February 27, 2008

In this issue …
Online recording made easier with a few tips
Bull Listing Service on record pace
Keep in mind your customers’ Bottom Line
DNA types needed for ET calves’ parents
GenMARK needs complete animal IDs
Spring brings ultrasound reminders
Build a successful performance program
Juniors: Note this summer’s deadlines
Lim‑Flex bulls join NJLSC lineup
Request show animals’ papers early
Show Committee seeks new judges
Web site offers latest EPDs
Get sky-high breed recognition with LimMark
Canada to host BIF conference
E‑mail addresses facilitate local publicity
What’s news?
Limousin sales, events

When submitting data via the secured, members-only portion of the North American Limousin Foundation (NALF) Web site, avoid your browser’s “Back” button. That can corrupt your data, requiring you to restart your entries completely. If you want to view a different page of animals, use the “Prev” and “Next” buttons near the top or bottom of the page. If you want to move to a different area within your member site, use the blue buttons at the top of the page.

To move quickly through your inventory while registering animals, use the “Find Dam Now” tool, which is in the middle of the page – just above your inventory. It allows you to work through your calving records one cow at a time, and it will bring the dam’s record to the top of the page.

If you are experiencing frequent internal server errors while you are on your member site, some settings changes in your Web browser might help.

• Add www.nalf.org to your list of trusted sites.
• Set your browser to check for newer versions of stored pages on every visit.

Restart your browser after making those settings changes to ensure they take effect. If the errors continue, send an e‑mail message to webmaster@nalf.org that includes the date and time of the error and what you were doing.

Remember, you must screen for errors before you will be allowed to submit data. If you do not go through that process, NALF will not receive your data. Once you have resolved all errors, click the “Submit to NALF Now” button, then accept the terms and conditions. Your data is not sent otherwise.

[back to top]

At last count, the Limousin Exchange Bull Listing Service offered 762 head for sale in a searchable database on the NALF Web site. Both private-treaty and public-auction sale offerings are included.

NALF directs bull buyers to the Limousin Exchange through its advertising and staff members’ personal contacts. Potential customers can search for herd-sire prospects by directing their browsers to the NALF home page and clicking the “Limousin Exchange: Bull Listing Service” link. They then can identify a variety of criteria to obtain information about the bulls that fit their specifications. They can sort the results according to specific traits.

Breeders easily can add bulls to the Bull Listing Service using the secured, members-only portion of the NALF Web site. Once logged in, click the “Limousin Exchange” button at the top of any page then the “List Bulls for Sale” link. The service is virtually free because NALF credits the $5 listing fees toward bulls’ eventual transfers.

In addition, the “Females for Sale” component of the Limousin Exchange works just like the Bull Listing Service.

[back to top]

There are many reasons to transfer ownership of the bulls you sell this spring. Among them is the quarterly Bottom Line newsletter, which goes to all commercial producers who have had bulls transferred to them in the last three years. Besides each issue’s current information about the Limousin breed and its role in the beef industry, the mailing panel credits the active NALF members whose transfers triggered the “subscription.”

Note: When transferring animals, be sure to include buyers’ full names and addresses. Existing NALF member or customer numbers also are helpful, but they are not enough. Complete information not only guarantees your customers receive the Bottom Line, but it also ensures NALF can process the transfers correctly.

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.

[back to top]

Breeders must provide DNA case numbers (not blood-typing case numbers) for both the sire and dam on the DNA-typing form when they submit a DNA sample from an embryo-transfer (ET) calf for parentage verification. Before collecting and mailing samples from ET calves to MMI Genomics, contact the NALF office to verify the sires and dams have been DNA-typed and to obtain the proper case numbers, which also are available through the NALF Web site’s expected progeny difference (EPD) and pedigree lookup.

Keep in mind the laboratory can run parentage, coat-color and polled tests for a single animal from one FTA card.

[back to top]

GenMARK, which is one of the laboratories that does DNA testing for coat color in cattle, sends electronic updates to the NALF office on a monthly basis for all Limousin cattle tested for coat color. Although that service enhances NALF’s ability to add coat-color test results to an animal’s permanent record in the herdbook, many of the animal identifications (IDs) reported to GenMARK are not complete.

Provide the laboratory with either complete registration numbers (including prefixes) or complete tattoos (including herd prefixes, ID numbers, birth-year letters and sexes) for the animals you test. If NALF does not have complete ID information for an animal, it is impossible to record its test results.

[back to top]

Here are some reminders for those who are ultrasound-scanning this spring.

