Archive for the ‘Straight Talk’ Category

Posted on June 15, 2010 - by Russell

. . . for Horns and Color

By Jim Warren 

            Let me tell you about a nightmare I had the other night.  I found myself at a big Texas Longhorn cattle sale.  This in itself is not strange, but I bought a heifer for $20,000 – now you know I was dreaming!  Well, I bought her because she had enormous horns (46 inches as a yearling) and flashy color – she was a three-color paint with a gruella head and roan tail.
            Well, I loaded her up and l took her home, jumped her out in her own special padded trap and went to my bull pasture to bring over the $10,000 bull I had bought last year.  (He had enormous horns and flashy color.)  I jumped him out in the trap with her and sat back to wait.  Well, that was the longest thirteen months I have ever spent – usually I had to wait only nine months, but for some reason it took thirteen this time.  (I figured it was just my nerves.)
            Anyway, one morning I drove up to the trap fully expecting to see a bright new calf and there was my new heifer lying on her side looking like a grounded blimp.  Well, you can imagine – I thought she was dead!  I ran across the trap and just before I got to her she raised up her head and looked at me as much to say, “You sure took your time, where have you been?”  Boy was I relieved to see her move!  So I got a hold of her horns and tried to neck her up – but she wouldn’t budge.  About the time I stepped back to wipe the sweat out of my eyes I noticed her straining and it finally dawned on me that she must be fixing to have her calf.  Well, I waited and the heifer strained, and I waited and she strained and this went on for about half an hour with no results.  (By this time I was about to have a calf.)

Call the Vet!

          Finally it dawned on me that something was happening to my twenty thousand dollar heifer that I wasn’t used to – she was having trouble calving!  So needless to say I tripped over my ace cow dog who was asleep behind me, leaped the wire gap in a single bound, nearly tore the door handle off my pickup to get to the mobile phone and do something else I wasn’t use to – call the vet!  I didn’t even know the number.  I just got the operator and she seemed to be used to vet emergencies so she got him right away.  Well, I told him to get out to my padded pens as quick as he could – one of my cows was sick (I didn’t want to tell him what she was sick of, but I knew he always carried his calf-puller with him.)
            Then I whizzed back to my heifer to see if there had been any further developments – and there hadn’t.  I started waiting again – I couldn’t sit down though – I was pacing up and down wearing out the grass when the Doc roared up in a cloud of dust.  I didn’t know if I could tell him what was wrong, but I finally kind of hung my head and mumbled in a low voice.  “She’s having little trouble calving.” 

            The Doc went over and rolled back her eyelids and looked in her eye.  I said, “No, Doc that’s not where the trouble is.”  What he said was unintelligible – I was glad of that.  Then he squatted down at the other end and went to feeling around and saying “Uhhuh, ah hah,” and other professional words while I wrung my hands and got back in the groove I had worn earlier pacing up and down.  Finally I couldn’t stand it any longer so I ran over to his truck and said, “Doc, can I bring you this uh – this uh calf puller?”  He had gotten up about that time and came over to wash his hands (and arm).  He said, “No, Jim, we won’t need that.”  The tone of his voice told me more than the words and all I could say was, “What is it, Doc?”    
            “Well,” he said, “that calf is too big for your heifer to have naturally.  She’d never make it – puller or no puller.” 
            “Then do something Doc!  That’s an expensive heifer.”  I didn’t want to tell him how expensive.
            He said, “We can take it with a C-section and should have good results.”  I said, “Well then let’s get on with the program Doc, I can’t take much more of this waiting.”

