bottom line

As cattle producers continually strive todo more with less, industry experts fromcoast to coast and border to border havebeen offering similar advice lately.

“It’s time to rediscover crossbreeding,”said Roy Burris, Ph.D., an Extension beefspecialist for the University of Kentucky.Many of his colleagues agree.

Scott Greiner, Ph.D., an Extension animalscientist at Virginia Tech, said it is one of theoldest and most fundamental principles toreducing costs and enhancing productivity.

“Crossbreeding beef cattle offers two pri-mary advantages relative to the use of onlyone breed,” he explained. “Crossbred ani-mals combine the strengths of the variousbreeds used to form the cross, and cross-bred animals exhibit heterosis.”

Commercial cattle producers must real-ize that no single breed excels in all areasthat affect profitability, said Matt Spangler,Ph.D., a beef geneticist at the University ofNebraska-Lincoln.

Winter 2010 Volume 12, Issue 1

Bottom Line is published threetimes per year by the NorthAmerican Limousin Foundation,7383 S. Alton Way, Suite 100,Centennial, Colorado 80112;(303) 220-1693;fax: (303) 220-1884;www.nalf.orgExecutive Vice PresidentBob Hough, Ph.D., Ext. 120

Dir. of Member & Commercial RelationsFrank Padilla, Ext. 123

Dir. of Performance ProgramsLauren Hyde, Ph.D., Ext. 140

Dir. of CommunicationsBrad Parker, Ext. 117

INSIDE...

Limousin CommentaryThe Limousin breed fits today’s

beef industry.

Online Marketplace

Is 1 of Many

Web-Based ToolsNALF offers a lot of helpful

applications and information for

commercial cow-calf producers

on its Web site.

What Drives Value in

Feeder Cattle?Earning premiums for your feeder

cattle is a team effort, but the

process begins at home.

Research Illustrates

Feed EfficiencyFeeding experiments repeatedly

rank Limousin genetics at or near

the top.

Limousin LocatorFind the Limousin sales and

private-treaty offerings near you.

continued on page 7

Experts Agree:Let’s RediscoverCrossbreedingBy Brad Parker

Lifetime production can increase by more than 20 percent in crossbreeding programs designed to captureboth direct heterosis in crossbred calves and maternal heterosis in crossbred cows.

Winter 2010 BOTTOM LINE

The Limousin breed has a long and proud heritage of serv-ing the commercial cow-calf sector. The fact that, when theassociation was founded, it was called a foundation instead ofan association was to help differentiate it from other breedassociations of the time. According to founder Dick Goff, “Weneeded an organization that would combine breed registra-tion and pedigree services with a performance recording andresearch entity as well.” Thus, the Limousin breed has a longhistory of being performance- and research-based – all in aneffort to serve the beef industry better.

Early on, research from Oklahoma State University demon-strated the Limousin breed’s ability for calving ease and calfvigor when compared to the other Continental breeds. Thislong has been a hallmark of the Limousin breed. Continentalgrowth and excellent muscling were obtained without thecalving problems often associated with those traits. Earlyresearch also showed that Limousin cattle were unequaled inefficiently producing red-meat yield per pound of input.

The North American Limousin Foundation (NALF) alsowas one of the pioneers in producing genetic predictions,being the first to send whole-herd expected-progeny-difference (EPD) reports – including cows – to breeders in1985. Up until that time, the industry had produced only siresummaries. Extensive surveys of commercial customers andlong-range planning also identified breed weaknesses, andNALF’s 1985 strategic plan identified scrotal circumferenceand disposition as areas that needed attention. In response,NALF has generated EPDs for scrotal circumference anddocility that have changed the breed dramatically. Limousinbreeders recognized the weaknesses some of their cattle pos-sessed and fixed the problems; therefore, the Limousin cattleof 2010 are very different from those of 1985.

Research also identifies Limousin as the outstanding breedfor feed efficiency. That is of huge importance in today’s cat-tle industry, and Director of Performance Programs LaurenHyde, Ph.D., has more to say about it in this issue of the Bot-

R.L. “Bob” Hough

Limousin FitsToday’s Beef IndustryBy R.L. “Bob” Hough, Ph.D.Executive Vice PresidentNorth American Limousin Foundation

LIMOUSIN COMMENTARY

LIMOUSIN’S COMMERCIAL CONNECTION Winter 2010

tom Line. The Limousin advantages in feed efficiency, calvingease, growth and muscling truly make it the Continentalbreed of choice when breeding British-based cows. HalfbloodLimousin cattle sell well, excel in the feedyard and are idealfor commodity grids.

One of the products the Limousin breed has to offer is theLim-Flex® (Limousin and Angus or Red Angus) hybrid. Thesebulls offer tremendous flexibility for commercial producerswho wish to maintain a lower percentage of Continentalgenetics in their cow herds. That is especially important forthose wishing to hit the upper two-thirds of the Choice quali-ty grade but want to avoid Yield Grade (YG) 4. Lim-Flex cattlealso can be straightbred for the commodity market whilemaintaining heterosis, a uniform cow herd and a simplecrossbreeding system.

As for marketing options, Limousin can help in manyways. NALF has a feeder-calf listing service. You can sell list-ed cattle by private treaty, through an auction market or on avideo auction. There also are many special Limousin-influ-enced feeder-calf auctions at markets across the country. Wealso will be advertising for the first time in the major video-auction catalogs to help cattle selling in those venues.

For producers breeding higher-percentage Limousin cattlewho keep them natural, Laura’s Lean Beef is an excellent out-let for feeder and finished cattle. Strauss Brands takes naturalveal calves straight off their mothers with no preconditioning;and it pays the same for bull, steer and heifer calves, makingan excellent premium market for those who can meet theirtarget carcass weights. Strauss Brands ideally wants calves

continued on page 4

Hough IsNALF’s 9thChief Executive

R.L. “Bob” Hough, Ph.D., is the new executive vicepresident (EVP) for the North American LimousinFoundation (NALF). The organization’s Board ofDirectors offered him a two-year contract at its meetingin August 2009, and he settled into the NALF office thefollowing month.

