Volume 11, Issue 2
Spring 2009 INSIDE... Breeding-Soundness Exams Ensure Success Manage bull fertility to have a successful breeding program.
Manage Genetic Abnormalities Genomics technology and thoughtful management will mitigate the adverse effects of genetic defects.
Trends Demonstrate Breed Improvement The genetic merit of registered Limousin and Lim-Flex® cattle continues to improve.
NALF Recognizes Top Marketers Dedication, innovation and service describe this year’s Limousin commercial marketing award winners.
Recession Rewrites the Rules By Kent Andersen
Good Nutrition Is Vital for Efficient Reproduction Most reproductive failures in beef cows are attributable to thin body condition.
Bottom Line is published three times per year by the North American Limousin Foundation, 7383 S. Alton Way, Suite 100, Centennial, Colorado 80112; (303) 220-1693; fax: (303) 220-1884; www.nalf.org Executive Vice President Kent Andersen, Ph.D., Ext. 120 Dir. of Member & Commercial Relations Frank Padilla, Ext. 123 Dir. of Performance Programs Lauren Hyde, Ph.D., Ext. 140 Dir. of Communications Brad Parker, Ext. 117
The economy is upside-down and so are elements of the beef trade and determinants of carcass value. Whether these are shortlived aberrations or signs that long-held paradigms are shifting, the current landscape provides fodder for debate. If the Choice–Select spread is relatively narrow for years to come, will a quest for greater carcass yield mean similar emphasis between muscle and marbling? Will that lead to greater demand for Continental, including Limousin, genetics? One of the givens listed in the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NBCA) Long Range Plan is “demand growth.” The plan aims to “continue addressing the beefdemand drivers – food safety, nutrition, convenience, taste, positive eating experiences and value.” With the global economic upheaval and consumers pinched to the breaking point, value has taken center stage. The American Meat Institute (AMI) and
the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) recently released the fourth edition of their joint consumer survey, The Power of Meat. According to the latest survey, financially strapped consumers are dining out less, eating at home more and trading down in their beef-purchase decisions. Sixty-seven percent purchased less expensive cuts frequently or every time they shopped. Other general consumer trends included increased use of coupons, less brand loyalty (including a tendency to switch from national to store brands) and a growth in case-ready–meat sales. Interestingly, despite economic pressures, this year’s study indicated health and wellbeing still are highly valued. Nearly twothirds of shoppers put some or a lot of effort into eating healthy – defined as cutting back on fat, calories, saturated fat and sodium. The survey noted resilience in shoppers’ commitment to purchase natural or organic meats, continued on page 2
that paid for Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) carcasses, which grade average-Choice or better. Further, the discount for Standard carcasses was significantly less than the discounts for YG 4 and heavyweight carcasses, reflecting an oversupply with 18 percent stating they have made such purchases in the of heavy finished cattle. past three months, down just 1 percentage point from last By March, the abundance of steers and heifers grading year. Choice (63 percent) was at the highest The consumer’s hunger to save money level since records began in 1997, reportTable 1. USDA 5-Area has contributed to a greater emphasis on ed the CME Group. That report went on to Cattle Premiums, Discounts total package price, with higher priced identify favorable winter feeding condi(Week of March 16) cuts suffering more than lower priced tions, heavier carcass weights, increased items. Earlier this year, CattleFax reportQuality grade Weighted average use of instrument grading and genetics as Prime +$12.35 ed that, in the fourth quarter of 2008, the CAB® +$2.74 reasons for more Choice cattle. Even rib and loin made up less than 16 percent Choice base beyond the last few months, the of total carcass value, compared to the Select −$1.73 Choice–Select spread was appreciably Standard −$8.47 five-year average of nearly 19 percent. narrower throughout most of 2008 as During the same time, chuck and round Yield Grade / fat (in.) Weighted average compared to the five-year average. (See 1.0–2.0 / < 0.10 +$3.78 comprised 21 percent of carcass value, the cover illustration.) 2.0–2.5 / < 0.20 +$2.10 up from 19 percent just a year ago. 2.5–3.0 / < 0.40 +$2.01 During the same time, according to the Whereas pricier middle meats historical3.0–3.5 / < 0.60 base U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), ly drive carcass value, their influence has 3.5–4.0 / < 0.80 base exports have defied expectations as beef 4.0–5.0 / < 1.2 −$12.43 diminished in these tough economic ≥ 5.0 / > 1.2 −$22.27 muscle-cut sales jumped 13 percent in voltimes. ume and 15 percent in value as compared Carcass weight (lb.) Weighted average 600–1,000 base to January 2008. On a volume basis, MexiNarrow Spread > 1,000 −$22.26 co and Canada remained the top two desThroughout most of the first quarter tinations for U.S. beef in January (56 of 2009, the available supply of carcasses percent of total), followed by South Korea, Vietnam and of different quality and yield grades, along with consumer Japan. Internationally, another potential boost to export sales demand, drove the Choice–Select spread for a sustained periincludes the March 18 announcement by the European Comod to less than $2 (Table 1). In fact, the average premium paid for Yield Grade (YG) 1 or 2 carcasses was roughly equal to continued on page 10
Recession Rewrites the Rules continued from page 1
Page 2
Spring 2009
BOTTOM LINE
