers across the state adding value to their operations, local communities, and Montana agriculture.

"It is the ingenuity of our producers here in Montana that make our agricultural ecosystem special and unique," Dir. Clark said. "Oxbow Cattle Co. is a perfect example of thinking outside the box to find success but also provide their community with a nutrient dense product they can trust and put a face to."

Promoting value-added agriculture to strengthen the ag industry is a signature element of the governor's Montana Comeback Plan. As the governor travels the state, he highlights Montana producers showcasing the Made in Montana brand.

In 2022, Gov. Gianforte announced an over $7.8 million investment in value-added agriculture projects across the state to support operations to purchase meat processing equipment, increase food distribution, and invest in pulse crop equipment.

In addition, to help small businesses, as well as family farms and ranches, the governor increased the business equipment tax exemption from $100,000 in 2021 to $1 million, eliminating the tax burden for 5,000 Montana businesses, farms, and ranches.

To learn more about Oxbow Cattle Co. and its f2m store, see here.