Cattle Breeds: Focus Dams Top Limousin Breed
US - Maternal efficiency is necessary for profitability in the cow-calf business.Each year, the North American Limousin Foundation (NALF) honors the elite cows in its registry with inclusion on the Focus Dams list. Only 106 proven cows and 142 prospect females, together representing less than 1 percent of the breed’s active dams, earned mention during the fall 2009 evaluation.
Proven Focus Dams must have at least six calves reported to NALF within contemporary groups, while Prospect Focus Dams are those with three to five calves reported. Depending upon the number of progeny, females then must meet certain criteria for maximum age at last calving. Further, based on progeny weaning-weight ratios, cows must have most probable producing abilities (MPAAs) of at least 105.
With 20 daughters on the latest lists, COLE First Down 46D repeats as the leading sire of Focus Dams. Other sires with five or more daughters named were Wulfs Guardian 5074G, COLE Wulf Hunt and DJ Gentleman In Black.
The breeding programs at Coleman Limousin Ranch, Charlo, Mont.; Wulf Limousin Farms, Morris, Minn.; Symens Brothers, Amherst, S.D.; and Elmwood Limousin, Iliff, Colo., each produced 10 or more of the current Focus Dams.
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