Early Breeding-Soundness Exams Ensure a Successful Breeding Program By Brad Parker To have a successful breeding program, a cow-calf producer must manage many variables successfully. One of them is bull fertility or breeding soundness. To reduce the chance that infertility might wreak havoc on your program, you should have annual breeding-soundness examinations (BSEs) conducted on your bulls, said Daniel Grooms, D.V.M., Ph.D., associate professor of large-animal clinical sciences at Michigan State University (MSU). A BSE is a diagnostic tool that evaluates a bull’s potential to inseminate cows and establish pregnancies. The key word is potential, Grooms noted, because a BSE certainly does not guarantee success. Identifying bulls that have less than optimal fertility, however, will allow you to adjust your sire power Daniel Grooms, D.V.M., Ph.D. if necessary. “Some common causes of BSE failure include reproductive-tract infection, testicular damage, poor nutrition, penile warts and cold damage,” Grooms said. “In Michigan, annual rates of bulls not passing a BSE before breeding season range from 20 percent to 30 percent. Higher rates of bulls not passing a BSE occur in years when the winter has been especially cold and wet, such as this year’s winter.” In those cases, it becomes especially important to check bulls to make sure that harsh winter conditions have not caused reproductive-tract damage that might interfere with optimal fertility. Now is the time to pay attention and develop some expectations for the upcoming breeding season. It takes two – the cow and the bull, observed Kris Ringwall, Ph.D., an animal scientist and the director of the North Dakota State University (NDSU) Dickinson Research Extension Center. If either – particularly the bull – fails, your breeding program also will fail. “Remember the bull. He needs to pass a breeding soundness exam and be fertile prior to being turned out to the cows,” he said. “The comment ‘the cows do not seem to be calving as soon as they should be’ is a problem from the previous year.” When you turn out a bull to 30 cows, for example, the expected outcome is 30 calves, Ringwall added. Only fertile, physically fit bulls can meet that goal. “Do not wait,” he emphasized. “Go immediately to the bull pen and evaluate potential sires.” A properly conducted BSE involves several parts, Grooms explained, adding that veterinarians who have specialized training should conduct the examinations and interpret the results. If necessary, the veterinarian also can recommend treatments and gauge prognoses. First, the bull needs a physical examination to determine any abnormalities that might limit his ability to mount and LIMOUSIN’S COMMERCIAL CONNECTION
inseminate a cow. That includes such problems as malnutrition, lameness or blindness. A reproductive-tract evaluation then will ensure all of the appropriate parts (prepuce, penis, testicles, prostate, seminal vesicles, urethra and inguinal rings) are present and there are no visible abnormalities. The veterinarian will use a specially designed tape measure to determine the bull’s scrotal circumference (SC). “Scrotal circumference in males is positively correlated with larger ejaculate volumes, total sperm production, earlier sexual maturity and more rapid growth rate,” Grooms said. “In a bull’s female offspring, his larger scrotal circumference is correlated with their Kris Ringwall, Ph.D. younger ages of puberty and ages at first calving and increased pregnancy rates.” Next, the veterinarian will collect and examine the ejaculate. The initial evaluation checks sperm motility. Then a special stain helps examine individual sperm for abnormalities that might decrease fertility. Finally, the presence of white blood cells in the ejaculate might indicate an infection. A BSE also might include an evaluation of libido (sexual desire) and culturing for infectious venereal disease if warranted, but they are not part of a typical exam. “After all of that information is collected,” Grooms concluded, “a judgment then can be made about the potential for that particular bull to breed females successfully.” A bull’s failure to breed and impregnate cows is terminal and far too costly for your enterprise, Ringwall said. “Remember, what you do today will reward you with bulls that are in peak fertility 80 days from the start of the calving season,” he noted.
Spring 2009
Page 3
Cattle Industry Has Tools to Manage Genetic Abnormalities By Kent Andersen and Erin Garrick sess two copies of the defective gene. That means both parents Historically, in addition to recording pedigree and performof affected progeny are carriers or affected themselves – ance information and providing genetic predictions, the perassuming the abnormality is nonlethal. With that type of inheriformance programs at cattle breed associations have tance, without results from DNA or progeny tests, animals that monitored and managed genetic abnormalities. While there are free of the defective gene (normal) generally are indistinhas been relatively little news on that subject for the last guishable from those that are carriers. The figure illustrates the decade, several defects recently have emerged. Some are in proportion of progeny that are free, carrier and diseased from popular lines of cattle, and they often warrant the attention of use of a carrier sire bred to normal (free) and carrier dams. breeders and commercial producers. With a simple recessive mode of inheritance, once signifiBy our account, there currently are about 10 different cant numbers of influential animals in a population have been abnormalities in various stages of “active” management by genotyped (DNA-tested), we can use pedigree relationships different beef breeds. (See the table.) You might think of to infer genotypes for many untested animals. That can give those stages of management as initial investigation, DNA-test them a virtual “clean bill of health,” while others can be idendevelopment, implementation of genotyping (testing) and associated policy, and (ultimately) effective eradication continued on page 6 through continued testing and selection. Fortunately, most of the defects listed are rare, Figure. Offspring of a Carrier Sire Mated to Normal, Carrier Dams effectively have been eliminated, are nonlethal, or are under aggressive management via DNA-based diagnostic tests and pedigree analysis. We know other abnormalities exist, but the industry has isolated them, or they are of such extremely low frequency that they are not threatening. As the table shows, breed associations have worked behind the scenes over the years to monitor abnormalities and address those that represent even relatively minor concerns.
Inheritance With one possible exception, the defects listed in the table are of genetic origin and the result of a simple recessive mode of inheritance. (See the figure.) By that definition, affected or diseased offspring pos-
Table. Genetic Abnormalities Under Management by Beef Breed Associations Primary Breed(s) of Incidence
Lethal or Nonlethal
Mode of Inheritance
DNA Test Available?
