Last American Cowboy

An entire season boils down to one day. After months struggling through blizzards, fires and accidents, three families prepare to sell their calves and collect their one paycheck of the year. The future of the American Cowboy hangs in the balance.

Three families mark their herds with one of their oldest traditions. The ranchers enjoy friendship and fellowship as the community comes to lend a hand branding and vaccinate the cattle. Harsh weather threatens to derail branding day.

The ranching families brace for eight months of hard work as Montana's calving season begins.

The ranchers scramble to save their newborn calves after learning of an approaching blizzard.

The ranchers contend with disease, hay shortages and financial hardship as calving season in Montana nears its end.

Fire in the Montana wilderness threatens one of the ranches. The cowboys scramble to store enough hay for the winter before fall rains wash them out completely. It's all hands on deck to get the job done when tragedy strikes one of the families.