One-Hundred Pounder

     So to make a long story somewhat shorter the operation was a great success.  Doc pulled out the best looking one-hundred pound, three-colored heifer calf I had ever seen. 
      The next day the cow was up grazing around the trap and the calf was nursing away when I got there to check on them.  I still watched them pretty close for three or four days though and everything looked fine for a couple of weeks.  Then I began to notice that the calf spent a lot of time laying around and didn’t look like it was keeping up with the size of my calves in the pasture right next door.  I made all kinds of excuses for this occurrence – young cow, first calf, hard delivery, full moon on the tenth, wind out of the west – you know, all those things which usually cause calves to do poorly.
      After a couple more days I couldn’t stand it any longer – that was my prize calf from my $20,000 cow sired by a $10,000 bull.  I had to see what was the matter.  So I called Ol’ Doc again (I had his number on the sun visor of my pickup now) and he came right out.  First, he checked the calf over real good, said “uh huh and ah hah” again and went to look at the cow.  After he followed her around the pen a couple of times he went over and sat down.
      “Well Doc,” I said, “should I sit down too or what?”
      “No,” he said, “it’s not that bad.  I run into it all the time in other herds.  Let’s analyze this thing and you’ll see it clear.  What is that between that cow’s hind legs?”
      “Doc, you’re not teaching Anatomy 101 – that’s her udder, that’s what it is.”
      “Alright,” he said, “but look at those heifers right next to her in that pasture.”
      Well, it finally hit me.  Those heifers had bags that looked like basketballs compared to this one.  Doc saw me sorta leaning over the fence sobbing and said, “Don’t take is so hard.  You won’t have any trouble finding a nurse cow.  All your neighbors have been using them for years.”  Needless to say I got a nurse cow and raised that calf because I had too much invested in her and besides she had the potential to have bigger horns than her mama.
      So, time rocked long, like it does, and I bred the cow to a $20,000 bull this time – on the third try.  (He had tremendous horns and great color.)  I figured the trouble must have been that the first bull wasn’t her equal.  The next summer, she had another heifer calf with me and Doc just pulling this one.  The nurse cow didn’t seem to mind raising her own calf and somebody else’s at the same time, so I didn’t feel too bad about the whole deal.  After all I had managed to raise two heifer calves out of my $20,000 cow in just short of three years.  They both had tremendous horn and great color and should bring a fortune at the sales; and Wade and T.E. didn’t mind (too much) learning to use a calf-puller to help with future problems – and just think, in a few more years I’d have a whole herd of cows with tremendous horns and great color plus another herd of great nurse cows.  I could open up a Holstein dairy to make a little money to help pay the feed bill.

“Tongue in Cheek”

 

      Well, I hope this hasn’t offended anyone because I never intentionally offend anyone.  You all know that this is written sort of tongue-in-cheek, but at the same time it is a story that has a few points in it that I don’t want to lose sight of.  I hope you can see them too.

 

Editor’s note: This short story was written back in 1982 but the point it is making is still an issue today…Single Trait Selection. When we as breeders focus on breeding for one or two traits we are in danger of losing other traits that are in many cases more important than the traits we are breeding. For every action (increase in a trait) there is a reaction (decrease in another trait) there fore we need to find a balance. As true Texas Longhorn Cattle Breeders we should be focused on breeding and producing cattle that are a ”total package” of ALL the great traits that have allowed the Longhorn to survive the test of time.   

 

Source:  Texas Longhorn Journal, July/August 1982, Guest Editorial, page 20.

Posted on May 22, 2010 - by Russell

A Matter of Marketing

If the commercial man is your target, you’re aiming for a bulls-eye hit.

By Richard D. Carlson

            It would be easy to say the world knows how great our Texas Longhorn cattle are, but that is simply not true.  Many of the world’s greatest inventions are only successful business ventures because of the talents of two men, the inventor and the marketer.     
            The inventor, normally a purist at heart, constantly felt the marketer was degrading his product.  He couldn’t understand anyone having to promote his gadget because he believed it was so great an invention the public would beat down his door to buy it.
            So, Mr. Inventor said to himself, “Why pay the promoter so much money when he isn’t needed at all?”  Mr. Inventor made 5,000 gadgets and said, “Here they are world!”
            One year passed and Mr. Inventor had 4,999 gadgets on the shelf – his wife bought one.  What Mr. Inventor didn’t know was everyone would love his gadgets if they knew the product and how useful it was.
            This story has certainly been put in its simplest form without consideration to the many avenues and methods of marketing, but it merely illustrates a point.
            Texas Longhorn cattle are outstanding, but we must properly and constantly present them to the world.  Marketing our cattle is not the problem.  I believe every one of our 3,234 members feel we must promote the Longhorn to be ultimately successful.
            How to market and who to market them to becomes our target range.  If we simply scatter our firing across the field, we will hit very little; if we zero in on specific targets with a definite goal in mind, then we will begin seeing results.
            Who uses our product?  The commercial cattleman?  You bet.  He is the basis of our total cattle structure.  No purebred cattle breeders of any breed will have a constant demand for his cows and bulls unless “Mr. Commercial Cattleman” believes in his own mind that the purebred market will help improve his profitability.
            If your “specialty breed” will make the commercial cattleman money, he will accept the breed.  It may take him time to accept you, but if your “specialty breed” lives up to its promises, his acceptance will come in time.
            It is generally at this point in time the investors become interested in the “specialty breed.”  The investor will then stay with the specialty breed until the commercial cattleman finds something better and then he will leave this “specialty breed” as quickly as he came in.
            The investor is needed in the operation to bring constant attention to the cattle.  When an animal sells for $100,000, this is news and the magazines will run the articles free because people want to read about it.
            It is at this point we must not lose sight of the maker of the specialty breed, the commercial cowman.  No matter how successful we as breeders of Texas Longhorn cattle become, we can’t forget where we came from and who will ultimately pass judgment on us. 
            The genetic base of the Texas Longhorn is, as Dr. Stewart Fowler puts it, a gold mine.  The commercial cowman doesn’t really care if our cattle are colorful or big horned.
            Horns and color may be important to us, the purebred cattle raisers, because they are readable yardsticks with which we can measure successes in breeding within our specialty breed.
            However, you and I know that the cattleman doesn’t care if his Angus is black or his Longhorn is colorful.  His interest is in whether or not the specialty breed will make him money.  This sounds simple, but he must be convinced that the Longhorn will make him more money than any of the other specialty breeds.
            Mr. Brinkman, a well known and successful Brangus breeder, recently stated in an article (I am paraphrasing), “So goes the bull market, so goes the breed.”  I will not accept the concept that our small horned but good conformation cow should sell for $600.  They will sell for $1,200 when the purebred breeder knows the marketplace demands his bull calves.
            Even if every breeder steers the lower half of his bulls, which he should in order to weed out inferior bulls, and demands $850 for yearling bulls and $1,200 for 2-year-olds, then the mother cow is still worth at least $1,200.  Three calf crops of one heifer and one steer and one bull will more than pay for the mother cow.
            The demand for the mother cow will be there for many years to come, when we convince the total cattle industry that our product works and works every time.
            Over the past seven years or so, commercial cowmen have been becoming more aware of the benefits of using Longhorn bulls on their first-calf heifers.  When they try it, they know it works.
            The general focus of the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America (TLBAA) marketing today still needs to put out to the industry that Longhorn bulls work.  Calving ease is a reality in Longhorns, although many other breeds claim it.
            When 30,000,000 heifers in the cattle industry have crossbred Longhorn calves, then we will know our marketing job has been well done.  We know our product works for calving ease and we have the research to back it up – we just need to keep telling the world!
            Once that crossbred calf hits the ground, our marketing becomes even more difficult.  We need to gather feedlot data.  Our crossbred Longhorns are doing the job in the feedlot and we must market it to the cowman.  If the cowman knows he’ll have the market for Longhorn cross calves in the feedlot, then he will need more Longhorn bulls to keep production going, so the cycle continues.
            Calving ease data, feedlot data, disease resistance data, fertility data – we must gather it, condense it, and use it!  The F1 Longhorn cross mother cow is fast becoming reality.  She has the ability to contribute to the cattle industry all of the above genetic qualities the cowman is looking for.  If we build her foundation well with the commercial cowman, she will become known as the cow that gave profit back to the cattle industry.
            Mr. Commercial Cowman, buy a Longhorn bull for your heifers and give the “touch of life.”  Texas Longhorn cattle are giving life back to the cattle industry once again.