• Order your barnsheets from the NALF office at least two weeks before your scanning session. Not only do barnsheets help to ensure animal-ID information remains attached to the ultrasound data, but they also help avoid processing delays.
• The acceptable age range for scanning is 300 to 450 days. That range differs from the one used for other yearling traits, which is 330 to 450 days.
• NALF cannot provide adjustments, ratios and EPDs for animals that are not in its herdbook. Animals must be registered or recorded for performance only to provide the sire, dam, date of birth, percent Limousin and other information required for processing ultrasound data.
• NALF cannot provide adjustments and ratios for animals with missing weaning dates and weights because ultrasound measurements are adjusted for their postweaning gains per day of age.
• For NALF to use an animal’s performance data to calculate its 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 is missing), scan-lot date and scan-management code.
• If you would like NALF to record an animal’s scan weight as its yearling-weight observation, contact the home office. You must take the scan weight, however, when the animal is 330 to 450 days of age and at least 140 days after you measure its weaning weight. You must take all other yearling measurements, such as scrotal circumference and hip height, on the same day as the scan weight.

For additional information regarding ultrasound scanning, refer to NALF’s Guide to Ultrasound.

[back to top]

To do a better job of serving commercial customers, Limousin breeders must continue to prioritize producing cattle with documented quality and predictability. Consider the following points when developing a more comprehensive performance program for your herd.

• Evaluate animals in contemporary groups. 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 contemporary groups using “creep” and “no creep” codes and breeder-management codes when submitting performance data so it will contribute to the calculation of EPDs. Obtaining valid comparisons between animals in a group is essential to formulating reliable EPDs.
• Make your records count by planning ahead. You should 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. You must 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. Use the date-calculation wheel and instructions provided in your NALF Members Manual. If there is a 90-day age range among cattle in a given group, there is only one possible date to collect weaning data and keep all of the animals in a contemporary group.

Find more tips in the “Successful Performance Program” section of the sire summary.

[back to top]

Start planning now for this summer’s junior events.

• May 1 – Early deadline for the Western Regional Junior Show, June 13–15, Klamath Falls, Ore.
• May 1 – Early deadline for the Eastern Regional Junior Show, June 19–22, Murfreesboro, Tenn.
• May 1 – Early deadline for the Heartland Regional Junior Show, July 11–12, Sioux Falls, S.D.
• May 15 – Early deadline for the National Junior Limousin Show and Congress (NJLSC), July 13–18, Sioux Falls, S.D.
• June 10 – Late-entry deadline for the NJLSC

The South Dakota and Minnesota Limousin breeders will host the “Trail to Excellence” 2008 NJLSC. The Sheraton Hotel in Sioux Falls will be the headquarters. Visit www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/NALJA on the Web or call (605) 331-0100 to book, modify or cancel reservations.

The overflow hotels are the Ramada Inn, (605) 336-1020, or the Sleep Inn, (605) 339-3992.

[back to top]

At the 2008 NJLSC, juniors will have a new opportunity to exhibit Lim‑Flex® bulls. To qualify for entry, junior exhibitors must have bred and own the bulls, which must have purple registration papers from NALF. The Lim‑Flex bull show will follow the Lim‑Flex female show.

[back to top]

NALF members are reminded that they often will need registration papers to enter or show animals in upcoming cattle shows and exhibitions. Depending on the circumstances, the NALF office will need at least three working days to get papers into members’ hands. Do not wait until the last minute to request paperwork.

[back to top]

The NALF Show Committee will accept nominations for the approved-judges list until June 30. Active annual and lifetime members can send them to Lorrie Taylor in the NALF office via mail, fax or e‑mail. Provide your member number or herd prefix and the nominee’s address and phone number. The Show Committee will vote on the nominees at its July meeting, which will be in conjunction with the NJLSC.

[back to top]

The EPDs from the spring 2008 international Limousin genetic evaluation now are available through various features of the 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 – now is 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.

[back to top]

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.

[back to top]

The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) works to establish accurate and uniform procedures for measuring, recording and assessing data with respect to beef-cattle performance. The organization’s annual meeting and research symposium is North America’s leading forum for discussing and determining guidelines for genetic improvement and evaluation programs. It also highlights genetic advancement and innovations in beef production.

For the third time in its 41-year history, the BIF conference will be in Canada, June 30–July 3. Organizers expect more than 500 beef producers, leading genetic researchers and innovators, feedyard operators, and other service providers involved in the global cattle industry to gather in Calgary, Alberta. The conference theme “Beef Beyond Borders” reflects the importance of sharing globally both the product and the science.