In NALF’s primary leadership position, Hough isresponsible for executing policies and programsregarding the herdbook, animal performance, memberand industry relations, breed marketing and promotion,finances, staffing, strategic planning, and variousmember services.

“I am excited to join the Limousin team and am lookingforward to growing the Limousin breed,” Hough said. “Ourgoal as a staff and as a breed will be making Limousin theContinental common denominator in progressivecommercial producers’ crossbreeding systems.”

Hough most recently was a senior principal and thelivestock-industry practice leader at the Haines Centre

continued on page 4


that are about 50 percent Limousin and 50 percentAngus. Contact Director of Member and CommercialRelations Frank Padilla, (303) 220-1693, Ext. 123, formore information about either of those programs.

New this year, we will update – free of charge – non-member commercial customers’ EPDs for their bullinventories based on the latest International LimousinGenetic Evaluation. Remember, to take advantage ofthat service, your seedstock supplier must have trans-ferred the bulls to your ownership. EPDs will be avail-able in mid-January, and you can obtain them bycontacting Frank.

For those bull customers who have been using Lim-ousin genetics, I thank you. For those who are not, it istime to take another look. Limousin is the ultimatecomplementary breed for Angus- and Red Angus-basedcow herds. The breed is right for today’s market andeconomic circumstances. It is a breed that has takenpride, from the beginning, in basing itself on science.When it has had a problem with the cattle, it has notswept it under the rug but stood up and fixed the prob-lem. The Limousin breed always has taken the long-term attitude of doing what is right for its customers,America’s commercial cattle producers.

for Strategic Management. He previously served for three yearsas the marketing coordinator then 10 years as the chief executiveat the Red Angus Association of America (RAAA). His otherprofessional experiences include working as an Extensionspecialist in Arizona and Maine. The Maine beef industrysubsequently inducted him into its hall of fame.

While at RAAA, Hough led the development of the industry’sfirst process-verified program (PVP), the Feeder Calf CertificationProgram. He also implemented a carcass expected progenydifference (EPD) program and negotiated value-based marketinggrids with two majorpackers. Under hisleadership, RAAAreleased theindustry’s firstreproduction siresummary in 2002.

He grew up on hisfamily’s livestockfarm inPennsylvania. Hehas a bachelor’s

Limousin Fits Today’sCommercial Industry

continued from page 3

Hough Is NALF’s9th Chief Executive


With roots in his family’s Pennsylvanialivestock farm, Hough remains activelyhands-on in the cattle business.

degree from PennsylvaniaState University, a master’sdegree from the University ofConnecticut, and a doctoratefrom the Virginia PolytechnicInstitute and StateUniversity. All of his degreesare in animal science.

Hough has served on theBeef ImprovementFederation (BIF) board ofdirectors and programcommittee, was a guidelinesauthor and editor for

breeding-herd evaluation, and chaired a committee on whole-herd reporting. He has received the BIF Continuous ServiceAward.

He was a founding member of the Ultrasound GuidelinesCouncil (UGC), has been president of the U.S. Beef BreedsCouncil (USBBC), and served on the boards of directors forthe National Pedigreed Livestock Council (NPLC) and theNational Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium (NBCEC).

Hough has written more than 200 articles; co-authored abook, Breeds of Cattle; and wrote another book, The Historyof Red Angus. He has addressed beef industry audiences in27 states, four Canadian provinces and four other countries.He has served on the steering committee for the National

4-H Livestock Judging Contest for more than 15 years; andhe has judged livestock shows in 15 states, four Canadianprovinces and two other countries.

“We are excited about the things Dr. Hough brings to thetable,” said NALF President Bob Millerberg, Draper, Utah.“His strong leadership skills and proven track record will beassets to the Limousin breed as we continue to worktogether to increase our market share.”

Hough succeeds Kent Andersen, Ph.D., who becameNALF’s EVP in 2000 after serving as director of educationand research since 1990.Andersen left the organizationJuly 1, 2009, to become anassociate director at PfizerAnimal Genetics.

NALF now has had ninechief executives since itsfounding in June 1968:Richard Goff, 1968 to 1972;Dale Runnion, 1972; BobVantrease, 1972 to 1977;Greg Martin, 1977 to 1988;Jerry Fitzgerald, 1988 to1989; Wayne Vanderwert,1989 to 1992; John Edwards,1992 to 2000; Andersen;and Hough.


His training and experiencemake Hough a knowledgeableevaluator of sale offerings andshow entries.

Hough addresses a beefindustry audience in 1997.His speaking engagementshave taken him to 27 states,four Canadian provinces andfour other countries.

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“Breed combinations can be engineered to accommodateenvironmental constraints and meet marketing objectives,”he said.

Thoughtfully applying the principles of cross-breeding can improve returns, said Bob Hough,Ph.D., executive vice president for the NorthAmerican Limousin Foundation (NALF).

“In crossbreeding, genetic variation comesfrom both the selected variation within a breedand the genetic variation between the selectedbreeds,” he noted. “When producers applyselection pressure across breeds to allow onebreed’s strength to offset another’s weakness,these breed differences are referred to as breedcomplementarity. That achieves a higher fre-quency of desired genes among the crossbreds than could befound within a single breed.”

Frank Padilla, director of member and commercial rela-tions for NALF, used a common phrase in the cattle busi-ness to express his support for the concept: “The closestthing to a free lunch is taking advantage of an organizedcrossbreeding system. Breed complementarity and heterosisbenefit every production sector by adding genetic diversity,optimal immune response, and other health and performanceadvantages.”

Better Than AverageAlso known as hybrid vigor, heterosis is the amount by

which crossbred animals exceed the average of the purebreeds used in a crossbreeding system. Research conductedat Nebraska’s Fort Robinson Beef Cattle Research Station inthe early 1960s provided the scientific documentation for het-erosis, and numerous studies since then have documentedcrossbreeding’s effectiveness.

