Bottom Line

Spring 2010

Volume 12, Issue 2

INSIDE...

Limousin Commentary Limousin genetics suit progressive crossbreeding systems.

Testing for Feed Efficiency Identifying feed-efficient genetics requires sophisticated equipment and detailed records.

NALF Recognizes Top Marketers Detailed, practical and positive describe this year’s Limousin commercial marketing award winners.

Percentiles, Trends Helpful for Producers Selections based on percentile rankings help drive breed improvement.

Limousin Locator Find the Limousin sales and private-treaty offerings near you.

Selecting Profitable Bulls

By Matt Spangler

Bottom Line is published three times per year by the North American Limousin Foundation, 7383 S. Alton Way, Suite 100, Centennial, Colorado 80112; (303) 220-1693; fax: (303) 220-1884; www.nalf.org Executive Vice President Bob Hough, Ph.D., Ext. 120 Dir. of Performance Programs Lauren Hyde, Ph.D., Ext. 140 Dir. of Communications Brad Parker, Ext. 117

Selecting bulls can be a daunting task.

Open up any sale catalog, and you are immediately overwhelmed with a ton of information, including expected progeny differences (EPDs), economic indexes, ratios, adjusted weights, ultrasound-scan data and possibly DNA-test results. Consequently, it is critical to have an idea of what you need before you go to sales. Going to a sale without specific needs in mind is similar to going to the grocery store without a grocery list; you are likely to buy things you do not really need and spend too much in the process.

The bull-buying process starts with defining your production environment and your marketing goals. Your production environ-

ment might include some constraints (for example, limited feed, harsh climates that affect nutrient needs and limited labor).

Having a clear realization of the limitations the environment places on your production goals will allow you to select bulls within acceptable ranges for such traits as milk, growth and calving ease. Once you have identified those limitations, you can identify marketing goals that are reasonable within your production environment.

For commercial cow-calf producers, it is critical to take advantage of some type of crossbreeding system. It is important to identify a breed of sire that complements continued on page 8

LIMOUSIN COMMENTARY

Limousin Genetics Suit Progressive Crossbreeding Systems

By R.L. “Bob” Hough, Ph.D. Executive Vice President North American Limousin Foundation

R.L. “Bob” Hough

As we move into the middle of bull-buying season, it is time to take stock of what Limousin genetics can do for your herd in a well-planned crossbreeding program. Limousin cattle calve easily and long have been known as the carcass breed with exceptional red-meat yield. To back up that assertion, the North American Limousin Foundation (NALF) produces one of the most progressive genetic evaluations with expected progeny differences (EPDs) for a number of economically important traits for producers to select upon.

That includes reproductive traits like direct calving ease (CED), the probability that a sire’s calves will be born unassisted; maternal calving ease (CEM), the probability that a sire’s daughters will give birth unassisted; and stayability, the probability that a sire’s daughters will remain in the herd past 6 years of age. Reproduction is the No. 1 trait, and you can use those EPDs reliably.

The International Limousin Genetic Evaluation also has all of the standard growth traits – birth weight, weaning weight and

Page 2

yearling weight. Of course, birth weight is an indicator of calving ease, but weaning and yearling weights both correlate to pay weights, and you should scrutinize them closely. Herds in NALF’s Limousin Inventory Management System (LIMS) use whole-herd inventories, and the data are free of any selection bias.

Disposition is an economically important trait that Limousin took head-on with the industry’s first docility EPD. Cattle are chute-scored, and we have found docility to be highly heritable.

With that, breeders now objectively can find cattle that will be docile and easy to handle. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the percentile tables so you know how the cattle rank.

Carcass traits always have been a strong suit of the breed, and breeders have carcass weight, marbling, ribeye area and backfat EPDs upon which to evaluate cattle. Limousin genetics will add ribeye area to almost any cross, while you must give attention to marbling, depending on how you are going to market your cattle.

Spring 2010

continued on page 3

BOTTOM LINE

Limousin breeders sell two products – Limousin itself (either purebred or fullblood) and Lim-Flex® (Limousin and Angus or Red Angus hybrid). Both have their places and functions.

Limousin cattle, generally, have more muscle and will yield carcasses with higher dressing percentages. Historical data have shown the breed excels in feed efficiency and makes excellent halfblood cattle for the feedyard. If you keep them natural, Laura’s Lean Beef Co. (LLB) prefers higher percentage Limousin cattle.

Lim-Flex animals tend to be higher marbling and easier fleshing.

They can make quarterblood calves, which many people want in order to achieve higher quality grades. They still carry many of the Limousin breed’s good traits, just with some Angus mixed in.

Either way, Limousin or Lim-Flex, our breeders have you covered.

The bottom line is our industry has given up a tremendous tool in hybrid vigor (heterosis) and breed complementarity by straightbreeding a single British breed. A producer can add 20 percent to 25 percent total production through maternal and direct heterosis in a planned crossbreeding system. By adding a Continental component like Limousin or Lim-Flex to your crossbreeding system, you also get breed complementarity. Things like fewer Yield Grade (YG) 4s fit into that category. Use all of the tools!

Limousin seedstock offer a great opportunity for commercial cow-calf producers to add genetics to their programs this spring.

The breed and its breeders have the most up-to-date, objective genetic tools available, and Limousin genetics offer unique attributes like excellent feed efficiency and carcass characteristics that make them a natural fit with any progressive crossbreeding system.

Plus, the breed has the added flexibility of offering Lim-Flex genetics, as well as purebreds and fullbloods. Whatever your situation, I am sure you will find a Limousin breeder who has designed a product that is the right fit for your enterprise.

LIMOUSIN’S COMMERCIAL CONNECTION

Spring 2010

Seal The Deal.

Transferring registration papers communicates...

■ authenticated pedigree, performance, and EPD information ■ official ownership history from breeder to buyer ■ breeder commitment to superior seedstock and service after the sale ■ selection, management and breed promotion information to buyers ■ a promise of lifelong customer satisfaction

Transferring the paper pays!

Seal The Deal.

w w w. n a l f . o r g

Page 3

As an animal enters the bunk to eat at the Hays Beef Development Center, an electronic identification reader records its identity while the scale under the bunk collects the weight of the feed. When the animal leaves the bunk, that ends the meal, and we can calculate the size of the meal.

