4K Cattle Receives Feedyard Commitment to Excellence Award

The Minnesota cattle feeder was recognized at Certified Angus Beef’s 2025 Annual Conference.

by Kylee Sellnow

September 29, 2025

For Dallas Knobloch, success isn’t about being the biggest—it’s about building a high-quality system that works.

After decades of custom feeding cattle with his father, Larry, Dallas and wife Amy downsized to focus on quality. Their attention to detail, relationships, and consistency proved that excellence can outperform scale.

A decade ago, Amy left her 18-year banking career to join the farm full-time, just as their children, Tory and Claire, were growing up and showing interest. That shift allowed the family to streamline operations and move forward.

Today, with Tory’s wife Sadie and daughter Ivy, the Knoblochs run 4K Cattle near Hills, Minn., feeding 2,500 cattle across eight nearby locations, managing 1,000 acres of crops, and maintaining a 125-head cow herd. Their success earned them the 2025 Certified Angus Beef (CAB) Feedyard Commitment to Excellence Award.

Details Add Up

Amy’s return helped Dallas expand the cow herd and begin managing nearby small yards. He focused on consistency and honed in on the details—timing and quality of feed, shrink, herd health—all of which added up to better results.

Dallas built relationships across the system, from neighbors to packers like Upper Iowa Beef. Buying calves directly from Dakota ranches became a game-changer, sparked by connections with Angus seedstock producers during the 2020 market shift.

“In today’s weight market, there’s a $50 to $100 per head difference between the producer and me,” Dallas explains. “I realized I was paying over $50,000 just in commission.”

Beyond cost, unknown management practices led to herd health challenges. So, they went direct.

“When the market is low, I give those 50 to 70 bucks to the rancher,” Dallas says. “Lately, ranchers let us keep the margin, trusting we’ll return next year.”

Data, Cattle Return

Knowing the background and genetics of his cattle improves feed efficiency and herd health. Dallas shares carcass data with ranchers, fostering long-term improvement.

“It takes two and a half years to find those details,” he says. “Asking a producer to change something drastically may disrupt decades of work.”

Instead of pushing change, Dallas invites ranchers to see harvest-ready pens and discuss genetics, vaccination protocols, and handling.

David Scott, a South Dakota rancher, began selling directly to Dallas seven years ago. The result: less stress and a simple, rewarding transaction.

“I appreciate his insight,” Scott says. “We find a happy medium—a moderate, efficient cow without sacrificing carcass weight.”

Shared progress strengthens relationships and keeps ranchers coming back.

A Prime Target

Working directly with ranchers has paid off.

“Targeting Certified Angus Beef has opened doors,” says Tory. “We get more information to improve premiums and cattle quality.”

4K Cattle markets one to three loads weekly for 45 weeks a year. Their partnership with Upper Iowa Beef provides timely data and open communication.

“It’s critical to our success,” Dallas says. “It tells us what’s working and how to get a premium to our cow-calf breeder.”

It all starts with genetics.

“Angus cattle are required to make the grid work,” Dallas says. “Feed efficiency, meat quality, Prime grades—it’s critical.”

In 2024, they delivered 3,700 head to Upper Iowa, 90% black-hided, all marketed on the grid. Recent loads graded over 60% Prime.

“Certified Angus Beef has become a priority,” Dallas says, noting their size allows them to focus on the finer details that deliver quality and consistency consumers are looking for.

Tory notes, “We expect the same quality on our plates as we expect on theirs.”

Detail Discipline

Dallas, Amy, and Tory work together to build a database and understand their true cost of gain. They crunch numbers and stay consistent.

In every market, pounds pay—but discipline in the details pays more. Health maintenance is key to pocketing premiums.

“Every morning, we walk cattle,” Dallas says. “It’s the highest-paying job on the farm.”

Consistency in herd health, record keeping, pen management, feed quality, and timing is paramount. That’s why Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) is foundational to both consumer confidence and cattle performance.

The Knoblochs demonstrate dedication with schedules tailored to cattle needs—like leaving at 2:30 a.m. to haul calves home from the Dakotas to reduce stress.

Dallas works with his veterinarian to fine-tune vaccination protocols. During ranch visits, he even provides a key vaccine to ranchers at no charge.

“It’s a 56-cent shot that saves me thousands a year,” he says.

Tory adds, “My dad is particular about the details and the numbers because we chase quality.”

Since returning full-time two years ago, Tory has helped improve care and management. A new feed truck and semi-trailer enhanced feeding consistency and handling—with Tory behind the wheel.

As the Knoblochs continue refining their system, they prove excellence isn’t about scale—it’s about intention.

“It’s not just about dollars and cents,” Amy says. “It’s about opportunity—for our kids to find interest and have more open doors than we had.”

With every load, every pen walk, and every conversation across the supply chain, they’re building a legacy rooted in quality.

The Knobloch family received their award in September at the 2025 Certified Angus Beef Annual Conference in Austin, Texas.

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