Dates and Events of Significance:
July 13, 1975
A most important date for Limousin Breeders because that is when forty people assembled in Richland WA to form the Northwest Limousin Breeders Association. The first officers elected were: President- Don Woodfin, Ellensburg, WA; Vice-President – Robert Steward, Keating, OR; Secretary/Treasurer, Robert Hoefs, Tacoma, WA. On the founding board of directors were Jon Jaqua, Springfield, OR, Russell Bond, Vale, OR; Lloyd Coleman, Melba, ID; Carl Eshelman, Kuna, ID; Ken Udlink, Pasco, WA; and John Buehler, Warden WA. Other breeders from Oregon that were involved in this founding event included Tommy Badley, Charles Daughtery, Ronald Baker, Fred Cockram, Edmond Daigle, Dean Morgan, Dave & Shirley Parker, Chas Stryker, Elmer Veelle, and Nina West. The first decision of this group was to establish the Pacific International Limousin Sale scheduled for October 17, 1975, and to establish a Limousin Bull Test Station. Also at this meeting the Washington State Limousin Association disbanded to join the new organization.
October 17, 1975
The Northwest Junior Limousin Association was formed on this date with the following officers/advisors: President Donna Blake, Enumclaw, WA; Vice President Carol Parker, Enterprise, OR: Secretary/Treasurer Wendy Hoefs, Tacoma, WA; Reporter Tim Publon, Harrisburg, OR; with Barbara Shaw and Jon Jaqua as advisors.
October 17, 1975
The first Pacific International Limousin Sale was held in Portland. Don Woodfin and Dean Dodson displayed their Embryo Transplant bulls at this event, over 200 people where in attendance.
1976
Charles Daugherty suggested that the organization should try to gather enough cattle for an exhibit at Oregon State Fair.
1977
The first member directory was published with a listing of 43 paid members. Shirley Parker also published and mailed out a “ Sale and Trade” flyer to the members. Carol Parker had the Champion and Reserve Champion FFA steers at the Oregon Wheat League Junior Show held at Dalles, OR. The P. I. Limousin Sale was cancelled due to lack of entries.
1978
The first Pacific International Livestock Limousin Show was held in Portland, OR October 19th, coordinated by Charles Daugherty and Nina West. Doreen Parker, from Dallas OR, had the Champion FFA steer and Grand Champion Steer at the Eastern Oregon Livestock Junior Show. Frank Stonier showed the champion steers at the Klamath County Junior Fall Fair.
Late in this year it was decided to have the members form “sections” of the Northwest Association. This would allow members to organize their own field days and sales and participate in as many fairs as possible. Sections included the Snake River ( Idaho) and Cascade Cattle Breeders (Washington).
1979
Cattle Prices were up and demand for Limousin exceeded the available supply. Northwest Limousin Breeders shared an ad with the Western Limousin Association in the Western Livestock Journal. Open shows were held in Spokane, Puyallup, Yakima, Monroe, Boise and Portland. Frank Stonier again showed the Klamath County Junior Fall Fair Champion steer.
1980
The NWLA Junior Association disbanded because of the great distances involved in having the youth get together for field days and events.
1981
A group of Oregon breeders meet in Redmond for the Oregon section of the Northwest Limousin Association with the following officers elected: President Lee Hirn; Vice President Tommy Badley; Secretary/Treasurer Shirley Veele (after a few months Lela Blood took over this job when Shirley was unable to continue); Directors Stan Stonier, Leon Kennedy, Russ Bond and Ivan Blood. Thus was born what is now known as Oregon Limousin Breeders, with the name and logo (still in use today) suggested by Liz Stonier as winner of the contest to name the new organization. This active, promotion-minded group wasted no time in planning a breed promotion program and the years immediately following proved the wisdom of this action. The first Golden Opportunity Sale was held in Hermiston, OR on November 7th.