Testing for Feed Efficiency

By Becky Hays Higher feed costs, the increased price of fuel and elevated land prices all have contributed to a renewed focus on feed efficiency in the beef cattle industry. Researchers and producers are looking to identify individual animals that eat less than expected and still perform as desired. Less input costs for the same amount of output make sense in any economic environment.

The challenge is in measuring. The pork and poultry industries have focused on feed efficiency for the last 20 years and have experienced much improvement. Feedyards use a feedto-gain ratio (F:G) in evaluating pens of cattle. That calculation identifies the amount of feed it takes to produce a pound of gain. Feedyards are able to identify pens that converted well (required less feed for their gains).

Cattle that eat less in the feedyard but still perform well can boost the bottom line. But what if we were able to identiPage 4

fy breeding stock that individually expressed feed efficiency?

Would that add value to a herd sire or replacement heifer?

Absolutely.

Progressive seedstock producers who measure the individual feed intakes on their yearling sale bulls and replacement heifers can calculate the efficiency of individual animals. That information will start the flow of information to improve feed efficiency for the commercial cattle producer, too.

Collecting individual feed-intake measurements is much more involved than collecting other performance traits, such as weaning and yearling weights. The test requires sophisticated equipment and detailed records.

The big picture of testing for feed efficiency is similar to testing for any other performance trait. A contemporary group of cattle (same calving season, same sex and all mancontinued on page 6

Spring 2010

BOTTOM LINE

Testing for Feed Efficiency continued from page 4 aged the same) is individually measured and ranked based on performance. In that case, rate of gain and daily dry matter intake (DMI) are the evaluated measurements.

Most of the cattle tested for feed efficiency are registered with a breed association, and resulting data are submitted to the appropriate association for genetic evaluation. More data have been collected on bulls than heifers at this time, but interest in testing heifers is growing.

Many of the facilities used to collect individual feed-intake data are at universities. Over the last few years, however, more are emerging in the private sector. My husband, Craig, and I own one such facility near Diagonal, Iowa.

Our Hays Beef Development Center tests bulls, heifers and steers for seedstock producers in the Midwest. In the first year of operation, we have tested Limousin, Hereford, Angus, Simmental, Gelbvieh, Red Angus, Charolais and Peidmontese cattle from eight states.

Our bunk system is patterned off the system at Iowa State University, and the bunks are manufactured by ID-ology, a Wisconsin company. We designed our tests to comply with Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) guidelines or those set forth by the appropriate breed association.

We test each group of cattle for at least 90 days, including a 21-day warm-up period that allows the cattle to become accustomed to eating one at a time per bunk. One bunk serves six to eight head, and cattle can eat from any of the

Page 6

bunks in the pen. We weigh the cattle several times throughout the test to establish a more precise rate of gain. We also record the amount of feed each animal consumes.

At the beginning of the test, we tag the animals with electronic identification (EID) tags. EID allows the computer program to assign feed consumption to individual animals on the test. As an animal enters the bunk to eat, the EID reader records its ID while the scale under the bunk collects the weight of the feed. When the animal leaves the bunk, that ends the meal, and we can calculate the size of the meal.

Each bunk sends data to a central computer for data storage and calculations.

Individual feed-intake data are available for every animal in the test. We use the data for calculations, and they also help monitor for sickness and changes in behavior. We then use the individual feed intake, coupled with the rate-of-gain measurement, to calculate feed conversion and feed efficiency.

Residual feed intake (RFI) is gaining a lot of attention in the beef industry. The RFI calculation compares what an animal of its weight and gain is expected to have consumed with what it actually consumed. RFI is expressed in pounds of intake more or less than expected. A bull with a low (possibly negative) RFI continued on page 7

Table. Herdmates with Similar Performance Weight

ADG

RFI

Avg. DMI

Bull A

1055

3.81

-2.74

18.05

Bull B

1038

3.51

+2.46

22.62

Spring 2010

BOTTOM LINE

ate less than expected based on his excelled in their contemporary performance. A negative RFI is groups. Breed associations are in advantageous. the process of gathering feedIn the table on page 6, Bull A intake data to use in genetic evaland Bull B were from the same uation. In the future, data from herd, were managed the same and feed-intake tests likely will conperformed similarly. The difference tribute to expected progeny difin their RFI is 5.2 pounds, however. ferences (EPDs) and indexes for In other words, Bull A consumed cattle producers to use when 5.2 pounds less feed per day than selecting herd sires.

Bull B to perform similarly.

The future of feed-intake testing The two bulls’ average daily is exciting and gaining momentum.

DMI shows a difference of 4.57 Hays Beef Development Center pounds. That calculation does not offers seedstock producers the equal the RFI difference because service of testing entire contempothe bulls have slightly different rary groups of cattle, ready to Becky and Craig Hays and their three children operate Hays weights and gains. What is the return to the ranch for marketing.

Beef Development Center near Diagonal, Iowa. result of the 4.57 pounds differAs progressive seedstock producence in feed intake? At the end of the 90-day test, it cost the ers across the country test more breeding stock, commercial breeder $38 more to feed Bull B than Bull A. cattle producers will have an opportunity to select superior Consider a hypothetical feedyard situation. If two pens of genetics for this valuable economic trait. finished cattle gained and weighed the same, but one pen ate 4 pounds per head per day more than the other, what does About the author: Becky Hays and her husband, Craig, that mean in cost? The load (40 head) that cost $33.60 (4 operate Hays Beef Development Center in Diagonal, Iowa. pounds/day × 120-day feeding period × $0.07/pound of feed) Becky also owns UltraInsights Processing Lab, a centralized per head more to feed cost the owner $1,344. ultrasound-processing laboratory, and processes ultrasound Feed efficiency is a highly heritable trait. In other words, a images for more than 25 technicians. Craig also is a certiproducer can make improvements in feed efficiency by genetfied ultrasound technician who scans cattle across the Unitically selecting herd sires or replacement heifers that have ed States.

LIMOUSIN’S COMMERCIAL CONNECTION

Spring 2010

Page 7

Selecting Profitable Bulls

UltraMate: Strategic Selection

continued from page 1

By Lauren Hyde With superior genetics, a simple crossbreeding plan, stateof-the-art selection tools and a full range of seedstock to serve profit-minded producers, the Limousin breed is on your side.

