COLTON DEVORE: RIDING TOWARD HIS FUTURE
Twenty-two year old Colton Devore’s goal is to own his own cattle business, but he knows the journey will be a long ride. Colton is taking that ride astride his horses. For now, this Agri-Ready Designated Shelby County native experiences different farming systems and ranching models working as a hired-hand.
“I am learning everything I can and enjoying working for other people,” Colton says. “I manage cattle for hire. I do everything from cutting out heifers, removing bulls, to catching animals to be treated for respiratory distress and bad feet.”
Colton applies his livestock management and agricultural business degrees from North Central Missouri College and a lifetime of experiences as a horseman as he works as a regular retainer for multiple ranches.
The Horseback Advantage
“There are advantages to monitoring cattle from horseback. Because there is no motor noise from a UTV, I hear signs of illness among cattle earlier and intervene faster,” Colton describes. “The cattle adjust to a horse being among them and are gentler when guided into a pen. When cattle go through the chute 4-5 times a year, the less stress, the better. It is safer to sort cattle from atop the horse than on the ground.”
Growing a Business
Colton is part of his father’s business, Cattle Wranglers Missouri-Catching Wild Cattle. Their mobile livestock equipment enables them to offer diversified services including cattle hauling, sorting, and processing which expands their business exposure and client network. They receive calls from across the state to round up cattle with no corral or other extreme circumstances such as motor vehicle accidents. They are the go-to service providers for local law enforcement when cattle are on roadways or have gone rouge.
“I enjoy the rush of catching them!” Colton says. “That’s the easy part. Once you catch them, you have to know what you’re going to do with them and we have a lot of options from atop the horse. Our horses will go places motorized vehicles can’t go. We utilize border collies and tracking dogs and thermal drones. These tools allow us to locate cattle quicker, with less wear and tear on the cattle, our bodies, and the horses. Often less stress as well.”
Riding Toward His Future
Colton’s grandfather and father have always been cattlemen, and he hopes to join them in ownership.
“My goal is to become vested in the family cattle operation. I want to background yearling cattle. Getting started with my own business on the farm takes money and time. For now, I see every day as a learning opportunity. My work involves cow-calf pairs, registered cattle, and backgrounded cattle. I am practicing reproductive strategy, medications, land management and more,” Colton shares. “Maybe I’ll be able to start my own business working through a partnership with someone who is looking to retire. Banking experience is a good way to wait until the time and place is right to start on my own.”
Colton also trains horses for multiple purposes from trail riding to ranching. Horses spend extended stays in his corrals for regular training until he achieves the desired results.
Enjoying His Work
“What I enjoy about agriculture is that when you wake up, you can feel if it will be a good day or not. I take pride in watching the growth of calves that will provide quality beef. It is fun to take a horse from scratch, train it to the next level, and give it a job,” Colton says. I’ve always had my mind set about a career on the ranch.”
Agri-Ready Designated Shelby County. Agriculture, including food, feed and forestry, contributes $101.3 million in value-added products, over 1,300 jobs, and adds $83.4 million to household incomes in Callaway County according to the 2021 Missouri Economic Contribution of Agriculture and Forestry Study.
What is Agri-Ready County Designation?
Agri-Ready County Designation is a voluntary program that recognizes counties committed to supporting and growing their agricultural industry. To qualify, a county must agree to support agricultural stewardship, growth, and economic interests. The designation helps counties promote themselves as agricultural hubs, attracting and supporting agribusiness. More information can be found at https://mofarmerscare.com/agri-ready/.
As of January 2026, 82 Missouri counties have become Agri-Ready Designated.
What is Missouri Farmers Care?
Missouri Farmers Care is a joint effort by Missouri’s agriculture community to stand together for the men and women who provide the food and jobs on which our communities depend. The coalition of more than 40 leading Missouri agricultural groups promotes the growth of Missouri agriculture and rural communities through coordinated communication, education and advocacy. https://mofarmerscare.com/