The North American Limousin Foundation (NALF) Annual Meeting was Jan. 9 in Denver, Colo. Over 100 members and observers participated in the activities. 

NALF President Lance Sennett opened the meeting with a brief look at the past year. A full year-end summary is in the 2010 Annual Report, which was distributed at the session. (Active NALF members may request copies from the home office.)

Executive Vice President Bob Hough, Ph.D., presented his second State of the Breed report, and Dr. Bob Weaber, NALF consulting genetist provided an updated look at NALF's genetic evaluation and future opportunities.  Next, NALF Nominating Committee chairman Wendell Geeslin, introduced the five nominees for the NALF Board of Directors, and the attendees turned in their completed ballots.

After the voting members approved the financial report and the minutes from the 2010 Annual Meeting, Sennett recognized last year's committee chairmen and retiring Board member Jerry Wulf of Minnesota, then he shared his parting thoughts as president. He next announced those who were elected to seats on the Board: Mike Hall, California; Brian Skaggs, Oklahoma; Tom Vaughn, North Dakota; Tom Field, Colorado; and Bob Mitchell, Wisconsin.  After calling for new business and hearing none, Sennett adjourned the meeting.

For a more complete summary of the meeting, see the Jan. 10 issue of the Limousin Letter, which is posted in the "News, e-Partners" section of the NALF Web site.    

Commercial Awards are Presented

 NALF presented its prestigious commercial marketing awards during the Member Social and again recognized recipients during the pen and carload shows at the National Western Stock Show (NWSS).

The Commercial Producer of the Year was Sierra Valley Ranch of California.  The family was in attendance and received their plaque during the award ceremony.  The Commercial Marketing Booster of the Year was presented to Gene Raymond, GV Limousin of Kansas.  The Limousin Promoter of the Year award went to Jim Davis, of Superior Livestock Auction. 

NALF members, start thinking now about your nominations for next year's awards. Nomination forms are available in the "Commercial Programs" section of the NALF Web site or by calling the NALF office. They are due in early December.

New NALF Marketing Outlets

Are you reaching fellow Limousin breeders through your current electronic marketing?  Let NALF work for you through NALF's new e-Connect system.  The e-Connect is the only electronic marketing outlet that communicates directly with the NALF membership.

Contact Jonathan in the NALF office to learn more. 

• Please do not submit your blood or hair samples to MMI in a plastic bag.  Doing so damages the DNA sample and renders it useless.  
   
• Do not staple the FTA card to the form. Identify the card and the form with the same herd prefix, tattoo number and year code, and the lab will match them up. 
    
• Do not put the year code in the tattoo number field. Only put the year code in the year code field.
    

• Fill the form out completely. When entering registration numbers they must include the prefix (NPF, NFF). NPF1234567 is a complete registration number.
    

• Read Instructions for Submitting FTA Cards for blood testing information.
   

• Be sure to use the new DNA Proto form. NALF's proto lab moved 12 years ago and has a new address.  Please make sure that you use the new form. 
    
• When you register ET calves or submit DNA samples, be sure to separate the form's three copies. Send one copy to the NALF office and one to the laboratory, and keep a copy for your files. If you forget to send a copy to NALF, it is impossible to match samples, which prevents registration.
   
• The price of FTA cards for DNA testing is now $2.50 each. The 50¢ increase was necessary for NALF to cover its inventory and postage costs on the cards. They capture DNA in one step and keep it stable for years at room temperature. Contact Mary Zilk in the NALF office to order.
   
• When e-mailing data to NALF, use the edata@nalf.org address. Staff members check that account daily. Other NALF accounts can go unread when staff members are out of the office.
   
• NALF has promotional materials that make great decorations and giveaways at shows or sales, including glossy fliers that are available free of charge (in limited quantities). To request posters, fliers or any promotional literature, contact the NALF office.
   
• The birth-year letter code for 2011 is Y. The international birth-year letter system does not use the letters I, O, Q and V. It does use the letter Z, which next appears in the rotation for 2012.