For over 160 years the focus of the Cantrell family remains the same
NIANGUA, MO. – Travis Cantrell of Cantrell Creek Angus of Niangua, Mo. is the fifth generation of his family to raise cattle on his family’s 300 acres that stretches along Cantrell Creek in rural Webster County. Their legacy dates back to his great-great grandparents in 1855. Today, his parents, Gary and Kim, his brother, Trever and wife, Matty, Travis’ son, Hunter and Travis’ fiancé, Rebekah, all farm that same land, even as they work separate jobs outside.
“Off the farm, my parents have Cantrell Trucking, I work for City Utilities in Springfield, Trevor has his sign company, SignEffx, and Hunter works at the Animal Medical Center in Marshfield – so Hunter works with cows all day long – and then we all come home and work on the farm. It takes the whole family to make it work. It’s a family business that we all enjoy doing together.”
“It started with dairy farming,” Travis shared, “but today, we do registered Angus beef production. We have 100 to 120 Angus on the place at any one time. We do embryo transfer and AI as we work toward the latest and greatest in genetics. We work all year headed toward our big production sale in October.”
Their annual production sale is held at Trever’s business location outside of Marshfield, Mo., where the cattle are on display for viewing before the sale.
“We have registered bulls and females in our sale, and we also sell commercial females sired by our bulls that were purchased by our customers.” Travis continued, “We DNA test all of our animals so that our customers know exactly what they are getting for more proven, predictable genetics.”
When choosing those top genetics, Travis said they do a lot of research into the cattle that will help them and their customers make the most dollars.
“We look for those high carcass traits that make for better marbling of the meat and maternal traits that the Angus cattle are known for. We look for an EPD package that makes for a more functional animal here in fescue country. We want an animal that’s more fescue tolerant and we believe that cattle born and raised here in Missouri can thrive anywhere.”
He added. “It’s really rewarding to see the satisfied customer and to know how our animals have worked for their herd, making for better genetics, for a better herd for them.”
To multiply those good genetics, they utilize Trans-Ova genetics in Chillicothe, Mo. for their embryo transfer work.
“We select donor cows from all across the country that we feel will create a powerful phenotype and balanced trait EPD package. We buy cattle from all across the country to get the very best to continue to improve the genetics in our herd. We have met so many great people in this business!”
Meanwhile, they are raising up the next generation of Cantrell’s to continue the work on the farm.
“My parents did dairy farming until 2008 and they taught us responsibility, how to work and now we’re teaching our kids the same. Our parents and grandparents taught us what hard work is and to never give up. I’ve watched them work all day, when they’re sick and never stop until everything is done. I think farm families are just built different and they’re not afraid to work. Today, my son, Hunter is finishing up an agriculture business degree. We are very proud of him, and he is a big help here on the farm.”
Hunter is also beginning to expand into his own LLC, Cantrell Creek Angus Beef. Hunter’s vision includes USDA certified Angus beef from their registered stock and working on a program where they can buy back the calves sired by their bulls for the meat business. He can ship anywhere in the U.S. so it’s one more way he’s continuing the family tradition in the beef industry.
Travis concluded. “The truth is we work all year long for this one day of the cattle sale but to see all our friends, family, and customers, new and old, show up to support us is what it is really all about.
