September 28, 2007

In this issue …
Gain valuable insight from Visions Quest
Animal lookup now offers more information
Weaning measurements are key
New phone system assists customer service
Automatically printed reports discontinued
Some fees change
At-large Board nominations due Oct. 15
Tuesday’s webcast to address breed improvement
Staff welcome state invitations
Feeder Calf Classifieds enter busy season
LimMark tags provide ‘brand’ recognition
Review some ultrasound basics
Major shows approach; enter NAILE by Monday
Cheerleader to headline Corner Post package
Put Limousin advocates in the spotlight
Southeastern members looking for feed
Help reach local newspapers
What’s news?
Limousin sales, events

As a Limousin producer, have you collected all of the data for your cattle that will help you prosper in the future? If not, the North American Limousin Foundation (NALF) and Colorado State University (CSU) are ready to demonstrate how the genetics you are producing can generate greater returns.

Visions Quest (VQ) Round 3 will be another real-world lesson in producing industry-friendly seedstock and feeder cattle while collecting data for genetic evaluation and research. Some pen space still is available. Anyone interested in delivering cattle between Nov. 1 and 15 to the CSU research feedyard near Fort Collins should contact Bo Sexson in the NALF office to ask about enrollment. The VQ guidelines are available from the office or the “Programs” section of the NALF Web site.

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The NALF Web site’s expected progeny difference (EPD) and pedigree lookup now includes more details:

• adjusted performance data and ratios;
• complete DNA-test results for color and horn status;
• actual percentage Angus and Red Angus blood when applicable; and
• NALF EPDs for the Angus and Red Angus animals in its herdbook.

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Now is the time to gather critical weaning information, which provides the foundation for weaning-weight, milk and docility EPDs. Producers should determine optimal dates for weighing calves so the greatest number are within 160 to 250 days of age for calculating adjusted weights and EPDs.

Before requesting preprinted cow-inventory birth-report forms or using the online animal-recording tool, members should update their active-cow inventories. Keeping inventories up-to-date contributes valuable culling information to the NALF herdbook and minimizes the number of unwanted animals in search results. Update inventories using the online tool or the multiple-application form, then return culled animals’ registration certificates to the NALF office.

When you use online recording, do not enter and submit one animal at a time. Keep contemporary groups intact by submitting registrations after entering all of the animals.

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The NALF office has a new telephone system, which offers several helpful directory features that help guide callers to the correct information or staff member. The improved voice-mail system is much more reliable than the old one so do not hesitate to enter anyone’s extension and leave a message.

A list of staff members’ telephone extensions is in the “Contact NALF” section of the association’s Web site.

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With nearly 40 percent of NALF paperwork now submitted electronically and with the increased costs associated with forms, printing and postage, NALF has discontinued automatic printing and distribution of weaning update, yearling update and yearling summary reports with returned paperwork. Those documents still are available by request, free of charge, from the NALF office.

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Due to escalating business costs and the effort to balance the 2007–2008 budget, the NALF Board of Directors approved several fee increases for miscellaneous association services, effective Sept. 1.

• Sale downloads for catalog production went from $1 to $2 per animal.
• Duplicate certificates went from $5 to $10. Members can request duplicate certificates with a valid animal identification by mail, fax or e‑mail.
• Processing other breeds’ pedigrees and unrecorded cows now costs $10 per head.
• Rushed paperwork now costs $25 per head.

In addition, NALF has created a “show certificate service” through which members can request immediately faxed copies of registration certificates. NALF will accommodate those requests for $10 per copy to offset the cost of reprinting registration papers solely for faxing them to show offices.

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The Nominating Committee has slated its candidates for the NALF Board.

• Lance Sennett, Waynetown, Ind. (second term)
• Jerry Wulf, Morris, Minn. (second term)
• Mike Hall, San Luis Obispo, Calif.
• Brian Skaggs, Lexington, Okla.
• Tom Vaughn, Cavalier, N.D.

NALF members can send at-large nominations to the NALF office until Oct. 15. For at-large nominees to qualify, signed letters of support from at least 15 different founding, lifetime or active annual members are required. (An example form letter is available in the “Limousin Library” section of the NALF Web site.) Identification of all nominees by Oct. 15 will enable NALF to publicize their candidacies and include their names on the official ballot.

To make voting easier and more inclusive, those unable to attend the Annual Meeting in Denver, Colo, Jan. 14, 2008, may write the NALF office to request absentee ballots until Dec. 1. The office will not issue any after that date. Once members complete and sign their absentee ballots, they will mail them to NALF’s official accountant.

The changes to the nominations and voting processes replace the former system of nominations from the floor and proxy votes. The Board members invite ongoing input as they evaluate the changes’ effectiveness throughout the upcoming election cycle.

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NALF will conduct another information-packed member-outreach webcast Tuesday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. MDT. The topic will be “Breed Improvement,” and the event will offer an interactive discussion about grade, growth, docility and fertility. The Limousin World is sponsoring the event.

To participate, you must register with DVAuction.com at least three hours ahead of time, using the e‑mail address where you receive Partners. When it is time for the webcast, return to the DVAuction home page and click the “View” button next to “North American Limousin Foundation” under “Today’s Events.” Or use the “Producer-Outreach Webcasts” link on the NALF home page.

