The Limousin breed is ready for Round 2 in its latest bout to collect data for genetic evaluation and research while showing how its genetics generate profit.
Since December, nearly 30 Limousin breeders and users have helped demonstrate the breed's improved grade, growth and docility with the feedlot and carcass data from the first Limousin Visions Quest. The project is a follow-up to the Limousin Visions Symposium, where North American Limousin Foundation (NALF) members set breed-improvement and marketing directives in December 2004.
Others now can join the project by sending cattle and learning more about cattle feeding and carcass merit as they track actual animal performances. Visions Quest Round 2 will be another real-world lesson in producing industry-friendly seedstock and feeder cattle.
NALF encourages cooperation among Limousin breeders and their commercial customers to include a diverse sampling of the breed's bloodlines.
Pen space is limited so NALF suggests enrollment forms arrive well before the Sept. 1 deadline. Participants then must deliver all cattle to the Colorado State University (CSU) research feedyard near Fort Collins on Nov. 1-15. NALF will help coordinate transportation as much as possible, and early enrollment also will facilitate that effort.
Program guidelines and enrollment forms are available in the �Programs� section of the NALF Web site (www.nalf.org) or by contacting Bo Sexson, NALF director of commercial programs, at [email protected] or (303) 220-1693.
The North American Limousin Foundation (www.nalf.org), headquartered
in Englewood, Colo., provides programs and services � including genetic evaluation of 5,000 active sires � to nearly 4,000 members and their commercial customers. The Limousin breed and its Lim-Flex� hybrid
lead the beef industry in muscle-growth efficiency and ideally complement British
breeds.
