January 10, 2008

In this issue …
New EPDs released
National Western is here
Recognitions to highlight member social
NALF will seat new Board at Annual Meeting
Corner Post package to lead off national sale
Local papers’ e‑mail addresses needed
Home office going into ‘NWSS mode’
E‑mail data to correct address
Feb. 15 is big day for LIMS
Limousin Exchange is up, running
LimMark tags build breed recognition
Breeder coops offer assistance with spring advertising
‘Spotlight’ your herd
PO box is no more
ILC set for Italy
Stop by Booth 873 at NCBA Trade Show
Limousin sales, events

The new expected progeny differences (EPDs) from the spring 2008 international Limousin genetic evaluation now are available through various features of the North American Limousin Foundation (NALF) Web site. In addition, members can request a whole-herd EPD report from the NALF office free of charge.

The spring 2008 carcass evaluation incorporates several changes to account better for the true genetic differences between Limousin cattle and the Angus and Red Angus animals used to create Lim‑Flex® calves. The enhancements are outlined in the winter 2008 Bottom Line newsletter and in the January 2008 “NALF Line” column.

NALF also adjusted the base for the ribeye area (REA) EPD to reflect more appropriately the muscularity of Limousin cattle in the seedstock industry and to enhance the marketability of Limousin and Lim‑Flex calves for that trait. The base change resulted in an average increase of 0.25 square inches for REA, an average decrease of 0.08 units for yield grade (YG) and an average increase of 65¢ for the mainstream terminal index ($MTI).

The spring sire summary – which includes the general sire listing, the proven and young sire trait leaders, and the dam trait leaders – soon will be available for download in portable document format (PDF) from the Web site’s “Genetic Evaluation” section. The NALF office also can mail a printed or CD-ROM version of the sire summary, either of which is available for $10.

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If you need information about Limousin activities at the National Western Stock Show (NWSS), visit its “Livestock” page on the Web and select “Limousin” from the drop-down breed menu.

On the Hill. The juniors’ heifer show starts Monday, Jan. 14, at 2 p.m.; and the open show starts Tuesday, Jan. 15, at 8 a.m. The National Limousin Sale is Monday, Jan. 14, at 6 p.m. Contact Frank Padilla in the NALF office for sale information.

In the Yards. The pen and carload shows start Wednesday, Jan. 16, at 8 a.m., with the Lim‑Flex female pen sale to follow.

The Doubletree Hotel Denver at 3203 Quebec St. will be the Limousin breed’s headquarters during the NWSS.

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The NALF Member Social starts at 6 p.m. Jan. 13 in the Doubletree Hotel Denver. It will include the 2007 Medal of Excellence (MOE) show-awards presentations. As kickoff for the association’s 40th-anniversary year, Dale Runnion, NALF Hall of Fame recipient and publisher emeritus of the Limousin World, will reflect upon the Limousin breed’s first years in North America. NALF then will give special recognition to its 30-plus-year members.

The “Genetics on Ice” benefit auction after the social will raise support for the North American Limousin Junior Association (NALJA) and the All-American Limousin Futurity (AALF). The lots will include frozen embryos; semen; National Junior Limousin Show and Congress (NJLSC) shirt, awards and banquet-program sponsorships; ad pages in the NJLSC–AALF souvenir program; new special-services packages from NALF; and many interesting, unique items. For more information, contact Ken Holloway, (580) 597-2419.

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A highlight of the NALF Annual Meeting – which begins at 9 a.m. Jan. 14 in the Doubletree Hotel Denver – will be the installation of the 2008 Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee has slated Lance Sennett, Waynetown, Ind. (second term); Jerry Wulf, Morris, Minn. (second term); Mike Hall, San Luis Obispo, Calif.; Brian Skaggs, Lexington, Okla.; and Tom Vaughn, Cavalier, N.D., as its candidates for the Board. The at-large nomination process did not add any candidates to the ballot; therefore, the committee’s slate stands as the complete list.

The Annual Meeting also will include informational breakout sessions, a personal invitation to the 2008 International Limousin Conference (ILC) from the chief executive officer of the Italian Limousin breeders’ association, and an exciting announcement about a new marketing opportunity for Limousin-influenced calves.

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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, for sale information.

The national sale begins at 6 p.m. Jan. 14 in the Stadium sale arena on the Hill with the second Corner Post Genetics Package. Counsil Family Limousin has donated the headline female. CFLX Cheerleader 002T is a Jan. 9, 2007, daughter of Carrousels Peak Power out of Logan’s Cheerleader 280G, the dam of multitrait leader JCL Lodestar 27L.

In addition to the headline female, the package will include free registrations for all of her natural calves; a farm sign; one in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle and a genetic preservation package from Trans Ova Genetics; and the first $5,000 worth of insurance for the first year from Grassroots Insurance Associates.

Once it reaches a suitable principal, the Corner Post Fund will facilitate additional activities and scholarships for Limousin juniors.

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NALF needs your help to get Limousin news from the NWSS and throughout the year to your grassroots publications. If you have not already, share your local newspapers’ names, cities, states, phone numbers and editorial e‑mail addresses with Brad Parker in the NALF office.

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Remember, the NALF office will be short-staffed during the NWSS. Leave messages as necessary, and staff members will respond when they return.