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NALF staff members appreciate the opportunity to participate in state events where representation from the home office would be helpful, and they would be more than happy to conduct workshops about any NALF programs and services. Contact Frank Padilla in the NALF office to get your state event on the staff calendar.

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As the fall feeder-cattle–marketing season approaches, Limousin breeders and their bull customers should work together to market Limousin-influenced calves through the Limousin Exchange. Go to the NALF home page, click the Feeder Calf Classifieds link, then follow the directions to list calves for sale. Whether consigning to an auction market or video auction or selling by private treaty, the online classifieds are a free, easy way to help make sure every bidder possible competes for those high-quality, Limousin-influenced calves.

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One of the lessons from the Limousin Visions Symposium was to build the breed’s brand equity. Part of that is getting Limousin-influenced animals recognized when they perform well in commercial settings. To that end, NALF has teamed with Allflex USA to provide a simple, flexible marketing program for Limousin-influenced feeder calves and replacement females.

The LimMark tagging program aids Limousin customers in identifying their cattle and positioning themselves for greater returns by coupling reputable genetics with documented information. Guidelines and the enrollment form are available in the “Programs” section of the NALF Web site or by contacting Bo Sexson in the NALF office.

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Order your barnsheets from the NALF office at least two weeks before your scanning session. A barnsheet is a preprinted form, provided free of charge, that lists all of the animals you intend to scan. It gives identification (ID) information for each animal and has blank spaces to record weight and management data chuteside. The ultrasound laboratories require barn sheets to process scan data so failure to obtain one before your scanning session can result in processing delays.

Keep the following things in mind, too.

• Thoroughly check the ultrasound summary report you receive from NALF. Occasionally, the ultrasound laboratories will return results to NALF with incorrect animal IDs or missing scan data.
• The acceptable age range for scanning is 300 to 450 days.
• NALF cannot provide adjustments, ratios and EPDs for animals that are not in the NALF herdbook (either registered or recorded for performance only).
• NALF cannot provide adjustments and ratios for animals with missing weaning dates and weights because the calculation process uses that information.
• For NALF to use an animal’s ultrasound data in the computation of its carcass EPDs, the animal must be in a contemporary group with at least one other animal. NALF forms ultrasound contemporary groups using an animal’s yearling contemporary group (or weaning contemporary group if yearling information has not been recorded), plus scan-lot date and scan-management code.

For additional information regarding ultrasound, refer to the Guide to Ultrasound.

To request barnsheets, call the NALF office.

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The Limousin shows at the American Royal in Kansas City, Mo., will be Oct. 18. Jerry Adamson of Cody, Neb., will sort the junior entries; and Randy Daniel of Colbert, Ga., will judge the open show.

The junior show at the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) in Louisville, Ky., will be Nov. 11. The open show will be Nov. 14, and Terry Burks of Bowling Green, Ky., will be the judge. NAILE entries are due Monday, Oct. 1.

The Limousin sale-cattle parade at the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) starts at 3 p.m. Jan. 13, 2008. The junior show begins at 2 p.m. the next day, and the Limousin sale follows at 6 p.m. The Limousin open show starts at 8 a.m. Jan. 15. The pen and carload shows are the day after that, beginning at 8 a.m., with the Lim‑Flex® female-pen sale to follow. Entries for the NWSS are due Nov. 15.

Make sure your entries meet each show’s requirements.

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The NALF Board agreed to give free registrations to all of the natural calves born to the Corner Post Genetics Package female, which Counsil Family Limousin is donating to sell at the 2008 NWSS. CFLX Cheerleader 001T is a Jan. 10, 2007, daughter of Carrousels Peak Power out of Logan’s Cheerleader 280G, the dam of multitrait leader JCL Lodestar 27L.

The North American Limousin Junior Association (NALJA) still is securing other items and services for the package. Prospective donors should contact Bret Begert, director of junior activities.

Once it reaches a suitable principal, the Corner Post Fund will facilitate additional activities and scholarships for Limousin juniors.

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Be sure to nominate extraordinary Limousin supporters for the NALF Commercial Program Awards. Each year, NALF honors a Commercial Marketing Booster of the Year, a Commercial Producer of the Year and a Limousin Promoter of the Year during the NWSS pen and carload shows. Download a nomination form for each of the prestigious awards from the “Programs” section of the NALF Web site, or request a copy from the NALF office.

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Due to the extreme drought in the Southeast, there is a desperate need for feed and hay. If you or someone you know has some for sale or you are a drought-stricken NALF member looking for a hay or feed source, contact Barbara Tunstall from Dreamtime Limousin, Mosheim, Tenn., at (423) 422-6099.

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NALF is increasing its efforts to get breed information to local news outlets. To make sure your hometown newspapers get the message, send their e‑mail addresses to Brad Parker in the NALF office.

When you send those e‑mail addresses, be sure to include your membership number or herd prefix. Also provide the publication’s name, city and state.

