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Post by shiloh on Feb 21, 2015 16:35:53 GMT -6
In my experience, smart, capable, and competent people are smart, capable, and competent regardless of the situation they find themselves in. Maybe we'll find a person inside the industry, maybe not. Sometimes it takes an outsider that doesn't know the rules (or what's "impossible") to look at things with a fresh set of eyes. Paradigm shifts are almost always initiated by people new to that particular field, not in spite of, but because they are not familiar with the current system and don't get sucked into the old ways of thinking. I'm not calling for revolution or anything nearly that dramatic, but we do need a few common sense changes made, and for some reason they seem to have gotten stuck in the bureaucracy and red tape somewhere along the line. We need to: continue to improve the CHB program. focus our marketing on Hereford's strengths, not how they compare to Angus. educate the general public about Hereford cattle, their history and how they fit the needs of today's consumers. reach out and encourage new breeders to use Herefords (it's an impressionable and growing market) educate new breeders on how to raise, breed, and market Herefords continue to conduct studies on how to improve our cattle and the beef they produce continue to conduct studies that scientifically prove the merits of Hereford cattle and beef plaster the results of said studies on every lamppost and web page we can find perhaps implement the MSA grading system here in the US www.mla.com.au/Marketing-beef-and-lamb/Meat-Standards-Australia/MSA-beef/Grading (short version, It is also more reliable and consistent, and it doesn't rely solely on marbling, taking the competitive edge away from high marbling breeds.) find a way to tie the show ring to the realities of beef production encourage more breeders to turn in more information for more accurate EPDs diligently work towards more accurate EPDs have more openness and transparency concerning the EPD system and calculations, their strengths and shortcomings perhaps have the option to publish actual data along with the EPDs have at least equal emphasis on the show side and commercial beef production side of the association (what happened to the NHF, can't find it anywhere...) work toward getting more Hereford influenced and straight Hereford cattle into feedlots and onto plates, preferably with a CHB brand on them What else do we need? What can we cross out? What if instead of only discussing it amongst ourselves, we get together a "wish list" for the new EXVP, (not what I wrote, but change it as we need to) everybody "sign" it, (just add their name, we can't mail it everywhere) then send it in to the AHA. Certainly if enough people sign it, they would have to at least read it. Even if we don't specifically do that, there must be a way to collectively communicate the sentiments of so many breeders to the AHA. If its a dumb idea, call me out. Tell me what you think should be done.
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Post by jayh on Feb 21, 2015 17:48:39 GMT -6
In my experience, smart, capable, and competent people are smart, capable, and competent regardless of the situation they find themselves in. Maybe we'll find a person inside the industry, maybe not. Sometimes it takes an outsider that doesn't know the rules (or what's "impossible") to look at things with a fresh set of eyes. Paradigm shifts are almost always initiated by people new to that particular field, not in spite of, but because they are not familiar with the current system and don't get sucked into the old ways of thinking. I'm not calling for revolution or anything nearly that dramatic, but we do need a few common sense changes made, and for some reason they seem to have gotten stuck in the bureaucracy and red tape somewhere along the line. We need to: continue to improve the CHB program. focus our marketing on Hereford's strengths, not how they compare to Angus. educate the general public about Hereford cattle, their history and how they fit the needs of today's consumers. reach out and encourage new breeders to use Herefords (it's an impressionable and growing market) educate new breeders on how to raise, breed, and market Herefords continue to conduct studies on how to improve our cattle and the beef they produce continue to conduct studies that scientifically prove the merits of Hereford cattle and beef plaster the results of said studies on every lamppost and web page we can find perhaps implement the MSA grading system here in the US www.mla.com.au/Marketing-beef-and-lamb/Meat-Standards-Australia/MSA-beef/Grading (short version, It is also more reliable and consistent, and it doesn't rely solely on marbling, taking the competitive edge away from high marbling breeds.) find a way to tie the show ring to the realities of beef production encourage more breeders to turn in more information for more accurate EPDs diligently work towards more accurate EPDs have more openness and transparency concerning the EPD system and calculations, their strengths and shortcomings perhaps have the option to publish actual data along with the EPDs have at least equal emphasis on the show side and commercial beef production side of the association (what happened to the NHF, can't find it anywhere...) work toward getting more Hereford influenced and straight Hereford cattle into feedlots and onto plates, preferably with a CHB brand on them What else do we need? What can we cross out? What if instead of only discussing it amongst ourselves, we get together a "wish list" for the new EXVP, (not what I wrote, but change it as we need to) everybody "sign" it, (just add their name, we can't mail it everywhere) then send it in to the AHA. Certainly if enough people sign it, they would have to at least read it. Even if we don't specifically do that, there must be a way to collectively communicate the sentiments of so many breeders to the AHA. If its a dumb idea, call me out. Tell me what you think should be done. Agree. Why aren't we trying to get McDonald's or burger king to use CHB like Hardys uses CAB. Its mostly about marketing and producing a superior product.
