Available for viewing in English/ Spanish
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.
​
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 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 Legend Award Recipients
Legend articles compliments of Beefmaster Cowman
(Click on Picture to Open Article)
2021
Lieke
2023
Tony Psencik
2020
Kasper
2019
Siddons
2022
Kito Saenz
2018
Larkin Jr.
2017
Chapman
2016
Carrillo
2015
Long
2014
Walker
2013
Welkener
2012
Martinez
2011
Wittenburg
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 & RESULTS
Upcoming Sales . . .
March 18, 2023 - LOBBA Spring Graded Sale featuring 26 heifers from the development program.
Live Oak County Fairgrounds @ 1pm
​
Join us in person or bid online at DVAuctions.
Future Sales . . .
( Click on cover to open )
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
2023 First Place Bred Heifer
Arrowhead Ranch
MARCH 2022 SALE HIGHLIGHTS
2022 Grand Champion Female - Exposed Pair
Bob & Bonnie Siddons - Arrowhead Ranch
2022 Reserve Champion - Open Heifer
& 1st Place of the Heifer Marketing Program
Dave Moore - Diamond M Ranch
2022 1st Place Open Heifer
Erie Chapa
2022 Grand Champion Bull
& 1st Place Bred Heifer
Chris Cooley - Golden Meadows Ranch
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
Environmental Award - Tim & Debbie Chapman
Performance Breeder of the Year - Golden Meadows
Past LOBBA Yearly Awards
2021 Member of the Year - Elton Lieke
2021 New Member of the Year - Jennifer Halepeska Hahn
2021 Breeder of the Year - Santa Ana Ranch
2021 Director Emeritus - Billy Welkner
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.
​
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
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
2023 Top Graded Bull - CF 491/1 - Collier Farms
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
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
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 AND HELPFUL FORMS
(Click on Images to Open Forms )
Membership Form
Breeding Soundness Exam
Ultra Sound Barn Sheet
Useful Info....
Body Condition
Foot Scoring Guidelines
Body Frame Structure
Utter Structure
Leg Structure
Hoof Structure
INDUSTRY LINKS
