NALF Bottomline Newsletter

Looking at the trends in today’s cattleindustry, one can see a number of challengeson the horizon. The national cowherd isdown to its lowest level since 1958, cornprices remain double to triple as high as theywere in 2005, and the number of cattle placedinto feedlots this fall are some of the lowestsince the 1990s. Margins continue to tightenthroughout the industry and as margins tight-en, efficiency becomes a key to profit.Numerous Residual Feed Intake (RFI)

studies are being conducted to test and evalu-ate efficiency of cattle on feed. But efficiencydoesn’t start in the feedyard, it starts in thecow herd. Cows that consistently producecalves born early in the calving season and

stay in the herd longer are becoming increas-ingly more important to the bottom line. Lim-ousin and Lim-Flex cows do just that.Scientific evidence shows Limousin

females are not only feed efficient, but areemerging as a leader in reproductive efficien-cy and are flexible enough to thrive undermany environmental conditions. They are ofmoderate height and weight and producemedium-sized calves with little calving diffi-culty. Additionally, the calves are vigorous atbirth, with a high proportion surviving untilweaning. Research at the Meat AnimalResearch Center (MARC) showed Limousinleading all major breeds in percent of calf

Winter 2011 Volume 13, 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.org

Executive Vice PresidentBob Hough, Ph.D., Ext. 120

Dir. of CommunicationsJonathan Beitia, Ext. 117

continued on page 15

Rediscover theValue of EfficiencyJonathan Beitia, Director of Communications andJoe Epperly, Director of Commercial Marketing

INSIDE...Limousin CommentaryLimi Up Your Bottom Line

Full CircleRediscover the Value ofEfficiency.

HeterosisIgnored or Forgotten?by Dave Daley, CSU, Chico

A Value Added Calf CropStrauss adds value to Limousininfluenced calves.

Cattle BreedingEPD’s & Percentile Rankby Eldon Cole, University ofMissouri Extension

Crossbreeding“Revisited” by Dr. Scott P.Greiner, Extension AnimalScientist, VA Tech.

TestimonialsDon’t Take Our Word,Take Theirs

Commercial MarketingDirectorMeet NALF’s New CommercialMarketing Director

R.L. “Bob” Hough

Limi UpYour Bottom LineBy R.L. “Bob” Hough, Ph.D.Executive Vice PresidentNorth American Limousin Foundation

LIMOUSIN COMMENTARY

The data is in, the proof is indisputable, crossbreedingworks and nothing works better than Limousin and Lim-Flex®

on high percentage British based cow herds. Limousin addthe extra muscle, cow longevity and moderate cow size thatcomes with breed complimentarily, plus the extra 25 to 30percent in lifetime production gained from heterosis in aplanned crossbreeding system. Any serious, profit drivencommercial cattle producer simply cannot ignore the powerof heterosis.Why did our industry move away from cross breeding?

One reason was the power of Angus and their powerful back-ing of Angus branded product lines. Angus thought it couldbecome the “Holstein” of the beef industry. Instead its rolehas become the maternal common denominator in most envi-ronments for a cross breeding system. The branded productshad such a pull through effect that one breed started to domi-nate the market, but few people realize that to qualify forAngus branded product lines, the animal must only be 51 per-cent black hided and can be either horned or polled. Over 80percent of Limousin qualifies for Angus product lines. It hasgotten so bad that one breed executive I know keeps an ad onhis wall for Angus dog food, clearly showing that Angus

branded beef specifications are not a reason to not utilize thebenefits of Limousin heterosis and genetics.Good times are surely ahead of us. Combined with cross-

breeding efficiency, we are experiencing an unprecedentedtight supply of cattle, which means high feeder and fed cattleprices will continue. It is truly a bullish time in the beef indus-try, and a time to invest in good genetics.Limousin cattle offer moderate milk and moderate mature

cow size to fit into most any environment. People often don’trealize the cost of excessive milk. Not only is rebreedingslower, but high milking cattle have more visceral and organmass, which cause them to have higher maintenance require-ment year-round. In this time of low cost production, profitminded cattle producers are starting to look at very high milk-ing cattle and breeds that are known for high milk, as some-thing they just cannot afford.Any good commercial beef producer must look at their

breeding programs when buying Limousin and Lim-Flex®

bulls from the perspective of the product they will have tosell, feeder cattle, and the heifers they will retain. Most of themarket is mainstream, 60 percent Choice and Yield Grade 2.

Winter 2011 BOTTOM LINE


LIMOUSIN’S COMMERCIAL CONNECTION Winter 2011

Repetition is a tool used by teachers and I find it helps aswe try to teach farmers new technology such as expectedprogeny differences (EPDs). We started stressing EPDs in ourSouthwest Missouri Beef Cattle Improvement Associationbull sales back in 1988.I’ve said many times that it’s a difficult lesson for farmers

to grasp. Maybe they grasp it, but still question it’s accuracy. Ifeel the Show-Me-Select Heifer program where we requirecertain calving ease or birth weight limits on service sires inorder for them to be SMS certified, has been a blessing in dis-guise for convincing many that EPDs work.Little-by-little, more of you are trusting and using EPDs to