Source:  The Longhorn Scene, August 1985 issue, Opinion Corner, pages 63-64

Russell Hooks: This article was printed 25 years ago but the content still rings true in today’s Longhorn industry. That is why I felt like it should be made available to the public.

Posted on June 16, 2009 - by Russell

Don L. King Attends Millennium Futurity

Don L. King, who was found guilty of misappropriating over $100,000 from the TLBAA seemed to be a welcomed guest at the recent Millennium Futurity.  This event is open to the public and Mr. King had the right to attend. But, by most accounts, he was welcomed with open arms by a number of those involved with the event. He was also welcomed to this years Legacy Sale and allowed to attend the private annual meeting of both the Millennium Futurity and TLMA.  I find it very interesting (but not surprising) that he apparently feels no remorse or guilt about what he did to the members of the TLBAA.  I find it even more astounding that people will speak to him and treat him as though nothing ever happened.  Ex-TLBAA Board Member Dr. Zech Dameron sat down and had a friendly conversation with Mr. King (see photo).  It appears they have not let Mr. King’s illegal acts get in the way of their friendship.  Mr. King has no business attending a Longhorn event accept to visit with his friends and that is just what he did.  I personally do not want to see or speak to Mr. King; I just want him to pay back the money he misappropriated from our association (and members) so we can all move on. 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on March 24, 2009 - by Russell

Selecting Sires For Horn and More

By Russell Hooks

 

 

