In the heart of the American West, where sweeping landscapes cradle generations of ranching
tradition, Montana remains a cornerstone of the Angus cattle industry. Recently, I embarked on
a journey through four remarkable ranches. Sitz Angus, Reminisce Angus, Coleman Angus, and
Montana Angus—each offering a distinct window into the genetics, philosophies, and people
shaping the future of Angus cattle.
From long established, data driven seedstock powerhouses to emerging operations with a direct
to consumer beef vision, these ranches represent the soul of Montana ranching. Innovation
rooted in legacy, stewardship led by family, and cattle raised with purpose.
1. Sitz Angus Ranch – Dillon & Harrison, MT
“Tradition evolves here, not disappears.”
The journey began at Sitz Angus Ranch, a name that echoes across the Angus world with
gravitas. With roots tracing back over 100 years, Sitz isn’t just a ranch, it’s a legacy. That legacy
was formally recognized in 2024 with the American Angus Association’s Century Award,
honoring more than a century of continuous, registered Angus production.
The ranch spans two main locations: the Harrison base, cradled by scenic ridges and meadows,
and the Dillon ranch, a more recent yet highly active operation. Touring both sites, the scale and
precision of the Sitz program became abundantly clear.
What sets Sitz apart is not just its history, but its embrace of data driven breeding. Their rigorous
use of EPDs, ultrasound, genomic testing, PAP scores, and MaternalPlus evaluations makes
them a model for progressive beef genetics. But there’s also something deeply human here.
I met the “Sitz Six”, the current fourth-generation family members running the operation. Their
warmth, humility, and transparency reminded me that even the most sophisticated operations
thrive on personal connection and shared values.
We walked through pens of sale-ready bulls, many of them elite two-year-olds, averaging over
$11,000 each. Yearlings, by comparison, had recently sold at over $12,200, confirming the
market’s trust in the Sitz name. Their bulls carry strong maternal traits, carcass merit, and an
ease-of-management that cow-calf operators nationwide depend on.
“We’re not just selling genetics,” one family member told me. “We’re passing along generations
of trust.”
2. Reminisce Angus Ranch – Dillon, MT
“Personal scale ranching with generational depth and beef that tells a story.”
Just outside the historic ranching town of Dillon lies a gem of the Montana cattle scene,
Reminisce Angus Ranch. While modest in size compared to some of its neighbours, Reminisce
stands out not only for its intentional, balance-based breeding program, but for how those
genetics translate directly into the beef business from pasture to plate.
Owned and operated by the Mussard family deeply rooted in Western heritage, Reminisce
Angus is a working cow-calf operation where cattle are raised with integrity, functionality, and
the consumer in mind. Unlike operations focused exclusively on seedstock or show cattle,
Reminisce centers its program around practical performance: cattle that calve easily, grow
efficiently, and finish predictably.
A Beef-Forward Philosophy
What sets Reminisce apart is its dual-market mindset. Their bulls and replacement females are
sold into commercial and registered herds alike, but the breeding decisions are made with the
end consumer in mind specifically, beef quality, consistency, and eating experience.
Every cow in the pasture contributes to a bigger vision, not just raising animals, but feeding
families. With a focus on moderate-framed, efficient cows, the herd maintains condition on
native forage. EPD selection is moderate and measured emphasizing fertility, docility, carcass
merit, and maternal longevity.
Direct Connection to the Beef Chain
Though they primarily sell breeding stock, Reminisce is actively involved in direct marketing
beef, supplying freezer beef to local families, co-ops and restaurants. It’s a growing part of the
business and an important feedback loop. By staying connected to the people eating their
product, they’ve sharpened focus on meat quality traits like marbling, tenderness, and ribeye
area.
Repeat customers praise their beef for its flavor and consistency, and the family tracks carcass
data from steers to better inform their breeding strategy. Their cattle must perform in the
pasture, the pen, and ultimately, on the plate.
“There’s no substitute for real-world data,” Bryan Mussard said. “We learn just as much from the
carcass as we do from the cow.”
Grassroots, Ground-Up Impact
Unlike larger outfits with national exposure, Reminisce thrives on personal relationships with bull
buyers, beef customers, and fellow ranchers. The result is a program that may fly under the
radar but delivers real-world results.
They’re raising cattle that:
Breed back early and consistently.
Excel in feed efficiency and conversion.
Yield high-quality carcasses with predictable grading performance.
With growing interest in local beef and cattle that work, Reminisce Angus is filling a vital niche:
bridging seedstock integrity with end-product quality, quietly, effectively, and passionately.