Management Stage
Arthrogryposis multiplex (AM, or “Curly Calf Syndrome”)
Angus & derivatives
Lethal
Simple recessive
Yes
DNA testing underway
Beta (ß)-Mannosidosis
Salers
Lethal
Simple recessive
Yes
Effectively eradicated
Fawn Calf Syndrome (FCS)
Angus
Nonlethal
Presumably simple recessive
No
Under investigation
Neuropathic hydrocephalus (NH)
Angus & derivatives
Lethal
Simple recessive
Yes
DNA testing underway
Hypotrichosis (hairless calf)
Hereford
Nonlethal
Simple recessive
No
Under investigation
Idiopathic epilepsy
Hereford
Nonlethal
Simple recessive
Yes
DNA testing underway
Osteopetrosis
Red Angus & Angus
Lethal
Simple recessive
Yes
DNA testing underway
Protoporphyria
Limousin
Nonlethal
Simple recessive
Yes
Effectively eradicated
Pulmonary hypoplasia & anasarca (PHA)
Maine-Anjou & Shorthorn
Lethal
Simple recessive
Yes
DNA testing underway
Tibial hemimelia (TH)
Shorthorn & Maine-Anjou
Lethal
Simple recessive
Yes
DNA testing underway
Genetic Abnormality
LIMOUSIN’S COMMERCIAL CONNECTION
Spring 2009
Page 5
Arthrogryposis multiplex (AM), aka “Curly Calf Syndrome” (Photo courtesy of David Steffen, University of Nebraska)
Neuropathic hydrocephalus (NH): small body, large head, short face, cleft palate (Photo courtesy of David Steffen, University of Nebraska)
Osteopetrosis: short lower jaw (Photo courtesy of David Steffen, University of Nebraska)
Hypotrichosis: hairless calf (Photo courtesy of Jonathan Beever, University of Illinois)
Protoporphyria (Photo by Kent Andersen, North American Limousin Foundation)
Fawn Calf Syndrome (Photo courtesy of Photobucket.com)
Avoidance
Cattle Industry Has Tools to Manage Genetic Abnormalities continued from page 5 tified as suspects and a high priority for testing. Remember, inferred genotypes for defects are subject to error if pedigrees are incorrect. Conversely, DNA-based genotypes for genetic abnormalities occasionally serve to help us discover pedigree errors for recorded animals.
Tracking Seedstock and commercial producers alike should be on the lookout for abnormal calves before and during calving season. If you observe unusual calves or abortions, contact the respective breed association. Generally, you should capture DNA (via blood card, ear punches or roots of tail-switch hair) from the affected animal and its parents (for parentage verification and genotyping for the defect). The association also might advise diagnosis by a veterinarian, a digital picture and (occasionally) preservation of the affected animal. Given the prevalence of some recently documented genetic abnormalities, seedstock and commercial producers should examine the pedigrees of potential at-risk animals – with special attention given to their bull batteries. That assessment is much easier if all bulls have been registered and transferred so their identities and recorded pedigree information are available. The various associations provide genetic defect information for specific animals in their breeds on their Web sites. Contact the breed association if you need help obtaining information about a given animal’s genotype for an abnormality documented in the respective population. Page 6
For commercial producers, the trick to avoiding calves with lethal or performance-threatening abnormalities is never to mate a carrier bull to a carrier female. The first and easiest line of defense is to use only bulls that are free of the relevant defect in a given population. Animals can be determined as free or low likelihood of being carriers either by virtue of a “clean” pedigree – no known carriers among close ancestors – or free as determined by DNA test or absence of the defect in that breed. Using only defect-free bulls is especially important for commercial producers who might have carrier daughters they are breeding back to bulls of the same breed. Seedstock producers should test all bulls and females that have an appreciable likelihood of possessing a documented defect (that is, from a carrier ancestor) before sale. Hybrid seedstock producers have the added responsibility of knowing the pedigrees and managing abnormalities for all of the breeds used in producing their hybrids. It follows that breed associations with upgrading programs must execute polices and provide information that prevent abnormalities from migrating into their purebred populations. Mutations that cause abnormalities always will be a reality of the livestock business. Fortunately, with advances in genomics technology and thoughtful management by associations and breeders, we substantially can mitigate the adverse effects. Editor’s note: Erin Garrick is a member services specialist at the North American Limousin Foundation (NALF). Her primary responsibilities are genomics-oriented member services and animal recording.
Spring 2009
BOTTOM LINE
BREEDER SPOTLIGHT NORTH CENTRAL REGION BREEDERS
Want to advertise in the BREEDER SPOTLIGHT section? It’s easy! Call Frank Padilla at 303-220-1693 for all the details.
Straight Limousin 2173 Morgan Ave. * Logan, Iowa 51546 712-648-2180 * 712-592-1350 (Jay’s cell)
Austin, Leah, Bailee & Pitch Hager 4651 2nd Ave. NE Karlsruhe, ND 58744 (701) 525-6363 ■ (701) 626-2345 mobile
Jay & Lori Straight * Jordan & Jackson Jamie, Scott & Brayton Myer Jenelle & Adam Klein
www.straightlimousin.com Production Sale Last Friday In March
Your visit to the ranch is always welcome!
