Cattle Ranching by State 2026

Montana

The top state for cattle ranching and agriculture, in general, is considered to be Montana. Nicknamed the “Big Sky State”, it is one of the best places to start a farm, as it has access to an abundance of resources - both natural and community-based. Montana boasts a large agricultural economy, while also being considered one of the biggest in nature tourism and land size. Ranching in Montana is iconic and can be considered effective and woven into the cultural identity of everyone in the state, but it also leaves wide open acreage for many complimentary crops.

Montana is the number one supplier of beef in the country, but also leads the production of other staples, such as honey, lentils, and organic-grade wheat. The acreage in Montana is large and comes second only to Wyoming, which is not the only metric that is observed when looking at opening a farm. It is debatable whether the climate itself is the sole reason that cattle ranching is so popular, but it eventually comes down to tradition. Many Americans undergoing a new venture want to be around like-minded people that will help them succeed.

The Great Plains and Corn belt

Many of the states that have a great environment are located in the Great Plains, with some being in the Corn Belt. This means that the environment is not just suitable in a physical sense, but the cultural identity of these states is usually tied back to agricultural practices - which forces the local authorities to enact a legislature that is conducive to opening and maintaining a farm or ranch. The broad-sweeping states of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas have cheap acreage to offer for those who wish to improve upon it and make it viable for farming purposes. On top of the affordability is the wide open space that these states have to offer so that your cattle have the flexibility to move around as they wish.

Although the land is cheap, the help is not. Established communities within these states welcome great new market entrants as it is considered good and honest work, and a compliment to the lifestyle. The southern charm is not lost on new farmers, as they are always welcomed with wide open arms, hospitality, and brutal truth about how to make it in their environment.

Alaska

Alaska is always at the bottom of many of the lists for farming and ranching, but this only serves to deter those who are not brave or experienced. Alaska does have some of the coldest climates, as well as very infertile soil and arid land, but it is also the biggest state by land mass. This means that purchasing land is relatively cheap, especially in less desirable areas. The climate, however, is completely conducive to those who wish to specialize in one form of crop or beast. The long daylight hours in the summer season make it extremely easy to care for your cattle and grow their feed and crops. Alaska is not great overall, but specialists can grow some of the biggest cattle and crops in the country.