Savvy producers understand that consistently hitting carcass targets depends on matching cows to the right sires.

Both Limousin and Lim-Flex® sires can help you manage breed composition, gain the benefits of hybrid vigor (heterosis), quickly incorporate the genetics of more than one breed and efficiently hit carcass targets.

■ Mainstream market: Select sires with the best combination of expected progeny differences (EPDs) for growth, ribeye area and marbling and ultrasound scans for ribeye and percent intramuscular fat (IMF).

■ Muscle market: Select sires based on EPDs for growth and ribeye area, with less emphasis on marbling, and ultrasound scans for ribeye area.

■ Marbling market: Select sires based on EPDs for growth and marbling, with less emphasis on ribeye area, and ultrasound scans for percent IMF.

your cow herd and helps meet your marketing goals.

That might include selecting a composite (hybrid or crossbred) bull. The use of composite bulls can simplify crossbreeding programs and has become an accepted method of injecting hybrid vigor (heterosis) into commercial cow herds.

EPDs, Indexes When choosing individual bulls, it is critical to emphasize the genetic component that will be passed to the next generation. A bull’s phenotype (his actual weight, actual ribeye area, etc.) includes both environmental and genetic components. The environmental components include – but are not limited to – feeding regime, seasonal effects and the regional climate where the bull was developed.

If genetic improvement is the goal, as it should be, the tools for selecting bulls should be the ones that focus solely on the genetic component. The tools that do that are EPDs. They allow for the fair comparison of bulls within the same breed across differing environments. EPDs have been shown to be seven to nine times more effective at producing change than selection on actual phenotypes.

To meet breeding objectives, it is important to consider several traits at once. The use of economic indexes can help do that. An economic index simply is a collection of EPDs related to a particular breeding objective whereby each EPD continued on page 9

Page 8

Spring 2010

BOTTOM LINE

is weighted according to its relative economic importance.

More important is the consideration of genetic defects, While an animal that excels in its index value might not particularly in composite bulls that might have carrier aniexcel for each EPD included in the index, it has the potential to mals in their pedigrees. You still can use bulls that are carriadvance the next calf crop the most toward the breeding objecers for genetic defects, but it requires knowledge of the risks tive the index is designed to improve. If you decide to use Limassociated with mating them to your cows. ousin bulls to enhance postweaning growth and carcass merit, For example, if you know your cows are not carriers for a the North American Limousin Foundation’s (NALF’s) Mainspecific genetic defect, you can use a carrier bull with confistream Terminal Index ($MTI) would be approdence. There is no sense in throwing away a good EPDs have priate to use. bull that is superior for several traits just because Realize that EPDs come with accuracy values. he has one flaw that we can detect and manage. been shown to Pay attention to accuracy values, and understand If your breeding objectives include keeping back be seven to nine possible change. EPDs are estimates so they can heifers and you mate to a carrier bull, you should times more change. If you need a calving-ease bull, make not use a carrier bull on the heifers you keep effective at sure his EPD is safe for your definition of “calvback. Mating a carrier to a carrier is the only situproducing change ing ease,” taking into account his published EPD ation that can create afflicted calves, with a 25 than selection and the associated possible change. percent probability.

Economic indexes do not have associated Another emerging and evolving use of DNA on actual accuracy values, but they are not static. A technology is for complex traits (for example, phenotypes. young, unproven bull’s economic index value is reproduction, growth and carcass). It is important not very accurate. An economic index will to realize such information holds tremendous benchange as the component EPDs change. efits when it is included in EPD calculations. When it is disjoined (presented separately from EPDs), it can be challenging DNA to use it effectively, especially in the context of having EPDs Newer tools have come onto the scene recently, namely for those traits.

DNA-marker panels. For simply inherited traits (for example, It is important to understand that current DNA tests for color, polled status and genetic defects), that technology can complex traits only describe a portion of the additive genetbe effective at eliminating undesirable characteristics. For ic variation for a given trait; furthermore, it is likely they will example, if you want to select against horns or red hides, not work the same across breeds. EPDs are not directly selecting bulls that have been DNA-tested as noncarriers for comparable to the results of marker panels, and neither are continued on page 10 those traits can help achieve that.

LIMOUSIN’S COMMERCIAL CONNECTION

Spring 2010

Page 9

Our topline does more...

Selecting Profitable Bulls continued from page 9 the accuracy values of the two. Education in that arena is key to avoiding incorrect decisions.

Finally

...for your bottom line.

There’s a lot more that comes with our famous topline than meets the eye. With the latest advances in Limousin genetics, you can make sure it all adds up for you. + Easy calving and handling + Naturally efficient growth and carcass yield + Enhanced quality and yield grades + Increased bull and female longevity + More market options through natural brands and mainstream grids Do the math for your operation — then beef up your bottom line with Limousin.

Today’s Limousin. Your best cross for profit.

PUREBRED

·

FULLBLOOD

Also evaluate bulls for their abilities to pass on their genetics to the next generation. Such factors as structural correctness and passing a breeding-soundness exam (BSE) are critical. Remember, BSEs do not measure libido, and you should conduct them every year before you turn out bulls.

About the author: Matt Spangler, Ph.D., is an assistant professor and Extension beef genetics specialist at the University of NebraskaLincoln.

In Review ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Clearly identify any environmental constraints on your enterprise.

Clearly identify your marketing goals.

For commercial producers, utilize crossbreeding.

Use expected progeny differences (EPDs) and economic indexes.

Keep good production records, which will help you decide what traits to improve so you can focus on them when you purchase bulls.

Get More Information ■ University of Nebraska Beef Production – http://beef.unl.edu ■ National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium (NBCEC) – www.nbcec.org

Page 10

Spring 2010

BOTTOM LINE

Percentiles, Trends Helpful for Commercial Cattle Producers

By Lauren Hyde The North American Limousin Foundation’s (NALF’s) tables of percentile breakdowns show how animals rank within the breed for several traits of economic importance.

They indicate the proportion of animals whose expected progeny difference (EPD) ranks better or worse than the given value.

