Limousin365 Spring Sale Edition, January 2023

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NORTH AMERICAN LIMOUSIN FOUNDATION • JANUARY 2023

Your Partner in Success Your Partner in Success

Paul Sisemore, Owner Manager: Elgin Elmore, 918-346-2438 11720 Overlook Dr. Sand Springs, OK 74063 elginpbars@yahoo.com • www.pbarsranch.com

Homo Black

KLS SULL Gucci 205G ET Purebred

Spencer Hovde at Edleman Ranch in Willow Lake, SD.

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

by Kiley McKinna

2023 Bull Sale Season

Welcome to the Limousin365 annual Spring Sale Edition! As you page through this issue, you’ll find many of the breed’s most relevant and progressive programs highlighted, several of the breed’s finest spring sales showcased in accompaniment with multiple feature stories and industry news. It’s official, 2022 is in our rear view mirrors and now it’s time to hit the trail and dive into what we hope is a great 2023 spring sale season loaded with optimism!

As I write this column, pondering which direction to head, few words come to mind but, rather a feeling, and that is of the tide turning in regard to the overall demand for Limousin genetics. Currently, not only are we continuing to experience a massive surge in demand for Limousininfluenced show heifer prospects across the country but, perhaps more importantly, the beef industry appears to be calling for a Continental bull of choice to compliment the United States’ predominate Angus commercial cow herd base. That said, it’s with confidence I feel the Limousin breeders that have been taking care of and cultivating their respective businesses are poised to meet the current industry narrative because of the improvements the breed cumulatively has made in terms of enhanced data sourcing plus, as well as product and quality consistency over the last two decades.

With that in mind, as it relates to the 2023 bull sale season, there’s little question that opportunity abounds from both a seller’s and purchaser’s perspective.

First, let’s tackle the selling front. Below are three bullets points to keep in your thought processes as you are positioning yourself to meet the aforementioned industry call and ultimately capitalize on the marketplace.

1. Please don’t take a shortcut on feed, presentation or advertising. You’ve done the hard work and ran the majority of the preverbal race—now is not the time to lay down just prior to the finish line. These next 30, 60, 90, or 120 days are critical to your marketplace success, or lack there of, at the pay window. It’s temping to cut a corner to save a buck, especially in tough times but, I urge you not to trip over dollars picking up pennies.

2. Connect with your customers. It’s that simple. If you haven’t been doing that already throughout the year, now’s the time. Don’t make the week of or sale day your first point of contact. If that’s your approach, often you can come across as strictly a ‘seller’ versus a ‘partner’ in the business.

3. Promote, promote and promote some more. Be sure to take advantage of your points of contact when you have the chance. Make sure your traditional marketing bases are covered. Don’t hesitate to “mix it up” a

little—whether that’s in person visits, print advertising, radio or your social media efforts. Dare to be different, stand out and push yourself outside of the box.

Now, let’s take a quick look at the purchasing side of this bull sale season and a few things to keep in mind. I’d like to encourage you to truly study your hole card this sale season. Below are few things to think about as you begin your herd sire search. Ultimately, if you sit down and systematically work through your breeding decisions well in advance (which most of you do) you’ll naturally come up with the correct bull buying solutions for your program and avert the 15th hour emergency management approach chute side or worst yet, as the trailer door swings open to your pasture with no more than a wish and a prayer.

1. Do your research and take time to understand the current cattle industry calls.

2. Establish breeding program goals as they relate to your future profitability.

3. Evaluate your program’s strengths and weaknesses.

4. Clearly outline your inventory.

5. Survey your customer’s needs.

6. Seek value when buying a bull. Remember, the lowest priced bull is seldom the best value. If you find a bull with the traits you are looking for—buy him. Set a budget but, understand it is often hard to find everything you are looking for. Bulls with the traits you are seeking can add value to your cattle in a hurry. They can add far more value than a cow. The bull you buy this year will impact your herd for the next five years with his calves, but his daughters will impact your herd for the next 15 years. Make a sound investment. Buy a bull that adds value to your calves and your cowherd.

Folks, I think by-and-large the bullet points above hit the nail on the head and serve as a nice reminder to always keep the big picture in mind when selling and or making your next herd bull investment. I wish you all the best in your upcoming sales and searches for your next herd sire. At days end, it’s your program, your perogative and your profit margin.

In closing, I sincerely hope you enjoy our Spring Sale Edition issue. It’s of benefit to your respective program and a promotional piece the Limousin breed can be proud of. A big thank-you to all of the advertisers, readership and those who continue to support and offer feedback as it relates to your magazine, Limousin365.

God Bless and I look forward to seeing you down the sale trail this spring. We are all in it together and Limousin proud.

This special time of year is a time to reflect on how blessed our family has been. We wish our many friends and customers a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

With each new year comes a new calf crop. As we near calving-time that means the top selections from our 2022 crop are now available.

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

We strive to obtain and produce elite seedstock in both the Lim-Flex and Angus breeds. The unique way these two breeds compliment each other has proven to be an asset for our program as well as our customers’. These females are being used extensively in our ET program to the most progressive sires in the industry.

Lim-Flex

TASF Fallon 190F

TASF Crown Royal 960C x PBRS 348U

TASF Fallon 190F was the $65,000 top-selling female at the 2018 Divas and Donors Sale. She has been admired by many for her flawless structural makeup, depth of body and impeccable structural integrity.

Boss Lake Ms Molly 068H

LFLC Bank Account 701B x Boss Lake Ms Molly 814F

We believe this red purebred female is truly special and her potential mating possibilities are endless. Shown by the Hennessy family of North Dakota; she was undefeated in the Limousin division and claimed multiple supreme victories throughout her career.

Conley Sandy 7350

Angus

KDJ Queen Ruth 502

E&B Confederate 507 x Conley S Sis Sandy 4350

This female created a lot of buzz with her flawless lines, natural shape and dimension. This $90,000 top-selling donor at the Conley Cattle Fall Production Sale offers unlimited genetic potential and has the ability to produce competitive show heifers of multiple breeds.

UDE Queen Ruth 9044

Coleman Bravo 6313 x KDJ Queen Ruth 502 (pictured) We admire Queen Ruth for her tremendous amount of center body dimension, genuine base width and brood cow look. A female of this quality and lineage has the potential to make exceptional Lim-Flex and Angus breeding stock.

We have progeny and genetic opportunities available on these individuals and many others. We wish our many friends and customers a prosperous and healthy new year and welcome your call or visit anytime.

Jay, Molly, Jayce & Spencer Wilder

Snook, Texas Jay: 979.268.5491 jwwilder1993@gmail.com www.wilderfamilylimousin.com

J&J Cattle Company

Joe and Jay Wilder Box 551 • Snook, Texas 77878 Joe: 979.268.4843

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

by Bruce Lawrence

Iwould like to start out by wishing everyone a Happy & Healthy New Year!

Next, I would like to thank my fellow board members for allowing me to serve as your president of the North American Limousin Association. I have enjoyed working with both the board and staff to help grow our breed while making the most of the ever-evolving changes in technology tools that are available to make Limousin cattle and breeders even more competitive in the commercial seedstock industry.

I feel that with the distractions that have come along in 2022 in the beef cattle industry and our economy, our staff and board have made good decisions keeping our financial position in check as much as possible, but still keeping most all of our breed improvement projects moving forward into the coming year.

I would also like to take this opportunity to encourage each of you to consider spending a portion of your budget to genomically enhance all of your replacement females. I really think each of you would see quicker advancement of your performance information and in turn help you become more competitive in the seedstock industry as the Limousin breed strives to penetrate the commercial seedstock industry with Limousin and Lim-Flex genetics.

Next, I would like to invite everyone to attend our annual meeting along with the National Sale and the Ken Holloway Genetics On Ice Benefit Auction at the Cattlemen’s Congress held in Oklahoma City. Be sure to make plans to attend the Limousin and Lim-Flex pen shows as well as both the Open and Junior Shows while you are in Oklahoma City and Denver. I know this is a busy time for everyone, but the comradery that is built with fellow breeders at these events helps set the tone for our Spring Sale season.

Once again, I wish each and every one of you a Happy & Prosperous New Year!

2022 NALF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT, Bruce Lawrence

...................................... Anton, TX 806-790-2535 • bll1@speednet.com

VICE PRESIDENT, Wade Beckman .....................................Roberts, ID 208-313-0235 • beckmanlivestock@gmail.com

SECRETARY, Ronn Cunningham .................................. Rose, OK 918-629-9382 • colronn@yahoo.com

TREASURER, Randy Corns ...................................... Altoona, KS 620-750-0924 • randycorns11@gmail.com

AT-LARGE, Jerry Wulf ...............................................Morris, MN 320-491-1390 • jerry.wulf@wulfcattle.com

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT, Dan Hunt........................... Oxford, NE 308-991-3373 • huntlimo@huntlimousin.com

EX-OFFICIO, Curt Wieczorek Mount Vernon, SD 605-999-1298 • curtwzrk@gmail.com

DIRECTORS

Rob Brawner, Wood Lake, NE, 402-376-4465, bulliscreek@gpcom.net

Joey Freund, Elizabeth, CO, 303-840-1850, jfreund@myedl.com

Troy Gulotta, Independence, LA, 985-662-1561, liveoakcattle@gmail.com

Austin Hager, Karlsruhe, ND, 701-626-2345, hagercc@srt.com

Bart Mitchell, Wauzeka, Wisc, 608-553-8070, springcreeksbart@gmail.com

Joe Moore, Raphine, VA, 540-569-6219, jomolimo69@gmail.com

Kevin Ochsner, Kersey, CO, 970-396-5525, kevinkochsner@gmail.com

Lance Sennett, Waynetown, IN, 765-366-4894, lasennett@att.net

Jay Wilder, Snook, TX, 979-268-5491, jwwilder1993@gmail.com

Coleman Limousin Ranch 45th Annual Production Sale

SALE MANAGEMENT…

Kiley McKinna • (402) 350-3447

WIley Fanta • (320) 287-0751

mcmarketingsales@aol.com mcmarketingmanagement.com

TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2023

COLE Genesis 86G

Purebred – HomoP/Blk

HUNT Credentials 37C ET x COLE Miss XRated 354A

CE: 17 BW: -1.1 WW: 81 YW: 116 MK: 36 CM: 10 SC: 0.7 DC: 18 YG: -0.16 CW: 45 RE: 0.75 MB: 0.61 $MI: 78

CELL Envision 7023E

Purebred – HomoP/HomoB

AHCC Barn Burner B907 x PBRS Zsa Zsa 246Z

CE: 8 BW: 2.6 WW: 105 YW: 170 MK: 20 CM: 5 SC: 2.4 DC: 22 YG: -0.41 CW: 62 RE: 1.51 MB: 0.02 $MI: 66

AHCC Earning Power

Purebred – HomoP/HomoB

MAGS Anchor x LVLS 9066U

CE: 12 BW: 1.0 WW: 84 YW: 142 MK: 15 CM: 10 SC: 2.4

DC: 18 YG: -0.19 CW: 57 RE: 0.90 MB: 0.38 $MI: 71

COLE Fortune 12F

81% Limousin - HomoP/Blk

COLE Cadillac 05C x COLE Miss Austin 3157A

CE: 20 BW: -4.9 WW: 69 YW: 112 MK: 21 CM: 12 SC: -0.2

DC: 12 YG: -0.14 CW: 27 RE: 0.78 MB: 0.11 $MI: 56

WZRK Game Changer 4015G

Purebred - HomoP/Red

HUNT Credentials 37C x WZRK Miss Tuffenuff 4015B

CE: 11 BW: 0.3 WW: 75 YW: 112 MK: 34 CM: 8 SC: 1.6

DC: 19 YG: -0.24 CW: 56 RE: 0.79 MB: 0.29 $MI: 65

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

by Mark Anderson Executive Director North American Limousin Foundation

Happy New Year!

