Fall 2010
Volume 12, Issue 3
INSIDE... Limousin Commentary Rediscover Limousin
Full Circle Economic Crossbreeding Opportunity on the Horizon.
Strategic Crossbreeding Success starts in the cow herd and is emphasized through your bull battery.
A Value Added Calf Crop Strauss adds value to Limousin influenced calves.
Strategic Crossbreeding Mike Horvath, Director of Commercial Marketing North American Limousin Foundation
Bottom Line is published three times per year by the North American Limousin Foundation, 7383 S. Alton Way, Suite 100, Centennial, Colorado 80112; (303) 220-1693; fax: (303) 220-1884; www.nalf.org Executive Vice President Bob Hough, Ph.D., Ext. 120 Dir. of Communications Jonathan Beitia, Ext. 117
As a cow-calf producer, survival and profitability are reliant upon efficiently producing uniform calves for target markets, in an economical fashion. Doing so requires a clear management plan, set goals for the cow herd, proper bull selection and a concise marketing scheme. Collectively, these things reduce risk and generate greater returns to your bottom line. Breeding cattle isn’t rocket science, although it does require common sense and a certain degree of business savvy. Simply put, there are three basic markets available: mainstream, lean fed markets, and the upper ⅔ premium-choice markets. The majority of commercial producers shoot for the mainstream commodity market, while a handful of managers gear their operations towards either lean fed markets or the upper ⅔ pre-
mium-choice markets. The handful of producers, who gamble with their cattle, must also be comfortable absorbing greater risk into their operation. An example would be if a particular set of calves get sick that are targeted for a natural program and must be treated with an antibiotic. Regardless of your target market, true success starts in the cow herd and is emphasized through your bull battery. Females have to be correct, regardless of breed composition. Cows must be sound structured, big ribbed, loose flanked, easy fleshing and moderate. Conservatively sized females will usually be more profitable and efficient as they often wean more total pounds of calf per cow exposed. Their calves have more market flexibility as they can be either backcontinued on page 12