In an earlier article we discussed selecting for more than just horn in Longhorn females. Now let’s talk about Longhorn bulls. Some breeders think the tape measure is the answer to selecting the best bull. Once again that is not the case. There are numerous bulls in the industry that are in the 70” horn club; they are the “hot sires” of the day.  These young bulls have tons of horn and you cannot open up a Longhorn magazine without seeing an ad about one of these “great sires”.  But what actually makes a great sire?  PRODUCTION!  CONSISTENCY!  PREDICTABLE GENETICS!  Most of these hot ticket sires are so young that their only offspring are still babies.  Before I load my program (and the programs I consult for) down with these “popular and highly promoted genetics” I want to see some mature offspring.  Will some of these “hot sires” of today make a lasting positive mark on the industry?  Yes they will, but history has shown us that the percentage is very small.  I have seen too many “fad bulls” come and go in this industry during my thirty years in Longhorns.  As breeders, we need to develop a breeding plan that utilizes proven genetics instead of chasing fads.  If you chase the fads you will more than likely always find yourself one step behind.  Think about it, bull X is the bull of the moment – the one everyone is talking about. You AI your cows to him, it takes about 1-2 months to AI the cows, then nine months for the calves to hit the ground and they turn out pretty nice.  Now six to seven months later the calves are weaning age; you could sell some of them now but we all know that weanlings do not sell as well as two year olds.  So you hold these calves until they are twenty four months old.  The time frame is a total of approximately 35 months and the chances are good that by now there is another “hot ticket” bull. You have missed that small window of market opportunity.  I have observed that most of the “fad” bulls are only able to ride that popularity trailer for about 3-4 years and then they start to lose traction.  This is usually about the time their offspring are reaching maturity and they can now be fully evaluated on traits such as long term horn growth, fertility and milking ability.  I have seen “super sires” that have put offspring on the ground that show rapid early horn growth, but when they reach three to four years of age it slows dramatically and other sires’ calves that where showing less horn growth at a young age have caught up with the “super” sires’ calves.  In some cases the “super” sire is inconsistent in his offspring, some have great horn and some are average or even below average.  Now the “super” sire’s offspring are no different than any other good sire. When you are searching for a sire always ask yourself “how will his genetics benefit my herd, is it just his popularity I am interested in or can he help improve the overall quality of my herd in the long term”.   

I have found this to be the case more often than not.  Not only are his daughters going to look similar to the females in his pedigree, but they will inherit a lot of their traits such as udder and teat size, fertility and femininity. While checking these female lines of a sire’s pedigree, I will study the pedigree several generations back looking for as many great females as possible in the sire’s pedigree.  Next I look at what other good animals, both males and females have come from these genetics or similar genetics. After I have studied the prospective sire’s pedigree I will then compare it with the pedigrees of the females that he will be mated to in order to check to see if there will be too much line breeding or inbreeding in the resulting offspring.  I also look to see if the genetics of the prospective sire have been used with the female genetics that I am planning to mate him with.  In other words, have these genetics worked together successfully or unsuccessfully in past matings for other breeders.  It is more productive and less costly to learn from what has or has not worked in the past.  One last important step is to visually inspect the females and note their faults…poor frame score, poor conformation, poor horn growth, etc.  This is done so that you can select a sire that will help improve these weaknesses in your cow herd.  

When you are selecting a sire for AI or natural service there are several things to keep in mind. The first thing I look at is a sire’s overall conformation, frame size and breed characteristics. Then I want to see what his dam and maternal grand dam look like. Years ago legendary Longhorn breeder J.W. Isaacs told me that “you better like the dam and grand dam of your herd sire because more than likely that is what his heifers are going to look like”.I have found this to be the case more often than not.  Not only are his daughters going to look similar to the females in his pedigree, but they will inherit a lot of their traits such as udder and teat size, fertility and femininity. While checking these female lines of a sire’s pedigree, I will study the pedigree several generations back looking for as many great females as possible in the sire’s pedigree.  Next I look at what other good animals, both males and females have come from these genetics or similar genetics. After I have studied the prospective sire’s pedigree I will then compare it with the pedigrees of the females that he will be mated to in order to check to see if there will be too much line breeding or inbreeding in the resulting offspring.  I also look to see if the genetics of the prospective sire have been used with the female genetics that I am planning to mate him with.  In other words, have these genetics worked together successfully or unsuccessfully in past matings for other breeders.  It is more productive and less costly to learn from what has or has not worked in the past.  One last important step is to visually inspect the females and note their faults…poor frame score, poor conformation, poor horn growth, etc.  This is done so that you can select a sire that will help improve these weaknesses in your cow herd.  

The selection of a herd sire is a very important part of a seed stock breeding program. It is correctly said that the sire has a genetic impact on 50% of every calf he sires. So basically, he is 50% of your herd. However, if you think a little more about it, the impact of a sire is even greater than 50%.  He only has a 50% effect on your herd through each calf crop.  If you don’t retain any of his offspring then his effect ends there.  If you retain his heifers he is 50% of them and 25% of their offspring; so if you retain these calves he is now 75% of your herd.  The effect goes on and on if you are keeping heifers and bulls from your own herd as replacements.  As you can see, the selection of a herd sire can have a major long term impact, good or bad, on your herd.  Take the time and effort to study all prospective sires before adding their genetics to your herd.  It will save you time and money in the long run.

