For five generations, our family has been rooted in agriculture, with Angus cattle at the heart of our operation. In 1952, the Cannon Brother’s purchased three registered Angus heifers and joined the American Angus Association, beginning the breeding philosophy that still guides Stone Gate Farms today: a commitment to producing efficient, predictable seedstock for the commercial cattle industry.

Early foundational genetics—including H H Executive 11 from Hidden Hills Farm and influential females from Monocacy Farm and Ken Clarke’s Craigie herd—helped shape the Stone Gate cow. These cows and bulls excelled in the traits that truly matter: structure, fertility, longevity, and maternal performance. As performance programs emerged in the late 1950s and 60s, the Cannon Brothers embraced data collection, reinforcing the consistency and real-world functionality of their cattle.

Charles’s leadership extended beyond the farm as he served on the American Angus Board of Directors, including a term as President, and helped launch the Certified Angus Beef® program—now one of the most successful branded beef programs in the world.

Today, Stone Gate Farms remains committed to the same core principles established over 70 years ago. Now led by Chris and Caleb—son and grandson of Charles—the operation blends decades of practical experience with modern technology to develop balanced, profitable genetics. Our purpose has never changed: to provide cattlemen with efficient, dependable seedstock that work in the real world, generation after generation.