Leonard Wulf & Sons
LC IH M O U S HI N RA NCH A R L E S U N T F A M I L Y
47694 320th St. * Morris, MN 56267 Farm (320) 392-5802 * Fax (320) 392-5504 Jerry Wulf (320) 392-5988 Jim Wulf (320) 392-5966 10 miles south of Morris on Hwy 59
PRIVATE TREATY SALES • Bulls • Females • Semen
308-473-8521
10329 Highway 136 · Oxford, NE 68967 Dan Hunt · cell 308-991-3373 huntlimo@huntlimousin.com · www.huntlimousin.com
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION BREEDERS
Lonely Valley Limousin
Your Homozygous Headquarters
PUREBRED AND ANGUS COMPOSITE BREEDING FOR 20 YEARS
Hiram and Darenda ◆ 806/375-2346 Bret, Hayley, McKinley & Boone ◆ 806/375-2345 Box 110, Allison, Texas 79003 begertranch@wildblue.net ◆ www.begertranch.com
Annual Bull Sale last Monday of February Stan, Mike, Mark, Dean and Chad Settje Mail us at dsettje@settje.com Chad (402) 285-9013 • Dean (402) 783-2105 560th Ave. • Creston, NE 68631
◆ ◆
Charles Linhart: (641) 340-1306 David Linhart: (641) 446-6906
A large number of breeding-age bulls available. Trophy hunts available (deer, quail & turkey).
◆ ◆
C a t t l e Yo u C a n Tr u s t . . . P e o p l e Yo u C a n Tr u s t
Jimmy Ridings ~ Owner 1912 CR 4120 ~ Meridian, TX 76665
Linhart Limousin When in the market for
top-quality genetics, give us a call.
Phone: (254) 597-0044 www.colonialoaksranch.com
27195 175th St. Leon, IA 50144 www.linhartlimousin.com
e-mail: colonialoaksranch@htcomp.net
Schott
Limousin Ranch
21314 OSR Madisonville, TX 77864 Mobile (281) 808-3473 Home (903) 344-2331 www.counsilfamilylimousins.com
Jim & Priscilla Schott 27601 108th St. McLaughlin, SD 57642 jschott@westriv.com
BQA II Certified Herd Certified Brucellosis and TB Free Your call or visit is welcome
6 0 5 - 8 2 3 - 4 9 74
“Breedin’ the Feedin’ Kind” Bob Mitchell Family • 48715 Hilldale Road • Wauzeka, WI 53826 Bob – 608-875-5049 • Bob (mobile) – 608-553-0971 • Matt – 608-553-1251 Bart – 608-553-8070 • Scott – 608-553-8069 • www.springcreekscattleco.com
LIMOUSIN’S COMMERCIAL CONNECTION
Spring 2009
Page 7
Davis Limousin Ranch Brad, Norma & Blair Davis 12500 Hwy. 279 • Brownwood, TX 76801 325/784-5071 • 325/784-7674 fax 325/647-7681 cell • info@davislimousin.com
www.davislimousin.com
De Ma r Fa rm s “Unparalleled black Limousin genetics”
KEETON LIMOUSIN 10510 CR 1100 • Wolfforth, TX 79382 Leonard & Betty Keeton 806-866-9440 LLKT@door.net
Lyle & Shana Keeton fax: 806-866-9441 806-866-9049 BULLS • CLUB CALVES • HEIFERS
LAWRENCE FAMILY LIMOUSIN
Joe & Margaret Hoot
—————––––———————————————
630 VZ CR 4124 Canton, Texas 75103 (903) 829-8082 DeMarHome@aol.com
Bruce, Paula & Lee Roy Lawrence Johnny, Amber & Tucker Parkinson PO Box 299 ■ Anton, TX 79313 e-mail: bll1@dtnspeed.net
Craig Laroue
AI and ET bulls for the commercial market
(806) 997-5381
Ranch Manager (903) 292-9080
Your call or visit is always welcome.
Li b e r t y R a n c h
EXPRESS RANCHES
Limousin cattle raised with the commercial industry in mind.
2202 N 11TH STREET YUKON, OKLAHOMA BOB FUNK, OWNER 800-664-3977 405-350-0058 FAX squires@expressranches.com
Annual Bull Sale 3rd Weekend in January ~ 125 Bulls Available Roger Comeau: (785) 434-4686
www.expressranches.com
308 West Mill Plainville, KS 67663
Mike Smith: (785) 885-4882
RANCH RAISED BULLS & HEIFERS FOR SALE
Fuhrmann Black Limousin BULLS AVAILABLE FOR SALE PRIVATELY AT THE RANCH
Roy Lee Fuhrmann 2335 FM 1200 • Gainesville, TX 76240 Roybull@earthlink.net Ranch – (940) 665-6985 Mobile – (940) 727-2452
JIM HCR 74, Box 146 Fort Davis, TX 79734-5005 (915) 426-3435 • fax (915) 426-3126
DYER “Se Hablo Spanglish” jfdyer@hughes.net
www.bigbendtrailers.com
RIVERDALE RANCH Red & Black Limousin Registered & Commercial 3830 Huckleberry Road • West, MS 39192 Jim Jolley, Manager riverdal@netdoor.com
