May 12, 2008
In this issue …
Many junior applications due Thursday
Send your AALF entries soon
Future NALF elections will follow recent process
Board tweaks sponsorship programs
New marketing plan in the works
Transfers aid customer retention
Genetic evaluation nears
AI, ET calves’ parents need verifications
Polled, color tests made easier
‘State Associations’ page is updated
MOE petitions, judges nominations due next month
Symposium to draw attention to animal welfare
Limousin sales, events
Many junior applications due Thursday
Thursday, May 15, brings most of the year’s official-postmark deadlines for North American Limousin Junior Association (NALJA) members.
Find more information in the summer 2008 NALJA News, which is available in the “Juniors” section of the North American Limousin Foundation (NALF) Web site.
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Send your AALF entries soon
The All-American Limousin Futurity (AALF) will be Friday, July 18, in Sioux Falls, S.D., in conjunction with the NJLSC. In addition to the traditional Limousin open show, which is one of NALF’s four major Medal of Excellence (MOE) shows, this year’s event will include the fifth annual Lim‑Flex® show and the third annual special fullblood show.
The April issue of the Limousin World included the AALF entry form, or breeders may request one by contacting American Cattle Services (ACS) at (580) 597-3006. Entry forms and fees should be mailed to ACS by Thursday, May 15.
Juniors, take note: Entry in the NJLSC does not enter you automatically in any of the AALF shows.
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Future NALF elections will follow recent process
To enhance the nominations and voting processes for new directors, the NALF Board of Directors approved three bylaws changes in June 2006. They have been in effect on a trial basis ever since. At its meetings last month, the Board voted to make those bylaws permanent.
The changes modified the structure of the Nominating Committee and created at-large nominations and absentee ballots.
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Board tweaks sponsorship programs
To improve online marketing opportunities for NALF members and their partners in allied industry, the Board approved minor modifications to the Partners and NALF.org sponsorship programs.
Starting Sept. 1, single-issue Partners sponsorships will sell for $75 each on a first-come, first-served basis. (Three sponsorships are available in each issue.) For more information, contact Brad Parker in the NALF office.
NALF again will offer sponsorship opportunities on its Web site. Beginning Oct. 1, two sponsor spots will be available for three-month blocks, which will sell at auction before the Board meets in August. For more information, contact Parker or Frank Padilla in the NALF office.
Complete details about each program will be in the June–July Limousin World, in future editions of Partners and on the NALF Web site soon.
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New marketing plan in the works
During their April meeting, NALF Board and staff members launched the process that will establish a three-year marketing plan. The situation analysis included a general market evaluation; a review of the competition; and an analysis of the breed’s and NALF’s current and future strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
The Commercial Marketing and Advertising Committee will continue the process by defining critical success factors and proposing possible marketing tactics and target audiences. Those conversations and upcoming surveys to Limousin breeders, current commercial bull buyers and other cattle producers will help guide budgeting priorities for the next four fiscal years.
By this time next year, NALF will have redefined its brand image and central marketing messages. All association communications – including (but not limited to) print and radio advertisements, brochures, trade-show graphics, Web sites and newsletters – from fall 2009 through spring 2012 will reflect the outcomes of the planning process now underway.
Keep an eye on Partners and the Limousin World for your opportunities to provide input.
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Transfers aid customer retention
Transfers are the lifeblood of NALF’s commercial programs. They provide the association with contact information for Limousin users so it can keep breed information before them throughout the year in the quarterly Bottom Line newsletter, Limousin World commercial cattleman’s issue and other vehicles. The success of the Strauss® Meadow Reserve™ veal product line and LimMark tagging program also depends upon properly transferred bulls. Submit your transfers in a timely fashion so NALF can add value to your seedstock sales.
Remember, the Bottom Line goes to all commercial producers who have had bulls transferred to them in the last three years. Besides each issue’s current information about the Limousin breed and what it provides to the beef industry, the mailing panel credits the active NALF members whose transfers triggered the “subscription.”
Note: When transferring animals, be sure to include the buyer’s full name and address. Complete information not only guarantees your customers receive the Bottom Line, but it also ensures NALF can process the transfer correctly.
If you want to add customers or influencers (such as veterinarians, feedyards, auction markets and Extension agents) to the Bottom Line mailing list, share their contact information with Bo Sexson in the NALF office.
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Genetic evaluation nears
The deadline to submit data for the next international Limousin genetic evaluation is June 15. To facilitate reporting, preprinted forms are available free of charge by calling the NALF office. Members also can use the online recording tools available in the secured, members-only portion of the NALF Web site.
