Tumbleweed Ranch, Conrad MT

 

Welcome to Tumbleweed Ranch

 

We are a 3rd generation family farm and ranch. We are located just south of Montana’s Hi-Line, between Conrad and Shelby. We raise top quality Angus-cross cattle and produce a tremendous hay crop each year.

 

 

Hay & Straw Production

A good percentage of our hay crop is forward contracted each year with long-time valued customers. We do still usually have a large amount of hay for sale though.

We raise alfalfa and alfalfa grass mix. We bale in large rounds and are firm believers in allowing our hay to dry down completely. We bale on the dew because we feel that this minimizes spoilage and ensures leaf retention.

We have a conventional combine, which ensures we are able to produce quality barley straw. This also is baled in large round bales. 

Feel free to contact us at any time about your hay or straw needs.

See what's available: Hay for Sale

 

 

Livestock Production

 

A great cattle herd is not made overnight. It is built over time, utilizing good genetics, handpicked quality, and consistent sustainable practices.

What you put into your cattle is what you get out of them. We have heavily invested in our cow herd, and it shows. The bulls we purchase each year are top notch. We recognize the value of introducing new bloodlines, with the intent of adding high quality genetics to the solid foundation of our herd.

 

Livestock Production at Tumbleweed Ranch

 

We breed for muscle, structure, docility, growth, and performance. The calves weaning off in the fall are getting better and better each year.

Our mother cows are primarily Black Angus, with a touch of Hereford influence.

While we don't do it each and every year, we have used synchronized AI programs for heifer breeding in the past, with good results.  It's a way for us to introduce those well-sought-after superior sires into our genetics, while not having to put up the money to own the bull.

We buy our bulls from excellent local breeders as well as a few others within the state. We have used a few Hereford bulls over the years, to craft hybrid-vigor in a portion of the offspring. We have been very pleased with this cross for the past several years.

 

Livestock Production at Tumbleweed Ranch

 

We invest our time into keeping accurate and widespread records of all cows and calves by use of Electronic ID tags and Cattle Record Management software. While our cows are commercial bred, some may say that we are wasting time in keeping such accurate, detailed records. This just isn't so. These techniques are already paying off. Big time. We are now able to look at a cow standing out in the pasture, call her ID up on a mobile device, and then RING RING! (Just kidding!) Ha, all jokes aside, we are able to look at her detailed description and information, view her offspring, how many of her heifer calves were retained as replacements, what kind of health history she has had, which bulls she was exposed to at breeding time, notes about temperament at calving, etc. 

 

Livestock Production at Tumbleweed Ranch

 

"It costs the same amount of money to feed a good cow, as it does to feed a bad cow." It doesn't get much simpler than that. We cull hard. We keep the best, while sending the rest down the line. Which, by now, as you can imagine – some of those going down the line aren't necessarily "bad" cows. We do hold high standards though, and keep that bar high.

 


 

Hay Production and Sales

Hay & Straw Sales

We raise top quality Alfalfa and Alfalfa grass mix, baled in large rounds with netwrap.

More Information

Cattle Production

Livestock Production

We have built a powerful herd of Angus mother cows, with a touch of Hereford influence.

More Information

Services - Hay Hauling and Custom Baling

Services

We offer custom baling services as well as hay hauling.

More Information

 


History


In 1973, Ernie & Shirley Habets purchased the farm from Ernie’s parents Joe & Ceil. They farmed and ranched, and raised their son Jeff.  After many years of building the operation, Ernie and Shirley were successful in passing the ranch down to the next generation. Jeff and Lindsey took the reins in 2019, so Ernie and Shirley could enjoy retirement right where they wanted to - On the Ranch.

Shirley passed away in the fall of 2020 and is dearly missed.

Jeff and Lindsey are busy raising cows, crops and kids. Son Hayden and Daughter Hadley welcomed baby sister Aubrey to the herd late 2021 and they both help take good care of her. They do a good job of looking after Grandpa too. You can find the feeding crew of Grandpa and Hayden out feeding cows all winter long.

 

 

 

  • The Feeding Crew 2018
  • Jeff and Lindsey Habets
  • The Grain Haulers
  • Jeff, Lindsey and Hayden Habets
  • Jeff and Lindsey, Ernie and Shirley - Spring 2016
  • 3 Generations
  • Hayden the Cattleman
  • Ernie loading hay
  • Ernie and Shirley Habets
  • Haying Season
  • Haying Season
  • Lindsey and Hayden working the alley
  • Jeff running the hydraulic chute
  • Harvest Crew 2017
  • The best gate man around!
  • Feeding NutraLix Liquid Feed
  • The Help
  • Making hay!
  • The Yard
  • Ernie and Shirley
  • Jeff and Indy
  • A view of the ranch, from the hay field
  • Get those cattle trucks loaded! :)
  • Help in the Shop
  • Hauling cows to Summer Pasture
  • Making Hay!
  • Loves to ride in the tractor
  • Jeff, Lindsey and Hayden
  • Loading hay
  • Shipping Calves with Grandpa
  • Hayden was born on Grandma and Grandpa's 50th Wedding Anniversary

 


Back to Top