What kind of cat should I get?

We're moving to a rural area in east texas surrounded by 46 acres of rolling fields and some trees. My three year old made a very good suggestion that we get a cat "to catches mouses". And after thinking on it and putting all disgust I have for cats away, she's right. We're either gonna have cats or rats! So what car should I get? I'm going to adopt one, since they get spayed/neutered before they leave the pound, but I don't know if I should get a male or female. Do males tend a mice problem better or females? I need this cat for the sole purpose of keeping field mice out of my new home.