guide your sire selection. The EPD values still seem hard forcattle producers to effectively use as they compare two ormore bulls. Rather than getting hung up on which animalsuits your needs with the EPD itself, I encourage you to lookat Percentile Rank. It lets you know at a glance how an ani-mal ranks within its breed for the various traits.Remember a 50 percentile rank means the animal is rough-

ly average for that trait. As you reduce the percentile ranktowards a 1, it indicates easier calving, lighter birth weights,greater growth, more milk, more intra-muscular fat, largerribeyes and less fat over the rib. In contrast, as the percentilerank moves towards 99, the animal is heavier in birth weight,

likely to cause greater calving problems, slower growing, pro-duce lower milking daughters, less intra-muscular fat, smallerribeyes and more rib fat.Not all sale catalogs share percentiles with you and some

breeders don’t even share certain EPDs to prospective buyersif they’re not flattering to their herd’s program. Of course, notevery producer is looking for an animal that ranks in the top10 or 20 percentile. You can end up with too much of a goodthing when single-trait selection is used too much.EPDs are not perfect, but they’re still the most accurate

means we have to map out a breeding plan. On the horizon isDNA evaluation of hair, blood and semen to determine an ani-mal’s breeding merit. These techniques already are being usedin combination with actual EPDs in the Angus breed on sometraits.During our BSE clinics last week, a representative from an

animal health company was on hand to discuss their DNA-marker technology. Several participants had him collect tailhair samples to be run for feed efficiency, marbling and ten-derness. The beauty of DNA evaluation is it can be done on anewborn calf or as the rep said, even on an embryo before it’sput in a recipient cow. Now that’s high tech. So don’t be intim-idated by the technology, just figure out how it can help you.And, don’t forget, EPDs really work.

Cattle Breeding:EPD’s & Percentile RankEldon ColeUniversity of Missouri Extension


So why are we still talking about heterosis? I rememberattending a cattlemen’s meeting in 1967, in Bangor Californiawhen I was 9-years-old. Our farm advisor gave this very clear,simplistic report on crossbreeding-and the data wasirrefutable.Crossbreeding generates economic returns for commercial

beef producers. The following spring, my dad purchases thefirst Angus bulls to be used on a herd that ran very heavy toHereford, with a smattering of “Durham” (Shorthorn) influ-ence. It was not necessarily a popular decision with all theneighbors! Yet, 40 years later, I think that as an industry, wehave ignored or forgotten the value of heterosis.The classical work conducted at Fort Robinson in the early

1960’s, provided the scientific documentation for heterosis.These elegant and truly remarkable germ plasm evaluationand germ plasm utilization studies at the U.S. Meat AnimalResearch Center (MARC) provide substantive and meaningfuldata on the value of crossbreeding. If we design breeding pro-grams that capture direct and maternal heterosis, we canincrease lifetime production by more than 20%. The literatureis clear, overwhelming and consistent regarding the benefitsof capturing heterosis in beef production systems.I think back to my first animal breeding classes studying

crossbreeding systems and discovering that nature was goodto us – we were able to use both selection and crossbreedingto make genetic progress. Not only could we effectively uti-lize selection within breed for highly heritable traits, we could

also make significant improvement in lowly heritable traitswith crossbreeding.In graduate school in the early 1980’s I had the very fortu-

nate experience to work with people like Bob Taylor and JimBrinks – practical, skilled animal breeders – who had the abil-ity to clearly elucidate the importance of designed breedingprograms.From the experience, I was one of a handful of people who

met in Denver in 1990, to form a group that worked on the uti-lization of “composite” seedstock. What I particularly appreci-ated about those “out-of-the-box” thinkers is that it was notabout protecting territory, but about making progress.Heterosis (hybrid vigor) is the amount (percent) by which

the crossbred average exceeds the average of the two (ormore) parental purebreds for a measured trait.From an economic perspective, the most important gains

are made in lowly heritable traits that are often difficult tomeasure. Traits like calf livability, survival to weaning, con-ception rate, age at puberty and many others, all benefit fromheterosis. The individual change in one trait is small, but thecumulative effect on total productivity and lifetime productiv-ity is tremendous, ranging well over 20%.I do not believe it is necessary to revisit the scientific evi-

dence regarding hybrid vigor, but more importantly toaddress the failure of our industry to effectively utilize thepowerful tool that nature has provided. For more reason,

continued on page 7

HeterosisIgnored or Forgotten?Dave DaleyCalifornia State University-Chico


poultry and pork have seemed to figure out how to takeadvantage of genetic diversity and produce a consistent prod-uct. The beef industry has not done so on a widespread basis.After participating in this industry at many levels (educa-

tor, cow-calf and stocker producer, purebred breeder), Ithought it appropriate to summarize 10 reasons that we haveignored or forgotten about heterosis in our questto make genetic progress. If assigning blame isimportant there is plenty to go around, includingmuch of it directed to the historical direction ofour research and education at universities.

1.) A cultural bias that clearly reflects “pure-breds as better,” if for no other reason thanthey have a registration paper. Society, atmany levels, rewards purity. Is your dog reg-istered? Does your quarter horse geldinghave papers? How far can you trace yourancestry? Please don’t misunderstand – there is certainlyvalue associated with that record, particularly our abilityto track performance and predict genetic potential ofpurebreds. But being purebred should not be a presump-tion of superiority.