We operate in a different and challenging environment with higher production costs, but are seeing strong commercial cattle prices given recent inflation throughout the country. Thankfully, cattle prices are stronger around the country given the increasing production costs most are dealing with. There will be challenges ahead no doubt, but that is something most cattle producers are used to while having to deal with adversity in an ever-changing cattle business.

Things have changed in the seedstock business dramatically as well. It wasn’t very long ago that genomics were an unknown and not widely used. That picture has changed 180 degrees in our business recently. Most progressive producers that rely heavily on commercial buyers to support their business have realized the value of higher accuracy EPDs and a quick read on their individual genetics to help increase demand for their cattle.

As the commercial cattle industry has become more familiar with the genomic process and the value it provides, there is a high demand in the country to be genomically-enhanced prior to purchasing new genetics or paying substantial premiums for high-quality seedstock. The marketplace is now demanding most cattle be genomicallyenhanced as further proof of high quality, particularly on the traits of high economic value.

The good news is that our cattle evaluation produced through International Genetic Solutions (IGS) continues to grow and improve. It is the largest cattle evaluation in the world that allows commercial cattle producers to evaluate different breeds of cattle on an equal basis. Marker effects continue to be updated annually by the science team at IGS as well, which continues to improve the accuracy of our cattle evaluation.

In November, an IGS cooperator meeting was held in Denver and the group was updated on progress of the weekly evaluation along with new trait production that is in the pipeline at IGS. NALF is actively promoting the development of the dry matter intake EPD. IGS is working on that as well, as the development of a mature cow weight EPD.

In August, your NALF board moved to work toward providing new updated indexes utilizing IGENDEC software provided by the Beef Improvement Federation. To accomplish this more accurately, the board also approved the development publication of an average

daily gain EPD and dry matter conversion EPD to be utilized in the terminal index as well.

At the IGS meeting, the group discussed the possibility of including a dry matter conversion EPD and potential cost-of-gain EPD to run alongside the ADG and DM intake EPDs to more accurately measure cattle that are more feed efficient in a form that is directly applicable to the commercial cattle industry.

This is actually an exciting possibility where superior feed efficient cattle will be better identified through a trait deck that commercial cattlemen actually understand. Furthermore, these traits are very marketable on high-quality feeder cattle whether they are sold via video online auctions like Superior or Western or direct in the country. We will keep you posted here as development happens.

We look forward to seeing many of you at our annual meetings and events in Oklahoma City again this year. There is a new format for our annual evening event as the board and Limousin sale crew is going to combine the Limousin National Sale, commercial awards and the annual Ken Holloway Genetics On Ice Benefit Auction on the same Monday night this year. We look forward to seeing you there and with the restructuring of the event, there will be no meal ticket charge for attendees.

I would also like to give Kiley Mckinna, along with the donors and purchasers of the Credit For Kids Sale, a big thank you and shout out for all the help on this fundraiser for our annual Limousin Junior Nationals the past three years. This has been spearheaded primarily by Kiley and has taken a big load off states having to raise all their money by themselves each year to host the annual event. It is very much appreciated! We are all looking forward to Rapid City, South Dakota in 2023.

We will also keep you updated on the research project the NALRF is conducting in Montana as we move into calving season this March. Our ranch cooperators in Montana, Brad Hamlett and Wade Schott, have been great to work with and we would like to thank them as well.

We look forward to 2023 and are excited to see where the Limousin breed is headed! On behalf of the NALF board and staff, we wish you a happy and profitable 2023.

We are grateful for our new and exisiting customers. It is evident just how important it is to have people you can count on within this industry and we couldn’t be more thankful for those in our corner. When it comes time to start planning your next sale or finding your next herd bull or donor, lean on us. We make the rounds so you don’t have to.

MEMBER AND INDUSTRY NEWS BRIEFS

Need Registration Certificates?

Do you need registration certificates for an upcoming show, a show validation, or any other purpose? NALF staff is happy to send the registration certificates to you. Please submit your request and payment to the NALF office at least two weeks prior to the event in order to make sure they reach you on time. Show certificates (faxed or emailed) prior to mailing are $10.00. Requests may be made to Stephanie at Steph@NALF.org.

Original Registration Papers

Original registration papers are required at all Level I MOE shows, Regional and the National Junior Limousin Show & Congress. No copies will be accepted.

Order Your Show Vest Today

If you have not ordered your Limousin soft shell show vest, do so today. The show vests are a black soft shell with the Limousin logo on the chest. You may order using the form found under the Shows tab at NALF.org. Show vests are $50 each.

Vests must be worn in the show ring at all Level I MOE shows.

NALF Office Closed

NALF will have a limited number of staff in the office December 28 – January 11. Staff will be attending the Cattlemen’s Congress and Annual Limousin Convention in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado.

The North American Limousin Foundation office will be closed Monday, February 20, 2023, for President’s Day. Regular hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. MST will resume Tuesday, February 21.

DNA and Registration

The DNA turnaround is 4 weeks and rushes are not an option. Embryo calves must be parent-verified in order to be registered. Contact Alison, Alison@NALF.org, or Tammy, Tammy@nalf.org, with any DNA questions. Natural calf registrations and any transfers submitted to the office for processing is a 2-week turnaround, contact Stephanie at Steph@NALF.org with any questions.

When mailing in rush registrations and transfers, please print RUSH on the outside of the envelope and when emailing please put RUSH in the subject line. This will help make sure your work gets processed immediately. The $25.00 rush fee for each certificate, noted on the self-billing worksheet, will be billed. Payment must be received for certificates to print. There are no rush orders available on lab work and ET calves.

LIMS

The LIMS enrollment deadline is February 15. Members need to visit their Enrollment Selections page on Digital Beef to make sure all cows are under the Spring 2023 tab if they are set to calve Spring 2023 or have the “move to next season” box checked if they are calving in the Fall. Contact Alison Jones at Alison@nalf.org or Tammy Anderson at Tammy@NALF.org if you see cows missing from the LIMS enrollment page or have additional questions. All cows need a calf recorded or a reason for no calf, and each calf needs a weaning weight or a reason for no weaning weight (example: calf died prior to weaning). Following the enrollment deadline, members will have one week to make changes. After that week, enrollments will be locked, and billing will occur at the end of the month.

International Year Codes

2020 - H • 2021 - J • 2022 - K • 2023 - L • 2024 – M

The letters not used are I, O, Q & V

Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Update

The Cattle Industry Annual Convention and NCBA Trade Show is one of the industry’s largest events each year, bringing together cattlemen and cattlewomen from across the nation to do the work of our industry.

The convention and NCBA trade show will take place February 1-3, 2023, in New Orleans, Louisiana. To register and secure housing for the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show, visit www.beefusa.org. Convention participants will hear from industry leaders and gather insight on industry trends.

Be sure to dial into the website convention.ncba.org over the coming months for all the details as we Get Jazzed in New Orleans.

National Junior Limousin Show & Congress

All regional shows and the early entry deadline for the 2023 National Junior Limousin Show & Congress (NJLSC ) will be May 1. Late entry deadline will be May 15. Ownership deadline is May 15.

**NEW**

Only online entries will be accepted for the 2023 National Junior Limousin Show & Congress, as well as any NALJA sponsored regional show. We will be using the same online entry system as 2022.

The NALJA board of directors is excited to continue the NEOGEN Ultimate Show at the 2023 NJLSC. This show is based on 50 percent genotype and 50 percent phenotype. Animals will need to have DNA sent in by April 20. The NALF office asks that any DNA for this show be marked “For National Junior Show.”

Purebred

This young sire is rapidly becoming one of the hot, young, purebred bulls in the breed. He is helping lay the foundation for our program. Study the fact that he is a 93% purebred with exceptional phenotype and EPDs and think about the value he can add to your program.

2023 NJLSC Schedule of Events (subject to change)

Friday, July 7

Cattle allowed in tie-outs

NO CATTLE OR TACK ALLOWED IN BARNS BEFORE 1 p.m. (MST)

1:00 p.m. Move in/Set up

Saturday, July 8

8:00 a.m. Move in/Set up 10:00 a.m. NALJA Board of Directors Interviews

2:00 p.m. Mount Rushmore Tour/Tenderfoot Icebreaker Dinner upon return

Sunday, July 9

7:00 a.m. Church Service

8:00 a.m. Check-in

1:00 p.m. Tenderfoot Activity

1:00 p.m. State Officer and Advisors Meeting

3:00 p.m. Sullivan Supply Stock Show U

5:30 p.m. Membership Meeting

6:30 p.m. Opening Ceremonies Dinner Following

Monday, July 10

8:00 a.m. Sullivan Supply/Stock Show U Sponsored Showmanship 2:00 p.m. Junior/Senior Quiz Bowl Preliminaries and Finals 4:00 p.m. Livestock Judging

Tuesday, July 11

8:00 a.m. NEOGEN Ultimate Show; Steers, Limousin Cow-Calf Pairs, Lim-Flex Cow-Calf Pairs, Bred & Owned Limousin Bulls, Bred & Owned Lim-Flex Bulls, Bred & Owned Limousin Females, Bred & Owned Lim-Flex Females, Group Classes

Carcass Contest to Follow

4:00 p.m. Digital Beef Workshop

6:30 p.m. Sale of Sales @ Holiday Inn

8:00 p.m. Dance @ Holliday Inn, Sponsored by the NALJA Board

Wednesday, July 12

*NALJA Presidential Election

8:00 a.m. Sales Talk

12:00 p.m. Sullivan Supply/Stock Show U Sponsored Team Fitting

2:00 p.m. Limi-Boosters Future Professionals Contest

5:00 p.m. NALJA Awards Ceremony & Dinner

Thursday, July 13

8:00 a.m. Owned Lim-Flex Females, Owned

The Next Generation The Next Generation

J Bar J High Noon 025H

Homo Black • Homo Polled • Lim-Flex(54/48.9)

CD: 8(90) BW: 2.8(90) WW: 88(4) YW: 144(3) MA: 23(30) CM: 4(90) SC: 0.8(65)

DC: 12(60) CW: 45(20) RE: 0.6(65) YG: -0.11(3) MB: 0.1(70) $MI: 61.5

J Bar J High Noon has grown into a sire that folks should keep an eye on. Out of Denver Champion Firestone and the great Cash Flow daughter Foxtrot, this double HOMO young sire has the big hip and depth of body to match a great set of numbers. If you are looking for something a little different that will grab your eye, try High Noon.

