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Live Oak Beefmaster Breeders Association (LOBBA) welcomes you to our website and hope you will visit often.  The LOBBA is one of the oldest satellite association within the Beefmaster Breeders United and started by some pioneer breeders in Live Oak County, Texas, who realized this breed was a perfect fit for the brush and cactus of south Texas. Today our membership includes breeders from across South Texas and beyond. You will find some of the proven and popular genetics lines of cattle in the herds of our members. Bulls produced and marketed by our members are recognized across the breed and industry as some of the best and the Live Oak Bull Sale held annually in January sets the standard for the breed.

Again, we're glad to have you here at our website and we hope y'all will think of Live Oak Beefmasters when you think of Beefmaster Cattle.

Important Dates & Events . . . 

8/1/23 (tentative) --- Grade Spring Heifers for the September LOBBA Sale

 

8/2/23 – 8/4/23 (tentative) ---Consignors to select and designate their heifers for

the Fall Sale

 

9/23/23 --- LOBBA Perfect Pair Sale (4th Saturday in September) also featuring the Select Group of Elite Heifers from the development program.

 

October 2023 --- Board meeting (date to be scheduled)

 

Late October/Early November --- Final grading of 2023/2024 bulls.  (date to be

Scheduled).  Establish sale order, trim, video, and test bulls.

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Late October/Early November --- Deliver Fall born heifers to Landair for the March 2024 Sale.

 

Early November --- Scan day for heifers and bulls (bulls that will be too old for the planned January Scan day).

 

1/2/24 --- Bulls start arriving at Landair

 

1/13/24 --- General Membership Meeting

 

1/13/24 --- LOBBA Bull Sale (2nd Saturday in January)

 

Late January 2024 --- Scan day for fall bulls (to be scheduled)

THE STORY OF BEEFMASTERS

THE BEEFMASTER STORY

HISTORY OF THE BREED

Tom Lasater, founder of the BEEFMASTER breed, was one of those rare individuals who knew from childhood what profession he was going to pursue. He was fond of saying that ranching is his avocation as well as his vocation. Tom Lasater's philosophies of cattle raising encompasses all aspects of the business from range ecology to merchandising. Perhaps his philosophy can be labeled "creative radicalism." A good manager must be in love with results. A sound breeding program, oriented toward results, should be based on the Five Commandments of Livestock Breeding.

 

  • First Commandment is to select only for the SIX ESSENTIALS; Disposition, Fertility, Weight, Conformation, Milk Production and Hardiness.

  • Second Commandment is to strive for reproductive efficiency.

  • Third Commandment is to performance test in a constant environment.

  • Fourth Commandment is to employ direct selection, which means selecting for the specific traits sought and not for a combination the breeder hopes will produce the desired results.

  • Fifth Commandment is to utilize the adaptive powers of nature. Tom Lasater's policy was to ask the impossible of nature.

THE SIX ESSENTIALS

DISPOSITION:

Selecting for disposition is simple. At Weaning time, any difference in individuals is readily apparent in cattle raised under identical conditions. The bulk of animals with poor dispositions can be spotted at that time and culled. Thereafter, disposition is judged continually with any noticeably excitable or high-strung animals being periodically eliminated from the herd.

FERTILITY:

​The importance of fertility in the cattle business is obvious, and yet today's ranchmen have failed to produce cattle that are fertile. Selection for reproductive efficiency consists of a short breeding season; males and females bred at 12 1/2 months to 14 1/2 months and a calf from every cow every year - regardless. Reproductive efficiency also involves accomplishing the foregoing while keeping 80 - 90% of each heifer crop in order to intensify culling of the cow herd.

WEIGHT:

The vast majority of cattle are marketed on a weighed basis. The importance of weight is universally recognized. In selecting bulls for weight two factors are involved: (1) weaning weight and (2) post-weaning gain. The weaning weight reflects the milking ability of the mother; the post-weaning gain indicates the individual's own capability.

CONFORMATION:

In selecting for conformation, what is really under consideration is carcass conformation. As Tom Lasater said, "the ideal conformation is exemplified by that animal whose carcass will yield the most pounds of tender, lean beef per pound of live weight." Fortunately, selection for this characteristic is not difficult because, given the chance, nature correlates many of the desirable traits in beef cattle such as body length, weaning weight, fertility, feedlot performance and cutability.