The amount of heterosis expressed for a giventrait relates inversely to its heritability, which isthe proportion of the measurable differenceobserved between animals that is due to additivegenetic differences and passes from one genera-tion to the next. Because reproductive and mater-nal traits have low heritabilities, their responsesto selection will be slower; however, producerscan make significant improvement in those traitsthrough crossbreeding programs that maximizeheterosis. With growth traits, which are moderatefor heritability and heterosis, progress is possible

through both selection and crossbreeding.David Daley, Ph.D., is an associate dean in the California

State University-Chico College of Agriculture, where hedirects the school’s beef program. He also manages his ownherd of several hundred commercial cows.

“Recently, I am hearing concern from some very large, pro-gressive producers as their cows become more straightbredin a tough environment. Longevity, rebreeding and calf surviv-


Experts Agree: Let’sRediscover Crossbreeding


continued on page 8

“I am confident

that we can no

longer forget how to

reduce input costs,

and heterosis has

to be part of

that equation.”

— Dave Daley

ability all become important issues,” Daley said. “I don’t thinkit is because they have bought the wrong bulls or managedtheir ranches incorrectly. It is because they have forgotten orignored heterosis.”

“I am confident that we can no longer forget how to reduceinput costs, and heterosis has to be part of that equation,” hestated.

The subtle, cumulative improvement that heterosis pro-vides does not lend itself to maximums, Daley also noted,adding, “Because heterosis is expressed as a small net posi-tive in many traits, we do not know it when we see it.”

Although the individual change in one trait is small, hesaid, lifetime production can increase by more than 20 per-cent in programs designed to capture both direct or individ-ual heterosis in crossbred calves and maternal heterosis incrossbred cows.

Individually SpeakingGreiner explained that the advantage of the crossbred calf

is two-fold: an increase in calf livability coupled with anincreased growth rate relative to its straightbred parents.

To illustrate the first point, Cathy Bandyk, Ph.D., an animalscientist at Quality Liquid Feeds, cited an in-depth multibreedanalysis done at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center(USMARC) in the 1970s. It showed crossbred calves exhibited




MattSpangler

BobHough

Lauren Hyde

Dave Daley

Frank Padilla

less death loss and better gains – and, therefore,more pounds of weaned calf – compared to purebredanimals.

“Death loss among the crossbred calves was just5.2 percent, compared to 14.2 percent for the pure-bred calves,” she said.

Research has shown weaning weights for cross-bred calves are 5 percent greater than those forstraightbred calves, and yearling weights are 4 per-cent greater. Burris noted that two-breed–crosscalves weigh about 30 pounds more at weaning thanstraightbred calves, and calves averaged about 80pounds heavier at weaning when they were out of atwo-breed–cross cow and a third breed of bull.

Historical data also show consistent performanceadvantages for crossbred feeder calves and finishedcattle, Bandyk added. Again referring to USMARCresearch, she said the calves of British-based cowsand Continental or Bos indicus sires had significant-ly reduced rates of bovine respiratory disease (BRD).

Padilla has witnessed that better health in thefeedyard and said, “That’s why feedyards like buyingcalves that will have good hybrid vigor. Crossbredsteers can show a $45 per head advantage overstraightbred steers.”

Maternal PerspectiveCommercial cow-calf producers realize even more

benefits from crossbreeding when they use crossbred


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CathyBandyk

RoyBurris

Scott Greiner

Gary Hansen

Brett Barham


cows because maternal heterosis results in improved cow fer-tility, calf livability, calf weaning weight and cow longevity.

“Those cumulative effects increase productivity tremen-dously,” Hough said. “Maternal heterosis is expressed in thecrossbred female’s progeny, such as their heavier weaningweights due to her increased maternal production.”

Padilla pointed to research that showedcrossbred females to be 8 percent more efficientthan purebreds, to live 38 percent longer and tohave 25 percent more lifetime production inpounds of calf weaned. In addition, first-calfcrossbred heifers have shown a 7 percent advan-tage in conception rates compared to theirstraightbred herdmates.

Hybrid vigor also gives crossbred cowsstronger immune systems; hence, they developbetter immunity after vaccination. They thenimpart better colostrum to their calves, keepingthem healthier during their early days.

Bandyk said USMARC researchers found that crossbredcalves from straightbred cows weighed 8.5 percent more thanstraightbred calves, crossbred cows bred back to parentalbreed bulls weaned 14.8 percent more pounds of calf, andcrossbred calves from crossbred cows were 23.3 percentheavier at weaning.

“F1 crossbred cows weaned calves that were 38 poundsheavier than similar straightbred cows, even though cross-breeding had virtually no effect on birth weights,” she noted,referring to data from Texas A&M University. “No price pre-mium for a certain breed can help overall returns unless it islarge enough to overcome the reduction in total poundsweaned or sold.”

Padilla said the benefits of crossbreeding have provedthemselves many times over in university research, atUSMARC and on ranches across the country.

“Crossbred females are 30 percent more productive overtheir lifetimes,” he stated. “Some models show aplanned crossbreeding program can add morethan $500 over the life of a crossbred cow. That’sabout $50 per year.”

That looks even better when you consider, asMontana State University research has shown,that the average crossbred dam remains in theherd about two years longer.

USMARC studies have illustrated that usingcrossbred cows reduces the breakeven costs ofproduction by about 10 percent. And the oppor-tunity costs of ignoring heterosis are cumulative

because small losses add up to a substantial drop in lifetimeproductivity.

Daley summarized it this way: “It is time for many produc-ers to design long-term, simplistic plans that capture maternalheterosis. I would not want to manage cattle in any environ-ment without that incredible value.”



“Some models

show a planned

crossbreeding

program can add

more than $500 over

the life of a

crossbred cow.”

— Frank Padilla


Construction PlansGreiner said an ideal crossbreeding program should (a)

optimize, but not necessarily maximize, heterosis in both thecalf crop and, particularly, the cow herd; (b) use breeds andgenetics that match the enterprise’s feed resources, manage-ment and marketing strategy; and (c) be easy to apply andmanage.