Limousin & Lim-Flex Seedstock P.O. Box 1531 Camdenton, MO 65020
Owners: Daryl & Wally Cunningham
662-967-2407 fax: 601-605-4724
Committed to Excellence RED AND BLACK LIMOUSIN CATTLE
WIES LIMOUSIN RANCH WELLSVILLE, MO 63384
Gene & Virginia Raymond Arne & Stacy Hanson (785) 448-3708 (785) 448-6142 “THE BRAND OF BREEDER RESPECT AND COMMERCIAL APPEAL”
For Quality Limousin Genetics You Can Count On
9700 Slaughterville Rd. Lexington, Oklahoma 73051
405/527-7648 hayhooklimousin@valornet.com Edna Manning 405/306-1316 cell
Page 8
Judy Bugher 405/306-1315
J.W. Snyder 405/306-5202
Spring 2009
573-684-2773
BOB & EUVONNE WIES 636-441-2439
WESTERN REGION BREEDERS Coleman Limousin Ranch, Inc. 53717 Gallagher Road Charlo, MT 59824 Larry & Anita Coleman (406) 644-2300 Trent & Melissa Coleman (406) 644-2707 Annual Production Sale, Second Monday in April
colemanlimousinranch.com BOTTOM LINE
DJ
Limousin
Visitors always welcome
A.I. sired bulls and females available privately
Brad & Janet Waddle 440 Road 161 Pine Bluffs, WY 82082
Dave Berry 6845 SE King Road Port Orchard, WA 98367
307-245-3599 waddlelimousin@rtconnect.net
(360) 769-0639 · (360) 871-3642 evenings Email: westerntimber@earthlink.net
BULLS AND FEMALES AVAILABLE AT THE RANCH
EASTERN REGION BREEDERS
Raising Bulls For The Commercial Cattleman
Larry Smith 347 Davidson Road West Harrison, Indiana 47060 Evening: (812) 637-2303 Day: (513) 367-0218 www.loganhills.com
Gordon & Earline Schuppe 25653 C.R. 63 Iliff, CO 80736-9625
Annual Bull Sale 1st Saturday in March Email: gschuppe@kci.net
(970) 522-8195 (970) 580-8195
Scott Minges,
Manager (812) 637-5554 Cell: (513) 616-8499
We Cater To Commercial Cattlemen
inerich Land and Cattle Co.
30849 CR 56 • Iliff, CO 80736 • lewislimousin@kci.net Les & Elaine Lewis • 970-362-4321 • Les Cell 970-630-1283 Mat & Wendy Lewis • 970-521-0545 • Mat Cell 970-580-8209
Limousin & Lim-Flex Bulls and Females for Sale Privately!
“Ranch Tested, Customer Approved”
The Brand You Trust...The Results You Expect
BOB MINERICH
OWNER OFFICE: (859) 328-7118 FAX: (859) 328-7120 HOME: (859) 328-4104
2003 Barnes Mill Road Richmond, Kentucky 40476-0536
REGISTERED LIMOUSIN “Breeding Prime Cattle” minegwen@aol.com
“Since 1981”
Lance Sennett P.O. Box 190 • Platteville, Colorado 80651 Gary Magness, owner • Wendell Geeslin, manager (970) 785-0434 (home) • (970) 785-6170 (office) (303) 659-3822 (fax) • wendell@magnesscattle.com
RR 1 Box 82 • Waynetown, IN 47990 (765) 234-8506 Cell (765) 366-4894 lsennett@tctc.com
Clark Sennett (765) 234-2621
491 E. 12000 S. Draper, Utah 84020 Bob Millerberg * (801) 566-4665 home * (801) 561-9911 office * (801) 673-9911 cell bob@crestfinancial.com Jim Millerberg * (801) 254-6610 home * (801) 303-6017 office * (801) 301-2953 cell
V
R UNNING C REEK R ANCH
45400 Road 21 Elizabeth, CO 80107
Joey Freund (303) 841-7901
Joe Freund, Sr.
Email: jfreund@myedl.com
Q UALITY I N VOLUME
(303) 840-1850 home (303) 341-9310 office
Pat Kelley (303) 840-1848
TERRY OʼNEILL
P.O. Box 30435 Billings, MT 59107
Limousin • Red & Black Angus Red & Black Angus Composites Select Seed Stock Producer
406/373-6016 (ranch) 406/373-6048 (fax) tomahawk@mcn.net www.tomahawklimousin.com
LIMOUSIN’S COMMERCIAL CONNECTION
Muscle. Growth. Efficiency. www.nalf.org
Spring 2009
303-220-1693 Page 9
Recession Rewrites the Rules continued from page 2
Table 2. Relative Importance of Carcass Weight, Quality Grade, Yield Grade as Predictors of Total Revenue per Head
mission of an offer to double the preferential quota for hormone-free beef imports from the United States. Export sales, including muscle cuts from a variety of quality grades and variety meats, will affect the Choice–Select spread as international consumers cope with the worldwide recession.