Visit the conference’s Web site for full program details, online registration and hotel reservations. An early-registration rate is available until March 31.

Note: You must have a valid passport to re-enter the United States from Canada.

[back to top]

NALF needs your help to get Limousin news to your grassroots publications. If you have not already, share your local newspaper’s name, city, state, phone number and editorial e‑mail address with Brad Parker in the NALF office.

[back to top]

NALF has issued the following news releases since the last issue of Partners:

• Feb. 13 – Distinguished Professor, Longtime Columnist Named Limousin Promoter
• Feb. 15 – Limousin Exchange Features Bull Listing Service
• Feb. 26 – LimMark Tags Pair Genetics With Information

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.

[back to top]

Feb. 28 • Symens Brothers 28th Annual Limousin Sale, Amherst, SD
Feb. 29 • Wieczorek Limousin 28th Annual Limousin Bull Sale, Corsica, SD
March 1 • Elmwood Limousin 18th Annual Production Sale, Sterling, CO
March 1 • Kentucky Beef Expo Limousin Sale, Louisville, KY
March 6–7 • Express Ranches Bull & Commercial Female Sales, Yukon, OK
March 7 • Richmond Ranch 11th Annual Grass Country Bull Sale, Rumsey, AB
March 8 • Lone Star Shoot-Out & Solid Foundations Limousin Sale, Houston, TX
March 8 • Kervin–Hall–Coyote Hills Ranch Limousin & Lim‑Flex Bull Sale, Chattanooga, OK
March 8 • Top Meadow Farms Western Division Bull Sale, Flintoft, SK
March 8 • Limousin Breeders of the Carolinas Spring Sale, Anderson, SC
March 9 • 18th Annual Wisconsin State Limousin Sale, Sparta, WI
March 9 • Heart of Oklahoma Limousin Ass’n Annual Spring Sale, Shawnee, OK
March 9 • O’Brien Annual Bull Sale, Jane, MO
March 9 • Tennessee Beef Agribition Junior Show, Murfreesboro, TN
March 12 • Express Ranches Honor Roll Heifer Sale, Yukon, OK
March 13–14 • Ohio Beef Expo Limousin Show & Sale, Columbus, OH
March 14 • Schott Limousin Ranch 25th Annual Bull Sale, Mobridge, SD
March 15 • Dakota Connection Annual Sale, Bismarck, ND
March 15 • Pinegar Limousin Herdbuilder XIV Sale, Springfield, MO
March 15 • Highland Stock Farms Bull Sale, High River, AB
March 16 • Green Springs Bull Test, Nevada, MO
March 17 • Hager Cattle Co. Bull Sale, Bismarck, ND
March 18 • Potterosa Limousin Farms Progress Thru Performance Sale, Redwood Falls, MN
March 20 • Great Northern Bull Sale, Glasgow, MT
March 22 • Lakeview Farms Annual Club Calf Sale, Arab, AL
March 28 • Wulf Limousin Farms Opportunity Sale of 2008, Morris, MN
March 28 • Pennsylvania Bull Test Sale, Rock Springs, PA
March 29 • GrandView Farms & Guests Production Sale, Mount Sterling, KY
March 30 • Magness Land & Cattle Limousin & Lim‑Flex Bull Sale, Miami, OK
March 30 • East Central Limousin Spring Sale, Seminole, OK
March 30 • Missouri 2008 Showcase Sale, Springfield, MO
April 1 • Peterson’s L7 Bar Limousin 30th Annual Production Sale, Pukwana, SD
April 5 • Counsil Family Limousin Production Sale, Welch, OK
April 5 • Georgia Beef Expo Limousin Sale, Perry, GA
April 6 • Kansas Limousin Breeders 16th Annual Sale, Salina, KS
April 7 • Bullis Creek Ranch Generations of Predictability 8 Sale, Burwell, NE
April 7 • Coleman Limousin Ranch 30th Annual Production Sale, Missoula, MT
April 11–12 • West Virginia Beef Expo Limousin Show & Sale, Weston, WV
April 12 • ROM’N Limousin Annual Bull Sale, Madison, SD
April 12 • Edwards Limousin Annual Bull Sale, Craik, SK
April 13 • The Blue Ribbon Sale, Seminole, OK
April 13 • Berti Limousin Spring Turnout IV Sale, Sullivan, MO