May Best At West Sale Results

151 Registered Lots Averaged: $646
Top Five Lots Averaged: $1,880
Top Ten Lots Averaged: $1,597
109 Commercial Lots Averaged: $339

The recent rains didn’t douse the market for the Best at West on Saturday May 12, 2007, with 151 registered head of Texas Longhorns up for public auction. Before the sale TLBAA member George Slayton, Rice, TX, introduced a new marketing initiative for Longhorn beef, The Texas Longhorn Cooperative, a collection of Longhorn breeders looking to promote and produce lean Longhorn beef as a healthy alternative to regular beef. The cooperative has plans for supermarket distribution.

George Slayton, Rice, TX, introduced the Texas Longhorn Cooperative, an initiative to bring lean Longhorn beef to mass production.

Look for more information about the TLC on their Web site www.txlonghorncoop.org.
The sale was in high gear right off the bat with TLBAA member Charlie Buenger, Crawford, TX, bidding $7,500 for the cover of the 2007 Trails TLBAA Membership Directory cover.

Charlie Buenger, Crawford, TX, placed the highest bid of $7,500 for the 2007 Trails TLBAA Membership Directory cover at the beginning of the sale.

The TLBAA semen lots sold for $4,731 total with many TLBAA members taking home some very good Longhorn genetics to raise in their pastures.
High Selling Lot: $3,000.00 - T101 EVENING STAR 105 (2005 daughter of Dark Star Chex and BH Spottie Dottie). Consignors: Wayne and Nancy Talley, Johnson City, TX. Buyer: Justin Woods, Baird, TX.

Justin, Jordan and Diane Woods, Baird, TX.

Other High Selling Lots:
$2,000.00 - MK MESSINAROUND (2006 daughter of Saltgrass and Martha’s Mess). Consignors: Bob Moore/Ginger Kinder, Gainesville, TX. Buyer: Rugged Cross Ranch, Kelley, TX.
$1,500.00 - DIAMOND C SPECKLED CINNA (2003 daughter of D6 Buck Duane and Phenomenal Pacesetter). Consignor: Joe Munsch, Emory, TX. Buyer: Dirk Voorheis, Waxahachie, TX.
$1,500.00 - SR MEASLES INSTEP 180 (2001 daughter of Meadows Measles and Phenomenal One Step). Consignor: Struthoff Ranch, San Antonio, TX. Buyer: D’Janin Pollard, Alvin, TX.
$1,400.00 - OVERLY LINDSEY (2003 daughter of Overlord C P and CP Lady Lindsey 20/4). Consignor: Joe Munsch, Emory, TX. Buyer: Dwight Pollard, Cleveland, TX.
$1,360.00 - SEMEN LOT - BLUE HORNS #51 (TLBAA SEMEN) Buyer: Rio Vista Ranch, Austin, TX.
$1,350.00 - SR STERLING'S ANGEL 338 (2003 daughter of JK Sterling 262 and Maribeth’s Prize) Consignor: Struthoff Ranch, San Antonio, TX. Buyers: Jody, Tonya & Patrick Beck, Cedar Creek, TX.
$1,335.00 – SEMEN LOT - STORM WARNING #452 (TLBAA SEMEN) Buyer: Bob Moore, Gainesville, TX.

See More Photos in the Web Galleries.

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Australian Television Show Films Marquess Arrow Ranch and Fort Worth Herd

Robert Hagan, host of the Australian TV Show Robert Hagan’s A Splash of Colour, recently visited the Marquess Arrow Ranch in Ben Wheeler, TX, in search of the biggest and longest horned Texas Longhorns. Ron and Barbara Marquess were delighted to introduce him to the 2006 Horn Showcase Tip-to-Tip Champion Trophy Steer Watson 101.

Ron Marquess and Robert Hagan survey the Marquess Herd.

Before the cameras began rolling, Hagan met with the Marquess’ to get a better understanding of the Texas Longhorn. “The Longhorn is still here and embraced by special people,” Hagan said. “And is still a genetic goldmine.”

Robert Hagan enjoyed walking amongst the Marquess herd and took plenty of photos for his painting. Hagan’s Cameraman and Director Barry Wale enjoyed the chance to film such a beautiful and interesting subject.

While at the ranch Hagan witnessed the “genetic goldmine” first hand as he walked among the Marquess herd. Hagan commented that the Longhorns were very gentle and allowed him to get close enough with his film crew to shoot footage for the show. He marveled at the different types of horn and the various color schemes on the hides. He commented that the Longhorn was a “special breed being kept by special people in a special way.”
Ron Marquess was pleased to inform Hagan about every aspect of his herd by showing him which sires mated with which dams to get a desired trait.

Cameraman and Director Barry Wale films 2006 Horn Showcase Tip-to-Tip Champion Trophy Steer Watson 101 .

Hagan is also a talented painter, and set up his easel during the ranch visit to capture the beautiful color of the Marquess herd on canvas.

Ron and Barbara Marquess with Robert Hagan and his finished painting of the Marquess Longhorn herd.

Intrigued by spending a few days learning about the Longhorn, Hagan traveled to the historic Fort Worth Stockyards to film the famous Fort Worth Herd, on their twice-daily parade through the stockyards. Hagan stopped by the TLBAA office to interview TLBAA General Manager Larry Barker for the television show and to continue his history lesson about the Texas Longhorn.

