November 13, 2007

In this issue …
Louisville events underway
2 days left to submit EPD data
Refresher course: Contemporary groups, reporting bias
NWSS entries due next week
Limousin Exchange provides online marketplace
Get sky-high breed recognition with LimMark tags
Member Services shares year-end tips
Nominate breed supporters by Dec. 5
Invest in the future at the national sale
Doubletree to host member social, Annual Meeting
5 candidates slated for Board of Directors
Performance data, test results among enhancements
Updates, summaries go to ‘by request’ basis
Auction will benefit Skaggs baby
Give Limousin cards, gifts this holiday season
International Livestock Congress planned for Denver
What’s news?
Limousin sales, events

For those who cannot attend this year’s North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) or just want to enjoy the show from home, the official NAILE Web site will broadcast live video of many of the livestock competitions for free. Anyone interested can log in and select a camera to see the action.

You still can catch the Lim‑Flex® and Limousin open shows, which start at 8 a.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 14, in the east ring.

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The deadline to submit data for the next international Limousin genetic evaluation is Thursday, Nov. 15.

Birth, weaning and yearling performance data are necessary for reliable expected progeny differences (EPDs), and breeders’ data are the raw material from which the North American Limousin Foundation (NALF) computes genetic predictions. Members with carcass data for groups of pedigreed Limousin or Limousin-influenced cattle are encouraged to submit them, too. The breed’s competitive advantages, genetic improvement and ability to meet commercial customers’ needs all depend on breeders’ data collection and submission.

Without breeders’ submissions, the new “Performance” section of an animal’s pedigree page will display many blanks and “N/As,” which detract from marketing efforts. The deadline also is important for producers of Lim‑Flex progeny from Angus or Red Angus parents that are not in the NALF herdbook yet. Without the data, their EPDs will not be available for winter show programs or spring marketing materials.

To facilitate reporting, preprinted forms are available free of charge by calling the NALF office. Active members also can use the online recording tools. 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.

New EPDs will be available around Jan. 1, 2008. NALF will post the spring sire summary in the “Genetic Evaluation ” section of its Web site soon after.

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One key to determining an animal’s genetic merit is to separate genetic and environmental effects on performance. Contemporary groups define an animal’s environment and separate genetics from it. Performance differences within the same contemporary group most likely are attributable to genetic differences.

What do you, as a Limousin breeder, need to know about contemporary groups? The only requirement is that you report accurate management-code information to NALF on the registration application. NALF uses management information about birth, weaning, creep-feeding and yearling groups in combination with sex, percentage Limousin, birthdate and weigh date to form contemporary groups automatically.

Putting it all together, a contemporary group includes cattle of the same sex, within the same percentage-Limousin group, that were born within a 90-day period, that have been managed alike and weighed on the same date (excluding birth weight). You must designate different group codes for individual animals or groups of animals that received preferential treatment, experienced sickness or injury affecting their performance, or performed differently for managerial or environmental reasons.

NALF encourages breeders to report performance information for all cattle produced to make the comparisons include as many animals as possible. Reporting information for only the best calves will diminish the comparative performance of the animals reported and could diminish the accuracy of their EPDs. With that in mind, report performance information for all animals – even those you do not intend to register. Reporting complete performance information for all animals gives you, other breeders and commercial cattle producers a clearer picture of genetic differences among animals.

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Check-in at the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) begins at 8 a.m. Jan. 11, 2008. The Limousin sale-cattle parade starts at 3 p.m. Jan. 13. 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.

The entry deadline is Nov. 20. The NWSS will accept late entries until Nov. 30, and late-entry fees will be five times the regular fees. The substitution deadline is Dec. 15. Junior exhibitors must be 9 to 21 years of age as of Jan. 1, 2008, and they must have their heifers in their own names by Nov. 1.

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At last count, the Limousin Exchange included more than 2,500 feeder steers and heifers. Are your and your customers’ calves among them? 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 sky-blue LimMark tags help Limousin customers identify their cattle and position 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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• Medal of Excellence (MOE) show coordinators must submit their show results as soon as possible. Those shows listed in the NALF Web site’s “Programs” section already are included in the points calculations.
• MOE exhibitors must submit performance data by Dec. 1 to retain their MOE points.
• MMI Genomics will be closed between Dec. 24 and Jan. 2. Make sure your samples arrive at the laboratory no later than Dec. 10 if you want results before Christmas. (Do not send samples to arrive at the laboratory the week of Dec. 24.) That deadline is especially important for those who are entering cattle in the shows or sale at the NWSS.

Direct questions about those matters to Lorrie Taylor in the NALF office.

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Be sure to nominate extraordinary Limousin supporters for the NALF commercial program awards by Dec. 5. 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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American Cattle Services, KK Seedstock Consultants and R&R Marketing Co. are the National Limousin Sale management team. Contact Ken Holloway, (580) 597-3006; Keith Kissee, (804) 353-2220; or Randy Ratliff, (615) 791-8982, to consign cattle. All cattle in the national sale must be parent-verified and proto-tested before Dec. 1; and all embryo-transfer (ET) calves must be registered, which requires completed parent verification, by Dec. 1. Because MMI Genomics, the DNA-typing laboratory, operates on a limited holiday schedule, it is critical that members submit samples by Dec. 10 to meet the show and sale requirements.