Each system has advantages and disadvantages, said GaryHansen, Ph.D., an Extension livestock specialist for NorthCarolina State University, but cattle producers should find away to capture heterosis in their herds. Relatedly, he notedthat breeds from diverse genetic backgroundswill express higher levels. For example, Britishbreeds crossed with each other will result inless hybrid vigor than when crossed with Conti-nental or Bos indicus breeds.

When selecting breeds to use in a crossbreed-ing program, Bandyk said, some basic pointswill apply to all enterprises:

� local availability of breeding stock that meetsthe specifications;

� complementarity of the breeds used;� cows and calves that fit available resources and the local

environment; and� crosses that produce animals suited for the target markets.

Concerning that last point, Greiner advised, “specificallyinclude the targeted carcass-merit end point. Considerabledifferences between breeds exist and may be effectively uti-lized by crossbreeding.”

When constructing a crossbreeding plan, each breedshould help meet marketing objectives and enhance the quali-ty of calves, Spangler said. He cautioned, however, thatexpected progeny differences (EPDs) are not helpful inselecting between breeds because EPDs from one breed arenot directly comparable to those of another. (He noted,although, that producers can use the USMARC across-breedadjustment factors to categorize breeds based on their genet-ic potentials for certain traits.) He suggested looking at theexisting herd composition then choosing another breed thatcomplements those cattle.

Hansen also encouraged producers to use thebreeds that are the most economically produc-tive for their enterprises and management styles,reminding them that no single breed is best ateverything.

For example, Greiner offered, coupling theBritish breeds’ general advantages in marblingpotential with the Continental breeds’ red-meat–yield advantages results in offspring that havedesirable levels of both quality grade (marbling)and yield grade (retail yield).

Today’s genetics offer the opportunity to stabilize coatcolor and polled status while maintaining a crossbreedingprogram, he added. Technological advances, such as DNAgenotyping, have made it possible to manage such qualitativetraits in several breeds; therefore, they do not need to be lim-iting factors.


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“Considerable

differences between

breeds exist and

may be effectively

utilized by

crossbreeding.”

— Scott Greiner


Hansen encouraged commitment: “Use breeds that com-plement each other. Do not become the ‘bull of the month’club with your bull battery.”

Utilize the various breeds’ strengths for a viable cross-breeding system, Greiner said, and maintain uniformity fromone generation to the next with sire selection – both withinand between the breeds.

“Bull selection within a breed is equally important,” heexplained. “EPDs are very useful and important tools inaccomplishing that task.”

Spangler agreed that EPDs and economic indexes are nec-essary for choosing individual animals.

“Those tools really center on the genetic aspects of individ-ual animals,” he said.

A crossbreeding program requires quality cattle if it is tooutperform straightbreeding and produce a product thatmeets consumer demand, Hansen stated.

“Crossbreeding will not overcome poor genetics,” he said.“Use quality animals when selecting the bulls to use in yourherd.”

ApplicationGreiner noted several factors and challenges to consider

when evaluating different crossbreeding systems:

� the number of cows in the herd;� the number of available breeding pastures;� labor and management;� the amount and quality of feed available;� the production and marketing systems; and� the availability of high-quality bulls of the various breeds.

Hough’s list included a few more items: a source ofreplacement females, identification and recordkeeping sys-tems, matching biological types, and fitting the productionenvironment.

“The ‘ideal cow herd’ and breeding program vary depend-ing on the area in which the enterprise is located, the productand the target market,” he explained. “Once you have ana-lyzed those aspects, you can design and implement a cross-breeding program that will help you achieve your productiongoals and marketing plans. The system must fit practical con-straints.”

Overall, the cumulative effect of crossbreeding when youconsider several traits is more important than the effect onany one particular trait, Greiner reiterated, so you mustdesign effective crossbreeding programs to optimize perform-ance, not necessarily maximize it.

“Still, a major challenge to making a crossbreeding pro-gram work is keeping the system sustainable without sacrific-ing optimum levels of heterosis and breed complementarity,”he cautioned. “A well-designed, manageable crossbreedingsystem is an important aspect in making genetic progress inthe various economically important traits that drive profitabil-ity in today’s beef industry.”




Simplify With Composite SeedstockMost beef herds are too small to implement standard

crossbreeding systems. Using composite cattle might bean advantage to smaller-scale producers who have single-sire herds because it can simplify for them the use ofbreed combinations for their production environments.

A composite is a hybrid breed made up of at least twocomponent breeds, explained Brett Barham, Ph.D., anExtension livestock specialist for theUniversity of Arkansas. Its designretains heterosis in future generationswithout a complicated crossbreedingprogram, and producers can maintainthe genetic composition as they would with a pure breed.

Employing composite seedstock provides a dependablestrategy to maintaining uniformity without sacrificing pro-duction potential as you do with the inbreeding and line-breeding necessary to produce purebred animals.

“Once producers establish a composite and random(closed-herd) mating occurs among cattle with a similarbreed makeup, the resulting heterosis should be con-stant,” Barham said. “The main disadvantage of usingcomposite breeds is the lack of extensive per formancedata to compare individuals.”

The seedstock sector rapidly is mitigating that draw-back, said Bob Hough, Ph.D., executive vice president forthe North American Limousin Foundation (NALF). For exam-ple, NALF maintains pedigree and performance records for

its Lim-Flex® (Limousin and Angus or Red Angus) hybridseedstock just as it does for its fullblood and purebredanimals.

In fact, NALF conducts its semiannual International Lim-ousin Genetic Evaluation in cooperation with Angus Genet-ics Inc. (AGI) to help overcome any shortfall in performancedata for the Lim-Flex population.

Working with AGI offers some dis-tinct advantages, said Lauren Hyde,Ph.D., director of per formance pro-grams for NALF.