Robert Hagan interviewed TLBAA General Manager Larry Barker.

Hagan said the episode should air sometime in October 2007. You can read more about Hagan and his travels by visiting the Web site at www.asplashofcolour.net.

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Dr. Fritz and Rebecca Moeller Host International Rotary Club Members while on Texas and New Mexico Tour

TLBAA Board Member Dr. Fritz and Rebecca Moeller, Socorro, NM , recently hosted members of the International Rotary Club on their Cross M Ranch. The visitors, from Lower Saxony, Germany, were part of the Rotary Exchange with the local Rotary club in Socorro, NM. Dr. Moeller has given speeches about the past, present and future of the Texas Longhorn breed to the local rotary club. After a recent speech, he was asked to host a visit to the Cross M Ranch. Members of the group consisted of an economist, a museum curator, a school headmaster, scientists and physicians.

The International Rotary Group Visitors amongst the Moeller Herd.

According to Rebecca Moeller, “They were delighted to be up front and personal with the western legend, the Texas Longhorn.” Rebecca later said that she was honored to have such special guests.

The group listening to a speech given by TLBAA Board Member Dr. Fritz Moeller at the Cross M Ranch Socorro, NM.

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Join in the Fun!

More information and an itinerary are available at www.stla.org Click on the Field Day button at the bottom of the homepage

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HEART OF TEXAS LONGHORN BREEDERS ANNUAL RANCH TOUR SCHEDULED

The Heart of Texas Longhorn Breeders Annual Meeting and Ranch Tour is scheduled for Saturday, June 16th near Waco, TX. All Texas Longhorn Breeders are welcome. We will gather around 11am at the home of Frank and Sue Bowdoinin Crawford, TX. Bring a side dish, desert, or salad to share, and we will have lunch and a chance to meet and greet. After lunch we will take a look at some of the Bowdoin cattle (Frank and Sue; Gary and Teresa) – including two young Longhorn bulls from Doug Hunt’s herd in Utah. We will then drive a few miles to see cattle at Stanley Cattle Company (David and Susan Stanley) near China Spring, TX. David is concentrating on Butler breeding and has recently owned Coach in partnership with Charlie and Dana Buenger, Crawford, TX. There will be a number of offspring of Coach and Ace’s Black Magic Man, as well as, many of his Longhorn foundation cows (Aurora-dam of Sabrina, and MF Blue’s Jumbo) available for viewing. We’ll also see their new junior herd sire Vaquero Chex, a Coach-Dark Star son, owned in partnership with the Buengers and Rosenbergers. Please RSVP to Kenn Harding at kenn@rafter-h-longhorns.com or 979-777-5256 for final information and directions.

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Legendary Texas Longhorns Story Published in Liberty Gazette

The Butler Longhorn Museum in League City, TX , was recently featured in an article written by freelance Journalist Bob Jamison. The article ran in the May 2, 2007 edition of the Liberty Gazette in Liberty, TX. Featured in the article is a brief history of the Butler Longhorn blood-line and its impact on the breed.

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Hotel Information for TLBAA Breeders Symposium to be held June 29-30

Hotels are available for attendees of the upcoming TLBAA Breeders Symposium on June 29-30, in Stillwater, OK. For more information about reservations, please contact the hotels directly. Note: After May 29, rooms are available on a first come-first serve basis.

Hampton Inn and Suites – (405) 743-1306

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Drought Conditions Update

Click here for information about the seasonal drought conditions and updated national drought information directly from The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Here is an additional weekly drought monitor from NOAA.

Weekly Hay Report from the Texas Department of Agriculture

Compared to last week: Demand and trade moderate with prices holding steady. Not much movement has been reported with old or new crop. New crop is still trying to establish a price. Some are still quoting high prices, but not much is being traded. In the Panhandle, most areas have received some rain over the last week, which has helped improve pasture conditions. Areas in the West received rain as well and some experienced hail. Some areas have been able to cut and get hay put up, but others have experienced difficulties cutting and/or baling due to wet conditions. Most of the North, Central and Eastern areas have gotten rain ranging from traces to upwards of eight inches, filling ponds, lakes and stock tanks. Some have begun to start first cutting while others are waiting for dryer conditions, and others are still one to two weeks away from getting started. Comments have been made that these areas are going to have a really good first crop, with good tonnage amounts. Reports have been made that ryegrass is in good condition in these areas. In the South, some are waiting for fields to dry out before they can do any work at all, whether it be cutting, baling or fertilizing. And with some areas with little hay left or those who are completely out, this is presenting a problem. Further down South, areas are experiencing hotter, more humid conditions. Soil moisture conditions have been reported as very short to surplus, with most areas adequate. Pasture and rangeland conditions are fair to good. Wheat is poor to excellent with most areas fair to good. There have been reports of wheat heading out and it starting to change color. Corn has been planted in most areas, and is looking good. The State of Texas Department of Agriculture has the Hay and Grazing Hotline set up for buyers and sellers. The number is 1-877-429-1998. The Web site for TDA is www.agr.state.tx.us. For a hay report from a state other than Texas please click here.

E-Trails Note: To get your Association News front and center on the E-Trails, email the information to Cole@tlbaa.org.

Cole Dowden