If found, please Email drew@theLoftReport.com.

QUESTION: Are you satisfied with the American Racing Pigeon’s (AU) sports promotion activities?

NOTE: To take this poll please state your answer in the comments as YES, NO, MAYBE. Only one vote per person. 

Poll results will be posted one week from today.

The intriguing hobby of racing pigeons is explained in a short film called “For the Love of Home” featuring Jim Gabler (America’s Dream Lofts), Randy Enburg (Speed Pigeons Loft) and Don Kelsey (Kelsey Family Loft)—three members of the Rock River Racing Pigeon Club in Western Illinois.

Video Link: https://vimeo.com/122777116

Jim Gabler highlights the historical importance of homing pigeons during times of peace and war, “the birds were originally used before modern communication technology purposes particular military messages….during WWI and WWII.” While homing pigeons are no longer necessary for communication, keeping and racing homing pigeons is a hobby enjoyed around the world by individuals, families and animal lovers alike. “This is a fun [hobby] for me,” says Don Kesley, “watching them come home is the greatest thing.”

Randy Enburg, a lifelong pigeon fancier, describes how a pigeon race works.  “Races are figured in yards-per-minute to make it as fair as possible,” says Enburg, “on a typical race shipping night, we go to the clubhouse, and you can’t handle your own birds, somebody [else] has to read the band number off it and then they’re put into a shipping crate and once that’s done they [pigeon shipping crates] are sealed and put on the trailer and the driver takes them out.”

Please join us for our first event, our first Auction this January 31st!! Royal Racing Pigeon Club is Proud to present our first Pigeon Auction of our Chapter! We are the newest Club in Minnesota, a part of the Twin City Concourse!

We have brought in a handful of beautiful pigeons from top fanciers from around the United States. Our LIST IS GROWING Daily!

We will be hosting the Auction at the American Legion in Saint Paul off Arcade Street!

Check out our website for more information on the growing list and sponsors!!

http://tonysaohang.wix.com/royalrpc

Looking forward to seeing you all.

We are looking to have venders present at our auction as well. All Minnesota band Races will be attending, so get your bands!

*MN TCC Gold band
*Top Flight Triple Crown 
*United Bond Band

Our auction will have vender Booths.

We will also have “Pigeon Depot” there as well to answer any questions about their new Auction Website!

Special Guest: AU Zone Director Alan Porter will be present!

WE WILL HONOR 30 DAY CREDIT FOR IN-STATE PURCHASE! Will require Valid Drivers License!!

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Only have 85 Red Bands left!!! If you’re sending birds to the 2016 IF Convention you should consider banding your entries with a $25 Red Band.

$25 per band – only 300 bands will be sold!

Harry R. Gorajewski (1923-2016) – Army Pigeon Signal Corps

Harry R. Gorajewski, a lifelong Toledoan who grew up on Indiana Avenue in the Polish neighborhood of Kuschwantz and became a pigeon handler for the Army’s Signal Pigeon Corps in Germany during World War II, died Saturday at Kingston Residence of Sylvania…….

Mr. Gorajewski raised pigeons as a child and later raised tropical fish.

Beginning in World War I and continuing into the Second World War, the Army Pigeon Service, or Signal Pigeon Corps, trained and used homing pigeons for communication and reconnaissance on the battlefield.

In January, 1943, a representative from the War Department, as it was then called, came to Toledo to accept 1,500 birds to be used by the signal corps for breeding, a newspaper report stated. At that time, Toledo had at least five clubs for pigeon fanciers, according to news articles.

To read his full obituary click here.

Heavy smog in Eastern China.

China currently has an air pollution problem so severe that smog is occasionally dense enough to be visible from space. But the frequently choking haze is providing an unexpected benefit to racing pigeons in one of China’s most polluted regions, helping the birds to navigate home faster, researchers have found.

Using publicly available data gathered from environmental and pigeon racing agencies, scientists analyzed pigeon performance in 415 races that took place on the North China Plain, where concentrations of air pollution are higher than anywhere else in the country, the scientists reported. By comparing the pigeons’ racing times to records of pollution levels on race days, the researchers hoped to learn whether air pollution might affect how well the pigeons performed during the races, the scientists said.

Racing pigeons, also known as “homing pigeons” for their ability to find their way back to a home base, are specialized birds that are bred and trained to compete in tests of navigation and speed, averaging about 37 mph (60 km/h), the researchers said.

Homing pigeons are considered so swift and reliable in their navigation that during World War II, hundreds of thousands of British homing pigeons were used by the army, the Royal Air Force and the Civil Defense Services, according to the Royal Pigeon Racing Association (RPRA). The birds would carry messages in tiny backpacks or in containers strapped to their legs, winging their way “home,” where the messages would be delivered to the recipients.

Though these high-performing homing pigeons are the same species as the feral pigeons you might see pecking at trash in city parks and streets, they’re “a world away” from their guttersnipe cousins, the RPRA said on its website. With proper care, racing pigeons can live for more than 20 years, while their urban relatives generally live only 3 to 4 years, the website said.

A valiant effort

The researchers evaluated racing data from 2013 and 2014, specifically from the fall months, the time of year when air quality in the North China Plain is typically at its worst. Since pigeons rely on scent and sight to orient themselves while flying, the scientists said in the study, it would be reasonable to expect that high levels of pollution would make pigeons fly slower and that low visibility would impede the birds’ ability to plot an accurate course.

The researchers also considered other variables that could affect how well the pigeons performed: race distance, wind direction and speed, and other weather conditions.

But the results of the scientists analysis surprised them: When the air quality was worse, pigeons flew home “significantly faster,” the scientists reported, though why exactly the birds would perform better under worse conditions was unclear.

The scientists suggested that perhaps visual cues weren’t as important to the birds’ navigation as expected, so reduced visibility wouldn’t affect their flight speed. In fact, previous studies showed that pigeons could navigate home even without familiar landmarks or when they flew while fitted with frosted lenses that clouded their vision.

But that still wouldn’t explain why pigeons would actually fly faster when pollution levels were high.

The scientists pointed out that scent cues are important to all birds, and may be especially important for homing behavior in pigeons. The researchers said they suspected that haze pollution, rich in organic and inorganic compounds, might prove useful to the birds by providing stronger signals that the pigeons use to map a homeward course.

Another possibility, the researchers proposed, was grounded in the pigeons’ sense of self-preservation. Perhaps the birds recognized the poor air quality and were simply trying to get home faster so they could get out of the polluted air as quickly as possible, the researchers said. Thick haze would also hide potential predators from the birds’ view, providing another motivation for the pigeons to hurry home.