HARDINESS:

"Hardiness is exemplified by those individuals which carry on their relentless production assignment year after year with minimum assistance,". Every environment tests cattle in some fashion whether it is the cold, heat, drought, too much rain, parasites, rough terrain, predators, low quality feed or any other of the many problems that affect the rancher. Cattle should be raised in the environment in which they are to be used. Given that prerequisite, they should be able to adapt to the particular disadvantages of their geographic location. If they do not, obviously they will be unable to breed at 13 months or to wean a heavy, long-age calf nine months old or older every year.

MILK PRODUCTION:

Selection for milk production is a simple matter of evaluating the cow's milking abilities as reflected in her calf's weaning weight. In the case of bulls, herd sires are selected from bulls with top weaning weights thereby perpetuating the blood from heavy-milking females. Heifers are culled on weight at weaning; cows weaning light-weight calves are also eliminated.

LOBBA: LEGENDS

LOBBA Legend Award Recipients

Legend articles compliments of Beefmaster Cowman

(Click on Picture to Open Article)

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   2021
   Lieke
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    2023 
Tony Psencik
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   2020
   Kasper
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   2019
 Siddons
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    2022 
Kito Saenz
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   2018
  Larkin Jr.
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    2017
Chapman
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  2016
Carrillo
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2015
Long
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 2014
Walker
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    2013
Welkener
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    2012
Martinez
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      2011
Wittenburg
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2010
Carr

Legend Award Recipients . . .

2022 Legend Award - Tony & Karen Psencik

2023 - Tony and Karen Psencik

2022 - Kito Saenz

2021 - Elton Lieke

2020 - Donnie Kasper

2019 - Bob and Bonnie Siddons

2018 - E C Larkin

2017 - Chapman

2016 – Carrillo Family

2015 – Fred and Judy Long

2014 – Ray Walker

2013 – Dr. Billy Welkener

2012 – J.M. "Joe" Martinez

2011 – Hans Wittenburg

2010 – Bill Carr

2009 – John Newburn

2008 – Melvin Scherer Jr.

2007 – Ed Wicker

2006 – Seymour Wormser

 

2005 – Anthony Mihalski

2004 – Don Kasper

2003 – Don Moore

2002 – Pat Shannon

2001 – Humberto Garza

2000 – Jack Dunn

1999 – Ascencion “Chon” Martinez

1998 – Joe Hendricks

1997 – Leo Joeris

1996 – Joe Yarbro

1995 – Enrique G. Garcia

1994  - Jim Ed Rhodes

1993 – J.B. Kolb

1992 – Walker White

SALES & EVENTS

SALES & RESULTS

Upcoming Sales . . . 

March 18, 2023 - LOBBA Spring Graded Sale featuring 26 heifers from the development program.

 

Live Oak County Fairgrounds @ 1pm

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Join us in person or bid online at DVAuctions.

Future Sales . . . 
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 9/29/2023  -  LOBBA Perfect Pair with Heifer from Development Program 

MARCH 2023 SALE HIGHLIGHTS

2023 Champion Heifer from HDP &

Overall Grand Champion Female

Golden Meadows Ranch

2023 First Place Open Heifer

Gilbert Ramey

2023 Grand Champion Bull &

Reserve Champion Female

Diamond M Ranch

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2023 First Place Bred Heifer

Arrowhead Ranch

MARCH 2022 SALE HIGHLIGHTS
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2022 Grand Champion Female - Exposed Pair

Bob & Bonnie Siddons - Arrowhead Ranch

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2022 Reserve Champion - Open Heifer

& 1st Place of the Heifer Marketing Program

Dave Moore - Diamond M Ranch

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2022 1st Place Open Heifer

Erie Chapa

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2022 Grand Champion Bull

& 1st Place Bred Heifer

Chris Cooley - Golden Meadows Ranch

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2022 1st Place Bred Cow

Gary Halepeska - Halepeska Beefmasters

2022-23 LIVE OAK YEARLY AWARDS....

Legend Award -  Tony & Karen Psencik

Breeder of the Year -          Flying B Ranches

New Member of the Year - Pro Ventures

Member of the Year -           Melvin & Marilyn Scherer

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Environmental Award -               Tim & Debbie Chapman

Performance Breeder of the Year - Golden Meadows

Past LOBBA Yearly Awards
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2021 Member of the Year -  Elton Lieke

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2021 New Member of the Year -   Jennifer Halepeska Hahn

2021 Breeder of the Year -   Santa Ana Ranch

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2021 Director Emeritus -  Billy Welkner

HIGH GRADED BULLS

Bred Heifer Development Program for Spring Sale

​

Live Oak Beefmaster Breeders Association is introducing a new program for Development of Bred Heifers at Landair in Beeville, Tx.  The primary focus of this program is to develop, and condition bred heifers for the Live Oak Spring Sale held the 3rd Saturday in March.  The purpose of this new program is to provide a service for our membership to prepare the bred heifers for that Sale.  This is not a mandatory program and participation is not required in order to consign a bred heifer to the sale.  This is purely a service offered to our members.

