The ITLA e-Drover
Official news of the International Texas Longhorn Association March 2013 |
|
|
| Quick Links | |
THANK YOU TO OUR
e-DROVER SUPPORTERS
|
|
|
| | |
It "Ain't" Luck!
Longhorns just keep getting better!
Don Huber had a portrait (inset) done in 2008, of Reflect Bar, who would go on to win two World Grand Champion awards. But, as much as he enjoyed the awards and that portrait, he is even more excited to see that her daughter Mo-Reflect-Bar (the calf pictured in the inset, and separately above) has blossomed into being better than her dam by 10" TT when compared at 5 yrs old. It's exciting to see another example of the Texas Longhorns ability to keep improving through careful, purposeful breeding. -Don Huber, Huber Longhorns Montgomery, Texas.
Send us your favorite unique Longhorn photos, we would love to share some of them here in the E-Drover. |
|
|
|
| | |
Around the Campfire 
Hello, everyone. Welcome to spring, at least in these parts. Yes, it's early. But with no winter to speak of, I guess spring just felt compelled to come on in. It will be 85 in North Texas today. Made me want to get on my speedo and sun shades :). Don't dwell on that thought too long.
Well, it's time for an update on a few things. First let me tell you about the Judging Clinic delivered for the first time by Webinar. This is a great example of the ITLA using technology to reach out and provide valuable training to the Texas Longhorn Breeder community. For a first time event, we are very pleased with the results. We had 31 paid participants for the clinic. We had breeders represented from coast to coast, here in the lower 48, as well as from Canada and Australia. Included were three of our certified Judges who met their continuing education requirements. We had breeders interested in becoming certified ITLA Judges and we had breeders who just wanted to become better judges of the value of their cattle and cattle they might purchase. Based on the email feedback, the webinar was a great success. We are already thinking about how we can improve and when we might next produce another Judges Clinic by webinar.
As I told you last month, the Staff at ITLA has been testing modules of our online registration and administration program. There is probably another month of testing to complete. But, we will be demonstrating some of the program functionality at our ITLA booth at the Legacy Sale in Dallas on March 15 & 16. So, come by and get an advance preview of some of the great things the program will allow you to do more conveniently and more quickly. Just see Trish David at the booth for a short demonstration.
For those of you who submitted names in our "Name The System" contest, thank you for being patient to learn the winning name and who submitted the name. Remember the winner will receive three months of free full-page advertisement in the e-Drover over the next year. We originally thought that we would use a panel of folks from inside the organization to select the winner. But, we instead decided to use a marketing consulting firm to help with the selection. This approach allowed us to avoid any perception of conflict with the nominations, but more importantly, it allowed us to get professional input on a name that will have the greatest marketing punch and be consistent with the expanded ITLA marketing campaign that is under development. The name has been chosen, and now a logo is being designed to visually represent the system. So, now that the name has been chosen, and the logo will be completed this month, next month in both the e-Drover and the Texas Longhorn Journal for April, we will announce the new name, and the winner that submitted the name, as well as unveil the new logo.
I hate to keep you waiting one more month, but, I believe you will be impressed with the name and logo.
Even more importantly, you will be impressed with the new online system.
Roger Hutton
President, ITLA
|
| Hoosier Longhorns | 
|
Upcoming ITLA Events | |
Don't see your ITLA event listed?
Thank You! |
| | |
Scene and "Herd"...Longhorns at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Submitted by Darol Dickinson
It was exciting to watch the ITLA Texas Longhorn show live, on line, March 5, from Houston, Texas. Here are some photos which give insights to the action. During the show the local show announcer continued to pronounce the judge's name, Stan Searle, which is pronounced like "Girl," but with an "S." The new show announcer, after several notes of correction, continually referred to the official judge as Stan "Stirleee." His pronouncing of Joe Assad was equally "country."
Judge Searle carefully examined every bull for all the correct number of appendages. It is the right thing to get it right.
