Archive for January, 2009

Posted on January 23, 2009 - by Russell

Breed Guidelines - Heads

In this edition of our Breed Guidelines we will be taking a look at the head shape of Longhorn cattle. The head should show masculinity and femininity according to the sex of the animal. The head should have moderate width with pronounced length from the poll to muzzle. The profile should be straight. There should be some evidence of throat flap. The nose should not be extremely “pinched-in” above the nostrils. The head should not be short or blocky. A convex forehead, roman nose and a pendulous dewlap are all objectionable. The poll should be fairly flat without a knot on the top or without a v shape. These objectionable traits can be indicators of the influence of other breeds of cattle. Photos left to right…Photo 1) Example of flat poll with long feminine face, ear could be set closer to horns. Photo 2) Example of flat poll, small ears set close to horns, long feminine face. Photo 3)Example of flat poll, small ears set close to horns, long masculine face. Not blocky. Photo 4) Example of V poll and eye set is undesirable, thick horn all the way out. This is not a Longhorn but a Watusi. These traits are not as pronounced in a Watusi cross or infuenced animal but are still visible. Photo 5) Example of a knot on the poll, a questionable trait. Photo 6)Example of flat poll, small ears set close to horns, long masculine face. Not blocky. Photo 7) Is this a male or female? Answer, it is a bully looking female.

Posted on January 21, 2009 - by Russell

TLBAA General Membership and Board of Directors Meeting

TLBAA General Membership Meeting

and Board of Directors Meeting

January 16, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas

 

The General Membership meeting of the TLBAA was called to order by COB, Dr. Fritz Moeller.

He requested that there be a moment of silence in honor of past COB-Bob Moore and Col. Eddie Wood.

 

Secretary Scott Simmons called the roll. All Directors were present with exception of the following three Rodney Lind, Jim Johnson and Col. Fraser West. There was about 125 guest present at the General Membership Meeting.

 

The minutes from the 2008 General Membership meeting were reviewed by the directors before being presented for approve as presented. Minutes were approved.

 

The Annual Chairman’s Address was give by Dr. Fritz Moeller. Highlights follow…

·         Financials given to the board monthly after several setbacks. Including not having good financial numbers when we started. Hiring two accountants that we end up have to be fire.

·         Now have an on-site CPA working part time in the office.

·         Hoping to be able to carry out search for an Executive Director

·         Have cut staff to save money on salaries and benefits

·         Under gone a IRS audit and passed without a problem

·         The TLBAA Foundation is stilling under IRS review but do not anticipating any problems with the audit.

·         TLBAA is solvent, not as good as would like to be but solvent

o   Investment accounts & holding are strong

·         King & Spindor

o   Have hired a collections attorney

o   Financials would look better if we can collect the money they owe.

o   Have found some of their assets and will be trying to collect

·         The Board appointed three department heads that report into selected board members.

·         Special Events Department

o   World Show will be in June at the Justin Arena

o   West Sale making money – December Sale made $9,900

o   Horn Showcase was profitable

o   The Premier Heifer Sale should produce a nice profit

·         Trails Magazine

o   Have taken some cost saving measures

o   Show good income ($40,000 ad sales) for next month’s Herd sire issue

·         Registrations & Transfers

o   He stated according to Melanie the numbers were holding steady

o   New members last month were 30-33

·         Election Results

o   Gary Cole                 

o   Jim Johnson

o   Randy Briscoe

o   Glen Lewis

o   Richard Spooner

o   Justin Hansen

·         The new directors will be seated at the afternoon Board meeting

·         Dr. Moeller Thanked each board member and they were presented with a gift as a thank you for their service

 

The Affiliate Presidents meeting report was presented by Charlie Beunger.

·         Sales were discussed

·         Affiliates responsibility on submitting show results

·         Each President gave a report on their affiliate

·         Affiliates feel there has not been communication between them and this administration

·         Would like more time for the meeting, an hour is just not enough time.

·         The affiliates were asked to review the affiliate rules and give feed back to the committee.

 

Special Events Coordinator, Allison Chipman gave the Show Committee report.

·         World Show dates set for June 17-20 2009 at Will Rogers Coliseum’s John Justin Arena

·         Planning fund raising activities

·         Need to get together in a forum for discussion maybe at the World Show. To discuss setting goals, health of the show circuit

·         ’09 World Show needs to be self-funding

 

Dr. Bob Kropp gave the Breed Advisory Committee report.

