Old Salt Co-op Cattle Ranches Earn Audubon Bird-Friendly Land Certification

Helena, Mont. (June 16, 2026) — Previous Salt Co-op’s 4 companion cattle ranches—J Bar L Ranch, LF Ranch, Mannix Ranch, and Sieben Stay Inventory Firm—are the most recent ranches to attain the Nationwide Audubon Society’s Chicken-Pleasant Land Certification. Secured by way of the Audubon Conservation Ranching program, the certification acknowledges that the producers handle their acreage to assist birds, biodiversity, and dealing landscapes.  

Audubon Conservation Ranching is a science-based certification program designed to guard fowl habitat and assist worthwhile, resilient ranches. Since 1970, grassland fowl species have skilled the steepest inhabitants decline amongst all terrestrial biomes. Right this moment, 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 places, carrying the story of conservation to customers.

In Montana, a complete of 516,980 acres unfold throughout 28 ranches are Audubon Licensed Chicken-Pleasant Land, now together with Previous Salt’s companions. Based in 2021, the Helena-based co-op raises, processes, and sells its personal meat, and goals to speculate its earnings again into the land, ecosystem, and group. Previous 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 Previous Salt Pageant, to be held this June 19 to 21 close to Helmville.

“Extra heartbeats per acre is our aim,” stated Cole Mannix, President and Co-founder of Previous Salt. “We care about all of the wildlife that decision a spot dwelling. To have the ability to work with Audubon—a corporation 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 by way of third-party audits. Chicken-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.  

“Previous Salt ranches meet the entire requirements for bird-friendly certification,” stated Christian Meny, Director of Conservation for Montana Audubon. “However what makes them really distinctive is that they construct lasting relationships with the land, cattle, and wildlife; a multi-generational ranching group; and their native and regional clients.”

Based in 1882, Mannix Ranch is one in all Previous 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 vegetation to regrow. This methodology establishes a mixture of quick 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 might assist wildlife and a wholesome ecosystem,” stated Logan Mannix, a member of the fifth-generation, family-run Mannix Ranch. “Audubon’s certification is an effective match for us as a result of it focuses extra broadly on ecosystem well being and wildlife habitat reasonably than particular inputs.”

LF Ranch, primarily based in Augusta, prioritizes floor cowl, species range, and sturdy grass development in its administration practices. The ranch just lately launched extra yearling cattle into its herds partially to enhance grass utilization and the long-term well being of the vary.  

“Chicken-friendly ranching follows sound ecological practices,” stated Andrew Bardwell, Basic Supervisor of LF Ranch. “If we get our grazing proper, cow efficiency follows, and every thing else on the ranch thrives: vegetation, animals, and birds.”

Headquartered in Adel and based in 1868, Sieben Stay Inventory Firm implements strategic relaxation throughout the rising season to guard its pastures throughout Cascade County. Early in his profession, Cooper Hibbard, Sieben Stay Inventory’s President and COO, bunked with Audubon biologists at a ranch in Mexico and realized how fowl surveys can reveal the general well being of an ecosystem and habitat.

“I’ve been a believer ever since,” Hibbard stated. “A wholesome, thriving fowl inhabitants is indicative that we’re attaining our mission of making as a lot life as doable by way of our grazing administration and general strategy to stewardship.” 

About Audubon Conservation Ranching 

Audubon Conservation Ranching companions with ranchers to maintain wholesome grasslands, plentiful birdlife, and resilient rural communities. Via our bird-friendly land certification and science-based strategy, 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 Chicken-Pleasant Land, customers turn out to be conservationists, serving to defend America’s grasslands and the birds, wildlife, and people who rely on them. For extra data, go to www.audubon.org/ranching.