 Beautiful females sometimes have an advantage with a judge. There is just something about an attractive female show-person; they always win their full fair share.
Yip, looks like she wins the ribbon. The judge noticed her great showmanship.
Gary Don Taylor from Okrache, Oklahoma won the purple. Gary said judge Searle
was an excellent judge no matter how the announcer pronounced his name. You
should have heard how the announcer pronounced "Okrache."
Great ITLA event at Houston. Thanks to the abused judge and all show personnel. Darol |
|
 | |
"IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HUDSON-VALENTINE SALE" April 4, 5 & 6 2013
Western Kentucky University (Ag Expo Center) Bowling Green, KY. |
|
| |
Submitted by Randy Witte
 The 26th ITLA Judges Clinic was attended by folks around the world who stayed at home but participated via Internet in the first Judges Webinar. Each participant received the required training with over 400 graphics presented during two sessions-February 16 and 23.
Participants from Europe, Canada, Australia and 14 USA states viewed power points and judging of specimen cattle. ITLA Pres. Roger Hutton of Dallas organized the program with graphics accumulated by Darol Dickinson of Barnesville, Ohio, that were designed to detail every part of Texas Longhorn anatomy.
ITLA Vice Pres. Larry Lonero of Houston and June Cohron, DVM, of Stuarts Draft, Va., assisted with judging fine points of anatomy, giving positive reasons, and carefully teaching the 100-point judging system and correct show ring evaluation. Kirk Dickinson of Barnesville produced the computer generated Webinar from the Barnesville Hutton Memorial Library system.
Darol Dickinson, who planned out the Webinar, explained that, "Retaining identity of unique breeds is a challenge today. Due to the show system, most cattle breeds are conforming to one color and one basic type, regardless of the glamorous history and origin of the different breeds."
 | | At the Taylor Ranch bunker, the Taylor family (Jake and Jaycee our Kidos, and Joanna and Gary Don) joined in on the ITLA Judges Webinar, in Okarche, Oklahoma. |
Such training sessions for those who want to better evaluate Texas Longhorns-cattle that definitely stand out from other breeds-are part of the approval process for future judges, provide reviews for current judges to retain certification, and help with the general education of Longhorn producers who want to be informed of what show judges look for. Each participant received the ITLA Judging Manual.
One Webinar participant, Micha Hamersky of Steyr, Austria, said, "The ITLA Clinic started at 11:30 p.m. and ended at 3:45 a.m. for me. I could have watched and attended on and on.... I hope someday to be the first approved judge in Europe."
Trish David, ITLA home office manager, said, "The interest from members has been amazing. It is obvious that future Webinars will be staged for other types of educational presentations."
 | | Dan Erskin, Parma, Idaho was part of the Webinar Clinic party at the Dean Goodner home of Kuna, Idaho. Several subscribers invited Texas Longhorn aficionados to view the full sessions. |
"To provide this much information to members around the globe in eight hours, on line, is something we are extremely proud of at ITLA," Hutton said. "We are also honored that other livestock associations are making plans to follow ITLA's lead in this cutting edge effort."
Here's some of what we heard about the Webinar...via Darol Dickinson
Colorado ~~~ Well done. It will be interesting to get the response from our friends outside the US . . . to one of the first things that the International association has done for our international members. Stan Searle
Australia ~~~Hi Darol
Fantastic great pic of different faults conditions many of which I had seen but never taken a photo of. The presentations went off very well audio cut out a couple of time at the start, but when I remember back to school days people using over head projectors etc it was always problems , now everyday easy .
Just to think that went across the whole globe tonight.
Congratulations
Don Constable
Australia ~~Hi Darol Just letting you know Webinar worked great at our end. Little bit of feed back from yours & Larry's mic every now & then, but other than that it was perfect.
