From the Field
animal’s EPD profile, the very minimal
thing you can do is make sure to turn
in data to justify your argument. As I
travel, I believe many of us could put a
bigger emphasis on turning in data.
A good portion of actual field
data was presented at BIF, testing
the accuracy of EPDs when
comparing “big number cattle”
to those with less desirable
EPDs. Not only were the EPDs
and indexes accurate, but in
most cases the difference was
even greater than expected.
If you are a breeder that is still
questioning the accuracy of one
of your animal’s EPD profile, the
very minimal thing you can do
is make sure to turn in data to
justify your argument.
Another large topic of discussion
was crossbreeding. I know that I am
preaching to the choir when I bring
up the benefits of using Limousin or
Limousin based genetics on a set of
crossbred cows, however, I challenge
everyone, including myself, to do a
better job of sharing the benefits and
educating potential customers on
what a Limousin bull can do for their
bottom line. One could only walk
away from BIF encouraged by where
we stand. There is recognition from
all sectors of the industry that we
are giving up some potential dollars
by not utilizing crossbreeding. I
Limousin Happenings
Obituaries
Ronald “Ronnie” Holland, 78, passed away Saturday, June 3, 2017 after suffering a
massive heart attack while attending an All-School Class Reunion in Hamilton, Kansas.
Ron was born on June 14, 1938 in Hamilton, Kan., the son of Elwood and Velma
Crowell Holland. Ron graduated from Hamilton High School in 1955. After graduation,
he worked for several farmers and also on an oil drilling rig in the Hamilton area. He
then served in the United States Army at Ft. Carson in Colorado. On June 1, 1958 Ron
married Carolyn Birkholz in Eureka, Kan. They moved to Topeka and Ron worked as a
plumber for several companies and then at Forbes Field.
They became interested in raising registered Limousin cattle and in 1974 they moved
to a farm just west of Lyndon. They spent the next 20 years building an exceptional
registered Limousin herd and were very active in both the state and national
associations. Ron was a member of the Kansas Livestock Association, the North
American Limousin Foundation, served as beef superintendent at the Kansas State Fair
from 1998 to 2012 and he was inducted into the Kansas State Fair Wall of Fame. During
these years, Ron and Carolyn were very generous in providing scholarships on both
the Kansas and national level for youth interested in the beef industry. Ron was also
active in the Pomona Lake Ski Club where he provided most of the ski equipment for
the handicapped. He supported PBS and providing service dogs for the handicapped.
Ron was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn, on August 18, 2011; by his parents;
two brothers-in-law, Larry Birkholz and Gene Kaup; a niece, Julie Wilkinson; and two
nephews, Rick Wilkinson and Larry Birkholz. Ron is survived by his sister, Beverly Kaup
of Wichita; four nieces, Jan (Blaine) Miller, Juli (Brad) Horne, Jeanne (John) Shaft and
Jennifer (Aaron) May; two great-nieces, Chandler and Reece Birkholz; other relatives
and many dear friends.
Mr. James David Sayer, age 72, Ambrose, Ga., passed away on Friday, June 9, 2017, at
Tift Regional Medical Center, Tifton, Ga., following a brief illness. Mr. Sayer was born
October 10, 1944, in Douglas, Ga., to Rev. Jimmie Sayer and the late Dorothy Harper
Sayer of Ambrose.
He was a graduate of Broxton High School and received the first agriculture
scholarship awarded by The Farmers Bank. He also served in the Georgia Army
National Guard. James David was in the purebred cattle business with his father, Rev.
Jimmie Sayer.
He is survived by his children: James Lee (Cindy) Sayer of Ambrose and Rebecca
“Becky” Lynn (Steve) Thompson of Ambrose, the mother of his children, Charlotte
Sayer of Ambrose; his father, the Rev. Jimmie Sayer of Ambrose; sister, June (Ronald)
Merritt of Ambrose; brother, Wayne (Willene) Sayer of Wray; four grandchildren,
Rebecca McDermitt (Brandon) Hester of Douglas, James Wesley McDerrmitt
of Ambrose; Jonathan Sayer and Joshua Sayer both of Ambrose; two great
grandchildren, Rilea and Braelyn Hester of Douglas. He was preceded in death by his
mother, Dorothy Harper Sayer.
LIMOUSIN Today | 43