 

The heifers are to be bred by owner at owner’s discretion.  The heifers can then be delivered to Landair for final development for the March Sale.  It is suggested that the heifers only be at Landair for approximately two to three months prior to the sale, totally at owner’s discretion.    The health protocol should include all calf hood vaccinations, bangs, and worming prior to delivery to Landair.  It is extremely important that the heifer have a modified live before delivery to Landair and before the heifer is bred.  Modified live vaccinations generally must not be given to the heifer while she is bred.  It could cause the calf to be aborted.

 

The program is being introduced at this time so that consignors can plan accordingly. Some of the heifers could be bred in the coming months.  Proper planning must include a good health protocol including the modified live vaccination, before the heifer is bred.  If a consignor does not wish to use the new program, these requirements are not required.  They are only required if the development program at Landair is planned to be used.

 

Remember:  Bred heifers that are planned to be consigned to the Spring Sale are not required to go through this program at Landair.  The Landair program is a service to the members to develop the bred heifer for the sale if the consignor wishes to do so.

 

Note:  The program bred heifers will be delivered to the Live Oak Sales Facility and mixed with all other bred heifers consigned to the sale.  They will not be treated separately and will not be given any priority in the sale.  Their sale position will be based on the judges scoring and sold in order as placed.

 

Note:  Bred heifers committed to this program are intended to be consigned to the LOBBA Spring Sale.  The program is not intended to be used for other purposes.  Reasons to eliminate a heifer from the program and sale should include only injury, defect, or other negative condition.

 

A handling fee of $25 per head will be assessed by LOBBA.  This fee will include clipping the heifers in preparation for the sale.

 

If you have any questions, please let me know.

 

Gary D. Halepeska

President LOBBA

361-649-5043

LOBBA 2023/ 2024 Bull Development and Marketing Program.

Below you will find the documents describing the LOBBA 2023/ 24 Bull Development and Marketing Program.

​

The documents include Mission Statement, Program Description, Program Requirements,

Important Dates, Required Delivery Information Form, Letter from Landair, and Landair's

recommended vaccination and weaning protocol.

​

All members and participants are encouraged to read the documents carefully.

​

All participants are encouraged to fill out all the information on the Required Delivery Forms when

the bulls are delivered to Landair.

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Vaccination protocols should be completed or in progress for the bulls that will be delivered to Landair.

​

If there are any question please call:

Gary Halepeska - 361-649-5043

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Feed Agreement

Vac/ processing for Weaning Calves

Bull Development& Marketing Program

Bull Delivery Information Form (Required)

Heifer Development& Marketing Program

Heifer Delivery Information Form (Required)

HIGH GRADED BULLS

Even though the Live Oak Association has been hosting the bull sale since its beginning 32 years ago, the graded bull sale began in 1995.   The following is a list of previous High Grading Bull winners.

2023 Top Ten High Grading Bulls

1. Lot 1 - Collier Farms - Brenham, Tx

2. Lot 2 - Bowman Farms, Itasca, Tx

3. Lot 3 - Diamond M, George West, Tx

4. Lot 4 - Nickles Beefmasters, La Vernia, Tx

5. Lot 5 - Flying B Ranches, La Pryor, Tx

6. Lot 6 - Collier Farms - Brenham, Tx

7. Lot 7 - WW Beefmasters, Edinburg, Tx

8. Lot 8 - V Seven, Fannin, Tx

9. Lot 9 - Swinging B Ranch, Axtell, Tx

10. Lot 10 - Gwosdz Beefmasters, Orange Grove, Tx

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2023 Top Graded Bull - CF 491/1 - Collier Farms

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Top Grading Bulls from Years Past . . .

