2026 Grazing Expo
September 10-13, 2026
Billings Hotel & Convention Center Billings, Montana
Hosted by
A conference designed to empower land managers with tangible resources while highlighting the impacts of sound grazing lands stewardship and collaborative conservation efforts led by ranchers.
Keynote Speakers
Cassidy Johnston
Pull Out a Chair: Why Agriculture Needs New People (and Why a Seat at the Table isn't Enough)
With farmers over 65 outnumbering farmers under 35 six to one and only 23% of operations having a succession plan, agriculture has a people problem — and simply "making room" isn't going to fix it. In this keynote, first-generation beef producer Cassidy Johnston makes the case for why agriculture needs new people, what's actually standing in their way, and what we can do right now to bridge the gap. Built around the Big Four of successful transitions plus a foundation of stronger communication across generations, it's a practical, honest, and funny look at how we cut through stereotypes, navigate tough conversations, and create an aligned vision for the future of agriculture.
ReGen: Soil Health as the Future of Agriculture
In ReGen, David R. Montgomery lays out a practical and productive vision for recovering soil health and safeguarding the future of food. The answer: soil-building regenerative farming. In exploring this much-needed turning point for agriculture, Montgomery marshals more than a decade of research, interviewing innovative farmers and seeing firsthand how they restored degraded farms around the world. ReGen breaks down common myths around conventional and organic farming, animal agriculture, and plant-based diets to frame ten policy recommendations for sustainably nourishing the world.
David Montgomery
Holden Ramey
CattleFax: Cattle Market Update + Outlook
This keynote session provides a look at current market fundamentals, major trends, and a forward looking market outlook for the cattle and beef markets. Geared towards any individuals involved in the cattle business, this session provides real-time economic information to help individuals better navigate the complex market environment and better manage risk.
Breakout Session Tracks
Business Basics
Dive into the nitty gritty of the essential office side of keeping the ranch going - covering the certainties of death and taxes as well as ways to increase profitability along the way.
Career Conversations
Whether you're in school dreaming of a job in agriculture or a seasoned professional looking to take your career to the next level, there's something for you in the "career conversations" track.
Stock Talk
In the “Stock Talk” track, we’re diving into practical, species-specific insights for cattle, sheep, and goats — covering everything from herd health and veterinary care to genetics, nutrition, and reproductive management.
Management Materials
In these sessions, we’re highlighting practical resources, proven tools, and new research shaping grazing and land management today—paired with real-world application you can take home and implement.
Shared Successes
Across the region, ranchers are leading in their communities, working with each other and leveraging partnerships to create solutions that serve their neighbors and the benefit the ecosystem. This track is designed to share the stories of place-based collaborations and solutions you can take home to serve the rural community you call home.
Featured Events
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Cultivating Financial Clarity: Making Your Books Work For You
Operations that have confidence in their financial positioning are operations that are poised to take advantage of market or growth opportunities. But often times you aren’t in ranching because you want to spend time in your financial software! How can you leverage your books to help you make decisions and plan for your future? If you dread the thought of opening your financial software, or are only using your books for tax purposes, this is the session for you! Together we will transform a cash profit and loss statement to something that you can use to make sound financial decisions that are aligned with your operations mission. This workshop is taught by Caroline Wild of Wild Ranch Solutions.
The Missing Link in Rangeland Success: The Manager’s MindsetThis interactive workshop explores how a manager’s mindset—habits, paradigms, and internal narratives—can create or constrain success in rangeland systems. Through reflective exercises, peer dialogue, and hands-on frameworks, participants will uncover how their mental models shape their decisions. By developing self-awareness and adaptive thinking, attendees will gain practical tools to strengthen decision- making, navigate complexity, and improve ecological and financial outcomes. The manager is not separate from the system- they are part of it. This workshop is facilitated by Christine Martin of Thriving Land Stewards and Jenny Pluhar of Texas Grazing Lands Coalition.
