Governor Greg Gianforte and Director Jillien Streit visited the Felton Angus Ranch in Deer Lodge on March 25 to highlight how Montana producers are using innovative technology to strengthen their operations. The visit, which took place on Montana Agriculture Day, focused on the adoption of new technologies by ranchers to improve efficiency and land stewardship.
“Our farmers and ranchers are embracing new and emerging technologies to improve their operations and ensure the health of our landscapes and their world-class product,” Gianforte said. “On National Agriculture Day, we celebrate Montana ranchers like the Feltons, who are caring for the land and keeping Montana agriculture strong for the next generation.”
Felton Angus Ranch has operated as a multi-generational family ranch raising registered Angus cattle since 1952. In recent years, it has adopted Vence, a virtual livestock fencing technology that uses GPS-enabled collars and strategically placed towers to guide cattle movement within set boundaries. This system allows ranchers to manage grazing patterns without traditional fencing. During the governor’s visit, a demonstration showed how this technology enables real-time management of cattle movement.
“Like a lot of ranchers, we’re always looking for ways to do things better,” said Jim Felton, owner of Felton Angus Ranch. “This technology helps us manage our cattle more efficiently, take better care of the land, and adapt to challenges we face out here. It’s been a game changer for our operation.” U.S. Forest Service Rangeland Management Specialist Alicia Snow added: “Tools like virtual fencing give us more flexibility in managing grazing on public lands while supporting the health of the landscape. Working alongside producers, we can better balance resource stewardship with the needs of working lands.”
The partnership with Merck Animal Health allowed deployment of Vence at Felton Angus Ranch. According to Allison Burenheide of Merck Animal Health: “Producers are looking for practical solutions that improve efficiency without adding complexity. Virtual fencing technology helps ranchers make real-time decisions that benefit their operation, their animals, and the land.” In Montana, 28 ranches currently utilize Vence.
The Montana Department of Agriculture contributes to community well-being by protecting agricultural producers, consumers and the environment via its regulatory and promotional efforts according to the official website. The department maintains operations across Montana; it operates services such as grain inspection at the Montana State Grain Lab in Great Falls; promotes prosperity through more than 30 programs aimed at market growth; collaborates with partners like Grow Montana Coalition; and organizes events such as the Governor’s Food and Agriculture Summit according to its official website.
Since taking office, Gianforte has worked toward increasing support for agriculture through tax relief measures including raising business equipment tax exemption from $100,000 to $1 million—eliminating this tax burden for over 5,000 small businesses including farms—and investments in workforce development and infrastructure according to the official roster page.