I have often wondered why breeders in our industry will purchase a cow for a large sum of money, but when it comes to purchasing a bull the philosophy seems to be the cheaper the better. This is the opposite of what it should be and of what happens in other cattle breeds.  As I stated earlier the females are important and especially the dams of your herd sires, but it is the sires that have a larger impact on your herd and at a faster rate.  A breeder should consider spending the largest portion of his purchasing budget on his herd sire.  It takes only a short time for that investment to payoff.  The late Gene Day used this example when I was looking at purchasing a top notch two year old herd sire prospect from him that he had priced at $10,000.  He said “you are going to take this young bull and breed him to 30-40 head this first year.  If he produces only ropers and you sell 40 ropers for $250 to $300 each…that’s $10,000 to $12,000…the bull is paid for.  Now let’s say he turns out to be as good of a herd sire as you thought so you only have 20 ropers to sell ($6,000) and you’re going to have 20 heifers that should be worth $800 to $1,200 at weaning.  Some of these you’re not going to want to sell, but keep as replacements.  Now he is not only paying for himself, he’s making you money.”  I have never forgotten these words of wisdom and I think about them every time I look at purchasing a bull regardless of whether the price is $1,000 or $100,000.  The money invested in a good herd sire is money well spent and will pay off in the long term.          

Most of the 65-80” horn cattle in our industry are sired by bulls with 50-60” horns and most of these bulls have done this more than once or twice.  Phenomenon measured a little over 60” and is one of the leading sires and grandsires of 65-80” horn animals.  His sire Superior measured 50” and shows up as sire or grandsire of numerous animals that are in that 70-80” Club.  Proven genetics are one of the keys to long term success in this industry.            

 

 

 

The point behind all this is, it is best to stick with proven genetics from bloodlines that have passed the test of time and invest wisely in your herd sires.  If you are going to use an unproven bull make sure he comes from predictable and proven genetics.  Do your homework and do not take sire selection lightly. Work towards producing offspring that are a total package of proven genetics: good horns (55-70”) with shape and style, correct and functional conformation, milking ability, adequate body size and eye appeal. It will make you more money in the long run.     

 

 

 

Posted on February 16, 2009 - by Russell

Selecting Cows for Horns and More

        In today’s Longhorn market it is not always easy to judge the true value or quality of the cattle. There are cattle selling for prices ranging from $400 dollars all the way up to $170,000.  What is the difference between the bottom and top prices?  The answer is HORNS… not necessarily overall quality.  We have come a long way when it comes to horn growth in this industry.  When I got involved with these cattle in the 1980’s we were celebrating 40” of tip-to-tip horn, which would be laughed at today.  But back then it was not all about horn, it was about saving the breed, fertility, longevity, mothering ability…just to mention a few of the other traits that were valued by breeders those many years ago.  Today some breeders seem to believe that there is only one sure fire way to determine the value of top Texas Longhorn cattle…the tape measure…the bigger the horn the higher the price.  However, like in the 1980’s I believe this is only one of many things that must be considered when determining the value of our cattle.  Breeders who use the tape measure as their only way of placing value on Longhorn cattle are overlooking many very important attributes of the Longhorn.
        Judging the quality of a Texas Longhorn is simply not made by measuring the horns.  There are numerous cattle in this industry that measure 75-80” tip-to-tip, but are these actually the best of the breed?  Without a doubt some of these are good animals.  However, many of them have sold for record prices, been flushed in ET (embryo transfer) and cloned only because of their record setting horn length.  In some cases these cattle have poor conformation, genetic defects such as wry noses, jaw and mouth defects and bad udders with large teats and they can’t even raise a calf.  
        If you were to check the production records (which I have) of several of these cattle you would find that in some instances they have produced mostly roper calves.  At prices of $50,000 to $100,000 it takes more ropers at $350 each than she can produce in a lifetime to pay for this “great” cow.  That is without figuring in her annual upkeep and care.  Several of the cows in the 75-80” club cannot even nurse their own calves; some are raised by a nurse cow or produced by ET because the cow cannot carry and raise her own calf.  I always check the production records of any animal that I am considering purchasing unless it is a heifer - in that case I check her mother’s production history. 
        Many of the 75-80” horned animals in today’s industry are truly one of a kind; some have full siblings that do not come close to having the same horn measurements as they do.  There is a cow in our industry that measures over 75 inches, yet her full sister only measures in the mid-50’s tip-to-tip.  Their dam was an average cow with good horn and their sire never produced another animal that has reached 75-80” (most are in the 60’s).  Therefore in my opinion these are not proven, predictable genetics.  I was at a recent Longhorn sale where a four year old cow with almost 70 inches sold for $10,000.  She was unexposed and by the looks of her udder, teats, shoulders and vulva she had never calved.  She looked “steery”.  In my opinion someone bought themselves a costly lesson.  You can have the longest horned cow in the breed but if she is not producing then all you have is a “glorified steer”.  Sometimes it is hard to look passed the horns but when selecting females for your program you also need to look at their udders, teats, feet, legs, general conformation and pedigree. You should also inquire about the animals production record. Production is one of the keys to selecting a top quality Longhorn female. 