·         There was no activity in 2008 because of low participation and low funds

·         Thanked the Braswell’s for the seminars that they hosted earlier in the year

·         He noted that he personal felt that the association needed an ongoing educational program. It was an association responsibility.

·         Participation and funding is what was needed

 

Trails Report by Ms. Cantrell

·         Thanked Dr. Moeller

·         Thanked Dr. Bob Kropp

·         Rick Fritsche & Carolyn Hunter are working on commissions

·         December issue – cut cost by using lighter paper weight – saved about $8000 on printing cost

·         Should result in a saving on postage

·         Sales slow

·         February issue thick and nice - $40,000 in advertising

·         July – cover auctioned off at the banquet

 

CPA Report by the TLBAA CPA

·         Completed the annual audit for the year ending 6-30-08

·         Reviewed accounts

·         He explained some of the changes to the financial sheet

o   Law suit award was moved

o   Foundation is still under review by IRS but he perceives no problems

o   TLBAA had a pretty big loss on stock investments

o   He noted that the stacks were on the sheet at their “marked to market value” which is what they were valued at on the date the report was produced.

o   The land has a value at around $3-4 million but can’t be shown at that, accounting laws require that it be listed at its “historic price” which $108,000.

o   TLBAA financials are okay but they are not good.

o   It has been a struggle to get the financials in order after all that the association has been through in the last 18 months.

    

  At times the meeting did get heated with discussions about the finances and rules. If you would like more details about the meeting I would suggest that you go to the TLBAA website and read the court reports minutes of the meeting. They will be posted there in a few weeks.  

Posted on January 20, 2009 - by Russell

Dameron and Wehring Resign

Ty Wehring the TLBAA Director Region 11 & out going Treasurer resigned his position on the TLBAA Board of Directors at the conclusion of the board meeting on Friday January 16, 2009. Dr. Zech Dameron III TLBAA At-Large Director Division B turned his resignation into COB, Maurice Ladnier on Saturday January 17, 2009 after not being appointed to the Executive Committee.

Posted on January 20, 2009 - by Russell

$18,000 Tops TLBAA’s Premier Heifer Sale

It was a standing room only crowd at the Will Rogers West Arena as spectators and buyers gathered for the start of the TLBAA’s Premier Heifer Sale at 4pm on Saturday January 17, 2009. This sale is held each year in conjunction with the Fort Worth Stock Show. This year’s sale featured 80 heifers that were born in 2006, 2007 and 2008. The sale was managed by the TLBAA with Joel Lemley serving as the auctioneer.

Maurice Ladnier, the new TLBAA Chairman of the Board, welcomed everyone to the sale before turning things over to Joel Lemley. Mr. Lemley requested a moment of silence in memory of Col. Eddie Wood who posted away on December 25, 2008. The TLBAA Board made a special presentation to Mrs. Joyce Wood in honor of her husband’s any years of service to the Longhorn industry.

The sale started a little slow with the first few lots being very young animals that brought $550-$900. Things quickly picked up with 18 lots selling for over $3000. The High-Selling Lot was lot 65 a January 2006 daughter of EOT Cowpoke and the 77 3/4″ Tiara. She was consigned by Bruce and Susan Easterly and was purchased by Joe and Lorinda Valentine for $18,000. It was lot 52, Rio Maxine that came in as the Second High-Selling Lot at $10,000. She is a 2006 daughter of Maximus and was consigned by Marquess Arrow Ranch. The Diamond D Ranch was the winning bidder of this big horn female.

Randy and Jamie Briscoe donated the proceeds of lot 45 a Hunt’s Command Respect daughter to the TLBAA. The heifer was purchased by T.M. & Jean Smith for $3700.

The sale finished strong posting an average of $2,280 on the 77 lot that sold. For complete prices check our Shows and Sales listing.