Cheers Warren & Judy Matotek
 | | The first International Texas Longhorn Assn. Judges Clinic Webinar was held February 16 and 23 for training of approved show judges. Darol Dickinson, of Barnesville, Ohio led as experienced judges evaluated over 400 power point graphics on line. Participants were from Europe, Canada, Australia and 14 states. |
|
| Cloverbloom Ranch - CB Zapata El Grande |  |
| |
Red Meat Is Nature's Multi-Vitamin, Says Study
 A new study highlights the crucial role of red meat in plugging the nutrition gap.
Have you ever heard the phrase, "overfed but undernourished?" This aptly describes the two-thirds of Americans who are considered overweight or obese. As a society, we are eating plenty, but are we getting the nutrients we need to thrive? And, if not, how does this impact our daily performance, longevity and future generations?
Amidst a sea of Meatless Mondays campaigns and anti-beef sentiments, a new study in the United Kingdom (UK) highlights the crucial role of red meat in the diet.
The study, which is entitled, "The Seven Ages Of Man - Is There A Role For Meat In The Diet?" is set to be published in the British Nutrition Foundation's Nutrition Bulletin.
"Millions of people are putting their health at risk because of inadequate intakes of vital vitamins and minerals, a new study has revealed. But the research also highlights just how important the role of red meat is in the diet in helping to cover this nutrition gap. Meat has been a staple part of the human diet since the dawn of mankind, but in recent years there has been some debate over whether too much red meat can raise the risk of health problems. Now a team of researchers has studied the issue of meat in the diet to help gauge just how important it is for a healthy mind and body - as well as the crucial nutrients that red meat in the diet brings.
"The latest study found that data from dietary surveys indicates that diets for people of all ages can be worryingly low in nutrients normally found in meat, such as vitamin A, vitamin D, iron, magnesium, zinc, selenium and potassium. The researchers say that integrating red meat into diets across the age spectrum, from infanthood to old age, may help to narrow the present gap between vitamin and mineral intakes and recommended levels. In addition, there is emerging evidence that nutrients commonly found in red meat may play a role in supporting cognitive function, immune health and addressing iron deficiency."
So, what is red meat's role in the diet? Here is what the study finds: ((CONTINUED)) |
CedarView Ranch & Bentwood Ranch | |
|
| | |
Will Sequestration Impact Meat Production?
See the Interview on Fox Business News (Video link):
http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/2183299575001/
Related: American Meat Industry Letter to President Obama(pdf document)
Food Safety Inspector Furloughs Worry Nebraska Ag
|
| Dickinson Cattle Company Inc. |  |
| WI Longhorns and Leather |  |
| | |
Midwest Texas Longhorn Association Report
 Darla Rohr, Secretary
The 7th meeting of the MTLA was held on Sunday January 20, 2013 at 11:00am. Ed and Marsha Covert did an excellent job of hosting the meeting at their winery in Bethel, Ohio. After lunch Steve Paloncy opened the meeting with introductions, and then we covered the minutes and treasures report. We did gain some new members bringing our count up to 45.
Old Business
Ed Lewis reviewed the show for 2013 with good news. Everything will go as last year, still checking on some cheaper hotel room rates, some entertainment during the show, and the price of a 3'x6' vinyl banner to be hung with our association name and date on it. The panels will be provided, further information to follow and a sooner registration date was discussed. We need to register animals as soon as we know what we are entering so the books with update information can be printed on time. Don't forget your silent auction items and be sure to purchase your calf bingo ticket for $20.00 to win that Respect Me heifer. A "crossbred demonstration" was discussed also--to promote the Longhorn breed and show one of the advantages of the breed, you could bring your favorite Longhorn cow with a crossbred calf at side to display. Further details will be determined.
