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Shipton’s Big R in the Community
Rooted in the Community
Since 1949
Shipton’s Big R is locally owned and managed, influencing our efforts to stay rooted in the community that has supported us since 1949. Our commitment to our community forms the solid foundation from which we do business to this day.Throughout the year, we proudly host in-store events, sponsor local groups, contribute to local causes and of course, generously providing knowledge, expertise and exceptional customer service.
Shipton's Big R Blog
Get Ready For Grilling Season
May 19, 2022
With summer on its way, it's time to break out the grill once again and enjoy meals outdoors with family and friends. Test out your grilling chops and get adventurous with a few non-traditional recipes below!
Grilled Portobello Mushrooms
Mushrooms make a delicious lower calorie alternative to meat burgers while still maintaining that satisfactory meaty texture!

Ingredients:
- 4 Large Portobello Mushrooms
- 1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or 1/2 teaspoon dried
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, plus additional to taste
- Canola or vegetable oil for grilling
If this is your first time ‘shrooming it, fear not! You can cook these on an indoor or outdoor grill, and because we aren’t fussing with internal temperatures, you don’t need to stress over food safety.
To Clean Portobello Mushrooms:
Start by removing and discarding the stems. With a paper towel, gently rub off any dirt from the caps. With a small spoon, lightly scrape around the underside of the caps to remove the gills. The gills are edible but, well, weird and when you are sautéing with them, they’ll turn your recipe a dark, unappetizing hue. If the gills don’t bother you, you can leave them on.
The Marinade:
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the marinade ingredients. Choose a dish large enough to hold the mushrooms in a single layer.
- Add the mushrooms to the marinade, coating both sides. A quick 10 minutes marinade time is all you need, though you can let them go for up to 30 if you are otherwise busy drinking wine prepping other elements of the meal. Don’t go longer than 30 or the portobellos will become too salty.
Grilling:
- Heat a grill or a large skillet over medium heat (about 350 to 400 degrees F). Brush the grill with oil to prevent sticking.
- Remove the mushrooms from the bowl, shaking off any excess marinade and reserving the marinade for basting.
- Cook on each side for 3-4 minutes, or until caramelized and deep golden brown.
- Brush the remaining marinade over the mushrooms several times as they cook.
Cheese-Stuffed Grilled Peppers
These stuffed peppers will go great as an appetizer and are an especially tasty complement to white wine.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (8 ounces)
- 1 cup cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 4 Anaheim or Cubanelle peppers
- 4 baby bell peppers
- 4 small poblano chiles
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for rubbing
The Filling:
- In a medium bowl, blend the ricotta with the cream cheese and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Season with salt and pepper.
Grilling:
- Light a grill or heat a grill pan. Using a small, sharp knife, remove the stems from the peppers and reserve. Cut around inside the peppers to detach the membranes and remove the seeds. Using a butter knife, fill the peppers with the cheese mixture and reattach the tops. Rub the peppers with olive oil.
- Grill the peppers over moderately high heat, turning occasionally, until blistered all over and the cheese filling is piping hot, about 7 minutes. Transfer the peppers to plates and serve.
Shop our Grills, Smokers & Accessories section to find everything you need to start grilling like a professional!
Stumped on Tree Care?
May 11, 2022
As the old proverb goes, the best time to plant a tree was
20 years ago. The second-best time is now! Trees improve air quality, add
aesthetic appeal to your yard, valuable shade on hot days, and so much more!
Read on for some tips and tricks to start planting.

The tree planting process will depend on whether your tree
is containerized, balled & burlapped, or has bare roots. Choose a location
away from building foundations and powerlines that will allow the tree roots
and branches to grow freely. Smaller trees which reach up to 30 feet tall should
have a 10-foot distance whereas taller trees should have a 15-foot
distance. Keeping water lines in mind is also a good idea to avoid future issues. Avoid planting saplings in the summer months as the heat and process
of transplanting is a stressor to the plant during its more active growing season.
