Hardship and heritage shape a Texas cattleman’s journey

If anybody knows about endurance, it’s Capital Farm Credit Member Tanner Cadra. As a multi-generation cattle farmer in Shamrock, near Amarillo, he and his family have endured an array of hardships.

Cadra’s ancestors immigrated to the US, through Ellis Island, from Czechoslovakia to escape communism in 1907. Through the years, the family has battled all sorts of challenges, including multiple wildfires. Despite the challenges, Cadra has rolled up his sleeves and gotten to work, helping to strengthen the family’s operation and eventually starting his own division of the ranch, operating on just over 2,000 acres.

“Over 100 years later I still have the same dream, grit and tenacity to be a producer in the Texas Panhandle that my ancestors had,” he said. “Since 1907, my family has been cattle producers in the Texas Panhandle. I am the next generation, and I intend to grow that legacy. But I am going to do things a little different.”

Cadra attended the Ranching for Profit School, a leading business management school for ranchers that helps students tackle real-world problems. As a graduate, he currently serves as a board member of Executive Link, a network of Ranching for Profit alumni who meet regularly to discuss ways to grow and improve each of their operations.

“Just having a board is fantastic, and we’ve caught some disasters in some of our other board members’ plans and mine, too, by all of us looking into them,” he said. “I think it’s good to have these people you can bounce ideas off of.”

Cadra is a valued member of Capital Farm Credit, getting assistance with real estate, operating and equipment loans. He works closely with his Capital Farm Credit lender, Ty Koonce, and keeps him involved every step of the way.  

“While working with Tanner, it is easy to see he embraces his heritage and traditions, and wants them to continue,” Koonce said. “He is a great example of a young producer who respects his past but is not afraid to implement new practices, procedures and ideas into his operation, if it adds value.”

Capital Farm Credit offers a range of loan products with competitive interest rates and services specifically tailored for Texas farmers and ranchers. As the largest ag lender in Texas, we know one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to agriculture and rural Texas, so we work with you to create a unique plan to success. 

Cadra recently was awarded $1,000 as a finalist in CFC’s GROW your AgriRoots contest, which recognizes and rewards beginning and small farmers, ranchers and agribusiness owners for their dedication to agriculture, strong financial stewardship, leadership, community engagement, commitment to ongoing education and sustainable practices.

While traditionally a cow-calf operation, Cadra is balancing tradition and innovation through a low-input cost approach – buying undervalued cattle and using proper management to reduce depreciation and improve overall herd productivity and value.

So far, his business model is working, and he has plans to continue to grow his herd over the coming years.

While he is excited about his future, Cadra put his past in perspective with the following Bible scripture: “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” James 1:2-3 NLT