Best at West May 17! Don’t Miss the Friday Night Party! Trails Cover of the A.I. Sire Edition Up For Auction!

Get your Longhorns ready for the next TLBAA Membership Sale, the May Best at West on May 17 in West, TX! Don’t miss out on the Friday night party sponsored by Cactus Ridge Ranch. After consignors unload their Longhorns everyone is invited to a barn party at the West Auction Arena. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the fun and TLBAA fellowship.

Also at the May Best at West, the July 2008 Trails cover for the biannual A.I. edition will be on the auction block. This is the biannual TLBAA A.I. Sire Edition. This will be an exciting opportunity to showcase your A.I. Certified Herd Sire on one of the most collectable editions of the Trails. Phone bids will be accepted on sale day.Contact Allison Chipman at (713) 444-6117 or Brenda Cantrell (817) 996-0280 to place your bid on sale day.

As the Trails staff prepares the 2008 TLBAA A.I. Sire Edition, owners of the current A.I. Sires are encouraged to submit updated photos of their bulls for the July edition. If you have an updated photo you would like included, please email or mail the photo to Trails Art Director Laura Standley at Laura@tlbaa.org.

Be sure to advertise in the 2008 A.I. Sire Edition! Don’t miss out on this chance to get your A.I. Sire in front of the TLBAA membership! The Trails has numerous advertising options to fit the budget of all TLBAA members. Call Rick Fritsche or Laura Standley at (817) 625-6241 or Carolyn Hunter at (817) 808-6895 to reserve your space in the 2008 TLBAA AI Sire Edition!

All TLBAA members are welcome to consign at every TLBAA Best at West Sale. Registered and commercial Longhorns are accepted on Friday, May 16, 2008, until 5 pm. For more information, contact Sales Assistant Kim Barfield at (817) 625-6241 or Kim@tlbaa.org. See the pre-cataloged lots already consigned in the April Trails on pages 56-59. Don’t miss all the fun at the Best at West TLBAA Membership Sale on May 17!

TLBAA Member Exhibiting Texas Longhorns at Brahman World Show

On May 21-24, 2008, TLBAA members Trigg, Traci and Tarah Moore, Hico, TX, will be exhibiting several steers and cow/calf pairs from their Texas Longhorn herd at the 2008 World Brahman Congress, in Fort Worth, TX. The Moores will also be participating in a special “How The West Was Won” Show to be held on Thursday, May 22, at 6 pm. A big thanks to the Moores for supporting and publicizing the breed.

Joe Kimball Retiring from WMWR

Submitted by Carolyn Hunter

Joe Kimball, Refuge Biologist, will be retiring from the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge (WMWR) in Oklahoma on May 9, 2008. He has been with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for over 29 years and at the Wichita Mountains Refuge for almost 24 years.

Refuge Biologist Joe Kimball.

Joining the WMWR in 1984 as a Wildlife Biologist, Kimball entered full management in 1986 and became the primary biologist that same year, overseeing all aspects of the Refuge—the range, bison, Longhorns, elk, deer, turkeys. “I always felt that I was not managing the Refuge for me, but for a 100 years down the road so that someone in the future would have something to work with,” says Kimball.

He continues, “Over the years, we’ve weathered a few storms, seen a few changes.” In the early 1990s, Kimball made the decision to bring in Yates Longhorns to provide some needed genetics from a source that had already been used before.

Another change that affected the Longhorn segment of the Refuge was a program of less intensive management implemented in 2002. The Longhorn was allowed to flourish and propagate naturally with as little human interference as possible to accomplish the mission and objectives of the Refuge. Prior to that time, extended pedigree information had been kept on each animal, and DNA tests conducted. However, management felt that Refuge cattle had been selected and culled to the point where they were very similar to the classic Longhorn.

Since that time, genetic testing has also been done on the Bison herd so that they can play an even bigger part in the herds nationwide.

Testing is routinely done to monitor the genetics in both the Longhorn and Bison herds so that one trait does not become predominant or lost.

Today the Longhorns and the Bison are not contained in a separate pasture system and can roam the Refuge at will, making a much more natural environment for the animals. “I’m satisfied and grateful that people today can still enjoy the wildlife as it once was in past centuries, and feel confident that this will continue.”