It is best to call the publication first and ask which address should receive news releases. Sending them to the wrong people – webmasters, advertising sales representatives, circulation managers and such – is the shortest route to the trash. And, to be clear, NALF needs an e‑mail address (something that looks like “name@publication.com”) not just a Web-site address.

Thanks for your help in developing NALF’s database of local media contacts.

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NALF has issued the following news release since the last issue of Partners:

• Sept. 21 – Special Limousin-Influenced Feeder-Calf Sales Approach

Limousin news releases are archived in the Web site’s “What’s New” section. NALF encourages its members to share them with their local news outlets.

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Sept. 29 • Vorthmann Limousin Focus On Family Values V Sale, Treynor, IA
Sept. 29 • Deer Valley Farm Fall Production Sale, Fayetteville, TN
Sept. 29 • Tulsa State Fair Open Limousin Show, Tulsa, OK
Sept. 29 • World Beef Expo Open Limousin Show, West Allis, WI
Oct. 1 • Express Ranches Rancher’s Bull Sale and Commercial Female Sale, Yukon, OK
Oct. 2 • NALF Webcast: Breed Improvement (members only; sponsored by Limousin World)
Oct. 3 • Special Limousin-Influenced Feeder-Calf Sale, Fort Pierre Livestock Auction, Pierre, SD
Oct. 6 • Tubmill Creek Farms The Crossing Sale, New Florence, PA
Oct. 6 • Quail Ridge–Jepson Limousin Joint Production Sale, Bowling Green, KY
Oct. 6 • Second SEE Performance Genetics and Feeds Genetic Improvement Sale, Clinton, NC
Oct. 6 • Keystone International Livestock Expo Open Limousin Show, Harrisburg, PA
Oct. 7 • Tulsa State Fair Junior Limousin Show, Tulsa, OK
Oct. 8 • Special Limousin-Influenced Feeder-Calf Sale, Faith Livestock Commission, Faith, SD
Oct. 9 • NALF Webcast: Nutrition
Oct. 10 • Special Limousin-Influenced Feeder-Calf Sale, Fort Pierre Livestock Auction, Pierre, SD
Oct. 13 • Olson–Dietz Limousin Annual Club Calf Sale, Russell, KS
Oct. 13 • Pride of the Pasture II Female Sale, Omemee, ON
Oct. 13 • Missouri Limousin State Sale, Sedalia, MO
Oct. 13 • The Source Sale II, Stanford, KY
Oct. 14 • Seedstock Bonanza IV Sale, Marietta, OK
Oct. 17 • Special Limousin-Influenced Feeder-Calf Sale, Fort Pierre Livestock Auction, Pierre, SD
Oct. 18 • American Royal Open and Junior Limousin Shows, Kansas City, MO
Oct. 18 • Special Limousin-Influenced Feeder-Calf Sale, Centennial Livestock, Fort Collins, CO
Oct. 20 • TLA’s Heart of Texas Fall Sale, West, TX
Oct. 20 • Woodbrook Limousin Farms Eastern Regional Sale, Abingdon, VA
Oct. 20 • Minnesota Beef Expo, Saint Paul, MN
Oct. 21 • Heart of Missouri Limousin Sale, Lebanon, MO
Oct. 22 • Special Limousin-Influenced Feeder-Calf Sale, Faith Livestock Commission, Faith, SD
Oct. 24 • Special Limousin-Influenced Feeder-Calf Sale, Fort Pierre Livestock Auction, Pierre, SD
Oct. 25 • Special Limousin-Influenced Feeder-Calf Sale, Napoleon Livestock Auction, Napoleon, ND
Oct. 26–29 • North American Beef Congress, London, ON
Oct. 27 • The Harvest Sale, Boonsboro, MD
Oct. 27 • North American Beef Congress Limousin Sale, London, ON
Oct. 28 • Magness Land and Cattle Southern Division Mature Cow Herd Dispersion, Miami, OK
Nov. 1 • Special Limousin-Influenced Feeder-Calf Sale, Missoula Livestock Exchange, Missoula, MT
Nov. 2 • Canadian National Limousin Sale, Brandon, MB
Nov. 3 • Express Ranches Fast Forward XV Sale, Yukon, OK
Nov. 3 • Canadian National Limousin Show, Brandon, MB
Nov. 4 • Heritage In The Homeland Sale, Seminole, OK
Nov. 5 • Special Limousin-Influenced Feeder-Calf Sale, Winter Livestock, La Junta, CO
Nov. 7 • Express Ranches Customer Appreciation Sale, Apache, OK
Nov. 7 • Farmfair International Limousin Pen Show, Edmondton, AB
Nov. 8 • Farmfair International Limousin Bonanza Gold Show, Edmondton, AB
Nov. 9 • Express Ranches Feeder Calf Sale, Apache, OK
Nov. 9 • Deer Valley Farm Angus Production Sale, Fayetteville, TN
Nov. 10 • Deer Valley Farm Fall Limousin & Angus Bull Sale, Fayetteville, TN
Nov. 11 • North American International Livestock Expo Junior Limousin Show, Louisville, KY
Nov. 13 • The Sale In Louisville, Louisville, KY
Nov. 14 • North American International Livestock Expo Open Limousin Show, Louisville, KY