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 www.NALF.org North American (303) 220-1693 |
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NALF News
Use the North American Limousin Foundation’s (NALF’s) online recording tools (available via www.nalf.org/members) or free, preprinted forms for timely reporting of birth, weaning and yearling data. Take the time to enter this spring’s yearling data; and include all heifers (not just those selected for replacements), yearling bulls and steers. Commercial cattle producers want information about breed composition; color; horn status; expected progeny differences (EPDs), including accuracies, percentile rankings and breed averages; birth, weaning and yearling weights; frame score; scrotal circumference; carcass and ultrasound data with ratios; and feeding-test results. Reporting data to NALF helps your association help you meet those customer expectations. The deadline to submit data for the next International Limousin Genetic Evaluation is June 15.
A contemporary group includes calves of the same sex and percentage-blood category – born within 90 days of one another – that you managed together. Designate birth, weaning and yearling management codes when submitting performance data so NALF can form accurate contemporary groups that will contribute to reliable EPD calculations. Weigh and evaluate all calves in a weaning group on the same day, when the youngest calf is at least 160 days old and the oldest calf is not older than 250 days. Take yearling weights and other yearling information at least 140 days after weaning and when the animals are between 330 and 450 days of age. Find more tips in the “Successful Performance Program” section of the sire summary, which is in the “Programs” section of the NALF Web site. A CD-ROM or printed copy of it also is available for $5 from the NALF office.
As you make breeding decisions, think about the Limousin Visions Symposium breed-improvement directives (growth, grade, docility and fertility) and your customers’ wants and needs in 2009. The key to successful bull marketing down the road is maximizing the number of like-aged calves from truly superior sires that complement the cows to which you mate them. With fullblood, purebred and Lim‑Flex® genetic options available, there are more ways to serve customers than ever. Aim to deliver seedstock that produce the following:
Transfers are the lifeblood of NALF’s commercial programs. They provide NALF with contact information so it can keep breed information before Limousin users throughout the year in the Bottom Line (which recognizes you – the seller – on the mailing panel), Limousin World commercial cattleman’s issue and other vehicles. The 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. When transferring animals, be sure to include the buyer’s full name and address. Complete information guarantees your customers receive breed information and ensures NALF can process the transfer correctly.
To ensure you receive results for color and polled tests as quickly as possible, follow a few simple instructions.
MMI Genomics runs color and polled tests every week. 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.
If you use GenMARK to DNA-test for color, provide the laboratory with complete registration numbers and tattoos 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 Limousin associations can petition NALF for permission to host a Medal of Excellence (MOE) show. State officers should have received petition forms, rules and judges lists from the home office. If there is a local or state show you would like counted for MOE points, submit the petition form by June 15. Direct questions to Lorrie Taylor at the NALF office.
NALF encourages all state associations to help promote the Limousin breed with print and radio advertisements, direct mail, booths at industry events, and other marketing tactics. The Cooperative Marketing Program can help with those efforts. The key to getting NALF cost-share dollars is using the funds to communicate directly with commercial producers. To participate, state associations must submit detailed marketing budgets and activity calendars to NALF by Aug. 1. State marketing coordinators or presidents soon will receive more information and the necessary forms.
Juniors, if you enjoy working with other beef-industry youth, the North American Limousin Junior Association (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 in the NALF office for more information and an application. 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 award during its annual awards banquet at the National Junior Limousin Show and Congress (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. Contact Donna Etherton at (217) 629-7650 or Norma Davis at (325) 784-5071 for more information. 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 junior events. Contact Etherton with questions. All Limi Boosters applications are available in the “Programs” and “Juniors” sections of the NALF Web site.
All NALJA members should have received their copies of the summer 2007 NALJA News, which includes important rules and entry information for this summer’s national and regional junior Limousin shows. Read all of the rules thoroughly because there have been changes, and carefully note the entry deadlines. A printable version also is available in the “Juniors” section of the NALF Web site, or contact the NALF office to request a hard copy.
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