Valley Oaks Angus has been breeding Angus cattle for 30 years in Oak Grove, MO. Our goal has been focusing on functional cattle for both the registered and commercial cattle producer. We have strived to produce females with proven performance behind them by utilizing predictable sires that combine balanced EPD values with excellent phenotypes.
Valley Oaks was founded by David and Sandra Ward in 1992 with the purchase of the Brady Land and Cattle herd from Knob Noster, Missouri. The Valley Oaks herd grew rapidly from 1993-95, held its first annual production sale in 1993, and the 5 following years. Valley Oaks had very notable staff through the early years with Bill Conley and Dallas Wolthemathe as Farm Managers and Jarrod Gillig (former NJAA president) as herdsman/show cattle manager. After many successful years of production sales and show seasons through the mid 90’s and early 2000’s, Valley Oaks decreased their herd size to a more manageable number once all of the children were in college. Now that the children (Tony, Clayton, and Cassie and their families) have all returned to the area, the farm and family is growing and aggressively breeding Angus cattle with performance, phenotype, and the commercial breeder all in mind.
The Valley Oaks is Managed by Jeff Gooden (formally of Circle A Ranch in Missouri). Jeff has worked in the cattle industry for over 35 years and has brought an abundance of knowledge to Valley Oaks. Previously to Valley Oaks, Jeff was heavily involved in bull development, herd management, registered genetics, and show cattle. Jeff is now combining all of his skills to efficiently manages all facets of Valley Oaks. He also manages with our Valley Oaks Angus Buy Back Program. We are very thankful to have Jeff as a part of our team and we look forward to seeing the continued success he brings to our program.
Valley Oaks Angus Headquarters
The Valley Oaks Angus Headquarters lays on 700 acres between the towns of Grain Valley and Oak Grove Missouri. The Headquarters is home to over 200 registered cattle as well as the Valley Oaks show cattle. Our headquarters breeds approximately 200 head per year calving out half in the spring and half in the fall. We breed with industry leading bulls using artificial insemination along with embryo transfer. This helps to ensure we get the quality genetics that we strive to achieve. Valley Oaks Angus produces bulls that are DNA tested and sold annually helping to give our customers the chance to participate in our Buy Back Program.
Valley Oaks South Farm
Our South Farm is located right outside of Clinton, Missouri and was purchased in early 2016 making it the newest addition to the Valley Oaks Angus farm. The South Farm is composed of 2,530 acres and houses approximately 900 commercial cattle. Using artificial insemination, we strive to produce quality commercial cattle with great genetics. At the South Farm, Valley Oaks calves out approximately 60% of our mother cows in the spring. With the number of cattle at the South Farm, electronic identification systems (EID) have been crucial. Our South Farm uses EID systems to track all of our cattle ensuring that we have an efficient operation.
Justin Patrick (formerly of Wright Charolais) is the manager of the Valley Oaks South Farm. After growing up in Warrensburg, MO, Justin began his career in the cattle industry freelancing all over the United States working with multiple cattle breeds. After nine years of freelancing Justin became the Show and Sale Cattle Manager at Wright Charolais. While at Wright Charolais Justin had numerous champions at the national level including winning Charolais Pen of Three Bulls at the Denver Stock Show 4 years in a row. He also had the First Charolais calf to be named National Show Female of the Year. In 2015 Justin was the National Charolais Herdsmen of the year. Valley Oaks is excited to have Justin at our South Farm and we are eager to see the advancements he is going to bring to our program!
Valley Oaks Stress Free Finishing
Valley Oaks is focused on creating high quality beef for consumers. In order to create the highest quality beef many factors are in play. Valley Oaks uses its genetic package to create the foundation. The first layer of marbling is typically put on the animal as a calf. Our feeding program that begins with creep feeding calves while on the cow, this starts the process for creating this amazing beef product. Once weaned the calves are moved to the Valley Oak Finishing Farm where the stress-free lifestyle creates a humane, efficient and environmentally friendly way to raise and finish cattle. While at the Finishing Farm the cattle are fed a high roughage grower ration for approximately 3 months while between the weight of 700# to 1100#. Once the cattle reach the growing goal maximum, they are converted to a high corn diet to finish the cattle to the ultimate goal weight of 1350#-1400#. This high energy corn diet creates the last and final touches of the most tender and flavorful beef you will eat!
Valley Oaks Meats – Local Butcher Shop
Valley Oaks Meats opened in October 2020 and was built by for the sole purpose of creating a locally sourced beef and pork outlet for our neighbors and friends. Valley Oaks Meats is located in Downtown Blue Springs, MO. Valley Oaks Meats sources 100% of it beef sold in their Retail Store from the Valley Oaks Farms and carries the BEST Beef in the Midwest!. Valley Oaks Meats also is providing the service of custom processing for other cattle and hog producers.