Ranch to Table Beef in Montana Ag Network

In Billings, Montana, a fourth-generation ranching family is revolutionizing the way residents access beef by offering direct-to-consumer sales. Lamont and Jennifer Herman, owners of Montana Prime Meats, have transformed their family's 80-year legacy into a thriving business that brings ranch-to-table beef to the local community.

Located at 524 Liberty Street, Montana Prime Meats provides a variety of high-quality beef, pork, lamb, and bison products. The Hermans' commitment to transparency and quality has resonated with consumers seeking to know the origins of their food. Jennifer Herman emphasized the importance of keeping their meat within Montana, stating, "We just decided it was time to keep the meat here in Montana."

The Hermans' approach to cattle raising avoids traditional feedlots. Instead, they keep their cattle in pastures, bringing feed directly to them, which they believe offers "a little bit of a best of both worlds." This method aligns with their dedication to animal welfare and sustainable practices.

Montana Prime Meats offers competitive pricing, with a pound of ranch-raised ground beef priced at $8. Jennifer Herman assures customers that their prices are affordable and the quality is exceptional. An unexpected yet popular feature of their store is a drive-through window, allowing customers to conveniently purchase meat and coffee. Jennifer noted, "We didn't know if people would buy meat through a drive-up window, but they do, which is really crazy."

The trend of ranchers selling directly to consumers is gaining momentum across Montana. Raylee Honeycutt, executive vice president of the Montana Stockgrowers Association, observed that consumers are increasingly interested in the origins of their food. She noted that over the past five years, many producers have diversified their operations to include direct-to-consumer sales.

Looking ahead, the Hermans plan to bring meat processing in-house by the end of March. This move will allow them to oversee every aspect of production and offer both fresh and frozen meat packages. Lamont Herman highlighted the significance of this development, stating, "That's a key element, we believe, is we'll be able to see every aspect."

Montana Prime Meats is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., providing Billings residents with convenient access to locally sourced, high-quality meats. For more information, customers can call 406-717-8892 or email mtprimemeatorders@gmail.com.