MARKETING

NALF’s LimMark & LimChoice tagging program aids Limousin customers in identifying their cattle and positioning themselves for greater returns by coupling reputable genetics with documented information. The idea originated at the Limousin Visions Symposium in 2004, where feed yard managers shared the breed often does not get the recognition it deserves.

In order to maximize the benefit to producers, NALF has partnered with the USDA Process Verified Programs (PVP) and IMI Global, to offer verification services along with the LimMark/LimChoice tags. Cattle enrolled in the program must be source and age verified and have the option to be verified in Certified Natural, Non-Hormone Treated Cattle (NHTC), and Humane Treatment programs for added value. For more information on LimMark/LimChoice programs and verifications programs available contact the NALF office.

Only qualified, properly enrolled cattle may wear LimMark tags. Producers must complete a LimMark/LimChoice kit from one of NALF’s partner PVP programs below and mail or fax it to NALF.

Guidelines and the enrollment kit are available by contacting the NALF office. Allow two weeks for tag printing and delivery.

 

LimMark/LimChoice Genetic Eligibility

In order to encompass the various percentages of Limousin genetics represented in different production scenarios and crossbreeding programs, the following genetic options are available to take advantage of the LimMark/LimChoice tag.

• Cattle sired by a registered Limousin or Lim-Flex bull. Each bull listed in the producer’s ownership by NALF or leased by the producer permits the enrollment of up to 50 head per calving season.
• Cattle conceived through artificial insemination (AI) by a registered Limousin or Lim-Flex bull. Each straw of semen purchased permits the enrollment of one calf.
• Cattle out of registered Limousin or Lim-Flex cows. Each cow listed in the producer ownership by NALF or leased by the Producer permits the enrollment of one calf.
• Cattle out of F1 commercial dams who are sired by a registered Limousin or Lim-Flex bull. Each bull listed as a maternal grandsire permits the enrollment of up to 25 head per calving season.
• By enrolling in LimMark/LimChoice, the producer agrees to the following:
  • All cattle enrolled in LimMark/LimChoice fit the genetic eligibility requirements listed above.
  • Only enrolled cattle will be identified by the LimMark/LimChoice tag.

LimMark/LimChoice Genetic Documentation Requirements

• If owned bulls and/or cows are used, they need to be correctly registered or transferred into the producer’s name.
• If leased bulls and/or cows are used, they need to be correctly registered or transferred into the owner’s name and proper documentation of the lease agreement must be obtained by NALF.
• If AI bulls are used, all documentation of semen purchases must be kept.
• If F1 commercial cows sired by registered bulls are used, sires need to be correctly registered or transferred into the producer’s name. Or if those F1 commercial females were purchased then a copy of genetic documentation of parentage should come from seller of cattle along with sire information that meets the requirements set forth above.

LimMark/LimChoice Source

Only cattle that are enrolled by the original owner at the ranch of origin are eligible for the program. When declaring cattle eligible for the LimMark/LimChoice program, the Producer agrees to the following conditions:

• All of the cattle enrolled in LimMark/LimChoice are owned by the Producer and came from the farm/ranch identified by the member number.
• Only eligible cattle will be identified with the LimMark/LimChoice tags.

LimMark/LimChoice Producer Profile/Agreement

Participants must complete a LimMark/LimChoice PVP kit before they enroll cattle into the program. This agreement is available upon request from the North American Limousin Foundation (NALF).

LimMark/LimChoice Program Requirements

LimMark/LimChoice program cattle must meet the genetic eligibility requirements set forth in the program requirements. The NALF office supervises the genetic documentation requirements. In order to be enrolled, all program cattle must be source and age verified by a NALF verification partner.

LimMark/LimChoice Documentation Requirements

In order to be eligible to enroll cattle in the LimMark/LimChoice program, all cattle must be accompanied by the LimMark/LimChoice producer/participant form, genetic documentation, and documents for age and source verification

LimMark Identification (Tags)

Cattle that meet the LimMark/LimChoice program requirement and have the proper documentation are identified by tagging with LimMark/LimChoice identification source tag. Only cattle that are qualified and properly enrolled in LimMark/LimChoice may be tagged with the official program ear tag. Limousin genetics are coupled with information that is submitted to the program for enrolled sets of calves. Cattle will be tagged with either the blue LimMark tag for cattle that genetically fit into Select markets, while cattle with a greater genetic predisposition for marbling will be tagged with the orange LimChoice tag.

Process Verification Programs

Participants in the LimMark/LimChoice program must be Source and Age verified through NALF’s PVP partners. The verification kit and documentation must accompany the LimMark/LimChoice Producer Profile Agreement. Access to Natural, Non-Hormone Treated Cattle (NHTC), or various other process verified programs can also be found through NALF’s PVP partner programs by filling out the Verification Kit available upon request from NALF.