While this study indicates that some racing birds may temporarily benefit from poor air quality, there will be no winners if China’s air pollution problem continues to escalate. In recent years, experts have expressed growing concern about record-breaking smog levels, telling Live Science that “everybody is at risk” at this level of pollution, and that exposure to highly polluted air over time could lead to serious health concerns for China’s residents in the future.

The findings were published online Jan. 5 in the journal Scientific Reports.

This article was originally published by LiveScience, written by Mindy Weisberger, Senior Writer.

The Loft Report is pleased to announce the second annual Ipigeon Gala Day in “Sin City” February 12^th – 13^th at the fabulous Flamingo Hotel, adjacent to the famous Las Vegas Strip.

This year’s Gala will be bigger than last years with seminars, vendors, one loft organizers, top class banquet and auctions chalked full of foundation quality birds from the best lofts and bloodlines in the world!

Join Crazy Al, Mike Ganus, Steve Mardis, Mark Mourton, Manny Rodriguez, Norm Glenwinkel, Sal Rodriguez, Mike Brown, Ado Zohorovic, Joe Marzola, George Rankin, Joe Nemelka, Ken Easley, Alex Bieche, Andy Skwait, Frank McLaughlin, and Raymond Rutten in making this an event to remember!

Rub elbows with some of Europe’s famous fanciers like Rik and Jan Hermans, Hans Eijerkamp, Alfons Klaas, Mark Evans, Ulrich Lemmens, Chris Hebberecht to name just a few……

It’s free to attend but you must reserve your hotel room, click here, soon to get the Ipigeon Gala room discount. Don’t miss this years Gala! 

Book Your Hotel Room Now!

G.I. Joe, winner of the Dickens Medal for his service in saving thousands of lives. 

I was reviewing some of my old pigeon memorabilia and came across this picture given to me by the late Gordon Hayes of San Pedro, California of the actual day of the famous flight of G.I. Joe and thought this must be a rare photo and the only one I’ve seen.  Gordon was an avid pigeon racer and showman also the writer of “The Pigeons that Went to War” book and a good friend.  I thought you readers would like to see the actual photo from that historical day with Gordon’s own writing on the back of the photograph. He graciously gave the photo to me with other pictures from his days in the Army Pigeon Service.

Picture of G.I. Joe on the day of his famous flight that earned him the Dickens Medal for saving the lives of the inhabitants of  Calvi Vecchia, Italy, and of the British troops of the 56th (London) Infantry Division occupying it.

Reverse of the picture above. Taken on the day G.I. Joe made his famous flight saving thousands of lives.

When looking over these photographs and remembering Gordon describing when asked what’s this ? and his response was these were multiple lofts belonging to the enemy just left by the Germans retreating and he said these are German pigeon lofts then the next picture I would see a field with little fragments of some type and he said to me the order came down to kill all the birds and there must have been five hundred dead birds scattered in the fields.  Gordon gave me written delivered messages from the front lines delivered back to the lofts.  I have German World War 11 bands from that time frame and many military photos of men and mobile lofts in all parts of Europe.  One facility must have had five thousand pigeons in this one structure, I believe in France or Italy. If you get a chance to locate his book you will be delighted to read it and also gain some history about our wonderful pigeons.

Danny Martin a long time So. California top flyer and Gordon told me he was the best at all facets of pigeons and truly a keen pigeon man.

Gordon Hayes on left and unknown soldier standing on the right.

Captain Buscall officer in charge and note his dad was one of the founding men who started the ARPU.

Camouflaged front line pigeon lofts somewhere in the combat zone.

Remember our sport of Racing Pigeons is a brotherhood and people of all walks of life are in our great sport and I have been fortunate to meet fanciers from across the world, from my beginning as a young boy to present day.  Thank you all for this great sport of pigeons.

Sincerely,

Greg McKnight
gregmcknight92804@msn.com

Editor’s Note: Greg McKnight is a great friend of the Loft Report and we’re very excited that he has agreed to allow us to post these historical pictures for the first time on the Internet. ~ Drew

Bertsham South Africa, January 25, 2016 – Kenny Rhodes of Protégé Lofts, today won 1^st place in the South African Million Dollar Pigeon Race (SAMDPR) Hot Spot Car Race number 5.

Mr. Rhodes’ pigeon, “Car Winner2,” flew the 212 mile race (341 km) in 3 hours, 14 minutes and 36 seconds at a velocity of 1916.35 ypm (29.2052 m/s) or 65 mph. 2,070 pigeons were reported in during race time and “Car Winner2” was one of 352 American pigeons to finish the race.

Click to view full race report.

Approximately 50 birds were on the 1^st drop and fellow American Mike Partridge, competing under the banner of Partridge Family Loft, clocked in 3^rd place with their bird “Set The Pace” just 2 seconds behind the winner making this an incredible photo finish race.

Click here to read full race report

The SAMDPR is considered the premier one loft race in the world attacking entries from 35 countries in 2016.

PigeonDepot.com

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Oregano

Oregano for Racing Pigeons

The Power of Nature

©By Silvio Mattacchione BA MA
silvio@silvio-co.com 

“Spices have been in my life—in my diet, in my medicine cabinet, and in my thinking—since I was a youth growing up in Punjab in northern India. And now—as Professor of the Department of Experimental Therapeutics at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center—spices are the subject of many experiments in my laboratory, where my colleagues and I are discovering the molecular and biochemical secrets behind the therapeutic power of these ancient medicines,…” ~Dr. Bharat B. Aggarwal, Healing Spices: How to Use 50 Everyday and Exotic Spices to Boost Health and Beat Disease.

Canadian Champion Silvio Mattacchione

In December of 2012 I was fortunate to read an enormously interesting article that appeared in the New York Times written by Stephanie Strom entitled “In Hopes of Healthier Chickens, Farms Turn to Oregano”.(http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/26/science/chicken-farms-try-oregano-as-antibiotic-substitute.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0  in print it appeared on December 26, 2012, on page B1 of the New York edition with the headline: In Hopes of Healthier Chickens, a Pennsylvania Company Adds Oregano to the Diet)

The journalist (Stephanie Strom) interviewed one Scott Sechler the owner of Bell & Evans which has been raising chicken for generations. Family owned and operated Bell and Evans, it turns out, is a pioneer in the world of natural foods. Without a doubt the founders of this company see the future coming like a freight train and are taking the required actions to take advantage of the opportunities that few others currently see. Scott Sechler leads the pack and his company will benefit in a huge way because of his insights. What does he see? Well he sees that all things “natural” (No antibiotics) is the future and consumers are demanding purer foods!