2.) Our predilection for single-trait selection focusing on “big-ger is better.” This industry seems to choose a trait ofimportance and then puts an inordinate amount of pres-sure on that trait, ignoring genetic antagonisms. If a 90-

pound (lb.) yearling expected progeny difference (EPD) isgood, 100 must be better! It is intuitive! We have alreadydone that with frame, growth (weight of all kinds), milkand carcass traits (both ribeye and marbling).

I sometimes have to ask myself, “So what is the trait ofthe year this time?” It is akin to the “flavor of the month”at the local ice cream shop. And, because we have oftenchosen relatively highly heritable traits, we have notneeded to crossbreed to achieve those goals. The subtle,

and cumulative improvement that heterosis pro-vides does not lend itself to maximums.

3.) We have decided that measuring outputs ismore meaningful than measuring inputs, as wellas easier to do. It is certainly easier to measurecalf performance on an individual basis, ratherthan all costs associated with that production. “Ican weight them at weaning quicker than I candetermine differences in treatment costs overtime.”

4.) Uniform phenotypes for qualitative traits (color) have adistinct and real marketing advantage that is difficult toignore. That does not mean you cannot have uniformityof color within a crossbreeding program, but the wide-spread and indiscriminate planning (or lack thereof) ofmany crossbreeding programs certainly gave us someinteresting marketing challenges. Generally, it is easierto produce a uniform color in straightbred programs.

Heterosis: Forgotten or Ignored?continued from page 5

continued on page 8

10 reasonsthat we have

ignored or forgotten

about heterosis

in our quest

to make genetic

progress.


5.) Heterosis is very difficult to visualize and even more dif-ficult to measure. Because heterosis is expressed as asmall net positive in many traits, we do not know itwhen we see it. Slight changes in morbidity, age atpuberty, conception rate and significant changes inlongevity are not easily observed. However, we all knowwhen calves gain faster in the feedlot.

6.) The presentation of complicated crossbreeding systemsas a “normal practice” to diverse cattle operations, espe-cially the countless small beef herds in the U.S. Many ofthe systems that we teach as part of standard animalbreeding or beef production courses have very limitedapplication in the real world. Most beef herds are toosmall to implement the “standard systems.”

7.) Our penchant for telling people how to modify theirenvironment in order to “get heavier calves, higher per-cent calf crop and more total pounds,” rather than howto increase net worth. How many new supplementationprograms can you develop in order to get your heifersbred or wean bigger calves? In fact, we can recommendprograms for noncycling females… you just have to payfor it and then pass those genetics to the next genera-tion. Heterosis provides some improvement in traits atrelatively low cost. How-ever, we have obscured theopportunity for producers to focus on those traits,

because they are so busy masking differences with artifi-cial environments.

8.) Historically, there has been active resistance to cross-breeding from some traditional marketing outlets, somepurebred producers and (in some cases) breed associa-tions. I would like to commend many of the associationswho, quite recently, have taken the risk of suggestingwhere their animals fit most effectively in crossbreedingprograms.

9.) Inappropriate use of breeding diversity. Nothing under-mines crossbreeding more quickly than the unplanned“Heinz 57” or “Breed of the Month Club” approach. Forthose who were willing to experiment in crossbreeding,there was often very poor planning of the combinationof breeds and the selection within those breeds.

10.) Our industry and university systems have focused onindividual trait measurement for more than 50 years. Wehave done a very poor job of incorporating real worldeconomics into our models. We have EPDs for a pletho-ra of traits, and we are adding more. Economic indicesare starting to catch up, but we are still behind. Has any-one thought about measuring return per acre or returnon investment? We have had a disconnect between agri-cultural economists and animal science that has notbeen well bridged. We tend to think lineally rather thanlaterally, which has reduced the applications of innova-tive crossbreeding.


continued on page 9

SummarySo where are we now? In the Far West, as in much of the

U.S., we have seen a move toward less crossbreeding andmore reliance on a single breed. Gener-ally, that has been quite positive,because many of the herds were cross-bred and had high levels of heterosis.

Therefore, five to eight years of onebreed has reduced heterosis, but provid-ed a consistent, highly marketable prod-uct, with some maternal heterosis stillpressing in the cow here.

Recently, I am hearing concernfrom some very large, progressive pro-ducers, as their cows become morestraightbred in a tough environment.Longevity, rebreeding and calf surviv-ability all become important issues.

I don’t think it is because theyhave brought the wrong bulls or man-aged their ranch incorrectly. It is because they have forgottenor ignored heterosis.

It is time for many producers to design long term, sim-plistic plans that capture maternal heterosis. I would notwant to manage cattle in any environment without thatincredible value.

And, the tougher the environment, the more criticalhybrid vigor becomes. For those of us who are educators, weneed to work more effectively in presenting straightforwardworkable solutions. We need to renew our efforts in educa-tion producers that selection is not about maximums—otherthan sustained profit. Animal breeders do not need to give us

one more individual EPD that measuresoutputs. We need to incorporate dollarsand we need to measure inputs.