1982-1985
This period of time saw continued development of sales in the fall of 1983, 1984, & 1985 featuring “strong, working class” Limousin cattle. The 1982 Golden Opportunity Sale was relocated to Portland, OR at the Pacific International and featured a special haltered select offering of about 25 head from the finest herds in the Northwest. It became a popular social event as well as a place to buy some of the top Limousin cattle available. Several breeders had a strong hand in managing these sales, including Lee Hirn, Walt Miner, Tom De Ward, Dave Barry and Duane Morris. This event was also a major fund-raiser for OLB through semen sales, etc. The 1985 semen sale was the brain-child of (and organized by) Kathy Knott’s K2 Limousin and raised $12,655 for OLB, more than any sale had promoted since that time.
1986
Charles Daughtery and Tommy Badley held the first of their very successful Bonaza Limousin Events. They determined that their sale would not require haltered or “show quality” cattle but would feature good, sound, useful Limousins and would fill a niche left by the discontinuation of the Hermiston sale. It was not sponsored by OLB but had the OLB sanction, and of course featured Tommy’s barbeque. When it became apparent that the newly formed Madras sale was accomplishing what their sale had intended to do, Tommy, Cindy, Charley and Wanda decided, in 1992, to cancel their event. These first Madras Sales were managed be Vicki Avery, Frank Stonier and Rhoda Bennett, with Scott and Cindy Edmondson agreeing to take over the management responsibility beginning in 1998.
Don Woodfin produced the first Quality Limousin Bull Test at the Beus Feedlot in Pasco, WA with a subsequent sale of the bulls in Hermiston. This was not an OLB test and sale but many OLB members participated, with very satisfactory results. In 1992 Don Beus sold the program to the Washington State Limousin Association.
OREGON STATE FAIR
It wasn’t long after the OLB organizational meeting that members began to discuss the possibility of a Limousin show at the Oregon State Fair. Records indicate that the Daughertys, Hirns, Badleys and Bloods were instrumental in putting on the first Limousin display – a requirement for any new breed wanting to establish classes at the fair. There were ten head in their first exhibit and the first Limousin classes for competition were established in 1983. By 1990, NALF designated the Oregon State Fair a Regional Medal of Excellence Show, elevating it to a Level III show in 1992 and then to a Level II Show in 1994. Each year this event has been a highlight of the OLB promotional program with hosted dinners and featured speakers that have included such notables as Tom Stewman, Maryneal TX; Gene Raymond, Garnett, KS and NALF representatives.
PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL LIVESTOCK SHOW
The early years of OLB member participation and sponsorship of Limousin shows and sales at this event were certainly learning experiences for the participants. Though short on show technique, the members compensated by being the most enthusiastic group there. NALF executive vice-president Bob Vantrease even got involved in the pre-sale fitting of the 1975 sale cattle held at the P.I. The first OLB sponsored show at the P.I. was in 1982 with 47 head shown. By 1989 the Pacific International Limousin show had gained Medal of Excellence status. In 1990 the P.I., moved to Hillsboro where the ninth OLB show and the tenth Golden Opportunity events were held. A $5000 purse heifer futurity sale, included as part of the regular sale, contributed to additional enthusiasm among Limousin breeders. The futurity heifers in this sale averaged $2,143. Because of funding difficulties, the Pacific International Livestock show discontinued sponsorship of premiums in 1991, but breeds were encouraged to sponsor their own shows.