“It all starts with what we do and do not feed our chickens. They’re raised on an all vegetarian diet of corn, extruded and expeller pressed soy beans, vitamins and minerals… and plenty of fresh well water. No antibiotics …ever.”

Reference http://www.bellandevans.com/content/raised-without-antibiotics

“Our chickens have a great life. I’m a very passionate chicken producer. I started when I was just a teenager. This is my life and my family business.”  Scott Sechler, Owner /Bell&Evans.

Reference http://www.bellandevans.com/content/raised-without-antibiotics

 “Off and on, over the last three years or so, his chickens have been eating a specially milled diet laced with oregano oil and a touch of cinnamon. Mr. Sechler swears by the concoction as a way to fight off bacterial diseases that plague meat and poultry producers without resorting to antibiotics, which some experts say can be detrimental to the humans who eat the meat. Products at Bell & Evans, based in this town about 30 miles east of Harrisburg, have long been free of antibiotics, contributing to the company’s financial success as consumers have demanded purer foods.”

Reference http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/26/science/chicken-farms-try-oregano-as-antibiotic-substitute.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

How interesting it is to see that Bell and Evans who have been growing chickens since the 1890’s really do attach such great importance to what they feed their chickens (after all we are what we eat) and in their pursuit of “purer foods” they are diligently avoiding antibiotics in their operations. Is there not a very real lesson here that we as racing pigeon fanciers need to pay attention to? Are our racing pigeons not considerably more valuable than poultry grown for human consumption? Should we racing pigeon enthusiasts not be as dedicated to our pedigreed athletes as Bell and Evans are to their poultry? Would it not be in our best interest to seek more natural ways of enhancing the immune systems of our birds and then would these enhanced immune systems not translate into better performance that then translates into more valuable birds? Is the answer not obvious, because it certainly is to me!

Why Has the Use of Antibiotics become Such a Huge Issue Worldwide?

 
“Antibiotics destroy all of the bacteria in the body within 5 to 7 days. This reduces the capacity of the microflora to produce phytochemicals …. Once destroyed, it takes 9 to 12 months, or more, for the bacterial flora to regrow back. Without the normal bacteria, the body is now vulnerable for an extended period of time. Several gut pathogens can cause serious problems during a course of antibiotics.”

See more at: http://www.viralalternativenews.com/2015/12/why-you-should-use-essential-oils.html#sthash.k04D06Vb.dpuf

http://www.viralalternativenews.com/2015/12/why-you-should-use-essential-oils.html

“The gut flora is basically a collective term given to the group of microscopic organisms which live in your intestinal system. Also referred to as your microbiome, such bacteria and other microorganisms in your gut play few very important functions in your body, such as:

• Regulating the absorption of nutrients
• Strengthening your immune system
• Enhancing your disease fighting abilities
• Influencing the pace of brain development and memory
• Facilitating weight gain or loss”

Reference: http://www.bewellbuzz.com/body-buzz/healthy-digestive-system/

In humans we know that:

“More than 10 trillion bacteria normally inhabit the gastrointestinal tract, where they synthesize essential amino acids and vitamins, produce anti-inflammatory factors and help break down starches, sugars and proteins that people could not otherwise digest. Within and among these bacteria live bacterial viruses, or bacteriophages, which affect bacterial numbers and behavior as they either prey on bacteria or co-exist with them, shuttling genes from one bacterium to another.

This microscopic dynamic ecosystem affects our lives in ways we still do not fully understand.”

Reference http://www.nature.com/news/2010/100714/full/news.2010.353.html

Antibiotics And Beneficial Gut Bacteria

Some have argued that antibiotics could be killing off beneficial gut bacteria for good! Wow that thought certainly blows me away! In fact in a recent post by  Maryn McKenna in Science published 08-26-2011 this very issue is dealt with.She asks us to consider the work of  Martin Blaser ( who is  The Chair of the Department of Medicine,) New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York 10016, USA.  who argues that antibiotics’ impact on gut bacteria may be permanent! In fact he indicates that the early evidence from his lab and those of others as well, seems to point to a very, very serious negative outcome, that being that sometimes, our friendly flora never fully recovers. Never fully recover? Let that sink in a while and then consider the direction towards medication and regular antibiotic use in our racing pigeon sport beginning seriously in the 1970’s. The killing of beneficial bacteria by antibiotics provides a very real opportunity for “unfriendly bacteria to overload our systems” producing potentially deadly toxins and then couple that with the very real possibility according to Blaser that this impact on the gut bacteria could be permanent and you then have (or certainly I have) a very real and pressing incentive to look for 100% natural alternatives in keeping our pigeons healthy! And with these considerations in mind you can understand why the Bell and Evans New York Times article was so very interesting for me.

Now given all that I have referred to earlier can you begin to understand why my great concern with antibiotic use and overuse in our racing pigeons and given these considerations here is the line in the Bell and Evans article that really caught my attention:

“But Mr. Sechler said that nothing he had used as a substitute in the past worked as well as oregano oil.”

Reference: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/26/science/chicken-farms-try-oregano-as-antibiotic-substitute.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

So the question really is, is it desirable and even advantageous to incorporate into our management systems for our racing pigeons products that are 100% natural, safe and effective? Why would we do so? And what products might these be? Well I can think of a few reasons to incorporate natural products into our management protocols for our pigeons, always assuming that is that the products to be incorporated actually work.

Number one anything that that can enhance our pigeon’s immune systems and thus overall health would be priceless as health or should I say “super health” is our goal. Oregano it seems to me is one such natural product that requires our special consideration. Given all that I have researched to date oregano just might prove to be one of the most important changes or additions that serious pigeon fanciers could make to their current management protocols? Additionally if by use of naturally occurring plants say “oregano” we could break the cycle for various conditions like canker, coccidiosis, E.coli, salmonella and worms this not then be greatly to be desired? We could, in so doing, reduce our costs significantly given that we would no longer be treating for a host of conditions on an ongoing basis resulting in a serious decrease in a variety of medications and antibiotics that we might otherwise use. The reduction of stress( which comes about because we are no longer treating on an ongoing basis) leads to longer periods of sustained health, more successful breeding seasons, better developed youngsters, and increased performance

Positive Aspects of Oregano according to Dr. Mercola

Dr. Mercola the founder of the world’s most popular health site ( www.mercola.com), in a recent article, dated Feb. 1, 2014 viewed over 468,610 times and shared by email over 1,500 times describes so many of the positive aspects of oregano as follows:

“…we know that oregano contains vitamins A, C, E, and K, as well as fiber, folate, iron, magnesium, vitamin B6, calcium, and potassium. Additionally, oregano, which is sometimes called “wild marjoram” in Europe (and is closely related to the herb sweet marjoram2) contains potent phytochemicals that provide potential health benefits.”