“There is such a diversity of wildlife on the Refuge, that I never spent so much time on one aspect that I got bored,” says Kimball, who will slip out of the office in May and go home to raise Boer goats for a while. His wife, Chip, will remain at the Refuge.

When the Annual WMWR Sale rolls around in September, Joe Kimball will be sitting in the stands for the first time in 24 years. Good luck and happy retirement, Joe.

Editor’s Note: A replacement has not yet been named for Kimball, but advertising for qualified individuals will begin soon.

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Kimble Cattle Company Hosts STLA Field Day

Story By Gail Kocian – Photos by Daniel Harabis, Suzanne Perry and Gail Kocian

South Texas Longhorn Association (STLA) members and guests enjoyed a fun-filled day at the Kimble Cattle Company in Karnes City, TX, on Saturday, April 26 th. Approximately 140 people attended the Spring Field Day and Annual General Meeting and were treated to hay rides through the many Kimble ranch pastures, a delicious lunch of Longhorn hamburgers and a beautiful day for visiting with fellow Longhorn enthusiasts.

Attendees of the STLA Field Day enjoyed a pasture tour of the Kimble Cattle Company Ranch.

Dr. Joyce Kimble and her children Dr. Scott Kimble and Dr. Janis Kimble-O’Brien welcomed guests to their ranch and throughout the day shared their experiences of breeding Texas Longhorns and tips on selecting and raising trophy steers.

Following lunch, the STLA members held their annual general meeting and elected new directors and officers. Dr. Joyce Kimble was presented with the STLA Lifetime Achievement Award for her support of the association and her dedication to the Longhorn breed.

Dr. Joyce Kimble was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by TLBAA Board Member and STLA Member Steven Zunker and STLA Director Suzanne Perry.

The STLA was proud to present three Youth Scholarships during the meeting. Derek Christa, Adkins, TX, was presented with the STLA Breeders of Tomorrow Scholarship. He is the son of STLA president Louis Christa, Luling, TX, and Roxanne Zigmond, Adkins, TX, who will be graduating from East Central High School in June. Two other scholarships were given for the Kids and Horns Scholarships. These went to Rachel Johnson, daughter of Dr. Kerry and Anne Johnson and Taylor C. Morgan, daughter of Steve and Lisa Morgan. Both scholarship recipients live in Seabrook, TX, and attend Clear Lake High School.

STLA Field Day attendees enjoyed the chance to see the Kimble Cattle Company Ranch Longhorns.

Tyler Schubert, Ray Cruthis, STLA Director Darlene Aldridge, TLBAA Board Member Robert Richey and Lonnie Shan.

After the meeting, guest speaker Judge Robert Thonhoff gave a short presentation on “How Texas Longhorn Cattle Helped Win the American Revolution”. Everyone enjoyed his stories and recollections of Texas Longhorn history. Scott Kimble gave an informative presentation about selecting bull calves for potential Trophy Steers and estimating horn growth direction.

Judge Robert Thonhoff and Dr. Janis Kimble. Judge Thonhoff gave a short presentation about how the Texas Longhorn influenced the outcome of the American Revolution.

Dr. Scott Kimble gave a presentation about selecting potential Trophy Steers from young bull prospects.

The surprise viewing of the WOW clones was the highlight of the day. The World Champion Steer WOW and the five young clones were available for their first photo shoot, while the Kimbles answered numerous questions from the guests.

A clone of the famous Kimble Cattle Company World Champion Steer, WOW, was on display for visitors to view.

The STLA silent auction brought over $1,800 with all proceeds going to the Youth Scholarship fund. Several guests were given door prizes provided by the Kimble Cattle Company. For more information about the STLA, visit www.stla.org.

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Show Announcement

December 12 - 14, 2008 - STLA Winter Festival - Youth, Open Haltered and Non-Haltered, Glen Flora, TX. Contact: Cindy Dennis - 512-856-2718 or ced1226@yahoo.com.

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East Texas Longhorn Association Field Day Announced

Submitted by the East Texas Longhorn Association

Spring has sprung – the grass has risen - wonder where the ETLA members are?

