VOLUME 7, ISSUE 6 BLONDE BULLETIN DECEMBER 2011

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CHARTERED TO REGISTER AND PROMOTE BLONDE D AQUITAINE CATTLE VOLUME 7, ISSUE 6 BLONDE BULLETIN DECEMBER 2011 From the President Dear fellow Blonde breeders and ABAA members.

1 CHARTERED TO REGISTER AND PROMOTE BLONDE D AQUITAINE CATTLE VOLUME 7, ISSUE 6 BLONDE BULLETIN DECEMBER 2011 From the President Dear fellow Blonde breeders and ABAA members has been a most challenging year especially if you got hit with the winter blizzard, spring flooding or the summer drought and wildfires, or a combination of all. My thought is this: we just get up, dust ourselves off, thank God for what we have and get ready to make up for lost ground next year. Until then, I hope everybody has time over the holidays to spend with family and friends. I look forward to serving as president one more year with a great set of directors and hope to see you at the annual meeting next year in Doug Diebold 918/ HERDBOOK WORK NEEDED Lots of cattle were sold this year as cattlemen found they didn t have enough pasture or water due to weather effects. Please send in the certificates on those animals no longer in your herd so they can be shown as inactive. Then, the herd book numbers will be a true reflection of numbers of active Blonde cattle in the USA. Of course, adding to the herdbook with more registrations is also a good thing to do. All the calves can be entered, either as registered or as compute only. The numbers and the performance data give the true picture of Blonde cattle today. US mail and registrations are both acceptable MEMBERSHIP FEES DUE NOW Membership fees for 2012 are due now at the ABAA office. Statements were mailed the first of December. These are the categories of membership and the corresponding costs to renew for 2012: Active membership $50 Associate membership $50 Commercial membership $25. Some members have already renewed and their early payment is really appreciated. If your contact information has changed this past year, please submit the changes with your renewal check.

2011 ANNUAL MEETING A LA EAST TEXAS The 2011 annual membership meeting of the ABAA was held on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at Greenhill Farm outside Grand Saline.

Members arrived from Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin and Alberta, Canada. Those members who made the long drive to Texas were surely appreciated.

On Friday evening the members met for dinner in Grand Saline and catching up on the news from this past year. The weather was a common topic for all.

President Doug Diebold chaired the meeting which featured office reports about membership, registrations and transfers.

Three directors were elected for three-year terms: Cliff Easley of Mississippi, Pierre Livaudais of Louisiana and Jay Opoien of North Dakota.

The required 2/3 majority of votes was not met, and the proposal for the amendment did not pass.

2 2011 ANNUAL MEETING A LA EAST TEXAS The 2011 annual membership meeting of the ABAA was held on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at Greenhill Farm outside Grand Saline. Despite the drought gripping Texas, there were still Blonde cattle to see, some tasty food to be shared and plenty of good visiting among members. Members arrived from Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin and Alberta, Canada. Those members who made the long drive to Texas were surely appreciated. Some ABAA members stayed on the farm with the Garretts while others lodged in Mineola, east of the farm. On Friday evening the members met for dinner in Grand Saline and catching up on the news from this past year. The weather was a common topic for all. Saturday morning the members came back to the farm for this important annual membership gathering. President Doug Diebold chaired the meeting which featured office reports about membership, registrations and transfers. ABAA treasurer Cliff Easley gave a favorable financial statement showing the ABAA continues to operate in the black under the thrifty directions of the board. Three directors were elected for three-year terms: Cliff Easley of Mississippi, Pierre Livaudais of Louisiana and Jay Opoien of North Dakota. The proposed amendment to the ABAA Rules and Bylaws about 1/29 Robertsonian translocation was thoroughly discussed. A vote was taken, including ballots submitted by mail. The required 2/3 majority of votes was not met, and the proposal for the amendment did not pass. Lunch featuring Texas-style barbecue was served at the farm with a special homemade cake decorated with the ABAA logo. While lunch settled, members were tested on their knowledge of member states and cattle management. Everyone put on their thinking caps and got very quiet for a while. The member with the most correct answers and that was most of the answers was Virginia McCoy of Stigler, OK. The group adjourned to the barn down the hill and took yet another quiz on local plants and pests as well as guessed about the weights of a Greenhill square and round bale. The winner of the plant/pest quiz was Mary Crabtree of Denison, TX. LaDonna Diebold of Fort Gibson, OK guessed the best weight for the large bale, and again Virginia McCoy won by guessing the best weight for the small bale.. Hurray for the women members of ABAA! A hayride took the members around the farm to see animals and pastures. The day finished with a fantastic steak dinner at a local restaurant in Mineola. By Sunday afternoon all had returned home to their Blondes. It was a pleasure to have so many members attend the meeting and demonstrate their support of the ABAA once again. TATTOO IN THE LEFT EAR REMEMBER USE Z FOR 2012

MEET THE ABAA DIRECTORS From the left: Jay Opoien, Rick Wester, Doug Diebold, Ed Moss, Pierre Livaudais, Clayton Bryant, Janella Garrett and Cliff Easley.