Here is a picture of a nice solid cow that had good horn (48-50”) for her day yet she produced many daughters that had 55-60” horns.  One of them was one of the industry’s first 60” horned cows Delta Diamond, who did eventually reach 70”.  Today some breeders would not even glance at this cow in a sale or in the pasture because she is not loaded with horn, yet she produced great horns.  The term is ‘she out produced herself’.  Most of the 65-80” horn cattle in our industry are sired by bulls with 50-60” horns and most of these bulls have done this more than once or twice.  Phenomenon measured a little over 60” and is one of the leading sires and grandsires of 65-80” horn animals.  His sire Superior measured  a little over 50” and shows up as sire or grandsire of numerous animals that are in that 70-80” Club.  Proven Genetics are one of the keys to long term success in this industry.
        In summary if you are going to breed for horns remember to keep all the Longhorn traits in mind when making your cattle selections.  Also, if you are just getting started in the Longhorn business or you do not have a budget that will allow you to purchase the longest horn animals, do not get discouraged.  There are animals out there that may not have the longest horns, but they have the genetics for producing horn.  If you study the pedigrees you can make a wise and affordable purchase that someday just might produce you a 70-80” horn animal that you can sell for a top price.

Posted on February 7, 2009 - by Russell

Facts Not Emails and Rumors

Over the last couple of weeks a number of TLBAA members have received messages from Joe Graddy (who served on the Board under Don L. King) which leads us to believe that the TLBAA is going broke.  That is NOT the case.  Below is his most recent email, with a very misleading title; it includes a letter from Ben Gravett. 

______________________________________________________________________________

 

TLBAA Investigation

 

Dear TLBAA Member, 

 

I received the following letter from Ben Gravett, former Chairman of the Board of the TLBAA and a long-time Longhorn Breeder.  Ben is very concerned about the viability of the TLBAA and feels that the members have been kept in the dark.  After much consideration, I have decided to share this letter with the TLBAA members, and let them draw their own conclusions.

 

Joe Graddy

 

TLBAA Member

 (I feel it should be noted that he is a TLMA Member) rh

 

_______________________________________________________________________

 

Dear Joe,

 

 

 

I am very shocked and troubled about the information I received regarding the current financial condition of the TLBAA.  I have been reading the repeated statements from Fritz Moeller claiming the association is in great shape financially.  In fact, Moeller has claimed the TLBAA is in better shape today than when he took over as Chairman.

 

The reality is that the TLBAA was in very good shape financially when I resigned my position as Chairman only 18 months ago.  Per my recollection we had over $165,000 in the bank and were completely current on all liabilities.  I have compared the last financial that was available when I resigned to the most recent financial statement, and the following shocking information stood out:

 

Current Assets (7/31/07)…………………………….. $333,945

Current Assets (12/31/08)…………………………….. $11,231

Variance…………………………………………………   ($322,714)

 

Total Capital (7/31/07)……………………………….. $216,374

Total Capital (12/31/08)…………………………….. ($104,447)

Variance………………………………………………..    ($320,821)

 

I understand the TLBAA Board of Directors’ plans to “borrow” funds from the Foundation to cover their monthly overheads, something we never had to do during my term as Chairman.  I am very puzzled how we can be in the condition we find ourselves in today.  It appears to me that the members of the TLBAA have been misled about the financial condition of the association.

 

This situation is very troublesome to me both as a former Chairman and as a long-time member of the TLBAA.  I stand with you in your concern and I intend to personally conduct an investigation and audit of the association to determine how we could possibly be in this financial condition today.

Sincerely,

Ben Gravett

______________________________________________________________________________

 

Now here are some facts that will give you a better understanding of the REAL situation.

 

Since both Ben Gravett and Joe Graddy served on the TLBAA board they should know that the cash flow of the organization is not earned evenly throughout the year.  Membership dues all come in around July.  It’s convenient that the latest slam tries to compare July 2007 (right after dues have been received) with December 2008 (at the end of the slowest month of the year for advertising and registrations).  Comparing apples to oranges is not a fair assessment.

 

Let’s take a REAL look at the numbers. 

 

The Statement of Cash Flows was taken from the Association’s financial statements from the latest audit. 

Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America

Statement of Cash Flows

For the Years Ended June 30, 2008 and 2007

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities                                                    2008                                      2007                       

                Decrease in net assets                                                   $        (147,376)             $              (287,745)

                Adjustments to reconcile the increase in net

                Assets to net cash provided by operating activities

                     Depreciation                                                                            32,606                               142,185

                     Receivables (increase) decrease                                         (127,973)                              149,041

                     Inventory (increase) decrease                                                     -                                         8,838

                     Prepaid expenses (increase) decrease                                  (55,165)                                  7,955

                     Accounts payable increase (decrease)                                  (16,860)                               (37,004)

                     Accrued expenses increase (decrease)                                     8,990                                   6,684