Reference: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/02/01/oregano-health-benefits.aspx

Dr Mercola then goes on to advise that oregano may indeed have a number of positive health benefits including, but not limited to, the following:

 Antioxidants for Immune System Support

One active agent in oregano is rosmarinic acid, which is a strong antioxidant that may support immune system health. Oregano has one of the highest antioxidant activity ratings, with 42 times the antioxidant punch of apples. According to one study: 3

“…intake of herbs [including oregano] may…contribute significantly to the total intake of plant antioxidants, and be an even better source of dietary antioxidants than many other food groups such as fruits, berries, cereals, and vegetables.”

Antifungal, Antibacterial, and May Even Kill MRSA

Carvacol and thymol, two phytochemicals in oregano, are powerful antimicrobials. Research has shown essential oils from oregano may kill the foodborne pathogen Listeria4 and the superbug MRSA (making it a useful addition to hand soaps and disinfectants).5 According to one of the researchers involved in the MRSA study: 6

“We have done a few preliminary tests and have found that the essential oil from the oregano kills MRSA at a dilution 1 to 1,000. The tests show that the oil kills MRSA both as a liquid and as a vapor and its antimicrobial activity is not diminished by heating in boiling water.”

Reference http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf0510079

Studies have also found essential oils of oregano to be useful against certain Candida species.7

 Georgetown University Medical Center. “Oregano Oil May Protect Against Drug-Resistant Bacteria, Georgetown Researcher Finds.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 11 October 2001.

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/10/011011065609.htm .

Anti-inflammatory Properties

Oregano contains beta-caryophyllin (E-BCP), a substance that inhibits inflammation and may also be beneficial for conditions including osteoporosis and arteriosclerosis,8 as well as metabolic syndrome.9

Reference: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/266259.php

 Useful for Upper Respiratory Infections

Oregano also has potential anti-viral activity, and a spray containing aromatic essential oils from five plants, including oregano, was found to significantly relieve symptoms “immediately” in those with upper respiratory infections.10

If you come down with a cold or the flu, oregano oil can also be useful. Generally, the higher the carvacrol concentration, the more effective it is. Interestingly, oregano encourages sweat production as a mode of detox, and ingesting it may help your body to get rid of unwanted phlegm in your lungs.

Reference: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/02/01/oregano-health-benefits.aspx

Oregano is 100% Natural and according to all of the research I have looked at has many very unique potential health advantages that would certainly address a great number of the issues we are confronted with in our racing pigeon sport.

I have for some time personally used wild-crafted oregano oil drops for viruses like the flu with great results however I had not, previously, ever entertained the idea of the possible benefits of oregano oil on my racing pigeons and other livestock. That quickly changed in 2012 after reading that New York Times article. I immediately began a search to find the source of the oregano oil product used by “Bell and Evans”. It was not an easy undertaking. It took some time for me to finally track down the oregano source to a Dutch company called “Ropapharm”.It turns out that the company was incorporated in 1994 and by 1996 had released its very first oregano product and as luck would have it, it was a product specifically developed for use by racing pigeon fanciers. In time other natural products were systematically developed for cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, rabbits, pet birds including finches, parrots and a host of others and lets not forget our turkeys, dogs and horses and cattle.

Oregano Ounce for ounce is one of the most antioxidant dense foods in the world.

The ORAC value for dried Oregano is an incredible 175,295.This is huge. The ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) unit, ORAC value, or “ORAC score” is a method of measuring the antioxidant capacity of different foods and supplements. It was developed by scientists at the National Institutes of Health. While the exact relationship between the ORAC value of a food and its health benefit has not been established, it is believed that foods higher on the ORAC scale will more effectively neutralize free radicals. According to the free-radical theory of aging, this will slow the oxidative processes and free radical damage that can contribute to age-related degeneration and disease.

…According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the herb with highest antioxidant potency is oregano, which has 3 to 20 times more antioxidant activity than the other herbs studied. Ounce for ounce, oregano is one of the most antioxidant dense foods, having 42 times the antioxidant activity as apples, 12 times more than oranges, and 4 times more than blueberries.
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/024627_oregano_herb_oil.html#ixzz3mZeM4IyV

Who Is Ropapharm?

Ropapharm is an innovative Dutch firm that has been in existence for some 20 years. Founded originally by a Dutch investment banker, one Paul Mensink and a Dutch vet. In time Paul was approached by two German vets who were interested to test Paul’s natural oregano in the field of racing pigeons. Well these German vets were blown away by the resulting positive health results of the pigeons tested. In time Paul began growing his own oregano plants on a 400 acre parcel of land in Turkey. They began selling into the Chinese pigeon market in 1997 and this remained their biggest market until 2002. Their sales worldwide are now constantly growing as more and more fanciers become aware of the secret “power of nature”.

They have since that time been engaged in the development, production, and sale of animal feed supplements based on their fully natural oregano essential oil. They were the first company in the world to develop animal feed supplements, additives and flavorings with oregano-oil as the active component. Their oregano is 100% natural, (not synthetic) patented world-wide including the USA and Canada, (the Canadian patent was issued in Jan 2012, based on the anti-inflammatory mode of action.) and their range of oregano products continue to be developed by veterinarians. Theirs is a unique formula that is high in antioxidants and vitamins, that works against bacteria, fungi and parasites. Just as important for us and I would say even more important for our racing pigeons their (CFIA has recently reviewed and authorized use and sale in Canada) Ropadiar®, brand, of natural products has the ability to substantially reduce the usage of antibiotics in racing pigeon applications. It is Ropapharms’ belief (as it has certainly been also mine for a very long time) that it is of great importance for the health of both humans and animals to reduce the usage of artificial substances to an absolute minimum.

Reference: http://www.ropapharm.com/?lang=en

 Bacteria Cannot Become Resistant To Ropa-B Oregano.

 “Most importantly, oregano essential oil does not create harmful strains in the body and does not have side effects the pharmaceutical antibiotics do. Moreover, it is effective against a dangerous and even deadly bacteria, but does not produce biological changes in the body. Oregano essential oil nourishes the body and doesn’t deplete it of nutrients like conventional antibiotics do.”

