EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
by Mark Anderson
Executive Director
North American Limousin Foundation
W
elcome to the inaugural issue of Limousin365 which is now
the official publication of the North American Limousin
Foundation. The publication is back in familiar and capable hands
with Kyle Haley as managing editor of the publication in conjunction
with the sale management crew and owners of Limousin365. NALF
looks forward to working with the new management team as we
promote, market and inform the industry about Limousin and Lim-
Flex® genetics.
NALF will continue to provide educational items and news
regarding the breed and its services in conjunction with editorial
content as it has in the past. Breeder advertising needs will be met
through Limousin365 for both print and digital media while NALF
will focus on breed promotion and national advertising of Limousin
and Lim-Flex® cattle.
The single-step National Cattle Evaluation that is provided
through International Genetic Solutions continues to grow and
advance. Membership has now grown to 17 participating breed
associations and over 18 million head of cattle being represented
in the weekly evaluations. Information and EPDs provided on the
evaluation will continue to expand over the next two years. Breeders
can look forward to the development of EPDs that evaluate
structural correctness and its impact on stayability in the herd, feed
efficiency and days to slaughter.
The current evaluation is still dependent on good performance
data turned in from members. While usage of genomics continues
to grow through all breeds for increased accuracy of EPDs, it is
still important to remember that performance data turned in on
phenotypes are just as highly valued for accurate EPDs on cattle.
I attended an IGS meeting this fall with representation from
participating breeds and it is clear that most associations are
continuing to promote whole herd reporting to increase phenotype
data collection and accuracy of EPDs. The LIMS whole herd
reporting program we have at Limousin not only accomplishes this,
but also lets you record your inventory more affordably as compared
to the Non-LIMS registration cost.
Aside from cost reductions for registrations, reporting your whole
herd actually improves the EPDs on your better cattle when all the
cattle represented out of your herd are reported and compared in your
contemporary groups. Regardless of the size of your herd, you can
enroll your cattle in LIMS whole herd reporting. Below is a short
synopsis of the LIMS whole herd reporting system and benefits.
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Enrollment for LIMS spring season runs from December 1–February
15 and the fall season enrollment period runs from May 1–July 15.
During this period, LIMS members should:
• Option in or out of program prior to Feb. 15 for spring season and
July 15 for fall season.
• Designate any animals that need to be moved to the next season
• Dispose of females no longer in herd
• Mark any foreign, recipient females and donor dams appropriately
• Calving data is due for previous year’s enrollment and no progeny
codes required if no calf was born
• Weaning data due (weight/docility) for previous year’s spring
enrollment or a disposal code must be entered for calf
Payment of LIMS cow assessment entitles calf born in that inventory
year to be registered and transferred (limit to first transfer of calf ).
Regular transfer fees will apply for animals over 30 months of age
at time of transfer (i.e., sale date). LIMS members will also receive a
5% discount on LD genomic profile and a LIMS certified seal will be
added to all animals in the LIMS assessed herd.
All progeny recorded from LIMS enrolled cows must have a weaning
weight, date and docility score or a disposal code entered for the calf
indicated the animal to be dead or sold prior to weaning. You have one
year to provide this information (deadlines are Feb. 15 and July 15).
Failure to provide the weaning records will result in the cow receiving a
LIMS non-compliant disposal code and removed from LIMS.
As one looks to improve their herd and the accuracy of their EPDs
through the BOLT evaluation, the information and comments below
are provided by the IGS evaluation team in an FAQ which you
may find useful. (For the entire FAQ regarding multi-breed genetic
evaluation powered by BOLT refer to the full article later in this issue.)
What can I do to improve the prediction’s on my herd?
Whole Herd Reporting—If you haven’t already, you should
consider enrolling your entire herd with a breed association total
herd reporting program as it offers the most complete picture of the
genetics involved in your herd.
Proper contemporary groups—It is important for the genetic
evaluation that you group, to the best of your ability, animals that
were treated uniformly. Proper reporting of contemporary groups
ensures better predictions for all.
• JANUARY 2020
continued on page 14