Unlock Your Personalized Roadmap to Succession SuccessThe future of your ranch doesn’t have to be uncertain. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll move beyond generic advice and build a succession roadmap tailored to your operation, your goals, and your family’s unique dynamics. Through guided exercises and expert facilitation, you’ll gain clarity on land transfer, business structure, and legacy planning. Because your ranch’s future deserves more than a one-size-fits-all solution. This workshop is led by Jessica Groskopf with UnCommon Farms.
DIY Soil Health: Assess and Address
A hands-on workshop where you’ll learn how to assess and improve soil health using simple, low-cost methods — no special tools or lab testing needed. Workshop facilitators will guide you through easy do-it-yourself assessment techniques using your senses and common household items. Bring a soil sample from your area and discover how land management practices impact soil quality. If you are not able to bring your own soil, extra soil samples will be available. Instructed by Anna Clare Monlezun, Ph.D. & Colorado State University.
Drought Strategies for Ranchers by Ranchers
Led by Rick Caquelin, a rancher in Judith Basin County and retired NRCS range scientist, and Dale Veseth, rancher in Phillips County. This workshop is a great opportunity to learn practical tools, improve resilience, and gain insights you can apply directly to your operation. Workshop includes proven, real-world strategies for managing drought. The workshop will also include insights from Agoro Carbon Alliance.
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Off-site Location: By All Means Brewing
Join us for live music by Tris Munsick, delicious appetizers, yard games, and your drink of choice to kick off the convention! Hosted by our generous sponsors, Grassroots Carbon, this event is the perfect start to an incredible weekend!
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Looking for new opportunities in the industry? The 2026 Grazing Expo will host a career fair within the trade show on Saturday providing an opportunity to connect with potential employers. Details to come.
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Off-site Location: Swift River Ranch, Billings, MT
Included in your conference registration is a ticket to our Land & Legacy Banquet on Friday evening! Join us for a fantastic celebration of industry successes, a delicious meal brought to you by Lost Texan Pit BBQ, and a wide open dance floor with live music from Montana’s own Marcedes Carroll.
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Rancher’s Night
Hosted by World Wildlife Fund and Noble Research Institute at Henry's Garage, Rancher's Night provides a fun shindig for producer participants of the Grazing Expo. If you are a rancher or working hard aspiring to be one, this night of delicious local food, delightful cocktails, and curated conversation is for you.
Working Lands Film Screening
Hosted by Western Landowners Alliance at Art House Cinema & Pub, this special event will feature a selection of short films focused on the role ranchers play on the landscape. Tickets include snacks and a panel discussion following the films.
TIP: Be sure to book your travel home for Sunday or Monday – Saturday night will be worth sticking around for!
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Off-site Location: Columbus, Montana
We’re excited to offer a field tour in conjunction with Western Sustainability Exchange’s Expanding Markets Conference on Sunday, September 13th.
To attend the field tour, be sure to purchase an add-on field tour ticket at registration. Transportation will be available from the BHCC to the tour site. More details to come.
Conference Agenda
The place to start digging into the Grazing Expo!
Click here to view our Abbreviated Conference Schedule.
Complete agenda to be released in August 2026.
Plan Your Trip
Location: Billings Hotel and Convention Center (BHCC)
BHCC Address: 1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101
BHCC Phone: (406) 248-7151
Nearest Airport: Billings-Logan International Airport (BIL) | 1901 Terminal Cir, Billings, MT 59101
Looking to carpool? Click here to find a carpool buddy.
Hotel Room Blocks
Billings Hotel and Convention Center – $129.00/nt. (On-Site)
Click here to reserve a room.
Hampton Inn and Suites – $129.00/nt. (1.5 miles from BHCC)
Click here to reserve a room.
La Quinta Inn & Suites – $134.00/nt. (0.4 miles from BHCC)
Click here to reserve a room.
Registration Options
Registration Options
General Registration
This registration option is available to all conference attendees.
Standard conference registration includes:
“All access pass”
Admission to the Kick-Off Party, Thursday Sept. 10
1 x Land & Legacy Banquet Ticket (Locally-sourced dinner and concert included)
$400
Producer Registration
This registration option is only available to agricultural producers.