For most traits, the highest-ranking EPDs are the largest numerically. For birth weight and yield grade, however, smaller values are more favorable. Hence, animals with the highestranking EPDs for those two traits will have negative EPDs. The tables of percentile rankings can be helpful in setting minimum or maximum standards for each trait of interest.

You also can use the tables to avoid extremes for traits, such as milking ability and carcass weight, for which intermediate values are optimal.

NALF’s “Guide to Commercial Bull Selection,” located in the “Genetic Evaluation” section of the NALF Web site (www.nalf.org), provides target EPD profiles for bulls in different production scenarios.

The genetic trends displayed in the figures on page 13 show how the average genetic merit of registered Limousin and Lim-Flex® cattle is improving. The genetic trend for a trait is the average EPD by birth year for that trait. When standardized, as these are, 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 commercial cow-calf producers. The trends in weaning weight, yearling weight and milking ability have increased yearly, while breeders are managing genetic antagonisms for growth by simultaneously decreasing birth weight and improving calving ease.

On the carcass front, breeders have stepped up to meet the mainstream market’s demands for more marbling. Average marbling score EPDs have increased 1.25 standard units since 2002. Although yield grades have increased (the higher the grade, the less yield) and ribeye areas have remained constant, the breed continues to be unmatched in muscling and carcass yield.

Trends in docility, stayability and scrotal circumference (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, see “Limousin Breeders Tackle Temperament” in the “Why Choose Limousin?” section of NALF’s Web site.

Limousin breeders have a long history of recognizing areas for improvement and making the necessary adjustments to move the breed forward. Over the years, they have used selection and management effectively to produce quality seedstock. Commercial users of Limousin genetics are the beneficiaries of those breed-improvement efforts.

PERCENTILE BREAKDOWN – 2008–2010 BORN CALVES Upper%

1% 3% 5% 10% 30% 50% 70% 90%

CED

BW

WW

YW

MILK

CEM

SC

STAY

DOC

CW

REA

YG

MARB

$MTI

19 16 15 13 9 7 6 3

-3.3 -2.3 -1.8 -1.0 0.6 1.6 2.5 3.8

63 59 57 54 47 42 38 32

113 107 103 98 87 80 73 64

34 32 30 28 24 21 19 15

11 9 9 7 5 3 2 0

1.1 0.9 0.9 0.8 0.5 0.4 0.2 0.0

26 24 23 22 20 17 15 13

33 30 28 26 19 15 11 6

52 45 42 37 27 20 13 3

0.89 0.81 0.77 0.71 0.55 0.42 0.27 -0.06

-0.25 -0.22 -0.20 -0.18 -0.11 -0.06 0.02 0.22

0.50 0.39 0.32 0.22 0.04 -0.02 -0.07 -0.12

61 57 54 51 46 44 42 39

PERCENTILE BREAKDOWN – 2008–2010 BORN LIM-FLEX CALVES Upper%

1% 3% 5% 10% 30% 50% 70% 90%

Page 12

CED

BW

WW

YW

MILK

CEM

SC

STAY

DOC

CW

REA

YG

MARB

$MTI

15 14 13 12 9 8 6 4

-3.9 -3.0 -2.6 -2.0 -0.7 0.2 1.0 2.2

66 62 59 56 50 45 41 35

119 112 110 105 94 87 80 71

37 35 33 31 28 25 22 19

8 6 6 5 3 2 1 -1

0.9 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.0

24 23 22 22 18 16 14 10

28 25 24 21 15 11 8 4

56 50 46 39 27 20 14 5

0.59 0.48 0.42 0.34 0.13 0.00 -0.12 -0.29

-0.13 -0.07 -0.04 0.00 0.11 0.18 0.26 0.39

0.60 0.53 0.47 0.40 0.26 0.18 0.10 -0.02

64 62 60 58 52 49 46 42

Spring 2010

BOTTOM LINE

STA N DA R D

D EV I AT I O N

U N I T S

Limousin Genetic Trends 1990-2009 Growth Traits

YEARLING WEIGHT

5.0

MILKING ABILIT Y 4.0

3.0

WEANING WEIGHT BIRTH WEIGHT

2.0

1.0

0.0

1990

U N I T S D EV I AT I O N

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Limousin Genetic Trends 1990-2009 Reproductive Traits and Docility

5.0

STA N DA R D

1991

4.0

STAYABILIT Y DOCILIT Y

3.0

CALVING EASE DIRECT 2.0

CALVING EASE MATERNAL 1.0

0.0

SCROTAL CIRCUMFERENCE –1.0

1990 12

U N I T S D EV I AT I O N

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Limousin Genetic Trends 1990-2009 Carcass Traits and $MTI

11

STA N DA R D

1991

10

MAINSTREAM TERMINAL INDEX

9

1

CARCASS WEIGHT RIBEYE AREA MARBLING SCORE

0

–1.0

YIELD GRADE –2.0

1990

Standard Units = Mean EPD for each trait by year divided by the overall standard deviation of the EPDs for the trait.

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

LIMOUSIN’S COMMERCIAL CONNECTION

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

Spring 2010

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Page 13

BREEDER SPOTLIGHT SOUTH CENTRAL REGION BREEDERS

Your Homozygous Headquarters Hiram and Darenda ◆ 806/375-2346 Bret, Hayley, McKinley & Boone ◆ 806/375-2345 Box 110, Allison, Texas 79003 begertranch@wildblue.net ◆ www.begertranch.com ◆ ◆

A large number of breeding-age bulls available.

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21314 OSR Madisonville, TX 77864 Mobile (281) 808-3473 Home (903) 344-2331 www.counsilfamilylimousins.com BQA II Certified Herd Certified Brucellosis and TB Free Your call or visit is welcome

Limousin & Lim-Flex Seedstock P.O. Box 1531 Camdenton, MO 65020

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Davis Limousin Ranch

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Brad, Norma & Blair Davis 12500 Hwy. 279 • Brownwood, TX 76801 325/784-5071 • 325/784-7674 fax 325/647-7681 cell • info@davislimousin.com

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De Ma r Fa rm s “Unparalleled black Limousin genetics” AI and ET bulls for the commercial market

Page 16

Joe & Margaret Hoot 630 VZ CR 4124 Canton, Texas 75103 (903) 829-8082 DeMarHome@aol.com

Craig Laroue Ranch Manager (903) 292-9080

405/527-7648 hayhooklimousin@valornet.com Edna Manning 405/306-1316 cell

Judy Bugher 405/306-1315

J.W. Snyder 405/306-5202

KEETON LIMOUSIN 10510 CR 1100 • Wolfforth, TX 79382 Leonard & Betty Keeton 806-866-9440 LLKT@door.net

Spring 2010

Lyle & Shana Keeton fax: 806-866-9441 806-866-9049 BULLS • CLUB CALVES • HEIFERS BOTTOM LINE

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Jay & Lori Straight * Jordan & Jackson Jamie, Scott & Brayton Myer Jenelle & Adam Klein

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Your call or visit is always welcome.