Quality-based grid Choice–Select spread
Yield-based grid
$5
$10
$20
$5
$10
$20
86%
77%
56%
91%
84%
63%
Quality grade
8%
17%
36%
4%
11%
33%
Yield grade
6%
6%
4%
4%
6%
4%
Carcass weight
Selection Emphasis If supply–demand dynamics dictate that the Choice–Select spread will be relatively narrow for years to come, the relative rewarded for yield grade and quality grade translates into economic importance and selection emphasis on antagonisticrossbreeding that likely includes more Continental (for cally related carcass traits changes for cow-calf producers. example, Limousin) breed influence and more equal emphaColorado State University (CSU) illustrated sis on selection for ribeye area (REA) and marthat concept by studying the relative imporbling. Outside the commodity trade, markets In times of narrow tance of carcass weight, quality grade and yield for natural (antibiotic- and hormone-free) beef Choice–Select spreads, grade as drivers of beef carcass value in two continue to grow. For many of those markets, crossbreeding and grid-pricing systems (Table 2). In times of low selection must be more highly customized, with selection for improved (less than $5) Choice–Select spreads, the propotentially even greater emphasis on muscularmuscle allow cattle to portion of total revenue per head explained by ity, to hit end-product targets profitably. be fed more efficiently quality grade and yield grade is roughly equal All Things Considered but less than one-tenth as important as carcass to heavier, higher netClearly, the future is unknown. Engineering weight. return end points. the genetics that produce the most profitable That means future crossbreeding and seleccarcasses in 2010 and beyond boils down to a tion practices need to produce the most profbalancing act for cow-calf producers. Fundamentally, beyond itable blend of carcass weight, yield grade and quality grade. carcass traits, the cow herd must be reproductively, nutritionWhereas, during the past decade, the industrywide pursuit of ally and labor efficient – yet flexible. That implies productive marbling has heavily influenced breed and within-breed seleccrossbred cows matched to the environment, with multitrait tion decisions, in sustained times of narrow spreads and an flexibility in carcass merit, such that (as markets evolve) proabundance of Choice cattle, crossbreeding and selection that ducers can breed them to hit changing targets profitably. more equitably emphasize muscle and associated yield grade Ultimately, the focus must be on improved cow-calf proare economically justified. ducer profitability and delivery of higher value beef products In times of narrow Choice–Select spreads, crossbreeding – defined in a growing variety of ways – to cost-conscience and selection for improved muscle allow cattle to be fed consumers. Even without a recession, that is a good rule to more efficiently to heavier, higher net-return end points. The follow. quest for greater yield of carcass weight that is equitably
BREEDER SPOTLIGHT LIMOUSIN SERVICES Seedstock Consultants Specialized Sales 2300 Monument Ave. * Richmond, VA 23220 Ph: (804) 353-2220 * Fax: (804) 353-2221 Keith Kissee * Cell: (817) 821-6263 Email: kkseedstock@comcast.net
“Marketing Limousin Seedstock Throughout North America” Today’s high operating costs are enough to make cattlemen see red. Everyone is looking for ways to lower costs and maximize gain. Turn your red into green...Use Fullblood Limousin!!! • Calving Ease • Feed Efficiency • Superior Muscle Growth Let the Fullblood Limousin Alliance be your source to locating the finest fullblood Limousin genetics.
Randall O. Ratliff 3610 Bear Creek Ln Thompson’s Station, TN 37179 Office: 615.791.8982 Fax: 615.791.8983 Mobile: 615.330.2735 www.rrmktg.com e-mail: sales@rrmktg.com
WWW.FULLBLOODLIMOUSINALLIANCE.ORG FULLBLOOD = FULL BENEFITS
Page 10
Spring 2009
BOTTOM LINE
Genetic Trends Demonstrate Breed Improvement
LIMOUSIN’S COMMERCIAL CONNECTION
D E V I AT I O N S TA N D A R D
Limousin Genetic Trends 1985-2008 Growth Traits
YEARLING WEIGHT
5.0
4.0
MILKING ABILITY
3.0
2.0
WEANING WEIGHT
1.0
BIRTH WEIGHT 0.0
S TA N D A R D
D E V I AT I O N
U N I T S
5.0
4.0
Limousin Genetic Trends 1985-2008 Reproductive Traits and Docility
STAYABILITY
CALVING EASE DIRECT 2.0
CALVING EASE MATERNAL 1.0
DOCILITY 0.0
SCROTAL CIRCUMFERENCE –1.0 13 12
1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Limousin Genetic Trends 1985-2008 Carcass Traits and $MTI
MAINSTREAM TERMINAL INDEX
11
D E V I AT I O N
U N I T S
1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
3.0
10
S TA N D A R D
The genetic merit of registered Limousin and Lim-Flex® cattle continues to improve. The genetic trend for a trait is the average expected progeny difference (EPD) by birth year for that trait. When standardized, as in the accompanying figures, genetic trends become unitless and are directly comparable with one another. In general, Limousin breeders are making excellent progress toward maintaining the breed’s strengths, correcting the breed’s weaknesses and thereby meeting the needs of the commercial cow-calf sector. The trends in weaning weight (WW), yearling weight (YW) and milking ability (MA) have increased yearly, while breeders are managing genetic antagonisms for growth by simultaneously decreasing birth weight (BW) and improving direct calving ease (CED). On the carcass front, breeders have stepped up to meet the mainstream market’s demands for more marbling (MARB). Average marbling score EPDs have increased a little more than 1 standard unit since 2002. Although yield grades (YGs) have increased (the higher the grade, the less yield) and ribeye areas (REAs) have remained constant, the breed is unmatched in muscling and carcass yield. Trends in docility (DOC), stayability (STAY) and scrotal circumference (SC, an indicator of heifer age at puberty) are favorable, particularly since the early 1990s, when breeders responded to recommendations laid out during the Limousin Directions Symposium. For an in-depth discussion of the remarkable gains Limousin breeders have made toward improving docility, refer to “Limousin Breeders Tackle Temperament; Genetic Trend Shows Power of Selection” in the winter 2009 issue of Bottom Line (available via www.nalf.org on the Web). Limousin breeders have a long history of recognizing areas for improvement and making the necessary adjustments to advance the breed. Over the years, they have used selection and management effectively to produce quality seedstock. The beneficiaries of their breed-improvement efforts are the commercial users of Limousin genetics.
U N I T S
By Lauren Hyde
0
1
CARCASS WEIGHT RIBEYE AREA MARBLING SCORE
–1.0
YIELD GRADE –2.0
1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Standard units = mean EPD for each trait by birth year divided by the overall standard deviation of the EPDs for the trait.
