Founded in the early 1970s by Leon and Glenda Kleeman, the operation was built on a clear vision: raise cattle that perform from start to finish—no weak points, no guesswork. But Leon’s involvement in Angus cattle goes back even further, setting the foundation for what would become a program ahead of its time.

Long before data-driven cattle breeding became standard, Gleonda Angus was already there.

In 1966, Leon purchased his first feed-tested bull from the Wye Plantation in Maryland, marking the beginning of a lifelong focus on feed efficiency and measurable performance. At a time when most operations relied on visual selection alone, Gleonda was collecting data and making decisions based on real numbers.

That mindset hasn’t changed.

Today, Gleonda Angus continues to lead in performance tracking and data collection, operating its own feed efficiency testing facility to ensure their cattle meet the highest standards from birth all the way to the rail.

Because in this business, results matter—and they should be proven.

Gleonda cattle are bred with one goal in mind: function.

That means cattle that are:

• Structurally sound
• Feed efficient
• Big-boned and built to last
• Capable of performing in real-world conditions

From calving ease to finishing performance, every stage is considered. Nothing is left to chance.

While the foundation was built decades ago, the operation continues today as a family-run program managed by Traves Merrick and his wife, Kenadee.

The same principles still apply:
Keep improving.
Keep measuring.
Keep producing cattle that deliver.

And if you spend any time around Gleonda Angus, you’ll hear it said in a way that’s hard to forget:

“Big Butts. Big Guts. Big Nuts.”

It’s not just a saying—it’s a reflection of what they breed for: strength, capacity, and performance where it counts.