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When e‑mailing data to NALF, use the edata@nalf.org address. Someone checks that account daily. Other NALF accounts can go unread when staff members are away from the office.

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Feb. 15 is the deadline for three important events within the Limousin Inventory Management System (LIMS):

• no-progeny reporting for spring 2007 cows;
• heifer-retention reporting for fall-2006–born females; and
• enrollment of spring 2008 cows.

Tools for accomplishing those tasks are available in the secured, members-only portion of the NALF Web site. You can access them by logging into the member site then clicking the LIMS button at the top of any page.

LIMS allows NALF members to lower their costs of doing business with their association. At the same time, they can contribute more complete and comprehensive production information that will help better position the breed for future improvements via more accurate EPDs. Members choosing the voluntary, Web-based system pay an annual fee of $15 per active cow and, in turn, are entitled to record, register and transfer the year’s calves.

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The Limousin Exchange online marketplace offers both a “Bull Listing Service” and a “Females for Sale” component. NALF directs seedstock buyers to the Limousin Exchange through its advertising and staff members’ personal contacts. Once on the NALF home page, potential customers can search for bulls or females by clicking the appropriate link. They then can identify a variety of criteria to obtain information about the animals that fit their specifications. They can sort the results according to specific traits.

Breeders can add bulls and females to the listings using the secured, members-only portion of the NALF Web site. Once logged in, click the appropriate link in the “Limousin Exchange” section. Both services are virtually free because NALF credits the $5 listing fees toward the animals’ eventual transfers.

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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 Bo Sexson in the NALF office.

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The Breeder Cooperative Advertising Program helps breeders share a cohesive Limousin message across the nation, making the most of their relationships with regional publications. In the program, NALF cost-shares 25 percent of qualifying ad expenses with groups of two to six breeders. Find the program guidelines, application form and qualified ad images in the “Programs” section of the NALF Web site, or contact Brad Parker in the NALF office.

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Promote your enterprise by placing a “Breeder Spotlight” advertisement in the Bottom Line newsletter, which mails to more than 11,000 addresses. For just $350 per year (four issues), you can speak directly to commercial cattle producers nationwide. Contact Frank Padilla in the NALF office to reserve your space.

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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NALF has given up its post-office (PO) box and now relies on mail delivery to its physical address:

NORTH AMERICAN LIMOUSIN FOUNDATION
7383 S ALTON WAY STE 100
CENTENNIAL CO  80112-2339

No, NALF’s home office has not moved. But instead of being “rural Englewood,” the property now is part of the city of Centennial. While you are erasing the PO box, go ahead and note that change, too.

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The Italian association of Limousin breeders invites all U.S. Limousin producers to participate in the 18th International Limousin Conference (ILC), May 20–28. ILC participants will explore some of Italy’s most beautiful places, experience Limousin production amid the country’s history and culture, and discuss the breed’s growing success around the world. Visit www.anacli.it on the Web for more information and to register. Avoid late fees by registering before Jan. 20.

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Cattle producers attending the 2008 Cattle Industry Annual Convention, Feb. 6–9 in Reno, Nev., can learn more about the Limousin breed. NALF representatives will be at Booth 873 in the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show each day.

The trade show opens Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. with a welcome reception. It then will be open Feb. 7 (9 a.m.–6 p.m.) and Feb. 8 (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).

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Jan. 12 • Magness Land and Cattle Female Sale, Platteville, CO
Jan. 14 • National Limousin Sale, Denver, CO
Jan. 14 • National Western Stock Show Junior Limousin Show, Denver, CO
Jan. 15 • National Western Stock Show Open Limousin Show, Denver, CO
Jan. 16 • National Western Stock Show Limousin Pen and Carload Shows and Sale, Denver, CO
Jan. 19 • Fort Worth Stock Show Junior Limousin Show, Fort Worth, TX
Jan. 25 • Cowtown Classic Limousin Sale, Fort Worth, TX
Jan. 26 • Fort Worth Stock Show Open Limousin Show, Fort Worth, TX
Jan. 26 • Liberty Ranch Annual Production Sale, Plainville, KS
Feb. 1 • Black Hills Stock Show Limousin Show and Sale, Rapid City, SD
Feb. 7 • 16th Annual UGA Focus on EPDs Bull Sale, Athens, GA
Feb. 9 • Washington–Oregon Joint Limousin Sale, Eltopia, WA
Feb. 11 • Dixie National Livestock Show Open Limousin Show, Jackson, MS
Feb. 13 • Iowa Beef Expo Limousin Sale, Des Moines, IA
Feb. 16 • GV Limousin Annual Production Sale, Garnett, KS
Feb. 16 • Illinois State Limousin Ass’n Sale, Congerville, IL
Feb. 17 • R&R Acres Seventh Annual Beefmaker Limousin Bull Sale, High River, AB
Feb. 22 • Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic Limousin Sale, Kearney, NE
Feb. 23 • Ratliff’s Cherry Creek Farms Annual Sale, Westphalia, KS
Feb. 25 • Lonely Valley Limousin 17th Annual Production Sale, Creston, NE
Feb. 25 • Coleman’s HC Limousin Annual Bull Sale, Missoula, MT
Feb. 28 • Symens Brothers 28th Annual Limousin Sale, Amherst, SD
Feb. 29 • Wieczorek Limousin 28th Annual Limousin Bull Sale, Corsica, SD