“approximately 3 years ago we began exploring other options, and ultimately bought the ranch that WES Arena now sits.”
Melissa Feeders was founded in 1989 at a pre-existing feedyard site 43 miles north of downtown Dallas. The yard was built in the late 1960’s and since then, has facilitated several different types of production to change and mold with the times. It has provided quality feeder cattle, both beef and Holstein, grown dairy heifers for dairy replacements, finished both Holsteins and beef cattle for harvest, and produced high quality beef replacement heifers.
Twelve years ago, Melissa Feeders began providing cattle for cutting horse events in Fort Worth and surrounding areas through Bronc Willoughby. During this process we realized by the time we sorted the appropriate cattle, shipped, received back, and paid freight bills, the financial returns weren’t as positive as expected. As a result, approximately 3 years ago we began exploring other options, and ultimately bought the ranch that WES Arena now sits.
“Dave & Vicki Costello, founder and creator of Outback Cuttings joined the team full time in August of 2023 and produces all of our cutting horse events.”
With the help of Bronc, Grant Setnicka, and Dave Costello, the plans began to take shape to create a world-renown equine sports event center where we could furnish cattle for various events. We are continuing this process with plans for an outside Arena, 25 more RV slots, and more.
We are also now hosting Ranch Sorting, Ranch Rodeos, Barrel Racing, and Roping events. We also do PreWorks and practices for Reining Cow Horse, Cutting Horse events, and others.
The Quinn Family has been in the cattle business for five generations. This started with a dairy operation in Minnesota owned by Mark’s grandfather that his dad later relocated to central Texas. Stepping away from the diary operations, they migrated to the new (at the time) beef exotic breeds that were being brought into the United States in the late 1960’s. They raised mainly Simmental Cattle, but experimented with Maine Anjou, having one of the first born in the country, then other breeds such as Simbrah. Becky’s (Marks wife) father raised purebred Brahmans near Fayetteville, Texas on a farm that has been in her family for over one hundred years.
Pictured above from left to right. Caleb Quinn, tonya harrison, Pam cartwright, Mark quinn.
In 2013, Caleb joined the company after receiving a Master’s degree in International Ag. We began focusing on purchasing high risk calves, getting them healthy, and then selling them as feeders, or finishing them for harvest. We buy approximately several hundred head per week that are placed among three locations on pasture for approximately 45-60 days. Matt Quinn, PhD., a consulting Feedlot Nutritionist and Caleb’s brother, joined us as a consultant and then Partner in 2015.
Bill Kruse started partnering on cattle with us in 2002, and the Kruse family is now part owners of all the operations. Bill grew up on a livestock farm in Nebraska, before his brother and he moved to Dalhart to farm. Bill has been involved in a number of Feedlots and Ag operations and is active today in operations and handles much of the risk management.
we have an incredible team that helps to keep wes arena, melissa feeders, and walking t cattle company running smoothly
