Environmental Stewardship and the Goggins Ranch

The Madison Valley is home to rolling hills scattered with agricultural land, surrounded by mountains that often glean snowy peaks. Streams run through the landscape like veins, providing life to crucial wildlife and fields alike. Our natural resources hold a great importance, arguably driving our economy in more ways than one.

Ranchers depend on the land and its resources for their livelihood. Sustainability-oriented and innovative land management practices are important to ensure that our resources are maintained for future generations. Each year, cattle producers across the state, are recognized for their outstanding stewardship practices and conservation achievements, through the Montana Environmental Stewardship Award Program. In 2023, the local Goggins Ranch, operated by the Goggins and Endecott families, was awarded this honor for their commitment towards sustainability in the beef industry.

The Goggins Ranch is currently owned and operated by siblings Janet Endecott and Pat Goggins and Janet’s daughter, Rachel Endecott. Pat’s wife Michelle, and Pat and Janet’s sister, Betty, are also essential parts of this family operation. The Goggins Ranch came to the Madison Valley in 1959 after Bob and Cora Goggins bought their own land and started raising a herd of registered Herefords. Now, the Goggins and Endecott families manage 600 acres of land, split between properties in McAllister and Ennis, for their crossbred cow/calf operation which raises approximately 180 mother cows each year.

On Monday, September 23^rd, the 2024 “Raise the Steaks” Environmental Stewardship Tour, was held at the Goggins Ranch. The tour discussed the history of the Goggins Ranch and the cultural significance of ranching in the Madison Valley, as well as reviewing projects they have implemented to promote sustainability. During the tour, Rachel Endecott shared that her family’s appreciation for the land was instilled by the patriarch, Bob, who often exclaimed “you must leave it better than you found it.” It is clear that this mantra runs deep, as the Goggins family continues to make concerted efforts to improve the land around them, while running a successful beef operation.

About the Ranch

The ranch sits upon two perennial streams, South Meadow Creek in McAllister, and Moore Creek in Ennis, of which have been the focus of the family’s conservation efforts. Both creeks have been identified by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality as impaired waterways and are considered high priority by conservation officials in the state.

In 2011, the Goggins Ranch partnered with several conservation agencies, including the Madison Conservation District, to implement adaptive management practices on the stretch of South Meadow Creek that runs through the ranch. This included establishing riparian pastures, developing a well and watering tank system, including hardened crossings, and replacing an aging headgate. While the family was initially, and understandably, cautious about reworking their cattle’s watering plan, they soon noticed their grazing experiences and overall efficiency had improved.

By protecting the bank from frequent pressure from the herds, water quality of the stream noticeably improved. Relying on watering tanks, rather than the creek, also allowed for easier watering in the winter, more equitable access to water throughout the herd, and cattle were more willing to graze pastures broadly as water was readily available elsewhere. The success on their McAllister ranch, encouraged the family to begin planning similar restoration projects on Moore Creek as well.

Another problem the ranch tackles each year, is weed pressures facilitated the Madison River gorge. When the river bordering the Ennis ranch gorges onto the banks, it brings along with it weeds from upstream areas. To manage the annual influx, the Goggins family engages in adaptive management techniques, such as spraying, mechanical control, and targeted grazing. As part of this, the ranch has partnered with the Madison Valley Ranchlands Group Weed Committee, NRCS, and Cattle Eating Weeds to teach the heifers to eat targeted species such as Canada thistle and spotted knapweed.

Outside of their work regarding stream health and weed management, the Gogginses also updated their fencing method to allow for more wildlife crossing opportunities throughout the ranch. As suggested by the National Parks Conservation Association, they removed their 5-wire barbed fence and replaced it with a 3-wire electric fence that was less of a barrier for antelope migration.

In addition to the efforts the Goggins family is making to promote sustainable ranching practices, they have also made a considerable effort to encourage this work throughout the Madison Valley. The McAllister ranch has been a partner of the Conservation District’s Madison Stream Team since its inception in 2010. This volunteer stream monitoring program allows community members to engage in citizen science while collecting basic water quality data on streams in the Madison Watershed.  The ranch has also hosted numerous field tours of which community members, Montana State University students, and local conservation organizations have been invited to see the work being done to improve stream health and grazing lands.

Congratulations to the Goggins and Endecott families and thank you for the work you are doing to promote environmental stewardship in the Madison Valley and throughout the State!