Reference: http://www.viralalternativenews.com/2015/11/why-oregano-oil-is-one-of-greatest.html#sthash.rBEA6T01.dpuf

If you have ever taken the time to watch the hugely popular film “Big Fat Greek Wedding” you will remember that the patriarch of the family (Kostas “Gus” Portokalos, played by Michael Constantine) would always comment on the origins of names and words and invariably they would somehow always be Greek at their root. So if “Gus” was here he would, no doubt advise us  that the name “oregano” comes from the Greek words oros (mountain) and ganos (joy) or “joy of the mountains”.It should come as no surprise then that the distribution of oregano oil started in Ancient Greece. The Greeks were first to recognize and use oregano oil for medicinal purposes. The ancient Greeks believed it had many applications and that it was very powerful. Today we have been able to study the antiviral, antibacterial, antiseptic, antifungal, anti-pain, and inflammation attributes and can thus confirm what the ancient Greeks believed. Hippocrates (considered the father of modern medicine) used oregano to treat illnesses related to the respiratory and digestive systems.

Reference http://izquotes.com/quote/294723

Active Healing Agents in Oregano

According to www.viralalternativenews.com Oregano oil contains four main groups of chemicals which are active healing agents.

 “Phenols including carvacrol and thymol. They act as antiseptics and antioxidants. Terpenes including pinene and terpinene. They possess antiseptic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and anesthetic properties. Linalool and bonreol are two long-chain alcohols found in oregano oil. They exhibit antiviral and antiseptic properties. Esters include linalyl acetate and geranyl acetate. They exhibit antifungal properties.

 Although all these compounds possess healing properties, the most significant primary compound found in oregano oil is carvacrol. Scientific research has proved carvacrol to be one of the most effective antibiotics known to science.”

http://www.viralalternativenews.com/2015/11/why-oregano-oil-is-one-of-greatest.html#sthash.rBEA6T01.dpuf

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/10/011011065609.htm

Not All Oregano Oil is Created Equal, So Go 100% Natural Not Synthetic

Wild oregano (Origanum vulgare) is an herb that is rich in phenols. Carvacrol is the most studied component in oregano. Synthetic versions of carvacrol (one of the active components of oregano) have been used for over fifty years, for disinfecting work surfaces and instruments, because of its strong antibacterial properties. Carvacrol is characterized by a spicy bitter taste and is an important component of our oregano. Wild oregano is sometimes confused with the sweet oregano which is used in the kitchen, but this spice is of a different type of plant (Origanum majorana), has a different composition and therefore, other properties.

Another important component of Wild oregano is thymol. An isomer of Carvacrol. Which means that Thymol contains the same number and the same type of atoms as Carvacrol, but differs in the way the atoms are interconnected. As a result, Thymol and Carvacrol have similar properties. Yet there are also differences.

Besides Carvacrol and thymol, there are many other substances found in wild oregano that we know of, among others: pinene, p-cymene, cis-ocimee, myrcene, gamma terpinene, beta caryophyllene, bisabolene, linalool, borneol, terpinene-4-ol, geranyl acetate, and linalyl acetate.

Reference: http://www.ropapharm.com/?lang=en

Natural Oregano Success Is a Function of the Synergy between All of Its Natural Components

An important part of the activity of Ropadiar® can be ascribed to carvacrol. The Ropapharm essential oil consists of at least 70% of this organic compound. Numerous scientific studies have shown that carvacrol has a strong activity against a broad spectrum of micro-organisms. Against bacteria, including: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pasteurella multocida, Streptococcus faecalis, Streptococcus agalactiae, Vibrio coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Streptococcus uberis, Proteus rettgeri, Salmonella spp, Proteus vulgaris, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Corynebacterium pyogenes, Pseudomonas. aeruginosa, Cryptosporidiae spp., Streptococcus pyogenes anim.C, Erysipelothrix insidiosa, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Treponema hyodisaenteriae. Against fungi, including: Aspergillus spp, Mucor spp, and Candida spp. Against parasites, among others: Eimeria spp, and Histomonas meleagridis.

Thymol also contributes to the activity of Ropadiar®. Thymol is found to be very effective against certain micro-organisms. Since both carvacrol and thymol are found in oregano it is believed that oregano has a stronger effect, and possibly kills a broader spectrum of micro-organisms than carvacrol alone.

Wild oregano contains four times as many antioxidants as blueberries. These polyphenols mitigate oxidative stress, protect against free radicals, thereby preventing damage at the cellular level.

In animal studies carvacrol and thymol have been shown to have a blood vessel relaxing effect on the aorta tissue, laboratory tests also show a beneficial effect of oregano oil on glucose and lipid metabolism and a preventive effect of carvacrol on DNA damage in rats.

In Oregano, dozens of other components are identified, whose properties are yet to be explored. The function of many of these substances is still unknown. So there are many components in oregano that contribute to its activity, but ultimately the success of Ropadiar® is largely due to the synergy between these components. This means, the ingredients help, complement and strengthen each other. This is what the efficacy of their oregano product is based on.

Reference: http://www.ropapharm.com/?lang=en

In short, the real story of the Oregano products developed by and patented worldwide by Ropapharm for Racing and fancy pigeon enthusiasts is as follows:

• The 1^st oregano product in use worldwide successfully since 1995.
• 100% Natural not synthetic.
• Bacteria cannot become resistant to Ropa-B oregano.
• Ropa-B Oregano improves the overall health of your birds.
• Improved Health translates into improved performance.
• Ropa-B Oregano can help keep your birds free of bacteria and fungus
• Ropa-B is made exclusively from oregano oil extracted from oregano plants developed, patented and grown by Ropapharm in their own fields.
• The Ropa-B powder 10% has no side effects.
• The Ropa-B products were and are thoroughly tested by the TNO.
• Ropa-B is proven effective against the following:
• Coccidiosis
• Canker
• coli
• Salmonella
• Worms
• Young Bird Sickness
• It is a high-energy supplement .
• Ropa-B powder is an insoluble powder that is added to our birds feed.
• Ropa 10% liquid can be added to the birds water.
• Ropa Oregano products can be used during breeding, racing, moulting, and the winter off season.
• Ropa-B supports and maintains health and recovery before, during and after each race.
• The Ropa-B products Can be used in combination with other products
• GMP certified

Interestingly enough it is used by a host of really well known European fliers including Leo Heremans, Gaston Van De Wouwer, Karl Heinz Koch and others but is little known in North America but that is going to change quickly I suspect.