WESTERN REGION BREEDERS

RANCH RAISED BULLS & HEIFERS FOR SALE

DJ

HCR 74, Box 146 Fort Davis, TX 79734-5005 (915) 426-3435 • fax (915) 426-3126

Limousin

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Dave Berry

www.bigbendtrailers.com 6845 SE King Road Port Orchard, WA 98367

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RIVERDALE RANCH Red & Black Limousin

Raising Bulls For The Commercial Cattleman

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662-967-2407 fax: 601-605-4724

Gordon & Earline Schuppe 25653 C.R. 63 Iliff, CO 80736-9625

RED AND BLACK LIMOUSIN CATTLE

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(970) 522-8195 (970) 580-8195

WIES LIMOUSIN RANCH WELLSVILLE, MO 63384

573-684-2773

BOB & EUVONNE WIES

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

636-441-2439

Limousin & Lim-Flex Bulls and Females for Sale Privately!

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LIMOUSIN’S COMMERCIAL CONNECTION

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BULLS AND FEMALES AVAILABLE AT THE RANCH

Spring 2010

Page 17

Mineral Considerations for Spring Cows

By Chad Zehnder Successful calving and breeding seasons are essential to any cow-calf enterprise’s profitability. Some factors determining the seasons’ success are beyond our control. Herd nutrition, however, is in the producer’s control and has a tremendous effect on calving and breeding success.

Within a herd-nutrition program, keep in mind the importance of a proper mineral-supplementation program. Minerals play a role in nearly every metabolic function within the body, including reproductive efficiency, growth, colostrum quality and herd health. A mineral-supplementation program does not need to be complicated or complex, but there are some basic things to consider.

Required minerals are classified as macro- and micro(trace) minerals, both of equal importance but required in differing quantities. Macrominerals like calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, potassium, sulfur and salt all play vital roles in metabolic function. Not only are levels of inclusion important, but it also is vital to keep ratios in check.

For example, the calcium-to-phosphorous ratio should be from 1-to-1 to 4-to-1, with 1.5-to-1 being ideal. Calcium and

phosphorous supplementation for diets containing high levels of corn-based products will be different from that of an allhay diet. Cattle primarily consuming hay or grazing dormant winter forage likely will need phosphorous supplementation to meet nutritional requirements.

Diets containing higher levels of grain forages and ethanol co-products, however, might contain adequate phosphorous levels and require additional calcium supplementation to assure balanced calcium-to-phosphorous ratios. Keep in mind that phosphorous generally represents the single largest cost component of a mineral program and significantly can alter mineral cost when provided at optimal levels.

Trace Minerals Micro- (trace) minerals are important for a number of functions within the cow – reproduction and immunity, to name a couple. The requirements for those minerals are generally expressed as parts per million. Zinc, copper, manganese and selenium generally are the microminerals of continued on page 19

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Page 18

Spring 2010

BOTTOM LINE

concern in terms of potential deficiencies.

Like macrominerals, it is important to keep ratios of microminerals in balance. Elevating one without considering the levels of other minerals can create deficiencies, imbalances and suppressed trace-mineral status in the animal.

Trace-mineral form also is essential in evaluating a supplementation program. The bioavailability of a mineral (the ability of an animal to absorb and use it) is dependant upon its form. For example, copper chloride and copper sulfate have relatively good bioavailability; however, copper oxide basically is unavailable to the animal. Therefore, a copper guarantee on a mineral tag supplied by copper oxide is essentially useless to the animal.

Trace minerals supplied in an organic form, such as an amino-acid complex, have greater bioavailability to the animal and have the potential to elevate trace-mineral status at a quicker rate than standard “metal”-based trace-mineral sources, such as oxides and sulfates.

Minerals containing organic trace-mineral sources often are termed as “breeder minerals” and are fed during the breeding season with the expectation of increasing conception rate. While benefits of feeding the organic sources during the breeding season might be realized, initiating an organicmineral program 60 days before calving through the initiation of the breeding season might yield additional benefits. Data suggest cows provided an organic trace-mineral source before calving have improved colostrum quality, improved calf health and vaccination response – all leading to a more successful calving season.

Continuing the program until artificial insemination (AI) or bull turnout has shown to improve return to estrus and conception rates. Simply starting a “breeder mineral” program at the beginning of the breeding season likely will not provide the improved performance that can be expected when initiated before calving or before breeding.

water sources for livestock enterprises. The presence of sulfates in drinking water might necessitate changes in tracemineral supplementation and levels of ethanol co-products that can be used in cattle rations. Ethanol co-products might contain high levels of sulfur, which can tie up trace minerals, particularly copper.

The use of an organic mineral source can alleviate effects of antagonists and increase mineral status of cattle when antagonists are present. Producers should work with their nutritionists to evaluate potential antagonists in their regions.

When evaluating the mineral-supplementation needs of a particular enterprise, however, a regional approach should be taken.

While forage-mineral analysis can provide some insight of mineral content of a particular forage source, it says nothing of availability of the minerals to the animal. In addition, forage-mineral levels change throughout the growing season and can vary drastically from pasture to pasture. Costs associated with correctly analyzing a complete mineral profile for an enterprise that takes into consideration seasonal and pasture variations are greater than any potential cost savings from customizing and reducing a supplement’s particular trace mineral.

Mineral-intake management can provide significant economic benefits in the cow herd. From an animal-performance standpoint, minerals that are unpalatable and underconsumed will not deliver the nutritional benefits they are designed to provide. Salt is the major driver of mineral intake so underconsumption most often is attributed to salt levels, feeder placement or mineral palatability – not the lack of need by the animal for a particular mineral. At the same time, controlling overconsumption of a mineral can provide significant savings in a mineral program.