“The improved hereditary ties toAngus seedstock make genetic predictions for Lim-Flex ani-mals the most timely and reliable of any for Angus-influ-enced composite seedstock,” she stated. “No othermultibreed genetic evaluation in the world more thoroughlyincorporates per formance information from two popula-tions of animals as does AGI’s work for NALF.”

Accurately described seedstock resources are para-mount to the success of a crossbreeding program, Houghadded.

“Our more accurate accounting for past and present-dayAngus genetics not only enhances predictions for Lim-Flexanimals but also for our purebreds and fullbloods,” hesaid, “so our hybrid seedstock offer the advantages ofaccurate genetic predictions, heterosis and breed comple-mentarity in one package.”

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KEETON LIMOUSIN10510 CR 1100 • Wolfforth, TX 79382

Leonard & Betty Keeton Lyle & Shana Keeton806-866-9440 fax: 806-866-9441 [email protected] BULLS • CLUB CALVES • HEIFERS

RANCH RAISED BULLS & HEIFERS FOR SALE

JIM DYERHCR 74, Box 146 “Se Hablo Spanglish”Fort Davis, TX 79734-5005 [email protected](915) 426-3435 • fax (915) 426-3126 www.bigbendtrailers.com

WW I E SI E S LL I M O U S I NI M O U S I NRR A N C HA N C H

BOB & EUVONNE WIES636-441-2439

RED AND BLACK LIMOUSIN CATTLE

WELLSVILLE, MO 63384 573-684-2773

EXPRESS RANCHES2202 N 11TH STREET

YUKON, OKLAHOMA

BOB FUNK, OWNER

800-664-3977 405-350-0058 FAX

[email protected]

www.expressranches.com

Davis Limousin RanchBrad, Norma & Blair Davis12500 Hwy. 279 • Brownwood, TX 76801325/784-5071 • 325/784-7674 fax325/647-7681 cell • [email protected]

www.davislimousin.com

WESTERN REGION BREEDERS

Limousin • Red & Black AngusRed & Black Angus CompositesSelect Seed Stock Producer

TERRY OʼNEILLP.O. Box 30435

Billings, MT 59107

406/373-6016 (ranch)406/373-6048 (fax)

[email protected]


BBrraadd && JJaanneett WWaaddddllee440 Road 161Pine Bluffs, WY 82082

[email protected]

V i s i t o r s a l w a y s w e l c o m e

BBUULLLLSS AANNDD FFEEMMAALLEESS AAVVAAIILLAABBLLEE AATT TTHHEE RRAANNCCHH

We Cater To Commercial Cattlemen

Larry Smith347 Davidson Road

West Harrison, Indiana 47060Evening: (812) 637-2303

Day: (513) 367-0218www.loganhills.com

Scott Minges, Manager(812) 637-5554

Cell: (513) 616-8499

EASTERN REGION BREEDERS

REGISTERED LIMOUSIN“Breeding Prime Cattle”

[email protected]

BOB MINERICHOWNEROFFICE: (859) 328-7118FAX: (859) 328-7120HOME: (859) 328-4104

inerich Land and Cattle Co.

2003 Barnes Mill RoadRichmond, Kentucky 40476-0536

Seedstock ConsultantsSpecialized Sales2300 Monument Ave. * Richmond, VA 23220Ph: (804) 353-2220 * Fax: (804) 353-2221Keith Kissee * Cell: (817) 821-6263Email: [email protected]

“Marketing Limousin Seedstock Throughout North America”

Randall O. Ratliff3610 Bear Creek Ln

Thompson’s Station, TN 37179

Office: 615.791.8982Fax: 615.791.8983

Mobile: 615.330.2735

www.rrmktg.come-mail: [email protected]

Today’s high operating costs are enough to make cattlemen see red. Everyone is looking for ways to lower costs andmaximize gain.

Turn your red into green...Use Fullblood Limousin!!!

• Calving Ease • Feed Efficiency • Superior Muscle Growth

Let the Fullblood Limousin Alliance be your source to locatingthe finest fullblood Limousin genetics.

WWW.FULLBLOODLIMOUSINALLIANCE.ORGFULLBLOOD = FULL BENEFITS

LIMOUSIN SERVICES

Today’s Limousin. Your best cross for profit. Learn more and locate your area Limousin breeders atwww.NALF.org or call 303-220-1693.

Our topline does more... ...for your bottom line.


The Limousin Exchange Bull Listing Service (BLS) is apopular feature of the North American Limousin Foundation(NALF) Web site (www.nalf.org). It allows bull buyers tosearch for Limousin and Lim-Flex® herd-sire prospects onlineby clicking the “Limousin Exchange: Bull Listing Service” linkon the organization’s home page. Both private-treaty and pub-lic-auction offerings are included in the searchable database.

Those looking to take advantage of Limousin genetics canidentify a variety of criteria – including state, owner, expectedprogeny differences (EPDs), coat color, polled status, percentblood, sale date, sale type and price – to obtain informationabout the bulls that fit their specifications. Also included in abull’s listing are his name, registration number, tattoo, birthdate,pedigree, ultrasound-scan data, owner contact information andadditional comments. Users can sort the results by any trait.

The Limousin Exchange also is a convenient, online mar-ketplace for Limousin and Lim-Flex females and Limousin-influenced feeder calves. Just like the Bull Listing Service, the“Females for Sale” and “Feeder Calf Classifieds” componentsallow prospective buyers to search, sort and select on manycriteria. The Feeder Calf Classifieds also allow commercialcow-calf producers to post calves for sale in a free, easy-to-

use advertisement with worldwide exposure.The BLS and “Females for Sale” link to listings in the Web

site’s member directory, making it easy for buyers to obtainsellers’ contact information when those searches identifytheir animals.

“It’s easy and basically a free service because the seller’slisting fee is subtracted from the transfer,” said Gary Gates ofGates Limousin in Montana.

NALF also offers a lot of other helpful information forcommercial cow-calf producers online. For example, you canview Limousin herdbook entries via the EPD and pedigreelookup. An animal’s pedigree page includes information aboutits color, polled status, ancestry, Mainstream Terminal Index($MTI) value and individual performance measurements.