Producer conference registration includes:
“All access pass”
Admission to the Kick-Off Party, Thursday Sept. 10
1 x Land & Legacy Banquet Ticket (Locally-sourced dinner and concert included)
$350
Student Registration
This registration option is only available to current high school or college students. Proof of enrollment required.
Student conference registration includes:
“All access pass”
Admission to the Kick-Off Party, Thursday Sept. 10
1 x Land & Legacy Banquet Ticket (Locally-sourced dinner and concert included)
$250
Add-ons + Extras
Pre-Conference Workshops
Secure your spot in one of the 5 pre-conference workshops happening at 2:00pm on Thursday, September 10th at the BHCC. A list of workshops can be found above.
$35
Banquet Tickets
Perfect for spouses of conference attendees or members of the local community, these tickets are valid only for access to the Land & Legacy Banquet on Friday, September 11th at Swift River Ranch.
$70
Trade Show Passes
Looking to attend the trade show exclusively? Passes are valid for admission to the trade show but do not include access to breakout sessions or other special events associated with the Expo.
$100
Field Tour Tickets
Includes registration for the field tour portion of the conference on Sunday, September 13th. Transportation and lunch provided with the purchase of a ticket.
$35
Scholarships
Thanks to our partners, we’re pleased offer several financial assistance options for producers looking to attend the 2026 Grazing Expo!
Rancher Resilience Grant
This grant is designed to support cattle producers’ attendance at impactful educational events. It is made possible by a partnership between the National Cattlemen’s Foundation and Cargill Protein and is administered by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
Deadline to Apply: July 15, 2026
Student Scholarship
Thanks to a handful of our industry partners, a limited number of student scholarships are available to cover registration and lodging expenses. For more information on these scholarships, please inquire below.
Deadline to Apply: August 15, 2026
WWF-SRI: RSVP Program Scholarship
Producers that participate in WWF Sustainable Ranching Initiative’s RSVP program are eligible for financial support to attend the Expo. For more information, click the link below.
Deadline to Apply: September 10, 2026
SPECIAL THANKS
SPECIAL THANKS
This event would not be possible without the support of our generous sponsors!
SILVER SPONSORS
BRONZE SPONSORS
701X Autonomous Rancher, AgriBest Feeds, AgSpire, Agoro Carbon, Ambrook, BioArmor, BurnBot, CERES TAG, Country Natural Beef, Cultivo, Enriched Ag, Gallagher Next + eShepherd, Halter, Montana Farmers Union, Montana State University Department of Animal & Range Science, NoFence, Pheasants Forever, Snaplands, The Nature Conservancy, Visit Billings, Western Landowners Alliance
Looking to support our event?
or contact Megan Terry at mterry@montanaglc.com
Conference FAQ’s
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Absolutely! The whole family is welcome! We’re actively working to provide a “Kids Korral” for conference attendees. Please keep in mind that additional Banquet tickets must be purchased for each individual planning to attend.
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Unfortunately, we are only offering a full conference registration option for this year’s event.
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Drink stations throughout the event
Appetizers and non-alcoholic drinks at the Thursday social
Finger foods and other snacks during breaks on both Friday and Saturday
Dinner on Friday evening at the Land & Legacy Banquet
Should you choose to book a room at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center, you will also receive complimentary breakfast on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Lunch is not included.
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Absolutely! Trade show booths can be purchased individually for $500. Trade show passes are $100 each and should be purchased for each individual planning to man the booth.
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A room block has been created on-site at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center for $115/night, including continental breakfast.
Other rooms blocks will be listed as they become available.
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Complimentary shuttles are available to/from the airport to the Billings Hotel and Convention Center. Shuttles will also be available for the off-site social, as well as the field tour on Sunday. Local taxi’s, Uber, and Lyft are also available for transportation in and around Billings.
Looking to carpool? Utilize Whova to find a carpool buddy! Click the link here.