March 26, 2008

In this issue …
Timely reporting helps meet customer expectations
Transfers make commercial programs possible
Will you be competitive in 2010?
Scanning both bulls, heifers is good idea
Expedite your polled, color tests
Remember AI, ET requirements
Registration-number prefixes indicate breeding
Request updates, summaries from home office
NALJA, NALF boards to meet in April
Affiliates asked to submit updates, MOE petitions
Start thinking about junior applications
Limi Boosters offer financial assistance
Online recording made easier with a few tips
May brings early-entry deadlines for summer shows
Ask for papers far enough in advance
Webcast to focus on target markets
BIF conference set for Alberta
What’s news?
Limousin sales, events

Use the North American Limousin Foundation’s (NALF’s) online recording tools (available through the secured, members-only portion of the Web site) or free, preprinted forms for timely reporting of birth, weaning and yearling data. Take the time to enter this spring’s yearling data immediately, and include all heifers (not just those selected for replacements), yearling bulls and steers.

As highlighted at the Limousin Visions Symposium, commercial cattle producers want information about identification (ID); breed composition; color; polled status; expected progeny differences (EPDs), including accuracies, percentile rankings and breed averages; weights; frame score; scrotal circumference or pelvic area; ultrasound data and ratios; and feeding-test results. Reporting data to NALF helps your association help you address those desires.

The deadline to submit data for the next international Limousin genetic evaluation is June 15.

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Transfers are the lifeblood of NALF’s commercial programs. They provide the association with contact information for Limousin users so it can keep breed information before them throughout the year in the quarterly Bottom Line newsletter, Limousin World commercial cattleman’s issue and other vehicles. The success of 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.

Remember, the Bottom Line 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 the active NALF members whose transfers triggered the “subscription.”

Note: When transferring animals, be sure to include the buyer’s full name and address. Complete information not only guarantees your customers receive the Bottom Line, but it also ensures NALF can process the transfer correctly.

Promote your enterprise further by placing a “Breeder Spotlight” advertisement in the publication, which mails to nearly 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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As you make your breeding decisions this spring, think about the Limousin Visions Symposium breed-improvement directives (growth, grade, docility and fertility) and your customers’ wants and needs in 2010. The key to positioning yourself for 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 packages available, there are more customizable breeding options than ever.

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Today’s seedstock producers need to know how their genetics contribute to success in the packinghouse. Collecting ultrasound data for yearling bulls and replacement heifers can give you a good idea. More important, submitting that information and actual harvest data for NALF’s herdbook can improve the quality and accuracy of carcass EPDs for the entire breed.

Do not forget to order barnsheets from the NALF office at least two weeks before your scanning session. The ultrasound laboratories require barnsheets to process scan data, and failure to obtain them before your scanning session will result in processing delays.

When calling NALF to request barnsheets, be ready to provide the following:

• complete tattoos or registration numbers for the animals;
• a fax number to send the barnsheets; and
• the laboratory the ultrasound technician will use to process the data.

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

• 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.

If you have questions about ultrasound scanning, refer to the Guide to Ultrasound in the “Genetic Evaluation” section of the NALF Web site, or request one from the NALF office.

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To ensure you receive results for coat-color and polled tests as quickly as possible, follow a few simple instructions.

• Provide your complete member name, address and member number on the sample-submission form.
• Use the complete registration number and tattoo exactly as they appear on NALF paperwork.
• Print all information clearly.

MMI Genomics runs color and polled tests every week. Samples must arrive at the laboratory by Monday to be included in that week’s testing. Results generally are available by Friday of the next week. Breeders therefore should allow at least three weeks for the whole process of sample submission, testing and reporting.

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Sires born after Jan. 1, 2002, must have a DNA type on file and be parent-verified via DNA-typing, except in cases where a parent is dead and no sample is available for testing. Blood-typing then may be used. Contact the NALF office if you have questions about sires born before 2002.

All AI sires must have a protoporphyria (“proto”) genotype on file at the NALF office. Offspring of untested AI sires are ineligible for registration until the sire’s genotype is determined.

Breeders must 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.

Further, recipient-cow information is required for ET calves to qualify to be in contemporary groups. A recipient’s ID, breed code and birth year must be on the ET application for registration.

Note that MMI Genomics can run parentage, coat-color and polled tests for a single animal from one FTA card.

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As you buy and sell animals this spring, do not forget that the first two letters of the prefixes on NALF registration numbers help customers understand registered breed compositions.

The letters F and M appended to those prefixes indicate “female” and “male,” respectively.

For an animal’s genotypes for coat color or polled status, check the “Animal EPD Search” tool on the NALF Web site or call the home office.

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With nearly 40 percent of NALF paperwork now submitted electronically and with the increased costs associated with forms, printing and postage, NALF has discontinued automatic printing and distribution of weaning update, yearling update and yearling summary reports with returned paperwork. Request those documents – free of charge – from the NALF office, or find the information on your secured, members-only portion of the NALF Web site.