                     Deferred revenues increase (decrease)                                317,307                               (83,501)               

 

NET CASH (USED) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITY                            11,529                                (93,547)

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITY

                Investments (increase) decrease, net                                           -                                          63,279

                Purchase of property and equipment, net                                  (31,747)                                 (2,000)

 

NET CASH (USED) PROVIDED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES                         (31,747)                                 61,279

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH                                                        (20,218)                                (32,268)

 

CASH, Beginning of the year                                                                     88,830                                 121,098

 

CASH, End of year                                                                  $                  68,612                 $                 88,830

 

 

This shows that during the period from July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007 (Mr. Gravett’s tenure) the Association had a DECREASE in cash of $32,268 [Net Increase (Decrease) In Cash entry].  For the period from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008, the Association had a smaller decrease in cash of $20,218 indicating that last year’s board started the Association in the right direction. 

 

Even more telling is the Statement of Activities (shown below), also taken from the Association’s latest audited financial statements.

Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America

Statement of Activities

For the Years Ended June 30, 2008 and 2007

UNRESTRICED NET ASSETS                                                                           2008                          2007

                SUPPORT AND REVENUES

                     Member services                                                        $              731,248                 721,843

                     Trails                                                                                           529,039                 485,009

                     Cattle sales management                                                       1,390,043               2,583,601

                     Events                                                                                         102,017                  367,018

                     Investment income                                                                        3,625                       4,315

 

TOTAL SUPPORT & REVENUES                                                                   2,755,972                4,161,786

               

                EXPENSES

                     Member services                                                                        694,222                   978,988

                     Trails                                                                                           589,781                   524,252

                     Cattle sales management                                                        1,445,695                2,592,374

                     Events                                                                                          173,650                   353,917

 

TOTAL EXPENSES                                                                                          2,903,348                4,449,531

 

DECREASE IN UNRESTRICTED ASSETS                                                           (147,376)                 (287,745)

 

NET ASSETS, Beginning of Year                                                                      111,330                    399,075

 

NET ASSETS, End of Year                                                                 $              (36,046)      $           111,330

 

 

 For the period from July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007, the Association had a LOSS of $287,745.  If I were a leader of the Association during that time, I would not be calling that “in very good shape financially”. 

 

It takes time to turn an organization around and last year’s activities did still show a loss; HOWEVER, it was about half that of the previous year.  The TLBAA, it’s Directors and Members will face some challenges over the next few months and even possibly over the next year.  I firmly believe that the TLBAA, just like the cattle that they represent will survive.

 

I would encourage every TLBAA member to hold strong in their support of the TLBAA.  Do not let the email rumor mill get you down.  Before you assume that all the emails that are flying around are true I would ask you to stop and think about these points….

 

·         Why are almost all the negative emails coming from TLMA members? Is this just a coincidence, I think not.

 

·         Why are almost all the negative emails coming from the same server that sends out the TLMA emails?  Is this just another coincidence, I think not.

 

·         Why are almost all the negative emails coming from people that have turned their backs on TLBAA?  Now they suddenly care about TLBAA?  Is this just another coincidence, I think not.

 

·         Why do we receive these attack emails within seconds of receiving an email from TLMA about something they are promoting?  Is this just another coincidence, I think not.

 

·         Why are they passing around an unaudited financial that was noted to be in need of several corrections before being approved?  Could they be trying to scare TLBAA members into turning to the TLMA?  Is this just another coincidence, I think not.   

 

·         Do these people have the best interest of the TLBAA at heart?  I think not.

 

Lastly if you want to know what is going on contact your TLBAA Board Members and visit with them about your questions or concerns.  If you would like to see the audited financials contact the TLBAA office and make arrangements to do so.

 

Do not buy into these scare tactic emails.  I will do my best to keep you informed with the facts as I get them.

Posted on February 6, 2009 - by Russell

TLMA Having Financial Troubles?

The TLMA is in great need of financial support, which is evident by their search for “new investors”.  Only the inner circle of the TLMA truly knows how bad their financial situation is because the TLMA financial status has not been made public.  The “members” of the TLMA do not know the financial status of the “organization” of which they are members.  The TLMA is a Limited Liability Corporation or LLC for short, which means they do not have to make their financial reports public as do non-profit organizations like the TLBAA or ITLA. 

The financial situation must be pretty bleak or they would not be seeking “new investors” to help them stay afloat. The “founding members” of the TLMA are basically share holders.  Their “members” are simply customers of the TLMA; they are not equal participants in this corporation because they have no say in the running of the TLMA. 

If the TLMA was of any real value to this industry they would be able to meet their financial needs because they would have enough support from new customers (members) joining the TLMA.  With any business, it is the support of its customers who want or need its product or service that makes it successful…not more investors.  It is hard to get folks to join a group that wants your money but won’t let you have a say in the decision making process unless you are a major investor. 

