COLUMN
Adaptation a Part of Any Success Story Andee Marston, CEO Driving around, mostly in the eastern half of the Unites States, you can certainly tell that Autumn is starting to set in. Many farmers and ranchers are beginning to pull the combines out of the sheds and a few have actually begun to start shelling. Fall has also brought a fair amount of turmoil with it from agriculture prices to political races. It seems that no matter where we turn we are bombarded with questions, concerns and some pointed comments. Turmoil is often viewed as unwelcome, but without it how do we grow? If every day was 72 degrees and sunny eventually it becomes a desert. We need turmoil every now and again to change, grow and become stronger. This is just everyday life for many farmers and ranchers across the U.S. The Chianina breed is not immune to turmoil either. On a positive note the breed is changing and adapting to become stronger. Chianina cattle have stood up to some of the toughest tests and weathered the storm. We may not be completely out of the woods yet, however things are starting to turn in a positive direction. Many commercial producers are looking for options as they need to inject more growth into calves without losing meat quality. We all know our cattle can hold their own on the shaving as well. Everywhere I have been this state fair season the Chianina heifer has been “in the hunt” for supreme honors.
More importantly our breed is seeing some growth. As of today we are currently up 10% in registrations year to date of last year. I attribute this uptick to several factors. First is the “Cow Catch Up” program we ran this summer during the month of September. Many breeders took advantage and registered several cows that had simply slipped through the cracks. Second, a registration paper is essential for marketing. The one thing that so many other breeds of cattle take for granted is a simple piece of paper. This simple piece of paper is what the registered seedstock business was built on. I feel that some of the other breeds have taken this process for granted. They continue to be increasing cumbersome to do business with. Jennifer and Cheryl are a strong selling point for the Chianina breed, always willing to go the extra mile to assist our breeders. Along with DigitalBeef our ease of use is definitely one of the biggest attributes to the ACA. I have been told other breeds are ninety days behind on processing registration work. Currently at the ACA, this turnaround time is one day. Just be sure to thank Jennifer and Cheryl when they lend a helping hand. Before we know it the ACA National Show at NAILE will be upon us. I am looking forward to going to Louisville and seeing great cattle. We will also be embarking on a new chapter with the National Sale as we move to an online
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format. The ACA and Show Circuit Online (SCO) have teamed up to offer a complemental marketing strategy for ACA members. I have already secured some great Chianina genetics for the sale. If you would like to consign, please give me a call to discuss offering them in the sale. We will again be on the short week and have plenty of events in the short time frame. The ACA Ladies Auxiliary will again be having their “Come as You Are” luncheon in the West Wing on Wednesday. Our ACA National Membership Meeting will also be Wednesday afternoon. Followed by the ACA National Online Event in the stalls pre-sale sign up and gathering at the ACA booth in the barn. Be prepared for great fellowship and an awesome Chianina cattle offering. Also this will be your first chance to meet Andrea Paulson. By the time you read this Andrea will be settling in at the office. I am extremely excited she will be taking over the Youth Program and as Editor of the American Chianina Journal. She is a very talented young lady. Her previous experience and background will be an enormous asset to everyone at the ACA. Read more about her in this issue of the journal. If you get a free moment, please call and get to know her. Please check your mailboxes in early October. We will be sending voting ballots to every active member of the ACA. It is extremely important our