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During the last 12 months, few
businesses in America have avoided impacts of the faltering
economy. The American
Angus Association® is no different.
While we continue to enjoy
strong demand for Angus seedstock, and consumer demand for
Certified Angus Beef® will set new records this year, the
Association is faced with the challenges of streamlining
operations, cutting costs and developing new sources of revenue.
Earlier this year, we began a
careful evaluation of all Association programs, looking for
areas where we could reduce costs and enhance revenue while
maintaining the same level of quality service our members have
come to expect.
As a result of this evaluation,
we have reduced nearly $800,000 of expenses from our budget. In
the coming months, we will reduce a total of $1.4 million, or
about 12%, of our annual budget.
Following thoughtful deliberation, the board of directors on
July 28, 2009, passed a policy requiring that all animals be
registered before breeders can access their EPDs. I believe this
decision will go a long way in protecting and enhancing the
value of a registration certificate for all of our members.
In addition, the board voted to
increase annual membership dues from $30 to $80, effective
January 1, 2010, marking the first such increase since 2001.
All other fees for services
remain the same – even though it’s been nearly 30 years since
many of them have been increased. For instance, the last
increase in transfer fees was in 1982. Fees for AI certificates
have not increased since 1981. Registration fees have not
increased since 1980.
Consider, too, that the new
membership dues are competitive with dues combined with
subscriptions of other associations. For instance, American
Hereford Association charges $115; American Simmental
Association, $100; American-International Charolais Association,
$100; North American Limousin Foundation, $130; and
International Brangus, $150.
The Association’s new membership
dues plus an annual subscription to Angus Journal will be $130,
or slightly more than $10 a month.
Perhaps most importantly, the
new membership dues will ensure the continuation of the
Association’s 126-year tradition of quality of service,
information, outreach and leadership – including field services
and breeder support staff.
Examples of these services
include the new and improved member “log-on,” a major
development from upgrading the Association’s computer system,
which improves the efficiency of members and the ability of the
Association to deliver a higher level of service. This resulted
from an investment of nearly $2 million.
Other programs and activities
funded by membership dues include the National Junior Angus Show
and the national convention in Louisville, Ky., each year.
The new membership dues will
also ensure the Association’s investment in an updated,
innovative and more aggressive public relations, advertising and
marketing program. And, it helps to secure a continued
commitment to providing cattle producers across America with the
most valuable research and performance information available in
the industry today.
In sum, all of these efforts
will play a critical role in continuing to build economic
strength for Angus cattle.
Thank you for your continued
support of our Association. You can be assured that we will do
everything possible to ensure your investment in Association
programs and activities will continue to reap dividends for your
business and your family.
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