MIDL Genesis 159G

Homo Black • Homo Polled • Lim-Flex(56/49.8)

CD: 14(15) BW: -0.3(25) WW: 96(2) YW: 158(1) MA: 28(10) CM: 9(10) SC: 1(40) DC: 16(15) CW: 57(5) RE: 0.93(20) YG: -0.12(1) MB: 0.26(35) $MI: 69.9

MIDL Genesis has proven he has the combination of proven light BIRTH and tremendous YEARLING with a great spread and a super outcross pedigree. With Camden Yards and Zodiac in his lineage, he will offer you growth, maternal, and a double HOMO package. Check out the thickness, think about the possibilities, MIDL Genesis could be the start of something awesome.

$40

TMCK Santana 828J

Black • Homo Polled • Purebred(93/79.1)

CD: 12(35) BW: 1.4(55) WW: 84(3) YW: 123(4) MA: 26(15) CM: 6(50) SC: 0.45(70) DC: 14(45) CW: 35(20) RE: 0.86(90) YG: -0.32(4) MB: 0.51(1) $MI: 76.5

TMCK Santana brings a whole new look to the Purebred table as this outstanding young son of COLE Genesis gives you combinations of maternal power and marbling dominance along with depth of body and muscle stoutness. If you want to get into the next line of production cattle, think about Santana on Envision, Crown Royal and Heartland daughters.

Spring is the time for new herd bull purchases. Look to Grassroots for Livestock Mortality Insurance to protect your purchases. We can set it all up from the phone—call 515-229-5227.

COLE Journey 79J

Black • Homo Polled • Limousin(81/77)

CD: 14(20) BW: 0.2(45) WW: 80(10) YW: 122(10) MA: 31(1) CM: 8(20) SC: 0.9(35) DC: 17(4) CW: 51(4) RE: 0.89(40) YG: -0.16(10) MB: 0.46(15) $MI: 72.4

COLE Journey is one of the first of a new generation of Genesis sons. Lining up production cattle from one end to the other, Journey was one of the picks in the 2022 Coleman Sale. This stout-made bull combines phenotype and performance with outstanding convenience traits. His bone, depth and thickness, along with marbling, HOMO polled and maternal, gives you a bull to complete the Journey.

MARK & DEIDRE SMITH

ph/fax: 515-965-1458

• cell: 515-229-5227

• GRGenetics@aol.com

History Of Champions

We are proud of the long list of champions stemming from our program. We work hard to stay at the top of our game and are excited about the current heifers we have to offer. Select your next winner from our cattle selling in upcoming sales this spring.

Riding Shotgun Great Bull Sellers

As we travel the highways and by-ways of the Limousin family and breed we often cuss and discuss the cattle business, sports, politics, great cheeseburgers and most of the time, the promotion and marketing of Limousin cattle.

Through “Riding Shotgun” we invite you to join us in the righthand seat, so that we can let you in on what we find to be our marketing pet peeves, shortcuts and some of the favorite habits of top-flight professional producers. Grab a cup of coffee and take the ‘shotgun seat’—we are pleased to have you riding along.

succeed at building and maintaining a bull market, while others seem to struggle, we would like to put forth the following points. These are observations that all seem to be in the equation—you can’t just do one and make your bull business work—each is a piece that leads to the next piece. Selling bulls is a science and an art, blending them will help your program.

The first piece in “Great Bull Sellers” is desire. Do you really want to sell bulls, do you enjoy selling bulls? Bulls and bull customers are going to test your patience some days. You must enjoy and look forward to the challenge. We’ve been on operations who hate the whole job and we’ve been to places that think it’s the best part of the seedstock business. Guess which ones sell more bulls.

Ever since we started traveling, one of the things that intrigued me the most is why some programs sell bulls successfully, and why some fumble the whole project. After analyzing programs that

EXCLUSIVE

Association, Youth, Commercial, Events, Online-Contact for Pricing

PREMIER

NORTH REGION

Sarah Johnson 614/266-2646 sarah@limousin365.com

SOUTH REGION

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

When my grandfather sold bulls in the ’50s and ’60s, bull selling was “Who’s your Daddy”. Granddad knew the pedigree and bloodlines of all his bulls, and he would tell you over and over the pedigree of the sire and the dam and the grandsire and the granddam. Since the early ’70s, the bull selling business has been founded in data, performance data. It starts with birthweight and birthdate, goes through weaning weight and proceeds to yearling weight and average daily gain. Those were the big four for many years. Then the animal breeders (read statistics guys) got involved and those weights became EBVs “Estimated Breeding Values” and then further down the road, EPDs “Expected Progeny Difference” arrived, and bull selling joined the 21st century. The thing to remember here is that for you the breeder, it still boils down to gathering the basic data, birthdate, birthweight, weaning weight and yearling weight. The big brains in the animal breeding world will figure out the rest.

“Great Bull Sellers” keep great records, complete records, and work hard to understand not only the data, but the future of the data. Lately, we started adding in carcass data and other measurements like scrotal circumference and pelvic size, all important traits that bull buyers demand. The animal breeders will boil it down and hopefully educate you on how to use the data, it’s up to you to listen and learn. Your main job is to collect and preserve the basic performance data, because data is where it’s at in 2023.

The next piece, once you have the product, is marketing—finding and convincing prospective bull buyers that your product is their best option, their best choice. It’s no longer only selling to your neighbor or advertising in your local paper. You now must incorporate all the tools available to you—video, pictures, websites, eblasts, YouTube, Facebook, online auctions and sale management, along with your old standby, advertising and a mailing list. The bull selling catalog itself has grown

from a pedigree only option to a selling piece loaded with data, pictures and information. We have discussed a lot of these in the past—“Great Bull Sellers” use every piece available to SELL their product. If you are not watching the horizon for the next new marketing opportunity, you will be behind the curve. You must have the desire to be open to new technologies, keep your brain open.

The final piece “Great Bull Sellers” use is their customer service and follow-up. It starts with a guarantee that they not only believe in, but one they can back up. It hurts sometimes and I know of instances where the client abused the privilege, but I will GUARANTEE that you cannot have a consistent bull market without one. You must formulate one that works for them and you, then you must apply it without prejudice. Semen testing finds most problems and should be a consistent policy. Delivery is a great way to meet and get to know your customers, and you need to do everything you can to facilitate delivery, get required health papers and/or hire a trucker you can

trust. If the bull or bulls are bought online or on order, delivery will seal the deal and make this customer a customer for life.

Finish the job—make the customer a friend that trusts you to treat him like you would want to be treated. Give him a call four months after the sale, find out how the bulls worked and meet any problem head on. Don’t wait until the next sale day to find out the last bull he bought did not satisfy his needs.

Being a “Great Bull Seller” involves breeding, feeding, data collection, marketing and customer service all from the seat of your pickup truck. It is a challenge, but one that can be immensely satisfying. Hug your family, enjoy your friends, and learn something every day. See you down the road.

CONTACT THE AUTHOR

Mark A. Smith email: grgenetics@aol.com • phone: 515-229-5227

Contact for complimentary catalog: Randall O. Ratliff 615.330.2735 | Randy@rrmktg.com

Consultant: Kiley McKinna, 402.350.3447 Wiley Fanta, 320.287.0751

BRANDING & PROMOTION

by Randy Ratliff

Dear Limousin Enthusiasts,

As Rip said to Beth on the show Yellowstone “I never worry about four years from now, I always worry about today with an eye on tomorrow.”

This is so true in anything that we do. In life and in the cattle business, we need to always be aware of today and what is ahead tomorrow. I learned this firsthand as my father was hurt in an accident at age 55 and never worked another day in his life until he passed at age 84. That life incident molded me into the man that I am today! It makes me live every day to the fullest, not look back and only think about tomorrow and not four years from now. In the marketing and branding end of the seedstock business I feel the same way. It is very important to “brand” your program to the level that you want to be known for. Of course, branding and saying is one thing, but living and breathing what you preach and say is another. If you are true to your comments and your beliefs, then what you promote will be spot on.

I have listed below a few of my favorite quotes that help bring my thoughts into perspective.

“Your brand is what other people say about you when you’re not in the room.”

~ Jeff Bezos

“Your premium brand had better be delivering something special, or it’s not going to get the business.”

~ Warren Buffett

“If people like you, they will listen to you, but if they trust you, they’ll do business with you.”

~ Zig Zigler

“Every interaction, in any form, is branding.”

~ Seth Godin

“Brand is just a perception, and perception will match reality over time.”

~ Elon Musk

Branding and promoting your program are the most important things you can do once your genetics are in place and you have items to offer for sale in the future. Starting far enough in advance to get the word out and promotion started is crucial. As we approach some crazy and uncertain times in the real estate and stock market, as well as the cattle business, it is ever so important to stay in constant communication with your new and repeat customers. We need to always remember there are many options for the buyers to select their next breeding piece. So, as you promote your program, keeping in touch with the potential customers as they will be noticing what you have for sale is so important.

We just need to remember, “Every interaction, in any form, is branding” quoted by Seth Godin.

Let’s commit to making 2023 the best it can be

Sincerely, Randall O. Ratliff Ratliff & Co.

Wilder Family Limousin-

Since 1912, the Wilder Family has cultivated the land in the Brazos Valley of Texas. J. Earl Porter started farming cotton near Snook, Texas—outside of College Station, Texas, the home of Texas A&M University—not knowing his endeavor would continue on for 100 more years.

“We still farm today,” Jay Wilder, J. Earl Porter’s great-grandson and owner of Wilder Family Limousin said. “For about 65 years, it was primarily just a cotton farm. In the early 1970s, we transitioned into growing grain and crops other than cotton, and added some cattle as well.”

What started as a stocker operation with a mix of breeds, has transformed into a large commercial cow-calf operation in conjunction with a registered herd. Wilder Family Limousin, owned by Jay and his wife Molly, runs approximately 100 head of purebred Limousin and Lim-Flex cattle. The commercial cow-calf operation and farming operation is under J&J Cattle Co., which is co-owned by Jay and his father, Joe.

“We got started with the Limousin breed when I was showing in 4-H and FFA in the early 1980s,” Jay said. “We got started with the Peterson Family out of South Dakota, and it kind of took off from there.”

Dr. Jim Mazurkiewicz, the Brazos County extension agent of the time, knew some cattle folks in the South Dakota region. He took Jay, Joe and another family up there to look for some show cattle to get started with. They looked at Red Angus, Maines and other breeds while up there. But when the Wilders met the Petersons they decided Limousin was the breed for them.

“It would have been just as easy back then to have gone with Red Angus or Angus,” Jay said. “But that relationship with the Peterson family really made all the difference. They have helped us and guided us along the way. So, we just stuck with that. Plus, it is a great breed.”

