Stockgrowers’ Popular Book Available Again

The Board of Directors of the Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) now has copies of the second printing of the association’s popular book “The Weak Ones Turned Back, The Cowards Never Started: A Century of Ranching in Montana.”

The book was compiled in 2009 to celebrate MSGA’s 125th Anniversary and features 142 Montana ranches 100 years of age or older. At the time of the first printing, the ranches included in the book were all working livestock operations that had been in the same family and in the same location as when they were established over a century ago.

The stories and photographs of these ranches comprise 472 pages in this commemorative hard-bound book, edited by Linda Grosskopf and Nancy Morrison. The cover features a JK Ralston painting, “The Weak Ones Turned Back, The Cowards Never Started” owned by Montana cattle industry notable, Pat Goggins, who also contributed a foreword to the book. Several original drawings by Aubry Smith are included in the book, which also contains more than 1,000 photographs. The second printing will be available in summer 2010.

“We’re very excited to offer a second printing of this important book,” said Tom Hougen, MSGA president. “The stories of these ranches are a tribute to the perseverance and tradition of ranching in Montana. Each story is inspiring—demonstrating the raw grit and determination it took to sustain a family ranch over the past 100 years. This book honors a way of life that has helped make Montana what it is today.”

MSGA is currently taking pre-orders. The price is $50, including shipping and handling. To place an order online, visit www.mtbeef.org. There you can also download an order form to mail in with payment. For more information or to order over the phone, call MSGA at (406) 442-3420.