Our Story Began in Montana

In Montana, we tend to look at nature a little differently than most. We live in a majestic place where wild lands were settled by spirited pioneers who courageously left everything behind - trusting that nature would provide for their every need. And it certainly did.

This fulfilled trust grew into an undaunted respect for nature, which has been passed on from generation to generation of hard-working ranch families. It’s this same respect for nature that echoes in the hearts of the third generation ranchers who started “Montana Ranch Brand.”


Montana Ranch Brand was developed in response to the health-conscious consumer’s frustration with the lack of succulent, tender beef raised without the use of added hormones and antibiotics. We appreciated their desire for better health so we turned to nature to find a solution.


With the same pioneering spirit as our forefathers, we ventured around the globe to determine if, in fact, there was one breed of cattle that had the natural ability to produce tender, flavorful, and nutritionally superior beef... and we knew no boundaries.


Our search went the distance and ended in Italy.


It’s no secret that Italians have a passion for food. From generation to generation, fine cuisine has been a central part of their culture. And for centuries, Italians have taken pride in enjoying their own native breed of cattle from the Piedmont region of northwest Italy.

This uniquely lean and tender beef originated in the foothills of the Italian Alps, where rolling green hills provide a natural diet of fiber-rich grasses. With a leaner physique and heavier muscle structure, these cattle thrived in this high-altitude environment. These physical attributes produce a juicy, full-flavored beef with less fat and cholesterol than... Read the full story.

IWB History

In 2004, seven producers came together with a common vision and a passion. They wanted to start a company which had a strict focus to holistically produce the very best beef in the US. This beef was to be recognized and sought after by chefs and beef connoisseurs for the unique flavor, tenderness, and health benefits Wagyu beef naturally provide.

In 2005, Imperial Wagyu Beef was born. The seven partners are a unique group of individuals, each with years of experience and expertise spanning across all aspects of the beef industry such as; genetics, cattle nutrition, cow/calf production, feeding, and harvesting.

In 2006, Imperial Wagyu Beef® was recognized by USDA as the first Certified Wagyu Beef brand in the USA...Read the full story.