Over the years, Jay has worked to further refine his own purebred herd and bring out the best of the Limousin breed. He believes in developing the breed to be a top-notch, desirable product on the commercial side and in the show ring.

“It is crazy to look at pictures, from the mid-80s when I was showing cattle, and see where we are today,” Jay said. “I like the cattle that we have today, and have worked hard at getting them to this point”

Jay actively works to fight the old stigma associated with the Limousin breed that the cattle are fine-boned, have a round rump, and are poor milking with a bad disposition. The success of Wilder Family Limousin easily counters that stigma.

“If I have a product that I can’t sell, then why would I be raising it,” Jay deliberated. “I don’t want anything with a bad disposition or can’t produce enough milk to take care of a calf. We are trying to get the best genetic traits we can get in our herd to have a quality product to sell.”

Another chapter of the Wilder Family Limousin is just beginning. Jayce and Spencer graduated from Texas A&M University—just like their parents Jay and Molly did—and went to work full-time with Wilder Family Limousin and J&J Cattle Co. The boys have always been a part of the operation. While in college, they traveled back and forth from Snook to College Station to help whenever they could.

-J&J Cattle Co. It’s A Family

by Caitlin Richards

In 1996, the fifth generation of Wilder Family Limousin and J&J Cattle Co., Jayce, and twin brother, Spencer, were born. As the twins got older, they too began showing Limousin cattle like their dad had. Busy with the twins playing baseball and football, and their other extracurricular activities, Jay knew he needed some help. And the help he found ended up being one of the best things for Wilder Family Limousin.

“The boys were in everything they could be in,” Jay said. “It got to the point where I couldn’t do it all. I called a professor friend of mine at Texas A&M University, Dr. David Forrest, and asked him if he knew of anybody to help me with the boys’ show heifers.”

While working on his master’s degree at Texas A&M University, Levi Douglas agreed to help the Wilders out and ended up signing

up for more than he imagined. Limousin cattle is also what Levi grew up showing and raising in Miami, Oklahoma. His grandfather was Don O’Brien, who was one of the founding members of the Limousin breed and had a Limousin bull sale for more than 40 years.

“I went out there the first time, clipped some steers and Jay said, ‘man, you’ve shown Limousin cattle before,’” Levi recalled. “I told him, that is what I grew up with, and anytime he ever needed anything or wanted to talk about anything to give me a shout.”

That was nearly 10 years ago now, and Levi is still working with Jay to help grow Wilder Family Limousin, all while advancing the Limousin breed. Both Jay and Levi consider themselves

“They (Jayce and Spencer) are the fifth generation and the farm has been in the family for 107 years now,” Jay said. “We are a Texas Department of Agriculture Family Land Heritage Honoree for being established for 100 years. My dad has challenged my boys to get it to the 150-year mark. So, hopefully we can keep it all together and get there.”

“We got started with the Limousin breed when I was showing in 4-H and FFA in the early 1980s.”

continued from page 27

lucky to have found one another to work with. From helping Jayce and Spencer in the show ring, to making buying decisions for Wilder Family Limousin, they have done a lot together.

“I put him right there on the line with the Peterson family for all he has done for us,” Jay said. “We couldn’t have done it without him helping us, and he still continues to help us in so many ways today.”

Working with the Wilders wasn’t a hard sell for Levi. He has enjoyed working with the family just as much as they have. The Wilder family has impacted Levi’s life, and he is grateful to have learned from them along the way, while working alongside them.

“I am blessed they came into my life,” Levi said. “They are amazing people and are committed to whatever they are a part of. Whether it is the Limousin breed, farming, showing cattle or raising money for the local 4-H and FFA chapters.”

Another chapter of the Wilder Family Limousin is just beginning. Jayce and Spencer graduated from Texas A&M University—just like their parents did—and went to work full-time with Wilder Family Limousin and J&J Cattle Co. The boys have always been a part of the

operation. While in college, they traveled back and forth from Snook to College Station to help whenever they could.

“They are the fifth generation and the farm has been in the family for 107 years now,” Jay said. “We are a Texas Department of Agriculture Family Land Heritage Honoree for being established for 100 years. My dad has challenged my boys to get it to the 150-year mark. So, hopefully we can keep it all together and get there.”

Wilder Family Limousin is a family operation at its core. Only one employee is not family, and really, he is like family. The Limousin breed is the same way, in their opinion. It is a big family. From the Petersons in South Dakota to Levi, and the many other families they have met along the way, they all have made a positive impact on Wilder Family Limousin.

“The friendships we have developed all over the country wouldn’t have been possible without the Limousin organization,” Jay said. “There are so many others I haven’t mentioned. We all support each other and invest in each other on behalf of the breed. It is pretty neat.”

Editor’s Note: Reprinted with permission from the North American Limousin Foundation.

Wilder Family Limousin, owned by Jay and his wife, Molly, runs approximately 100 head of purebred Limousin and Lim-Flex cattle with the help of their twin sons, Jayce and Spencer. The commercial cow-calf operation and farming operation is under J&J Cattle Co., which is co-owned by Jay and his father, Joe.

In 1996, the fifth generation of Wilder Family Limousin and J&J Cattle Co., Jayce, and twin brother, Spencer, were born. As the twins got older, they too began showing Limousin cattle like their dad had.

L e v e r a g e S h i f t

by Wes Ishmael

Drought, the pandemic and other market shocks over the last few years disrupted cattle flow and beef production, masking year-over-year declines of feeder calf supplies. Now, it appears fed cattle marketing is current as cattle numbers dwindle. Feedlot inventories appear to have peaked, and cattle slaughter should begin to decline in the next several months, explained Derrell Peel, Extension livestock marketing specialist at Oklahoma State University, in his late-November weekly market comments.

“On October 1, 2022, the inventory of heifers in feedlots was higher than the previous year, with the heifer percentage of total feedlot inventories the highest in 21 years,” Peel said. “The number of heifers in feedlots should begin to decline and will drop sharply when herd rebuilding begins. Feedlot inventories are beginning to reflect the fact that feeder cattle supplies have been declining since 2019.”

Total October placements of 2.1 million head were 138,000 head fewer than a year earlier (-6.1%) and the least for the month since the data series began in 1996, according to the monthly Cattle on Feed report. Cattle on feed November 1 of 11.7 million head were 242,000 head less (-2.0%) year over year.

Peel explained both the drought and lingering effects of the pandemic pushed peak feedlot numbers into this year, well beyond the 2018 cyclical peak in calf production.

“The pandemic in 2020 caused a backlog of cattle in feedlots and in the country. As a result, the estimated feeder supply on January 1, 2021 was higher than 2020,” Peel explained. “The drought in 2021 and 2020 caused cattle to be marketed earlier than usual and resulted in reduced heifer retention and increased heifer and cow slaughter in 2021 and 2022. Early marketing of cattle, reduced heifer retention and herd liquidation have kept feedlot inventories higher in 2022 and temporarily increased beef production. Beef production is projected at a record large 28.4 billion lbs. in 2022 as a result of the highest total cattle slaughter in 15 to 20 years.”

The first week of December, Peel pointed out weekly beef production was 1% less year over year, the first weekly decline in about 11 months. That will likely be the rule rather than the exception for the next couple of years, as beef cow numbers continue to decline and then more heifers are retained for herd expansion.

Declining cattle numbers finally catch up to the market.

“The pandemic in 2020 caused a backlog of cattle in feedlots and in the country.”

continued from page 30

Year-to-date beef cow and beef heifer slaughter represent the steepest decline of female beef cattle inventories in more than three decades with beef cow slaughter 12.3% higher year over year, according to Peel at the end of November.

“If beef cow slaughter were to decline to equal year-ago levels for the remaining weeks of the year, total beef cow slaughter for the year would be up 10.5% year over year,” Peel explained. “This would be a net beef cow herd culling rate of 13.1% for the year, a new record level. The actual culling rate is likely to be a little higher.”

Early-release tables for USDA’s Agricultural Projections report from the Economic Research Service ERS project the beef cow inventory to be 1.1 million head fewer year over year when the new year begins at about 29 million head. That would be 3.6% less than the same time a year earlier. ERS projects the nation’s beef cow herd declining another 387,000 head (-1.3%) to 28.6 million head by January 1, 2024 before rebounding back to 29.1 million head January 1, 2025. From there, the herd grows slowly to 31.3 million head at the beginning of 2032.

New Consumer Eating Patterns

First the pandemic and now consumer price inflation continue to disrupt what were once fairly predictable consumer eating behaviors according to Eating Patterns in America from the NPD Group (NPD).

“The rate of change in U.S. consumers’ eating behaviors continues at a dizzying pace,” says David Portalatin, NPD food industry advisor and author of Eating Patterns in America. “Anyone hoping to return to normal must understand that there is no normal, only an ongoing evolution as we respond to new realities.”

Portalatin points to six macro themes currently shaping the new realities of food and beverage consumption behaviors: economic transition, inflation, income bifurcation, sticky behaviors, total wellness, and the return to convenience.

Economic transition: Consumer spending in 2020 and 2021 experienced a stimulus-fueled surge that extended into the first quarter of 2022. But the spending spree ended by the second quarter when stimulus money dried up, and inflation and economic uncertainty took hold. The positive and negative disruptions of the past few years may mean year-over-year economic metrics aren’t as straightforward as they’d ordinarily be in explaining the consumer’s health.

Inflation: Consumers are unlikely to reduce food and beverage consumption in the face of inflationary pressure. But they will find ways to manage and allocate their food dollars. While inflation is more moderate for food away from home than food at home, the typical restaurant meal costs 3.4 times more than in-home food sourced from retail. To offset rising food costs, consumers are bargain-hunting when grocery shopping, eating more meals at home, and cutting back on restaurant visits.

Income bifurcation: One of the key themes currently shaping the food and beverage landscape is the difference in behaviors among

Total cattle inventory in the projections decline 2.5 million head this year (-2.7%) to 89.4 million head and another 800,000 head next year (-0.9%) to 88.6 million head at the beginning of 2024.

“With drought continuing, it is not clear what to expect for cow and heifer slaughter going forward,” Peel said. “It seems likely that many producers have adjusted herd inventories, given hay and feed supplies, to be able get through the winter. This might mean that cow culling will slow down through the winter. If La Niña persists next spring, more liquidation can be expected going into the next growing season.”

Cattle Prices Flex Higher

Although high input costs and bearish outside markets limited the pace of increase, cash calf and feeder cattle prices shifted higher in November as buyers competed for a narrower supply of cattle.

In December’s monthly Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook, USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) projected the average feeder steer price (750-800 lbs., Oklahoma City) to be $177/cwt. in

income groups. Trends of upper- and lower-income consumers are starkly divergent. In the food and beverage industry, income bifurcation has profound implications for the total share of stomach trends, retailer and restaurant choice, dealing and promotions and brands vs. private labels.