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The North American Limousin Junior Association (NALJA) Board of Directors will gather for its spring meeting April 12–13 in Denver, Colo. NALJA members can contact Cori Harrison to suggest agenda items or share their input via the NALJA member survey in the “Juniors” section of the NALF Web site.

The NALF Board of Directors will gather for its spring meeting April 15–16 in Denver. NALF members can contact any Board member or Kent Andersen in the NALF office to suggest agenda items.

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State and regional Limousin associations need to keep NALF’s records current by notifying the office when they select new leaders. That is the only way to ensure all information – including that regarding cooperative marketing efforts, junior activities and news releases – gets to the correct contact people. Those updates also are the basis for the NALF Web site’s “State Associations” section. Association leaders who have received information-update forms need to complete and return them to Lorrie Taylor in the NALF office.

State and regional associations also can petition NALF for permission to host a Medal of Excellence (MOE) show. Association leaders have received petition forms, rules and approved-judges lists. If there is a local or state show you would like counted for MOE points, submit the petition form by June 15. Direct MOE questions to Taylor.

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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. Visit the “Juniors” section of the NALF Web site or contact Kate Maher 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 NALJA Scholarship. The prestigious $500 scholarship is announced during the annual NALJA 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, visit the “Juniors” Web page or contact Maher. 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. The $750 awards are presented each year at the NJLSC. Applicants must have been 19–21 years old on Jan. 1, 2008, 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 – available from the “Juniors” section of the NALF Web site or the home office – are due to Maher by May 15.

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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 Susan Carmichael at (859) 328-7355 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 Carmichael with questions.

All Limi Boosters applications are available in the “Programs” and “Juniors” sections of the NALF Web site.

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When submitting data via the secured, members-only portion of the 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.

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The Western Limousin Exposition (WLE) opens June 12 this year, and the Southeast Summer Classic (SSC) opens June 19. The WLE will be in Klamath Falls, Ore.; and the Southeastern Limousin Breeders Association (SELBA) again will host the SSC in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Entries for both MOE shows are due to NALF by May 1. For more information and entry forms, see the “Programs” section of the NALF Web site. Dave Berry, (360) 871-3642, is the regional contact for the WLE. Jonathan Perry, (931) 433-1895, is the regional contact for the SSC.

In addition, the Heartland Limousin Association will host this year’s Heartland Regional Junior Limousin Show in Sioux Falls, S.D., July 11–12. Those entries also are due to NALF by May 1. For more information, contact Dean Summerbell, (612) 963-3799.

The South Dakota and Minnesota Limousin breeders will host the “Trail to Excellence” 2008 National Junior Limousin Show and Congress (NJLSC), July 13–18, in Sioux Falls. The early-entry deadline is May 15, and late entries are due June 10. The entry form is available inside the summer NALJA News, which mails in a couple of weeks.

The Sheraton Hotel will be the NJLSC 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.

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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.

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Frank Padilla, NALF’s director of member and commercial relations, will moderate a panel discussion about packer and processor relationships at Wulf Limousin Farms in Minnesota tomorrow night (Thursday, March 27). SuperiorLivestock.com will webcast the event, which begins at 7 p.m. CDT. The panelists will come from PM Beef, Laura’s Lean Beef and Strauss Brands. They represent three target markets that can create additional value for Limousin genetics. Log in to hear what it takes to be part of an integrated production system and the potential rewards for producers.

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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 Monday, March 31.

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

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

• March 17 – 44 Limousin Breeders Join LIMS in ’07–’08
• March 24 – Sioux Falls to Host National Junior Limousin Show, All-American Limousin Futurity
• March 25 – NALF Selects AGI to Conduct Genetic Evaluation

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.

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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 12 • Beef Business Bull Sale, Stanford, KY
April 13 • The Blue Ribbon Sale, Seminole, OK
April 13 • Berti Limousin Spring Turnout IV Sale, Sullivan, MO
April 18 • Virginia Beef Expo Limousin Sale, Harrisonburg, VA
April 19 • TLA’s Texas’ Best Limousin Sale, Decatur, TX
April 19 • Win Vue Limousin Farms Production Sale, Bulls Gap, TN
April 19 • Kentucky Limousin Ass’n Sale, Richmond, KY
April 20 • Great American Pie Limousin Sale, Lebanon, MO
April 22 • Bar JZ Ranches 56th Annual Bull Sale, Highmore, SD
April 26 • Deer Valley Farm Spring Production Sale, Fayetteville, TN
April 26 • O’Brien Farms Horse Sale, Carthage, MO
May 2 • Express Ranches Extra Value Grass Time Sale, Yukon, OK
May 3 • Kervin–Hall–Coyote Hills Annual Limousin Female Sale, Chattanooga, OK
May 4 • Northwest Female Sale, Madras, OR
May 6 • Plum Creek Limousin Main Event Sale, Philip, SD
May 10 • 16th Annual Ohio Valley Limousin Ass’n Sale, Mineral Wells, WV