Submitting data before the June 15 deadline is especially important for producers wanting expected progeny differences (EPDs) for Lim‑Flex cattle from Angus or Red Angus sires that have not been included in a previous Limousin genetic evaluation.
New EPDs will be available around Aug. 1. NALF will post the fall sire summary on its Web site in mid-August.
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AI, ET calves’ parents need verifications
Artificial-insemination (AI) sires born after Jan. 1, 2002, must have a DNA type on file and be parent-verified via DNA-typing, except in cases where a parent is dead and no sample is available for testing. Blood-typing then may be used. Contact the NALF office if you have questions about sires born before 2002.
All AI sires must have a protoporphyria (“proto”) genotype on file at the NALF office. Offspring of untested AI sires are ineligible for registration until the sire’s genotype is determined.
Breeders must sire-verify donor dams via DNA before embryo-transfer (ET) calves can be parent-verified and registered. Before collecting and mailing samples from ET calves to MMI Genomics, contact the NALF office to verify the sires and dams have the proper tests and to obtain the case numbers, which also are available through the animal lookup on the NALF Web site.
Further, recipient-cow information is required for ET calves to qualify to be in contemporary groups. A recipient’s identification (ID), breed code and birth year must be on the ET application for registration.
Note that MMI Genomics can run parentage, coat-color and polled tests for a single animal from one FTA card.
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Polled, color tests made easier
To ensure you receive results for coat-color and polled tests as quickly as possible, follow a few simple instructions.
- Provide your complete member name, address and member number on the sample-submission form.
- Use the complete registration number and tattoo exactly as they appear on NALF paperwork.
- Print all information clearly.
MMI Genomics runs color and polled tests every week. Samples must arrive at the laboratory by Monday to be included in that week’s testing. Results generally are available by Friday of the next week. Breeders therefore should allow at least three weeks for the whole process of sample submission, testing and reporting.
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‘State Associations’ page is updated
The “State Associations” page on the NALF Web site now reflects the latest officer listings on file with the NALF office. If your state or regional association listing is missing, outdated, incomplete or incorrect, contact Brad Parker in the NALF office.
As state and regional associations elect new officers throughout the year, they should share complete contact information for each officer with the NALF office so the Web site and internal mailing lists can be kept current.
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MOE petitions, judges nominations due next month
State and regional associations can petition NALF for permission to host an MOE show. Association leaders have received petition forms, rules and approved-judges lists. If there is a local or state show you would like counted for MOE points, submit the petition form – which is available in the “Programs” section of the NALF Web site – by June 15.
The NALF Show Committee will accept nominations for the approved-judges list until June 30. Active annual and lifetime members can send them via mail, fax or e‑mail. Provide your member number or herd prefix and the nominee’s address and phone number. The Show Committee will vote on the nominees at its July meeting, which will be in conjunction with the NJLSC.
Direct all MOE questions to Kate Maher in the NALF office.
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Symposium to draw attention to animal welfare
The Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University (KSU) will host the International Symposium on Beef Cattle Welfare (ISBCW) May 28–30 in Manhattan, Kan. A practical seminar addressing cattle handling and an open forum for beef producers are on the agenda. The complete schedule of events and speakers can be found on the ISBCW Web site.
The symposium also will be webcast live, and a digital video disc (DVD) will be available afterward. For more information, contact Wrenn Pacheco at KSU.
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Limousin sales, events
Courtesy of Limousin World
May 17 • Circle L and Friends Sale, Burbank, OH
May 20–28 • 18th International Limousin Conference, Italy
May 31 • Crites Limousin Complete Dispersal, Fayette, MO
May 31 • Southern Exchange Sale, Lancaster, KY
June 7 • Rocky Top Limousin Complete Dispersal, Newark, OH
June 13 • Western Limousin Exposition Junior Limousin Show, Klamath Falls, OR
June 14 • Western Limousin Exposition Open Limousin Show, Klamath Falls, OR
June 14–15 • Ohio Valley Limousin Ass’n Beef Weekend, Mineral Wells, WV
June 20–21 • Oklahoma Field Day, Sand Springs, OK
June 21 • Eastern Regional Junior Limousin Show, Murfreesboro, TN
June 21 • Missouri Field Day Junior Show, Nevada, MO
June 22 • Southeast Summer Classic Open Limousin Show, Murfreesboro, TN
June 22 • Missouri Field Day Open Show, Nevada, MO
June 30–July 3 • Beef Improvement Federation Research Symposium and Annual Meeting, Calgary, AB
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