What: Old-Fashioned Picnic by the Pond Ranch Tour and Short Membership Meeting

Where: Marquess Arrow Ranch
3593 FM 279
Ben Wheeler, TX 75754

When: Saturday, May 24, 2008
3pm till dark & beyond

Bring: Favorite Covered Dish, Beverage of choice – water, tea provided
Bring a fishing pole – the fish are jumping!

Please RSVP to the Hightowers at (903) 963-7442 or glcattleco@aol.com

“You can’t have a bad time with good people! We have the BEST!” said Lana Hightower.

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Longhorns Featured in 78th Annual Rancheros Visitadores Ride

Thirty Longhorns were featured in the 78 th Annual Rancheros Visitadores ride in Old Mission Santa Ines, CA, on Saturday May 5, 2008. According to an article published on the Santa Maria Times Newspaper Web site, the Rancheros are a very select group of cowboys belonging to an invitation-only club of over 700 members and 35 new riders this year. Read the article on the Santa Maria Times Newspaper Web site.

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2008 TLBAA World Show and TLBT Expo Judges Announced

The judges for the 2008 TLBAA World and TLBT Expo have been chosen. These judges were selected by the World Show Committee and have been meticulously researched and vetted. See a special 2008 TLBAA World Show and TLBT Expo Judges feature in the June Trails.

Youth - Stan Comer, Ardmor, OK

Haltered - Randy Allgood, Bellevue, TX

Non-Haltered - Ed Dingledine, Ashland, OH

Trophy Steer

Charlene Semkin - Perry, OK

Dwight Overlid - Outlook, SK Canada

Ed Dingledine – Ashland, OH

The TLBAA thanks these TLBAA members for accepting the responsibility of judging the finest Longhorns in the industry at the 2008 TLBAA World Show and TLBT Expo.

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2008 World Show Gold Merit Donated Heifers – No More Heifers Needed!

A special thanks to the TLBAA members listed below for donating heifers to the TLBT Gold Merit competition.

1. Dana and Charlie Buenger – Wasp Creek Ranch

2. David and Kathy Adams – Shoot ‘N Star Ranch

3. Donnie and Marilyn Taylor – 4 T Longhorns

4. The Heart of Texas Longhorn Association

5. John and Brenda Oliver – Oliver Longhorns

6. Ricky and Mary Dawn Tekell – Rising Creek Ranch

7. Wilton and Carolyn Wilton – Astera Meadows Ranch

8. Frank and Sue Bowdoin – Crown B Ranch

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North Texas Longhorn Association Sponsoring 2008 TLBAA World Show at Sheriff Level!

Thanks to TLBAA Affiliate, the North Texas Longhorn Association, for supporting the 2008 World Show by pledging $500 and becoming a Sheriff. Without the strong support of the TLBAA affiliates and their members, the upcoming World Show would not be possible. Kudos to the NTLA, for being a 2008 TLBAA World Show Sheriff!

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Cavender’s Sponsoring Exhibitor Numbers at 2008 TLBAA World Show, Sponsorships Available

A special thanks to Cavender’s for supporting our 2008 TLBAA World Show and TLBT Expo by sponsoring the exhibitor numbers this year. TLBAA Special Events Manager Allison Chipman and Sales Assistant Kim Barfield are currently accepting and seeking TLBAA World Show sponsorships. If you would like to support the 2008 TLBAA World Show, please contact Allison Chipman or Kim Barfield at (817) 625-6241.

This event is one of the longest running events in TLBAA history; it is also a self-funded event, which means sponsorships are needed. All sponsors are welcome! Below are the different sponsorship packages.

Sponsorship Packages Available:

CATTLE BARON $5,000:

Full-page advertisement in the World Exposition Program, tickets to all evening events, commemorative belt buckle, room for three hanging banners, and special recognition at evening events, the TLBT Expo and World Show.

RANGE BOSS $1,000:

Full-page advertisement in the World Exposition Program, four tickets to Thursday and Friday evening events, commemorative belt buckle, one hanging banner, and special recognition at evening events, the TLBT Expo and World Show

BRAND INSPECTOR $750:

1/2 page advertisement in the World Exposition Program, four tickets to Thursday and Friday evening events, commemorative belt buckle, one hanging banner, and special recognition at evening events, the TLBT Expo and World Show.

