Matador Ecosystem

While cattle are synonymous with a ranch, and in our name, it's really soil heath we are managing. Under our own feet and the hooves of our cattle and horses lies a complex ecosystem. Soil carbon serves as an excellent indicator of soil health, and since it can be measured, it becomes an invaluable tool for long-term landscape management. In addition to soil carbon, we also monitor bacteria, fungi, nutrients, and minerals, working to improve their balance in a positive way.
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Through careful planning, monitoring, and management of soil health, we collaborate with nature’s soil biology, encourage plant biodiversity, and extend the growing of seasonal forage. Healthy soil leads to more plant growth, which provides additional forage for both domestic and wild animals. As plant material increases, it helps protect the soil by reducing water and wind erosion and providing insulation from extreme temperatures. 

The phrase “grazing in sync with nature” is far more than a motto for the Ranch; it is essential, with nature serving as our guide.

From a regenerative perspective, we recognize that livestock must be managed in a way that replicates the symbiotic relationship once shared between massive herds of bison, elk, and other ruminants, and the soil and ecosystems prior to human settlement.
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In the Ranch’s semi-arid, brittle ecosystem, the presence of livestock is vital. When properly managed, livestock act as modern-day proxies for those ancient herds of ruminants, functioning as mobile composters that transform lignin and cellulose into valuable fertilizer for the soil, its microorganisms, and plants.

The Matador Ranch and FWP worked to improve two miles of riparian area along the Middle and West creeks. Together, we successfully returned these sections to their historical channel and installed fish passage access to allow travel and keep water in the main channel instead of flowing into irrigation ditches. In 2024 the Ranch began a trial testing virtual fencing as a tool to better understand and adjust livestock use of the riparian areas.

Matador Ranch and Cattle utilizes a Block Management Program in coordination with Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, as a tool for managing the elk population on the Ranch. The program is a cooperative and voluntary initiative between private landowners and Fish, Wildlife, & Parks that provides the public free access to private land during a set time frame of the hunting season. Typically, the designated land lies adjacent to or provides access to isolated public land. Hunters are required to sign in prior to each day of access. In the 2024 hunting season, the Beaverhead division enrolled approximately 44,000 acres in the program, and access was allowed from September 1st through December 1st.

Coordinated Elk Hunts have been held in cooperation with the Montana FWP during the 2022,2023, and 2024 general open rifle season. The program’s purpose is to provide access to local hunters and those across the state to private agricultural land near the headquarters of Matador Ranch & Cattle.

MR&C works with FWP biologists to reduce and control overpopulation of elk in the area through controlled hunting access. The elk hunt has been an opportunity for young and old hunters to harvest elk and provide meat for their families.In 2022, 410 elk were harvested, and over 65,000 pounds of meat went into freezers across the state. The mild winters and abundant feed in 2023 and 2024 kept more elk up in their traditional grazing habitat and provided fewer harvest opportunities.

The FWP biologist affiliated with the hunt noted that the elk are maintaining smaller herd sizes, are more dispersed, and are moving back toward their historic grazing areas, which are all positive outcomes. MR&C and FWP plan to continue monitoring herd numbers and behavior to determine if there is a continued need for the program. Interested hunters should check with MRC and Montana FWP during late summer for updates.