A Legacy Of Love For Land And Cattle
By: Emma Alexander -
At Kapp Cattle & Grain farming is a lifestyle, and business is a family affair. Chad and Shanna Kapp, in partnership with their daughter Sydney, son Logan, and daughter-in-law Madalyn raise commercial cattle, corn, and soybeans near Cosby in #Agri-Ready Designated Andrew County. These commercial producers are focused on their product and passing on the pride of their farm to the next generation.
“When Shanna and I got married in 1994, all we had were two cows,” remembers Chad. “Everything grew from there.”
Kapp Cattle
The Kapp family operates a commercial cow-calf operation with a herd of approximately 175 mother cows, managed by siblings Logan and Sydney—fifth generation agriculturalists. Logan works on the farm full-time, while Sydney, a registered nurse, works on the farm on her days off. Much of their pasture consists of small, disconnected tracts and rented parcels, which limits their ability to implement the grazing innovations they envision. Instead, they focus on raising cattle that best utilize the resources they have available.
Commercial by Design
The Kapps long embraced cross-breeding for the hybrid vigor and fertility it develops in their herd. Today, as Logan handles the artificial insemination for the herd, he intentionally selects genetics influenced by Angus, Gelbvieh, and Simmental, designing animals that meet the specific performance and productivity needs. Their goal is a predominantly black herd, with a moderate frame size—cattle that are more efficient and allow for higher stocking rates per acre. Continuing the tradition Chad began years ago, they retain their own heifers as replacements. As proud commercial producers, the Kapp family chooses to focus their time and energy on animal care, investing directly in the health and well-being of their land.
“Logan works every day, all day. And during that day, he is thinking about the next day,” sums up Madalyn.
Expanding Their Marketing Strategy
Kapp cattle are marketed through local sale barns, following trends and market demands, but with the help of Sydney’s boyfriend, Spencer Joe, the family is exploring new ways to market their beef.
“We believe that people should know where their food comes from and how it was raised,” Shanna shares. The family sells 30 freezer beef direct to consumers each year and are looking to grow this marketing channel.
Growing Grain
Chad began farming right out of high school but kept a job off-farm to support the family in early years. Today, he is responsible for the crop portion of the family business. His parents, Meredith and Joann, are still active on the family farm. Some of the corn Chad grows is fed to the family’s cattle herd, but most is marketed traditionally.
The Next Generation
“We have a great sense of pride that our family is five generations strong farming. You have to be tough to live the farm life; it’s hard work,” Shanna shares. The entire Kapp family is excited to welcome the first 6th generation member to the farm this October, Logan and Madalyn’s first child. The family is already planning to get the youngest Kapp involved in 4-H. The Kapps will pass on their love of land and animals to the generations to come.
The Kapp’s Belief in Advocacy and Community
Shanna participates in ‘Cowboys at the Capitol’, weekly advocacy visits organized by the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association to connect Missouri beef producers with lawmakers and serves as the Andrew-Buchanan County Cattlemen’s Secretary. She is a member of the Leadership Savannah board, a group driving civic, business, relationship, and individual development in Andrew County. Kapp Cattle & Grain are members of Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, a partner of Missouri Farmers Care.
