Established in 1903, Duncan Ranch is a family owned, multi-generational working farm and ranch in the Golden Triangle of North Central Montana. Bruce’s Grandad homesteaded here early and built a large sheep ranch, converting to cattle when the homesteaders and fences became more limiting. Those were tough times and tough folks and the cattle had to adapt, too. These cattle don’t have irrigated pastures and a feed bucket to keep them growing and going. The grass is hard, short grass…and sometimes there isn’t much of it with annual moisture of 8-10 inches. We have more dry years than wet ones and winters can be brutal with weeks of sub-zero temperatures and wind. These are cattle that can survive and thrive in the best and the worst of conditions.
Since those beginning years, we have been focused on raising the best product possible in the arid, high desert of the Sage Creek area. In the early days, that meant mostly the solid and steady Hereford cattle. When Bruce and Tammy got married 45 years ago, we added the Angus foundation from her Rudolph Bros. heritage, and continued to build that herd. We believe the keystone of our success is the strong emphasis on a balanced, highly maternal cow herd in both the Hereford and Angus cattle and have been blessed to have some tremendous “cow-building” sires such as DR Achiever 8403 in the Herefords and the great Connealy sires we have used artificially over the years on our Angus cows.
These registered programs have been tracking important traits and breeding for consistency and predictability for more than 60 years. The records go deep and the commitment goes even deeper. We strive to produce a product that will enhance our program and the programs of our customers. We have a comprehensive herd health program and do most of our own veterinary work. We are able to raise all of our own hay and feed most years and can keep the cattle close while on grass in the summer. For decades the Duncan cattle have been breed trait leaders and in the top percentiles for birth weight, milk, growth and carcass. We have raised several bulls that have been used nationally and still get calls for semen from those bulls. Customers can buy with confidence and your satisfaction is a high priority.
The Duncan families are always happy to show you the cattle and enjoy talking business with friends, both new and old. Give them a call or stop by when you are touring beautiful North Central Montana.
