What the Montana Stockgrowers Convention and Trade Show Is
The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) calls its annual convention the premier gathering of Montana cattle producers: education, networking, policy development and advocacy in one three-day stretch. The 2026 convention runs Thursday, December 3 through Saturday, December 5 in Billings, anchored by the DoubleTree by Hilton and the Northern Hotel.
What's On Each Day
| Day | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Thursday, Dec. 3 | Water Symposium 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; trade show 1:00 to 6:30 p.m.; Tax, Finance and Ag Policy Committee 2:30 to 5:00 p.m.; Kick Off Social 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. |
| Friday, Dec. 4 | Opening General Session 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. with broadcast meteorologist Brian Bledsoe; Stockgrowers Colleges from 10:15 a.m.; Best of Beef Luncheon noon to 2:00 p.m.; Land Use and Environment Committee; trade show celebration dinner 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, Dec. 5 | Beef Breakfast 7:00 a.m.; Beef Production and Marketing Committee; Presidents Lunch 11:30 a.m.; Young Stockgrowers meeting 12:30 p.m.; resolutions readings 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.; Grand Finale Banquet 7:00 p.m. |
Stockgrowers Colleges
These one-hour sessions run on Friday morning and twice on Saturday. Friday topics include livestock antibiotic sustainability, carbon markets, leasing or owning the bull, soil function and renewable diesel. Saturday topics include herd health through genetic selection, preparing a ranch for the generational handoff, cows and cowboys with Halter, taxes and 1031 exchanges, minerals, Montana Department of Livestock updates, ranch data and precision ranching tools.
Speakers
- Brian Bledsoe, seasonal weather outlook, Friday general session
- Greg Brandhorst, commodity and ingredient hedging, Best of Beef Luncheon
- Gary Heilig Jr. and Kraig Arnaud, crop insurance and risk, Saturday Beef Breakfast
- Kent Bacus of NCBA, trade and government affairs, Presidents Lunch
- Karen Grosz, leadership coach, Women of the West
The Trade Show
MSGA bills it as the largest show in the ranching business hosted in Montana, with equipment, technology, fencing and animal-health exhibitors on the DoubleTree's 3rd Floor. Hours: Thursday 1:00 to 6:30 p.m., Friday 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Registration and Fees
| Pass | Member | Non-member |
|---|---|---|
| All Inclusive (Dec. 3-5), early | $225 | $300 |
| All Inclusive, onsite | $250 | $325 |
| Thursday pass | $50 | |
| Friday pass | $100 | |
| Saturday pass | $125 | |
| Grand Finale Banquet ticket | $50 | |
Register online through MSGA. Text "Beef" to (855) 965-4006 for updates.
Banquet, Auctions and Drawings
The Saturday Grand Finale Banquet at the Northern Hotel Grand Ballroom (doors 6:30 p.m.) features a steak dinner, prizes and drawings, followed by a 9:00 p.m. after party with live music by Exit 53. The Priority Page Auction offers a full-page ad in the 2027 Montana Seedstock and Commercial Cattle Directory, and a Producer Partnership Hay Auction sells 27 tons of alfalfa grass hay. A Massey Ferguson tractor raffle sells tickets at $20 each or six for $100, with participating FFA chapters keeping 50 percent of their sales. Other drawings include a Nutra-Lix saddle (MSGA members, must be present), a ton of liquid supplement and a $500 Western Ranch Supply gift certificate.
Lodging and Where
DoubleTree by Hilton Billings, (406) 252-7400, reserve by November 3 and mention "MSG." Northern Hotel, (406) 867-6767, reserve by November 18 and mention the Montana Stockgrowers Association Annual Convention. Registration desks open Thursday 11:30 a.m. at the DoubleTree.
Questions
Can non-members attend?
Yes, at the higher non-member rate.
Can I buy just one day?
Yes, single-day passes are sold for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Who do I call?
MSGA office, 420 N. California St., Helena: (406) 442-3420.
Official Links
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Montana Farm Bureau Annual Convention and Trade Show
The 107th annual convention of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Billings, November 15 to 18, 2026.
27 N 27th St, Billings, MT 59101 | Organizer: Montana Farm Bureau Federation Official event details - Chase Hawks Rodeo
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Billings, MT Official event details - Montana Wool Growers Association Annual Convention
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Billings, MT | Organizer: Montana Wool Growers Association Official event details - MontanaFair 4-H and FFA Junior Livestock Shows
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- MontanaFair 4-H and FFA Livestock Shows
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Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.