John and Diann Chase Establish Laura Harding Perseverance Award

TLBAA Members and Sponsors of the Autobahn Motorcar Group Youth Scholarship Tour John and Diann Chase, Fort Worth, TX, have announced the establishment of the Laura Harding Perseverance Award, an award in honor of former Texas Longhorn Breeders of Tomorrow (TLBT) Member Laura Harding, College Station, TX. Mr. and Mrs. Chase have initiated this scholarship with $3,000, to be divided among one-to-three TLBT members who exhibit persevering character traits and overcome adversity.

TLBT Chairperson Bonnie Scott, Langsville, OH, said, “The scholarship being named after Laura, is a tribute to a very remarkable young lady. Laura is a model TLBT member that sets a fine example for the youth of our association. To honor Laura, Mr. and Mrs. Chase have yet again stepped forward to extend a hand to the youth of the TLBT. This scholarship will reward the hard work of a TLBT member and help make higher education a goal that can be attained.”

Perseverance is a character trait that assists people in accomplishing their dreams. The purpose of this award is to recognize TLBT members who inspire others by persevering through significant personal challenges. Guidelines for the Award are as follows:

1. Eligibility – Eligibility shall be based on the stated intent to recognize outstanding courage and determination in the face of adversity while a member of the TLBT. “Adversity” should be broadly interpreted; adversity might arise from a temporary or permanent physical, mental or emotional condition, family circumstances, or a variety of other factors. Nominees will be making satisfactory progress towards high school graduation.
2. Nominations – The call for nominations will be issued on April 15 of each year, with a submission deadline of May 15. Parents, legal guardians, teachers, principals or other TLBT or TLBAA members may nominate. Nomination Forms are available from the TLBAA office or Web site. Nominations will be submitted to Bonnie Scott, TLBT Chairman. Because some potential candidates may prefer not to be considered, nominees will be offered the opportunity to decline the nomination before selections are made.
3. Selection – A committee chaired by Bonnie Scott and approved by Mr. and Mrs. Chase will serve as the selection Committee. The Selection Committee will recommend one to three individuals for the award.
4. Award – The Award shall consist of a framed certificate signed by Mr. and Mrs. Chase and a monetary award (amount dependent on funds available). Awards will be made at the TLBT Awards Banquet during the TLBAA World Expo.

Download a nomination form here or contact Bonnie Scott at sescott@ohiohills.com for more information.

Things We Learned During our First Year of Raising Texas Longhorns

1. Eventually you will have a bull calf.  They can’t all be heifers! 

2. 4 Wheel Drive does not mean it can go through anything.

3. Not all Longhorns are created equal.

4. You can raise Longhorns and still be an Aggie.

5. There is a reason for the expression “cow-kick.”

6. In a dry year, your mouth may water over the sight of a row of freshly baled hay. 

7. Never go to a Longhorn auction without your trailer.  

8. Never look for a new baby calf near its mother.  Check the other side of the pasture first.

9. Your chance of winning a donated calf greatly increases when you have 11 children’s names in the hat.

10. You might not be able to eat the horns, but they sure do look good!

11. Hand feeding range-cubes can be a lot of fun until all 20 head want to be hand fed at the same time.  (Who needs bungee jumping for an extreme sport!)  

12. Not every calf can be halter broken. 

13. You may be “demoted” when your five-year-old daughter asks if she can put a photo of her favorite Longhorn cow in her locket instead of you!

14.  Longhorn breeders are some of the best people you will ever meet.

 15. God created a very unique and majestic animal when He created the Texas Longhorn. 

Correction For 2007 Houston Livestock Show Results

The Reserve Grand Champion in the 2007 Houston Livestock Show was incorrectly identified in the youth show results posted in E-Trails #131. The Reserve Grand Champion Female was GKF CATCH ME IF’ U CAN, exhibited and owned by Shelby Rod, El Campo, TX.To see the corrected results click here.

Texas Longhorn Breeders of New Mexico Affiliate Announces New May Show!

TLBNM 'Run to the Mountains'

Lincoln County Longhorn Show

May 19-20, 2007

Capitan, NM

Show Contacts: Wade or Kristi Wilson (505) 336-9940

At this show, animals entering for the purpose of qualifying for the World Show Expo must be entered before the World Show Deadline, May 1, 2007. if the animal doesn’t qualify for the World Show Expo at the New Mexico Show and are not eligible for entry into the World Show Expo, their entry fees will refunded. For more information please consult your TLBAA Handbook or contact Pam Dodson at the TLBAA office (817) 625-6241.

New Oklahoma Texas Longhorn Breeders Officers Announced!

From OTLANews Release

March 24th and 25th 2007, the Oklahoma Texas Longhorn Affiliate (OTLA) held its annual Stillwater Shootout show. On the night of Friday, March 23rd the OTLA hosted a home cooked meal for all exhibitors. Thank you to Bodie Quary, Mary Fowler, Margaret Pavey, Denise Henningson, Robin Coker and numerous other people for providing all the wonderful food, decorations and centerpieces for door prizes. Saturday was the haltered and non-haltered show, followed by a membership meeting and banquet.

