Cattle

Updated: January 12, 2026

Agriculture remains a vital pillar of Montana’s economy, and within the livestock sector, cattle continue to play a dominant role.

Beef Cattle
• As of January 1, 2025, Montana had approximately 1.25 million beef cows—a 1% increase from the previous year—and a total of 2.16 million cattle and calves.
• This equates to about three cattle for every Montanan, reinforcing the state’s strong cattle presence.
• Nationally, Montana ranks 12th in number of beef cattle, reflecting its position among the top cattle-producing state.

Dairy
• The dairy herd in Montana consists of about 8,500 milk cows.
• These cows average a production of 23,294 pounds of milk per cow annually, generating a total of around 198 million pounds of milk per year.
• That amount of milk would fill a football field well over 100 feet deep—an impressive testament to dairy productivity.

Seedstock Capital
• Montana is widely recognized as a national leader in seedstock production, particularly Angus.
• At the 2025 Montana Angus Tour—dubbed a world-class genetic showcase—visitors from across the U.S. and internationally noted that one in every five Angus bulls sold in the U.S. comes from Montana or Wyoming.
• This cements Montana’s reputation as a powerhouse in registered breeding cattle.

By‑Products & Secondary Uses
• Beyond beef and milk, cattle contribute to food and industrial industries through products such as oleomargarine, gelatin, marshmallows, leather, soaps, cosmetics, buttons—and health products like insulin, estrogen, and thyroid extract.

Ruminant Digestive System
• Cattle are ruminants: they possess one stomach with four compartments and digest plant-based feeds by regurgitating and re-chewing cud—enabling them to thrive on grass, hay, and other forage.

Cow‑Calf Operations
• Most Montana ranchers operate cow-calf systems: cows give birth in January through March, then calves stay with their mothers until being sold around October.
• In contrast, some other regions calve in summer, marketing spring-born calves.

Cattle Breeds & Adaptation
• Montana’s signature breeds—Angus, Hereford, Limousin, Simmental, Charolais, Shorthorn, and others—trace back to origins in Spain, England, France, Switzerland, and India.
• Breeds like Angus and Hereford are especially well-adapted to Montana’s harsh winters, thanks to their heavier hair coats.

Take the Beef Production Quiz

Updated: January 23, 2026