Implementing a balanced mineral program that accounts for cow requirements year-round can help optimize cow performance and herd profit potential.

Antagonisms, Variations One also must be aware of antagonistic effects that can occur. Many areas in the United States have naturally occurring antagonists, such as sulfur, iron and molybdenum. Those antagonists have the ability to tie up other trace minerals, rendering them unavailable to the animal. A test is recommended to evaluate the potential for sulfates and iron in LIMOUSIN’S COMMERCIAL CONNECTION

About the author: Chad Zehnder, Ph.D., of Stanchfield, Minn., is a cattle consultant with Land O’Lakes Purina Feed, which has a full line of weather-resistant, bagged minerals and mineral tubs. Visit www.PurinaMills.com or www.LandOLakesFeed.com on the Web for more information.

Spring 2010

Page 19

value-added programs definitely have provided us with a better margin, provided the cattle are of superior genetics as it relates to feedyard performance and carcass traits.

Sittin’ Down With Mark Anderson FP:

Before he left the North American Limousin Foundation (NALF) staff in January, former Director of Member and Commercial Relations Frank Padilla sat down with Mark Anderson, manager of the Producers Livestock Marketing Association (PLMA) feedyard near Greeley, Colo., to visit about cattle feeding.

What percentage of the cattle you feed annually goes into a natural program of some kind?

MA: Nearly 75 percent of our cattle are destined for a natural program.

FP:

Do you think it is beneficial for cow-calf producers to keep their calf crops “natural”?

MA: Yes, I do. And not only from a monetary standpoint.

Most cattle are marketed back into programs that receive carcass information so an individual can make genetic improvements based on actual harvest data.

In addition, closeout data are provided for all cattle to gauge the feed performance during their stays in the feedyard. A good reputation for cattle adds value at sale time whether they are marketed as feeder cattle or into a finishedcattle program.

FP: Tell us about your background and the PLMA feedyard.

MA: I was raised on a 300-head commercial cow and feedlot operation. I graduated from Colorado State University with an animal science degree and spent seven years with CattleFax in Denver as a finished-cattle market analyst for the Colorado–Texas region. I have spent the last 20 years in the feedlot business, handling all aspects of risk management, financing and cattle feeding. I have been the manager of the PLMA feedyard the last eight years. We are a 50,000-head yard that is mainly filled by ranchers who retain ownership of their cattle and who are trying to add Mark Anderson value through third-party source-and-age verification, with many cattle being marketed into various natural programs across the central region of the country. Our yard has a central facility outside Greeley, Colo., which is a 30,000-head yard, and we grow an additional 20,000 cattle in backgrounding yards north of Greeley – all under our management. Ours is a full-service yard that offers financing and risk-management services. I also have a commodity-broker’s license.

FP:

FP: What do you think are the key elements in creating value in a feeder calf from the feeder perspective?

MA: As I mentioned earlier, feed performance in terms of average daily gain and conversion rates is important. Harvest data are more critical now, with cattle being marketed into programs that are more specific.

Adding value through third-party sourceand-age verification is becoming more important because it captures real dollars for cattle that can qualify for export markets.

Cattle that have a track record for those items are key when feedyards are running breakevens to determine value coming into their yards.

FP: Into what programs do you market cattle?

MA: We market cattle to most of the major packers – Tyson, National, Excel and JBS. We also market cattle to Laura’s Lean Beef Co. (LLB) and Meyer Natural Angus (MNA). We market cattle as natural or conventional that are third-party source-and-age verified. Most programs are geared toward Choice and Prime product – with the exception of LLB, which mainly targets Select product.

What balance of breed type fits the various markets you target?

MA: Most breeds have cattle within their populations that fit the requirements for high-quality harvest results.

The key is to identify those cattle that have that ability. At present, most natural programs into which we market for Choice cattle want predominantly black or red cattle with the ability to grade Choice or higher.

We also feed quite a few high-percentage Limousin cattle into the LLB program.

FP:

FP:

It has been tough, to say the least, in the feeding sector over the past two and a half years. Is there any particular market in which feeders have fared better than others?

MA: The market environment has been tough for everybody the last three years, but we have fared better with our cattle going into natural programs that are receiving a premium for added value under various marketing programs. We still have to maintain an aggressive risk-management program for cattle regardless of what program they are sold into. The LIMOUSIN’S COMMERCIAL CONNECTION

What advice do you have for cow-calf producers concerning what they can do to create more value for their calf crops?

MA: It is definitely worth the time to get cattle third-party source-and-age verified. It also is critical to obtain carcass data and feedyard performance to have history for your cattle to make genetic change that actually counts. Adequate vaccination and mineralsupplement programs are vital to adding value to your cattle whether you retain ownership or plan to market them to someone else.

Spring 2010

Page 23

Mike Cravens of Lee’s Summit, Mo., accepts the North American Limousin Foundation Commercial Producer of the Year award from Executive Vice President Bob Hough, Ph.D.

Missouri Is Home to Limousin Commercial Producer of the Year Accurate recordkeeping, strict culling and strong industry 12-month calving interval and a 95 percent weaning rate. They ties helped earn the North American Limousin Foundation attribute good breeding, a good health program, good man(NALF) Commercial Producer of the Year award for Mike and agement and good nutrition to attaining those goals.

Betsy Cravens of Lee’s Summit, Mo. Managing nutrition and health costs is their primary strateBob Hough, Ph.D., NALF executive vice president, presented gy for increasing returns and controlling costs. They use the the award Jan. 13 during the Limousin pen and carload shows same bulls for their spring- and fall-calving herds, and they at the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) in Denver, Colo. check all of their bulls for fertility and soundness before “Mike and Betsy Cravens are producers with the big picturnout. ture in mind,” said Frank Padilla, former direcTheir sire selection begins with a thorough tor of member and commercial relations for visual assessment and includes genetic potenThe Other NALF. “They have proven that Limousin genettial for birth weight, weaning weight and ribeye Nominees ics are an important component of successful area. As their heifer-replacement program ■ Roger Wick, New commercial cow-calf production.” matures, they also are putting more emphasis Rockford, N.D. Nominated by the Missouri Limousin Breedon appropriate milking ability for their environ■ Wayne J. Nelson ers Association (MLBA) and the Heartland Limment. They cull sires based on the results of ferCattle Co., ousin Association (HLA), the husband-and-wife tility tests, unsoundness, temperament and age.

