Executive Summary

by Mark Anderson Executive Director North American Limousin Foundation

Happy New Year! NALF’s membership is off to a great start heading into 2022 and we are looking forward to a successful new year with bull sale season right around the corner. Successful bull sales are the lifeblood of any breed and their membership as they work toward supplying the commercial cow operator with superior genetics that can help the bottom line.

Limousin and Lim-Flex cattle have never been in a better position to add superior bull power to the commercial cow industry. Superior muscling and feed efficiency, combined with the Limousin breed’s continual gains on the marbling trait, make them an ideal breed to utilize in today’s marketplace. Genomic marker updates, USMARC updates and the inclusion of carcass phenotypes last fall helped our carcass trait EPDs significantly. Marbling improved 0.2-0.35 within both classifications of Limousin cattle last fall with additional gains on carcass weight.

Slim profit margins during a time when retail beef is continuing to skyrocket has been frustrating for most beef producers. Farm to retail margins have never been wider, leaving the beef producer only being able to reduce production cost with superior genetics and limiting production costs. You have the genetics to help the commercial producer lower his production costs and supply cattle that work in today’s marketplace!

Many cows have been liquidated across the country this past year given drought conditions through the Northern areas. If we return to normal precipitation, the cattle market could be poised to see significant rallies the next 18 months as the non-fed slaughter portion of weekly kill levels will begin to evaporate. Until this transpires, producers need cattle that can efficiently convert high priced feed to quality pounds of beef while maintaining superior maternal traits in replacement females. Limousin breeders who have paid attention to their matings and EPDs enable us to supply seedstock that can help achieve better profitability for our customers.

This breed has been able to maintain its lead in ribeye area even while improving the marbling EPD. This means superior cutability as well, which gets the packer’s attention because they can procure cattle with superior retail yield while achieving Choice and higher quality grades. Add in superior feed efficiency to lower cost of production and it equates to a big deal. It’s time to take the gloves off and aggressively promote and market your breeding programs heading into bull sale season when you are looking to attract new commercial customers. You should be seeing NALF promoting these positive attributes of the breed with our recent marketing effort by the commercial marketing committee. A recent article written by Burt Rutherford was utilized to promote the breed’s advantages and has picked up a lot of press coverage since November. That article appears later in this issue.

More than 80% of our annual registrations are black presently. Only a few continental breeds can supply this as the commercial producer chases CAB premiums not only for feeder cattle trade value but grid premiums as well. We still and always will produce high-quality red cattle, but there is no denying the fact you can utilize Limousin and Lim-Flex® cattle in a crossbreeding program and make cattle that can qualify for those substantial black-hided premiums as well. This cross into an English-based cowherd will add dollars with additional gains on payweight at weaning time with the additional kick of heterosis!

Limousin is fast becoming the leader in carcass trait phenotypes with more than 106,000 cattle incorporated into its weekly evaluation. This adds accuracy to pedigree data that is valuable when making predictable matings. Not many breeds have this valuable data to incorporate into their EPD production and it is good to see our breed leading the way. It will continue to grow.

The NALF board is focused on investing in the future of the breed by pursuing research through the NALRF which provides third party documentation of specific breed advantages. This will reflect and convey all the previously mentioned attributes this breed brings to the table in today’s competitive market. A portion of the last two years of profitability, along with individual donor contributions, will be utilized to achieve this goal. This will aid in getting the word out to commercial producers the high value of superior Limousin genetics unique to today’s grid focused marketing of fed cattle.

We are excited as we start the new year. Cattlemen’s Congress entries are large at the time of this writing, and plan to have a tremendous show in Oklahoma. We will also head directly from Oklahoma to conduct another show at the National Western Stock Show and then Fort Worth. The show side of the breed is catching fire and the success of the exhibitors and quality of the cattle is truly something to be extremely proud of.

Limousin and Lim-Flex cattle continue to knock out National Supreme titles around the country and folks are taking notice! What is impressive is not only the success of the Supremes, but the depth and quality of cattle throughout various shows. It takes an extremely

Genetics That Stand the Test Of Time

With Founder Membership #3, our family is proud to have been a part of the Limousin business since the breed’s arrival in North America. We focus on raising Limousin and Lim-Flex cattle that combine calving-ease and performance with above average docility and carcass merit. Our commitment has, and always will be, to produce a quality product backed with the highest level of customer service.

We have calves on the ground by MAGS Cable, MAGS Federal Reserve ET, MAGS Firestone 218F and ROMN Floyd Mudhenkey 101F. Come see what a 52-year commitment to the Limousin business looks like.

AVAILABLE PRIVATE TREATY: - Fall Yearling Bulls - Spring Yearling Bulls - Open Replacement Heifers

high-quality animal to knock out a win. You should be very proud of what you have accomplished.

As you begin to advertise and promote your sales and cattle this Spring, don’t hesitate to give Mallory and Taylor a call to see how they can help. They are continuing to produce more sale catalogs for our membership and can help you with ad design and social media marketing as well. They are both dedicated to the success of this breed for the next generation of Limousin breeders as is the remainder of our NALF staff.

