For Ranchers
Montana ranchers deserve a marketplace where the high-quality beef and pork they produce can compete fairly and consumers can clearly identify where their food was born, raised, and processed.
Montana Farmers Union Advocacy
Support Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling
It’s simple: Montanans want to know where their food comes from.
Montana Farmers Union is fighting for fairness, from the farm to the plate.
Fairness from the Farm to the Plate
Restoring mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) is a win for everyone. Consumers deserve the right to know—and choose—USA beef. Ranchers deserve a fair and honest marketplace.
For Consumers
Consumers deserve transparent and accurate information so they can make informed choices about where the beef and pork they purchase comes from.
Why COOL Matters
After Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) was repealed, Montana ranchers were hit hard.
- Since the repeal of COOL Montana has lost nearly 25% of our family ranches.
- Each closure rippled through rural communities, leading to shuttered main streets and weakened local economies.
- Meanwhile, corporate meatpackers posted record-breaking profits—all while consumers were left in the dark about where their beef and pork came from.
Why Country of Origin Labeling Matters
Learn more about the importance of mandatory Country of Origin Labeling for ranchers, consumers, and rural communities.
Montana Has Already Spoken
Montana’s Legislature has already passed a resolution urging Congress to reinstate Mandatory COOL. Now, it’s up to Montana’s congressional delegation to stand with ranchers and consumers by restoring this commonsense policy.
Read Senate Joint Resolution 25Take Action
Whether you’re a consumer, a cattle producer, or an organization, now is the time to take action. Stand with Montana Farmers Union.
Rancher Support
Tell Montana’s congressional delegation that cattle producers need fair markets and truthful labeling.
Take Action as a RancherConsumer Support
Tell Montana’s congressional delegation that consumers deserve to know where their beef and pork comes from.
Take Action as a ConsumerSupport MT COOL
Learn more about the Montana COOL Coalition and the statewide effort to restore mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling.
Visit MT COOLSupport Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling
Stand With Montana Ranchers
Right now, Montana cattle producers are being forced out of business because a handful of multinational corporations are manipulating cattle markets and misleading consumers. One of their biggest tactics? Mislabeling where beef and pork are born and raised.
Unlike fruits, vegetables, and other goods, beef and pork are the only products not required to carry a Country-of-Origin Label (COOL). That means powerful meatpackers can flood the market with cheaper, imported beef—while our local ranchers are left to compete against labeling that deceives consumers and can be misleading.
This isn’t just unfair—it’s dangerous. Without COOL, Montanans have no way of knowing where their beef or pork comes from, putting both producers and consumers at risk. The Olympic committee warned athletes not to eat Mexican or Brazilian beef because they would fail drug test while here in the United States, we feed this meat to our children.
That’s why Montana Farmers Union and our coalition of partners are fighting back—for fairness, transparency, and truth in labeling. Whether you’re a cattle producer, a consumer, or an organization, you have a role to play in this fight.
Join us today and take action to protect Montana ranchers and ensure every family knows the story behind the food on their table.
More from MFU Members
Montana Farmers Union is really good at drumming down on the issues. When we are one, we can't be very loud. But when we are many, we can be very loud.
Ben Peterson
Peterson Ranch, Judith Gap
I love coming to Montana Farmers Union conferences and watching the webinars and town halls... They support the issues that I care about.
Stacie Cornell
MSU Northern student, Havre
One of the reasons I got involved in Montana Farmers Union is that it’s the only group of people I’ve found in the state who are fighting to make a difference on big issues like Right to Repair.
Sarah Rachor
4th generation farmer, Sidney
Stand With Montana Ranchers and Consumers
Help restore fairness, transparency, and truth in food labeling.