The national sale will include the second annual Corner Post Genetics Package. Counsil Family Limousin has donated the headline female. CFLX Cheerleader 002T is a Jan. 9, 2007, daughter of Carrousels Peak Power out of Logan’s Cheerleader 280G, the dam of multitrait leader JCL Lodestar 27L.

In addition to the headline female, the package will include free registrations for all of her natural calves; a farm sign; one in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle and a genetic preservation package from Trans Ova Genetics; and insurance from Grassroots Insurance Associates.

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

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The Doubletree Hotel Denver at 3203 Quebec St. will be the Limousin breed’s headquarters during the NWSS. Rooms are available for $79 per night if you mention the “North American Limousin Foundation” when you make your reservations. Call (303) 321-3333 or 1‑800-222-TREE. Book ahead to ensure a room near the following big events:

• NALF social and “Genetics on Ice” auction to benefit the North American Limousin Junior Association (NALJA) and the All-American Limousin Futurity (AALF) – 6 p.m., Jan. 13
• NALF Annual Meeting – 9 a.m., Jan. 14

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The at-large nomination process did not add any candidates to the ballot for the NALF Board of Directors; therefore, the Nominating Committee’s slate of candidates stands as the complete list. Look for the following five candidates’ biographies in the December issue of Limousin World.

• 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.

The Board members invite ongoing input as they evaluate the current election cycle before deciding whether to replace permanently the former system of nominations from the floor and proxy votes.

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The NALF Web site’s EPD and pedigree lookup now includes more details:

• adjusted performance data and ratios;
• complete DNA-test results for color and polled 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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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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There will be a steak dinner and benefit auction starting at 6 p.m. Nov. 28 at the Comanche County Fairgrounds in Lawton, Okla., to raise funds for 10-month-old Jhett Skaggs, the son of Brian and Audra Skaggs, who needs a heart transplant. To donate or purchase items, contact Ken Holloway at (580) 581-7652 or Quin Peterson at (405) 556-1908. View the catalog online at www.jhettskaggsbenefit.com after Nov. 23. EDJECast.com will facilitate live Internet bidding.

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Show your Limousin colors to family, friends, colleagues and customers this holiday season. Visit the Boelte-Hall Web site to order Limousin greeting cards. Several cover designs and inside greetings are available. A portion of the proceeds from each order will benefit NALJA.

Find great gift ideas for family members, employees and customers in the “Promotional Merchandise” section of the NALF Web site, which now includes monogrammed Limousin luggage from the Limi Boosters. Other products, including farm signs and business cards, also are customizable.

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“Global Beef Opportunities: Blazing New Trails” is the theme of the next International Livestock Congress-USA (ILC-USA), which will be Jan. 15, 2008, in Denver, Colo. Beef producers, students, retailers, packers and other industry leaders will gain insight into global beef supply and demand. International leaders will help participants understand what goes on in the global marketplace and how beef producers are facing challenges from competing proteins in the United States and abroad.

Take the opportunity to attend ILC-USA 2008 and discover where you fit in the global beef production picture and how you can turn its challenge into your opportunity. The timely, informative sessions will assist you in the global marketplace, and the tours on Jan. 14 will cover segments of the beef supply chain from a large commercial cattle-feeding enterprise to a packing plant and a major retail beef distribution center.

Find more details and registration information on the International Stockmen’s Educational Foundation (ISEF) Web site.

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

• Oct. 31 – LimMark Program Sells 1,400 Tags in FY ’07
• Nov. 12 – NALF, BEEF to Co-Host CyberCampfire Producer-Outreach Webcasts

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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Nov. 13 • The Sale – Louisville, Louisville, KY
Nov. 14 • North American International Livestock Expo Open Limousin Show, Louisville, KY
Nov. 20 • NALF Webcast: Basic Marketing (members only; sponsored by R&R Marketing Co.)
Nov. 22 • Canadian Western Agribition Open Limousin Show, Regina, SK
Nov. 23 • Canadian Western Agribition Limousin Sale, Regina, SK
Nov. 24 • Bosch Limousin Private Treaty Sale, Indianola, IA
Nov. 25 • Polled Positive Limousin Sale, Strafford, MO
Nov. 27 • NALF Webcast: Advanced Marketing (members only; sponsored by KK Seedstock Consultants)
Nov. 28 • Schuppe Farms Red Angus Cow Herd Dispersion, Sterling, CO
Dec. 1 • Oklahoma Select Bull Sale, Durant, OK
Dec. 1 • Posthaven Limousin Autumn Cattle Drive Sale, Listowel, ON
Dec. 1 • Etherton Farms Winner Wonderland Sale, Dawson, IL
Dec. 1 • Maternal Building Blocks Sale, Brush, CO
Dec. 8 • East Central Limousin Futurity Heifer, Junior Heifer and Open Bull Show, Stillwater, OK
Dec. 11 • NALF–BEEF Webcast: Crossbreeding Strategies
Dec. 18 • NALF–BEEF Webcast: Bull-Buying Strategies (sponsored by Five Star Cattle Systems)