TOP HAND $500:

1/3 page advertisement in the World Exposition Program, two tickets to Thursday and Friday evening events, commemorative belt buckle, one hanging banner, and special recognition at evening events, the TLBT Expo and World Show.

BRONC BUSTER $250:

1/4 page advertisement in the World Exposition Program, two tickets to Thursday and Friday evening events, recognition at the TLBT Expo and World Show.

DUDE $100:

Business card advertisement in the World Exposition Program, recognition at the TLBT Expo and World Show.

Affiliate Sponsorships:

THE SHERIFF $500:

1/3 page advertisement in the World Exposition Program, hanging banner

THE POSSE $250:

1/4 page advertisement in the World Exposition Program, hanging banner

Sponsor Selected Events:

(May make partial donations(s) toward selected events)

COFFEE/REFRESHMENTS $100

JUDGING CONTEST $350

ANNUAL BARN PARTY $2,500

YOUTH BANQUET AWARDS $10,000

YOUTH BANQUET MEAL $5,000

BAND FOR YOUTH BANQUET $3,000

WORLD SHOW DINNER $3,500

If you would like to sponsor or make a donation toward funding the TLBAA World Show download a sponsorship form or contact Special Events Manager Allison Chipman or Sale Assistant Kim Barfield or (817) 625-6241.

TLBAA Members Looking to Combine Rides for 2008 World Show

With fuel prices scraping the skies, TLBAA Director Scott Simmons, Medora, IL, suggests that TLBAA members planning on coming to the 2008 TLBAA World Show carpool to save money on fuel costs. Call your neighbors and your friends! Don’t miss out on the 2008 TLBAA World Show. Car pool and save the long hauls!

2008 Cowtown Classic Sale Catalog Correction

Lots 92 and 140 were printed with the incorrect photos in the published catalog for the upcoming 2008 Cowtown Classic. Lot 92 should have the photo for Lot 140 and vice-versa.

CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE FOR A DOWNLOADABLE PDF OF THE CORRECTION.

 

TLBAA Announces Registration Amnesty Program

The TLBAA Board of Directors is offering an amnesty period to encourage breeders and owners to register their unregistered Texas Longhorn cattle. The amnesty program will be in effect between July 1 and August 14, 2008.

The amnesty fees for all registrations can be found below:

Registrations:	Normal Fee:	Amnesty Fee:
BULLS:
1-8 Months of Age	$15 each	$15 each
9-16 Months of Age	$20 each	$15 each
17-24 Months of Age	$30 each	$25 each
25-36 Months of Age	$50 each	$25 each
37 Months and Older	$100 each	$25 each
COWS:
1-8 Months of Age	$15 each	$15 each
9-16 Months of Age	$20 each	$15 each
17-24 Months of Age	$30 each	$25 each
25-36 Months of Age	$50 each	$25 each
37 Months and Older	$100 each	$25 each
STEERS:
Any Age	$15 each	$15 each
Steer a Bull	$15 each	$15 each

Registration forms can be obtained by calling Deandra Berger or Melanie Thompson at the TLBAA office at (817) 625-6241 or by visiting the TLBAA Web site at www.tlbaa.org.

Weekly Hay Report from the Texas Department of Agriculture

Compared to last week: Prices on old crop holding steady, with demand and movement moderate. The market on new crops in most areas is still not established, as producers are firmly holding supply. Both buyers and sellers are waiting for others to make the first move to find out where the market will be. However, out in Western Texas and Southeastern New Mexico, new crop prices for dairy quality alfalfa are higher, with demand high and it is selling fast due to the lack of volume on first cutting. Comments have been made about hay crops looking good this year in most areas. There continue to be scattered showers in some areas, with most areas still in severe drought and windy conditions. Soil moisture has been rated as mostly short, and pasture and rangeland conditions mostly poor. In some areas, some dry land wheat pastures are maturing early and are beginning to head out at a shorter height, which has some producers considering silage production or hay instead of grain. Some supplemental feeding continues.

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, click here.

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E-Trails Note: Get your Association News front and center in the Trails! Email the information to Brenda@tlbaa.org.

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