Montana Ranchers Use Sheep to Control Invasive Weeds

The Mannix family employs targeted sheep grazing to restore native rangeland in the state's Blackfoot Valley.

Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Organic Food

Montana Ranchers Use Sheep to Control Invasive Weeds

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The Mannix family utilizes a band of 1,000 sheep to combat invasive spotted knapweed on their Montana ranch. This regenerative agriculture method relies on sheep digesting invasive seedheads to prevent the weeds from spreading.

Why it matters

Regenerative agriculture practices focus on improving soil health and ecosystem strength by utilizing natural processes rather than chemical intervention. This approach allows ranchers to maintain productivity while actively restoring native land conditions.

The Mannix family has operated in Montana for nearly 150 years, and their cooperative now stewards more than 200,000 acres across five member ranches. A band of 1,000 sheep manages the invasive weed population through controlled grazing.

The players

Mannix family

This family has been active in the ranching industry in Montana's Blackfoot Valley for nearly 150 years.

Old Salt cooperative

Founded by the Mannix family, this organization coordinates meat production and distribution across five Montana ranches.

The details

By targeting invasive plant seedheads, the sheep render seeds nonviable through their digestive process. The Old Salt cooperative, co-founded by the family, extends this model by managing a full network of meat processing, wholesale distribution, e-commerce, and restaurants in Helena.

Late 20th century: Spotted knapweed began spreading across native rangeland.
Early 2000s: Knapweed emerged as a critical concern for livestock producers.
Year 8 of grazing: Initial signs of progress appeared in the weed control effort.
Year 12 of grazing: Spotted knapweed populations began to collapse.

Culture Shift

The use of grazing to manage invasive species reflects a broader societal movement toward regenerative agriculture as a soil restoration strategy. This trend marks a significant shift away from chemical-heavy land management toward systems that prioritize long-term ecological health.

Residents can support the Old Salt cooperative's model by purchasing meat produced through these regenerative practices at their Helena restaurants. The efforts to control invasive knapweed help protect the biodiversity of local Montana rangelands used for grazing.

The takeaway

Using livestock to manage invasive plant species offers a sustainable way to rehabilitate rangeland without synthetic chemicals. Implementing such regenerative techniques requires patience, as restoration efforts may take over a decade to show meaningful population collapse.