Posted on January 19, 2009 - by Russell

Ladnier Named TLBAA Chairman of the Board

On January 16, 2008 at 1:30 pm, after the TLBAA’s General Membership meeting, the 2009 TLBAA Board of Directors met in Ft. Worth Texas for their annual meeting. At this annual meeting six newly elected board members were seated, they are Gary Cole, Jim Johnson, Randy Briscoe, Glen Lewis, Richard Spooner and Justine Hansen. After the new directors were seated the board proceeded to the election of officers’. First up was the election of the new COB but before that could be done the issue of secret ballet vote or open vote had to be resolved. In a vote of 11 to 9 it was decided that the election votes would be open by a show of hands. In the election for COB, the committee nominated Maurice Ladnier and from the floor Dr. Dameron nominated new board member Glen Lewis. In a show of hands, 15 to 4 Maurice Ladnier was elected Chairman of the Board. Next was the vote for Executive Vice Chairman, the nominating committee nominated Charlie Buenger and from the floor Dr. Dameron nominated Lana Hightower (a first year board member). In a show of hands, 10-9 Lana Hightower was elected to serves as Executive Vice Chairman. In a vote of 12-7 Kaso Kety won 1st Vice Chairman spot over floor nominee Dr. Dameron. Charlie Buenger was nominated as Second Vice Chairman and won by acclimation because he was unopposed.  Steven Zunker was nominated by the committee and Ty Wehring was nominated by Glen Lewis but declined the nomination. Mr. Zunker was elected by acclimation as Treasurer and Scott Simmons was elected by acclimation as Secretary. These will be your officers for the 2009.

Posted on January 18, 2009 - by Russell

TLBAA Premier Heifer Averages $2,280

TLBAA’S Premier Heifer Sale
Jan. 17, 2009 Ft. Worth, Texas
Lot           Price
1             500
2             700
3             650
4           1,600
5             900
6           2,500
7           1,300
8           4,600
9             800
10           1,600
11           3,500
12           1,800
13           1,000
14             900
15           1,500
16           3,300
17             800
18           1,600
19           2,300
20           1,650
21           3,700
22           1,500
23           1,050
24             800
25           1,100
26           1,300
27           3,700
28           1,800
29           3,000
30           1,500
31           1,900
32           1,200
33       no bid PO
34           3,300
35             900
36           1,400
37           1,000
38           1,200
39           1,000
40             800
41           1,700
42           1,200
43           1,400
44             700
45           3,700
46           8,500
47           1,700
48           1,000
49             900
50           6,700
51           2,000
52          10,000
53           3,500
54           1,700
55           1,500
56             700
57           1,000
58           6,000
59             800
60           2,600
61           1,200
62           1,600
63           3,500
64           5,750
65          18,000
66           1,600
67             900
68             PO’d
69            PO’d
70           2,500
71           1,100
72           2,500
73           4,100
74           3,600
75           1,000
76             750
77           2,500
78             500
79             600
80             900

Posted on January 14, 2009 - by Russell

The Passing of a Legend

On December 25, 2008 Col. Eddie Wood passed away. When I received the news of his death I began to reflect on some of the many times that our paths had crossed in my years of raising Longhorn cattle. I soon realized that my past 28 years in the Longhorn business is filled with wonderful memories of a Legendary Auctioneer and Longhorn Breeder. One of those times being in 1980 when I purchased my first Longhorns at auction in Taylor, Texas, it was Col. Eddie that called the sale. Then when I sold my first Longhorn at auction in 1982 at Nacogdoches, Texas, Col. Eddie Wood was the auctioneer. One can’t help but to stop and wonder just how any other breeders purchased and sold their first cattle with Col. Eddie Wood on the block. If I were to guess I would say thousands.

There have been several over the last few years that have wanted to take credit for our Longhorn market. Have you ever stopped and thought about our Longhorn Sales. Without the foresight and driving force of Col. Wood and a few other dedicated Longhorn breeders back in the late ’60 we would have no market today, we would have no cattle for that matter.

When I sat at my first Longhorn Sale I was amazed to hear the call of the auctioneer because it was so different from the sale barn auctioneers that I had grown up listening to. I would have never guessed at that time that I would someday have the honor and privilege of sitting beside that auctioneer reading pedigrees as he sold cattle. I have learned so much from working with him and his wife, Joyce. I feel truly blessed to have been able to get to know the Colonel over the years. I will miss him but I will cherish my memories of Col. Eddie Wood for the rest of my life.

Posted on January 14, 2009 - by Russell

Breed Guidelines - Udders and Teats

Welcome to our breed guidelines page. We will be reviewing and discussing characteristics of Longhorn cattle. I will also be posting photos of examples of the desirable, objectionable and undesirable traits. I will be posting a new trait once are twice a week. We are going to start our review and discussion with characteristics of udders and teats. An udder should be well attached and balanced. Teats should be evenly placed and should not be to large for the calf to nurse at birth or be no functional-blind quarter. Udder should not be meaty, broken or loosely attached. Hard, firm meaty udders will generally produce little to no milk and are undesirable. The traits of an udder and teats are highly inheritable. So pay very close attention to udders on your females as well as the dams of your herd sires. Photos from left to right. Photo 1) Example of good udder attachment and teat size Photo 2) Example of three defects, meaty udder, blind or non-functional quarter and large quarters. Photo 3) Example of a well balanced udder with good teat size and teat pigmentation. Photo 4) Example of a blind quarter or non-functional. Photo 5)Example of large teats and a stretched attachment.