At the general membership meeting of the OTLA, David Vizza, Tuttle, OK, was elected President, Dr. Bob Kropp, Perry, OK, was elected Vice President and Patty Vizza, Tuttle, OK, was elected Secretary-Treasurer.TLBAA Board Member and Treasurer Buck Adams, Guthrie, OK, gave the membership a quick review of the meetings he had attended at the Fort Worth Office.

At the banquet following the meeting, the OTLA gave away its quilt from the previous year and squares were auctioned off for next year’s quilt. A big “thank you” to everyone who purchased a square.

TLBT Member Ashton Dunsworth, Shawnee, OK , received the Outstanding Youth Bill Ellis Award and Buck and Sharon Adams, Guthrie, OK, received the Carrie Hill Award for all of their work and support in the OTLA and the TLBAA. Sunday concluded the show, with the youth division. Numerous awards were given in all three shows and consisted of belt buckles, fold-up chairs, engraved clocks and tote bags. All first place class winners in the youth show also received a $50 savings bond. Showmanship winners received a feed bucket filled with Orange/Black halters, brushes, and bottles, provided by the A&M Feed Mill. It takes a lot of working together to put on a show and a big thank you to all the people who donated their time and funds to make this show a success. Also we would like to thank Cliff McGee, the famous hoof trimmer, for coming to our show. It is always great to visit with him. At this time we are currently putting together a spring ranch tour. Please look at the next month's Affiliate News and e-trails, for details of the date and place. If you have not renewed or have not joined the OTLA and would like to, please contact David Vizza at (405) 381-2057 or vizzaranch@aol.com.

Heifer to be Given Away At Second Annual Marquess Production Sale in April 2007

Attendees to the upcoming Second Annual Marquess Production Sale on April 21, 2007, will have the chance to win M Arrow Surprise, a very special heifer with proven 70-plus-horn growth in her pedigree.

TLBAA Members Ron and Barabara Marquess, Ben Wheeler, TX, have set aside this heifer and have posted the following on their Sale Web site:

At the conclusion of our Production Sale we will have a drawing for the heifer pictured below. This is not just any heifer, she is, to our knowledge, the only heifer to date with this particular breeding. Her sire is JM Sue 72+" T2T and her dam is Watson 476 one of the first DH Red Ranger 73 1/2" T2T daughters.

After turning down a $10,000.00 offer for this heifer we decided to promote our Production Sale by giving her to some lucky individual. 

Here is the only terms to winning this magnificent little lady: At the conclusion of the Production Sale on April 21, 2007, all the Lot numbers will be put in the drawing. The more lots purchased the more chances to win. There are only 122 lots so the odds start at one in 122 and get smaller with the lots purchased. The purchaser of that lucky lot number will take this beautiful heifer home with them.

Call for Longhorn Pen Pals

TLBAA Member Rolla Forcum, Moore, OK, son of Tony and Debbie Anderson, Moore, OK, is currently stationed over seas and wants to keep in touch with the Longhorn World. Feel free to drop him a line of encouragement as he protects the freedoms we all enjoy at marinerf24@hotmail.com or via regular mail: PFC Forcum, R F, 2/11 BTRY E, Unit 40450, FPO-AP 96609-0405.

Special Lots for May Best at West

Struthoff Ranch, San Antonio, TX, consigned 20 lots to the upcoming May Best at West TLBAA Membership Sale. See all of the 40-plus pre-consigned lots in the April Trails. To view the Struthoff consignments, visit www.struthoff-ranch.com.

The following lots of semen will be sold at the May Best at West TLBAA Membership Sale on May 12, 2007. The money from the sale of these lots will benefit the TLBAA Foundation.

Calling All TLBT Youth, Send Pictures Now for the World Show Slideshow!

Attention TLBT youth, if you have any fun pictures of your show ring memories for the 2007 World Show Slideshow, please send them to TLBT President Lauryn Confer at 4725 State Highway 69 S, Greenville, TX, 75402.

TLBAA Board Meeting Announced

There will be a TLBAA Board of Directors Meeting held at the Stockman’s Club in the Fort Worth Stockyards in Fort Worth, TX, on Thursday, May 17, 2007, at 9:30 am. The Stockman’s Club is located in the Stockyards Station at 140 East Exchange Ave., Fort Worth, TX. For more information about the location please contact Pam Dodson at the TLBAA office.

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: Prices remain steady. Demand and trade moderate, although it has slowed down a little and the market has been quiet. Supply is tight, especially on small square bales of alfalfa. Some interest has been noted on new crop and bids have been weaker thus far. The competition on hay remains strong because of the increasing prices in corn, as well as fertilizer and fuel. Most areas have experienced some moisture in the last week, and more rain is expected this weekend. Land preparation continues in all areas. Supplemental feeding continues. In the Panhandle, North Central and Eastern areas sprigging coastal and other Bermuda grass hybrids are taking place. In the West the burn bans have been lifted for the time being because of the recent moisture received. Hay fields are being prepared for planting as well, and some have experienced problems with weevils. In the South, the moisture has caused a little flooding in some areas. They have also been experiencing some winds, which leads to concern about damage to crops from the sand. Soil moisture has been reported as very short to adequate around the state. Wheat is in fair to good condition. Pasture and rangeland conditions remain fair to 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