The Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association has honored Springs Creek Cattle Company, a prominent seedstock cattle operation in the driftless region of southwest Wisconsin, as the 2024 Cattlemen of the Year. Founded in 1992, Spring Creeks Cattle Company has established itself as a leader in the cattle industry. They focus on raising high-quality Limousin, Red Angus, and also Black Angus cattle.
“We started with Limousin cattle in 1992, aiming to offer something different in the seedstock market. Our goal was to create a superior product for the beef market by integrating Limousin genetics with Angus breeds,” said Bob Mitchell, co-owner of Spring Creeks Cattle Company. “Today, we run several hundred cows and are proud to offer a diverse range of seedstock and also finished cattle.”
The company takes a comprehensive approach, actively breeding, feeding, and also marketing cattle. They manage a joint female sale each fall and a dedicated bull sale each February. Their bull sale, held in February, features a variety of breeds including Angus as well as Limousin.
Mitchell shared, “Our fall female sale involves collaboration with another Angus breeder, while our February bull sale is exclusively ours. These events are crucial for us to market our cattle and continually strive for better quality.”
In addition to their breeding and sales operations, Spring Creeks Cattle Company has expanded its reach by consigning cattle to national shows. Their participation includes prestigious events like the Denver Stock Show and the Black Hills Stock Show. “Exhibiting at these shows provides valuable exposure and helps us compare our cattle to national standards. It’s an excellent way to feature our operation on a larger scale,” Mitchell explained.
Recently, the Mitchell family ventured into direct-to-consumer beef sales, a move spearheaded by Mitchells’ daughter-in-law, Amy. “We’ve always sold a few quarters and halves of beef, but Amy’s enthusiasm for expanding this venture led us to develop a robust direct sales program. The internet and farmers markets have been great avenues for this,” Bob noted.
Looking ahead, Springs Creek Cattle Company plans to continue growing and refining their operations. “We’ve started feeding more of our cattle to market and plan to focus more on this in the future. It allows us to see how our genetics perform and provides more data for future breeding decisions,” Mitchell said.
The Mitchell family feels honored to be named Cattleman of the Year. “It’s incredibly humbling to be recognized by our peers. This accolade motivates us to continue striving for excellence and to contribute positively to the cattle industry,” he added.
For aspiring cattlemen, he offers this advice: “Focus on quality, enjoy what you do, and remember that while profitability is important, happiness in your work is essential. Wisconsin may not have the vast open spaces of the West, but we have a strong community and a passion for excellence.”