3. Coleman Angus Ranch – Charlo, MT
“Where maternal strength meets generational stewardship.”
Further north, near the picturesque Mission Valley, lies Coleman Angus Ranch, a beacon of
maternal genetics and unwavering ranching values.
From the moment I arrived, it was clear this was more than a business. Larry and Dee Coleman
greeted me with sincere warmth and an ethos of people-first ranching. Their mantra “We don’t
do business with companies, we do business with people” is more than philosophy; it’s a guiding
principle.
Coleman Angus has earned national respect for its focus on cow families with depth, longevity,
and fertility. Foundational maternal lines such as the Donna, Erica, Chloe, and Rita families
have formed the backbone of the herd for decades. Their cattle are bred to be functional,
user-friendly cows that stay sound, raise multiple calves, and pass on structural and maternal
consistency. In their pastures, I saw cows that had raised eight or more calves and were still
productive and problem-free.
I also had the pleasure of meeting Jeremy Hagg, a well-known voice in the Angus industry and
an advocate for sound breeding philosophies. In conversation, he shared insights into the
long-term direction of the Coleman program and the importance of building cows that last, not
just perform on paper. His passion for the maternal cow was unmistakable, and it was clear he
sees the Colemans not just as breeders, but as custodians of foundational Angus genetics.
Larry spoke openly about their non-negotiables: fertility, soundness, efficiency, and maternal
instinct. “These are the cows that built this country,” he said, “and they’re the ones that’ll build
the future, too.”
Their children are actively involved in the ranch, continuing the legacy. Coleman Angus is not
just breeding cattle, it’s building people, character, and purpose alongside them.
4. Montana Angus Ranch – Bigfork, MT
“Tradition reimagined with modern storytelling.”
The final leg of the tour brought me to Montana Angus Ranch, located just outside Bigfork,
where the Sabey family has carved out a place that marries breed balance with digital-era
outreach managed by David and Seana Brown.
Surrounded by lakes and mountains, the ranch is visually striking, but it’s the innovation in
communication that sets Montana Angus apart. Their use of video marketing, podcasts,
educational series, and social media is helping push Angus breeding into new audiences while
remaining deeply grounded in performance cattle.
It was here that I also had the chance to meet David Brown, co-host of the popular Angus
Underground Podcast. Known for his sharp insights and frank conversations around cattle,
marketing, and the seedstock world, David brought a layer of context to the visit. He spoke
candidly about the importance of transparency in seedstock marketing and how Montana Angus
is leading the way, not just in cattle, but in educating a new generation of ranchers and
breeders.
Their sale calendar features a blend of embryo packages, Maternal Revival auctions, and
donor-driven offerings from elite sires like Montana Judgement 1038 and Montana Jet 1271.
The cattle reflect a philosophy rooted in structure, longevity, and maternal efficiency. Cows that
not only raise calves, but build herds. One female in particular stood out during the visit. S A V
Emblynette 8255 who since commanded $140,000 as a pair in the Maternal Revival Female
Sale, reinforcing the enduring value of the Emblynette cow family. This is a line I am personally
invested in, with the same maternal lineage working in our own Briarhill herd and performing
exceptionally well under our system.
The most notable success from that line to date has been the sale of Briarhill Emblem A172 ET
to Dovea Genetics in Ireland, a result that further validates the global relevance of the
Emblynette influence. Seeing that same cow family drive demand and consistency at Montana
Angus underscored what many breeders already know, elite maternal lines transcend
geography when function and fertility remain the priority.
“Innovation is just tradition with new tools,” a message David echoed throughout the visit. “This
ranch is proof that the message matters just as much as the cattle.”
Final Reflection
From the rugged country of Dillon and Harrison, through the rolling valleys of Charlo, to the
northern edge of Bigfork, the Montana ranch tour revealed a consistent and compelling theme.
The state’s Angus industry is underpinned by family-run operations that demonstrate
exceptional stewardship of land, livestock, and legacy. These families balance generations of
accumulated knowledge with a forward-looking commitment to genetic improvement,
sustainability, and long-term viability.
At each operation visited, there was a clear emphasis on thoughtful management, disciplined
breeding programs, and strong family values. These principles were evident not only in the
quality and consistency of the cattle, but also in the way producers invest in their people,
contribute to their communities, and manage the natural resources entrusted to them for future
generations.
This tour was made possible through winning the senior section of the Aberdeen Angus Young
Development Programme. This experience represented a fitting culmination to several highly
rewarding years within the programme. Sincere thanks are extended to the Aberdeen Angus
Cattle Society for providing this valuable opportunity.
Bryan O’Halloran
Briarhill Aberdeen Angus