 Don't forget the MTLA has a Facebook page you can stay up to date on current activities. We encourage everyone to create a photo album with their cows in it~ can be pictures of cows or farm related items for sale or just one of your favorite pictures you would like to share. It is free to post as much information on the page as you want as well as view everyone else's. You can mail, email, or text your pictures or anything you would like added to Chrissy Perry at whlonghorns@sbcglobal.net. A classified listing is on there as well~ some members of our group have anything for sale from farm eggs, ground beef, longhorn skulls, honey, maple syrup to live cows and semen. So check with a member if your buying or selling.
The next meeting will be held at the Tomey Farm in Bedford, Indiana. A date for Sunday March 17, 2013 has been set. Further details will be provided.
New Business
Its time again to update our 2013 Member Directory with brochures. If you have any changes in information to be made, please let Steve know. All information (ranch name, name, phone number, address, email address) should be accurate. Mike Tomey made a motion to print 200 brochures and Dave Moore seconded this motion.
The meeting was then closed. Samantha Covert motioned the meeting adjourned and Mary Lewis seconded this motion.
------
Members & Friends of the Midwest Texas Longhorn Association
Our next meeting will be on Sunday, March 17th at 11:30. Hosts for this event are Jamie and Mike Tomey at their farm in Bedford, Indiana. Mike tells me that GPS will only "get you within a couple miles" and he will have signs posted to get you to the house. The farm is located at 2418 Jasper McKeaigg Road. Bedford Indiana 47421.
This will be our last get together before the show, so be sure to bring all of your suggestions to the meeting. Also, you should practice holding a bucket of water and raising it over your head for the next few weeks. This will make your hand go up much faster when our show chair asks for volunteers!
Be sure to get back to me ASAP to let me know if you are coming or not. I need a count from each of you so Jamie and Mike will know how many to plan for. This is very important. Thanks to Mike, Jamie, Courtney and Matt for hosting this next meeting. See you there.
Steve Paloncy |
| Bear Boot Ranch |  |
| |
Need to promote your business, ranch, sale or event? Just contact us today to get your E-Drover E-Blast!
|
| | |
EPA Releases Producer Information to Activist Groups
 | | ""It is beyond comprehension to me that...EPA would gather this information only to release it to these groups" JD Alexander |
WASHINGTON - Early this week the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) was notified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the agency had been collecting information from states on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). This information was requested by extremist groups, including Earth Justice, the Pew Charitable Trust and the Natural Resources Defense Council through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request and granted to them.
"When we reviewed the information submitted by the states and released by EPA, we were alarmed at the detail of the information provided on hard-working family farmers and ranchers, family operations including my own," said NCBA Past President J.D. Alexander, a cattle feeder from Pilger, Neb. "It is beyond comprehension to me that with threats to my family from harassment atop bio-security concerns, that EPA would gather this information only to release it to these groups. This information details my family's home address and geographic coordinates; the only thing it doesn't do is chauffeur these extremists to my house. For some operations, even telephone numbers and deceased relatives are listed."
In January 2012, EPA proposed the Clean Water Act Section 308 CAFO reporting rule to collect information from CAFOs and make it publicly available and readily searchable through their website. Cattlemen and women along with the Department of Homeland Security expressed concerns that this was not only a serious overreach of EPA's authority and would create a road map for activists to harass individual families, but that the proposal would aid and abet terrorism and provide a very real threat to the nation's food security. EPA later withdrew the 308 rule on these grounds, but NCBA has learned that the agency still intends to use this gathered data to create a national searchable database of livestock operations. EPA's current action proves that our nation says it is concerned with national security, but does not care about personal small business security, said Alexander.
((CONTINUED)) Read the Press Release at BeefUSA.org |
|
Red Ink Ranch
| |
|
| | |
Mountain States Texas Longhorn Association Newsletter-February 2013
From Randy Witte, MSTLA president
 Hello, Everyone:
We haven't had a meeting since December, so thought I'd send a newsletter to all members, just to touch base and advise that we will have an MSTLA meeting at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, April 13, at the Village Inn restaurant in Castle Rock, Colorado. We have the banquet room reserved, and we'll order off the menu for lunch, separate checks.
