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The Commercial Producer of the Year Award is
a relatively new award that is awarded annually by the Missouri Limousin
Breeders Association. The award's first recipient was Dwight and Linda Bethurem
of Lebanon, MO in 2003. The Bethurems were nominated by Berry Hill Farms.
If you know of someone that should be recognized for their usage of Limousin
genetics in their commercial operation, please nominate them by submitting the
forms referenced below.
M & B Limousin Named 2009 Missouri
Commercial Producer of the Year
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Mike and Betsy Cravens of Lees Summit, MO were named the 2009 Missouri Commercial Producer of the Year by the Missouri Limousin Breeders Association at their annual meeting on March 28 in Springfield.
The Cravens operate a 270-head cow herd of which approximately 50 percent are registered Limousin. It is a primarily a hay and grass operation, and the Cravens run their herd on approximately 950 acres of pasture and hay. They calve half of the herd in the spring and half in the fall.
Mike became acquainted with Limousin in 1990 when he leased a Limousin bull to breed a group of cows. He was impressed with the calves and from there Mike and Betsy have purchased Limousin bulls from all over the Midwest but particularly from Missouri Limousin breeders. They attend and participate in most of the consignment sales in Missouri.
They market their calves to the Laura’s Lean program and recently to Strauss Veal. Maintaining a predominately red herd, Mike likes the efficiency, muscle, and longevity of Limousin.
In addition to their farm operation, Betsy teaches math at Longview Community College in Lees Summit.
Congratulations to Mike and Betsy for being selected the Missouri Commercial Producers for 2009.
MISSOURI LIMOUSIN BREEDER’S
NAME
2007 COMMERCIAL PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
MLBA Names Harrington “Commercial Producer of the Year”
Clif and Alice Harrington of Stott City, MO were named the 2007 “Commercial Producer of the Year” at the Missouri Limousin Association banquet held in Springfield, MO on March 24th. They were nominated for the award by Ben Bennett of Coscia Limousin, Springfield.
The Harrington’s operate a 600 acre hay grass cattle operation on which they run 150 cows. They have used Limousin bulls since 1977. They use Limousin genetics for the muscle, cutability, and feed efficiency. Their cow herd averages 68.4% Limousin blood with the remaining percentage Angus. They use both red and black Limousin bulls.
They market their calves through MFA Alliance sales at the Joplin Regional Stockyards. Clif says that he makes sure the buyers know they are commercial Limousin calves.
Clif and Alice advise Limousin breeders not to lose muscle and “stay vigilant with disposition”.
The Harrington’s belong to the SW Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, MCA, and NCBA in addition to being a lifetime member of NALF.
Congratulations to the Harrington family!
2006 COMMERCIAL PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
 At
the Missouri Limousin Breeder’s Banquet and Annual Meeting held in Springfield,
MO on March 25, 2006, J Eisenbath Cattle Farm was named the 2006 Commercial
Producer of the Year.
Jim and his wife Madge live in Bowling Green, MO and on the
advice of a friend, started using Limousin bulls in 1981, in order to increase
weaning weights and average daily gain of their calves. They currently own
160, spring calving Limousin and Limousin-Angus cross cows. The Eisenbaths
currently own 800 acres and lease 130 for hay. They keep their market calves to
700 to 800 lbs, retain 20 to 25 heifers annually and market approximately 20
head as freezer beef. They have marketed cattle to Laura’s Lean Beef, as well
as, the first ever QSA Source Verified Sale in the U. S. Jim likes the calf
vigor, growth, hanging carcass weights and the maternal ability of the Limousin
cattle. Last year, they AI their virgin heifers, and maintain a 90 day calving
period in their entire herd. He would like for Limousin breeders to continue
emphasis on docility, and to not lose high gains and milking ability in pursuit
of other traits.
In addition to being a member of the Lincoln County Farm
Bureau, Missouri Cattleman’s Association and National Beef Cattleman’s
Association, Jim and Madge have raised 2 daughters and one son, and they
currently have a total of 9 grandchildren.
The Eisenbath farm was nominated by Wies Limousin Ranch at
Wellsville, MO. They currently run 220 cows, 60 of which they AI annually.
They are marketing 20 to 25 Limousin bulls and 15 to 20 Limousin females
annually privately and through consignment sales. Their cull females are
marketed through Laura’s Lean Beef. Their Ranch Mangers are Mike and Heather
Henderson.
Williams
Family Farms, Inc.
Named 2005 MLBA Commercial Producer of the Year
 Missouri
Limousin Breeders named Williams Family Farms, Inc. of Sedalia, Mo, Commercial
Producer of the Year for 2005 at their annual banquet held in Columbia on
February 12. Williams Family Farms was nominated by Tom and Rosalie Smith of
Arator Valley Farms, Smithton MO.
Williams Family Farms has used Limousin
bulls on their herd of Angus, Hereford, and Limousin based commercial cows for
30 years. Currently, they are using both red and black bulls for natural
service. The Williams family appreciates Limousin for their length of body,
their great disposition, the mothering ability of the cows and their ability to
raise calves that top the market for their repeat customers. They market their
calves private treaty from the farm. They also market bred heifers, as well as,
retaining heifers for their own herd.
The Williams are active in MFA Inc, MFA Oil,
Ag-Coop and the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association.
Tom and Rosalie Smith, Arator Valley Farms
are located at Smithton where they have raised top-quality Limousin cattle for
over 30 years, specializing in polled cattle. They market their cattle both
private treaty and at consignment sales. They also hosted the Polled Select
Sale held in Sedalia for many years. Tom is a former MLBA Board Member, having
served many terms. They currently have around 60 cows, the majority of which are
black.
Phillips Farms Named
2004 MLBA Commercial
Producer of the Year
Missouri
Limousin Breeders named Phillips Farms of New Boston, MO, Commercial Producer
of the Year for 2004 at their annual banquet held in Columbia MO on February 14,
2004. Phillips Farms was nominated by C-N-D Limousin, Birch Tree, MO.
Phillips Farms has used Limousin bulls in their cow/calf operation for 28 years.
Currently, 390 cows roam 1,600 acres of pasture on their 3,400 acre farm. These
cows are a foundation combination of Limousin, Charolais, Angus, and Hereford.
Ron likes the Limousin influence for mothering ability and fleshing ease in the
replacement heifers they retain and added value in the bred heifers they sell
either at the local auction barn or private treaty, as well as, the added value
in his market calves. They use only red bulls.
Ron
is an active member of Farm Bureau, Missouri Extension Council, and Missouri
Cattlemen’s Association. In addition, he is a Board Member of the Yellow Creek
Watershed. Darlene is a retired school teacher. Other members of the operation
are a son Jesse and a daughter Lois.
Dean
and Cindy Pearson, C-N-D Limousin, are located at Birch Tree, MO, and have been
long-time producers of quality Limousin cattle. Dean was newly elected to the
MLBA Board at the annual meeting for a second time, having served several terms
in the past.
(To Download: Click on each link below.)
Commercial Producer
of The Year - Breeder
Commercial
Producer of The Year - Nomination |
