Archives West Finding Aid

The Montana Cattlemen's Association, International (MCA) was founded in 1957 to represent the exclusive interests of beef cattle producers in the state. Many of the founding members of MCA had belonged to the more broad-based Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSA) but formed the new organization in order to represent cattlemen, particularly those with smaller herds, more adequately. MCA also differed from MSA over how to control the spread of brucellosis in cattle. The Stockmen favored the state's program of extensive testing of herds, while the Cattlemen favored a less intrusive method involving vaccination. Over the years the activities of this non-profit organization have included publication of newsletters and a monthly magazine; lobbying the state legislature and the U.S. Congress; research services; and efforts to market cattle abroad. Governance of the organization is through the annual convention, district meetings, and board of directors meetings. In 1964 MCA helped initiate a class-action anti-trust suit against supermarket retailers A. & P., Kroger's, and Safeway for price-fixing in the purchase of beef. Cattle ranchers finally won the suit. Among the presidents of MCA were Jack Toole, Art Watson, I.H. Halverson, Sid Fraser, Swede Schlesinger, Charles Bascom, Eugene Walker, Stan Booth, and Paul Ringling. Beginning in 1972 the administrative end of the organization was run by an executive secretary, Alice Fryslie.