Junior Perspective
Back in the spotlight?
By Dominic Ruppert, NALJA treasurer
Trends will always be a big part
of the livestock show industry.
This encompasses everything
from show sticks to the type
of clothing worn to show off
the hottest breed in the ring.
Breeders that concentrate on
the show ring are somewhat
like famous clothing lines,
always trying to put out the
“must have” item to put you
at the top of the game.
Fortunately for the Limousin
breed and the success junior
exhibitors have had at some of
the biggest shows across the
country, Limousin might be the
next “must have.” More than one
Limousin heifer has won the
supreme drive which has made
serious junior exhibitors take a
second look at the opportunities
offered by showing a Limousin.
The breeders’ concentration on
improving docility and milking
ability, along with incorporating
more of the “show” look, has
put Limousin in the spotlight
more in the last few years than
ever before. Breeders have been
able to capitalize on this new
interest in the Limousin breed.
An added bonus has been
the continued performance
in the breed and the ability
of the females to make great
moms with longevity.
There has been a resurgence
in interest in the red color and
purebred females in particular.
People of other breeds have
added a Limousin to their
show string to test the waters.
With the improvements in
the breed, those show heifers
should make good mothers
and show people new to the
breed that a Limousin can
be an economical addition
to their present operation.
These might be small steps in
some eyes, but they are steps in
the right direction none the less.
Breeders old and new should
be happy with “Limousin…
the Opportunity Breed.” I
NALJA Board of Directors
President: Ethan Freund, CO
[email protected]
303-502-4605
Vice President: Callie Hicks, KY
[email protected]
859-699-3893
Secretary: Randa Taylor, TX
[email protected]
817-504-6927
Treasurer: Dominic Ruppert, IL
[email protected]
217-254-2558
Ex-Officio: Anna Johnson, MN
[email protected]
218-640-1117
Director: Katie Hurt, KY
[email protected]
859-475-7510
Director: Aaron Linhart, IA
[email protected]
641-414-5060
Director: Lindsey Gulotta, LA
[email protected]
985-351-7674
Director: Hannah Ziegler, OH
[email protected]
419-618-2441
Director: Brooke Falk, KS
[email protected]
785-817-2214
Staff Advisor: Katie Campbell
[email protected], 913-683-1415
30 | MARCH 2018