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 www.NALF.org North American (303) 220-1693 |
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NALF News
Forty-five herds joined the Limousin Inventory Management System (LIMS) from Feb. 16, 2006, to Feb. 15, 2007. That brings the total number of herds enrolled in the whole-herd data-reporting system to 129, representing more than 11,000 spring-calving and 2,000 fall-calving cows. To enroll in LIMS, find the sign-up page by first accessing the secured, members-only portion of the North American Limousin Foundation (NALF) Web site. Once you log in to your own member site, click the LIMS button at the top of any page. Active NALF members have the option of conducting business using the Web-based LIMS. Those choosing to do so pay an annual fee of $15 per active cow and, in turn, are entitled to record, register and transfer her calf for that birth year. That is a $12 per calf savings compared to the least expensive registration-and-transfer fees schedule. LIMS participants also contribute more complete and comprehensive production information that leads to more accurate expected progeny differences (EPDs). Breeders wanting to enroll fall-calving cows must do so by July 15. Enrollments for spring-calving cows are due Feb. 15. Members can find more LIMS information in the Web site’s “Limousin Library” section or request literature from the NALF office.
In the first six weeks of 2007, Limousin breeders listed more than 725 bulls for sale by either private treaty or public auction on the Limousin Exchange Bull Listing Service. At that pace, they will best the 1,500 bulls listed in 2006. Breeders can list bulls via the secured, members-only portion of the NALF Web site. Once logged in, click the “List Bulls for Sale” link. The service is virtually free because NALF credits the $5 listing fees toward the bulls’ eventual transfers. NALF directs bull buyers to the Limousin Exchange through its advertising and staff members’ personal contacts. Once on the NALF home page, potential customers can search for herd-sire prospects by clicking the “Bull Listing Service” link. They then can identify their selection criteria to obtain information about matching bulls. They can sort the results by specific traits.
The NALF Board of Directors will gather for its spring meeting April 24–26 in Denver, Colo. NALF members can contact any Board member or Kent Andersen in the NALF office to suggest agenda items.
Breeders must parent-verify artificial-insemination (AI) sires and 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 EPD Search” tool on the NALF Web site. Note that MMI Genomics can run parentage, coat-color and polled tests for a single animal from one FTA card.
MMI Genomics now runs polled and color tests on a weekly basis for better turnaround time. Samples must arrive at the laboratory by Tuesday to be included in that week’s testing. Results generally are available by Thursday of the next week (nine days later). The laboratory also is offering bundle and volume discounts. Bundle pricing for polled and color tests for the same animal is $132 – a nearly 10 percent savings. Breeders must request both tests when they submit samples to qualify for the discount. When breeders submit 25 or more samples at once for the polled test, they will save $14 per sample. Contact the NALF office for information about additional savings when submitting 50 or more samples at once. Order sampling kits and instructions or request complete information about the MMI Genomics Breed-Tru™ tests from the NALF office.
If you use GenMARK to conduct DNA tests for coat color, provide the laboratory with either complete registration numbers (including prefixes) or complete tattoos [including herd prefixes, identification (ID) numbers, birth-year letters and sexes] for the animals. If GenMARK does not have complete ID information for an animal, it is impossible for NALF to record its test results.
State and regional association leaders need to keep NALF’s records current by notifying the home office after their elections. Those updates are the basis for the Web site’s “State Associations” section, and they ensure all information – including that regarding cooperative marketing, junior activities and news releases – gets to the correct contact people. If you do not have one, request an update form from Lorrie Taylor in the NALF office.
Start planning now for this summer’s junior events.
The Louisiana Limousin breeders will host the “Bayou Bash” 2007 NJLSC, and they have moved the headquarters hotel from the Holiday Inn, Monroe, to the Hilton Garden Inn, West Monroe. Rooms at the Hilton start at $89 per night. Call (318) 398-0653 to make reservations, and ask for the “North American Limousin Foundation” block. The overflow hotels are the Holiday Inn Express ($75 per night), (318) 807-6000, or the Quality Inn and Suites ($68 per night), (318) 387-2711. Ask for the “North American Limousin” or “Limousin Junior Association” block at an overflow hotel. Find the 2007 NJLSC schedule in the “Juniors” section of the NALF Web site. North American Limousin Junior Association (NALJA) members should receive the summer edition of NALJA News, containing more summer show information and entry forms, in the next couple of weeks.
Juniors, if you enjoy working with other youth in the beef industry, NALJA has an opportunity for you on its board of directors. All NALJA members 17 years or older are eligible to apply for a director position provided they will not turn 23 during the two-year term. Contact Kate Kusma at the NALF office for an application and more information. NALF must receive applications by May 15. Leonard Wulf’s support for junior Limousin programs lives on through the Leonard and Vi Wulf Scholarship. NALJA announces the prestigious $500 scholarship during its annual awards banquet at the NJLSC. All active NALJA members entering their freshman or sophomore years at four-year academic institutions and majoring in animal science or closely related fields may apply. For more information and applications, contact Kusma. The application deadline is May 15. Hands-on experience with Limousin cattle, proven excellence in Limousin activities and leadership, and the ability to set and achieve worthy goals could earn Awards of Excellence for up to three NALJA members. NALJA presents the $750 awards each year at the NJLSC. Applicants must have been 19-21 years old on Jan. 1 and be in good standing with NALJA. They also must be active in some segment of the beef industry or enrolled in an agricultural major in college. Previous recipients may not reapply. Applications are due to Kusma by May 15. The “Juniors” section of the NALF Web site offers all three applications and more information about each one.
NALJA members have until May 15 to apply for scholarships and grants from the Limi Boosters, which is giving two $500 scholarships and one $500 grant. Anyone with questions should contact Donna Etherton at (217) 629-7650 or Norma Davis at (325) 784-5071. State grant applications also are due to the Limi Boosters by May 15. Those grants are available to state associations to help defer the cost of state junior events. Contact Etherton with questions. All Limi Boosters applications are available in the “Programs” and “Juniors” sections of the NALF Web site.
Complete, accurate data collection and reporting are fundamental to keeping your production information and the entire Limousin herdbook as informative as possible. And it is best to start with a current herd inventory. Online recording and LIMS are available through the secured, members-only portion of the Web site. Record cattle; update your herd inventory; and submit performance data with Web-based tools that mimic the traditional forms’ familiar configurations. Breeders can request guides to online data recording and LIMS by contacting the NALF office. If you prefer to put pencil to paper, request your free, preprinted Generation 3 multiple applications, which list all active cows in your inventory. Either way, for your data to be included in the next genetic evaluation, you must submit it error-free by June 15.
Among the many reasons to transfer ownership of the bulls you sell is the quarterly Bottom Line newsletter, which goes to all commercial producers who have had a bull 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 you – the seller – for activating the “subscription.” When transferring animals, be sure to include the buyer’s full name and address. Complete information guarantees your customers receive the Bottom Line and ensures NALF can process the transfer correctly.
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