2008 Level 2 Medal of Excellence (MOE) Shows

1. Animals must be registered with the North American Limousin Foundation (NALF). Embryo-transfer (ET) calves with pending registration must have parentage-verification paperwork in the NALF system.
    
2. Animals must be 75 percent Limousin (NALF percentage, not actual) or greater as indicated on their NALF registration certificates. “Percentage” and “purebred” Limousin cattle with orange registration certificates shall compete in the same classes and championships.
    
3. Animals must be properly tattooed and will be inspected at the show. Tattoos must be legible and match the registration certificates. If an animal’s tattoo is not legible or cannot be read upon check-in, it will be ineligible to show and not be allowed to return to check-in with a new or corrected tattoo.
    
4. To maintain a high degree of confidence in Limousin shows, NALF reserves the right to disqualify any animal that has been fitted in an unethical manner. Unethical fitting shall include the following.
    
   • Any use of paints, hair-coloring conditioners, colored show foam, graphite, colored powders or other substances. Animals may be subject to a white-towel test.
      
   • The addition of any hair or hair like substances, including false tail heads and false polls. (False tail switches are allowed.)
      
   • The cutting, tearing or gluing of the hide or underneath the hide or removal of tissue in an attempt to alter the shape of the animal or the injection of any gas, solid or liquid under the hide to alter the normal conformation.
      
   • Any products, solutions or liquids administered internally or externally to alter the conformation of the animal is prohibited. That includes the use of steroids, growth stimulants and the act of artificially filling animals internally, which would include stomach pumping, drench tubes or any other method.
      
     Exception: In the case of severely sick or dehydrated animals, the exhibitor may have fluids or electrolytes administered by the licensed, official show veterinarian with the approval of the show superintendent or a NALF representative. That exception is not applicable on show day or weigh-in/check-in day.
      
5. Bulls older than 1 year must show with a nose lead. The Limousin show superintendent and the show management reserve the right to disqualify animals deemed unmanageable.
    
6. Protests against exhibitors, individual animals or fitting violations must be submitted in writing and signed by five (5) active members of NALF and presented to the show superintendent within12 hours of the show’s completion.
    
7. NALF reserves the right to inspect (“mouth”) animals for dental development.
    
8. NALF reserves the right to collect hair samples from any animal.
    
9. Classes and championship breaks will be determined after all cattle have been checked in. No class shall contain more than 20 head or have an age spread of more than 60 days unless the animals are older than 2 years.
    
10. Calves exhibited alongside dams in the cow-calf division are eligible to show as individuals only in the Lim‑Flex® show (if offered) if they are registered and qualify as determined by purple registration papers from NALF.
     
11. All cattle will be checked in before the show.
     
12. Animals shown must be solid red or black above the flanks, excluding birthmarks.

Other Requirements

• The following performance-data-submission requirements must be met by Dec. 1 to receive Medal of Excellence points.
   
  1. Birth weight (bulls and heifers)
      
  2. Weaning weight (bulls and heifers)
      
  3. Yearling weight (bulls and heifers)
      
  4. Yearling scrotal circumference (bulls only)
      
  5. Pregnancy test (females older than 600 days at season’s end)
      
  6. Breeding soundness exam and semen test (bulls older than 400 days)
      
  Note: Failure to have performance data on file at NALF by the deadline will result in disqualification from the MOE program, and no points will be awarded. It is the responsibility of the breeder/owner/exhibitor to submit that information without special requests from NALF.
   
• To maintain a high degree of integrity and credibility in all Limousin shows, all owners and exhibitors are expected to adhere to all NALF rules and regulations regarding the exhibition of Limousin cattle and to adhere to the rules and regulations of particular shows, fairs and exhibitions.

 
Level 2 MOE Show Point Distribution

The point distribution for Medal of Excellence shows, as introduced in 2007, will depend on the number of head exhibited at each approved MOE show (other than the four major shows). Points will be awarded as follows.

 
Show Classes

If more than 20 head are in an individual class, NALF recommends additional classes be formed such that no more than 20 animals are in an individual class.

The following class and division breaks are suggested.

 
Champions will be selected as follows

• Females
   
  • Division 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 champions and reserve champions
     
  • Grand champion and reserve grand champion
     
• Bulls
   
  • Division 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 champions and reserve champions
     
  • Grand champion and reserve grand champion
     
• Group classes
   

  Produce-of-dam

  Two (2) head shown in individual classes and produced by one dam. May be owned by different exhibitors. Both sexes may be represented.
   

  Junior get-of-sire

  Three (3) head shown in individual classes; calved on or after Sept. 1, 2006; and produced by one sire. May be owned by different exhibitors. Both sexes may be represented.
   

  Senior get-of-sire

  Four (4) head shown in individual classes; at any age; and produced by one sire. May be owned by different exhibitors. Both sexes may be represented.
   

  Breeder’s best 5 head

  Five (5) head shown in individual classes and of any age. Must be bred by and owned or co-owned by a single exhibitor. Both sexes may be represented.