OldDog/NewTricks
Well-known member
Montana ranchers export a herd of cattle to Russia
By Meatingplace Editors on 12/17/2010
Two Montana ranchers have successfully exported an entire herd of cattle to Russia, including cows, bulls and five quarter horses.
The shipment of 1,439 animals to the 14,500-acre Stevenson Sputnik Ranch in the Voronezh Region of southwest Russia is the fulfillment of a dream for Montana rancher Darrell Stevenson, who told the Lewistown News-Argus:
"These cattle are fully pedigreed, and the Russian buyers intend to manage them as such. Our Montana cattle will be the foundation of Russia's future beef industry."
Russia is rebuilding its beef industry and has enormous tracts of vacant grasslands, Stephenson, who has traveled extensively in Russia for three years, told the newspaper. A series of Russian agricultural delegations visited Montana beginning in 2008 to tour the state's top beef cow operations and identify cattle they believed could be transplanted in Russia.
To fill the large order, Angus cattle were selected from three ranches in Hobson, Montana, and a herd of Hereford cattle were also supplied. Stevenson Angus Ranch and Holden Herefords announced the shipment this week.
"There is a window of opportunity right now, when land is available, the Russian government is offering agricultural subsidies and the price of beef is extraordinary," the newspaper quoted Stevenson as saying. "Russians pay double and triple the value of what we pay for beef in the United States. Combine that with cheaper resources and lower input, and it opens up some possibilities."
By Meatingplace Editors on 12/17/2010
Two Montana ranchers have successfully exported an entire herd of cattle to Russia, including cows, bulls and five quarter horses.
The shipment of 1,439 animals to the 14,500-acre Stevenson Sputnik Ranch in the Voronezh Region of southwest Russia is the fulfillment of a dream for Montana rancher Darrell Stevenson, who told the Lewistown News-Argus:
"These cattle are fully pedigreed, and the Russian buyers intend to manage them as such. Our Montana cattle will be the foundation of Russia's future beef industry."
Russia is rebuilding its beef industry and has enormous tracts of vacant grasslands, Stephenson, who has traveled extensively in Russia for three years, told the newspaper. A series of Russian agricultural delegations visited Montana beginning in 2008 to tour the state's top beef cow operations and identify cattle they believed could be transplanted in Russia.
To fill the large order, Angus cattle were selected from three ranches in Hobson, Montana, and a herd of Hereford cattle were also supplied. Stevenson Angus Ranch and Holden Herefords announced the shipment this week.
"There is a window of opportunity right now, when land is available, the Russian government is offering agricultural subsidies and the price of beef is extraordinary," the newspaper quoted Stevenson as saying. "Russians pay double and triple the value of what we pay for beef in the United States. Combine that with cheaper resources and lower input, and it opens up some possibilities."