With all of the potential pitfalls inutilizing heterosis, I have observed suc-cess in pockets of the industry. Produc-ers, who have developed a plan, targeteda market, understand their resources andenvironment and are focuses on profitare successfully capitalizing on heterosis.

I see terminal systems with moder-ate crossbred cows under limited feedproducing a successful product that per-forms in the feedlot. I see other ranchesthat are highly focuses on quality, usingmoderate crossbred cows mated to pro-duce 3/4-blood calves for specific market-

the heterosis is lower, but the market rewards are real.There is no single solution. However, as we turn the cor-

ner in the cattle cycle and begin to experience somewhatlower prices, I am confident that we can no longer forget howto reduce input costs—and heterosis has to be part of theequation.



BREEDERSPOTLIGHT

Want to advertise in theBREEDER SPOTLIGHT section?It’s easy! Call Jonathan Beitia at303-220-1693 for all the details.

NORTH CENTRAL REGION BREEDERS

Lonely Valley LimousinPUREBRED AND ANGUS COMPOSITE BREEDING FOR 20 YEARS

Annual Bull Sale last Monday of FebruaryStan, Mike, Mark, Dean and Chad Settje

Mail us at [email protected] (402) 285-9013 • Dean (402) 783-2105

560th Ave. • Creston, NE 68631

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION BREEDERS

Jimmy Ridings ~ Owner1912 CR 4120 ~ Meridian, TX 76665

Phone: (254) 597-0044www.colonialoaksranch.com

e-mail: [email protected]

Ca t t l e You Can Tru s t . . . P e op l e You Can Tru s t

Hiram and Darenda � 806/375-2346Bret, Hayley, McKinley & Boone � 806/375-2345Box 110, Allison, Texas [email protected] � www.begertranch.com

Your Homozygous Headquarters

� A large number of breeding-age bulls available. �

� Trophy hunts available (deer, quail & turkey). �

Charles Linhart: (641) 340-1306

David Linhart: (641) 446-6906

Linhart Limousin27195 175th St.Leon, IA 50144www.linhartlimousin.com

When in the market fortop-quality genetics,give us a call.

21314 OSRMadisonville, TX 77864Mobile (281) 808-3473Home (903) 344-2331

www.counsilfamilylimousins.com

BQA II Certified HerdCertified Brucellosis and TB FreeYour call or visit is welcome

DeMar Farms“Unparalleled

black Limousin genetics”AI and ET bulls for the commercial market

Joe & Margaret Hoot630 VZ CR 4124

Canton, Texas 75103(903) 829-8082

[email protected]

Craig LaroueRanch Manager(903) 292-9080

EXPRESS RANCHES2202 N 11TH STREETYUKON, OKLAHOMABOB FUNK, OWNER

800-664-3977 405-350-0058 [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

L I M O U S I N R A N C HC H A R L E S H U N T F A M I L Y

PRIVATE TREATY SALES• Bulls • Females • Semen

308-473-852110329 Highway 136 · Oxford, NE 68967

Dan Hunt · cell [email protected] · www.huntlimousin.com

SchottLimousin RanchJim & Priscilla Schott27601 108th St.McLaughlin, SD [email protected]

6 0 5 - 8 2 3 - 4 9 7 4

Straight Limousin

www.straightlimousin.com

Jay & Lori Straight * Jordan & JacksonJamie, Scott & Brayton MyerJenelle & Adam Klein

2173 Morgan Ave. * Logan, Iowa 51546712-648-2180 * 712-592-1350 (Jay’s cell)


Fuhrmann Black Limousin

Roy Lee Fuhrmann2335 FM 1200 • Gainesville,TX 76240

[email protected] – (940) 665-6985 Mobile – (940) 727-2452

BULLS AVAILABLE FOR SALE PRIVATELY AT THE RANCH

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

WESTERN REGION BREEDERS

Bob Millerberg * (801) 566-4665 home * (801) 561-9911 office * (801) 673-9911 [email protected]

Jim Millerberg * (801) 254-6610 home * (801) 303-6017 office * (801) 301-2953 cell

491 E. 12000 S.

Draper, Utah 84020

Limousin & Lim-Flex Bulls and Females for Sale Privately!“Ranch Tested, Customer Approved”

30849 CR 56 • Iliff, CO 80736 • [email protected] & Elaine Lewis • 970-362-4321 • Les Cell 970-630-1283

Mat & Wendy Lewis • 970-521-0545 • Mat Cell 970-580-8209

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

Absarokee, MT406-328-4393

[email protected]

hCall us about the bulls & females

we have available privately.

L imo u s i n & L im - F l e x S e e d s t o c kP.O. Box 1531

Camdenton, MO 65020Owners: Daryl & Wally Cunningham

Committed to Excellence

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

Gene & Virginia Raymond Arne & Stacy Hanson(785) 448-3708 (785) 448-6142

“THE BRAND OF BREEDER RESPECT AND COMMERCIAL APPEAL”

For Quality Limousin Genetics You Can Count On

9700 Slaughterville Rd.Lexington, Oklahoma 73051

405/[email protected]

Edna Manning Judy Bugher405/306-1316 cell 405/306-1315

Kevin & Julie Ochsner and family30300 WCR 388 • Kersey, CO 80644 • H: 970-351-6008 • M: 970-396-5525

[email protected]

Convenientlylocated 60 miles

northeast ofDenver, CO.