Sticky behaviors: Many eating behaviors adopted during the pandemic reflect a rapid acceleration of behaviors established long before the pandemic, like consumers eating most meals at home. Food and beverage behaviors may continue to “normalize,” but the consumer landscape has been transformed as consumers created new capacities and restaurant operators expanded capabilities to serve a more home-centric consumer.

Total wellness: Due to the pandemic, consumers are finding a balance between foods that contribute to physical well-being and those that serve more emotional needs. They’re increasingly in tune with the functional attributes of various foods and beverages that can contribute to both sides of this equation.

Return to convenience: While home-centricity remains more prevalent, the return of mobility reintroduced the need for speed and convenience. For some occasions, this means a trip to a quick service restaurant, but for others, consumers want to retain their new at-home capacity, just with some shortcuts or time-saving techniques.

“America’s eating patterns are shifting to adjust to new realities, and food manufacturers, foodservice operators and retailers will need to adjust their offerings and services accordingly,” Portalatin says. “Although the one constant is change, there is a constant to count on, the U.S. consumer will always need to eat, and then it’s a matter of figuring out what, how, when and where.”

Kiley McKinna - (402)350-3447

Wiley Fanta - (320)287-0751

the first quarter of 2023, $190 in the second quarter and $214.00 in the third quarter for an annual average price of $201.25. The annual average this year was projected to be $165.68.

“After nearly three months of feeder cattle prices averaging around $174/cwt., tighter supplies of feeder steers likely helped support higher prices in November and early December,” said ERS analysts. “Lower projected corn prices for the fourth quarter also likely supported firm feedlot demand.”

Higher expected sale prices and moderating cost of gain were expected to exceed the higher cost of feeder cattle, leading to positive cattle feeding returns through August, according to December’s Historical and Projected Kansas Feedlot Net Returns from Kansas State University (K-State).

Projected returns for steers ranged from $8.06 per head in July to $245.86 in May of this year. Feeding cost of gain ranges from $116.23/cwt. in August to $138.34 in December (2022).

Projected returns for heifers ranged from -$35.01 per head in July — the only month of negative returns in the series — to $237.15 in May. Feeding cost of gain ranged from $127.18/cwt. in June to $146.43 in December (2022).

Glynn Tonsor, K-State agricultural economist, who prepares the monthly feedlot outlook, emphasized the projection process reflects a cash basis with no price risk management.

ERS reduced the projected 2022/23 season-average corn price received by producers by 10¢ to $6.70/bu., in the December World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE). That was based on lower projected exports, increased ending stocks and current prices.

Also in the December WASDE, ERS projected the five-area direct weighted average fed steer price at $153.00/cwt. in the first quarter of 2023, $154 in the second and $155 in the third quarter for an annual average of $155.50. This year’s annual average price was estimated to be $144.15.

ERS analysts explained the negotiated cash fed steer price the first week of December (five-area) averaged $156.42/cwt., the highest weekly price for any December since 2014.

“Saturday slaughter volumes in early December are lighter than last year at this time and may portend a slight pullback from relatively high fed cattle prices through the end of the year,” ERS analysts said. “Estimated slaughter in early December suggests a slowing year-over-year pace of fed cattle slaughter. The slower expected pace is carried over into early 2023, as a portion of expected fed cattle marketings were shifted from the first to the second quarter. Heavier expected carcass weights in fourth-quarter 2022 are also carried over into early 2023.”

Record-large Beef Production in 2022

Increased beef cow slaughter, reduced beef heifer slaughter and other disruptions mentioned at the outset helped boost U.S. beef production to a record level last year, estimated at 28.42 billion lbs. In the December WASDE, ERS projected 2023 beef production at 26.27 billion lbs. This would be a staggering 2.14 billion lbs. less (-7.5%) than the 2022 estimate.

“The price of beef at all levels is expected to be supported the next few years as the domestic beef supply is expected to decline due to fewer breeding females,” said Andrew P. Griffith, agricultural economist at the University of Tennessee, in his late-November weekly market comments. “However, if inflation slows or consumers transition discretionary spending away from beef, then those factors will pressure prices lower.”

Although 30¢/lb. less than a year earlier, Griffith pointed out the average all fresh retail beef price in October was $7.25/lb. For perspective, he said the price in 2019 was $5.80/lb.

“Seasonal tendencies have the ability to push retail prices higher or lower from month to month but strong demand and inflation are what have pushed prices to the levels experienced in 2022,” Griffith explained.

Along the way, consumers are changing what were once fairly predictable eating patterns, according to the NPD Group (see New Consumer Eating Patterns).

U.S. Beef Exports on Record Pace

International demand for U.S. beef remained resilient and on a record pace through October, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

October beef exports totaled 125,466 metric tons (mt.), which was 8% more than a year earlier. Export value was $929.8 million, down 3% from the large total reported in October 2021.

In the first 10 months of 2022, beef export value increased 18% from last year’s record pace to reach $10.05 billion – topping $10 billion in a single year for only the second time. January-October export volume was 1.25 million mt., up 4% from a year ago. October beef export value equated to $424.82 per head of fed slaughter, down 3% from a year ago, but the January-October average was still up 17% to $459.50.

continued from page 35

“The October results were remarkable considering the headwinds facing U.S. beef, especially in our large Asian markets,” said Dan Halstrom, USMEF president and CEO. “Key currencies such as the Japanese yen and Korean won had sunk to their lowest levels in decades versus the U.S. dollar, which obviously affected importers’ buying power. COVID lockdowns in China were also a concerning factor, especially for buyers in the foodservice sector. But despite all that, U.S. beef still performed very well in Asia and achieved solid growth in North America and the Middle East. With some recent improvement in exchange rates, beef exports are well-positioned to surpass last year’s records.”

China/Hong Kong was the leading destination for U.S. beef in October, with export value topping $240 million. Export volume to Japan was steady with the previous year and shipments increased to South Korea, but export value to both markets was negatively impacted by slumping currencies. October beef exports achieved strong growth to the ASEAN, Middle East and Canada.

ERS and USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) projected total 2023 U.S. agricultural exports at $190.0 billion, in the latest quarterly Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade. Beef exports were forecast $500 million higher than in 2022 at $10.3 billion on increased higher unit values with expectations domestic beef production will decline.

“The global economic outlook for calendar year 2023 remains uncertain due to inflation, changing monetary policy conditions,

Reflections on

and trade disruptions caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” explained ERS-FAS analysts. “Previous growth projections are moderated due to tempered economic growth in Europe and North America.”

World real gross domestic product (GDP) was projected at 3.2% for 2022, unchanged from the previous forecast. For 2023, however, global GDP was forecast 0.2% lower at 2.7%.

Projected U.S. GDP for 2022 was pegged 0.6% lower at 1.7%. Forecast 2023 U.S. GDP was unchanged at 1.0%.

“Inflation continues to be a global concern and central banks around the world are continuing their monetary tightening cycles to combat rising inflation rates, with the notable exception of China which has maintained a loose monetary policy,” according to ERS-FAS analysts.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Wes Ishmael has been involved with livestock publications since 1983. Wes grew up in Colorado and has always been in and around the livestock business. He now lives in Benbrook, Texas.

THANK YOU to all of our Limousin friends for the calls, texts and cards following dad’s passing in October. We’re grateful for the memories he made and the friendships he forged over 50 years in the Limousin breed! Our world has changed forever, but one thing that hasn’t changed is our passion and commitment to the beef industry! Look us up in the Yards and on the Hill at the 2023 National Western Stock Show!

Kevin Ochsner & Family, 970-396-5525 • Stratton Wotowey, Herdsman 970-222-1984

a life, a legacy and a dream that lives on…

FOXHILLFARM JASPER

All Beyond Compare.

WILODGE CERBERUS

BRAVEHEART

Lathrop Trucking

From Coast To Coast

by Megan Silveira

The numbers on the odometer ticked upwards even as the speedometer stayed consistent. Out the windshield, miles of pavement stretched into the horizon, yellow lines dashing in the same direction. Out behind the truck and trailer, the same view reached as far as the eye glancing to the rearview mirror could see.

When Cliff Lathrop first transported Angus cattle for his neighbors, he likely had no idea how many state boundaries he was about to cross. The original journey was mapped out from Cliff’s home farm in Illinois to Reno, Nevada, and back home.

A stop in Texas was added after the initial load of cattle were dropped off, and then another pin was dropped yet again in the Midwest. By the time Cliff made it back to the farm, he realized the hauling business wasn’t a bad place to be.

The family started Lathrop Trucking 72 years ago with only one truck in the lineup. Cliff’s son, Randy, and daughter, Peggi, are now at the helm of the industry’s premier purebred cattle trucking company.

The company focuses on private treaty contracts and production and dispersal sales. Their fleet has grown to seven drivers and trucks,

but the dedication to the purebred cattle sector is just as strong as it was when the operation was first founded.

Randy is the fourth generation to call his family farm home, and he comes from a line of dairy farmers. With so much experience in the family tree, Randy said he was set up to be passionate about the agriculture industry. After coming home from the service, Randy knew he wanted to be a part of his father’s trucking legacy.

Moving in the Modern World

It’s commonplace for a producer to buy an animal from the opposite side of the country in today’s market. Though the transaction is simple to make, the actual transportation of those animals can still be a tricky process.

That’s where Lathrop Trucking comes into the picture.

“The thing of it is, a person can go to different parts of the country and purchase the genetics they want to bring home,” Randy said. “Economically, I can move those cattle to their home a lot easier and at a lower cost.”

Vehicles capable of hauling a trailer and livestock are expensive, and mileage can add up. Fuel prices seem to always be on the rise, and cross-country trips with cattle can take days at a time.

For all of Lathrop Trucking’s clients, Randy said his wife, Holly, offers livestock insurance. Policies can be purchased for whole loads or individual animals.

Randy said all of these are factors that can make it difficult for a cattleman to go get those animals on their own time.

“I just know we try to make it as painless as possible,” Randy explains.

Though their business is built on a lot of repeat customers, Randy says it only takes a simple phone call to the office to schedule a transport. His drivers are scattered throughout the country, and Randy assigns them transports based on proximity.

Lathrop Trucking focuses on private treaty contracts and production and dispersal sales. Their fleet has grown to seven drivers and trucks, but the dedication to the purebred cattle sector is just as strong as it was when the operation was first founded.

The family started Lathrop Trucking 72 years ago with only one truck. Cliff Lathrop’s son, Randy, and daughter, Peggi, are now at the helm

As technology has changed, Randy says the business has gained a lot of traction. Cellphones have made it easier for him and his office staff to communicate with drivers. While on the road, drivers call twice a day – once in the morning and once at night – to update the rest of the team on their location.

He considers his team to be the nearly perfect size right now. Though Lathrop Trucking has had 10 drivers before, Randy said he won’t let it get any bigger than that.

“It’s a good number for us right now,” he explained.

Drivers are trained on how to handle traveling with livestock, and Randy helps call the shots when weather or distance can create a problem. Travel plans are made at the discretion of the buyer (rather than the seller), but Randy said his team offers guidance.

“Weather is the biggest challenge,” he said.

