Trail to Excellence
Cattle enthusiasts from around the country gathered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota July 12-19 for the National Junior Limousin Show and Congress. The event was billed as the Trail to Excellence and included junior exhibitors representing 23 states. AJLBA was represented by Eric Birkner of Solgohachia, Nathan Sloan and Kyle Benson of Fouke and Caleb Smith from Decatur.
Eric Birkner exhibited the Grand Champion Bred & Owned LimFlex Female, EDBL Loaded Li. Lil is a 10/27/08 daughter of DVFC Dream Maker and EXAR Lutton. The win was the first Limousin Junior National Grand Champion banner ever won by an Arkansas exhibitor in the 32 year history of the event. In additon, the national event held the first ever junior LimFlex bull show. Birkner exhibited the Reserve Champion Bred & Owned LimFlex bull, EDBL Running Rebel. Rebel is a 9/1/07 son of BOHI Rory and GPFF Blaque Rulon.
In satellite events Eric Birkne was third in intermediate photo, fourth in intermediate public speaking and was named an intermediate showmanship finalist. His finishes propelled him to a fifth place finish in the sweepstakes competition. Nathan Sloan was awarded a $750 educational grant by the Limi Boosters.
2008 Arkansas Spring Livestock Show
The Arkansas Spring Livestock Show was held in Little Rock on May 3. Mr. Brandon Callis of Lawrence, Kansas sorted 8 head of Limousin cattle. The Reserve Champion heifer was TAVES Sangria 341S, a 6/3/06 daughter of Crimson Tide 143K, exhibited by Nathan Sloan of Fouke. In the Limousin bull show, Henson Rulon Superman, a 9/2/07 son of GPFF Blaque Rulon was named Grand Champion Limousin bull. He was bred and exhibited by Hillary Henson of Gentry. The Reserve Champion bull was Henson Blaque and Spicy a 1/29/06 son of GPFF Blaque Rulon, also exhibited by Hillary Henson.
2008 Field Day
The 2008 Field Day took place on May 17th in Lonoke. The event hosted 12 head of Limousin cattle exhibited by juniors from throughout Arkansas. The Grand Champion Limousin heifer was TAVES Sangria 341S exhibited by Nathan Sloan of Fouke, Arkansas. TAVES Sangria 341S is a 6/3/06 daughter of DVFC Crimson Tide 143K. The Reserve Champion Limousin heifer was EDBL Jazz exhibited by Eric Birkner of Solgohachia, Arkansas. EDBL Jazz is a 5/2/06 daughter of WULFS Guardian 5074G. EDBL Jazz was also named Champion Bred and Owned Heifer. In the bull show, Hillary Henson of Gentry exhibited the Grand Champion bull Rulon Superman, a 9/2/07 son of GPFF Blaque Rulon. Superman was also named the Champion Bred & Owned Bull. Henson also exhibited the Reserve Champion bull Henson Blaque & Spicy, a 10/29/06 son of GPFF Blaque Rulon.
The Grand Champion LimFlex heifer, EDBL Loaded Lil, a 10/27/07 daughter of EXAR Lutton was exhibited by Eric Birkner. Birkner also exhibited the Grand Champion LimFlex Bull, EDBL Runnin Rebel. Rebel is a 9/1/07 son of GPFF Blaque Rulon. Birkner's entries were also named Champion Bred and Owned LimFlex Heifer & Bull. Showmanship winners included Nathan Sloan, Senior and Colton Swint, Junior. Colton is from Austin, Arkansas.
Thank you to Kim Swint and the Swint and Johnson families for hosting the Field Day in Lonoke. Everyone appreciates your hardwork!!
Standings for the 2008 ALBA Overall Award (Results include Spring Livestock Show and Field Day)
Hillary Henson (26), Nathan Sloan (16), Eric Birkner (14), Colton Swint (4), Lindsey Teegarden (4) and Jesse Swint (2)
Standings for the 2008 Arkansas Bred Award (Results include Spring Livestock Show, Field Day, & Jr. Nationals)
Eric Birkner (37), Hillary Henson (26), Nathan Sloan (6), Colton Swint (4), Lindsey Teegarden (4), and Jesse Swint (2).
Standings for the 2008 Rookie of the Year Award (Results include Spring Livestock Show, Field Day and Jr. Nationals
Lindsey Teagarden (4)
OFFICER'S NOTE:
Hello AJLBA members! My name is Jill Joslin and I have been a member of AJLBA for 2 years now. On February 16th you elected me as your secretary for the next year. At the same meeting you also elected Nathan Sloan as your president and Eric Birkner as your vice president. We didn't select a princess or queen because we didn't know of any good candidates yet. We are planning to vote for this at our Field Day on May 17th. We selected Kim Swint as our advisor again since she is doing a wonderful job. At the meeting we voted to change the date of our field day and jackpot show to May 17th. We will continue to sell raffle tickets until then. If you need more tickets let Nathan, Kim or me know and we will be glad to get you some more. The entry fee for the Field Day is $20 per head and the entry fees for the jackpot show is a set flat fee of $30 and a late fee of $35. If you have any questions or concerns about those let Kim know or refer to your entry forms which will be posted on the AJCA website. We also discussed prizes for the jackpot show which are: show stick for grand; show stick sleeve for reserves, buckles for supreme heifer, bull and steer. We are going to try to have a meeting at the State Spring Show in May to talk about Field Day and Nationals. SO bring shirt ideas or any ideas about decorating. YOUR DUES ARE DUE NOW!!! If many of you have forgotten. I'm very glad to be serving you this year and email me with any questions or concerns. You might not see me very often since I'm due with my first child on June 1st but I promise I'll still keep up with everything. I can't wait to see everyone! My email address is cute_muttonbuster06@yahoo.com
Jill Joslin, AJLBA Secretary/Treasurer
President, Nathan Sloan limishowman@aol.com; Vice President, Eric Birkner birknerbros@aol.com; Secretary/Treasurer, Jill Joslin cute_muttonbuster06@yahoo.com 501-940-4250