We look forward to the Limousin National Sale, shows, Genetics On Ice banquet and Annual Meeting in Oklahoma in early January. Last year was a record year for support of our junior programs through the Genetics On Ice fundraiser and CornerPost Heifer program, thanks to your generosity. I know this year will be another great year as we move forward. $17,500 of the Genetics On Ice funds raised this year will be set aside again for scholarship winners from our National Junior Show that will be determined in Amarillo this year thanks to the foresight of Ken Holloway!

The NALF Board and staff would like to thank all of you for your commitment and dedication to the breed. Let’s keep the momentum going forward, it’s starting to pay off!

Raising Limousin Seedstock for 52 Years

Brad and Janet Waddle 440 Road 161 • Pine Bluffs, Wyoming 82082 307/245-3599 Phone/Fax • waddlelimousin@rtconnect.net

EXCLUSIVE POSITIONS—annually Association, Youth, Commercial, Events, Online-Contact for Pricing

PREMIER PROMOTION POSITIONS—annually Featured Ads, Catalogs, Breeder Directory-Contact for Pricing FEATURED AD LISTING—$750 per 30 day-cycle

SALE CATALOG LISTING—30 day-cycle $250 if accompanied by Featured Ad or Premier Spot • $1,000—Stand Alone BREEDER DIRECTORY LISTING—$450 annually Business Card Ads

BULL PEN SIRE DIRECTORY—$835 Four Month Placement

eBlast SERVICES—$195 per blast

eBlast PREFERRED POSITIONS—Contact for Pricing ONLINE SALE HOSTING—Contact for Pricing

4-Time Contract Print Ad Discount - 5% Annual Contract Digital/Print Discount - 15%

NORTH REGION Will Bollum 507/244-0833 will@limousin365.com

SOUTH REGION DeRon Heldermon 405/850-5102 deron@limousin365.com

ALL IN A ALL IN A DAY’S WORK DAY’S WORK

Like Dixon, when we set our mind to something, we get it done. Whether it is breeding them, calving them out, or getting them ready to market to our faithful customers, we enjoy every day spent in the Limousin business. We have worked hard to develop an outstanding herd of brood matrons coupled with an impressive bull battery. We invite your call or visit and would enjoy the opportunity to share our excitement about the future of our program and the breed with you.

Andy & Tammy Schmalshof Adam, Jonelle, Peyton, Carrina & Dixon Schmalshof Karen, Griffin & Drake Reece Andy, cell: 309/333-0029 • Adam, cell: 309/333-3044 atak4limo@agristar.net • adam@atakcattle.com 436 140th St. • Avon, IL 61415 www.ATAKcattle.com

We Get Around... We Get Around...

As the new year begins, it is a good time to think about what you are trying to accomplish with your program and the steps needed to get there. Any strong program needs solid genetics from top to bottom, cows with power and punch and a herd bull or bulls that compliment the strengths of the cowherd. This spring the breeders listed here will be offering a wide array of genetics which can help put you on the right path. We will be at the following sales, and would be glad to be your eyes on site if you need help or can’t make the sale. Feel free to call us about the cattle, receive a catalog or if you just want to know how things look. For 40 years we have been traveling these roads, we’d be glad to add you to our speed dial.

MARK & DEIDRE SMITH ph/fax: 515-965-1458 cell: 515-229-5227 GRGenetics@aol.com Jan. 2 - National Limousin Sale, OKC Cattlemen’s Congress Jan. 3 - Genetics On Ice, OKC Cattlemen’s Congress Jan. 8 - Magness Land and Cattle Mile High Elite Online, Platteville, CO Feb. 24 - Symens Brothers 33rd Annual Sale, Amherst, SD Feb. 25 - Wieczorek Limousin, Corsica, SD Feb. 26 - Lonely Valley Limousin, Creston, NE Mar. 5 - Linhart Limousin, Leon, IA Mar. 12 - Coyote Hills Ranch and Friends Bulls, Chattanooga, OK Mar. 19 - Pinegar Limousin, Springfield, MO April 2 - Magness Western Bull Sale, Loma, CO April 7 - Wulf Cattle Online, Ft. Worth, TX April 13 - Peterson’s L7 Bar, Pukwana, SD April 30- Hall-Coyote Hills Production Sale, Chattanooga, OK May 7 - Heart Of Missouri State Sale, Lebanon, MO

Check our website for links to many catalogs on the above sales.

Livestock Mortality Insurance can help you manage the risk that comes with owning quality livestock. We are proud to be agents for Liberty Mutual Livestock Insurance. If you make a purchase that needs coverage, or if you would like to talk about the various ways to manage your risk, give us a call.

When semen season arrives, visit our website for the latest updates on the best bulls in the breed. Give us a call anytime, we would be interested in talking to you about your customers’ goals and how your program can work harder for them.