3 MEET THE ABAA DIRECTORS From the left: Jay Opoien, Rick Wester, Doug Diebold, Ed Moss, Pierre Livaudais, Clayton Bryant, Janella Garrett and Cliff Easley. Not pictured is Philip Leibold who was unable to attend. Following the annual meeting, the directors met to elect officers and to plan for the 2011 spring planning retreat. A motion was made to retain the 2010 slate of officers, and this motion carried unanimously. The officers are these: PRESIDENT Doug Diebold, OK VICE-PRESIDENT Jay Opoien, ND 918/ / doubledcattle@yahoo.com jayopoien@gmail.com SECRETARY Janella Garrett, TX TREASURER Cliff Easley, MS 903/ / janella@greenhillfarm.net easley.cooper@ms.metrocast.net Clayton Bryant AL P. C. Leibold, VT Pierre Livaudais, LA 334/ / / claybarb@andycable.com beefbypfb@yahoo.com plivaudais@bellsouth.net Ed Moss, OK Rick Wester, WI 918/ / Jamesmoss78@hotmail.com rwester@centurytel.net The directors will meet in Memphis, TN on Saturday, March 31, Call or them to share your ideas and thoughts about the ABAA. All members are welcome to attend. Look for details about the meeting on the ABAA website, REPEAT STIPEND WINNER FROM LOUISIANA Jeremiah Molden of Louisiana has repeated his success in the show ring again in He showed his Blonde heifer again this year and added a Blonde bull to his show string. Both animals did very well for him, and he received two stipends this year from the ABAA for his presentation of them throughout the show year. Jeremiah is also registering the first Blonde calf born to his heifer and plans to show the two of them as a cow/calf pair. Congratulations to this young man for a job well done for him, the breed and agriculture! Livaudais Farm Blonde d Aquitaine Cattle F. Pierre Livaudais (985) Home P.O. Box 568 (985) Office Folsom, LA (985) Fax plivaudais@bellsouth.net

THE FIVE FREEDOMS OF CATTLE http://bit.ly/ukpspb These days the animal welfare spotlight is focused on the practices of livestock producers.

4 THE FIVE FREEDOMS OF CATTLE These days the animal welfare spotlight is focused on the practices of livestock producers. No matter that a good cattleman takes care of his/her cattle like the investment that they are, the American consumer wants to know, and the animal rights organizations demand, that the meat they eat comes from happy animals. Recently Dr. Ron Gill of Texas A&M discussed the key standards of animal management as the Five Freedoms of Cattle (first described by Dr. John Webster at the University of Bristol in 1979): Freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigor Freedom from discomfort by providing a suitable environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area Freedom from pain, injury and disease by prevention, rapid diagnosis and treatment Freedom to express normal behavior by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animals own kind Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions that avoid mental suffering. The point is made by both Dr. Gill and Dr. Webster that absolute attainment of all these freedoms is impossible but, by any measure of faith or ethics, producers, managers and owners must diligently try to provide these basics to their stock as long as they are on their farm or ranch. The full article and additional comments by Dr. Gill may be found online at this site: in the April 27, 2011 online issue.

A NEW MEAT MARKET IN MAINE Heath Emery of Gray, Maine is a long time member of the ABAA. He began forming his registered Blonde herd as a junior member at age 15.

Heath shows his Blondes in New England and sells them by private treaty to many breeders in that area. He has been responsible for many new members and new breeders of Blondes.

In November, 2010 he and his family began their meat business with two freezers of beef. They report they were a little nervous for a couple of months.

The meat market is on the farm in a picturesque red barn and is open during the week in the afternoons and from Friday afternoon through the weekend to Sunday.

All the animals slaughtered have been fullblood Blondes from Heath s herd, and most have been steers.