Langford, S.D. team has owned and managed M&B Limousin In selecting replacement females, they again for more than 20 years. The enterprise comprisstart with a visual evaluation, including udder ■ Fredrickson Farms, es 650 owned acres, 400 rented acres and 280 quality. Weaning weight and milking ability also Independence, Wis. cows, including 170 commercial females. They are among their selection criteria. Qualitatively, originally incorporated Limousin genetics for they prefer docile, polled genetics that match the breed’s calving ease, performance and female longevity. their limited labor resources. They cull females based on failThey keep detailed notes about their cows’ birthing dates ure to breed, lost calves, unsoundness and temperament. and times, difficulties, peculiarities, and locations from year They market the majority of their calves to Laura’s Lean to year. Adding carcass data has rounded out their overview Beef Co. (LLB) and Strauss Brands, with the remainder going of each calf from birth to harvest and each cow for her entire to the local auction market. They collect carcass data from life on the farm. those branded programs and combine them with their calving Their two most important performance guidelines are a records to determine their most productive animals.

LIMOUSIN’S COMMERCIAL CONNECTION

Spring 2010

Page 25

Spring Creeks Named 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. 13 in Denver, Colo.

In recognition of its demonstrated commitment to commercial cattle producers, Spring Creeks Cattle Co. of Wauzeka, Wis., received the award from Bob Hough, Ph.D., NALF executive vice president.

The Bob and Rhonda Mitchell family owns and manages the enterprise, which also includes Matt, Shelby, Blake and Clint; Bart, Amy, Lily, Brooke and Violet; and Scott, Jolene and Macy.

With about 600 head of registered and commercial Limousin, Lim-Flex® and Angus cattle, the Mitchells sell 60 to 80 bulls annually and market mature cows, bred females and open heifers. They focus on producing sound, practical cattle that can be productive in any environment by using proven herd bulls and elite artificial-insemination (AI) sires.

Committed to raising calves without using antibiotics or added growth hormones, they aggressively market their cattle’s naturally lean, meaty carcasses through local, stateinspected lockers, as well as Laura’s Lean Beef Co. (LLB) and Strauss Brands.

Bob Mitchell of Spring Creeks Cattle Co., Wauzeka, Wis., accepts the North American Limousin Foundation Commercial Marketing Booster of the Year award from Executive Vice President Bob Hough, Ph.D.

“Spring Creeks embodies progressive seedstock production,” said Frank Padilla, former director of member and commercial relations for NALF. “Their aggressive genetic improvement goals, combined with their flexible marketing program, have allowed their enterprise to grow while opening up new avenues for Limousin genetics.”

The family was instrumental in introducing Strauss Brands to the Limousin breed and NALF and in forging the sourcing agreement that has provided a new marketing opportunity for Limousin-influenced calves. They have become spokespeople for both the breed and Strauss Brands, including Bart and Amy’s appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show in 2008 to explain how they raise and manage free-raised veal calves.

Coakley Is Limousin Promoter of the Year The North American Limousin Foundation (NALF) presented its Limousin Promoter of the Year award to Scott Coakley, vice president of cattle procurement for Laura’s Lean Beef Co. (LLB), during the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) Limousin pen and carload shows Jan. 13 in Denver, Colo. The award goes to someone in allied industry who has advanced the Limousin breed through marketing, education or research.

Coakley has been involved in ranching and cattle finishing since his youth and continues to study market trends, harvest technologies, carcass quality and meat processing.

He has 20 years of experience qualifying cattle for specific natural programs. He has traveled North America to develop specialty markets and educational programs to help beef producers use pharmaceuticals, feed supplements, genomic information and animal-welfare guidelines.

LLB is North America’s largest supplier of naturally lean, branded beef. It long has been a major buyer for muscular, lean, Limousin-influenced calves and recently has developed a plan for promoting hybrid vigor (heterosis) in the natural beef sector – primarily by incorporating Limousin genetics for superior gain and yield in predominately British-based cow herds. By supporting crossbreeding, carcass traits and DNA profiling to suit specific target markets, the company aims to increase the availability and affordLIMOUSIN’S COMMERCIAL CONNECTION

Scott Coakley, vice president of cattle procurement for Laura’s Lean Beef Co., accepts the Limousin Promoter of the Year award from North American Limousin Foundation Executive Vice President Bob Hough, Ph.D.

ability of lean, natural beef.

Coakley has been instrumental in developing that program for LLB while fostering a positive working relationship with NALF to create “pull-through” demand for Limousininfluenced cattle.

“Scott has strengthened an already-solid relationship between users of Limousin genetics and one of the nation’s leading all-natural beef companies,” said Frank Padilla, former director of member and commercial relations for NALF. “His dedication and foresight have created win-win situations for the organization, its members and their customers.”

Spring 2010

Page 27

The Power of Red: Partners Launch Program to Benefit Natural Beef

By Scott Coakley Laura’s Lean Beef Co. (LLB), North America’s largest supplier of naturally lean branded beef, is promoting one version of the LimFlex® movement to create a significant new source of F1 red Limousin–Red Angus cattle to share with its corporate partner, Meyer Natural Angus (MNA). Under a dynamic tag line, “The Power of Red,” LLB and MNA plan for the program to promote hybrid vigor (heterosis) in the natural beef industry by combining the Limousin breed’s superior gain with the Angus breed’s widespread presence.

The new red Lim-Flex program is a cooperative arrangement in which producers raise cattle from red Limousin and Red Angus bulls and cows then harvest them with LLB or MNA based on tenderness, marbling and ribeye size as predicted by DNA testing. The companies believe using science to predict quality grade will greatly improve packer and producer profitability.