Give us a call for more

information about our

private-treaty offerings

of Limousin and

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RIVERDALE RANCHRed & Black Limousin

Registered & Commercial

3830 Huckleberry Road • West, MS 39192Jim Jolley, Manager [email protected] fax: 601-605-4724

Little Luckiamute Limousin Little Luckiamute Limousin

Font used for Ranch name is Watson regular

Font used for Ranch name is Watson regular

Ves and Marge Garner, Harlen and Anita Garner4952 N. Rd. I Vale, OR 97918

541-473 - BEEFwww.luckilimo.com


BREEDER SPOTLIGHT

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”

LIMOUSIN SERVICES

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.

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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

John & Kitty Goodish 724-235-2178152 Florida Lane Joint bull sale on April 1, 2011New Florence, PA 15944 in Harrisonburg, VA

www.tubmillcreekfarms.com

The Greenbrier Cattle CompanyJim and Jay Justice and Family Office - 540-423-1200Jeff Kaufman, manager Jeff - 540-280-538828011 Horseshoe Rd., [email protected], VA 22701

Joint Bull Sale on April 1, 2011 in Harrisonburg, VA

Based on last year’s video auctions, quarter-bloods were thetop-selling cattle, probably aiming for over 60percent Choice, with half-bloods perfectlyacceptable. Three-quarter-bloods were more“Laura’s Lean” type of cattle, and it was neces-sary to keep them natural. Without some type ofpreconditioning you can expect a discount,source and age verification always seemed tobring premiums, and keeping cattle natural is abonus no matter what the percentage.On the female side, 50 percent is without a

doubt where you are going to gain the most het-erosis. The progeny probably have the most flexibility to eitherenter Laura’s Lean or the mainstream market depending onhow they are managed. The nice thing about 50 percent cattleis the ease of management. First, you can use either, a pure-

bred Limousin or 75 percent Lim-Flex® bull, and then go into astraight breeding program with 50 percent Lim-Flex®. This is where I have challenged our purebred Limousin

breeders. We are making some fantastic 50 per-cent Lim-Flex®; perfect for the commercialindustry. Breed Lim-Flex® to Lim-Flex® andkeep the percentage at or around 50 percent.Lim-Flex® cattle can fit almost any niche marketor enter the mainstream market.I am so excited about the Limousin breed

right now. We have taken care of our docilityproblems, and all the cards in the beef industryseem to be lining-up in our favor of Limousin andLim-Flex®. Limousin are in the right place at the

right time with the right traits as cross breeding takes backhold of our industry. I like being on a winning team and I feelthat I am on one with Limousin in terms of the impact it canhave on commercial herds.

Limi Up Your Bottom Linecontinued from page 2

Limousin are

in the right place

at the right time

with the right traits

as cross breeding

takes back hold of

our industry.


crop born and weaned.Longevity is typically defined as a length of productive life

spent within the herd, has long been a strength of the Limou-sin breed. It has been estimated that the break-even age of acommercial cow is between five or six years of age. Based onNorth American Limousin Foundation (NALF) data, the aver-age cow culled due to age is olderthan 12 years. While longevity hasthe potential to reduce the rate ofgenetic progress by increasing gen-eration interval, it allows producersto be more selective when evaluat-ing replacement females. In turn,fewer replacements are retained,thus lowering the cost of replace-ment heifer development. It allowsmore animals to be marketed, low-ers production costs due to lowertotal energy requirements formature cows, and allows for an increased proportion of highproducing mature animals in the herd. The NALF performance program has addressed cow

longevity through its Stayability expected progeny differ-ence (EPD). The stayability EPD is a tool for predictinggenetic differences in the likelihood of animals producingdaughters that remain in production past age 6. As seen inthe table below, the Limousin breed has increased the aver-age stayability EPD by more than 55% since 1990. The pro-longed, favorable genetictrend in stayability resultsfrom years of breeders dili-gently culling open cows,fertility-testing bulls andrequiring heifers to calve bytheir second birthday. Thetrend also shows modernLimousin breeders are com-mitted to providing repro-ductively superior cattle tothe commercial industry. Yearling Limousin heifers

have had a reputation as late-maturing with low pregnancy

rates after their first breedingseasons. To help improve ageat puberty, NALF introducedscrotal circumference EPDsin 1994. As with stayability,scrotal circumference hasshown an impressive genetictrend growing by 350% in thepast 10 years. According to a 2007 report

by the U.S. Meat AnimalResearch Center, Limousinfirst calf heifers achieved 87%

pregnancy rate that rivaled that of Angus and surpassed thatof Gelbvieh. In the same study, Limousin cows lead all breedsin the number of calves born and weaned. In addition, Limou-sin steers were equal to or greater than every other breedwith 63.7% retail product.Milking ability is another trait for which Limousin females

have gotten a bad rap. Optimum is the key word to use whendiscussing milking ability, however. Problems are associatedwith both low and high levels of milk production. For exam-

ple, cows with extremely high levelsof milk have higher maintenancerequirements, are harder to breedback on schedule and might have agreater incidence of teat and udderproblems.Limousin females produce inter-

mediate levels of milk both 12hours and 200 days following partu-rition. Limousin breeders havemade great strides toward improv-ing milking ability increasing thebreed average by a third since 1990.

