Schott Limousin Ranch Is Commercial Marketing Booster

The North American Limousin Foundation (NALF) presented its Commercial Marketing Booster of the Year award during the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) Limousin pen and carload shows, Jan. 16 in Denver, Colo.

In recognition of his demonstrated commitment to commercial cattle producers, Jim Schott of Schott Limousin Ranch, McLaughlin, S.D., received the award from Kent Andersen, Ph.D., NALF executive vice president, and Bo Sexson, co-director of member and commercial relations.

The family enterprise includes Priscilla, Jim’s wife, and Jared, their son. They have hosted or co-hosted communitywide educational seminars and steak dinners for area cattle producers to tout the advantages of Limousin genetics. The radio program AgriTalk has broadcast some of their seminars to 66 stations in 15 states, providing far-reaching exposure for the breed.

Schott Limousin Ranch provides prospective bull buyers with birth, weaning and yearling weights; ultrasound data; scrotal measurements; and expected progeny differences (EPDs). Schott then keeps in contact with purchasers by phone, mail and personal visits. He also visits feedyards to tell them about his bull customers’ calves.

“Jim Schott has been very innovative in promoting Limousin genetics, and he is very concerned about the success of his bull customers,” said Gordon Schuppe of Elmwood Limousin, Iliff, Colo., who won the award last year and nominated the Schotts this year.

In fact, there were two independent nominations for Schott Limousin Ranch. The other came from the Heartland Limousin Association (HLA).

“Jim and Priscilla Schott have been a positive voice for the Limousin breed in the rangeland of northern South Dakota,” said Dean Summerbell, HLA executive secretary. “Jim’s diligent effort to promote the Limousin breed has helped maintain its popularity in South Dakota. His commitment to the breed is unfailing, and his love of Limousin cattle is extremely evident.”

In 2006, Schott Limousin Ranch entered cattle in Round 2 of the NALF Visions Quest (VQ) cattle-feeding and carcass-discovery project. VQ allows NALF to collect data for genetic evaluation, research and breed promotion.

“Jim and his family have been tireless promoters of not only their program but also the entire Limousin breed,” said Frank Padilla, NALF director of member and commercial relations. “Jim’s extra effort in promoting the breed sets him apart.”

In addition to serving on the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association (SDCA) and South Dakota Limousin Association (SDLA) boards of directors, Jim has been president of the Northern Oahe Cattlemen’s Association (NOCA) and the SDLA. He was the 2000 South Dakota Cattleman of the Year and received the NOCA outstanding service award in 2001.

A NALF member since 1983, Schott Limousin Ranch will host its 25th annual production sale March 14 in Mobridge, S.D. The sale averages 65 bulls per year, with more than 90 percent selling to commercial cattle producers. That is a fitting testament to the ranch’s goal of producing bulls to sire feeder calves that excel in performance and efficiency while hanging industry-leading carcasses.

The North American Limousin Foundation (www.nalf.org), headquartered in Centennial, Colo., provides programs and services – including genetic evaluation of 5,000 active sires – to nearly 4,000 members and their commercial customers. The Limousin breed and its Lim‑Flex® hybrid lead the beef industry in muscle-growth efficiency and ideally complement British breeds.

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