On his sixth annual 56-county tour, Governor Greg Gianforte stopped by the G&G Livestock ranch in Irvine Flats on Thursday, Aug. 13, to honor its sustainable operation.

The G&G Livestock multigenerational ranching operation that includes owners Lynn and Greg Gardner, their daughter Brittany Cathey, her husband Wacey, and their three children. In 2024, the family received the Montana Stockgrowers Association Stewardship Award, which honors a Montana ranch that exemplifies environmental stewardship and demonstrates a commitment to sustainability improvements in the beef industry. 

Gianforte was accompanied by First Lady Susan, the Montana Department of Agriculture, Jillien Streit and Montana Stockgrowers members for lunch with the Gardner and Cathey family. In fact, the dessert was so good that Gianforte told Lynn he’d come back just for those huckleberry bars. 

This was Gianforte’s 10th tour of Montana since he took public office. Gianforte stated in an email to the Leader that the “best and most important” part of his job is meeting Montanans where they live and work. 

“From visits with farmers, ranchers and small business owners, to town hall meetings with families, legislators and local leaders, the 56 County Tour is a great opportunity to hear directly from Montanans on their priorities,” he stated. 

    Governor Greg Gianforte, First Lady Susan and Montana Department of Agriculture Director Jill Streit visit Irvine Flats ranchers Lynn and Greg Gardner, their daughter Brittany Cathey, her husband Wacey and their three children. (Emily Messer/Leader)

According to previous Leader reporting, Lynn’s parents, John and Betty Gordon, purchased the ranch in 1990, and the family has been there ever since. What sets this ranching operation apart is its grazing practices; as Brittany noted, they prioritize pasture quality over the quantity of cows.

“You're not doing yourself any good if you are overstocked for what your pastures can handle,” she said. 

Their grazing practice is called rest rotation and deferred rest rotation, which gives plants time to relax and grow. Brittany said they are conscientious about resting a certain amount of acreage each year, but each year’s flexibility is dictated by the drought conditions. 

“If you're on a pasture in the summer, then the next season you're on it in the fall or the spring,” she explained. 

In previous Leader reporting, Brittany explained that sustainability means creating a piece of land that not only they can profit from but that future generations can as well.

Brittany and Wacey own a ranch-to-table operation called Cathey Cattle Company. Through this business, they sell their grass-finished beef directly to local families and businesses. Wacey is also a full-time crop duster who owns and operates Black Gulch Aviation. After lunch, with his crop duster plane nearby, he and Gianforte discussed their mutual interest in aviation and discussed his son, Jamison, being the next Cathey to earn his pilot's license. 

Gianforte and his team also planned to drive by the cattle herd on their way out, and while saying their goodbyes, he joked with Greg that he would give him a call if any of the cows were acting up. 

“While in Lake County, it was great to visit with the Gardners and the Catheys to learn about their operation,” Gianforte stated in an email to the Leader after his visit. “Montana ranchers are the best stewards of our lands, and the Cathey Cattle Company and G&G Livestock represent that commitment through their responsible management and grazing practices.”

During his visit to the area, Gianforte also met with the Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribal Council member Michael Dolson and the CSKT Tribal Council to discuss the tribe's priorities. 

    Governor Greg Gianforte and Wacey Cathey discuss their love for flying, alongside Cathey’s son Jamison, who is also aiming to achieve his pilot’s license. (Emily Messer/Leader)

    Governor Greg Gianforte and First Lady Susan say their goodbyes as the governor heads to Flathead County for his next stop on his sixth annual 56-county tour. (Emily Messer/Leader)