As I have already mentioned, three years ago I became aware of the use of oregano in the livestock industries including poultry and pork production. These forward thinkers wanted a 100% natural product that was 100% safe, certified organic, totally effective and easy to use. They found that oregano fit the bill but it was a long drawn out research effort on my part before I located the source of supply of this particular unique oregano. Unfortunately when I did locate the grower/producer the product had been submitted to the Canadian authorities for patent protection and upon receipt and issuance of the patent product and samples were supplied to CFIA for their review. So this whole process took almost 3 years before I had actual product in hand.

I waited diligently because I was very hopeful that this just might be the natural product to make a real difference to my pigeon management system. Finally in September of 2015 I received the “Ropa-B” powdered oregano and was able to have our first batch of non-GMO pellets extruded to my specifications using the ROPA-B 10% powder. Within two weeks I had my answer, the wait had been worth it, the droppings (my birds are fed 100% pellet no grains) were perfect, the birds looked exceptional, plumage silky and soft beyond belief and the birds shone with health. Their wattles white, their eyes crystal clear and their breathing effortless. I had some of my closest friends try my new feed blend containing the oregano. Gardi Gamboa, Martin Hechanova and Sha Khan were not only delighted but actually ecstatic. In early November my joint breeding partner in Florida “David Clausing” incorporated the “Ropa-B”  powdered Oregano into his own pellet blend and within two weeks he also saw the same benefits that I did and he is just getting ready to produce his second batch of feed as I write these words. Both David and I are excited about the coming 2016 breeding season. Why, well I have seen the proof with my own eyes and the oregano by “Ropa” I believe is an incredible natural product whose time has come…

Successful pigeon racing is an incremental sport where each little advance in nutrition and management can improve overall health that in turn can translate into an advantage on race day. One loft racing is here to stay it is not the future because the future is already here and oregano is now part of that future for me and others who have come to realize that antibiotics are not the answer. I have come to believe that oregano is an indispensable component of a successful protocol that can easily translate into a winning advantage if you already have quality stock. I believe that oregano use may have played an important role for Karl Heinz Koch in his 2015 South African Million dollar race win. Mr. Koch advises that he has been successfully using the Ropa oregano product for the past 15 years.

David Clausing and I have incorporated the 100% natural Ropa-B oregano powder into our custom pellets, we have incorporated the Ropa 10% liquid in the water along with   the Ropa “Flite BOOST” another natural R product that has a very positive effect on our racing pigeons respiratory systems. Flite BOOST in combination with Ropa-B, make possible the optimal digestive and respiratory health of our flocks. We have also included the Ropa pre and probiotic into our feeding programs and I am now looking to test the exclusive vitamin mineral grit as well.

As I mentioned it took me a very long time to find the source of this oregano series of pigeon products but interested fanciers worldwide can quickly access the Ropa Global website to preview and order for their personal use. For any readers who are interested the Ropa pigeon range of products they can be viewed at http://www.ropastore.com/us/pigeons  for USA based fanciers,

European readers can visit http://www.ropastore.com/global/pigeons

and Chinese fanciers can visit http://www.chinaxinge.com/company/skin/13/contact.asp?id=7716

FOOD IS INFORMATION ENERGETIC AND COMPLEX

I leave you all with the following thoughts from two of my favorite writers on health Dr. Kelly Brogan M.D. and Sayer Ji.

“… we have been programmed, for decades to believe in an automated universe – one that could be explained neatly through scientific cause and effect – and one that interfaced with our robotic bodies in predictable ways. In this model, nature is “mostly stupid” as Alan Watts would say, in that it could be easily mastered and put in its place of subservience. Germs are tedious annoyances out to get us. Diseases are mistakes. Medications and vaccines are applied to one and all. And food is caloric fuel for our body machines.

When you look at food as part of our relationship with the living world beyond our skin, you understand that it is information, energetic, and complex in ways that we don’t have mechanisms to understand.” ~ Written By: Kelly Brogan, M.D.

Reference http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/heard-glycemic-index-forget-about-it-1

FOOD COMPONENTS TALK TO ANIMAL CELLS REGULATING GENE EXPRESSION

“A groundbreaking new study published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research titled, “Interspecies communication between plant and mouse gut host cells through edible plant derived exosome-like nanoparticles,” reveals a new way that food components ‘talk’ to animal cells by regulating gene expression and conferring significant therapeutic effects. With the recent discovery that non-coding microRNA’s in food are capable of directly altering gene expression within human physiology,[1] this new study further concretizes the notion that the age old aphorism ‘you are what you eat’ is now consistent with cutting edge molecular biology.” ~Written By: Sayer Ji, Founder

FAIR USE NOTICE

This brief article contains copyrighted material the use of which may not always have been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of scientific, environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, and social justice issues, etc. I believe this constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in this article or on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to:  http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml .

If you wish to use copyrighted material from this article or this site for purposes of your own that go beyond ‘fair use,’ you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

*all photos, images or illustrations remain the exclusive property of their respective owners or copyright holders.

By Alex Bieche
acbieche2@gmail.com
www.biechelofts.com

The other day I was contacting some of my friends to see how their birds were doing. The response that I received from Jim Brown of Nebraska was indeed a remarkable story. With his permission I shall pass it on to my readers because it is truly amazing. In part, this is from the E-mail that I received back from him.

“Hello, my friend, Alex Bieche. Thank you for your time and concern to see how the birds that you sent me are doing. Of the 4 or 5 original birds sent to us, I retained two after our dissolved partnership. The hen has bred a yearling that is a good consistent racer. The real impact pigeon turned out to be the cock. I saved all the correspondence with you and this was the bird that you claimed using your Common Denominator Grading System would turn out to be a very special bird, and boy, were you right. Nearly all of his offspring will win on any given day, regardless of the hen he is coupled with.” This is when the story even gets better.

“A friend of mine came across a Verbruggen import hen that he purchased from a small donation, because the hen was not laying any longer. My friend, knowing that I had some Verbruggens from you turned around and gave her to me as a gift. When I checked the Belgian band number and compared it to the other pedigrees that I received from you, I had the surprise of my life. This hen was, in fact, the grandma to my good cock. Of the thousands and thousands of bands sold worldwide year after year, what are the chances that I would end up with the grandma of the bird from you? The story even gets better. I happen to keep a notebook that contains each of your articles.”

“I took this barren hen and followed your advice in the article on getting old birds to breed or lay again. I’m proud to tell you that your cock, coupled with his own grandma are now the proud parents of 4 youngsters. Of the 4 youngsters, 3 were very nice. The fourth was culled.”

Picture courtesy of Gommaire Verbruggen.