Their intermediate milk levels help with lower maintenanceand quick rebreeding.Genetic improvements in docility also have been substantial

over the years. Since NALF published the first genetic evalua-tion for docility in 1995, breeders have aggressively culled ani-mals with unacceptable dispositions. The genetic trend forLimousin docility EPD (See Figure 2) has been nothing short ofoutstanding. Breeders can use sires with high docility EPDs in

Stay

abili

ty E

PDs

(%)

199010

12

14

16

1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002

Rediscover the Value ofEfficiency continued from page 1


Doc

ility

EPD

s

1990 1995 2000 2005 2009

Figure 1. Cows That Last

Source: North American Limousin Foundation EPD genetic trends for stayability

Figure 2. Limousin Breeders Focus on Delivering Disposition

Source: North American Limousin Foundation EPD genetic trends for docility


the mating process to produce replacementfemales that will not have temperament prob-lems. Other breeds are beginning to offer geneticinformation regarding docility, yet all breeds havelines of cattle with temperament problems.Angus is one such breed who is developing docil-ity EPD. Perhaps the most compelling evidence of the

strengths of the Limousin female is in efficiency.When compared to Angus, Hereford, Red Angus,Simmental, Charolais and Gelbvieh cows, asshown in the following table. Limousin females rank highestin the number of calves born per cow exposed and in thenumber of calves weaned per cow exposed. The difference inthe number of calves born to Limousin females and the num-ber of calves born to the other Continental breeds tested inthe study can mean as much as $30 more per cow per year.Limousin also outperformed all other continental breeds infeed efficiency at 187 days on feed and at 0.43 inches of backfat according to a recent report published by the Meat Ani-mal Research Center (MARC). While British breeds tend to be more efficient when feed is

limited and Continental breeds are more efficient when feedintake is high, Limousin cows are highly efficient in either case.That suggests Limousin females are more flexible than femalesof other breeds – being able to adapt more readily to changing

feed resources in changing environmental conditions.Limousin genetics offer value not only in carcass traits but

also in maternal traits. With their moderate size, long life span,optimum level of milk production and pasture to the plate effi-ciency, Limousin cows are an excellent choice under a widevariety of production environments and market targets. Limousin cattle have been progressing with quality grade

and when combined with British based cattle create optimumheterosis. Several feeders have reported to NALF groups ofhalfblood Limousin x Angus steers grading above 70% Choice,above 70% Yield Grade 1 or 2. The resulting progeny willencompass the additional Quality Grade of British breedswhile incorporating the added value of retail product, yieldgrade and heterosis. Rediscover the value of efficiency.Rediscover the benefits of Limousin genetics.

Rediscover the Value of Efficiency

continued from page 15

Figure 3. Current rank of four major Continental Breeds, basedoff of MARC trial results

Repro/Maternal Repro/MaternalFeed Efficiency 1st Calf Heifers 3-6 Year Old Cows

Time Fat ThicknessBreed 187 d 0.45 in Weaned% Born Alive % Weaned %

Simental 2 2 2 2 2

Gelbvieh 3 3 4 2 3

Limousin 1 1 1 11 11

Charolais 4 4 1 2 3

* Ranking determined from results published in the 2007 Germ Plasm Evaluation Report, ARS-USDA Meat AnimalResearch Center, Clay Center, Nebraska.1 Denotes ranking amongst all breeds included in study (Hereford, Angus, Red Angus, Simmental, Gelbvieh,Limousin, Charolais)


As I travel around the Commonwealth (and across the U.S.for that matter), there is renewed enthusiasm for crossbreed-ing among cow-calf producers. The benefits of crossbreedingsystems in the beef sector have been extensively researchedover the years, and the practical implications of the benefitsof crossbreeding are as relevant and important today as theywere 25 years ago. While very little has changed from a sci-ence perspective, as an industry we have seemed to “redis-cover” crossbreeding. There are likely many contributingfactors to this movement, not the least of which is the chal-lenging economic realities of today’s beef business. Commer-cial cow-calf producers are faced with optimizing a numberof economically important traits, while simultaneously reduc-ing costs of production in order to remain competitive.There are numerous benefits to a well-designed cross-

breeding system. This article is designed to summarize thesebenefits into key points which are based on both researchand observed results in the field.

Crossbred Cows Make Better Females: The largest singlebenefit to crossbreeding is realized the in the crossbred cow.In fact, approximately 60% of the total advantage in heterosis

(hybrid vigor) in a crossbreeding system can be attributed tothe crossbred cow. The large advantage is derived from thereproductive advantages of the crossbred cow. She simply ismore apt to rebreed following calving, which results in morelongevity (she stays in herd longer since she is not culled forbeing open). This advantage, coupled with the superiormothering and maternal ability of the crossbred femaleresults in more pounds of calf at weaning per cow exposed.With reproduction being the most economically importantperformance trait, the merits of maintaining a crossbred cowfully justify implementation of a crossbreeding program. Weall understand the concept that open cows are not profitable.Add to this the advantage of the crossbred in longevity, andthe crossbred cow has more years to dilute out the costs ofdeveloping her as a heifer. Collectively, these differences inreproduction and longevity favorably impact both costs ofproduction as well as production output.