The site’s “Genetic Evaluation” section includes the latestsire summary. New EPDs are available on the Web site aroundJan. 1 and Aug. 1 each year. The site’s Sire Selector interfaceswith the International Limousin Genetic Evaluation to searchfor bulls with specific EPD profiles and other characteristics.

If you need help locating breed information on the Web,send an e-mail message to [email protected] or call theNALF office at (303) 220-1693.

Search, Sort, Select With the Limousin ExchangeNALF’s online marketplace is one of its many Web-based tools.By Brad Parker


The prices customers are willing to pay for a certain prod-uct determine its value in the marketplace. If they are satis-fied, they will return to buy that product again. The same istrue in the cattle industry.

Feeder-calf buyers demonstrate their preferences throughthe prices they pay – on or off the farm or ranch. The value ofvarious traits can vary widely from sale to sale and dependson the market conditions. Over time, however, we can deter-mine a good estimate of what buyers prefer.

The factors that drive the value of a feeder calf are its gender,weight, frame size, muscle score, healthstatus, bloom and appearance of fresh-ness. The market dictates the value ofwhich management and marketing prac-tices a producer chooses.

Real-World ExamplesSeveral land-grant universities and

private entities have tracked feeder-calfdemand. An Internet search finds awealth of information from variousregions of the United States. An Okla-homa project estimated buyer prefer-ences with data from 20 OklahomaQuality Beef Network (OQBN) sales.

The research found buyers paid more for the following:

� steer calves compared to heifers, bulls or mixed lots;� medium-framed calves compared to large- and small-

framed calves;� heavy-muscled calves compared to moderate and thin-

muscled calves;� polled or dehorned-and-healed calves compared to horned

calves;� healthy calves compared to unhealthy-appearing calves;� uniform sale lots compared to nonuniform lots (including

color); and� larger sale lots (even 15 to 20 head) compared to single-

animal lots.

Another study conducted by the University of Arkansasdocumented the traits and management practices that canadd value to a feeder calf. From 2000 to 2005, university staffmembers worked with U.S. Department of Agriculture(USDA) livestock-news reporters to track data from 17 mar-kets across the state. The data included the number of cattlesold at a time, gender, breed or breed type, color, polled orhorned, frame (large, medium or small), muscle score (1, 2, 3or 4), fill (gaunt, shrink, average, full or tanked), condition(very thin, thin, average, fleshy or fat), age (calf or yearling),

health, weight, and price.The results were similar to the Okla-

homa results. Here are a couple of thehighlights.

� Discounts for unhealthy calvesranged from $15 to $38 per hundred-weight.� Muscle was a major factor thataffected the selling price, regardless ofcalf weight.

Product SpecificationsIf you want to increase the value of

your calves, produce exactly what thefeeders are wanting: same-sex loads of

calves that are light in flesh, like in kind, preferably weanedand with a history of good feedyard performance and carcassmerit. And use a good health program.

Another consideration for adding more value is back-grounding. The longer you develop a calf at home after wean-ing, the more immunity it develops. That reduces the risk ofsickness in the feedyard. Through the years, the marketplacehas discounted calves that have sold unweaned or weaned foronly a short period.

Source-and-age verification is another way to earn addedvalue. It is out there, and it is real. It can be anywhere from a$20 to $30 per head premium. We also are seeing premiums forfeeder calves that are verifiably antibiotic- and hormone-free.

What Drives Value inFeeder Cattle?By Frank Padilla

Feeder-calf buyers have varying preferences thathelp determine the prices they are willing to pay.



Historically, the average cow-calf producer has not wor-ried about the calf ’s performance beyond weaning. Today, cow-calf producers need to understand the impor-tance of feed efficiency, gain and carcass quality. They mustcollect data to quantify how their cattle perform in the feedyard and packinghouse. Producers should be consciousof those performance traits in the bulls they purchase and be able to furnish such data to their feeder-cattle buyersupon request.

BalanceThe North American Limousin Foundation’s (NALF’s)

Mainstream Terminal Index ($MTI) is a multiple-trait selec-tion tool, expressed in dollars per head, designed to assistbeef producers by adding simplicity to genetic selection deci-sions. It measures differences in expected profit per carcassproduced for a mainstream grid (Yield Grade 1 or 2, Select tolow-Choice quality grade, and no over- or underweights ordark cutters).

NALF based $MTI on the assumption that Angus–Herefordcows in a two-breed rotation are mated to Limousin-influ-enced terminal sires. Further, the index assumes the resultingcalves sell into a commodity beef market with premiums anddiscounts based on both quality and yield grades. It estimateshow future progeny of each sire will perform, on average inthe same environment, compared to progeny of other sires in

the Limousin herdbook if you randomly mated the sires tosimilar herds of black-baldie cows. $MTI is important to feed-er-cattle buyers, and you should share information regardingit with them.

When using $MTI, it is wise to select simultaneously foreconomically relevant traits (ERTs) that are not included inthe index. NALF developed the index for use in a terminal-sire situation in which Limousin and Lim-Flex® bulls andmature, British-based cows produce calves for the feedyardand a mainstream grid. Maternal traits, such as calving ease,are not included in the index.

If you intend to use high-$MTI bulls on first-calf heifers,you also will want to use expected progeny differences(EPDs) for direct calving ease to minimize calving difficulty.Likewise, to keep pace with the Limousin breed’s tremendousimprovement in temperament, NALF also advises selectionfor superior docility EPDs.

For more information about $MTI and NALF’s EPDs, con-tact its home office at (303) 220-1693 or visit the “GeneticEvaluation” section of the NALF Web site (www.nalf.org).

ResultsGetting the most value for feeder cattle is becoming more

of a team effort. From the seedstock producer to the cow-calfproducer to the feeder and packer, everyone needs to worktogether to produce the best product possible for the con-sumer. That, in turn, will add more value for all links in thechain.

