Taking pride in being innovative in their genetic line and breeding programs
SENECA, MO. – “2S Angus carries a drive with a vision to continuously move forward with superior genetics to achieve Elite Seed Stock Cattle to carry the 2S Angus name.”
That’s the statement Juston Mitchell wrote on his website and commits to his operation in Seneca, Missouri – a 1,000-acre farm, plus leased land, producing premium Angus cattle.
The cattle industry is in his roots; he was born and raised on his family’s farm in Wisconsin, where it was normal to raise 75% of the food he ate every day.
When he was just 10 years old, he got a job – making ten dollars each weekend – scraping manure and helping run cattle at the Sarcoxie Sale Barn.
Throughout most of his school years, he was involved in agriculture in some capacity. He now owns 2S Angus Land & Cattle along with his wife, Adrienne, and their daughters, Ashlynn, Gracie, and Aaleah.
Juston said they focus mainly on Black Angus as the breed’s traits have proven to excel and be adaptive, ultimately profiting buyers.
It starts with a solid breeding program – one Juston and his team have used for the past eight years. They first identify the cows that truly excel in the Southwest Missouri environment, which has proven difficult.
“It’s hot; it’s cold; it’s humid; and the fescue grass will cull your cattle for you,” Juston said. “It takes truly exceptional females to build an elite herd. Folks tend to put all the weight of a good calf on either the bull or female. But elite cattle, that truly excel, take both.”
Juston said he focuses on ensuring his cows are functional, breed back within two cycles, maintain maternal instincts, and sustain well into 12 years or more – all while excelling in growth.
“Evolving is natural. You have to read the demand of customers, identify strengths and weaknesses of your cattle. And breed accordingly. For me, it’s doing those things, without sacrificing maternal, functional traits. I will not move on those items,” Juston said.
They continue to implant embryos from their most elite females to build their main herd, while heifers each year are all artificially inseminated. From there, bulls cover the females for one more cycle.
Calves are on their mamas and grass until roughly 210 days. At weaning, the calves are culled then put on a feed ration and continued rotational grazing.
Mature cattle graze into December then feed on good-quality, clean hay.
“Cattle are always grazing and earning their keep,” Juston said. “They’re fighting their way to staying in the program through inner herd competition – identifying the cattle that excel and outperform. We don’t want fat cattle; we want healthy, athletic cattle that are in a good, sound shape.”
To balance sustainability and profitability, Juston said sustainability has to be the heart of the operation, cattle and land.
“We take the environment, sustainability and health of our farm very seriously,”
He does this by implementing soil testing annually to track and make changes on fertilizer plans as well as grass care year round. Cattle need grass, and grass needs rest.
Getting out in the community and putting his name in front of other folks is an organic way Juston cross markets with other ranchers.
“I travel a lot, I see several herds and a few hundred cattle a year,” Juston said. “That’s the main deal, you have to get out and get on farms! The main thing that has helped us is feet on the ground, touring herds, and implementing discipline actions into our program.”
2S hosts their own annual sale every year, and through the State of Missouri Water and Soil Conservation out of Carthage, Missouri, they also host one or two farm events each year.
Juston said there are several people who play a role in keeping their operation thriving.
Chris Shaner is 2S’ herd and farm manager. Chris’ wife, Jamie, handles cattle registration. Their two boys, Roper and Gauge, are a part of the farm family as well.
While Juston said he himself mostly handles genetics and breeding, as well as traveling around the country to stay informed in the industry, he also relies on the help of Heath Cobine and their full-time hand, Billy. Heath has a large part in raising and managing the bulls.
“We have the right genetics that are excelling and producing the cattle in demand.”
He’s learned a lot about the industry over the years, and he shared some tips that have helped him succeed: Look harder for perfection than you ever have in a few females to build a herd with; Don’t settle for qualities that won’t work in your area; You’re better off to spend $100,000 on the right cow than $10,000 on ten cows that don’t really bring the goods; Keep in mind the reality that most registered operations give up in the first seven years. You have to be a dedicated person if you want to succeed.