OLB opted to hold a Limousin Breeders symposium with most of the NALF staff as featured speakers including Dr. Wayne Vander Wert, Kent Anderson, Wes Ishmael, Alan Sear, Don Schiefelbein, Cherry Winter and Debbie Sterkel. As Always Tommy Badley was present, to prepare his famous barbeque tri tips. With the folding of this longtime show, a very important and fun event in the life of OLB members became just a memory. Today the P.I., operates only as a Junior Livestock Show at the Crook County Fairgrounds in Prineville, Oregon
OREGON JUNIOR LIMOUSIN ASSOCIATION
The Oregon Junior Limousin Association was officially established during the 1983 Oregon State Fair although Judy Hirn had been organizing the juniors for many years before that. The first president was Steve Shatto, with Ed and Jan Starkey appointed as the first junior advisors. This original group of 13 enthusiastic members grew to a membership of 47 by 1989. They participated in junior shows at the P.I., Oregon State Fair (1985 to present), and the Western Regional held initially at Pete and Sue Parker’s Mole Richardson Ranch in Weed, California and was later moved in 1994 to Barney and Rhea Simonsen’s Rocking AC Ranch until 2001, where it is presently being held, at the Klamath County Fair ground facility, in Klamath Falls.
To support their very ambitious educational programs that include (among many) – animal health topics, judging, weight guessing, fitting and showing, marketing presentations, and animal selection, OLB provides 20% of semen sale profits to the Juniors. Over the years several breeders including Stan and Liz Stonier, Tommy and Cindy Badley, and Delbert Hoekstre have donated heifers to the juniors to be sold at an OLB sale with proceeds going into their account. The juniors also sponsor fund raising events at Limousin sales and events.
OLB Queens Jill Miller (1987), Kirsten Starkey (1988) and Mindy Miller (1989) represented Oregon Limousin at the P.I., State Fair, and the Western Regional with help from Princesses Alicia Allen and Jennifer Park. Nat Jaeger was the first Oregon junior elected to serve on the National Junior Limousin Association board. OLB has established a scholarship fund for Oregon Junior Limousin members to be used in their continuing education. Juniors who have benefited from this $200 scholarship are: Jill Miller, Kirsten Starkey, Mindy Miller, Emberly Sparks, Len Updike, Megan Sether, Phillip Genz, and possible others.
Over the years many adult members have served as junior advisors Ed & Jan Starkey, Vicki Avery, Karen Miller, Lorraine Genz, Jan Stockfleth, Regina Stockton, Bobbi Mecham, Karen Wilde, Ramona Jaeger, Nora Koenig and Chrissy Reynolds.
OLB PROMOTION
Our primary objective is to promote Limousin cattle. One of the first acts after organization was to establish a directory of members. This started as a volunteer effort with Tom De Ward, Jim Genz, and Lorraine Genz producing one at various intervals. From 1985-2001 Agri-Management Services was responsible for producing the directory. From 2002 to the present, we are using the Western Limousin Exposition Directory. Twice a year, a newsletter is produced to keep the members informed. In April 2005, it was voted on by the membership committee to produce a website that anyone can go to and access OLB membership names, advertisement of membership cattle, and further enhance our ability to promote Limousin Cattle in the Pacific Northwest.
OLB MEETINGS
Regular meetings of the board OLB are held two or three times a year, with the annual meeting for election of officers and directors being held in late fall or early winter, usually at the Oregon State Fair.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Over the years OLB members have recognized special people who, through extra dedication and commitment, have made a difference in the success of the organization. The Top Hand Award has been presented to Glenda Allen, Tom De Ward, Rhoda Bennett, Ed Starkey, Jan Starkey and Lee Stilwell. The distinguished Service Award, established in 1990, has been given to Tom De Ward, Charlie Daugherty, Walt Miner, Tommy Badley, Vicki Avery, Bobbi Mecham and Lee Stilwell and possibly others.
Bob Steward, Of Steward & Morrisey was a founding member of NALF.
Without the insight, dedication and effort of a few very special OLB members, the breed would not have made the impact on the beef industry in Oregon that it has. Thanks to Tommy & Cindy Badley, Charlie & Wanda Daugherty, Ivan & Lela Blood , Tom De Ward, Walt & Jan Miner, Stan & Liz Stonier, Dave & Shirley Parker, and Ed & Jan Starkey. Although many breeders have contributed over the years, this dedicated group was there at, or close to, the beginning of the breed in Oregon, and has continued over the years to support both OLB and the promotion of LIMOUSIN CATTLE.
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