2023 - Collier Farms, Brenham, Texas

2022 - 7C Anderson Cattle Company, Victoria, Texas

2021 - 7C Anderson Cattle Company, Victoria, Texas

2020 - Lyssy and Sons, San Antonio, Texas

2019 - Flying B, La Pryor, Texas

2018 - Karen Hall - Hall and Tate Corners, Tennessee

2017 - Timber Ridge, Livingston, Texas

2016 – Sheldon McManus, Lake Charles, Louisiana

2015 – Ted Cain, Gulfport, Mississippi

2014 – Dr. Norberto & Sara Cantu, Rio Grande, Texas

2013 – Cottage Farm Beefmaster, Jackson, Tennessee

2012 – Toby Lester, Bentonville, Arkansas

2011 – L2 Ranch, Fred & Judy Long, Beeville, Texas

2010 – Lazy Susan Ranch, Savannah, Tennessee

2009 – Harold Hoge, Joshua, Texas

2008 – Collier Farms, Brenham, Texas

2007 – David Joeris, Moore, Texas

2006 – Bobby Melloan, Horse Cave, Kentucky

2005 – Bill & Dusty Carr, Laredo, Texas

2004 – Ted Cain, Wiggins, Mississippi

2003 – Trent Cromer, Axton, Virginia

2002 – Royce and Rose Witte, Giddings, Texas

2001 – Jim and Anita Dunkin, Paige, Texas

2000 – Jerry Vordenbaum, Seguin, Texas

1999 – C.W. Tuma, Premont Texas

1998 – Charles Ragus, Shreveport, Louisiana

1997 – Lyssy & Sons, San Antonio, Texas

1996 – Weldon & Helen Goebel, Cuero, Texas

1995 – Leroy Foerster, Orange Grove, Texas

Grand Champion Bull for the 2022 LOBBA Sale

consigned by Collier Farms.

HEIFER MARKETING PROGRAM

Live Oak BBA has been Developing Bulls at LandAir for the January Sale the Past Few Years. 

In the Fall of 2021 LOBBA started a Heifer Marketing Program which Sold in March 2022. The Mission of this Program is to Grow and Condition Young Heifers on a Silage Based Ration, Obtaining Scan and Performance Data needed by the Current Market and Preparing them to Meet the Needs of Purebred Breeders.

2023 Top Ten Heifers from  Development Program

Lot 1 - Chris Cooley - Golden Meadows Ranch

Lot 2 - Dave Moore - Diamond M Ranch

Lot 3 - Leon Anderson

Lot 4 - Kolton Plant

Lot 5 - Donald Kasper

Lot 6 - Gary Halepeska - Halepeska Cattle Company

Lot 7 - Jim Colvin 

Lot 8 - Dave Moore - Diamond M Ranch 

Lot 9 - Jim Colvin

Lot 10 - Dave Moore - Diamond M Ranch 

2023 Top Heifer from the Heifer Development Program

LOT  2

LOT  5

LOT  8

LOT  3

LOT  6

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LOT  9

LOT  4

LOT  7

LOT  10

Bull Delivery Information Form (Required)

Bull Delivery Information Form (Required)

Heifer Development& Marketing Program

Heifer Development& Marketing Program

Heifer Delivery Information Form (Required)

Heifer Delivery Information Form (Required)

2022 Top Heifers

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THE BOARD

LIVE OAK BBA BOARD MEMBERS

 President

   Gary Halepeska

 Goliad, Texas

    Vice President

      Dave Moore

George West, Texas

Secretary/ Treasurer

       Don Kasper

Three Rivers, Texas

       Ex - Officio

    Melvin Scherer

      Fannin, Texas

DIRECTOR EMERITUS

Billy Welkener

BOARD MEMBERS

Chris Cooley

Kris Fore

Ruben Gutierrez

Tyler Gwosdz

Elton Lieke

Lauren Lyssy

Tony Psencik

Tim Pollock

Kito Saenz

Bill Skoruppa

Bill Wilson

Joe Wittenburg

ASSOCIATE BOARD MEMBERS

Ernie Chapa

Sarah Davis

Clay Howell

LOBBA Membership dues are $30 a year and payable to:

(Form can be found under Member and Helpful Forms Section)

Donnie Kasper, Live Oak Breeders Association, PO Box 1169 

Three Rivers, TX  78071

MEMBERSHIP

MEMBERSHIP AND HELPFUL FORMS

(Click on Images to Open Forms )

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Membership Form

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Breeding Soundness Exam

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Ultra Sound Barn Sheet

Useful Info.... 

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Body Condition

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Foot Scoring Guidelines

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Body Frame Structure

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Utter Structure

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Leg Structure

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Hoof Structure

INDUSTRY LINKS

INDUSTRY LINKS

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