Kansas Operation Tapped as Top Commercial Producer
Kniebel Farms & Cattle Co. is Conception to Consumption Operation
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CALGARY,
ALBERTA (July 2, 2008) - The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) honored
Kniebel Farms & Cattle Co. with its Commercial Producer of the Year
Award during the organization’s 40th annual meeting. Kniebel Farms
& Cattle Co. is owned and managed by Kevin and Mary Ann, Chuck and
Kim and Charles and Mona Kniebel and families.
The year 2008 marks the 130th anniversary of the diversified family
operation based in White City, Kan. The farm has grown from a single
homestead to encompass 7,000 acres of Flint Hills grass and farmland.
The current operation consists of 500 spring-calving cows and 60
fall-calving cows. The family utilizes a three-breed rotation of Red
Angus, Angus and horned Hereford in their crossbreeding program for
their commercial herd.
All calves are finished in a family-owned feedyard. The Kniebels raise
their own food, and consider the operation truly a “conception to
consumption” operation. In 1996, the family joined U.S. Premium Beef
(USPB), a progressive group of ranchers and feeders that purchased part
of the National Beef packing plant. USPB pays for harvested cattle on a
grid, which rewards the quality the Kniebels strive to produce.
Kniebel Farms & Cattle Co. produces thick, moderate, easy-keeping,
pound-producing cattle that also happen to be higher grading, choice
cattle. Through USPB, Kniebel collects carcass data and adds that to
their culling criteria. The family believes in trying to have a
well-rounded program and not chase any one single trait or fad. They
continue to find ways to increase efficiencies and are incorporating
different grazing varieties and techniques to hold down costs.
The Kniebels tag and tattoo cattle and keep performance records. By
maintaining genetic lines on their commercial cows, they are able to
utilize artificial insemination (AI) on the heifers to optimize even
more genetic progress. The top third of the heifers are kept as
replacements. Cow records on calving and weaning performance are kept
on file as well for both USDA traceback audit and to support production
and business decisions. Monitoring and recording carcass performance,
like pounds produced, helps in culling decisions. Kniebel Farms &
Cattle Co. was nominated for the Commercial Producer of the Year Award
by the Kansas Livestock Association (KLA). For more information, visit
their web site at: www.kcattle.com.