What a remarkable story. I hope this story was a gratifying to my readers as it was to me. Apparently, the hen was sent to America by Verbruggen after he was mated to his fighter cock, full brother of his famous “No. 020.” Although the “020” cock was the more famous of the two cocks, I also wanted a youngster from his brother. Most Americans are in love with young birds and this cock had bred his very best youngster that year. On the original pedigree of the Belgian hen she was listed as the beautiful checker brown eyed hen. Her bloodlines go back to the Schellens and Stoces pigeons that Verbruggen hand great success with in forming his own family.

Sharing a little medical experience. The first time I ever heard of the word Rickets was when I lived in Canada, at the age of fourteen years old. I have always liked Nature and birds. One summer I had retrieved a young red tail hawk that was abandoned from his nest. Several weeks later after feeding him field mice I noticed he could not stand up properly any longer. The top portion of his body seemed all right including his wings. He would scoot around in the back yard using his wings hiding in the potato patch, until I returned home from school. I asked an old pigeon flyer what he thought it might be? He said it sounded like “rickets” to him. He explained that rickets in birds is a breakdown of the cartilage, due to a shortage of calcium. I noticed a pigeon of mine about 10 years ago having the same symptoms. Being from an unproven pair, I decided to just put him down. The same symptom reappeared just last week, again. This time with a youngster not of my own. Over the last 3 weeks I have been receiving the Bay Area Classic one loft race birds from all parts of the country. I noticed that two of the these birds shortly after arriving started showing the same symptoms of rickets. These birds were not related and came from different parts of the country. One had to be put down and replaced, because he was just too far along. The other bird, showing just the early signs, I felt could be saved. This bird received hi feed covered with liquid calcium every other day.

A young poulet exhibiting signs of rickets – a calcium deficiency that is easily avoidable by feeding a proper balanced diet.
Picture courtesy of www.backyardchickens.com

Within a week you could see a great improvement. I’m glad to report that this did the trick.  And, yes, the remaining birds also received the liquid calcium on the feed once in a while as a preventative. Normally, good pigeon feed and a good grit will supply the needed calcium that our birds are in need of. Let me be the first to say that many pigeon feeds and grit that are sold in America today are not satisfactory. They sure are not getting the proper job done.

For this reason it is not uncommon to have American flyers doctor up their own feed and drastically alter the pigeon grit we buy. The moral of the story concerning rickets is to always keep your eye open in the loft, and there truly is a solution to every problem. If you don’t have the answer yourself don’t be afraid to ask someone else.

In closing this month’s article; don’t ever spend even one minute of your time gloating over your past successes, but rather spend all the time in the world studying your shortcomings. In using this phrase it is your true road to success.

February 6, 2016 – Granger, Indiana. Today, Mike Ganus, of Ganus Family Lofts (GFL), owner of one of the world’s finest collections of racing pigeons, won the 20^th South African Million Dollar Pigeon Race (SAMDPR).

Grandparents of “Laura is A Big Winner today” ~ and parents of the his dam.

The winning pigeon, “Laura Is A Big Winner today,” (GFL-267-15) a blue bar yellow eyed cock, won the race with a 15-minute lead and $150,000 US +.

The winning bird’s sire is none other than “Sun City,” (DV-02656-10-85) AND sire to the 2012 Overall 1^st Place SAMDPR winner! His dam is a daughter of “Said in Spun Silver” paired to “Untamed Desert,” both of which won 1^st and 2^nd place SAMDPR, respectively!

This year’s race saw 2,161 birds liberated on the final race, which was released from 336 miles (541 km) into fine and warm conditions, 69 degrees (21 c) and a head wind along the race course.

Fellow Flyers,

It is with much regret that I inform you that the Independent Homing Club and the Greater Akron Club has to cancel the sponsorship of the 2017 AU Convention that was to be held in Cleveland, Ohio.  When our race season was cancelled last year we were hoping to get the state vet to drop pigeons from the ban for the future.  This was not able to get included in this year’s ok to fly.  He has stated that if any Avian Flu outbreak happens in our state or surrounding states the ban will go back into effect.

I wish to thank you for your promise to help us out at this time and hopefully we can host the au convention in the near future.

You’re in the sport,

Joe Rostocil 216-906-5111

Golden Spike 2016 Young Bird Futurity

The Golden Spike Club of Northern Utah is announcing the 2016 YB bird futurity. The GS club just participated in handling the 2015 AU Convention and we are excited to start back up on our club Futurity. Below is a list of handlers, and the birds will be placed on a rotation, with 2 going to the loft of your choice and 1 on rotation. Race to be flown Mid-October. Birds will be taken from Feb 15^th-May 15th. Replacements can be sent up to June 15^th.

$150 per bird, or 3 for $400             

** Money due with the birds…No exceptions.**

$75 per bird extra for the Color Race.

(Reds, yellows, blacks, grizzles, opals, whites, everything but Blue bars and Blue Checks, blue pied, white flights.)

Golden Spike Club Handlers:

Ken Christopher- 435-230-4661 – Won 1^st in 2015 AU Convention, flown in place of Futurity

Ryan Hess- 435-230-4128- handling (won 2^nd 2009/ 2014 GS Futurity) in the money every year

Tyrell Scott- 435-230-8913 -handling (won 1^st 2011 GS Futurity)

Reggie Pugsley- 435-279-7246 -handling (won 1^st 2013 GS Futurity)

Bart Hess- 435-230-4872 – handling (won 1^st 2014 GS Futurity)

Brad Hoggan- 435-760-0885- handling (won 1^st 2012 GS Futurity)

Larry Stovall- 435-257-8061 – 1^st 300 miles 2015 Old Birds, 6^th place 2015 AU Convention North

Jennifer Beebe – 435-237-1476- Won 7^th-9^th 2015 AU Convention South

Zane Wheatley- 435-230-4735- Just returned to the sport, over 20 years experience flying birds

The results show that anyone of the handlers above can win the futurity, don’t be afraid of placing birds with any of them!

The above handlers do a limit as to how many they can handle, and once their limit is met, the birds can go to another handler of your choice. Contact Ken Christopher or Ryan Hess with questions. 100% of all entry fees will be paid out in prizes.

• 60/40 Split of prize money between Breeder and Handler
• Birds belong to the handler, unless prior arrangements made with handler.
• Auction of top 15 birds, with 40% going to breeder, and 60% to the GS club

Ship birds to:

Brad Hoggan
P.O. Box 174
Fielding, UT 84311
Phone: 435-760-0885

I’ve raced pigeons since 1989 in clubs in three states with success. During my tenure, I’ve been able to travel to Belgium, Holland, Germany, and England and have met numerous known and unknown champions. I’ve even had several come visit me here in Washington D.C. at my loft. During these visits, I learned their ‘secrets’ to winning and how to ‘cheat’ to win.

