The Gate Got Left Open… Again
We had one of those weeks where everything happened at once.
The kind that reminds you why you love it… and tests you a little too.
If you’ve got any beef stick, now’s a good time to grab one and ride along.
Back Home Again
We made it to the Big Hearts Under the Big Sky banquet this weekend.
And I’ll tell you, It was something special.
Meeting the families… hearing the stories… seeing what that organization is doing firsthand.
It meant more than we expected.
We were proud to be part of it.
And even better…
We got to meet the winner of the 1/4 beef right there.
This is Zachariah with Al. He’s got 5 kids at home—needless to say, he was excited.
We’ll be donating 5 lbs of ground beef to the Montana Veterans Meat Locker in his name this May.
Just like we do for every family that claims a share of our beef.
Something That Doesn’t Change
There’s something else we were reminded of this week.
This place has been in our family since 1909.
Al’s grandfather finished our house on April 20th that year… and moved in just a few days later.
117 years.
Five generations.
Some of this ground has never had another name on it.
We don’t take that lightly.
Every calf, every fence, every meal that comes off this place
It all ties back to that.
Back to 2026
By Monday morning, we were right back at it.
And wouldn’t you know it, Weston left the gate open.
Do you remember the gate rule? “Live like someone left the gate open.”
Well… The heifers took that advice seriously...again!
Half a mile away, right in Weston’s wheat, they came back pretty easy though — Thirsty… and fully aware they weren’t supposed to be there.
Weston called to apologize this time.
Getting Ready
The cows are getting close to calving
Big. Slow. Tired.
We spent part of the week:
- • Moving windbreak panels into the calving pasture
- • Getting water tanks ready
- • Watching the weather do its usual Montana thing
Sun. Snow. Wind. Repeat.
This is Al moving one of the windbreak panels for the cows.
And just this week, when we took alfalfa out to the big bunch, not a single bull in sight.
They’re starting to sort themselves out.
That’s how you know calving's getting close.
On the Beef Side
We shipped out beef and beef sticks this week, and those beef sticks have been moving steadily.
Simple. Ready to go. Same beef we trust here at home.
We have available:
- • 3 Ground Beef Sampler Boxes
- • 4 Everyday Ranch Meal Bundles
- • Beef Stick varieties
If you need beef before summer, now’s the time to say so.
Pig Parade is Still Rolling
Pork share deposits are open.
A share includes:
- • Ranch Kitchen Starter Bonus (honey, hat, beef sticks)
And many families are pairing pork with beef this year.
If you already have a beef share reserved, that’s where the extras come in:
- • Freezer Builder Bonus (ground beef patties, brats, more sticks)
It’s the easiest way to go from: “We’ve got some food…” to “We’re set.”
Where Most Families End Up
Most families don’t start with a full freezer.
They start with a box… a bundle… or a few cuts here and there.
But something interesting happens, once dinner gets easier… they don’t want to go back.
That’s usually when they decide to reserve a 1/8 or 1/4 share.
Not all at once. Not in a rush.
Just because it makes sense.
Looking Ahead to May
May is Beef Month, and beef share deposits open May 1.
If it’s been on your list, that’s when to keep an eye out.
We’ll also be making our May donation to the Montana Veterans Meat Locker, in the name of every family who has reserved a share since Veterans Day in November, when we made our last donation.
Grateful to have you along for all of it.
The quiet days,
The busy ones,
And the ones where the gate gets left open.
P.S. Pig Parade pork shares are open now. If you’ve been thinking about it, now’s a good time to take a look.
Beef deposits open May 1.
If you want to look them over and see the Everyday Ranch Meals and Ground Beef bundles, you can see what’s available here:
