The Drover: June 2024

THE DROVER

Executive Board and Directors

RUSSELL FREEMAN

PRESIDENT russell@thefreemanranch com 719-338-5071

VICE

www gangof5longhorns com 214 287-2303

AT LARGE #1 crosswrenchranch@msn com 240-446-9950 REGION 3 tomeyfarms@yahoo.com

& TREASURER drjustinsabio@gmail com TERRY BRINK REGION 6 brinkauction@gmail.com 580- 335-4126

AT

#2 gary@searleranch com

larrypsmith2@yahoo com 254-396-9185 MICHA HAMERSKY REGION 1 contact@texaslonghorn.at

HENDERSON REGION 9 wgh1@swbell com 832-768-0430

mikemetcalfe8@icloud.com 719-491-3757

victoryranchlonghorns@gmail com 208-428-2483

REGION

dosninosranch@gmail com

MIKE TOMEY

ITLA PAST PRESIDENTS

JERRY WILLIAMS 1990 BILL ANTHONY 1991 STAN SEARLE 1992-1993

JOE VALENTINE 1994-1996

BEN GRAVETT 1997 DAROL DICKINSON 1998-1999 RAY MOORE 2000 GARY BRUCH 2001-2002

MARY SUE CLINE 2003 JOHN HODGES 2004-2006

LARRY SMITH II 2007-2010

LARRY LANERO 2014-2015 GARY DON TAYLOR 2016 MIKE TOMEY 2017-2018

RUSSELL HOOKS OCT 2022-APRIL 2023

ALBERTA TLA

PRESIDENT: CODY BAILEY codylbailey1122@outlook.com 780-352-6144

CANADIAN TLA

PRESIDENT: PETE HILDEBRAND p-lhildebrand@hotmail com 306-774-8205

INDIAN TERRITORY TLA

PRESIDENT: JOSH DINWIDDIE

BEST OF TRAILS TLA

PRESIDENT: JOHN DVORAK johndvorak25@gmail com 620-382-7103

CHISHOLM TRAIL TLA

PRESIDENT: DANIELLE MERSHON Danielle@whistlingtxlonghorns.co m 254-630-0053

THE LONGHORN POSSEE

EMAIL: josh.plaindirtfarmservice@yahoo.com

PHONE: 580-812-2436

MOUNTAIN STATES TLA

PRESIDENT: TRAVIS CASEY tcasey357@yahoo.com 719-650-5234

PRESIDENT: MIKEAL DEATHERAGE EMAIL PHONE: 817-999-1836

NORTHEAST TLA

PRESIDENT: JOHN MOXLEY crosswrenchranch@msn com 240-446-9950

TLA OF ONTARIO

PRESIDENT: CLARENCE DEKENS EMAIL PHONE

LARRY SMITH II 2019-2022 ROGER HUTTON 2011-2013

RUSSELL FREEMAN APRIL2023- PRESENT

BRAZILIAN TLA

DIRECTOR: HUMBERTO NOMBRE EMAIL: humbanobre@hotmail.com PHONE: +55 62 98118-2332

GREAT LAKES TLA

PRESIDENT: JOHNNY HICKS

EMAIL: hicksamericanbulldogs@yahoocom PHONE: 269-721-3473

MIDWEST TLA

PRESIDENT: BRAD FIDLER bradley fidler@yahoo.com 765-720-0913

OHIO RIVER VALLEY TLA

PRESIDENT: DOUG BURRIS dougburris45@gmail.com 740-680-5973

TOP OF THE WEST TLA PRESIDENT: SHADOW SEAMAN VictoryRanchLonghorns@gmail.com 208-420-2484

-ITLA Committees-

The International Board of Directors has established the following Committees which are designed, in part, to help the ITLA run more efficiently, to remain competitive in the industry, and to provide our members with desired activities and volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in serving on any of these Committees, please contact the listed Chairpersons. We need your ideas and energies!

MARKETING/MEMBERSHIP/EVENTS COMMITTEE

Chair: Gary Lake – (719) 314-8294

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Chair: Justin Sabio – (940) 902-3246

COMPUTER COMMITTEE

Chair: Russell Freeman – (719) 338-5071

JUDGES APPROVAL/SELECTION COMMITTEE

Chair: Larry Smith – (254) 396-9185

AFFILIATES COMMITTEE

Chair: Shadow Seaman – (208) 420-2484

BEEF COMMITTEE

Chair: Mike Metcalfe – (719) 478-3011

BY-LAWS REVIEW COMMITTEE

Chair: Brad Westmoreland – (972) 937-7273

YOUTH COMMITTEE

Co-Chairs: Wes and Amanda Evans

SHOW RULES COMMITTEE

Chair: Justin Sabio – (940) 902-3246

CHAMP SHOWS COMMITTEE

Chair: Jeremy Johnson – (210) 413-2105

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

2024

JUNE 8

MTLA Show

Putnam County Fairgrounds Greencastle, IN

Contact: Brad Fidler 765-720-0913

JUNE 22

The GLTLA Futurity Manchester, MI

Contact: Josh Shaw 616-212-8226

JULY 13

Metcalfe Dispersal Sale Amarillo, TX

Sale Catalogue

JULY 27

The York Fair

Location: York, PA

Contact: Remington King rem@latimorevalleyfarms.com 717-253-8275

AUGUST 16

The Montgomery County Fair Location: Gaithersburg, MD

Contact: Lizz Huntzberry 240-291-1958

JUNE 16

The Piney Woods Winchester Futurity Lufkin, TX

Contact: Donnie Taylor 936-414-1401

JUNE 29 & 30

The NETLA Show

Location: Frederick Fairgrounds Frederick, Maryland

Contact: John Moxley crosswrenchranch@msn.com 240-446-9950

JULY 19 & 20

ORVTLA Show & Buckeye Classic Futurity

Belmont County Fairgrounds Location:St. Clairsville, OH

Contact: Doug Burris 740-680-5973

JULY 30- AUGUST 4

Ozark Empire Fair

Location: Springfield, MO

Contact: Amy Mast le.longhorncc@gmail.com 262-720-1510

AUGUST 31

CTTLA Fall Shootout Show

Wise County Fairgrounds

Location: Decatur, TX

Contact: Danielle Mershon 254-630-0053

•Haltered• •Youth • Mini•

JUNE 21

Futurity of the West Dundee, Oregon

JULY 12

806 Longhorn Futurity Amarillo, TX

JULY 26

Cheesehead Futurity Gresham,Wisconsin

AUGUST TBD

Double Down Futurity Colorado Springs, Colorado

SEPTEMBER 1

Top of the West Idaho Show 215 Fair Ave, Filer, ID 83328, Contact- Shadow Seaman victoryranchlonghorns@gmail.com 208-420-2484

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 7

Crossroads of the West Salt Lake City, Utah

SEPTEMBER 20

The Great Frederick Fair

Location: Frederick, MD

Contact: John Moxley 240-446-9950

SEPTEMBER 8

The Maryland State Fair Location: Timonium, MD Contact: John Moxley 240-446-9950

SEPTEMBER 20

Legends Futurity Duncan, Oklahoma

SEPTEMBER 13 & 14

G & G Classic Sale & Futurity Culpeper, VA

Contact: Chase Vasut 512-917-8654

SEPTEMBER 28

DCC Customer Appreciation Day Barnesville, Ohio

Contact: Kirk Dickinson 740-758-5050

OCTOBER 4-5

Horn Showcase Futurity El Reno, Oklahoma

OCTOBER 9-12

ITLA Championship Show & Convention Stephens County Fair Grounds Duncan, Oklahoma

OCTOBER 18 & 19

Millennium Sale & Futurity Lexington, KY Contact: Ann Gravett gravett99@yahoo.com

INTERNATIONAL LIVESTOCK CURRENT NEWS

TAX SCAM ON RANCHERS

Bill Bullard gives the clearest history with definitive dataonUSDA'sregurgitatedEID,ADT,NAIStaxscam onranchers.

Bill Bullard President of R-Calf

Listen to this 5 minute by R-CALF CEO Bill Bullard.

A LETTER FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT

The American motivational author and poet William Arthur Ward once wrote: “Do more than belong: participate. Do more than care: help. Do more than believe: practice. Do more than dream: work.”

As of the writing of this letter, the Gang of 5 (my wife, kids, and I) are all looking forward to the Lone Star Classic to be held in Sulphur Springs, Texas beginning May 21st. At that event I’m honored to be the announcer for both the Futurity and the Youth Show. Two of my girls will be showing cattle. We’ve also entered animals in the Futurity. That Sunday morning, I plan on leading a worship service to our Lord for any in attendance who wish to participate Now, why am I writing about this? Am I bragging? Far from it! While we’ve raised Texas cattle for six generations in the Westmoreland family, this will only be the second time one of my girls has shown an animal, and I believe the third for another. So, while they try very hard, they are not exactly pros, right? Do you know how many times I’ve announced at a cattle show? Zero. Guess how many times I’ve led a worship service at one? You guessed it: also zero. I expect my daughters will do fantastic, and I likewise have full confidence in our cattle, but there is a high chance I’ll embarrass myself at some point this weekend maybe multiple times. In fact, I may never be invited to announce at another show, when all is said and done And boy oh boy, the stuff on my calendar that I could be doing this weekend! You have no idea. So why do all of this at the Lone Star if there’s a better-than-average chance of failure and/or debilitating embarrassment? Here’s why: as your ITLA Vice President I want each of you who read this to do more than belong I want you to participate. I want you to do more than care I want you to help. I want you to do more than believe in this organization I want you to put that belief into practice. And I hope to motivate you to do more than dream about what the ITLA may become I ask that you work to help us get there. It would be hypocritical of me to ask these things of you…only to sit back and do none of them myself. After all, a leader should lead. So, bring on the Lone Star! And forgive me of my errors in advance: I’ll do better next time.

And don’t forget: be sure to contact the ITLA office about getting your name or ranch name highlighted in our upcoming Special Edition Drover/Membership Directory coming out this August. It will be here before you know it; and you want your information prominently featured!

Until next time, may God bless each of you, your Gang, and your cattle. --Brad

UPDATE FROM HEADQUARTERS

254-898-0157 staff@itla com

I hope you all have had a wonderful start to the summer! First off, I would like to give a huge shoutout to our 2024 Lone Star Classic Sponsors! It was such a wonderful show thanks to all of our supporters!

Now it is time to switch gears to the 2024 ITLA Championship Show & Convention in Duncan OK! This will be the event of the year! Our longhorn family all across the country will meet together to share our love of this breed! We will have our Open Haltered, Non-Haltered, & Youth shows, as well as our Elite Heifer Sale, and Championship Futurity which will be included in the National Futurity Race!

For more information, or if you would like to be involved, please reach out to me and I will be happy to help!

Thank you!

Pam Kinsel Hughes

Bio: Jarrod Montford of Montford Cattle Services is a 5th generation cattle rancher on one side of the family and a 4th generation cattle rancher on the other side whose family has been operating on the same land since 1888 Montford has been in the realm of AI since he was 8 years old. He is a Tarleton State University graduate with an animal science degree. In 2004 he became a semen sales representative for Genex Beef. He attended the International Embryo Technology School and in 2017, He, alongside his family, began his artificial insemination school. He has taught over 1750 students from over 30 states, Mexico, and Canada. In 2019, Montford joined ST Genetics where they specialize in sexed-semen and genomic testing. Montford is based out of Bridgeport, Texas He is married to the love of his life, Kassie, and has one 2-year-old daughter

Website: https://montfordcattleservice.com/

Office Number: 940-389-3135

Introduction: Recently, I had the privilege of interviewing one of my biggest agricultural role models, Jarrod Montford Before our interview, Mr Montford had experienced a crazy week, and yet he willingly sacrificed over two hours of his time to talk with me and provide this article for you, the ITLA family. He is a man we should all try to emulate. So, as I eagerly sat down at the desktop the only hurdle, I expected to encounter with this interview was my nervousness. Yet, as that friendly southern smile of Mr. Montford popped onto the screen, I soon realized that my nervousness was the least of my concerns. For, as Jarrod’s mouth moved, I heard no sound, only static, and I was rendered as a frozen picture on his screen The ONLY downside to living in the middle of nowhere? Poor internet connection As Montford and I battled our lousy networks, however, my nerves began to melt away as Montford’s thick draw and obvious passion for agriculture seeped through the screen. Mr. Montford was my artificial insemination instructor and someone whom I can now call my friend. Montford is impressive for many reasons, yet what stands out the most are the three values, which he always lives by: Faith, family, and cattle. As Montford says, “If it doesn’t fit faith, family, or cattle, I don’t need to be doing it!”

Westmoreland: How did you get your start in AI?

Montford: “I have to give all credit to my grandmother and my dad.” In the 1950s my grandparents used to hire someone to AI their cattle. They got tired of their herd sire and the neighbor’s herd sire tearing down their fences. So, they sought to utilize AI again, but this time wondered why they couldn’t do it on their own. So, they did. It was so successful that they “Bit the bullet and sold the bull a year later!” Ever since then, the operation has been 100% artificial insemination I was 8 years old at the time, and by the time I was in middle school, I was artificially inseminating cattle myself In college, I worked on the side for some local programs with AI but did not anticipate that my career would be in the field of cattle reproduction. I planned to manage big-name ranches and did manage a seedstock operation in Texas and a 5000-acre ranch operation in Oklahoma. However, I quickly realized this was not the career that I thought it would be. So, to get out of dodge in Oklahoma, I took a job for a year teaching high school ag. science. “It was at that time I realized that was not the career for me, … They don’t allow hot shots in schools, and you cannot correct kids or parents’ behavior the way you can cattle when they don’t come down the chute like you want them to by the time my teaching contract was done, I was ready to get back into cattle ” To earn a living, I jumped into the oil field and “immediately began side-hustling his arm” in artificial insemination. I felt, however, that my job in the oil field was getting in the way of my passion. So, I took a huge pay cut and walked out of the oil field. I made $13,000 the first year and, “I haven’t worked a day since.”

Westmoreland: What practices and knowledge are most important to a successful AI program?

Montford: 90% of the reason your cow gets bred is cattle management and only 10% is the actual AI work itself. Thus, first and foremost, you need an understanding of cattle nutrition. The correlation between energy and reproduction is crucial and we must understand that energy drives reproduction regardless of how much protein your cattle have in their diet The second necessity is a quality mineral program I recommend finding a qualified freelance ruminant nutritionist who can guide you through this process. The third necessity is the selection of the right cowboys who can move cattle quietly. “You can do 365 days of cattle management correctly and hire the wrong cowboy. You have to make that cow decide to do what you want her to do; if it is your decision you have failed. She has to want to decide what you want her to do. If she makes that decision, then you are correctly in control and you now have a good basis of gear to have a successful AI program.” We need to shift our mindset from hammers and nails to concrete slabs in AI

Westmoreland: What are the biggest mistakes you see people making in AI?

Montford: The first mistake is a poor understanding and management of cortisol in cattle. The LH receptors on the ovaries are blocked by cortisol which means that if a cow is stressed, her body’s focus is merely on survivability, not fertility. The key to success, again, is to keep your cattle calm from the pasture to the palpation gate. The second mistake is poor heat syncing and detection practices There is no silver bullet in heat protocols but rather, whichever protocol best aligns with your facilities, finances, management, and time. The biggest and most important aspect of this is ensuring that you are certain that your cows are in heat and taking the time to truly educate yourself on what standing heat looks like. A recurring issue in heat detection is the attitude of many producers that the work is over once heat detection time comes. This approach is similar to the Dallas Cowboys making it to the playoffs every year but losing in game one. These folks have it backward and instead need the mindset that “heat detection is when the work begins ” Be cautious against letting other work get in the way of your AI program There will be times when you will need to take off work to ensure the success of your detection program. “You got to cut hay while the sun shines.”

Westmoreland: What do Texas Longhorn producers specifically need to keep in mind pertaining to AI?

Montford: The first thing is “Where there’s a will there’s a way.” The dairy industry is 95% AI, the beef industry is 10%, and the Texas Longhorn industry is even lower than that. Your biggest limiting factor in implementing AI is you, “The guy that watches you shave your face in the mirror is the hardest person you’ve got to work with ” Texas Longhorn producers MUST understand that when implementing AI, they will have to invest money in customized and tailored facilities and chutes. It is important when building your facilities to acknowledge cows’ left eye dominance and invest in quality chutes that are designed specifically for Texas Longhorns. A common theme is collaboration over competition. Before building your facility, I recommend going to visit other Longhorn producers’ facilities so that you can learn. Patience is a key to AI. In the beef cattle industry folks can run 45-60 cows per hour whereas in the Texas Longhorn industry, 6-7 head is good Go into it knowing that it is a slow learning process Lastly, sustainable and longterm passion is crucial to your AI program’s success. Ultimately, it’s not about the money but rather about the heart, hospitality, and hard work. These are traits that I have seen firsthand in ranchers in the Panhandle, despite all that they have been through. “The most expensive aspect of ranching is iron, the element Fe, your depreciable assets such as tractors.” Yet, when purchased correctly, those assets will have a long lifespan of use and should be offset by ranch profits. “What’s going to determine if you are successful or not is not the money but rather the passion that’s present. You have to have passion or else you don’t understand the years of the losses The years when you are not making money and it’s not paying the bills you thought it would pay. You have to look at it [like] ‘Ok well maybe it’s a hobby this year’. You have to find therapy somehow. There aren’t enough therapists in the world. So, either you are going to have a fast boat or a cattle ranch. Some years we have a profitable cattle ranch and some years we should have the bass boat.”

Westmoreland: Should herd size be a determining factor for folks when deciding whether or not to implement AI?

Montford: No. Instead, herd size should be a factor when deciding if you should AI your herd yourself or if you should hire someone to do it for you. If you feel confident then go for it but if you don’t it is ok to hire someone. Again, collaboration over competition.

Westmoreland: What is the added value of AI?

Montford: In beef cattle, AI calves earn an average of $700 more revenue than natural service calves. The reasons for this are not directly proportionate to Texas Longhorns, however. Rather, for Texas Longhorn producers the value of AI comes from customizability and the opportunity to match the best dams with the best sires to achieve the best and most desirable progeny.

Westmoreland: Texas Longhorns are about more than trailer weight or carcass quality Thus, the breeding management must be much more tailored than other types of cattle. AI allows for this to happen seamlessly.

Westmoreland: How does someone market new bulls in the AI market?

Montford: There is a critical need to be growth and future-oriented when it comes to pedigree building in AI. To not get too caught up in well-known names and instead focus on the most relevant genetics. After all, if everyone has to keep pulling from bulls who are decades old in order to get the desired genetic quality, we as producers are not doing our job to improve the industry for each generation. Just as we all must be careful to continuously move forward in genetics, some caution should be used against single-trait breeding in Texas Longhorns and any other cattle breed. It’s about long-term value, not short-term profit. I’ll use the dairy industry as proof. Holsteins had been single trait bred and their average lifespan dropped from 11 years to 4. 4 years and an average of 3.2 lactations. Proverbs 13:22 says “A man will leave his inheritance to his children’s children.” “Whatever we take out of the soil today, you can’t put back in for your grandkids; you better be bettering the soil world, because you’re borrowing your soil from your grandkids.” So, if you subscribe to the single-trait hunt for unicorns of the Texas Longhorn breed you’re borrowing your grandkids’ cattle. Is it for the best?

Westmoreland: Do you have any closing remarks for Texas Longhorn producers?

Montford: “Number one is to reach across the aisle and hold hands with your brothers in agriculture. We are not in a fight with each other We are in a fight with those who think we’re harming the environment and the universe Be active in all things in the brotherhood in agriculture.” We need a loud voice in Washington D.C. working to educate politicians on what it is we do in agriculture. We all need to be sharing our stories in agriculture, “It’s yours… it’s yours to share. I’ll share mine you share yours. Let’s reach hands across the aisle and share our story.”

Transhornation

Camilla Westmoreland

Times ago I met a lass,

Who knew nothing of nature nor of grass,

Her yellow hair ceaseless sat caged atop her head, And her heart knew nothing other than schedules and dread, Her skin had a nameless pallor like lips too long ‘ner caressed, Yet,

The saddest part was the somber color of her eyes, Blue like a drowning soul’s last glimpse of the skies, Her hands were like flowers all perfect, dainty, and soft,

Her beauty and her status won her many a doff,

Her life was run by the clock like Dali’s melting time, Yet,

Her days were only getting sourer, nothing like fine wine,

One day she met the sun and fell prey to the stars, She journeyed off the paved road and won a few scars, Her senses experienced the freshly mown pastures,

And her life and her busyness soon fell into rapture,

Now her golden hair flows like the wind tousled grain,

And her heart is as wild as her best stallion’s mane, Her skin boasts a tanned molasses strewn hue,

And her longhorns,

Well, her herd went from one to a whole slew,

Now her days revolve around hooves and cow slobber,

And her nights are composed of fireflies and peach cobbler, Oh the love of the horn, How it calms the soul,

Yet simultaneously awakens the freest in us all.

Camilla Westmoreland

2024 ITLA Queen

www.gangof5longhorns.com

Thanksgiving, Floods, and Fires

Well, howdy ITLA Family! Before we jump into this month’s updates, I just want to take a moment and say a hearty “Thank You” to Pam at the ITLA Headquarters, to Sara and Gary Lake with the Drover Magazine, to Wes and Amanda Evans and the entire youth BOD, to President Freeman, to my father, Vice President Westmoreland, and to every single board member and ITLA volunteer who has been working diligently to better our hallowed organization this year. The ITLA truly is THE member-driven Texas Longhorn organization, and it would not be the seal of quality that it is today without everyone sacrificing their most precious commodity, their time. So, from the very top of my hat, the bottom of my heart, and to the very soles of my boots, thank you. Late April, we had the Battle on The Prairie Futurity in Duncan, Oklahoma. While I was unable to attend, I just want to give a shoutout to every single participant. While at the CTTLA show, Eve Sabio mentioned that she was attending the BOTP show, and I stood there so impressed. She and so many other young people have such visible passion for our Texas Longhorn breed. They work so hard to make it to each show and to present their beloved animals well. To each of you young cowboys and cowgirls, I tip my hat to you. You are an inspiration to all of us. By the time you read this, the Lonestar Classic will be complete and in the history books. I sincerely hope that you were able to come to the show and support our organization and take part in this exciting annual event. So many ITLA members sacrificed so much of their time to make this happen.

A debriefing on the show will appear next month detailing all the exciting moments and highlights about what makes ITLA shows so wonderful. Show season, (as I am sure most of you know!) has a unique effect on the appearance of barns and sheds…they become laden with brushes, fancy shampoos, halters of every shape, size and color, and innumerable bottles of fly spray. If we are all being honest, I think we might spend more money on our cattle than we do on ourselves!

Lastly, I am sure you have heard by now, but if not allow me to be the bearer of AWESOME news…a special PRINTED Drover Magazine and membership directory is being released in August! So, make sure and contact Pam at the ITLA Headquarters to purchase those advertisements in this piece of ITLA history! Also, the ITLA is now on Instagram so make sure you go and follow that account @itla.connect. As I close, I want to leave you with this thought for the month: Recently in central Texas, we have been mightily blessed with inches upon inches upon inches of rain which means that the grass has never been taller, and my jeans have never been muddier. It seems like every species of insect and every life stage of frog has found its way into our troughs and boots! Last summer however, Texas and many other states were experiencing record-breaking droughts and temperatures. To me, these two opposite experiences testify mightily to the faithfulness of God. Isaiah 43:2-3 says that God is with us in the floods and fires (which have felt literal these past two years). So, friend, regardless of where you find yourself today, let us remember to give thanks to the God who never leaves our side.

Kenley Huskey

www.savannahbellefarms.com

May has been a crazy busy month for everything except showing. I got out of school on May 14th and am officially going into the 8th grade. I intentionally waited until today, May 31st to write my Drover article so I could send in a few pictures from the 2024 ITLA Lone Star Classic. Tonight I got to help with the futurity. It was nice to be back in the barn and catch up with all my show friends and family. I will be looking forward to writing in June so that I can share the entire experience!

2024 ITLA Princess

Your 2024 Miss ITLA Princess- Kenley Belle Huskey

2024 ITLA Little Miss

Hi y'all!

Baylor Marti

bombcitycattleco.com

Summer!

May has been very busy. Dad took our bull, Fireman BCR 049 (we call him George), down to south Texas so our friends at Bull Creek Longhorns could use him for the summer. He brought back a really cool bull, Solid Ground BCR 055, that we put out with our cows for the summer. I'm a little sad that school is over, but it means that I get to ride my horses and swim ALL summer.

We are taking our calves to futurities, and helping dad get ready for the futurity that he is helping with here in Amarillo, in July. It's called THE 806 Texas Longhorn Futurity, and it's happening the same weekend as the Metcalfe dispersal sale. I can't wait to see all of the calves that everyone is bringing!

Come see us in Amarillo, July 12th and 13th! Baylor

On The Ranch With Camilla Westmoreland:

Horns Down

If you look in the “Poetry Corner” section of the magazine, you will find a poem titled “Transhornation”. This poem was inspired by each life (including my own) that has been personally affected and forever changed by Texas Longhorn Cattle and the magnificent natural world that God created. There is a certain catalytic effect that time in nature has on people. Science has proven that time in nature slows down heart rates, builds immunity, lengthens lifespans, and even improves memory. One of the best ways to clear your head is to stare up at the dusky blue sky framed like a mosaic by the pecan trees, and watch the cottonseeds float whimsically through the warm air. Recently, the power that God has given the Texas Longhorn has been made very evident to me. As Texas Longhorn producers, we are horns down the most blessed people on the face of the Earth. Why? Because we get to work in God’s marvelous creation with the most majestic animals on the planet each and every day. Most of us don’t need an alarm clock because we have mooing outside the front door signaling that certain bovine family members are ready for breakfast. There is a relatively new country song with a chorus that says, “I believe most people are good…”. Granted, this is not classic aka/ real country, so I don’t recommend you listen to it often; stick to Waylon Jennings if at all possible. Anyways, that song came on the radio one day as I was hurriedly flipping channels, and that line stuck out before the song faded away on the airwaves. I indeed believe that most people are good because all people were created in the very image of God. Yet, what we choose to make of that original designation is up to us. Michealangelo was the most famous sculptor of all time. He formed breathtaking designs out of stones. In a way, each of us are a stone fashioned by God. What we choose to be shaped by and sculpted into is up to the types of chisels and pressures choose to be around. What I want to suggest to you is that the more time any human spends in God’ gift of nature, particularly around Texas Longhorns, the more the true and beautiful shape of our souls are revealed. Day by day hearts soften as eyes witness baby calves suckling at their mommas. Night by night hearts are entranced by the silhouette of horns bolstering the sunset as fireflies trickle by. God knew what He was doing when He put us over dominion of the natural world. He put us over it with a twofold purpose: 1. To work the land 2. To care for it (Genesis 2:15). I believe that He did this so that we would all become more like Him… more wholly who we are meant to be. The Bible tells us that God knows when even a little sparrow dies. How much more should we care for our animals. When we care for other people and for animals and work hard with callused hands, the frills and sinful nature of this world fade away and have no hold on us anymore because we have human and bovine lives depending on us. If more people took the time and were given access to the natural world, I believe there would be a lot less fighting and hate. Thus, as the preestablished most blessed people on the planet, it behooves (mind the pun) every one of us to do our part to educate the public on our majestic breed and share our knowledge and exposure to our animals whenever possible, so that one day, perhaps we can all be transhorned by the best animals of them all.

Meat Processors

It’s always a chore trying to find a met processor who is willing and able to handle big horned cattle. We have a list of processors who longhorn breeders have used and are happy to recommend. Here are the responses that we’ve received so far. Hope this helps.

Timberline Meats

Penn Yann, NY.

Ray’s Meat Market

Woodward, OK.

Smucker’s Meats

Mount Joy, PA.

USDA

Kemps Custom Butchering

Middlefield, OH.

USDA

5th. Avenue

Sterling, OK.

USDA

Southern Meat Processing

Headland, AL.

USDA

Westcliffe Meats

Westcliffe, CO.

USDA

Rail 19

Sulphur Springs, TX.

Durand Smokehouse

Western, WI.

USDA

Homestead Meats

Guthrie, OK.

Smithville Meats

Smithville, TX.

USDA

3D Meats

Dalton, OH.

USDA

Bear Mt. Beef

Hot Springs, WY.

Fischers Meat Market

Meunster, TX.

Western Heritage Meats Sheridan, WY.

Volunteer Meats Lexington, TN. USDA

Butchery Shoppe WI. USDA

Summit Meats

Science Hill, KY.

Keeters Meat Co.

Tulia, TX.

USDA

Mitchell’s Meat Processing

Walnut Grove, NC.

Whites Wholesale Meats

Ronan, MT.

Clay Co. Meat Processing

Henretta, TX.

Carters

Thacher, AZ.

Local Cuts

Zephyr, TX.

USDA

Country Market

Jerome, MI.

Duhon Processing

Leesville, LA.

Powell Meat Co.

Clinton, MO.

Olpe Locker

Olpe, KS.

Huse’s

Malone, TX. U SDA

Edes Meats

Amarillo, TX.

USDA

McLean Beef York, NE

Voiron’s Abattoir Greensburg, LA.

Special D Macon, MO.

Yoder Meats

Yoder, KS.

USDA

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ITLA Executive Board OATH-

While many of us fondly recall the days when a person’s word was their bond and a handshake was an iron-clad agreement, in modern society oaths are increasingly important The President of the United States must take an oath before starting a new term of office. Contracts often require verification before a notary. And in my other line of work, a court reporter swears-in each witness before I depose or cross-examine them. Oaths bind us to our word; and written oaths allow others to reference back to our promises made and hold us to them. At the fine suggestion of Darol Dickinson, it was decided by President Freeman that our new and current International Board of Directors should take an oath of office as a pledge to each other and our membership to uphold those ideals to which we were each elected For those Board members who were able to attend the Annual Meeting in October, the oath was orally taken upon being read by Stan Searle and was then signed in the presence of all. Our newest two members (Guy Cote and Gary Lake) have subsequently added their own signatures to the Oath. Collectively, the Board wanted to publish that oath here, as a declaration of our commitment to you: the ITLA member. Hold us to it.

--Brad Westmoreland, Vice President

*Bulk advertising must be paid in full at the start of term

REGISTRATION APPLICATION

hereby certify this to be a true and correct statement and I request to have same recorded in the International Texas Longhorn Association Registry, in consideration of which I agree to abide and be bound by the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Rules and Regulations of the Association and amendments thereto

or

TRANSFER BY LEASE

I, , (Owner - Lessor) (Address) ITLA Member # do hereby lease this , named (Cow or Bull) (Animal Name)

Identification Number ITLA Number (Brand #) (Registration Number) to , (Name of Lessee) (Address of Lessee) ITLA Member # for the following period: from (Date) to (Date)

Lease/Loan of Sire: The signature of the Lessee may be used in lieu of the owner of the sire when submitting a registration application providing this form is completed and filed with ITLA by the owner within 30 days after delivery of sire to Lessee.

Lease/Loan of Dam: The signature and address of the Lessee may be used and shown as breeder on registration applications in lieu of the signature and address of the registered owner of the dam for the purpose of registering of recording progeny born during the period specified on this form, provided this form is completed and filed with the ITLA, by the owner, within 30 days after delivery of the dam to the Lessee.

Signature of Owner/Lessor

Date

Signature of Lessee

*PO Box 2610 * Glen Rose, Texas, 76043 * 254-898-0157 * Fax 254-898-0165 *

Artificial Insemination Sire Enrollment Form

Bull’s Registered Name:

Brand / ID Number:

Registration Number:

Owner:

ITLA Member #:

Ranch Name:

Street Address:

Enclose copy of front and back of registration certificate

City: State: Zip:

Phone Number:

Signature:

Application must include the Following:

1. Fee of $100.00

2. DNA type on applicable bull.

3 Health certification in effect at time of all semen collection, including negative tests for Brucellosis, Tuberculosis, 5 Leptospirosis, Vibriosis, and Trichomoniasis

4 Copy of Bull’s Registration Certificate

5 Photo of Bull

Failure to comply with procedures set forth in the ITLE Artificial Insemination Enrollment regulations will be cause for cancellation of enrollment You may contact the lab of your choice for DNA kits and procedures. ITLA recommends Neogen for DNA results. Neogen Genomics 4131 N 48th St Lincoln, NE 68504. Email for Neogen; geneseekinfo@neogen.com and phone number 402-435-0665.

A.I. or Embryo Transfer Certification Form

Name of Animal Being Registered:

AI Breeding Certificate

I hereby certify the following information to be true And correct concerning the Artificial Insemination of the following cow:

Registered Name of Cow

Registered Number Brand/ ID #

Location of Brand/ ID # Holding Brand and Location

Name of Certified Sire

Registration # Brand ID A I #

Name of Inseminator Date of Insemination

Address of Inseminator

City, State, Zip

Signature of Inseminator

Embryo Transfer Certificate

I hereby certify the following information to be true and correct concerning the Embryo Transfer of the following cow:

Registered Number

Registered Name of Cow Holding Brand and Location

Brand/ ID #

Location of Brand/ ID #

Name of Owner of Cow

Membership Number

Address

Name of Certified Sire

Registration # Brand/ ID # A.I. #

Name of Transfer Technician Date on Transfer

Address of Transfer Technician

Signature of Transfer Technician

ITLA SHOW RULEBOOK

INTERNATIONAL TEXAS LONGHORN ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWS &

QUALIFYING REGIONAL AFFILIATE SHOWS

Revised January 2023

INTERNATIONAL TEXAS LONGHORN ASSOCIATION

P.O. BOX 2610, GLEN ROSE, TEXAS 76043

PHONE: (254) 898-0157

FAX: (254) 898-0165

www ITLA com

2024

ITLA RULE BOOK

Exhibitor attendance and participation is greatly appreciated throughout the show!! This Standardized Rule Book is the governing document to be used when producing the International Championship Show, the International Youth Show and any regional affiliate shows where ITLA Qualifying Points are to be awarded. Deviations from the rules set forth in this book may result in the show being classified as a Non-Qualifying Show (with no qualifying points or High Point Legacy points recorded) unless the show chairman receives specific permission from the ITLA Board of Directors prior to the show.

Periodically, the rules and regulations contained in this book are reviewed and revised by the ITLA Changes are presented to the ITLA Board of Directors for approval before inclusion Every attempt will be made to inform members of any rule changes through updates in the ITLA Drover or posted on the official ITLA website For a copy of this publication, or to verify that this booklet contains the most up-to-date regulations, you can visit our website for the most current version of this governing rule book at www ITLA com

A N K Y O U F O R R E A D I N G