Snow, ice and sleet can make roads dangerous, and heat can create health problems for the livestock. Randy said there’s certain times of

“The thing of it is, a person can go to different parts of the country and purchase the genetics they want to bring home,” Randy said. “Economically, I can move those cattle to their home a lot easier and at a lower cost.”

day during each season where he won’t send his drivers out, and his staff helps make sure the cattle they’re moving have proper access to feed, water and shade.

Load sizes are first determined by weight – limits are in place that Randy and clients have to work together to abide by. The animal’s safety is another concern when planning a trailer load. Certain bulls should be kept in separate compartments while traveling, and calves should have a section of the trailer to themselves.

Sometimes a client’s request requires more than one trailer load. Experience in the industry has helped Randy have the wisdom to decide if the same driver should make multiple trips for a single client or if multiple trailers should be brought into a project.

The company’s reach goes beyond the typical American cattle rancher, however. As a USDA approved quarantine center, Lathrop Trucking has the ability to transport cattle to be exported to foreign countries. The center is at the same farm that Cliff originally inherited from Randy’s grandfather. However, it has been updated over the years to best fit the company’s needs.

For all of Lathrop Trucking’s clients, Randy said his wife, Holly, offers livestock insurance. Policies can be purchased for whole loads or individual animals.

“Some people are insurance minded,” Randy said. “They spend a lot of money on an animal, and you can insure them for a minimum of 90 days or up to a year. It’s renewable after that.”

In everything they do, it stems back to serving the cattlemen of the country. From coast to coast, Lathrop Trucking is ready to continue rolling the numbers up on their odometer while making the American rancher’s life a little bit easier as they work to improve their herd’s genetics.

of the premier purebred cattle trucking company.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Megan Silveira is a freelance writer originally from Denair, California. She is currently based in Saint Joseph, Missouri. She completed her graduate studies in agricultural communications from Oklahoma State University in May 2021.

by Krissa Welshans

USDA’s latest “Cattle on Feed” report revealed an inventory 3% below the same period last year. The feedlot inventory totaled 11.7 million head on December 1, 2022. This was the third consecutive monthly decrease in 2022, according to Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist Derrell Peel.

Placements in feedlots during November totaled 1.93 million head, down 2% from 2021, which Peel noted was a bit larger than expected. However, they were still down for the third consecutive month.

Marketings of fed cattle during November totaled 1.89 million head, 1% above 2021 and the highest for November since the series began in 1996, USDA noted.

According to Peel, drought pushed more cattle into feedlots earlier this year and kept feedlot totals higher for longer. Monthly inventories from February through June of 2022 were not only higher year over year but were at record monthly levels in the cattle on feed data series that began in 1996, he explained.

Feedlot inventories typically peak in the late fall or winter— December—and reach a seasonal low in late summer/early fall—

September. However, Peel pointed out that in 2021 and 2022, the seasonal peak has been in February with the low in August. In the past five years, the variation from the seasonal peak to the seasonal low has been about 890,000 head, about 8% of the average annual feedlot total.

Further, Peel said feedlot inventories decreased from November to December, which may signal the seasonal peak is already in place, “although it is too early to be sure.”

“The last time that December feedlot inventories were lower than November occurred in 2016,” he explained. “In that instance, feedlot inventories decreased in December and January before jumping higher to a belated peak in June 2017.”

Peel said he believes feedlot inventories will not likely move higher anytime in 2023 and that the November 2022 total may be the peak for many months.

“Time will tell.”

What is the Leonard Difference?

One of the reasons Leonard Limousin is different is because their purebred philosophy is built on one simple concept: When you buy a drill, it isn’t the drill you want, or even holes. You want what the hole can do for you. Leonards realized 50 years ago that when cattlemen buy bulls they don’t really want a bull, or even calves—it’s profits and success they are after. Every effort of Leonard Limousin is to see that those who buy breeding stock from us enjoy success. That’s why more than 80% of our bulls sell to repeat customers every year. Our unwavering commitment to the things that matter in beef production has kept us and our customers in business since 1969.

If you need an elite herd sire or groups of half brothers for a commercial operation, we can provide you proven feed conversion, growth rate and calm disposition genetics.

by Joshua Baethge

Appropriations Act of 2023. From money for conservation projects to aid for specific producers, the massive omnibus spending bill will significantly impact agriculture throughout 2023 and beyond.

Agriculture Secretary Tim Vilsack says the bill will deliver resources crucial to his department’s efforts to work on behalf of the American people.

“With increases in agricultural research and investments in rural development, this administration will continue to prioritize economic development and growth in rural America and put producers at the heart of solutions to climate change, including through our Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative, infrastructure, and fairer, more resilient food systems,” he said in a statement after the bill passed both chambers of Congress.

Assistance Targets Specific Industries

The appropriations bill allocates an additional $3.74 billion to offset crop losses due to droughts, wildfires, hurricanes or floods. Another $494.5 million was earmarked for livestock disaster losses.

USDA received $250 million to make one-time payments to rice producers who planted crops in 2022. According to an Agricultural and Food Policy Center Report, rising fertilizer prices led to a $62 per acre cost increase for rice farmers in 2022. A recent Texas A&M study concluded increasing fertilizer costs would affect the rice industry more than any other commodity. A second A&M report determined that the rise of input costs would make approximately two-thirds of rice farmers unprofitable in 2022.

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from page 44

An additional $1 million to research aflatoxin was also included in the bill. This issue has been a top priority of the National Corn Growers Association. A 2016 study estimated that the mycotoxin costs corn producers between $52.1 million and $1.68 billion in annual losses. The NCGA says it also harms disaster mitigation efforts and climate change initiatives.

Cotton producers who endured financial hits due to pandemic-related supply chain issues will be eligible to receive USDA payments. Those payments will come from a $100 million fund included in the spending bill. Textile demand plummeted during the height of the pandemic.

“This relief will help stabilize the cotton sector as many producers suffered devastating losses from this season’s extreme drought and other weather events and merchandisers who suffered economic loss during the COVID-19 pandemic,” National Cotton Council President Ted Schneider says.

Nutrition Programs Receive A Boost

Congress established a permanent Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer grocer card program. Families with eligible children will receive an additional $40 per month, per child for food. This is intended to help those who receive meals during the school year.

The omnibus appropriations bill also includes a provision allowing summer meal providers to use alternative program models, including “grab-and-go” meals in some rural areas.

According to statistics from nonprofit Feeding America, one in eight American children deal with hunger. Food security issues intensify during the summer when schools close.

“Establishing a nationwide Summer EBT program is a critical step forward to ensure every child in the U.S.—no matter their race, background or ZIP code—can access the food they need to thrive,” Feeding America Chief Government Relations Officer Vince Hall says. “By creating the first new, permanent federal nutrition program in nearly 50 years, lawmakers are acknowledging that our country needs long-term solutions, not just temporary pandemic assistance, to end child hunger.”

A related SNAP EBT Skimming Regulations and Reimbursement provision requires USDA to work with appropriate agencies and stakeholders to investigate reports of fraud like card skimming and cloning.

New Program To Address Climate Change

The Growing Climate Solutions Act establishes a program to provide technical assistant and verification for producers that participate in voluntary efforts to reduce greenhouse gasses and other steps to address climate change. This bill was originally passed by the Senate in June 2021, but never got anywhere in the House. It provides incentives for producers to voluntarily participate in environmental credit markets.

As part of the program, USDA will establish an advisory council to make recommendation regarding protocols and qualifications, best practices and voluntary environmental credit markets. The Department is required to publish a list of protocols and qualifications in addition to information on how entities can self-certify under the program. The USDA will also publish descriptions of how entities

may obtain necessary expertise, as well as instructions or suggestions to help them facilitate the development of agriculture or forest credits and access voluntary environmental credit markets.

The related SUTAINS Act allows corporations and private entities to help fund conservation projects. The USDA is authorized to match those donations.

Pesticide Registration Review Deadline Extended

Congress reauthorized the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act for the fifth time. It includes an increase in registration and maintenance fees to improve the regulatory process and provide additional access to funding. EPA will be required to improve its registration process. Manufacturers will be required to include bilingual labels on all products within eight years.

To address the current backlog of pesticide registration, the deadline for EPA to complete its registration review work has been extended to October 2026.

More Money For Conservation

Conservation proponents were pleased the omnibus included no mandatory farm bill spending cuts for programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Conservation Stewardship Program, the Regional Conservation Partnership Program and the Conservation Reserve Program.

The National Recourses Conservation Service was allocated $941 million to provide conservation technical assistance. This is a $40 million increase from last year’s budget. It will fund conservation districts and help producers assess needs, develop conservation plans and implement more effective conservations practices.

continued from page 48

The U.S. Forest Service State and Private Forestry Program was budgeted $337 million, $20 million more than last year. This program provides technical and financial aid to landowners and resource managers for sustainable forests and grasslands. It also authorizes funding for protecting communities from wildfires and restoring fireadapted ecosystems.

Other conservation programs receiving additional funding were the U.S Forest Service Forest Stewardship Program, the EPA Nonpoint Source Management Program and the NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection Program

National Association of Conservation Districts President Michael Crowder issued a statement applauding Congress for passing what he categorized as a strong federal spending bill that supports producers and conservation efforts across the country.

“It is now more important than ever that we provide producers and local conservation partners with the resources and tools they need to feed the world and be great stewards of our country’s working lands,” he said.

What’s Not In The Bill

Leaders from various segments of agriculture had been pushing for H-2A visa reforms to address labor shortages and rising labor costs. Their pleas were not enough to overcome political opposition to allowing more immigrant workers.

Colorado Senator Michael Bennet led a last-minute push to pass his Affordable and Secure Food Act that would have provided a pathway

to legal status for undocumented workers. National Council of Farmer Cooperatives President Chuck Conner called the failure to do anything to combat the current agriculture labor crisis profoundly disappointing.

“This is a lost opportunity for Congress to have addressed the labor crisis in agriculture that threatens the economic survival of farms and ranches across the country,” he said. “Producers will enter the new year facing a continued shortage of skilled workers combined with spiraling wage costs in the H-2A program. This failure to act will have long-term consequences that will impact agricultural policy for years to come.”

Next Steps

President Biden signed the appropriations bill shorty after it passed the House. It will fund the federal government through next September. While a majority Republicans voted against the bill, there were still enough Senators willing to cross the aisle and make a bipartisan agreement possible. Republican ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee Senator John Boozman, R-Ark., said he was pleased that both parties were able to come together and close the loop on several outstanding agriculture and nutrition concerns.

“We were able to secure relief for rice producers who have had a difficult year in the wake of soaring input costs which, as documented by two separate studies out of Texas A&M University, had a disproportionate impact on rice producers,” he said. “Additionally, I am particularly pleased to see the Growing Climate Solutions Act, which passed overwhelmingly in the Senate, was included, as well as a long overdue modernization of our summer meals program based on ideas I have championed for years.”

