Montana Grazing Lands Coalition Conference in Billings - So Much Learning

We here at Montana Working Lands Project, have a special place in our heart for the Montana Grazing Lands Coalition organization because they have really supported us on the onset of our education journey (both learning and sharing) and we were really interested in what we would see and learn at the Grazing Expo they put together in Billings this last weekend.

We were not disappointed. It was well worth our time.

The Montana Working Lands Project booth at Montana Grazing Lands Coalition conference in Billings on September 5, 2025

It was a wonderful conference. We learned so much about all the great work that so many incredible organizations are doing and ways that our work is able to fit into the larger impact on our communities, lives, and landscapes.

Conference Highlights

Eric's Presentation Success

One of the highlights was Eric Wickens' well-received panel on building a beef brand, with engaged audience members asking thoughtful questions. The discussion demonstrated the growing interest in building a brand across Montana's ranching community.

Virtual Fencing Innovation

We were fascinated by the E-Shepherd and other virtual fencing systems that several ranchers are implementing. Brandon and Samantha Arpan from the Box X Ranch in Alzada shared their success story - using tower-based collars that not only reduced fence building and repair costs but actually saved cattle lives. They've had collar alerts help them rescue several bogged cows, preventing losses that would have gone unnoticed with traditional fencing.

Inspiring Regenerative Journeys

We met so many ranchers and individuals inspired by Allan Savory's work. It's already so obvious the impact that holistic management has had on the world.

Technology Meets Tradition

Tip Hudson from WSU Extension introduced us to StockSmart (stock-smart.com), a free tool that uploads shapefiles, overlays satellite data, maps water sources, and produces heat maps of likely cattle use. This kind of technology integration with traditional knowledge is exactly what modern regenerative ranching needs.

Building Community Networks

The power of rancher networks was a recurring theme. Bill Milton spoke about RMG (Rangeland Measurement Group) fall gatherings where ranchers share measurements and discuss management decisions together. This peer-to-peer learning model aligns perfectly with our Holistic Management approach.

Educational Opportunities

Gary Olsen from Montana Range Days highlighted the importance of plant identification skills - something we're taking to heart for our upcoming EOV and Holistic Management courses. The connection between understanding your plant community and making good grazing decisions cannot be overstated.

Next Generation Leadership

We connected with PhD candidate Noah from MSU, who's defending his dissertation on transitioning ranches to regenerative practices. It's encouraging to see academic research supporting what practitioners have been demonstrating in the field.

Financial Planning Tools

Mira Grinsfelder from Ambrook introduced us to their farm/ranch accounting software, with discussions about integrating Holistic Financial Planning into modern accounting workflows - a crucial piece for making regenerative practices economically sustainable.

Looking Forward

The conference reinforced that Montana's ranching community is well into the regenerative transition. From established operations exploring new technologies to young ranchers returning home with fresh perspectives, the momentum is building.

The connections made and knowledge shared at this conference will strengthen our upcoming courses and help us better serve Montana's land stewards. Special thanks to Megan Terry and the Montana Grazing Lands Coalition for organizing such a valuable gathering.

If you're interested in joining this growing community of regenerative practitioners, consider joining us for our Holistic Management Training this November. Together, we're proving that what's good for the land is good for business and community.