Mike Christen

• Land Manager, Agricultural Institute

Mike Christen is a 2005 graduate of Storm Lake High School and attended South Dakota State University to study Ranch Management with an emphasis in beef production. In addition, he participated on the SDSU Rodeo team as a Bull Rider and in Team Roping. In 2008, Mike returned to the family farm and started the Circle C Cattle Company, focusing on commercial cow/calf production.
 
In 2014, the company began focusing the breeding program on producing high quality club calves, which continues today. In addition to raising club calves, the cow herd also includes pure bred lines of Angus, Simmental and Shorthorns. Breeding technology utilized include artificial insemination (AI), ultasound, embryo flushing, embryo transfer, and hormone management. Currently, Mike is certified in AI and is working to become certified in embryo transfer processes.
 
The focus of Mike’s management is to optimize herd genetics by emphasizing confirmation and structural soundness in developing quality seedstock to grow a regionally recognized cow herd. The farm is in a growth phase of development, looking for opportunities to add more crop and pasture acres to expand opportunities.
 
In his spare time, Mike enjoys traveling with his family to ranches in South Dakota to camp and participate in ranch rodeos. Additionally, many weekends during the year, the family can be found participating in regional livestock show competitions.