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2022 In Review

by James Mitchell University of Arkansas

This year was challenging for the livestock and poultry industries. High input prices, including agricultural chemicals, farm labor, feed and fuel, raised the cost of production. Severe drought led to accelerated herd liquidation and poor hay production for cattle producers. Logistical and transportation issues continue to pressure agricultural supply chains. Highly pathogenic avian flu has negatively impacted poultry and egg production. Despite these challenges, U.S. red meat and poultry production is projected to reach a record 107.5 billion pounds in 2022 (Dec WASDE).

The Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC) estimates 2022 cash costs for cow-calf producers at $963/cow or 13% higher year over year. The largest expenditure for cattle producers is harvested forage and feed. LMIC’s 2022/2023 season-average hay price is $160/ton, an increase of 9% compared to the 2021/2022 season-average price. Poor growing conditions this summer and expensive inputs contribute to these record-high hay prices. LMIC’s 2022/2023 average corn price is $7.00/bu, an increase of $1/bu compared to their 2021/2022 corn price. Feed costs tend to follow the corn market, and we will not see cheaper corn until at least the 2023/2024 marketing year.

Major cattle production regions have dealt with widespread drought since mid-2020. The Southeast has mostly avoided significant drought impacts. However, conditions this summer deteriorated rapidly. For example, in late June, only 15% of Arkansas pastures were rated as poor or very poor. By late July, USDA estimated that 75% of Arkansas pasture and range was poor or very poor. The rapid decline and pasture conditions brought large numbers of cows to market in the Southern Plains and Southeast.

Federally inspected beef cow slaughter will finish 12% higher year over year. Through 48 weeks, national beef cow slaughter totals 3.58 million head, and is the highest since 1996. Regionally, beef cow slaughter in Region 6 (AR, LA, NM, OK, & TX) totals 1.02 million head and represents 28% of the national total. These large slaughter totals will significantly affect cattle inventory numbers that USDA will release in January. We will see further tightening of cattle supplies and increasing prices in 2023.

Cattle markets improved in 2022, with prices at their highest since 2014-2015. In the Southern Plains (SP), fed steer prices averaged $141/ cwt., an increase of $20/cwt. compared to last year. SP prices for 500600 pound steers averaged $191/cwt. or 13% higher year over year. Despite large volumes of cull cows at markets, SP prices for 85-90% lean slaughter cows averaged $63/cwt., an increase of 17%.

T4 LIVESTOCK A Program With Vision

Our program’s vision has been developed through the lens of 20 years of feeding and marketing more than two million head of fed cattle. Based on this experience, our goal is to develop beef cattle that fit all facets of the industry. We produce cattle with the genotype and phenotype to excel in the show ring, pasture, feedlot and on the rail.

Stay tuned for updates about our breeding program via Limousin media outlets and T4 Livestock LLC f Your call and visit is always welcome.

Watch for our 2023 Production Sale

Tadd, Nan, Tyla & Trotter Thomas Sterling, CO Tadd, 970-590-3725 • Joel Hill, 970-520-0994

Cold Weather Nutrition For Beef Cows

by Dana Zook Oklahoma State University

Cattle producers know that cold temperatures mean extra supplements and hay may be needed. But how much extra are we talking about?

There are many things that impact the ability of cattle to tolerate cold and inclement weather, but haircoat and the amount of moisture present (rain, sleet, ice, snow) play the biggest roles. In addition, cattle in a body condition under five have less cold tolerance. All

So how much extra nutrition are we talking about? The Mesonet Cattle Comfort Advisor is an excellent tool for getting an idea of cold conditions and extra nutrition needed. According to the Mesonet Cattle Comfort Advisor, a cow’s energy requirement increases 1% for each degree the index is below 32°. This energy need would double to 2% if the animal is wet to the skin. A good energy value to refer to is total digestible nutrients or TDN. Let’s look at the forecast for a

If the temperature is 20° and there is no moisture, cattle will need an additional 12% energy to maintain body condition (32°-20° = 12°; 12°x 1%= 12% added energy). Cold plus moisture would cause the requirement to double to 24%.

So how much would producers need to feed gestating cows to meet this increased requirement? In the table below, supplements are listed according to the temperature and level of moisture. As the

temperatures decrease and moisture is added, more feed is required to maintain condition.

On a normal day, a producer feeding a low-quality prairie hay (6% protein; 52% TDN) would need to feed 3 pounds of a 20% cube or 1.6 pounds of a 38% supplement to meet requirements.

In certain situations where higher levels of supplement are fed, increasing feed allotments may cause some digestive upset if fed all at once. In these situations, it may be beneficial to increase slightly a few days before and then again a few days after the storm. Also, cows that are normally fed just twice or three times per week may benefit from feeding more often to distribute higher feeding levels. A higher quality hay can also bridge the energy gap in these situations, but it is helpful to know the hay quality to determine feeding level.

Kiley McKinna - (402)350-3447 Wiley Fanta - (320)287-0751 Randy Ratliff - (615)330-2735

TASF Crown Royal 960C x Pleasant Valley Elsa 1439 CE: 4(>95) BW: 2.5(90) WW: 81(15) YW: 122(25) MK: 21(45) CM: 2(>95) SC: 0.93(50) DC: 6(>95) YG: -0.12(65) CW: 50(10) RE: 0.77(40) MB: 0.21(45) $MI: 63(35) Act. BW: 93 lbs. • Adj. WW: 779

Phenotypically, Keystone is flawless. He is big-footed, relaxed in his pasterns and long-striding— all things sure to catch your eye. Numerically, he ranks in the top half of the breed or better in some of the most relevant traits in the industry— WW, YW, MK, SC, CW, RE, MB and $MI. His parents are both famed names in the show cattle industry and his full brother is TASF Heineken 405H, the $44,500 top-selling lot from the 2021 Thomas & Son Farms New Years Resolution Sale. If you seek a well-rounded AI sire to implement into your herd, here is your guy.

The Time To Prepare For A Drought Is When You Are Getting Rain, Not During The Drought.

by Mark Z. Johnson Oklahoma State University Extension

Ahh, the year of 2022! It was full of challenges for those of us in the cattle business. Drought, high input costs, excessive heat ... and more drought! As much as I would like to dismiss and forget the

past year, there are too many lessons to learn from 2022 that can make us better at the cattle business in the future. If the past year did not test your resilience and resourcefulness ... you must not have owned any cattle! As we look forward to 2023 and the opportunities that lie ahead, let’s reflect on what we can learn from 2022.

1.) The cattle business is based on having an available forage base that cattle can graze and turn into beef. The key to profitability is to find a long-term balance of input expenses and production levels. Without grazable forage, finding that balance is next to impossible.

2.) Prepare for drought when you are getting normal rainfall. Prepare for normal rainfall while you are in a drought. If you can manage to accomplish this, it prepares your operation to survive and positions you to financially capitalize on the opportunities that will present themselves in the form of low cattle inventories.

3.) Cattle are adaptive creatures. Although “you can’t starve a profit into a cow,” it is amazing what the ruminant digestive system can convert. If you are willing to do the math, know your cattle’s nutritional needs and are willing to try something new, there are innovative ways to maintain your cows.

4.) Proper culling methods to reduce inventories leave you with a better cowherd.

5.) It’s not just the cattle, remember to care for the soil and plants.

6.) The tough years can make you a better manager if you remember the lessons of 2022. I remain steadfast in my belief that good markets await those who can manage through this.

As the year begins, University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Patrick Davis urges cattle producers to evaluate their record-keeping system to determine if it was successful.

“Record-keeping starts with proper cattle identification,” Davis said. Two nationally known identification systems are the four-digit system and the letter and three-digit system.

The first number of the four-digit system represents the last digit of the calf’s birth year. The other numbers represent the calf’s birth order that year. For example, the 56th calf born in 2023 would be 3056. One problem with this system is the potential for duplication when there are cows in the herd that are 10 or more years old.

“The letter and three-digit system reduces potential cow identification duplication in the herd because it uses a letter to represent the year,” said Davis. The letter represents the year the calf was born and the three digits represent the calf birth order during

that year. For example, if L is the letter assigned to 2023, then L056 is the identification number for the 56th calf born in 2023. The letter changes yearly in sequential order, except I, O, Q and V are not used.

“For the identification system to be used properly in recordkeeping, the identification markings need to be permanent and easy to read,” said Davis. Suggested calf identification markings include ear tagging, ear tattooing and branding. Since tattooing and branding are permanent, Davis suggests these in addition to ear tagging. Ear tattooing is a little simpler to do and requires less preparation, so it is preferred over branding. For proper record-keeping, Davis suggests that ear tattooing and tagging be done as soon as possible after the calf is born.

“The record-keeping system should evaluate the entire cattle herd’s productivity so it can be useful in determining successes and problems within the cattle operation,” said Davis.

Pay attention to the breeding, calving and weaning seasons.

“Looking at cattle records as they relate to the breeding season is helpful in determining reproductive efficiency,” said Davis. Cattle producers should record the number of bred cows and heifers and compare that to the total number of cows and heifers that were exposed during the breeding season. This determines pregnancy percentage, which indicates the reproductive efficiency of the cattle operation.

After calving, determine calving percentage by comparing the number of cows with live calves to the number of cows and heifers that were exposed during the previous breeding season. This measurement evaluates calf death loss due to dystocia (calving difficulty), spontaneous abortion or other reproductive health problems.

“Multiple records and analysis can be used to evaluate cow herd productivity at weaning time,” said Davis. First, look at weaning percentage by comparing the number of weaned calves by the number

of animals exposed during the previous breeding season. This evaluates calf death loss from calving to weaning.

There are multiple ways to analyze calf weaning weight as it relates to cattle herd productivity. These include:

• Comparing pounds of weaned calves per cows exposed during the breeding season tells producers thier herd’s productivity.

• Comparing calf weaning weight to cow body size at weaning. This is an indicator of how productive each cow is, which can be very useful for identifying productive females that should be retained and poor-producing females that should be removed to improve herd productivity.

Contact your local extension livestock specialist for more information on how to use a cow record-keeping system to make your cattle operation successful.

AUCTIONEER: Matt Lowery • 308-750-6119

SALE MANAGEMENT: Mike & Heather Marlow • 405-880-0108 mmarlow@purebeefgenetics.com

SALE CONSULTANT:

KILEY McKINNA • 402-350-3447 WILEY FANTA • 320-287-0751 mcmarketingsales@aol.com

by Alison Jones NALF Director of DNA Processing & Accounting Operations

As I write this, I can’t believe 2023 is right around the corner. I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and are ready to take the new year head-on. I am very excited to see a lot of you in Oklahoma City at Cattlemen’s Congress, as well as in Denver for the National Western Stock Show. Regardless of where you are traveling, there will be plenty of high quality genetics on display.

Last month I had the privilege of attending the International Genetic Solutions meeting held here in Denver. It was a fantastic experience meeting with some of the industry’s top minds and looking toward the future. The amount of work and commitment that comes from every one of them is remarkable, and I was truly honored to get to share a meeting room with them. Whether these individuals work for Simmental, raise Red Angus, live here in the states or abroad, they are all striving for the same goal: the betterment of the beef industry. Everyone leaves their breed and their brand at the door to

look at the big picture. I left feeling inspired about the progress we’ve made, excited for what lies ahead, and proud to work in the field of agriculture that I love so much.

