From the Field
A Time to Reflect
By Andy Rest, NALF regional manager
As I write this column in early
April, it is finally beginning
to act and look like spring.
The terrible flooding that
occurred the middle of
March in Nebraska, Colorado
and surrounding states has
been the latest in a series of
challenging weather events
since the start of the New Year.
As the spring 2019 bull selling
season starts to wind down
it’s not too early to draw some
conclusions. Many of the
February sales were definitely
hurt by weather. These sales
had lighter than average crowds
because individuals just could
not attend because of severe
cold, snow and bad roads.
That being said, demand stayed
strong. The Limousin breed has
a very loyal group of commercial
bull buyers. In many cases,
some individuals have been
buying bulls from the same
operation for over 25 years.
Again, this year there was
definite interest in red,
Purebred, homozygous
46 | MAY 2019
polled bulls in the northern
sales. Homozygous black and
homozygous polled Lim-Flex
bulls topped many other sales.
Regardless of color, bulls that
combined predictable calving
ease with superior growth,
muscle and a strong EPD profile,
are the ones topping sales.
At several sales, I visited with
cattlemen that were buying
Limousin or Lim-Flex bulls for
the first time in several years
or for the first time ever. These
cattlemen were wanting to
take advantage of the extra
pounds added through
heterosis along with adding the
Limousin breed’s proven feed
efficiency and carcass qualities.
Many of these cattlemen
said they have noticed the
improvement the breed has
made in both disposition and
fertility while maintaining
their advantage in muscle,
structural soundness and
overall hardiness.
Our biggest challenge as
Limousin breeders is to continue
to let the beef industry know
how much our cattle have
improved and how they can add
value to a set of feeder cattle.
One way to raise awareness is to
become active in your local and
state cattlemen’s organizations.
Your participation will help
our industry and will also raise
awareness of your Limousin
program. Another idea is to
think about hosting a field day
or judging team work out for
your local 4-H or FFA group.
Today’s young people are the
bull buyers of tomorrow!
Finally, the 2019 Herd Reference
Issue of LIMOUSIN TODAY is just
around the corner. I’ve always
thought of this issue as the
breed’s “yearbook” issue and
feel it’s a great opportunity to
promote your breeding program
to your fellow Limousin and
Lim-Flex enthusiasts. Please
feel free to give me a call or
email and I’ll be happy to visit
with you about the options for
this very important issue. I