Though life is filled with uncertainty, Sandy Arthur has always been sure about one thing.
She wanted her twin daughters to grow up on a farm.
“I have never lived anywhere else,” said Sandy Arthur. And she doesn’t want to. Sandy’s twins are 24-years-old now; bright, radiant, confident young women, who are grateful for a life filled with land and livestock.
Sandy confides, running the farm as a single-mom proved difficult at times. She remembers moments when there was little money to buy groceries after she paid her feed bill. Despite the struggles, Sandy believes the sacrifices are worth it.
“When you look around at the (kids) who grew up on the farm versus the ones who grew up in town, the farm kids have better work ethic and a deeper connection to family,” explained Sandy.
This tight-knit family of three runs a commercial and registered cattle farm in Greenfield, Mo. Sandy, along with her daughters, Cheyenne and Dakota, raise Angus and SimAngus cattle. They live on 80 acres and rent another 300 acres. Right now their herd consists of 60 head, with an even split of commercial and registered cattle.
“A few years ago I completely sold out of commercials and bought all registered. And then recently, a couple months ago, we start buying the commercials back,” said Sandy. The Arthurs prefer registered cattle, but appreciate the economical ease of a commercial herd due to the smaller financial investment.
A few years ago, the Arthurs decided to start foreword their registered cattle. Though they had spent years successfully showing sheep, goats, hogs and horses, venturing into cattle competitions felt intimidating.
“I never had show cattle growing up. I wasn’t familiar with it. It’s difficult trying to figure out what you need. I grew up showing horses so showing cattle was a whole new aspect. Being a single mom, it was a little bit scary,” recalled Sandy.
A little fear, however, was not going to stop them. The Arthurs started going to seminars and seeking advice from veterans in the industry.
“We are getting there,” said Cheyenne.
The trio began diversifying a bit recently. Cheyenne prefers to stick solely to registered Angus cattle. She plans to continue building her herd under her farm name, Chey’s Angus. Her goal is two-fold; producing winners in the show ring and solid momma cows in the pasture.
“I want to breed up my program to be more competitive and I want good momma cows. I want both sides,” Cheyenne explained. She tries to find Angus cows that show nice utter development, a tame disposition, and good confirmation.
Her sister, Dakota, plans to move in a slightly different direction.
“I am more looking into the Angus/Simmental cross. That’s where I am starting to head. They say hybrid vigor is always better. They combine the good qualities of both breeds,” said Dakota.
“And they have a little chrome on them,” added Sandy with a laugh. Sandy and Dakota collaborate on the SimAngus breeding program because they appreciate the qualities of the calves they get when they AI Angus cows to Simmental bulls. This year’s SimAngus calf crop will be out of the Simmental bulls Combustible, Built Right or Ignition. Sandy and Dakota use a Broker son for cleanup. This fall Chey’s Angus plans to AI to the Angus bulls Insight and Angus Valley.
Sandy and Dakota run their SimAngus operation under the name Twin Star Ranch. Cheyenne manages her Angus herd under the name Chey’s Angus. Both operations are working to expand their registered herds.
“I have been keeping back all my heifers as replacements for the registered herd,” Sandy said. Twin Star Ranch and Chey’s Angus market their registered cattle each year at the Ozark Fall Farmfest at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds. The Arthurs are also starting to use their Facebook page to get the word out about their cattle.
Sandy looks at the cattle operation as a way to give her daughters a boost when they head out on their own.
Cheyenne and Dakota earned bachelors degrees in animal science and ag business from Missouri State University. Both will graduate in December from MSU with master’s degrees in plant science.
“Now they can keep growing their herd and they will have a start,” said Sandy. In her heart, Sandy hopes the farm has given her daughters more than a start, she prays it has given them the moral framework to be successful, grounded adults. One thing Sandy knows for sure, the farm has taught them all a love for family.
“We have done it as a family, us three girls, a family effort,” Sandy said.
