Family and Faith Guide the Work at Double K Gelbvieh
AFTON, OKLA. – Rodney and Heather Knepp built their cattle operation with a focus on family, quality livestock and a dedication to agriculture. Located near Afton, Okla., in Ottawa County, Double K Gelbvieh operates as both a seedstock Gelbvieh program and a commercial cow/calf herd.
Today, the Knepps manage approximately 20 registered Gelbvieh females along with about 50 commercial females. Their program includes both spring and fall calving seasons, allowing the family to raise cattle for both seedstock and commercial markets while maintaining flexibility within their operation.
Rodney Knepp grew up around cattle. His parents moved to Oklahoma in 1990 and began building a commercial cow herd while also working in the poultry industry. By 2002, the family had built their own poultry operation and expanded their cattle herd to around 200 momma cows.
Heather Knepp also grew up involved with livestock, though her background centered on horses. Her family bred and showed horses for many years, giving her early experience in animal care and the show ring.
When the couple started their own family, they wanted an activity that would allow them to work together while teaching their children the value of agriculture.
The couple decided registered cattle would allow them to combine their backgrounds and eventually give their children the opportunity to exhibit livestock as well.
The Double K Gelbvieh program began in 2020 after the Knepps recognized a need for seedstock Gelbvieh cattle in their region.
“Finding good replacement females had always been difficult,” Heather Knepp said. “We were close enough to Joplin, Mo., to attend sales that featured Gelbvieh bulls, but finding females was a challenge.”
The couple decided to begin developing their own seedstock herd so they could raise high-quality females for their commercial operation while also providing genetics to other producers.
Their breeding goals focus on three primary traits: temperament, fertility and performance.
The Knepps strive to produce cattle that can meet a variety of needs for their customers. Whether a buyer is looking for a heifer bull, improved frame size or balanced maternal traits, the family focuses on providing honest information about their cattle.
“All of our bulls and heifers must meet the basics,” Heather Knepp said. “They need good temperament, fertility and performance. We also want them to come from cows with strong udders and good feet, so they have the best chance to live long, productive lives.”
While the commercial cattle are generally fed using machinery, Heather Knepp hand feeds the registered animals each day. This allows her to closely monitor the animals and observe their behavior.
Most of the calves are also started on halters, which helps evaluate temperament and prepares potential show prospects. Frequent handling and calm trips through the chute help ensure low-stress cattle while allowing the family to monitor performance through regular weight checks.
Rodney Knepp spends much of his day helping on the family’s broiler farm and cattle operation. His work includes feeding cows and calves with a mixer wagon, completing mechanical repairs and assisting wherever needed.
Heather Knepp also contributes to both operations. During the winter she helps unroll hay, and in the summer, she assists with hay production for both Rooster Ranch and Double K Gelbvieh.
Heather Knepp manages the recordkeeping for the registered cattle program, including birth records, weights, vaccination protocols and sale preparation. Rodney Knepp helps during busy times by weighing calves, rotating pastureland, working cattle and delivering bulls to customers.
The couple’s daughters, Paisley and Briar, are also becoming involved in the operation.
In 2025, both girls exhibited home-raised animals at their county fair. Paisley Knepp also made her first trip to the Tulsa State Fair with a heifer raised on the family’s farm.
Paisley Knepp has raised several bucket calves and now has a cow in the commercial herd that raises her a calf each year for market. Briar Knepp plans to raise her second bucket calf this year and hopes to continue building her own herd.
The Knepps remain active in several agricultural organizations, including the American Gelbvieh Association, the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association and Farm Bureau.
Most of the cattle produced by Double K Gelbvieh are marketed locally, primarily through word-of-mouth recommendations. Because the operation produces only a limited number of seedstock bulls each year, many of the animals are selected by buyers shortly after weaning.
Faith also plays a significant role in the Knepp family’s approach to agriculture.
“Our faith guides everything we do,” Heather Knepp said. “We believe we are here to be good stewards of the land and raise cattle that help feed America.”
Looking ahead, the family said their goals remain simple.
“Honestly, we just want to continue enjoying what we are doing,” Heather Knepp said. “If we grow or stay the same size, we will be happy as long as our family is healthy and we can continue doing what we love.”
For the Knepp family, life at Double K Gelbvieh represents more than raising cattle.
It is about faith, family and building a future rooted in agriculture.
“We love this life,” Heather Knepp said. “There is something special about waking up to a sunrise, seeing healthy cattle in the pasture and raising our family on the farm.”