Spring 2009
Page 11
(From left) Kent Andersen, Delarie and Tim Kessler
South Dakota Enterprise Is Limousin Commercial Producer of the Year By Brad Parker to work closely with three Limousin seedstock suppliers to A dedication to learning, improvement and good animal find the right genetics. Across the board, we have improved husbandry helped earn the North American Limousin Founall traits 25 to 30 percent.” dation (NALF) Commercial Producer of the Year award for Because they raise their own replacement females, keepTim and Delarie Kessler of Kessler Livestock, Leola, S.D. ing back about 40 heifers each year, the Kesslers emphasize Kent Andersen, Ph.D., NALF executive vice president, prefertility through scrotal circumference in their sire selections. sented the award Jan. 14 during the Limousin pen and carload They also pay close attention to genetic merit for birth, weanshows at the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) in Dening and yearling weights and a bull’s actual perver, Colo. formance data. “The Kesslers exemplify what can be The Other The South Dakota Limousin Association achieved with hard work, good management Nominees (SDLA) nominated Kessler Livestock for the and smart use of performance information ■ Gerald and Jason national award because it exemplifies forward when making selection decisions,” Andersen Mootz, Dubuque, Iowa thinking in today’s competitive marketplace, said. “NALF is pleased to recognize their prosaid Julie Montagne, Elk Point, a member of the gressive use of Limousin genetics.” ■ English Family Farms, SDLA Board of Directors. Twelve years after first incorporating the Bernard, Iowa “Tim and Delarie have a strategy to keep breed into their herd, the Kesslers now man■ Eastview Cattle Co., their operation profitable and efficient from age about 450 commercial cows. They have Balaton, Minn. pasture to packer, and the base of that strategy used performance records to select bulls that ■ Jim Hager, Velva, N.D. is incorporating the latest Limousin genetics entire time and to cull cows for the last nine into their cow herd,” she explained. “They years. Individual identification of their cows know the value of purchasing high-quality bulls that sire and calves allows them to track birth and yearling weights. It calves that get to market efficiently. We are proud to have also allows them to maintain complete health records. such a strong commercial advocate for the breed in our state They market their weaned calves to Ainsworth Feed Yards and congratulate Tim and Delarie on achieving this honor.” in Nebraska, and they have seen their average finish weight Tim was quick to share the accolades. increase about 100 pounds over the past decade. They also “To realize your goals – to bring them to fruition – you are able to collect carcass data for 60 percent to 70 percent of need support,” he said. “My support comes from my family: their calves each year. my parents, Clarence and Marlene; my sons Ty, Richard and “We have been striving for better quality beef and are purWhyatt; my daughters Sierra, Savannah and Sienna; and espechasing higher quality breeding stock,” Tim said. “We cially my wife, Delarie.” research EPDs (expected progeny differences) and continue Page 12
Spring 2009
BOTTOM LINE
Innovative Veal Processor Named Limousin Promoter of the Year The North American Limousin Foundation (NALF) presented its Limousin Promoter of the Year award to Wisconsin-based Strauss Brands during the association’s annual meeting Jan. 12 in Denver, Colo. The promoter award goes to someone in allied industry who has advanced the Limousin breed through marketing, education or research. In January 2008, NALF and Strauss Brands forged an exclusive endorsement agreement. In the first year, Strauss Brands processed thousands of certified, free-raised, natural, source-verified, LimousinRay Krones and Kent Andersen influenced calves. The Limousin-based Strauss Free Raised® and Meadow Reserve™ veal product lines have garnered accolades from the culinary community, including food critics and leading chefs, and celebrities ranging from Rush Limbaugh to Oprah Winfrey. “NALF applauds Strauss Brands for its innovation and ambition in creating a new category of uniquely delicious and nutritious veal products that appeal to consumers’ appetite and social conscience,” said Kent Andersen, Ph.D., NALF executive vice president. Andersen added that Strauss Brands helped accomplish more in 2008 than in any one year of U.S. Limousin history to make the breed known to consumers for its unequaled “nutritious palatability.” Strauss Free Raised and Meadow Reserve veal now is available to consumers in Whole Foods Market stores in the Southeast, Southwest and Rocky Mountain regions and soon is coming to stores in other parts of the nation. It also is on the menu at Emeril Lagasse’s Table 10 restaurant in Las Vegas, Nev. Frank Padilla, NALF director of member and commercial relations, said the program continues to grow so the company aggressively is seeking qualified Limousin-influenced calves to fill its orders. “Through the untiring efforts of the Strauss Brands team, a new program is available that brings the breed to the forefront and adds value to the calves of registered and properly transferred Limousin and Lim-Flex® seedstock,” he said. For more information about marketing Limousin-influenced weaning calves to Strauss Brands (www.straussbrands.com), contact Padilla at frank@nalf.org or (303) 220-1693, Ext. 123.
