In Webster County, Caleb and Tara Minor of Minor Limousin are raising quality Limousin cattle that help support the future of Missouri beef. Focused on efficient, productive cattle and youth involvement in agriculture, the Minor family is building strong genetics and strong traditions for the next generation.
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.
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.
“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.”
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.”
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.
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.