October 28, 2008

In this issue …
1 name added to Board ballot
Nearly 300 complete marketing survey
KC workshop to put ‘Vision in Action’
Submit data for EPDs by Nov. 15
Save at least $12 per calf by joining LIMS
1,000 feeders now on Limousin Exchange
LimMark tags gain credit where due
Some friendly reminders from Member Services
Request barnsheets 2 weeks in advance
Exhibitors prepare for Royal, NAILE, NWSS
Dec. 1 is important date for national sale consignors
Put breed supporters in the spotlight
Doubletree is site of big events in Denver
Trying to contact NALF?
Give Limousin cards, gifts this holiday season
What’s news?
Limousin sales, events

The Nominating Committee has slated Harley Coleman, Montana (second term); Mike Smith, Kansas (second term); John Goodish, Pennsylvania; Mat Lewis, Colorado; and Charles Linhart, Iowa, as its candidates for the North American Limousin Foundation (NALF) Board of Directors. The at-large nomination process added Harris Mosher, Pennsylvania, to the ballot. Find all of the candidates’ biographies in the December issue of Limousin World.

Those unable to attend the Annual Meeting in Denver, Colo., Jan. 12, 2009, 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 directly to NALF’s official accountant.

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NALF has finished surveying Limousin breeders and other cattle producers about commercial-marketing priorities and strategies. Over 60 days, 284 people completed the 10-minute exercise.

Congratulations to Patrick Shirley of Coosa River Cattle Co., Cropwell, Ala., and Charles Krackau of KK Cattle Co., New Braunfels, Texas. Each won $50 in the drawing of survey respondents.

NALF will use the survey results to help develop a new series of commercially oriented breed advertisements. An agency will present its first concept in January, and the Board should finalize it in time for spring placements by state associations and breeder cooperatives. Another advertisement or two should be ready by fall 2009.

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NALF will conduct a leadership and breed-improvement conference Dec. 12–13 at the Hilton Kansas City Airport. Titled “Vision in Action,” the conference agenda includes timely topics and industry-leading presenters.

The conference is open to all NALF members, but it is limited to the first 50 people to register by Nov. 15. Registration is $180 per person, which includes workshop materials, meals and a NALF performance review for each herd represented. To register, contact Frank Padilla in the NALF office.

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Now is the time to gather critical weaning information, which provides the foundation for weaning-weight, milk and docility expected progeny differences (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.

The deadline to submit data for the next international Limousin genetic evaluation is Nov. 15. Without breeders’ submissions, 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.

Birth, weaning and yearling performance data are necessary for reliable EPDs, and breeders’ data are the raw material from which NALF computes genetic predictions. Members with carcass or ultrasound 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.

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.

Before requesting preprinted cow-inventory birth-report forms or using the online animal-recording tool, it is best if members 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 or return culled animals’ registration certificates to the NALF office.

New EPDs will be available around Jan. 1, 2009. NALF will post the spring sire summary in the “Genetic Evaluation ” section of its Web site soon after.

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The voluntary Limousin Inventory Management System (LIMS) helps NALF members lower their costs of doing business with their association. LIMS participants pay an annual fee of $15 per active cow and, in turn, are entitled to record performance for, register and transfer that year’s calf crop. That compares to the least costly registration ($15 for 0–120 days from birth) and transfer ($12 for 0–60 days from sale) of $27 per animal.

Meanwhile, LIMS herds contribute more complete and comprehensive production information that leads to inventory-proven genetics backed by more accurate EPDs.

To enroll in LIMS, access the secured, members-only portion of the NALF Web site. Once you log in, click the LIMS button at the top of any page. From there, you can link memberships and join LIMS. Breeders must enroll spring-calving cows by Feb. 15 and fall-calving cows by July 15 each year.

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At last count, the Limousin Exchange included more than 1,000 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 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 Frank Padilla in the NALF office.

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• Medal of Excellence (MOE) show coordinators must submit their show results as soon as possible.
• MOE exhibitors must submit performance data by Dec. 1 to retain their MOE points.
• MMI Genomics closes for several weeks during the holidays so do not wait until the last minute for DNA, polled or coat-color tests.

Direct questions about those matters to Kate Maher 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 barnsheets to process scan data so failure to obtain them before your scanning sessions 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 start at 8 a.m. tomorrow, Oct. 29, in the Hale Arena. Kent Habeger of Burt, Iowa, will sort the junior entries; and Les Wankel of Petersburg, Ill., will judge the open show.

The junior show at the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) in Louisville, Ky., will start at 8 a.m. Nov. 16 in the coliseum, with Randy Daniel, Colbert, Ga., officiating. The open show will start at 8 a.m. Nov. 19 in the coliseum; Jered Shipman, Lockney, Texas, will judge.

The junior show at the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) starts at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009. The sale-cattle parade starts at 3 p.m. the same day; the sale itself will be Monday, Jan. 12, at 6 p.m. The open show will start at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13. The pen and carload shows are Wednesday, Jan. 14, beginning at 8 a.m. with the Limousin bull pens. The Lim‑Flex bull pens will follow, then the Lim‑Flex female pens will show and sell. The Limousin bull carloads will conclude the day’s events. Most entries for the NWSS are due Nov. 20.

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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 before Nov. 15 to meet the show and sale requirements.