Coleman Limousin Ranch Is Commercial Marketing Booster The North American Limousin Foundation (NALF) presented its Commercial Marketing Booster of the Year award during the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) Limousin pen and carload shows, Jan. 14 in Denver, Colo. In recognition of its demonstrated commitment to serving commercial cattle producers, Coleman Limousin Ranch of Charlo, Mont., received the award from Kent Andersen, Ph.D., NALF executive vice president. Coleman Limousin Ranch has a rich heritage that dates back to Kent Andersen, Larry and Trent Coleman 1971, the year it joined NALF. The Colemans strive to produce highly functional and eye-appealing cattle, as evidenced by their successes at the NWSS carload show, where they have won more People’s Choice awards than any other program in breed history. The Colemans are long-time supporters of NALF and the breed through their registration and transfer activity and participation in industry events. The Coleman program recently displayed the supreme champion pen of bulls over all breeds at the Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE) in Billings, Mont. And, for the last several years, Coleman genetics have represented the Limousin breed well at the Great Western Beef Expo (GWBE) sire-progeny test near Sterling, Colo. “For more than 35 years, Larry and Anita Coleman – and now with their son, Trent, and his wife, Melissa – have been serving producers in the United States and around the world with Limousin cattle bred for industry-leading genetic merit,” Andersen said. “NALF is pleased to salute their many accomplishments with this recognition as a top Limousin seedstock producer.” The Coleman program always has been performance-driven and committed to offering seedstock with comprehensive, reliable and documented genetic merit. The list of animals carrying the COLE prefix that have influenced the beef industry significantly includes one of the undoubtedly most influential sires in breed history, COLE First Down 46D, which is the only Limousin animal to have been cloned successfully.
LIMOUSIN’S COMMERCIAL CONNECTION
Spring 2009
Page 13
Good Nutrition Is Vital for Efficient Reproduction Courtesy of Land O’Lakes Purina Feed Good nutrition is critical for efficient reproduction in cow-calf enterprises. Most reproductive failures in beef cows, for example, are attributable to improper nutrition, resulting in thin body condition. The cow’s priorities for nutrition are maintenance, lactation, growth and reproduction. The nutrition levels before and after calving affect the conception rates of subsequent breeding seasons. Cows that are thin before calving will have delayed onsets of estrus. Thin cows after calving will have reduced conception rates. Obesity is a problem in heifers that become fat during the growing phase. Fat heifers normally have lower-than-average reproductive rates. Immature cows continue to grow until about 4 years of age. You should maintain those young cows through the yearly cycle about 1 body condition score (BCS) higher than mature cows to achieve the same reproductive performance. Monitor the effectiveness of your nutrition program in the long term by herd performance records. But, to deal with your present situation in the short term, pay close attention to your cows’ BCSs. According to information from the University of Minnesota Extension Service, research has shown that each 10 percent of body weight lost before calving can result in a delay of the first heat period by 19 additional days. Cows too thin at calving take longer to recover and to start cycling for rebreeding. Those cows will have lower conception rates than cows in moderate to good condition at calving. It is important to bring thin cows into condition as soon as possible to improve the odds of success at the start of the breeding season. Dividing the cow herd into two groups according to nutritional needs and feeding them accordingly can have a positive effect on rebreeding success.
Don’t Overlook Your Bulls Nutrition also is important for the reproductive efficiency of breeding bulls. Bull management includes four phases. ■ Before breeding season. Nutrition before the breeding season is important because bulls will tend to lose weight during the season. ■ Yearling bulls. They should be growing adequately and maintaining satisfactory body condition without becoming excessively fat. That will require between 25 and 30 pounds of dry matter from a ration that is about 80 percent high-quality forage and 20 percent concentrate. They need a 12-percent to 14-percent protein ration. In many cases, a complete feed that will keep bulls in good shape without overconditioning them is preferred. ■ 2-year-old bulls. They already are at most of their mature size so their ration is not quite as crucial. About 30 to 35 pounds of a ration consisting of high-quality forage and 5 pounds of grain should meet their needs. ■ Mature bulls. Base the nutrition program on the bulls’ physical conditions at the start of the conditioning period. If they have wintered well, high-quality forage – plus 5 to 7 pounds of grain – will build the necessary energy reserves. Evaluate bulls and separate them into two groups as they come out of pastures. Place those in good condition that need no special care in one group. They usually will do well on a primarily roughage diet. Young bulls that still are growing and thin mature bulls should be together so you can meet their nutrient needs with some supplemental feed. All bulls should have access to high-quality minerals. LIMOUSIN’S COMMERCIAL CONNECTION
Spring 2009
Quick Tips for Body Condition Scoring Body condition scores (BCSs) are an excellent means of monitoring the effectiveness of your beef-cow–nutrition program. Here are 10 management tips to help ensure your cows are at a target BCS of 6 by calving. ■ Late summer. Evaluate your cows while they still are on grass. If they score thin to borderline moderate during that time and forage availability still is sufficient, provide a balanced protein and energy supplement to improve forage intake and increase forage digestibility. ■ Late lactation (2 months before weaning). Depending upon current forage availability, supplementation or a modified weaning strategy (or both) might be necessary. Wean thin cows. ■ Weaning season. Sort cows by body condition and age. Feed them according to target BCSs desired by calving. ■ Weaning. Pay particular attention to young cows weaning their first calves and cows beyond their prime ages. They are most likely to be thin at that time. ■ 100 days before calving. That is the last opportunity to gain body condition and is a good time to separate thin cows from cows in good condition and increase feed to thin cows. ■ Calving. Thin cows indicate a need to change the feeding program. ■ Breeding season. If cows are thin, additional supplementation or implementation of an early-weaning strategy (or both) might be necessary. ■ Feedstuffs. Always ensure availability of quality feedstuffs containing ample nutrient levels to meet cows’ elevated nutrient requirements during important production periods. ■ BCS fluctuation. Be aware that cow body condition ebbs and flows over time in relation to production stages and climatic conditions. Try to evaluate accurately the status of your cows’ BCSs in relation to future levels necessary for key production periods. ■ Supplements. Use supplement programs that correct for nutritional deficiencies and complement or improve base-forage utilization. Page 15
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