- Fall Sales seem to have met or
even exceeded our fearful drought expectations. This bodes well
for Angus demand. Good cattle have been in demand. The lower end
of the sales have found less interest than usual. Quality is
selling, Angus sells best. This seems to be the theme this fall.
I’ve talked to many breeders this fall who are modifying their
program goals for next year. Some are revisiting their show
steer marketing venues, others, adjusting their sire selections
or exploring commercial uses for their lower end cows.
Regardless of the potential adjustments breeders are making, one
thing seems to be a common denominator---- most Angus Breeders
I’ve spoken with, are enthusiastic about their future with the
Angus business.
-
Hal
and Lois Schudel. I am sorry to have the loss of involvement and
enthusiasm of Hal and Lois. You Guys have really been great
advocates of Angus and the Angus Community. I Sure would like to
see you remain involved in some capacity. Especially, since
you’ve set a standard to which many of our young and old
breeders alike, will aspire.
-
Congratulations to Virgil Lovell and the Ankony Crew , for
bringing the Ankony Program and its high level of commitment,
back to the West Coast. We look forward to all you will do, to
promote Angus and Northwest Cattle.
-
It’s
hard to measure success in this business. Do you look to sale
results as a benchmark? How about having a large percentage of
repeat buyers? Could be it’s show results, or the success others
have showing animals you’ve raised. Maybe it’s bringing new
members in or realizing you know how to “pick a good one”.
Still, its possible its having a knack for genetic mating or
knowing which advice to take.-- when it comes to advice there is
enough out there to take you in any direction you want your
program to go. This is not a bad thing, it’s good! It’s good
that Angus cows have enough good qualities that breeders in a
variety of weather, terrain, feed sources and marketing venues
can see there way clear to consistently breed for those Angus
traits that best fit the needs of their customers. Perhaps
success is measured by the whole experience because IT JUST
MAKES YOU HAPPY. Happy, to see some folks a few times a year,
happy to meet a few new people. Happy to be among those whose
integrity, willingness to work, family values and desire to
improve their product are the same as yours. -- just some random
thought.
-
I
recently met with a group seeking to export beef. Their first
list of cuts was diverse and they wanted choice and prime.
Although, they are grade driven, they want their first order to
be Certified Angus Beef so as to ensure their success in their
markets. I guess I spell their Success C.A.B. I think this says
a lot for what we as breeders and our breed organizations have
been doing. Our message is getting out there, our product
measures up. We need to continue repeating our success and
improving on our breed.
-
Met
some young breeders at a consignment sale recently- seems they
were Junior Showman not too long ago. Nice to see we’re
retaining “Angus Families” in our communities.
-
My
5th grade daughter came home from school last week. She said her
teacher told the class that cows were bad for the environment
and ozone layer and that kids should not eat meat in order to
discourage people from having cows.
My wife and I asked our daughter (Kelcie) if she said anything
or how she felt about her teachers remarks, “oh, Mom, I’m just
choosing to ignore her...” was our daughters response to our
question. I guess that’s one approach to what is probably going
to be at least a P.R., if not a legally restrictive, nightmare
in our future.
Seems like we need good answers and need to be more proactive
with our educational tools about our industry. Maybe we need to
show the Sunchanger movie on Animal Planet!
-
I
attended more than a dozen sales this fall. I’ve been impressed
with the miles “Field Men” cover and how hard they work at each
and every Sale. What a consistent effort they make.
Congratulations are in order, to all of you!
-
The
Sale season is still on. Plenty of opportunity to support your
fellow breeders, encourage Juniors and be an advocate for our
breed.
See you
out there,
Bob Chase
WSAA Director
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