Helena, Mont. (June 16, 2026) — Outdated Salt Co-op’s 4 associate cattle ranches—J Bar L Ranch, LF Ranch, Mannix Ranch, and Sieben Reside Inventory Firm—are the latest ranches to realize the Nationwide Audubon Society’s Fowl-Pleasant Land Certification. Secured via the Audubon Conservation Ranching program, the certification acknowledges that the producers handle their acreage to help birds, biodiversity, and dealing landscapes.
Audubon Conservation Ranching is a science-based certification program designed to guard chicken habitat and help worthwhile, resilient ranches. Since 1970, grassland chicken species have skilled the steepest inhabitants decline amongst all terrestrial biomes. Right now, practically 4.5 million acres and over 150 ranches are acknowledged as bird-friendly. The certification seal on promotion and product packaging is discovered in additional than 2,000 retail areas, carrying the story of conservation to customers.
In Montana, a complete of 516,980 acres unfold throughout 28 ranches are Audubon Licensed Fowl-Pleasant Land, now together with Outdated Salt’s companions. Based in 2021, the Helena-based co-op raises, processes, and sells its personal meat, and goals to take a position its earnings again into the land, ecosystem, and neighborhood. Outdated Salt’s 4 beef producers (and one hog ranch) have partial possession within the meat model, processing operation, eating places, and occasions, together with the Audubon-sponsored Outdated Salt Competition, to be held this June 19 to 21 close to Helmville.
“Extra heartbeats per acre is our purpose,” mentioned Cole Mannix, President and Co-founder of Outdated Salt. “We care about all of the wildlife that decision a spot residence. To have the ability to work with Audubon—a company that understands birds and their habitats to a degree that we do not—will solely assist us get higher over time.”
To earn the certification, the 4 ranches meet strict requirements for habitat administration, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare, all verified via third-party audits. Fowl-friendly administration strategies, reminiscent of pasture relaxation and rotation, enrich grassland habitat that helps precedence species just like the Grasshopper Sparrow, Chestnut-collared Longspur, Bobolink, Mountain Plover, and Lark Bunting.
“Outdated Salt ranches meet all the requirements for bird-friendly certification,” mentioned Christian Meny, Director of Conservation for Montana Audubon. “However what makes them actually distinctive is that they construct lasting relationships with the land, cattle, and wildlife; a multi-generational ranching neighborhood; and their native and regional prospects.”
Based in 1882, Mannix Ranch is one in all Outdated Salt’s companions within the Blackfoot Valley. When doable, the ranch makes use of short-duration, intensive grazing of three days or much less to permit crops to regrow. This technique establishes a mixture of brief grass, tall cowl, and numerous forbs inside pastures—vital foraging and nesting habitat for grassland birds.
“Our ranch cares deeply about conservation—that the land stays intact and may help wildlife and a wholesome ecosystem,” mentioned Logan Mannix, a member of the fifth-generation, family-run Mannix Ranch. “Audubon’s certification is an efficient match for us as a result of it focuses extra broadly on ecosystem well being and wildlife habitat moderately than particular inputs.”
LF Ranch, based mostly in Augusta, prioritizes floor cowl, species range, and strong grass development in its administration practices. The ranch not too long ago launched extra yearling cattle into its herds partially to enhance grass utilization and the long-term well being of the vary.
“Fowl-friendly ranching follows sound ecological practices,” mentioned Andrew Bardwell, Common Supervisor of LF Ranch. “If we get our grazing proper, cow efficiency follows, and all the pieces else on the ranch thrives: crops, animals, and birds.”
Headquartered in Adel and based in 1868, Sieben Reside Inventory Firm implements strategic relaxation through the rising season to guard its pastures throughout Cascade County. Early in his profession, Cooper Hibbard, Sieben Reside Inventory’s President and COO, bunked with Audubon biologists at a ranch in Mexico and discovered how chicken surveys can reveal the general well being of an ecosystem and habitat.
“I’ve been a believer ever since,” Hibbard mentioned. “A wholesome, thriving chicken inhabitants is indicative that we’re reaching our mission of making as a lot life as doable via our grazing administration and total method to stewardship.”
Based mostly close to Melville, J Bar L Ranch additionally follows bird-friendly administration practices, reminiscent of high-impact, short-duration grazing and relaxation durations for fragile pastures. Opened in 2000, the ranch now helps Outdated Salt towards its purpose to nourish all members of the meat manufacturing course of, from the land stewards to the meals staff within the market.
“We take an earth-first method to managing our land, the livestock, and the enterprise,” mentioned Andrew Anderson, Ranch Co-Supervisor for J Bar L. “We’re attempting to advertise a set of circumstances which can be resilient, each ecologically and financially, to guard the panorama and maintain extra {dollars} throughout the agricultural sector and our communities in Montana.”
Yearly this method is honored on the Outdated Salt Competition, hosted at Mannix Ranch. Sponsored by a number of teams together with Audubon, the competition celebrates the numerous shared values between Audubon and Outdated Salt: wholesome grasslands, land stewardship, and viable ranching operations.
“We’ve all grown to simply accept an extractive system during which agriculture is the place we develop meals on the expense of all different dwelling issues,” mentioned Chris Wilson, Director of Audubon Conservation Ranching. “Outdated Salt is a mannequin for the way we are able to transfer towards a very regenerative system that builds ecological integrity by regularly reinvesting in land and native communities.”
About Audubon Conservation Ranching
Audubon Conservation Ranching companions with ranchers to maintain wholesome grasslands, considerable birdlife, and resilient rural communities. By means of our bird-friendly land certification and science-based method, we empower land stewards to boost habitat, enhance soil well being and water high quality, and strengthen the connection between conservation and ranching. By buying merchandise from Audubon Licensed Fowl-Pleasant Land, customers grow to be conservationists, serving to defend America’s grasslands and the birds, wildlife, and those who depend upon them. For extra info, go to www.audubon.org/ranching.