Maybe the TLMA should quit hiding their financials and make their reports public instead of using its “members” to attack and spread rumors about non-profit organizations.  TLMA “members” should question why a company they are doing business with is so intent on attacking a non-profit organization.

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.

Posted on December 15, 2008 - by Russell

Follow-Up on Private Meeting

The TLMA and a select group of TLBAA Directors met in secret on December 12, 2008. The TLMA had requested the meeting. Those in attendance representing the TLMA were Joe Munsch, Johnnie Robinson, Mike Casey, Wes Chancey and from TLBAA there was Dr. Dameron (he tends to side with TLMA) , Lana Hightower, Ty Wehring, Brent Bolen and Maurice Ladnier. Having spoke with two of those who attended I have the following information about the meeting.

a)      It lasted about three and a half hours.

b)      The tone of the meeting was civil for the most part.

c)      TLMA leaders spent a lot of time explaining why TLMA was formed and that TLBAA should embrace the Marketing Alliance.

d)     TLMA presented a list of demands for their return to TLBAA.

a.       Replace Trails Magazine with the Journal Magazine

b.      Fire certain TLBAA staff

c.       TLMA Sale Management headed by Jim Curry would handle ALL sales.

d.      Replace certain TLBAA Directors

e.       TLMA seemed concerned about who would be the next TLBAA Chairman of the Board. They are hoping for a TLMA friendly COB.

e)      TLMA would not reveal the circulation size of the Journal

f)       TLMA wanted the TLBAA Horn Showcase to move to Oklahoma and merge with their World Horn Championships. TLBAA measured over 400 entries compared to TLMA’s 200 entries.

g)      TLMA’s boycotting of TLBAA events was discussed.

h)      The fact that the TLMA has embraced and welcomed Don L. King and SuzAnn Spindor (who stole TLBAA Funds) at their events was discussed.   

i)        TLBAA Directors listened to what TLMA had to say but there are no negotiations that need to be done.

j)        TLBAA has not at this time set any requirements for TLMA members to return, they have not be expelled or kicked out of TLBAA. They may return at anytime.

If you would like to know more about this meeting I would recommend that you contact one of people that was present at the meeting. They should be able to provide you with more detailed information.       

Posted on December 10, 2008 - by Russell

TLMA & TLBAA Have Private Meeting

On Friday December 12, 2008 an unofficial secret meeting was held between the TLMA leadership and a hand-selected group of TLBAA Directors. I do not have all the details yet as to how the meeting went. The TLBAA directors who attended were Mrs. Lana Hightower, Mr. Maurice Ladnier, Mr. Ty Wehring, Dr. Zech Dameron and Horn Showcase Chairman Mr. Brent Bolen. I learned of this meeting only a few days before it was to take place.

I contacted two of the directors, Mrs. Hightower and Mr. Wehring and they both confirmed that they would be attending this meeting. Mrs. Hightower stated she was going as a TLBAA member, not as a director and without any power to negotiate a deal with the TLMA. She just wanted to hear what they [TLMA] had to say. She also commented that she was being pressured by some individuals to attend. Mr. Wehring stated that he would not be giving in to TLMA or making any kind of concessions. He too said that he just wanted to hear what they had to say.

I would encourage all TLBAA members who want to know what happened at this meeting to contact their directors. Ask your representative to tell you exactly what was discussed at this meeting. Remember they work for the members and we have the right to ask them tough questions and to know what is going on in your association. I will post additional information about this meeting as soon as I receive it.

I believe this meeting was totally unnecessary. None of the TLMA members have been expelled or banned from the TLBAA. There is nothing to be negotiated. They are still TLBAA members, they are welcomed at TLBAA events and they can advertise in the Trails magazine just like any other member. So what is there to negotiate?

In spring of this year the TLMA presented a list of demands to a couple of the TLBAA Directors. If these demands were met they would come back to TLBAA. They would bring back their advertising dollars and start attending the TLBAA events again. Some of the demands included on this list were: the removal of several board members (even though these directors were elected to the board by the members, the TLMA wanted them removed), having certain TLBAA staff members fired, the TLMA wanted to control the TLBAA sales and they also wanted the Trails magazine to be replaced with TLMAís Texas Longhorn Journal. In other words, the TLMA wants to control the TLBAA even though they were not elected by the TLBAA membership to do so.

If the TLMA truly wants to resolve the conflict within the industry they need to cease and desist with all their negativity against the TLBAA and anyone that is not willing to let them take over the industry. We do not need to continue to have secret meetings with a handpicked group of TLBAA Directors. If TLMA has something to say or present then they should stand before the entire TLBAA Board and Membership and state their case. If they canít do this then they do not truly want to resolve the conflict that they have helped create in this industry. Let the board and members decide if the TLMA should control our Longhorn market and our association. Should the industry be controlled by an elite few?