PERFECTLY POSITIONED
by Randy Ratliff
CHEERS to our breeders ... our Limousin and Lim-Flex product
is positioned in the marketplace right where it was meant to be ! Not in more than 30 years has our show heifer market been so sought after , like it is today . I commend our breeders for doing a fantastic job creating big footed , sound made and eye-appealing cattle in terms of design . The structural design and make-up of our cattle from the ground and up are what makes us stand apart from so many other breeds of cattle . If the cattle can ’ t get up and move with the softness and flexibility needed , then they are not worthy of any cattleman ’ s attention .
Although it is great to have a top show heifer business , it is far more important to maintain and keep our eyes on the bull and replacement heifer market , as that is what keeps all producers alive and well . We all know that we have the product , we just need to work together to let everyone know that ! The stigma of “ Limousin ” from years past has been the biggest hurdle in getting new cattleman to look over the fence and try our product . I feel very strongly that our cattle have all that it takes to make any program work at any level work . The beef bulls our producers are raising and developing are packed full of thickness and muscle and have the feed efficiency needed to perform .
For the most part , our females are moderate in their frame score , easy in their condition and very maternal in their make-up . As
Limousin and Lim-Flex cattle become more and more uniform as a breed , we need to have cattle that excel in certain traits for buyers to be able to make their selections . It is more important now than ever that you register your calves in contemporary groups and take all weights and measurements . Also , pay close attention to the economically important EPD traits and stay focused on raising a product that will appeal to a profit-minded cattleman . This is the most important thing we have to do right now as we have the cattle where we want them , we now have to make sure they are commercially accepted in the marketplace .
The end product is the biggest driving force in the beef industry . In the past year , there are documented loads of cattle that grade out to the ultimate in carcass quality . 100 % premium grades , no yield grade deductions and a 65 % yield . I think this is BIG . We are no longer a terminal cross , bull breed . Limousin genetics can improve any commercial cattlemen ’ s herd and increase profitability through maternal females and quality bulls .
Cheers to all that strive to raise them better , market them better and just BE BETTER ! All of us involved in the Limousin365 business are committed to do what it takes to be the best we call can be !
# LimousinProud
24 • JANUARY 2021