This is a very good restaurant, and it's somewhat centrally located for many folks who are likely to attend. We met there recently for a meeting of the National Western Stock Show Texas Longhorn Show Committee. And that brings me to our first topic: a new ground-breaking relationship with our fellow Longhorn breeders in the Mountains and Plains Texas Longhorn Association.
The MPTLA, an affiliate of the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America, has always run the Texas Longhorn Show at Denver's National Western. Granted, some of us in Mountain States Texas Longhorn Association have been members of both organizations and registries, but many haven't. Many in MSTLA have said they would enter cattle in the Denver show if they accepted ITLA-registered cattle, but the show has always been run strictly under the auspices of the TLBAA-until this past January, when it was declared to be an open show that would accept registered cattle from both associations.
 Why the change? Call it passage of time. The MPTLA has seen its share of longtime supporters of the Denver show dwindle. People grow older, retire and pass away. Both MPTLA and MSTLA are always looking for new members, especially younger people who are interested in Texas Longhorns. In the cattle industry, we are still a niche breed. But there has been a belief among many of us that if the National Western had a Longhorn show that was open to ITLA as well as TLBAA members and cattle there are many Longhorn owners and breeders from other areas who would want to enter.
Late last year, MSTLA indicated it would support the show with some entries, if the show accepted ITLA cattle. The MPTLA offered to make it an open show, with no show points awarded toward either the TLBAA or ITLA world shows, but accepting of cattle from either or both registries. We all had a great time together at National Western, with cattle arriving Wednesday and Thursday, January 23-24, the show on Friday, and departing on Sunday the 27th, last day of stock show.
Before we got out of the stockyards, a handful of members of MPTLA and MSTLA sat down and formed the new committee, consisting of myself, Kenny Richardson of Greeley, who serves as president of MPTLA, Gary Cole, longtime member of both MPTLA and MSTLA, Gary Lake and John Nelson, both longtime MSTLA members, and Lana Pearson of Fowler, longtime MPTLA member and secretary of the National Western show.
In a nutshell, the National Western Stock Show Texas Longhorn Show Committee is committed to growing the show starting next year, when the show will have an ITLA judge (necessary for ITLA sanctioning), accept both ITLA and TLBAA registered cattle, and be both a TLBAA and ITLA world qualifying show. It should be noted that many ITLA judges also judge TLBAA shows, and that ITLA is the only association that requires a certified judge for a show to be sanctioned.
Our show classes are compatible. A person can enter classes next year at Denver and have a chance to earn points toward one or both world shows. Points can be tabulated separately toward both associations. It's a win-win situation and Kenny Richardson and I couldn't be happier. Incidentally, Kenny and his wife, Karen, have joined MSTLA, and Marsha and I renewed our dues in MPTLA.
The whole idea is to promote a working relationship-and friendships-with more folks in the Longhorn industry.
Lana and I met with the National Western's yards committee recently, told them of our joint venture to make the stock show's Longhorn show grow once again in size and stature, and National Western is well pleased with our goals. I don't think I went out on a limb when I told them we will have at least 100 head of Texas Longhorns in the yards at next year's show. They penciled in additional pens for our use, plus a two-day show once again, with halter at 3 p.m. on Friday and the loose cattle show at 1 p.m. on Saturday for next year.
 | | ITLA and TLBAA cooperative event well received |
Texas Longhorns are important to National Western. The show officials like what the opening Longhorn cattle drive has accomplished with the stock show parade. Prior to the show's centennial celebration in 2006, the parade down 17th Street didn't amount to much and not many people bothered to watch. Ever since the Longhorns hit town in '06, thousands of people have crowded the curbs to clap and cheer for the cowboys and cattle. Gary Cole brought a herd of trophy steers for that first parade, and Stan and Lorna Searle have provided Longhorn cows each year since. As always, Gary Lake and Justin Johnson and other area cowboys are on hand to help drive 'em through the heart of Denver's financial district.
