From the Field
Celebrating the Past to Promote our Future
By Andy Rest, NALF regional manager
June 20, 2018 marked the 50th
anniversary of the formation of the
North American Limousin Foundation.
As with any historic occasion, it’s fitting
to look back to celebrate this milestone
and also a time to look forward to
rededicating ourselves to the breed’s
growth and influence in the American
beef industry for the next 50 years.
I first became involved with the
Limousin breed in 1977, some 8
years after NALF’s formation. Many
of NALF’s founding members were
still in the business. I remember the
enthusiasm these people had for
the breed and their commitment to
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spreading the news about this carcass
breed from French. Each Limousin field
day, show or sale saw more people
eager to learn more about the breed
and purchase Limousin genetics.
I have always believed in the many
attributes Limousin cattle have to
offer the beef industry. However, I
also believed the breed’s real success
has been because of the quality of
the people raising them. Many of the
founder members were outstanding
cattlemen that took a chance on
these relatively unknown French
cattle. Quality people like Bruce & Bev
Waddle, Bud Prosser, Harold & Marilyn
Rinehart, Cadet & Eva Oxandarburu,
Leland Dudley, Ben & Ruth Price,
Burwell Bates, Fred & George Demier,
H.A. McCoy, and countless others
gave the breed creditability and
attracted more quality people to
start their own breeding programs.
Today, only a handful of those founder
members are still in business. A tip
of the hat to Waddle Limousin, Pine
Bluffs, Wyo.; Zilverberg’s Bar JZ Ranch,
Holabird, S.D.; and Jerry & Norma
Effertz, Velva, N.D. for their active
involvement for all 50 years. This past