The Limousin breed ranks as one the the third largest breeds in the United States and is found in 70 countries. The crossbreeding of Limousin and Angus, aka Lim-Flex, has proven to be a valuable breeding resource both at home and work for George Hubbard of Miami, Okla. For the past 16 years it has been a hobby and employment for the Southern Division Magness Land and Cattle manager. The business is owned by Gary Magness and headquartered in Platteville, Colo., with a companion operation in Miami. “This is a 24/7 operation. It is great that I live nearby because there is always something to do every day of the week. Even a day off is a work day since the cattle still have to be fed,” said George.
George also manages a small operation at home, which also includes sheep. Three of his children Grant, Shelby and Carter contribute their time as part of their 4-H and FFA programs. Grant serves as the Secretary/Treasurer for the Junior Association of the Oklahoma Limousin Breeders Association and acts as an ambassador for the Limousin breed. George and his wife, Suzanne, serve as Junior Advisors for the Junior Association. The advisory position oversees the younger participants by educating and advising them while they make their own decisions.
Further west of Oklahoma are more of the ranch’s Limousin. In Platteville, Colo. around 800-900 cows spend their time there. Some will calve in the spring while the others in Oklahoma calve in the fall. “It helps splitting the calving up between the two locations, otherwise we would be calving all the time. We base the calving off of the better calving environments.” They synchronize the reproduction from the first of September to the 15th of November in two different groups. Once they are synchronized then they will AI or ET (Embryo Transfer) them and later turn the bulls out. They use both their own bull semen and outside genetics that are unique. They will wean about 200 calves this spring.
They do their own haying in Colorado but in Miami, they custom hire. “It is cheaper once you figure out how many hours it takes for us to do it versus what it cost to hire someone with their own equipment and crew.” It takes about two to three of the 520 grazing acres per cow, which mostly consists of Bermuda grass. Supplemental grains are used for the cow/calves and hay is used in the winter.
The supplement is a custom-mix of corn and protein. The cattle are not finished but rather their 18-month-old and yearling bulls are sold during their Annual Bull Sale. Their cow sale is in October during their Annual Production Sale. Their female heifers are used for their junior program to show in various events. Grant won the Reserve Champion heifer at the 2013 Tulsa State Fair and is in his first year of FFA.
Once Magness Land and Cattle recognized the commercial need, they believed commercial producers needed more information on the breed such as feeding, carcass history, management in health and nutrition, marketing options and breeding history. “The Lim-Flex breed adds muscle, calving ease and adds pounds. The best of both breeds is what we get,” said George.