Next topic: For 17 years MSTLA has produced the annual Heart of the Rockies Texas Longhorn Show. It has been fun and successful, but also involved a fair amount of work and resources, as does our High Plains Sale, scheduled this year for May 4 at Fort Collins, Colorado. At our April 13 meeting, we should decide whether to continue this show in light of our commitments to the National Western. My recommendation is that we discontinue Heart of the Rockies and apply our time and talent toward betterment of the National Western. However, we could still plan a fun activity for this summer, i.e. a field day, ranch tour or something. Please bring your thoughts and opinions to the meeting.
(story is continued below...See High Plains Texas Longhorn Sale)
|
| |
The E-Drover Wants to Know ... How are we doing?
We want to hear from you...How are we doing? Seeing the articles you want to see? Have topics you would like to see covered? What's going right? What could be better?
Send us an email with your comments, feedback and suggestions! Thank you in advance! Send your email to :
|
| Searle Ranch |  |
| | |
High Plains Texas Longhorn Consignments due March 11th
(Continued from Mountain States Texas Longhorn Association Update above)
And finally: Remember to get your consignments in to the second annual High Plains Texas Longhorn Sale by March 11. The sale will be held again at Centennial Livestock Auction located at Interstate 25 and Highway 14 beginning at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4. Consignment fee is $120 per lot with a limit of 80 lots to be featured in the sale catalog. Bedding and hay is included at Centennial for up to four days. Sale commission is 8 percent, reduced to 5 percent for participating buyers. And remember, there is a place in the sale for ropers and non-registered Longhorns.
Consignment forms can be downloaded by going to HighPlainsLonghornSale.com and clicking on Mountain States Texas Longhorn Association. Or e-mail us at HighPlainsSale@gmail.com.
Consider advertising your consigned cattle in the sale program!
Rates are as follows: Inside front or outside back cover, $200. Inside back cover $150. Full page color $100. Half-page color $65. One-fourth page color $40. For the special low price of just $350 you can be a Sponsor of the High Plains Texas Longhorn Sale-and be guaranteed a sponsorship for the next three years at the same low price. As a sponsor, you receive one free consignment and a full page color ad.
Call or e-mail to reserve advertising space and sponsorship by March 15. Copy deadline is March 20.
Contact High Plains Texas Longhorn Sale c/o Cloverbloom Ranch - 53161 Weld Co. Rd. 17, Wellington, CO 80549. E-mail: HighPlainsSale@gmail.com. John Nelson, sale chairman, 970-897-2444. Alternate numbers: Stan Searle, 719-481-3735; Randy Witte, 719-749-9071. |
| Arch Acres | 
|
| |
 New to Texas Longhorns?
There's lots of good people who would love to help you get started !
|
|
The Texas Longhorn Marketing Alliance (TLMA)
| |
|
| Chewin' the Cud |
A woman walked up to a little old man rocking in a chair on his porch. "I couldn't help noticing how happy you look," she said. "What's your secret for a long happy life?". "I smoke three packs of cigarettes a day," he said. "I also drink a case of whiskey a week, eat fatty foods, and never exercise."
"That's amazing," the woman said. "How old are you?'...."Twenty-six," he said. |
 Heart of Texas Round up Sale Canceled | |
|
|
| Texas Longhorn Marketing Alliance | |
The Longhorn Code of Honor TM
"Embracing Integrity, Honesty and Dignity in the Longhorn Breed" To learn more about the Longhorn Code of Honor, and to have the Seal sent to you, CLICK HERE. |
|
Thank you for your continued support of the International Texas Longhorn Association's E-Drover. The E-Drover remains one of the most cost effective ways to reach Registered Texas Longhorn cattle owners and enthusiasts.
Be sure to advertise your ranch, cattle and other special events.
For the Love of Longhorns, 
e-Drover editor |
|
|
|
|