Planting Containerized Trees:
- Dig a hole with sloping sides as deep as the root ball and three to four times wider than the container.
- Remove the tree from the container, taking care not to yank it and separate the tree from the roots. Cut the sides of the container if need be.
- Check to make sure the tree isn’t root-bound, with roots growing out of the soil and into the container and/or circling around the root mass. If not taken care of, the roots might continue to circle the tree.
- If your tree is root-bound, make four to eight evenly spaced-out vertical cuts around the root mass. The cuts should be deep enough to disrupt any circling roots. Finally, make two cuts to form an “X” at the bottom of the root mass. This may seem ruthless, but the root ends left over will be able to grow healthier and stronger once the excess is removed.
- Place the tree in the middle of the hole, making sure it’s no deeper than the depth of the root ball. Keep the tree in a straight position as you fill and pack the soil back into the hole. Backfill until the soil is just below the root collar (the base of the tree). You can gently tamp the soil around the tree to remove any air pockets as well.
Planting Balled and Burlapped Trees:
- As before, dig a hole three to four times wider than the root ball but no deeper.
- Lift the tree by the root ball (never the trunk) and place it in the hole.
- Once your tree is positioned properly, backfill just enough to support the tree as you use wire cutters to make vertical cuts up the side of the wire basket. Remove the wire, rope, twine, and nails from the ball. A few regular burlap scraps under the ball can stay, but vinyl or treated burlap must be removed as it will not degrade.
- Inspect the root ball and loosen any tightly wrapped or coiling roots.
- Making sure the tree remains straight, pack the rest of the soil back around the root ball and continue packing until the soil line is just below the root collar.
Planting Bare Root Trees:
- Carefully untangle the roots of your tree once it has been unpacked and soak the roots in a bucket of water in a cool location three to six hours, making sure the roots do not dry out.
- Trim off any dead or damaged roots
- Dig a hole as deep as the roots so the root collar will be level with the ground. The hole should be wide enough to give the roots room to spread out as they grow. The roots should not bend or overcrowd and should be spread out evenly.
- Have another person hold the tree up vertically as you work the soil around the roots
- A bare root tree is more likely to need support for the first year to remain upright. If so, place two stakes opposite each other about 1.5 feet away from the trunk. The stakes should be about 1/3 the height of the tree. Instead of string or wire which can damage the trunk, use a softer material such as canvas strapping to attach the stakes. Allow enough slack for the tree to sway naturally and remove the stakes the following growing season.
Planting On an Incline:
When planting a tree on a slope or hillside, it is important to make sure your tree has been planted and grows vertically, which can be helped with tree stakes. Creating a berm by placing excess dirt on the downhill side of the planting hole will also help your tree by catching water as it goes down the slope.
Watering & Mulch:
Once your tree has been planted, any extra soil can be placed along the edge of the planting hole to create a watering basin known as a berm. Water the tree thoroughly and spread a layer of protective mulch once it has soaked in. The mulch should be about 2 inches deep surrounding the base of the tree in a 3-foot diameter, but not quite touching the trunk.
Watering is especially important in the first one to three years as your tree establishes itself. The soil and mulch should be moist but not soggy. In drier weather, water generously every 7-10 days.
Adding Fertilizer:
Fertilizer provides added nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to plants. Because trees in your backyard don’t receive nutrients from decaying plant matter the way that trees in the forest do, your tree might not be receiving all the nutrients it needs to thrive. An unhealthy tree is more susceptible to disease and insect attacks. Once you’ve begun using fertilizer, you can expect to see improvement in the growth and health of your tree within four to six weeks. Wait until your new tree’s second growing season to begin using fertilizer or chemicals so the roots have a chance to establish themselves first.
Make sure to use the correct type and amount of fertilizer
for your tree and water it regularly to aid absorption of nutrients. Available
in convenient spikes that deliver nutrients directly to the root, some great tree
fertilizer options are:
- Jobe’s Tree & Shrub Fertilizer – a great all-around fertilizer for deciduous trees and shrubs.
