It’s a Family Thing: Ochsner Limousin
A feature article on the 2018 International Limousin Congress host ranches.
By Mallory Blunier, NALF director of PR & media
Faith. Family. Limousin. These
are the three words that come
to mind when I think of the
Ochsner Ranch. During my visit
to the ranch, I not only saw the
cattle operation, but I was able
to sit down and enjoy getting to
know the family and how they
run their Limousin business.
They are located in Kersey, Colo.,
about 60 miles northeast of
Denver, and are a completely
family-run operation. Kevin
and Julie Ochsner enjoy
working alongside their three
kids, Caitlyn, Ashlyn and
Collin together with Kevin’s
parents, Ken and Roberta.
Originally from Fort Collins,
Colo., the Ochsner family has
been involved with Limousin
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cattle since 1970 when Kevin’s
Dad and Mom fed out some of
the first half-blood Limousin
calves born in the United
States for a carcass study at
Colorado State University. Ken
and Roberta were so impressed
with those calves that they A.I.’d
their commercial Angus cows
to the imported Limousin bull
Eclair, and their first Limousin
calves were born in 1972. In
1975, Kevin started his own
Limousin herd by purchasing
four half-blood Limousin
cows from Dale Runnion.
Both Kevin, and his younger
brother, Kenton were actively
involved showing Limousin
cattle through 4-H and FFA and
both served on the NALJA Board
of Directors. Kevin earned his
Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural
Business from Colorado State
University. The experience
and contacts he gained in
college and while serving as a
National FFA Officer led him to
pursue a career in speaking and
consulting with Agri Business
Group, an Indianapolis based
consulting firm. After finishing
his MBA and becoming a
partner in the practice, Kevin
and Julie made the decision to
move west, where they could
raise their children around
livestock and be closer to their
families. Beginning with an
irrigated farm they purchased
along the South Platte River
and about 30 registered
cows in 1998, the Ochsners