I feel now after all these years that I should come clean on why I’ve done so well. My guilt is killing me!

How I ‘cheat’ is very simple and easy to do. Everyone can do it and I’m confident that you too will gain success. Let me explain.

Using this system I was able to win in this past young bird season 3^rd and 4^th overall in the 300 mile BMR Band Race, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, 6^th, and 7^th overall in the 300 mile Capital City Classic, 1^st Concourse Auction Race by 27 minutes from 300 miles as well as 1^st Concourse and numerous other top 10% position using these ‘cheating’ methods.

• I saved my nickels and built a brand new 12 x 24 loft. I divided it down the middle and gave myself a 6 foot by 12 foot hallway. On either side I built two sections, each 6 feet wide and 9 feet long and installed customary widowhood, young bird perches and breeding boxes respectively.
• I changed my feed from Brown’s to Verselle-Laga; an imported feed from Belgium. I adopted Verselle-Laga’s young bird feeding and vitamin/mineral program and stuck to it.
• I used a modified young bird system and worked to get them paired up towards the end of season.
• I got up at 4am and trained my young birds between 50 and 150 miles three to four times per week putting 20,000 +- miles on my truck.
• Before I left to go training, I cleaned all the sections of my loft, gave fresh water, grit and feed to my other birds. In the evening, I repeated these steps.
• I wrote everything I did down each day so I could consult back to it as needed.
• If I saw a pigeon that needed attention I isolated it and tried to cure it with honey, garlic, B12 or rest.

Using this simple system I was able to ‘cheat’ my way into the winners circle!

Try it, I bet you’ll find success as easy as I did.

Drew Lesofski
Lavender Hill Lofts

P.S. I’m a handler for the 2016 IF Convention and will be using these same methods to ‘cheat’ to win.

Some questions about Big Andy’s new OLR and irregularities with the administration of the race have surfaced and I thought it would be good to bring these questions up in the group. If anyone participated in Big Andy’s race, and can comment on the race, it would be helpful.

#1 – I have received several emails that state, Big Andy changed the rules after all the birds were shipped in and declared that above the perch fees, he was also taking a 15% cut of the capital prizes.
I did not save a copy of the rules to double check this, but if this is correct, it is a bad reflection on his race.

#2 – There were 981 birds basketed for the 110 mile first race. According to the rules, all birds must be activated prior to the 100 mile race, so there must have been 981 paid birds.
Here it is a month after the first race and six days since the final race was over and the capital prize list still has not been adjusted up from the estimated payout based on 700 birds, posted back in the summer of 2015.

#3 – Big Andy offered a 400 mile race open to all birds that were still in the loft. However, he turned off the clock after the first day of the final race and did not record the time of return of any birds which returned afterwards, except to publish an inventory on Thursday, five days after the race.

Advertisement published prior to the running of the race.

So, for the 136 birds that did not clock on the day, at the 300 mile race, we have no info whatsoever, as to when they actually made it home from the 400 mile race, when the clock was turned off for several days and the handler gives you no idea of when they returned except that it was sometime between Sunday Morning and Tuesday morning. Better to have just left the clock running for three days since you want people to activate their birds for the 400 mile race.

Rules currently posted.

Written by John Vance

wireless2u@cox.net

* This post was originally published on Facebook.

Saturday March 4, 2016 several Facebook posts by Pat Gazaway, of Skyline Loft, were made alleging that Mike Ganus, of Ganus Family Loft (GFL), and Kenny Rhodes, of Protégé Loft, were caught doctoring pedigrees.

Post made on March 5, 2016.

Post made on March 5 ,2016.

Clicking on the links in the Facebook post, you are taken to a pigeon named “Untouchable” (GFL-1164-10), which is currently listed for auction on PIPA by Mr. Ganus.

Pedigree posted on PIPA.

The next link directs readers to a picture of the “Untouchable” posted on the Ganus Family Loft website.

Picture posted on GFL’s website. * Update March 7, 2016 – Link to picture on GFL website no longer works. Picture has been removed.

The pedigree posted on GFL’s website listed the parents of “Untouchable” as “Prize Fighter” (NL 0013494-00) and “Hollywood’s Rose” (GFL-1084-04).    The pedigree posted on PIPA lists the bird’s parents as “Aviator” (NL 1656210-02) and “Buttercup” (GFL-442-05).  It’s clear that there is a discrepancy between the two pedigrees, which are posted on PIPA and GanusFamilyLofts.com, respectively.

As of this post, “Untouchable” has a high bid of 2,000 EU from bidder ‘Blueskysloft.’  The Loft Report contacted Mike Ganus and asked him about the discrepancy and he provided this statement:

“The person that helped do my web site edited the birds photos when I had them done and entered the wrong parents on the photo. Because of the text on the photo it ended up on the wrong page. I just never look at my web site and never noticed it.

It’s been up that way for Years Wrong on the Web Site under Breeders~! I never realized it~! I did not make the web site~! When I selected the 6 birds of mine for Pipa I picked out the birds – Looked at my breeding books – and sent the Pedigrees with the birds to Pipa – The Pedigree is Correct~!!

Sorry I thought the web site was done 110% Correct~!! My Birds have been DNA tested By Pipa~!!  Sincerely:  Mike Ganus” 

PIPA offers a quality control certification on all pigeons posted on their website known as PPQC; which is 15+ criteria outlining each pigeon’s physical characteristics. They do offer DNA certificates for auction birds, but it appears no such designation for “Untouchable” is/was included in its PPQC listing.

The Loft Report has contacted PIPA and requested a clarification on the DNA issue but as of this post (approximately 17:30) no answer was received.

On February 6, 2016, Mike Ganus won the final 334 mile South African Million Dollar Pigeon Race, taking home $150,000 US in prize winnings for 1^st place.

I spoke to Kenny Rhodes of Protégé Loft fame (winner of a car in the 2016 SAMDPR Hot Spot Car Race #5) the other day and he informed me that he is now a partner in the Breeders Fall Classic one loft race, owned by Tim Kirschner of Lenoir, North Carolina.

As many of you know, Tim has run this race with success for a while now, and I’m sure with Kenny’s help it will grow and be even better than before.

Check out their website, their accepting birds now.

Drew Lesofski

P.S. I’m not a big fan of N’Carolina BBQ; too vinegary for my delicate tastes, but the people and country are sure wonderful.