The Limousin breed has come a long ways, especially in the last 10 years. The seedstock we are producing today is the best it has ever been, and I look forward to those sale catalogs hitting my mailbox in the coming months. I’ve spoken on this plenty of times, but as seedstock producers, are you taking advantage of the best practices you can to produce the best animals you can? Each operation is unique, and only you as a producer know what is best for your cow herd and your bottom line.

In their Fall 2022 issue of SimTalk, Drs. Jackie Atkins, Matt Spangler, Bob Weaber and Wade Shafer list the best practices for

APART”

Seedstock Producers to receive the most accurate genetic predictions. I’d like to go over a few:

1. Clearly define your breeding objectives. If you aren’t sure what your goals are, how can you improve? Make sure you stick to your game plan and are making the selection decisions to go with it.

2. If you have been considering joining the LIMS program, do it! Whole Herd Reporting holds you accountable for complete and unbiased collection. By reporting data on every animal in the herd, this allows the top end of your calf crop to really stand out.

3. Make sure your contemporary groups are properly defined. Animals treated uniformly need to be grouped together. Inaccurate reporting of contemporary groups can lead to bias in the calculation of EPDs, reducing the efficiency of our selection tools. (If you have any questions regarding contemporary grouping in Digital Beef, please get in touch with me.)

4. Take pride in your data collection and reporting accuracy. Genomic testing is very important, but it cannot take the place of phenotypic data, which is an integral component to the genetic evaluation. Every calf in every contemporary group should have an accurately measured phenotype. Digital Beef allows you to designate whether birth weights were taken on a scale, with hoof tape, or an estimate, and will adjust data accordingly to be represented in the genetic evaluation.

5. Make data collection for economically-relevant traits a high priority. This is an area where IGS would like to see significant improvement. If a female leaves the herd, mark her with the appropriate disposal code.

6. Use index-based selections when it comes to making selection decisions. This not only helps you as a breeder, but also your commercial clientele. Keep an eye out for new tools that NALF can put out in the upcoming months!

7. Use genomics! When used correctly with phenotypic data, adding a genomic test to your decision is equivalent to 25+ calvingease scores, 22 birth weights, 25+ weaning weights, 25+ yearling weights, stayability records on 15 daughters, six carcass weights, 10 marbling scores and eight ribeye area measurements. If you are considering utilizing an animal in your herd, or marketing one, the $57 will be well worth.

Every operation is different, and what works for you may not work for someone across the country. I challenge you to take a look at your operation and see which of these you can improve upon. In today’s economy, it may not be feasible to genomically test every animal, but even something as simple as sitting down and re-evaluating your program’s goals could help paint a clearer picture of your operation.

I encourage you to reach out to me with any questions, and I look forward to seeing many of you at our

Thank you to Lawrence Family Limousin, West Texas A&M University Animal Science Department, City of Amarillo and the Texas Limousin Association and to Sullivan Supply for hosting and inviting the North American Limousin Junior Association Board of Directors to their operations and facilities for board meetings.

If you would like to host the NALJA Board of Directors and/or give them a tour for one of their board meetings, reach out to a board member or the junior advisor, Mallory at Mallory@NALF.org.

JUNIOR SCENE

by Shelby Hubbard NALJA President

“I

ntegrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking.”

I was reminded of that quote many times growing up by my parents, specifically when it came to working animals in the barn, all while maintaining a social life. I remember many cold winters I would have a barn full of sheep and heifers on feed, numerous basketball games a week, and several FFA functions to attend. Life was busy and if I am being completely honest, I wanted to give half effort at times. Some nights I would only wash one heifer or only put the lambs on the treadmill for half the time, but this did not get me far. I thought to myself, if no one is down here watching me then no one will ever know.

I like to say with my older age I have learned more and more. In high school, during those winters, I soon realized the amount of work I would put in went hand-in-hand with the amount of success I would have. At the end of the day, you will notice your hard work paying off, whether that is in a week or 20 years, eventually, your hard work and integrity will pay off.

Juniors, I challenge you to put your nose down and work harder even on those difficult days, because one day you will be like me attending my last set of shows as a junior.

We hope to see you at the 2023 National Junior Limousin Show and Congress! The NALJA board had an incredible fall board meeting in Dunlap, Iowa, which was hosted by the Sullivan family and Sullivan Supply. We are incredibly blessed to have industry leaders and breeders that host us for our board meetings.

Stay tuned for more information regarding the new events coming to the 2023 Junior Nationals. Invite your friends, it will be one that you don’t want to miss.

Work Hard. Have Integrity. Stay Humble.

SALES & EVENTS

JANUARY

2 National Limousin Sale, Oklahoma City, OK 2 Genetics on Ice Benefit Auction, Oklahoma City, OK 3 Lawrence Family Limousin Cattlemen’s Congress Online Heifer Sale, L365Auctions.com 10 The Keystone Syndication Sale, L365Auctions.com 13 Straight’s “Friday The 13th” Elite Online Sale, SC Online Sales 14 Hunt Limousin Bull Sale Preview & Customer Appreciation Days, Oxford, NE 17 Becky Craig Online Bull Sale, L365Auctions.com 19 The Elite Kardashian’s Sale Of 2023, L365Auctions.com 23 Bullis Creek Generations of Predictability Bull Sale, Wood Lake, NE 28 ATAK Limousin New Year’s Resolution Sale, Avon, IL 31 Hunt Limousin Ranch Heritage Online Bull Sale, L365Auctions.com

FEBRUARY

S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

3 Black Hills Stock Show Limousin Show & Sale, Rapid City, SD 9 Rust Mountain View Ranch “Ace in the Hole” Bull Sale, Mercer, ND 9 Venner Limousin “Nine Plus 1” Online Sale, L365Auctions.com 11 Treftz “Where Muscle Still Matters” Annual Bull Sale, Wetonka, SD 15 Vaughn Farms Limousin Production Sale, Napoleon, ND 16 ROM’N Limousin Online Bull Sale, L365Auctions.com 18 GV Limousin Annual Production Sale, Garnett, KS 19 Spring Creeks Cattle Co. Annual Bull Sale, Fennimore, WI 23 Symens Brothers Annual Production Sale, Amherst, SD 24 Wieczorek Limousin Annual Bull Sale, Mt Vernon, SD 25 Lonely Valley Limousin Annual Bull Sale, Creston, NE 27 JYF Annual Production Sale, Flintoft, SK, Canada

MARCH 2023

FEBRUARY 2023 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 26 27 28 29 30 31 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

S M T W T F S 1 30 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 APRIL 2023 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 29 30 31 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 JANUARY 2023

MARCH

1 Beckman Livestock Annual Bull Sale, Roberts, ID 2 J6 Farms Annual Bull & Female Sale, Gibbon, NE 4 Linhart Limousin Business Done Right Bull Sale, Leon, IA 6 Buck Ridge Inaugural Production Sale, Seymour, MO 9 Edleman Pride of the Prairie Production Sale, Willow Lake, SD 11 Coyote Hills Ranch & Friends Annual Bull Sale, Chattanooga, OK 14 Route 66’s “Highway To Success I” Sale, L365Auctions.com 18 Reynolds Land & Cattle Annual Production Sale, Sanford, CO 18 Balamore Farm, Ltd. Bull & Female Sale, Great Village, NS, Canada 24 KOLT Cattle Co. Red Dirt Divas Sale, Marietta, OK 25 Conley Cattle Spring Production Sale, Sulphur, OK 25 Pembrook Cattle Co. Spring Production Sale, Fairview, OK 29 2023 Davis Ranches Limousin & Lim-Flex Online Sale, L365Auctions.com 30 Minor Limousin Inaugural Online Sale Event, L365Auctions.com

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office 605.234.4214 mobile 605.730.4214

310 sorensen drive » po box 498 chamberlain, sd 57325 chisum@petersonlandauction.com petersonlandauction.com

ADVERTISERS INDEX

American Cattle Services 70

ATAK Limousin ........................................................................... 25

Becky Craig Cattle ....................................................................... 34

Begert Limousin Ranch 7

Black Hills Stock Show................................................................. 60

Booth, C.K. “Sonny” 70

Buck Ridge Cattle Co. 67

Bullis Creek Ranch ....................................................................... 35

Coleman Limousin Ranch 11

Coyote Hills Ranch ...................................................................... 31

Cunningham, Ronn ..................................................................... 70

Davis Ranches 19

Dorran, Ryan ............................................................................... 70

Edleman Ranch ............................................................................ 45

Edwards Land & Cattle IBC

Excel Ranches............................................................................... 56

Glendenning J Bar J 5

Goss Limousin 37

Grassroots Genetics ...................................................................... 17

GV Limousin 41

Hager Cattle Co. 42

Heartland Limousin Association .................................................. 48

Hunt Limousin Ranch 69

J&J Cattle Co. ............................................................................... 9

J6 Farms ....................................................................................... 61

KLS Farms 22

Lawrence Family Limousin ....................................................... OBC

Lenape Cattle Co. 51

Leonard Limousin & Angus 43

Limousin365 ................................................................................ 55

Linhart Limousin 2, 57

Lonely Valley Seedstock 21

Lowderman, Cody ....................................................................... 70

Magness Land & Cattle .................................................................. 3 MC Marketing Management 13

Minor Limousin ........................................................................... 33

Misty Morning Limousin 15 North American Limousin Foundation 49, 58

North American Limousin Junior Association .............................. 65

Oschner Limousin 36 P Bar S Ranch IFC Peterson, Chisum ......................................................................... 70

Peterson’s L7 Bar Limousin 50 R&R Marketing ........................................................................... 29

Rafter DP Farm & Ranch ............................................................ 47

Red Rock Limousin 63

Reynolds Land & Cattle ............................................................... 64

ROM’N Limousin ....................................................................... 62

Running Creek Ranch 8

Smith, Mark - Liberty Mutual Insurance ...................................... 70 Spring Creeks Cattle Co. 66 Straight Limousin 44

Symens Brothers ........................................................................... 18

T4 Livestock 53

Thomas & Son Farms .................................................................. 59

Torgerson Farms ........................................................................... 57

Treftz Limousin 72

Vaughn Farms Limousin .............................................................. 16

Venner Family Limousin ............................................................. 54 Wieczorek Limousin 23 Wilder Family Limousin ................................................................ 9 Wulf Cattle 1

We will be selling 34 elite fall yearling bulls in this sale. Many are homozygous polled and homozygous black with complete performance, ultrasound and genomically enhanced EPDs available. We hope you plan to attend this reputable sale that will offer a total of 90 Lim-Flex Bulls. 75 Fall Yearlings

Spring Yearlings Tune in to our elite online show heifer sale during the 2023 Cattlemen’s Congress. They represent our program’s very best in terms of popular bloodlines, phenotype and structural soundness. They sell Jan. 3, 2023 L365Auctions.com Call anytime for more information.