Crossbred Calves Weigh More: For most cow-calf produc-ers selling feeder cattle, net income is derived primarily fromcalf sales. This net income is a function of number of calves

Crossbreeding “Revisited” Dr. Scott P. GreinerExtension Animal Scientist, VA Tech



sold, calf weight, and calf value per pound. Crossbreedingimpacts the first two of these in a major way. First, crossbredcalves exhibit hybrid vigor at birth and through weaning- putanother way they are more apt to survive to weaning and besold. More calves born (see above) and more calves aliveequate to more pounds to sell. Along with this, heterosisimpacts calf growth favorably resulting in heavier weaningweights than the average of the parental breeds used to formthe crossbred.

Crossbreeding Balances Genetics: Crossbreed-ing provides the ability to take advantage of thestrengths of two or more breeds to produce off-spring that have optimum levels of performance inseveral traits. This has become more of a chal-lenge in today’s beef industry as we have manynew tools and EPDs at our disposal from which to makegenetic decisions. No one breed or no one bull within a breedcan meet all of our needs. Crossbreeding allows us to cap-ture the strengths of two or more breeds, and match breeds ina complimentary fashion. A simple example is the ability tobalance Quality and Yield Grade potential, two classicallyantagonistic traits. The established superiority of Britishbreeds can be matched with the known advantages inmuscling and leanness of Continental breeds to produce calfwith a balance of these economically important traits and theability to meet various market and consumer targets. Similar-

ly, milk production growth, and mature size may be mosteffectively optimized by crossing two or more breeds. Thecumulative effect crossbreeding has when several traits areconsidered is more important than any one particular trait.Effective crossbreeding programs must be designed to opti-mize performance, not necessarily maximize it.

Crossbreeding Has Become Simplified: Several advances intechnology have made crossbreeding much simpler to applyand sustain, particularly for small cow herds. The availabilityof hybrid/composite bulls allow for the introduction of hybrid

vigor into the calf crop without wide fluctuations inbreed type. Technology has allowed for the compu-tation of EPDs on these hybrid bulls, so as an indus-try we can apply selection practices in same fashionas we use them in purebred seedstock. Similarly,we have DNA genotyping at our disposal to relative-ly cheaply manage traits such as coat color. Anoth-er change which has evolved in Virginia is theavailability of commercial crossbred females. There

are a significant number of producers which market bredfemales. These females are crossbred, with built-in maternalheterosis and by purchasing replacement heifers cow-calf pro-ducers benefit from a simpler breeding system (terminal sire)and fewer management groups to tend to in their operation (noweaned heifer calves or developing yearling heifers). Lastly,advances in estrus synchronization research has resulted inseveral protocols which utilized timed-AI breeding. ThroughAI, the best bulls of any breed are at a producer’s disposal forincorporation into their herd.

Crossbreeding “Revisited”continued from page 19

No one breed

or no one bull

within a breed

can meet all

of our needs.

Don’t Take Our Word, Take Theirs“A carefully constructed British X Continental can come a

lot closer to hitting most of the targets for reproduction,production and end-product than any straightbred I’maware of.”Dr. Jim Gosey, University of Nebraska Beef Specialist

“There have been cutability issues and overly fat cattlethat the higher percentage Angus cattle bring to theindustry. Our buyers say the ideal Angus percentage is50 to 75%.

Hybrid vigor is still very important at the cow/calf leveland you can’t get that by crossing Angus on Angus formultiple generations. But structured crossbreeding hasbeen too hard to implement, especially for smallproducers. So the hybrid bull is convenient and bringsthe muscle that the continental breeds offer to thetable.”Tom Brink, Five Rivers Ranch Cattle Feeders

“Limousin bulls can transform an average to belowaverage set of cows into a set of calves that will top themarket. No other breed puts the muscle shape andexpression on a set of calves like Limousin.”John Campbell, Winter Livestock, La Junta, Colorado

“Muscularity is one thing our producers could really workon to improve the value of their calves. As weightincreases, buyers pay less of a difference for breedtype. But muscling impacts the price, no matter what theweight.”Tom Troxell, Livestock Extension Specialist, Universityof Arkansas, as told to BEEF magazine

“Those old quarter and halfblood Limousin cows aresome of the best out there.”Jim Odle, Superior Livestock Auction

“Limousin dams tended to have the highest calving andweaning rates because they were able to have heaviercalves with less calving difficulty and higher survivalrates.”Comerford et al., J. Anim. Sci. 64:65-76

“Lim-Flex adapt quicker to their environment than anyother breed wehave ran in the past.”

Not only do Lim-Flex females off unprecedentedlongevity, but they are extremely fertile and maternallyinclined.”

Lim-Flex adapt quicker to their environment than any otherbreed we have ran in the past. Plus, they spread outbetter over the range, making better use of available feed,resulting in decreased need for supplementation.”Andy Bailey, Hiko, NV

“The amount of feed required per unit of retail beefproduced is the ultimate biological measure of beefproduction efficiency. Limousin calves produced thesame amount of trimmed retail product with roughly one-half as much feed weaning to harvest as compared toAngus and Hereford calves.”Gregory et al., J. Anim. Sci. 72:1154

“Our cattle have to be stout, easy fleshing, maternal, andable to fend for themselves. Lim-Flex do this better thanany other type of cattle we’ve ran.”