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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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The Doubletree Hotel Denver at 3203 Quebec St. will be the Limousin breed’s headquarters during the NWSS. Rooms are available for $81 per night if you mention the “North American Limousin Foundation” when you make your reservations before Dec. 7. Call (303) 321-3333 or 1‑800-222-TREE. Book ahead to ensure a room near the breed’s main events.

• NALF social, including recognition of the associations’ past presidents, 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. 11
• NALF Annual Meeting – 9 a.m., Jan. 12

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When you call the NALF office, the “automated attendant” can help you find the correct information or staff member. The Web site’s “Contact NALF” section also provides staff members’ telephone extensions, e‑mail addresses and areas of expertise; other contact instructions for the office; and addresses for the DNA-testing laboratories. “Bookmark” that page in your Web browser for easy reference.

If you are mailing anything to the office, use the Centennial street address. NALF closed its post-office (PO) box more than a year ago, and mail will not forward anymore. Addressing anything to it will cause costly delays.

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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 designs (including a couple of new ones) are available. A portion of the proceeds from each order benefits NALJA.

Also check out the “Promotional Merchandise” section of the NALF Web site. Luggage, farm signs, business cards and apparel are some of the great gifts available.

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

• Oct. 20 – NALF Recognizes Its Top Producers
• Oct. 20 – NALF Announces Year’s Top 10 Limousin Sires
• Oct. 22 – Limousin Exchange Offers Online Marketplace for Feeders, Females, Bulls
• Oct. 24 – 12,500 Limousin Cows Now on Whole-Herd Reporting

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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Oct. 28 • Special Limousin-Influenced Feeder-Calf Sale, Philip Livestock Auction, Philip, SD
Oct. 29 • American Royal Junior & Open Limousin Shows, Kansas City, MO
Oct. 30 • Guthmiller Limousin Dispersion, Bismarck, ND
Oct. 30 • Special Limousin-Influenced Feeder-Calf Sale, Napoleon Livestock Auction, Napoleon, ND
Oct. 30 • Special Limousin-Influenced Feeder-Calf Sale, Missoula Livestock Exchange, Missoula, MT
Oct. 31 • Special Limousin-Influenced Feeder-Calf Sale, Fort Pierre Livestock Auction, Pierre, SD
Nov. 1 • Express Ranches Fast Forward XVI Limousin Sale, Yukon, OK
Nov. 2 • Heritage in the Homeland Limousin Sale, Seminole, OK
Nov. 5 • Farmfair International Limousin Pen Show, Edmonton, AB
Nov. 6 • Manitoba Livestock Expo Limousin Show, Brandon, MB
Nov. 7 • Farmfair International Limousin Bonanza Gold Show, Edmonton, AB
Nov. 7 • Canadian National Limousin Sale, Toronto, ON
Nov. 7 • Special Limousin-Influenced Feeder-Calf Sale, Fort Pierre Livestock Auction, Pierre, SD
Nov. 8 • Canadian National Limousin Show, Toronto, ON
Nov. 8 • Heartland Limousin Ass’n Consignment Female Sale, Logan, IA
Nov. 8 • Polled Positive Limousin Sale, Strafford, MO
Nov. 8 • Southeastern Classic Limousin Sale, Calhoun, GA
Nov. 9 • Counsil Family Limousin Fall Production Sale, Welch, OK
Nov. 10 • Special Limousin-Influenced Feeder-Calf Sale, Winter Livestock Auction, La Junta, CO
Nov. 11 • Express Ranches Customer Appreciation Sale, Apache, OK
Nov. 13 • Express Ranches Customer Feeder-Calf Sale, Apache, OK
Nov. 14 • Special Limousin-Influenced Feeder-Calf Sale, Fort Pierre Livestock Auction, Pierre, SD
Nov. 15 • Deer Valley Bull Sale, Fayetteville, TN
Nov.16 • North American International Livestock Expo Junior Limousin Show, Louisville, KY
Nov. 19 • North American International Livestock Expo Open Limousin Show, Louisville, KY
Nov. 21 • Special Limousin-Influenced Feeder-Calf Sale, Fort Pierre Livestock Auction, Pierre, SD
Nov. 22 • Brown Land and Cattle Co. Inaugural Limousin Sale, Diamond, MO
Nov. 27 • Canadian Western Agribition Limousin Show, Regina, SK
Nov. 28 • Canadian Western Agribition Limousin Sale, Regina, SK
Nov. 28 • Special Limousin-Influenced Feeder-Calf Sale, Fort Pierre Livestock Auction, Pierre, SD
Nov. 29 • Reynolds Ranch Annual Club Calf Sale, Sanford, CO
Nov. 29 • Bosch Limousin Private Treaty Sale, Indianola, IA
Dec. 4 • North Star Classic CHS Showcase Preview, Valley City, ND
Dec. 5 • North Star Classic Open Limousin Show, Valley City, ND
Dec. 6 • Oklahoma Select Limousin Bull Sale, Durant, OK
Dec. 6 • Etherton Farms Winner Wonderland 2 Production Sale, Dawson, IL
Dec. 6 • Maternal Building Blocks II Sale, Brush, CO
Dec. 7 • North Star Classic Junior Limousin Show, Valley City, ND
Dec. 12 • Jaymarandy Limousin Sale, Roblin, MB
Dec. 12–13 • NALF Vision in Action workshop, Kansas City, MO