The fact is the process of earning a premium in the market-place – whether at the auction market, off the farm or ranch,or in the packinghouse – begins at home.

What Drives Value inFeeder Cattle?


Throughout history, Limousin cattle have been extremelyefficient at and well suited to meat production. Although thereis anecdotal evidence supporting that claim from experiencewith the breed, the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center(USMARC) near Clay Center, Neb., has been accumulating sci-entific evidence since the early 1970s, when producers perma-nently imported the first Limousin bulls into the United States.

In the first germplasm evaluation (GPE) progress report,released in 1974, researchers at USMARC compared progenyof Limousin, Angus, Charolais, Hereford, Jersey, Simmentaland South Devon (Cycle 1) sires out of Angus and Hereforddams for several traits, including feed efficiency. Theydefined feed efficiency as pounds of total digestible nutrients(TDN) consumed per pound of gain and recorded it after 212,247 and 279 days on feed. Among the Cycle 1 breeds, Limou-sin ranked the highest for average feed efficiency with a least-

squares mean of 6.56 pounds.Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Technical Bulletin

No. 1875, published in 1999, is a summary of results from a15-year USMARC study in which researchers comparedcomposite breeds to their parental breeds for major bioeco-nomic traits. They evaluated gain efficiency at four differ-ent end points (to 207 days; from 684 to 1,191 pounds; to acarcass weight of 734 pounds; and to a retail-productweight of 463 pounds) for nine parental breeds (Limousin,Angus, Braunvieh, Charolais, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Pinz-gauer, Red Poll and Simmental) and three compositesdeveloped at USMARC (MARC 1, MARC 2 and MARC 3).Limousin ranked first for both liveweight gain (LWG) andretail-product gain (RPG) per megacalorie (Mcal) of mainte-nance energy (ME) on a time-constant basis, second for


Research Illustrates Limousin Feed EfficiencyBy Lauren Hyde


Among the Continental breeds in a 2004 study, Limousin ranked first in liveweight gain per unit of maintenance energy consumed to 187 days on feed.


LWG on a weight-constant basis, first for LWG to a constantcarcass weight and first for RPG to a constant retail-prod-uct weight.

From GPE Progress Report No. 22 (2004) – a comparisonof Cycle 7 breeds (Limousin, Angus, Charolais, Gelbvieh,

Hereford, Red Angus and Simmental) – differences betweenContinental and British breeds in many traits are not as greatas they were 30 years ago in Cycle 1. Among the four Conti-nental breeds, however, Limousin ranked first in LWG perunit of ME consumed (pounds per megacalorie) to 187 dayson feed; second from a weight of 750 to 1,300 pounds; secondto a marbling score of Small35; first to a fat thickness of 0.43inch; first to a fat trim of 24.8 percent; and second to 456pounds of retail product.

Table. Breed-Group Means for Different Measures of Gain Efficiency

Time constant Gain constant To a carcass wt. To a retail-product wt.(to 207 days) (684–1,191 lb.) of 734 lb. of 463 lb.

Breed group No. of carcasses LWG1 RPG2 LWG1 LWG1 RPG2

Limousin 138 54 47 51 54 57

Hereford 133 54 34 48 51 24

Charolais 125 52 40 52 53 50

Simmental 126 51 38 52 52 46

Pinzgauer 119 50 39 50 50 40

Braunvieh 138 50 38 51 51 42

Angus 117 50 35 48 49 26

Red Poll 114 49 35 48 48 28

Gelbvieh 148 48 40 49 49 49

Overall 1,599 51 38 50 51 40

1 Liveweight gain in grams per megacalorie of maintenance energy2 Retail-product gain in grams per megacalorie of maintenance energySource: USDA-ARS Technical Bulletin No. 1875 (1999)

Research IllustratesLimousin Feed Efficiency



Beginning in 2003, USMARC started a long-term feed-effi-ciency research project in which scientists will collect indi-vidual feed-intake data and DNA samples for steers andheifers produced from Cycle 7 of the GPE study. Althoughone of the primary objectives of the steer and female experi-ment is to develop the tools needed to help create expectedprogeny differences (EPDs) and genetic markers for selec-tion on feed efficiency, breed characterization likely will be abyproduct of the research, with the Limousin breed rankingat the top.


Feed Intake,Utilization in BeefCattle ImprovementBy Denny Crews

For more than 20 years, significantgenetic improvement of beef cattlehas resulted from the use of suchtools as expected progeny differences(EPDs) and selection indexes for eco-nomically relevant traits (ERTs). Theindustr y has obser ved the largestgenetic trend for traits associatedwith outputs or revenues, such asreproductive and growth rates, car-cass yield and meat quality.

Relatively little genetic progress has been made, howev-er, for traits associated with input costs. Cattle feeding andfeed supplementation account for more than two-thirds ofthe variable costs of beef production. Therefore, geneticimprovement in feed utilization has the potential to result inlarge economic benefits for the beef industry and to reducethe feeding sector’s environmental footprint.

Historically, a major limitation to implementing large-scale genetic improvement programs for feed utilization was

Denny Crews


GlossaryFeed-conversion ratio (FCR) is the ratio of units of feedconsumed to units of weight gained. FCR is the mostcommon measure of efficiency, but growth andcomposition of gain highly influence it. Selection forincreased growth indirectly results in selection forimproved (lower) FCR; however, selection pressure toimprove FCR might result in increased birth and matureweights.

Residual feed intake (RFI) is the difference betweenactual feed intake and expected feed intake, accountingfor body size and production. In statistical terms, RFI isindependent of the traits with which it might be correlated,such as growth rate, fat deposition, milk production andbody size. That allows for selection on favorable (lower)RFI without unfavorable effects on other traits.


the cost and labor associated with collecting feed-intakerecords for individual animals. Measuring individual intakefor group-fed cattle remains expensive today, but technologi-cal advancements and standardized data-collection guide-lines have resulted in a significant increase in the numberof facilities capable of measuring individual feed intake. In2009, Colorado State University (CSU) constructed its FeedIntake Unit (FIU), a facility at the Ag Research, Developmentand Education Center (ARDEC) that uses technology withthe capacity to measure feed intake on more than 500head per year.

