THE MAJOR FOCUS AT MINOR LIMOUSIN
Written By:
Emma Alexander
Caleb and Tara Minor are dedicated to breeding quality, registered Limousin and LimFlex cattle in Agri-Ready Designated Webster County. Their commitment to develop cattle that can perform in the show ring and the field is driven by their focus on the future of agriculture.
Choosing a Focus
When Caleb and Tara married they decided to focus on raising registered Limousin cattle, branding their operation as Minor Limousin. They specialize in high-end Limousin replacement females for the show ring and ‘front pasture herds’. This focus was inspired by the growth of Caleb’s cattle operation after he purchased his first Limousin bull. “It (a cattle operation) doesn’t work if you have a good bull and do not pair him with desirable cows,” Caleb says.
Major Traits
“Limousin females have great feet and legs, maternal ability to raise calves, and yield the best on minimal inputs. We want females that make calves that make weight. Limousin make the best calves at the end of the day and that is the primary goal,” Caleb says. “As producers, we make sure to provide appropriate and adequate minerals, hay, forage, and good clean water for our cattle.”
“The Limousin breed historically had a bad reputation for being poorly behaved but the animals we produce have amazing docility,” Tara explains. “We have culled hard for animals with good dispositions because our son will be 8 and our daughter is 5.”
Choosing for the Future
Caleb and Tara are excited that many of the show prospects raised at Minor Limousin are sold to youth clients. “Showing the Limousin breed is something a showman has to see and experience to believe in,” Caleb shares.
Tara attributes her love for showing Limousins to her background in showing horses as a 4-H member in Maryland.
“Ultimately, I like doing it because of the kids. It’s fun seeing kids get involved with cattle projects,” Tara continues. “Showing is a great way to get agriculture into the hands of kids. Watching them is rewarding for me. Their smiles are awesome. A lot of people forget that show projects are supposed to be about the kids.”
A Future for the Farm
When Caleb and Tara chose the focus of their cattle operation, they did it with their children, Gabe and Reagan, in mind even though they weren’t yet born.
“We wanted to commit to something that our kids could be involved in. The Limousin family is welcoming and wants to teach and help one another. We wanted our kids to be a part of that kind of community,” Tara shares.
“Livestock projects are the best thing for any kid. They learn things that can’t be taught in school,” Caleb believes. “Our kids know that it doesn’t matter, rain, snow, or shine that our cattle have to be cared for. Things are not just handed to them. Our kids are learning the more work they put in, the more results they’ll see.”
Gabe has started showing nationally and is very competitive. He reads Limousin catalogs and points out EPD listings of interest. He takes ownership of his projects and makes decisions. Gabe and Reagan are members of the Farm and Field 4-H Club in Webster County.
More about the Minor Family
Caleb attended Ozarks Technical College to learn the welding trade and has been an entrepreneur for 17 years. He owns and operates Greenwood Manufacturing, a metal fabrication company specializing in orders serving stainless steel tank manufacturers.
Caleb serves as the treasurer for the Missouri Limousin Breeders Association and is a board member of the Heartland Limousin Association. The Minor family are members of Missouri Cattlemen’s Association and are involved in University of Missouri Extension 4-H programs; these organizations are partners of Missouri Farmers Care.
Agri-Ready Designated Webster County
Agriculture, including food, feed and forestry, contributes $118.6 million in value-added products, $388.8 million in output, over 3,400 jobs, and adds $168.2 millionto household incomes in Webster County according to the 2021 Missouri Economic Contribution of Agriculture and Forestry Study. More than 20% of the county’s jobs are created by agriculture, agri-food, forestry, and related industries. Nearly half of those jobs are in livestock industries – with cattle leading the way.
What is Missouri Farmers Care?
Missouri Farmers Care unites the state’s agricultural community to support the men and women who provide the food and jobs that sustain Missouri. With the partnership of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association and 45 other member organizations, MFC works to ensure all Missourians understand the truth about modern agriculture, food production, and the farm families behind it. To learn more, visit https://mofarmerscare.com/.
What is Agri-Ready County Designation?
Agri-Ready County Designation is a voluntary program that recognizes counties committed to supporting and growing their agricultural industry. To qualify, a county must agree to support agricultural stewardship, growth, and economic interests. The designation helps counties promote themselves as agricultural hubs, attracting and supporting agribusiness. More information can be found at https://mofarmerscare.com/agri-ready/.