Some of these old cows we’re running are 93 to 95models. Those cows are 15 to 17 years of age. They calvewell, wean heavy, and keep breeding back. They’ve paidfor themselves a long time ago. As long as they continueto hold together structurally, maintain good udders, andhold their condition, they can continue to stay.”

Winters up in this country can be pretty tough to say theleast. When snow piles up, temperatures drop and thewind begins to howl, the fact that Lim-Flex calves hit theground on their feet nursing is key to calf survival andlong term health.”Casey Deuter, South Dakota

“It seems that many other breeds tend to bunch up andstay in lower lying areas, not fully utilizing available feed.Our Lim-Flex cows are typically scattered from the top ofthe mountain, clear down into the bottoms when wegather.”Harley Coleman, Charlo, MT

“Cattle-Fax forecasts a $60/cwt. average cowprice…that’s a pretty healthy cow price. Fat cattle willbring $95-$100 cwt. for 2011, with feeder calvesbringing $123/cwt., up $6 more than this year. The bigwrinkle will be corn prices. If they increase, feedercalves will be cheaper. It’s time to retain and rebuild,but will we do it? It takes 38 percent more credit/capitalto operate in the current environment. We are going tohave to continue to have conversations with our bankersabout that. They have a right to be cautious, but weneed to be allowed to keep doing business.”Greg Doud, NCBA’s chief economist at the SouthDakota Cattlemen’s Association annual convention

“Taking advantage of using two or more breeds thatcomplement each in the improvement of desired traitsfor our many different environments, managements, andfeed resources makes “dollars and sense”. Hybrid vigorbring about improvement in a number of economicallyimportant traits at little or no additional cost.”James Bennett, Knoll Crest Farms, Red House, VA



Joe Epperly joined the North American Limousin Founda-tion (NALF) staff as the director of commercial marketing inNovember of 2010. His primary goal will be to work with com-mercial cow-calf producers, auction markets, and feedyards topromote the use of Limousin and Lim�Flex® genetics and toincrease the value of Limousin-influenced cattle. Hitting theground running, Epperly has been making herd visits, develop-ing articles, and planning trips to Limousin and Lim-Flex®influenced events this winter and spring. Epperly was raised in Moneta, VA, where he worked for his

family’s livestock market and registered seedstock operation.Throughout his youth, Epperly assisted with marketing cattlethrough the livestock market to feedlots in Kansas and Nebras-ka, where his family developed and marketed their bulls andfeeder calves. Though his family decided to sell their livestockmarket in 2003, they continue to market feeder calves to back-grounding and feeding operations throughout the Midwest. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Animal and Poultry Sci-

ences from Virginia Tech. While at Virginia Tech he worked as aherdsman at the research herd, was a member of the livestockjudging team, and an active member of Block and Bridle. Mostrecently, he was the assistant manager of Murcielago Farms,1,200 head registered seedstock operation in the state of Virginia.Growing up, he was active in FFA holding numerous leader-

ship positions on the chapter level and becoming a State Officer.He was recognized for his work on his family’s operation, beingnamed Star in Beef Production Proficiency and earning a silverrating for Star American Farmer. As a state officer and a part

time college student, Epperlytraveled the state speaking toover 11,000 Virginia FFA mem-bers. While serving on a Nation-al Junior Angus AssociationBoard, he had the opportunity totravel and speak across the Unit-ed States along with represent-ing the organization at events inMexico and Canada.Through Epperly’s travels,

he will promote Limousin-influ-enced cattle across the United States. “We are building demandfor Limousin-influenced cattle,” said Epperly. “They work in avariety of systems and environments. Lim-Flex® is quicklybecoming one of the dominant hybrid crosses in the commer-cial industry.” “Mainstream acceptance of Limousin genetics was displayed

this summer during Superior Livestock’s Video Royale sale inWinnemucca, Nev., where Limousin influenced cattle were soldat a premium,” continued Epperly. “A total of 71 Limousin-influ-enced lots were offered during the Royale, with a total of 9,617head rivaling the traditional top-tier cattle markets. The use ofLimousin genetics is steadily growing across the country.” In 2010 the North American Limousin Foundation assisted in

the marketing of approximately 75,000 head of Limousin-influ-enced cattle. Contact the North American Limousin Foundationto see how Epperly can help you with your operation.”

Meet the New Commercial Marketing Director

Joe Epperly

Five Star- the largest procurer of Limousin-Influenced feeder cattle in the United States- has teamed up with Strauss Brands Inc., Choice Livestock and Select Feeders to provide supplier pre-approval services & supply-development strategies for its ʻfree-raisedʼ veal program, as well as several other branded programs.

For details contact...

Wendell [email protected]

Nia [email protected]

FIVE STAR CATTLE SYSTEMS • P.O. BOX 1140 • PLATTEVILLE, CO 80651 • 5STARCATTLE.COM

WANTED: FEEDER CATTLE

Seeking 1/4 to Full Blood Limousin-Influenced Calves & Feeder Cattle

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

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