- Jobe’s Evergreen Tree Fertilizer – perfect for acid-loving evergreens and shrubs.
- Jobe’s Fruit & Citrus Tree Fertilizer – helps your fruit & citrus tree bear nutrient-rich fruit.
Shop all your Landscaping & Garden Care needs at Shipton's Big R this growing season!
Make This Mother's Day A Mom-entous Occasion!
May 4, 2022

As role models and caregivers, mothers make the world go round. Take a moment to show your mom you care with some breakfast in bed and a thoughtfully chosen gift!
Goat Cheese Quiche Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- About 8 cups chopped mixed greens, such as kale, chard, or spinach
- Kosher salt
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed (half of a 17 oz. package)
- All-Purpose flour for dusting
- 3/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
- Freshly ground pepper
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until softened, about 1 minute. Add the greens and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until the greens wilt and most of the liquid evaporates, 5 to 7 minutes.
- Meanwhile, roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface until large enough to fit in a 9-inch pie plate. Ease into the pie plate and trim the edge; crimp if desired. Scatter the goat cheese and Parmesan in the crust, then top with the sautéed greens.
- Whisk the eggs, heavy cream, nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl; pour over the greens. Bake until the crust is golden brown and the quiche is set, about 20 minutes. Slice into wedges.
Mother's Day Gift Guide
Treats & Gift Baskets
Treats are generally a safe bet for any occasion, and particularly great for a mother who's difficult to shop for! Try putting together a gift basket of goodies such as:
Home & Relaxation
Bring the spa to your mom and the gift of a good night's sleep!
Jewelry & Accessories
No matter what your mom's style, we've got something for her! Choose from bags and wallets to Montana-made quality jewelry.- Montana Silversmiths Jewelry - Locally-made jewelry inspired by the beauty of Montana
- STS Ranchwear Cholula Crossbody Bag
-
- STS Ranchwear Saltillo Kacy Organizer
- Pendleton Siskiyou Travel Kit
Footwear
From hiking shoes to fashionable heels, we have something for any lifestyle and occasion.
- Keen Whisper - The perfect active sandals for summer
- Keen Targhee II Waterproof - Durable hiking shoes for off-road adventures
- Blowfish Play Sneaker - A cute and casual slip-on lifestyle sneaker for everyday wear
- boc Gigi Sandal - A high-heeled sandal with the perfect combo of comfort and style
- boc Mona Sandal - Stylish summer slip-ons
- Ariat Dixon Western Bootie - A gorgeous handcrafted Western style bootie
- Roper Fashion Mule Floral - Western style open-toed mules
Shop our full range of women's shoes here!
Still not sure what to get your mom? Let her choose her own present by getting her a gift card!
Our Community Partners
We believe actions speak louder than words which is why we have and will always support our great community with new ideas and creative solutions. Here are just a few of the organizations we proudly support.4H
Billings Mustangs
Ducks Unlimited
FFA
Friends of NRA
Nile
Pheasants Forever
Pro Bull Riders
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
UBRC
Billings Chamber of Commerce
Chase Hawks Rodeo
Miss Rodeo Montana
NRA Rodeo Finals
Red Lodge RodeoSheridan County FairSheridan County Rodeo
Sheridan Wyoming Rodeo
Wrangler Team Roping
Young Life
More Resources
Yellowstone County 4H
Kids experience 4-H in every county and parish in the country—through in-school and after-school programs, school and community clubs and 4-H camps.
USDA Plants Poisonous to Livestock in the Western States
Please click on this link to learn about all of the poisonous plants that can harm your livestock.
Merck Animal Health
Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals through science.
Nutrena Knowledge Center
Our feed isn’t just grown, it’s crafted. Real science goes into putting the nutrients animals need into each Nutrena® feed product. What’s inside the feed counts.