Posted on January 14, 2009 - by Russell

Welcome To Photo Gallery

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on January 9, 2009 - by Russell

TLMA - Creating Good Will or Just More Controversy?

When the Texas Longhorn Marketing Alliance (TLMA) was formed I personally took a ‘wait and see’ position.  Let me first say that I think there are a number of good people in the TLMA-several are friends of mine and even founding members.  The publicized purpose and reasons behind the formation of the TLMA sounded like a pretty good one.  The announcement was as follows … “Purpose and mission of the TLMA, to preserve the dignity and integrity of the Texas Longhorn Breed and to serve as voluntary stewards of the Longhorn legacy, to sponsor an alliance among owners of Texas Longhorns that encourages respectful communication, fun events, and a positive environment, to promote, advertise, and market Texas Longhorns for the expressed purpose of enhancing their value and marketability. If you want to restore the fun and excitement of owning and breeding Texas Longhorn cattle you will want to be a part of the Alliance. Continue to register your cattle with the Longhorn registry of your choice while you enjoy being associated with breeders from all walks of life whose common goal is to create a stable market for their cattle”.  In theory, this all sounded good and would benefit the Longhorn industry and TLMA members.  My question was:  Could they execute all this without creating a division within the industry?  A few days after the initial announcement, I received the TLMA Membership Information listing the membership levels.  It stated:

“In its meeting on August 28, 2007, the Board of Directors authorized the following Membership Levels:

Lifetime Founding Member - Investment of $25,000 at inception
• Lifetime waiver of TLMA dues,
• Twelve free full-page ads in the TLMA magazine,
• A 10% discount on all future advertising in the magazine,
• Ownership of five shares of voting stock.

Founding Member - Investment of $10,000 at inception
• Waiver of dues for five years,
• Four free full-page ads in the TLMA magazine during year one,
• A 10% discount on all future advertising in the magazine,
• Ownership of two shares of voting stock.

Charter Member - Investment of $5,000 at inception
• Waiver of annual dues for three years,
• Two full page ads in the TLMA magazine in year one,
• A 5% discount on all future advertising in the magazine,
• Ownership of one share of voting stock.

VIP Lifetime Participant - Payment of $1,000 anytime
• Lifetime waiver of dues,
• Advertising in the TLMA magazine at standard rates,
• Subscription to the TLMA magazine for a period of time.

VIP Participant - Payment of annual dues

Notes:
“The TLMA will publish a quality monthly magazine in which any member, participant or affiliated business partner may advertise, Membership or participation at one of the levels listed above is a required before consigning or entering cattle in a TLMA sanctioned event, All members and current participants are entitled to annual subscription to the magazine, The board has authorized dues for year one of $100, and All persons investing $1,000 or more will receive a commemorative of their participation in the Alliance.”

After reading over the list of membership levels and the voting rights I started having doubts about the TLMA.  It seemed to not be about promotion of the Longhorn breed, but more about certain individuals having control of what was happening in the industry.  Especially, considering that several of the founding members had walked out of the August 20, 2007 TLBAA Board Meeting and some had resigned their positions with TLBAA only 7 days before the TLMA announcement.  I was present at that TLBAA Meeting and watched all this unfold.  Rather than discussing the issues and trying to work for the betterment of the association, this group staged a walkout because they were not getting their way.  Even after witnessing what happened at that TLBAA meeting and having my doubts after the TLMA formed, I still kept an open mind and a ‘wait and see’ attitude.

I had several TLMA members give me their best sales pitch…“The TLMA is going to create new and innovative ways to market and sell Longhorn cattle…It’s going to benefit all breeders, you’ll see.”  The TLMA has been around for over a year now and I am still waiting to see their new and innovative ways.

They produced The Longhorn World Championship in October, but this was not a new, original or innovative idea because two weeks later the TLBAA hosted their 8th Annual Horn Showcase and Sale.

The TLMA started publishing the Texas Longhorn Journal, but once again this was not a new, original or innovative idea because the TLBAA and the ITLA are both already publishing Longhorn magazines.  The TLMA says their magazine is mailed to all Longhorn breeders and enthusiasts, but this is not the case because as to date I have not received one single copy of their “official business publication of the Longhorn Industry”.   I am just one of many breeders who have not received the Journal yet.  So the publishers of the Journal have been misleading their advertisers.  If you are an advertiser and you think you are reaching all prospective buyers…You are NOT.

