The joys of calving on the Hi-Line

As a scientist, Livestock Operations manager for the Northern Agricultural Research Center Cory Parsons, an Idaho native, "objectively" believes that Montana beef is superior.

No, he said he can't prove it with science or research, but he has his reasons.

"I think it's a combination of the weather, genetics and the grass. These calves," Parsons said Tuesday, "they'll go any place in the Pacific Northwest, in the Midwest, and compete in a feedlot."

Montana beef, annually, is a $1.2 to $2 million industry, said Mike Honeycutt, executive officer of the Montana Department of Livestock. Like Parson...