5 A NEW MEAT MARKET IN MAINE Heath Emery of Gray, Maine is a long time member of the ABAA. He began forming his registered Blonde herd as a junior member at age 15. Now he has a nice number of registered Blondes and, up to this point, has been marketing them as seedstock animals. Heath shows his Blondes in New England and sells them by private treaty to many breeders in that area. He has been responsible for many new members and new breeders of Blondes. Now, he is marketing some of his Blondes in a different fashion: Blonde beef at his new meat market at the farmhouse on their d Ameri Acres farm in Gray, Maine. In November, 2010 he and his family began their meat business with two freezers of beef. They report they were a little nervous for a couple of months. By March, 2010 the customers were coming in regularly for their beef, and the business took off. Beef now fills five freezers, and the Emerys average moving one beef animal carcass each month. The meat market is on the farm in a picturesque red barn and is open during the week in the afternoons and from Friday afternoon through the weekend to Sunday. Customers are welcome to step out behind the barn and see the quality of the animals and how they are cared for. All the animals slaughtered have been fullblood Blondes from Heath s herd, and most have been steers. They are fed silage and haylage produced at the farm until they weigh 1000 to 1100 pounds which works out to be when the animals are about fourteen months old. A local slaughterhouse that is USDA-certified slaughters the animals, dresses the carcasses and cuts the meat as specified by the Emerys. The beef is shrink-wrapped in plastic. The meat is sold by the pound in individual cuts such as New York strip, rib roast, hamburger meat, and includes all meat parts of the carcass. The prices are above those of the local grocery store an example is tenderloin filet for $22.79 per pound. Heath reports that the money from the sale of the beef from one fullblood Blonde steer well exceeds that of selling an animal of comparable weight as seedstock. Advertising is mostly by word-of-mouth. Flyers have been placed in the barber shop, beauty shop, bank, hardware store and other local spots. No commercial advertising has been necessary. Heath reports that customers love the healthy lean quality of the meat as well as the fabulous taste and tenderness. The customers like to know where and how their beef is produced and who is producing it. Buying and eating locally produced food is a national recognized trend, and d Ameri Acres customers are from the local area around the farm. The meat market is part of a State of Maine program supporting and promoting products from Maine. All this new business is going on as well as the regular farming, snow plowing, logging, and raising good Blonde cattle. Heath and his dad produce the haylage and silage that feed all their Blondes as well as manage the pastures for warm season grazing. Heath judged livestock shows this past fall at several fairs. D Ameri Acres is a busy place! With Heath s enthusiasm and energy as well as strong family and community interest, he and his Blondes have a terrific future. For more information, contact Heath at 207/ or online athlemery@securespeed.net. He and his family are eager to share their story.also, check them out on facebook at D Ameri Acres. In case you are wondering. d Ameri is the original early French spelling of Emery.

BRYANT FARMS Blonde d Aquitaine Bulls Heifers Clayton & Barbara Bryant 204 Sanford Road Andalusia, AL 36420 334-222-9631 claybarb@andycable.

This recipe for Hunter s Stew will be welcome even when there is only a nip of cold in the air and is easily prepared at the deer lease or in the kitchen at home, but watch it a little goes a long

6 BRYANT FARMS Blonde d Aquitaine Bulls Heifers Clayton & Barbara Bryant 204 Sanford Road Andalusia, AL claybarb@andycable.com HUNTERS STEW The national weather service has advised that this winter may be warmer than normal, but that depends on where you are and what is normal there. This recipe for Hunter s Stew will be welcome even when there is only a nip of cold in the air and is easily prepared at the deer lease or in the kitchen at home, but watch it a little goes a long way to filling you up! 3 cans vegetable soup, undiluted 1 soup can water 1 pound ground Blonde beef, browned 1 medium onion, chopped and browned 1 small bottle catsup 1 1-lb package Velveeta cheese. Combine all ingredients and simmer on stovetop till hot. Serve with crackers, French bread or hot cornbread.

THE WINTER BLONDE One of the ABAA members shared this story last winter.

As a trucker stops for a red light, a blonde catches up.

The trucker lowers the window, and she says, Hi, my name is Heather and you are losing some of your load.

When the truck stops for another red light, the girl catches up again.

As if they ve never spoken, the blonde says brightly, Hi, my name is Heather, and you are losing some of your

At the third red light, the same thing happens again.

7 THE WINTER BLONDE One of the ABAA members shared this story last winter. It is good for laughing out loud, particularly when you are out in the wet, cold weather. As a trucker stops for a red light, a blonde catches up. She jumps out of her car, runs up to his truck and knocks on the door. The trucker lowers the window, and she says, Hi, my name is Heather and you are losing some of your load. The trucker ignores her and proceeds down the street. When the truck stops for another red light, the girl catches up again. She jumps out of her car, runs up and knocks on the door. Again, the trucker lowers the window. As if they ve never spoken, the blonde says brightly, Hi, my name is Heather, and you are losing some of your load! Shaking his head, the trucker ignores her again and continues down the street. At the third red light, the same thing happens again. All out of breath, the blonde gets out of her car, runs up, knocks on the truck door. The trucker rolls down the window. Again she says, Hi, my name is Heather, and you are losing some of your load. When the light turns green, the trucker revs up and races to the next light. When he stops this time, he hurriedly gets out of the truck, and runs back to the blonde. He knocks on her window and, after she lowers it, he says HI, my name is JIM, it s winter in INDIANA, and I m driving the SALT TRUCK! Greenhill Farm Bulls Semen Females Wilson and Janella Garrett 903/ janella@greenhillfarm.net Blonde d Aquitaine Cattle More Length More Muscle More Beef!!!

8 7407 VZ County Road 1507 Grand Saline, TX / Photo courtesy of Old Kentucky Blondes, Londrigan, Australia

and led Jimmy to the prison office. There Jimmy was given an important He had been sent to prison to stay for four years.

O. H e n r y p IN THE PRISON SHOE-SHOP, JIMMY VALENTINE was busily at work making shoes. A prison officer came into the shop, and led Jimmy to the prison office. There Jimmy was given an important paper.