We are beginning to learn more about the genetic architec-ture of feed intake in cattle. The Animal Breeding and Genet-ics Group in the CSU Department of Animal Sciences isparticularly interested in developing tools for producers in thebeef industry to improve cattle’s genetic ability to utilize feed.

Feed utilization refers to the optimal combination of per-formance and intake. Because feed intake is geneticallyrelated to growth rate and mature size, the challenge is toidentify cattle that have high levels of per formance withlower feed intake. We know that various measures of feedintake and utilization have significant genetic components,and those traits exhibit sufficient genetic variance to sug-gest a real economic potential under selection.

In most studies, for example, there is at least a 10-pound difference in the amount of feed consumed dailybetween efficient and inefficient cattle gaining at the samerate. With even moderate adoption of genetic improvementtechnology by the industry, that could translate to tens ofmillions of dollars in feed-cost savings per year in Coloradoalone, without reducing production.

Cattle that perform well on less feed also produce lessmanure, methane, ammonia and other greenhouse gases.Studies have shown at least a 10 percent difference in thecarbon and greenhouse-gas footprint of efficient versusinef ficient cattle per forming at the same level. Thoseresults show genetic improvement of feed intake and utiliza-tion will be a significantly positive step toward reducing theenvironmental effect of beef production.

The cost and time associated with collecting feed-intakedata limit the numbers of animals that we can test. But theCSU Animal Breeding and Genetics Group also is investigat-ing the use of genetic markers in combination with live-ani-mal measurements to predict genetic merit for feed intakeand utilization. The incorporation of molecular tools intogenetic evaluation can increase the accuracy of selectingreplacements and potentially reduce generation interval –both of which contribute to higher rates of genetic progress.

About the author: Denny Crews, Ph.D., is a professor ofanimal breeding and genetics in the Department of AnimalSciences at CSU.

Feed Intake, Utilization inBeef Cattle Improvement


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We have a great selection of BULLS, REPLACEMENTS and BRED FEMALES that will build PROFITABILITY

into your commercial program. Many of our cattle are HOMOZYGOUS BLACK and/or HOMOZYGOUS POLLED.

Call or come by TODAY, we welcome your interest.

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ColoradoJan. 9 – Magness Land and Cattle Show Heifer and Bred Female Sale, Platteville, (970) 396-6958 (pp. 14–15)

Jan. 11 – National Limousin Sale, Denver,(303) 220-1693

March 6 – Elmwood Limousin 20th AnniversaryBull Sale, Sterling, (970) 522-8195 (p. 9)

Private treaty – Lewis Limousin, Kirk and Iliff,(970) 521-0545 (p. 31)

Private treaty – Ochsner Limousin, Kersey,(970) 351-6008 (p. 4)

Private treaty – Running Creek Ranch,Elizabeth, (303) 841-7901 (p. 19)

IndianaPrivate treaty – Sennett Cattle Co., Waynetown,

(765) 234-2621 (p. 29)

IowaPrivate treaty – Linhart Limousin, Leon,

(641) 340-1306 (p. 5)Private treaty – Straight Limousin, Logan,

(712) 648-2180 (p. 18)

KansasFeb. 6 – Liberty Ranch Annual Bull Sale,

Plainville, (785) 885-4882 (p. 28)Feb. 20 – GV Limousin Sale, Garnett,

(785) 448-3708 (p. 11)

MinnesotaMarch 26 – Wulf Limousin Farms OpportunitySale of 2010, Morris, (320) 392-5802 (p. 30)

MississippiPrivate treaty – Riverdale Ranch, West,

(662) 967-2407 (p. 21)

MontanaApril 5 – Coleman Limousin Ranch 32nd AnnualSale, Missoula, (406) 644-2300 (p. 10)

Private treaty – Gates Limousin, Absarokee,(406) 328-4393 (p. 24)

NebraskaFeb. 22 – Lonely Valley Limousin Keepin’ KindBull Sale, Creston, (402) 910-5504 (p. 3)

Private treaty – Hunt Limousin Ranch, Oxford,(308) 473-8521 (p. 7)

North DakotaMarch 22 – Hager Cattle Co. Annual Bull Sale,

Bismarck, (701) 525-6363 (p. 26)

OklahomaMarch 18 – Lance Hall Cattle Co. and CoyoteHills Ranch Limousin Bull Sale, Chattanooga,(580) 597-2419 (p. 22)

March 28 – Magness Land and Cattle SouthernDivision Bull Sale, Miami, (918) 541-5482(pp. 14–15)

April 10 – Magness Land and Cattle Fall-Calving Cow Herd Dispersal, Miami, (918) 541-5482 (pp. 14–15)

Private treaty – Hayhook Limousin, Lexington,(405) 306-5202 (p. 27)

South DakotaMarch 19 – Schott Limousin Ranch 27th Annual Sale, Mobridge, (605) 823-4974 (p. 13)

TexasPrivate treaty – Lawrence Family Limousin,

Anton, (806) 997-5381 (p. 12)

UtahPrivate treaty – Millerberg Limousin, Draper,

(801) 566-4665 (p. 21)

WashingtonPrivate treaty – DJ Limousin, Port Orchard,

(360) 871-3642 (p. 8)

WisconsinPrivate treaty – Spring Creeks Cattle Co.,

Wauzeka, (608) 875-5049 (p. 23)

Limousin Locator

Thanks to Our Corporate SponsorsBreeds of Cattle from TRS Publishing, 1-888-530-3322 (p. 17)

Five Star Cattle Systems, (970) 231-6278 (p. 32)

Igenity, 1-877-IGENITY (p. 6)

Laura’s Lean Beef, 1-800-ITS-LEAN (p. 2)

7383 S. Alton Way, Suite 100Centennial, Colorado 80112-2339

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