Montana Ranch Receives Regional Environmental Stewardship Award

NEW ORLEANS (Feb. 1, 2023) – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced today that Mannix Brothers Ranch in Helmville, Montana, was selected as one of seven regional winners of the 2022 Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP). The ranch was recognized during the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show in New Orleans.

“Farming and ranching families across the country continue to incorporate practices that protect and preserve land and water resources for future generations,” said NCBA President Don Schiefelbein. “These regional winners represent the cattle industry’s commitment to environmental stewardship.”

Established in 1991, ESAP celebrates outstanding land stewards in the cattle industry. The regional winners will compete for the national award, which will be presented during NCBA’s Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., April 24-27, 2023. The 2022 Environmental Stewardship Award Program Regional Winners are:

• Region I: Lamb Farms, Inc., Oakfield, New York
• Region II: Carter Cattle Company, LLC, Pintlala, Alabama
• Region III: Huth Polled Herefords and S&H Livestock Enterprises, LLC, Oakfield, Wisconsin
• Region IV: Parks Ranch, Goliad County, Texas
• Region V: Mannix Brothers Ranch, Helmville, Montana
• Region VI: Fulstone Ranches, Smith, Nevada
• Region VII: Jorgensen Land & Cattle Partnership, Ideal, South Dakota

“The Mannix family has continued the 140-year tradition of the Mannix Brothers Ranch by diversifying their enterprise and making decisions to benefit their family, land and wildlife,” said Jay Bodner, former executive vice president of the Montana Stockgrowers Association.

Mannix Brothers Ranch began in 1882 and now the fourth and fifth generations steward the land and livestock. Brothers David, Randy and Brent, along with their wives and children manage the diversified ranching business, which includes a cow-calf program, stocker program, timber entity, direct-to-consumer beef program as well as a restaurant. The brothers credit previous generations for the conservation ideals, work ethic and the continued desire to coexist with wildlife, land and people. The family is focused on improving soil health, and intensive rotational grazing resulted in using less irrigation water and little to no fertilizer, while increasing production on the ground. A band of sheep reduced invasive species such as knapweed and increased plant diversity. The family also partners with numerous resource organizations to complete projects that promote habitat improvements along with promoting agriculture and sustainable ranching practices.

“We’ve never thought of ourselves as the true ‘owners’ of this land,” said David Mannix of Mannix Brothers Ranch. “Instead, we are stewards of the soil, streams, grass, timber and wildlife that belong to this ecosystem. The land is the lifeblood of our community, and we strive to be worthy caretakers of those resources that fall under our management.”  

ESAP is generously sponsored by companies and federal agencies who share the cattle industry’s commitment to caring for the environment and protecting natural resources. Sponsors including U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, Corteva Agriscience, McDonald’s, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service partner with NCBA to promote environmental stewardship throughout the beef supply chain.

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