Grazing

Since its founding in 1975, the GMPOA has leased its 9000+ acres to area ranchers for grazing, using the income mainly for road repair and maintenance. For many years our partners have been the Mannix Brothers whose family has ranched in the Helmville valley for four generations.

In a typical year, the cattle graze GMPOA properties for about three months, typically July through September. Any property owner who does not want cattle grazing on his or her land must fence them out. If you have hay, you must take steps to protect it from the cattle. Once cattle get the first taste of a hay bale, they become very destructive and difficult to manage, rubbing and pushing very hard on the fence. The key is to place the bales at least 8-10 feet inside the enclosure. Place posts 8 feet apart, use a minimum of 6 wires with the top being 4 feet high and use good corner braces so the wires are really tight. If using rails, place posts 8 feet apart and use 5 rails.

The ranchers make a concerted effort to move the cattle during the grazing season so they do not overgraze any one area. If you have  a problem with cattle on your property or if you see an injured cow, please contact Dave Mannix at 406-793-5721 or mannixbros@blackfoot.net

If you’d like to read the grazing lease agreement, click here.