LLB will take the cattle that grade Select or Standard, and MNA will take those that grade Choice or Prime. Cattle headed for either company will be paid $10 per hundredweight more than the weekly five-area market, but each company offers its own bonus grid to compliment each breed’s characteristics. Both programs include reimbursement for DNA testing and freight to harvest at one

of several locations in the Midwest. Additionally, MNA will pay a bonus of $15 per head for cattle with Red Angus Feeder Calf Certification Program (FCCP) tags. To qualify for the MNA program, cattle must be at least 50 percent Red Angus.

The red Lim-Flex program culminates the career of LLB’s former co-owner and COO, John Tobe. After 19 years of helping to build LLB from a family farm to an international natural beef provider, he will turn over daily operations to a team of leaders from LLB and MNA headed by the latter’s Bill Rupp. Tobe will continue to influence both companies’ progress as a member of the MNA board of directors.

LLB always has depended on the naturally superior genetics of lean, muscular breeds like Limousin, and it is proud to offer red Limousin and Red Angus producers a dynamic new program that has the potential to increase the availability and affordability of lean, naturally healthy beef.

About the author: Scott Coakley is vice president of cattle procurement for LLB. For more information about the red Lim-Flex program, call 1-800-ITS-LEAN to speak with a cattle buyer for your region.

Visual Appraisal, Performance Information Combine to Reduce Surprises Bull selection starts with choosing a reputable breeder. The member directory on the North American Limousin Foundation (NALF) Web site (www.nalf.org) is a good place to start.

NALF also can provide you with a list of Limousin breeders in your area. As you contact breeders, find out what services they offer – such as breeding guarantees; calf buybacks; delivery; and selection, management and marketing advice.

Soundness After you find a breeder and have some bull prospects in mind, assess whether the bulls are reproductively and structurally sound.

The best way to evaluate reproductive soundness is through a breeding-soundness exam (BSE). Veterinarians perform BSEs, which include physical exams, scrotal-circumferLIMOUSIN’S COMMERCIAL CONNECTION

ence (SC) measurements and semen evaluations. NALF recommends bulls pass BSEs before they change owners. Sellers should make BSE results available and specify guarantees of reproductive soundness and fertility.

Structural soundness ensures herd sires can breed females effectively. Breeding bulls need sound feet, legs and eyes to service females in heat. Bulls should have appropriate angles at all weight-bearing joints and move without pain or discomfort.

You also should consider bulls’ conformations, body capacities, frame sizes, muscling or thickness, libidos, dispositions, color, and polled statuses. You might want to limit your selections to virgin bulls to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases.

Spring 2010

continued on page 30

Page 29

Visual Appraisal, Performance Information Combine to Reduce Surprises continued from page 29 Environment Bull selection should target an acceptable combination of traits that complements your cow herd’s strengths and weaknesses. You should balance various traits and avoid extremes.

Bulls should match your cows, markets, management and environment.

To get a clearer picture of the type of bull that is appropriate for your needs, develop goals for your enterprise and evaluate your herd critically. Be prepared to ask yourself some questions. For example, if your cows have been having calving problems, limit your search to calving-ease bulls. If your calves’ weaning weights have been lighter than you would like, choose bulls with superior growth traits.

Ultimately, based on your cows’ strengths and weaknesses and the goals for your next calf crop, you can determine a target-EPD (expected progeny difference) profile for prospective purchases. NALF’s tables of EPD percentile breakdowns (see page 12), published with every sire summary, show how animals rank within the breed. They can be helpful in setting standards for each trait of interest.

Together Selecting the right bulls depends on your breeding objectives, and the best bulls for one producer might not be the best

Page 30

for another. The more information you use in bull selection, the fewer surprises. It is important to use both performance information and visual appraisal in choosing breeding bulls.

If you select solely on performance numbers, you inadvertently might choose structurally unsound or infertile bulls that will do little for your calf-crop percentage and herd improvement. If you select bulls based only on visual appraisal, you almost certainly will overlook bulls with genetics more appropriate to your situation.

Editor’s note: This information is from the “Guide to Commercial Bull Selection” that you can find in the “Genetic Evaluation” section of the NALF Web site.

Spring 2010

BOTTOM LINE

Limousin Locator Colorado

Montana

Utah

Private treaty – Magness Land and Cattle, (970) 785-6170 (pages 14–15) Private treaty – Running Creek Ranch, Elizabeth, (303) 841-7901 (page 22)

April 5 – Coleman Limousin Ranch 32nd Annual Sale, Missoula, (406) 644-2300 (page 11) Private treaty – Gates Limousin, Absarokee, (406) 328-4393 (page 26)

Private treaty – Millerberg Limousin, Draper, (801) 566-4665 (page 6)

Indiana

North Dakota

Private treaty – Sennett Cattle Co., Waynetown, (765) 234-2621 (page 7)

March 20 – Vaughn Farms–Dakota Connection Annual Sale, Bismarck, (701) 265-4097 (page 30) March 22 – Hager Cattle Co. Annual Bull Sale, Bismarck, (701) 525-6363 (page 10)

Iowa Private treaty – Linhart Limousin, Leon, (641) 340-1306 (page 3)

Kansas Private treaty – Liberty Ranch, Plainville, (785) 885-4882 (page 28)

Minnesota March 26 – Wulf Limousin Farms Opportunity Sale of 2010, Morris, (320) 392-5802 (pages 20–21)

Oklahoma March 28 – Magness Land and Cattle Southern Division Bull Sale, Miami, (918) 541-5482 (pages 14–15) April 10 – Magness Land and Cattle FallCalving Cow Herd Dispersal, Miami, (918) 541-5482 (pages 14–15)

Wisconsin Private treaty – Spring Creeks Cattle Co., Wauzeka, (608) 875-5049 (page 8)

Thanks to Our Corporate Sponsors Five Star Cattle Systems, (970) 231-6278 (page 32) Land O’Lakes Purina Feed, 1-800-227-8941 (page 5) Laura’s Lean Beef Co., 1-800-ITS-LEAN (page 2) Limi-Gene, 1-800-722-2079 (page 24) Strauss Brands, 1-800-562-7775 (page 9)

South Dakota March 19 – Schott Limousin Ranch 27th Annual Sale, Mobridge, (605) 823-4974 (page 31)

LIMOUSIN’S COMMERCIAL CONNECTION

Spring 2010

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7383 S. Alton Way, Suite 100 Centennial, Colorado 80112-2339