2025 BIF Seedstock Producer of the Year, River Creek Farms, uses cutting-edge genetic and reproductive technologies to improve predictability, reduce risk and accelerate genetic progress within their Simmental-based herd.
The River Creek Farms registered cow herd was founded in 1970 by Joe Mertz, using some of the first Simmental genetics imported into the U.S. Soon after, River Creek Farms became an early member of the American Simmental Association (ASA). Today, the operation is managed by Joe and his son, Abram. The current cow herd consists of 800 cow-calf pairs, including 500 registered Simmental and SimAngus cows and 300 commercial recipients dedicated to the embryo transfer (ET) program. “At River Creek Farms, our production philosophy is grounded in one simple principle —every bull we sell should deliver a measurable return on investment for our buyers,” Joe says. “This isn’t just a goal — it’s a promise backed by decades of experience, rigorous data and a commitment to excellence in cattle breeding.” All bulls sell with a four breeding season guarantee on feet and semen. If a bull’s semen or feet go bad, they will provide credit for the breeding seasons left to complete.
BY ANGIE STUMP DENTON Originally published by Drovers Magazine July 2025
U sing technology and data-driven solutions to enhance herd performance, optimize feed efficiency and scale marketing efforts is a key strategy for the Mertz family of River Creek Farms. A seedstock cattle operation located in the heart of the Kansas Flint Hills, River Creek Farms was established in 1890. The farm has deep agricultural roots spanning multiple generations and a reputation for producing high-quality SimAngus genetics built to work in real-world conditions. The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) presented River Creek Farms the 2025 BIF Seedstock Producer of the Year Award on June 12 during the group’s annual research symposium in Amarillo, Texas. This national award is presented annually to a producer whose dedication to improving the beef industry at the commercial level deserves recognition.
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