Cascade Courier - Your trusted local news source since 1910

It was a beautiful Thursday morning with vistas that only Montana can provide! Approximately 100 people showed up to the Annual Great Falls Chamber Ag Tour, this year hosted by Merrill McKamey and the McKamey family at their McKamey West Ranch. Guests arrived in two busses as the event began at 10:00 am. The theme this year was "Follow the Wool", and featured ranchers sharing industry insight, as well as shearing demonstrations, working dog demonstrations, hands-on rug weaving, and education on the uses of wool. The presenters took questions from the attendees during their presentations. Everyone was treated to a delicious lamb barbacoa lunch catered by Enbar.

Guests enjoying a lamb lunch catered by Enbar

Merrill McKamey talked about McKamey West Ranch, a family-owned ranch producing beef, lamb and wool. They've been involved in sheep ranching since the late 1800s. The original ranch was called the Colby Sheep company, started in 1886 before Montana was even a state. His great-grandfather worked for Colby and became his ranch manager. After his great-grandfather's passing, his grandfather and his brothers then managed the ranch, eventually being able to purchase the ranch from the Colby family from the mid-1900s. Right now, they're 2/3 cattle and 1/3 sheep. The sheep seen at the ranch are Columbia Sheep, but may have Targhee cross in them, a finer wool breed. Their company values are first, stewardship for the land, for the livestock and the relationships with people that they work with everyday. Their priorities are faith, family, farm and fun.

The tour left for Central Avenue Meats at 2:00 pm, then met at the Mighty Mo for a social at 4:00.