Miller and Grier families win 2026 stewardship award

A fourth-generation British Columbia ranching operation has received national recognition for combining traditional land management with new technology.

The Miller and Grier families of Chilco Ranch–Miller Ranches near Hanceville received the 2026 Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA) during the Canadian Beef Industry Conference in Winnipeg Aug. 19.

WHY IT MATTERS: Chilco Ranch–Miller Ranches combines grazing management, water monitoring and new technology to support cattle production while protecting soil, water and wildlife habitat.

The Canadian Cattle Association presents the award annually to cattle producers who demonstrate leadership in conservation and sustainable land management. Chilco Ranch–Miller Ranches was selected from six regional nominees from across Canada.

The operation manages approximately 1,000 Hereford cow-calf pairs across 170,000 acres, including about 20,000 acres of deeded land and 150,000 acres of crown grazing territory.

Jordan Grier used his acceptance speech to recognize the other regional nominees.

“I think you’ve all done incredible work on your own operations,” he said.

“It’s a real honour to stand among all of you.”

Managing grass and water

The ranch uses rotational grazing, electric fencing and planned rest periods to protect soil, encourage forage recovery and reduce compaction.

Water management is another major focus. The operation includes approximately 40 lakes and 65 kilometres of ditches. Sensors monitor water levels and send information to ranch managers’ phones, helping them manage cattle and protect riparian areas and aquatic ecosystems.

The families also work with Ducks Unlimited Canada to support bird habitats and nesting areas.

Grier described the ranch’s approach in straightforward terms.

“Our goal is always to be simple: keep the animals healthy, keep the land healthy and leave it better than we found it for the next generation,” he said.

“That means managing our grazing so our grass has time to recover, protecting the water and creating habitat that our cattle and our wildlife both depend on.”

One per cent at a time

The operation is considering virtual fencing, drones and additional off-site watering systems as tools to improve grazing management and conservation.

Grier said progress does not have to come through a single major project. Instead, he follows what he calls the one-per-cent rule.

“If we can all be better one per cent every year, in 100 years it’s going to look a whole lot different,” he said.

Four generations at work

He credited his grandparents, Dean and Lorraine, along with his mother, Janet, aunt Darla, brother Justin and other family members for building and maintaining the operation.

Grier’s wife, Crystal, and their children, Connor and Taylor, joined him for the presentation.

“Nothing happens without our whole family,” he said.

B.C. Cattlemen’s Association president Alex Kulchar, who attended the award presentation in Winnipeg, congratulated the families.

“We are so pleased for the Grier and Miller families for being awarded this great honour,“ he said.

“The competition for TESA is intense, with amazing ranching families from across Canada demonstrating the stewardship qualities we all strive for.”

For Grier, the recognition extends beyond his own operation.

“This award belongs to all of us, to every producer in this room doing work quietly every day because it’s the right thing to do.”