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Our Story

"We are passionate about raising animals humanely, with no added hormones or antibiotics for our family and friends to enjoy."
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A little bit about the ranch:

In 1889 our McCann family chose to be the first to homestead on the north side of the Bear Paw Mountains. For over 130 years we have maximized the rough terrain, limited water availability, and short growing season of the prairie to raise beef cow/calf pairs. Our family has always had two priorities on the ranch; first, to raise a healthy, sustainable food source and second, to be active conservationists of the land that allows us to do what we love. 

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We believe that the best beef is raised on fresh, green grass from day one. From early in the spring until late in the fall, we utilize the same prairie pastures that our family did in the 1800s as well as many fields that have been restored to grasslands. While winter on the Hi-Line doesn’t allow for “fresh” green grass, our summers are full of growing and harvesting McCann Ranch hay to feed during these times. We feed this hay to all of our cattle, emphasizing adequate food supply to raise cattle that are happy and healthy.

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In order to start our beef out right, we plan for our calves to arrive beginning in April and continue into May. This starts our calves off the best, as their mothers have plentiful milk and calves have a lower chance of disease. Additionally, nearly all of our mother cows were born and raised on the ranch, so their history has been diligently recorded. We keep only the heifers that show the most promise for reproduction and have a cattle herd that is comfortable around ranch horses, kids, and dogs. 

 

Outside of raising Montana cattle, we raise horses, dogs and kids who learn the beauty of the Montana prairie. Horses and Border Collies are used to move and gather cattle as much as possible. Madison is a veterinarian who provides adequate and humane care to the animals which she learned from her uncle who is also a veterinarian.  Aubri and her husband JJ own a custom harvesting business in Kansas and often frequent the ranch to aid in large events. Paxtin took a path in healthcare as a nurse.  Marji and Curt still live on and close to the ranch, monitoring the cattle and running the daily hardships it requires to keep the ranch flowing.

 

So, what is unique about McCann Ranch Beef? Where our maternal herd is predominately Red Angus, we also have integrated Wagyu bulls into our program. The Wagyu/Red Angus cross, produces a lean and highly marbled steak. We limit antibiotic as our goal is to raise animals to be hardy, however if needed to provide quality of life, animals are treated and marked, only to be used as labeled with antibiotic use. No artificial hormones are administered, and cattle are provided with garlic salt to limit flies.Overall, our model allows for McCann Ranch to provide quality, homegrown beef which has received a superb quality of life on the ranch.

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Blessings, 

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Curt and Marji McCann

Madison McCann & Lydia Barkhuff

Aubri and JJ Farris

Paxtin McCann

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