PRESIDENT ’ S MESSAGE
by Curt Wieczorek
Greetings and welcome to the Fall Sale Edition of Limousin 365 .
As I sit here putting pen to paper there is definitely a crispness in the air . Weaning is here for some , or just around the corner for others , the first opportunity to evaluate the performance on this calf crop to see how well the mating decisions made last summer actually panned out .
A few months ago , about the same time the last issue of this magazine was making its way to our mailboxes , many in our Limousin family were making their annual summer migration to Junior Nationals with this year ’ s installment being held in West Monroe , Louisiana . Congratulations to each participant , whether it was exhibiting livestock , competing in showmanship or participating in satellite events . These experiences truly are life changing . I would also like to congratulate the NALJA board , NALF staff and the Gulotta family for the incredible job they put forth to host this well planned , well run event . In the absence of a host state , the NALJA board , with the help of the Gulotta family , put forth what could accurately be described as a herculean effort to be the host . If NALF had a Limousin person or family of the year award for selfless , sacrificial service to others that goes above and beyond , Troy and his entire family would definitely get my vote .
If you are participating in LIMS Whole Herd Reporting I would like to encourage you to consider taking advantage of the opportunity you have to reduce your cost to run genomics on your cowherd by participating in the Lim-Vision Cowherd Project . By submitting DNA on a minimum of 90 % of your cowherd , you will receive a price reduction of half the regular cost to run LD genomics and you get the parent markers for free . You can reduce the price even more by submitting weights and body condition scores . Once the 90 % minimum has been achieved you also lock in the reduced rate for replacement heifers going forward . This is an incredible opportunity to learn more about your cowherd and greatly increase the accuracy of their EPDs . The first handful of producers to submit samples have already gotten profiles back , while several more herds are planning on pulling samples this fall . If you are interested in participating , call the NALF office to get more details or to get enrolled .
For the fall board of directors meeting held in August , the decision was made to move back to an in-person format . After countless committee conference calls leading up to both the spring and fall meetings , as well as the April meeting all being on a virtual platform , it was refreshing to finally have the opportunity
to gather in one place . For me , the highlight was being in a position to be able to budget for a cattle feeding research project . While not all of the details have been nailed down , we do know we will be working with Kansas State University to conduct the trial . The purpose of this trial is to get relevant , up-to-date data on how Limousin genetics perform from a quality , efficiency and economics standpoint . At present , the data available to us was created 40 years ago . While I can ’ t speak for everyone ’ s cattle , I am pretty sure the genetics we are producing today have changed quite a bit for the better since then . With the information that will be gleaned from this effort , we plan to develop a data driven message that will facilitate increased demand for Limousin genetics in commercial crossbreeding beef production systems . Watch for updates on this project .
Finally , I would like to update you on the carcass beta run that is scheduled to take place within the next two to four weeks , possibly by the time you read this . All of the prepatory work to include the Wulf Cattle breeding to feeding carcass data , and blend that information into the IGS run , has been completed and now it is up to IGS to conduct a trial run to make sure everything works properly with no hiccups . Once that happens , it should be able to be run live shortly after that . In addition to all the carcass data being generated by Wulf Cattle , there has been an increased effort by several breeders that also feed cattle to get individual carcass data on known pedigreed cattle and begin submitting them to the NALF office as well . Thanks to Wulf Cattle , Running Creek Ranch , Hunt Limousin Ranch and Symens Brothers for the information that has been turned in , as this will have a major impact on improving the accuracy and predictability of the carcass EPDs in the evaluation . These are the ranches that I know of , but if I missed your ranch and you have also turned in carcass info , thank you as well .
In closing , I would encourage each of you to keep up the good work of promoting Limousin and continue to carry the banner high . I look forward to seeing you along the trail . Success and blessings .
10
• OCTOBER 2020