Next the TLMA started managing and producing sales under the leadership of ex-TLBAA employee Jim Curry.  Again this is not new, others have been putting on successful sales for years.  Not only was this not a new idea, but I also question their judgment of who they hired as their sales manager.  Mr. Curry was in thick with Mr. Don L. King; however he was not directly connected to Mr. King’s misappropriation of funds.   At the time of Mr. Curry’s heated resignation at the August 20, 2007 TLBAA Board Meeting the auditors report showed just a little more than $20,000 of undocumented payments to Mr. Curry.  He was also in on the falsification of the High-Selling lot (Delta Amber) at the August 19, 2006 Hill Country Sale.  

I no longer have a ‘wait and see’ attitude about the TLMA, because they have shown me that they do not intend to live up to their Purpose and Mission Statement.  If it wasn’t clear before, it became very clear after reading two recent letters.  One was the Chairman of the Board Message written by TLMA Chairman Johnnie Robinson, published in the December 2008 Journal.  The other letter was written by Mr. Charlie Buenger, TLBAA Executive Vice-Chairman which appeared in the December 2008 Trails magazine.  If you lay these letters side by side it is pretty interesting and revealing.  One is negative and one is very positive. 

The TLMA says it’s about ‘encouraging respectful communication, fun events, and a positive environment’ yet they are firing negative shots at the TLBAA and creating a negative environment.  Mr. Robinson’s letter is almost all negative with uncalled for shots at Dr. Fritz Moeller, the TLBAA Chairman of the Board and Mr. Charlie Buenger.  Mr. Robinson’s only beef with them seems to be that they will not cow down to the TLMA or let the TLMA call the shots for the entire Longhorn industry.  Why do you think Mr. Robinson thought this negative attack was necessary?  Does he think that is new and innovative?  Could it be that TLMA had no positive activities to write about?  Why does the TLMA feel the need to attack the TLBAA?  Do they think that is new and innovative? Why are they adamantly pushing for the TLBAA to accept them?  Do they think that is a new and innovative approach?

However, Mr. Buenger’s letter is about the positive activities that the TLBAA has been doing to promote Longhorns.  He wrote about the TLBAA having its logo on the Yates Racing Team No. 28 NASCAR at the November 2, 2008 Dickies 500 race at Texas Motor Speedway.  The logo was seen by tens of millions of Americans on ESPN and ABC Sports.  Now that is innovative!  He also wrote about meeting and visiting with television’s Food Network stars Rachel Ray and Iron Chef Mario Bitali and discussing with them the healthy and nutritional benefits of Longhorn beef.  Mr. Buenger promised to send them the TLBAA Lean Longhorn Beef brochure and some Longhorn beef for them to try out.  Now that is innovative! 

Early this year the TLBAA signed a contract with Tractor Supply to have the Trails on its magazine racks in their 683 stores nationwide.  Since May 2008, the Trails has increased its monthly distribution to over 8,000 copies making it the largest Longhorn publication distributor in the industry.  Now that is innovative!  The Trails magazine has also been online for Longhorn breeders and enthusiasts to read since March 2008.  Is this innovative—you bet it is!

As time has passed the effect of the formation of the “Alliance” is seen as creating a greater division within the industry.  It is even causing long time friendships to come to an end.  I guess I got the answer to my earlier question “could they execute all this without creating a division within the industry”.  The TLMA seems to be fighting to be accepted by the TLBAA; do they really think that will work?   I would say to the leaders of TLMA–either put-up, shut up or go away.  It is easy to get along with people who agree with you and share your agenda, but it takes work to get along with those who challenge you on issues or have opposite ideas.  If you want to succeed you need to stop attacking those who don’t agree with you and start living up to your own Purpose and Mission Statement…after all, actions speak louder than words.  Unless, of course that is not your real Purpose and Mission and you are working on your true Purpose and Mission–creating division within the TLBAA and eventually destroying the association.  Based on their actions one has to stop and wonder–could that be the true Mission of the TLMA?  If that is true then I would say to Dr. Moeller, Mr. Buenger and all the TLBAA Officers and Directors  ’ Thank You’ for fighting a good fight and please keep fighting for TLBAA, it’s members and the Texas Longhorn Breed.  The membership needs to stand firm behind the men and women who are giving freely of their time to help guide our great association.

Life is too short to be surrounded by negativity.  That is why I choose not to attend TLMA events or purchase cattle at these events for myself or on behalf of my clients.  My time and money are better spent supporting a TLBAA or an ITLA event.