Nestled along the rugged hills of southwestern Wisconsin is home of Spring Creeks Cattle Company.
Established by Bob and Rhonda Mitchell, the operation focuses on breeding sound, practical Limousin cattle that can be productive in any environment and perform well at every stage of the beef chain.
“We are in good cattle country here,” said Bart Mitchell. “We live on the ridge tops located just 20 miles from the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers.”
The Mitchell family has been raising Limousin cattle for nearly 40 years, and today, the business includes Bob and Rhonda, their three sons, Bart, Matt and Scott, and their families.
With three generations involved in the business, it’s a family affair, and with a passion for Limousin cattle, they are working together to raise cattle that work well for their customers.
“We started in the Limousin business because most of the folks around us were raising Angus and Simmental cattle,” said Bart. “We saw a need for a breed that would complement the Angus and meet the demands in the mainstream market.”
The operation started with pigs and just a couple of cows, and it has since grown to more than 500 head. A move from crop and dairy country to the river hills allowed them to expand and increase their cow herd numbers.
“Limousin cattle do well on this terrain,” said Bart. “They are rugged and take our winters well. They cross well for our customers who have black and black baldie cows, and our repeat buyers come back every year because they appreciate the added muscle in their calves.”
Spring Creeks Cattle Company hosts an annual bull sale in mid-February at the Fennimore Livestock Exchange in Fennimore, Wisc. They typically sell 30-40 bulls and 10-20 females, as well as an additional 40 bulls via private treaty. They also host a fall female sale in early November.
Additionally, Spring Creeks Cattle Company is also a familiar face at many Limousin shows and sales. They have exhibited cattle at the National Western Stock Show, Black Hills Stock Show, World Beef Expo, Heartland Regional Show and NALJA’s National Junior Shows.
Highlights over the years include winning Grand Champion Limousin Bull in 2010 with their sire, Sprng Crks Urlacher 311U, a Carrousels Peak Power son. And in 2016, they earned Grand Champion Cow-Calf honors at the NALJA show in Kentucky with Sprng Creks Bambi 4085B.
“Our daughter, Lily, really enjoys the shows, and we have gotten more involved because of her,” said Bart. “Bob has always been active in the breed, as well. He served as the NALF president for two terms and sat on the board for a decade. Now, he is active with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association where he serves as the co-chair for the checkoff safety committee.”
Meanwhile, Bart is the vice president of the Heartland Limousin Association, the vice president of the Wisconsin Limousin Association and a board member for the Wisconsin Angus Association.
Looking to the future, Bart hopes that the next generation will be able to take over and continue the family’s legacy in the Limousin business.
“One of the best parts about our breed is the people,” said Bart. “When we got started in the Limousin business, I was only seven years old, and folks were always welcoming and nurturing to me as the next generation coming into the business. It’s the same for our kids, and I hope we are able to sustain this business and turn it over to one or all of them if they choose to do so.”
To learn more about Spring Creeks Cattle Company, find them on Facebook.
Photos courtesy of Spring Creeks Cattle Company:
(All Fitting) It’s a team effort at cattle shows and sales for the Spring Creeks Cattle Company crew!
(Champion Picture) In 2016, Spring Creeks Cattle Company won Grand Champion Cow-Calf at the NALJA show in Kentucky with Sprng Creks Bambi 4085B.
(Cattle Grazing) Limousin cattle graze in the Wisconsin river hills at Spring Creeks Cattle Company.
(Mitchell Kids) The Mitchell kids enjoy checking cow-calf pairs in the pastures during the summer months.
(Lily & Bull) Lily Mitchell scratches on a Spring Creeks Cattle Company bull at a consignment sale.
(Winter) Winter headquarters at Spring Creeks Cattle Company
Limousin cattle deliver to your bottom line. With superior genetics, a simple crossbreeding plan and state-of-the-art selection tools, the Limousin breed will serve profit-minded cow/calf producers. In today’s competitive markets, taking advantage of all available opportunities is key. The Limousin breed offers a variety of options from Fullblood to Purebred to the Lim-Flex® hybrid (Limousin x Angus cross) to match your program’s needs and market goals. Crossbreeding for the right blend of muscle, maternal ability and profit is easy with Limousin seedstock.