2008 Major Medal of Excellence (MOE) Shows

1. Animals must be registered with the North American Limousin Foundation (NALF). Embryo-transfer (ET) calves may have pending registration, but parentage-verification paperwork must be in the NALF system.
    
2. Animals must be 75 percent Limousin (NALF percentage, not actual) or greater as indicated on their registration certificates. Animals may not have more than 12.5 percent (actual) breed composition that is unknown or other than Angus or Red Angus. “Percentage” and “purebred” Limousin animals 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 initial check-in, it will be disqualified and not allowed to return 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 any other substances. Animals may be subject to a white-towel test.
      
   • The addition of any hair or hairlike 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, signed by five (5) active members of NALF and presented to the show superintendent within 12 hours of the show’s completion.
    
7. NALF reserves the right to inspect (“mouth”) animals for dental development at any show.
    
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. Premiums will be awarded on a graduated basis through fifth place.
    
10. Calves exhibited alongside dams in the cow-calf division are eligible to show as individuals in either the Limousin or Lim‑Flex® show if they are registered and qualify as determined by their registration papers from NALF.
     
11. Animals eligible to show include:
     

    	Spring shows (Jan. 1–July 14)	Fall shows (July 15–Dec. 31)
    Females	Calved Sept. 1, 2005–Nov. 1, 2007	Calved Sept. 1, 2005–March 1, 2008
    Bulls	Calved Jan. 1, 2005–Nov. 1, 2007	Calved Jan. 1, 2006–March 1, 2008
    Cow-calf pairs	Cows must be orange-papered Limousin animals with a registered Limousin, percentage Limousin or Lim‑Flex natural calf at side. Cows must be born on or before Aug. 31, 2005. Calves must not be older than 250 days on date of show.

    
     
12. All 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 that date 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 with no special request from NALF.
   
• To maintain a high degree of integrity and credibility in Limousin shows, owners and exhibitors are expected to adhere to all NALF rules and regulations regarding the exhibition of Limousin cattle and to the rules and regulations of particular shows, fairs and exhibitions.

 
‘Major’ MOE Show Point Distribution

 
Show Classes

Animals eligible for show:

Champions will be selected as follows:

• Females
   
  • Division Champions and Reserve Champions (as determined by NALF staff)
     
  • Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Heifer
     
  • Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Cow-Calf Pair
     
• Bulls
   
  • Division Champions and Reserve Champions (as determined by NALF staff)
     
  • 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.
   

  Premier breeder
   

  Premier exhibitor

 
Major Medal of Excellence Events

• National Western Stock Show – January ’08 – Denver, Colo.
   
• All-American Limousin Futurity – July ’08 – Sioux Falls, S.D.
   
• American Royal – October ’08 – Kansas City, Mo.
   
• North American International Livestock Exposition – November ’08 – Louisville, Ky.