MIDWESTERN LONGHORN ASSOCIATION ON SITE PROMOTIONS--COME JOIN US!!

OVER THE YEARS THE MIDWESTERN LONGHORN ASSOCIATION HAS DONE VARIOUS ON SITE PROMOTIONS AROUND THE MIDWEST. Pictured at top is a picture from a Cattle Drive MLA did on the Fourth of July in Leon, Iowa in conjunction with their annual rodeo. The riding steer picture is at an MLA Annual Meeting and promotion in West Des Moines where MLA members also branded the wood railings at the entrance of the steakhouse with their various ranch brands. MLA members also brought along Trophy and Riding steers to show off to the public and promote our unique and always fascinating breed of Texas Longhorns. Come join us in 2008 as we plan new promotions and events celebrating MLA, our members and our wonderful Texas Longhorn cattle!!

MEET MLA MEMBER ROLAND WEST!!

Roland West is an Active member of the Midwestern Longhorn Association. Roland purchased his first calves at the Witchita Mountains Wildlife Refuge sale in September 2005. Roland has since purchased more cows at various longhorn auctions in 2007. Roland's WI Longhorns and Leather has purchased some high power herdsires to propel the breeding program. Pictured directly above is J&R Productivity sired by GR Grand Unlimited and out of the cow Possum Queen. Productivity is a full brother to the famous Bob Loomis Herdsire Peacemaker. Productivity is owned in partnership with J&R Farms, his BD is 4/27/05 and Productivity is currently available for purchase for $8,000. For more information call Roland at 816-255-5456. Pictured at the top of the page are some of the WI Longhorns and Leather herd with Herdsire Country Liquorice(top left of the picture). Liquorice is a black and white lineback bull. Liquorice is sired by the bull Phenomenon's Reflection(Phenomenon x Cats Cross Over) and out of the cow Royal Bet(Emperor x Bet On Diamonds). Roland has recently added a

new young up and coming bull Herdsire prospect GF 1/7, aka Heavy Better sired by Heavy Hitter out of the cow Bet I Can. Heavy Better is a black and white paint with brown line back.

BLACKFORD CATTLE CROSSING LONGHORN DISPERSAL--THE END OF A ERA!!

MLA Lifetime Members Robert and Sarah Blackford of Blackford's Cattle Crossing in rural Lineville, Iowa recently bid farewell to the last of their straight Butler Texas Longhorn cattle.

With Robert's Nationwide dog transport business taking up most of his time, it was decided the Longhorns needed more attention then was available with Robert on the road for 7-10 days at a

stretch up to twice per month. Robert and Sarah were Founding Lifetime members of the MLA back in 1997 and were instrumental in organizing the grassroots beginnings of the MLA. Robert is pictured above several years ago with his then straight Butler Herdsire Don Juan's Easy Money now owned by MLA members Charlie Henaman and Jay Johnson of Hartly, Iowa. The herd dispersal brings to an end a 13 year breeding program that first started with concentration on breeding brindle cattle and quickly focused on breeding the best straight Butler genetics available. At one time Robert owned both famous AI certified straight Butler Classic sons Don Juan of Christine and Dixie Rebel. Don Juan of Christine is the sire of the famous longhorn bull Coach and of the pictured herdsire Don Juan's Easy Money. Don Juan of Christine's skull can be viewed hanging prominently on the office wall of fellow MLA Lifetime member Kent Krutsinger in rural Chariton, Iowa. Memories abound about Robert's time in the MLA from road trips to sales in Houston and Minnesota to his one of a kind used police car with 5th wheel trail hitch in the trunk!! All who have had the opportunity to encounter Robert are sure to have a good "Blackford" story to share!! Thanks for the memories Robert and stay safe on the road!!