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Post by shiloh on Feb 21, 2015 18:07:27 GMT -6
One thing I have found, that I never realized but makes sense, is that CAB got too popular. Angus became a generic term for fancy meat, and actual CAB lost their market share to other "Angus beef" programs like the one at McDonalds. Its like band-aids. Who cares what brand of adhesive bandages you have, they are still band-aids. I think what hurt them was not being transparent about why their beef was different (since it was basically a scam, but that's a different story). We need to educate our customers. If you have nothing to hide, you will always benefit from being open and honest about your product. Did you know the "Hereford House" in Kansas City, Mo, doesn't even serve CHB? In my opinion, we need to go for more high end dining experiences to convey quality, then work our way down slowly while maintaining the CHB identity.
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Post by bookcliff on Feb 21, 2015 18:37:50 GMT -6
One thing I have found, that I never realized but makes sense, is that CAB got too popular. Angus became a generic term for fancy meat, and actual CAB lost their market share to other "Angus beef" programs like the one at McDonalds. Its like band-aids. Who cares what brand of adhesive bandages you have, they are still band-aids. I think what hurt them was not being transparent about why their beef was different (since it was basically a scam, but that's a different story). We need to educate our customers. If you have nothing to hide, you will always benefit from being open and honest about your product. Did you know the "Hereford House" in Kansas City, Mo, doesn't even serve CHB? In my opinion, we need to go for more high end dining experiences to convey quality, then work our way down slowly while maintaining the CHB identity. they never have
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AHA News
Feb 21, 2015 19:06:00 GMT -6
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Post by shiloh on Feb 21, 2015 19:06:00 GMT -6
Stupid little things like this are exactly what I'm talking about. It should be glaringly obvious and incredibly convenient to drive across town and put Hereford beef in a restaurant that loves Hertfords so much they name the place after them, in the city that is the home of the breed Association. Why isn't it being done?
If someone tried to get it done, and the Hereford House was incredibly unreasonable, then I apologize and retract this statement.
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AHA News
Feb 21, 2015 23:07:04 GMT -6
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Post by picketwire on Feb 21, 2015 23:07:04 GMT -6
Shiloh, that is one long ambitious list. I like it!
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Post by larso on Feb 22, 2015 13:33:42 GMT -6
In my experience, smart, capable, and competent people are smart, capable, and competent regardless of the situation they find themselves in. Maybe we'll find a person inside the industry, maybe not. Sometimes it takes an outsider that doesn't know the rules (or what's "impossible") to look at things with a fresh set of eyes. Paradigm shifts are almost always initiated by people new to that particular field, not in spite of, but because they are not familiar with the current system and don't get sucked into the old ways of thinking. I'm not calling for revolution or anything nearly that dramatic, but we do need a few common sense changes made, and for some reason they seem to have gotten stuck in the bureaucracy and red tape somewhere along the line. We need to: continue to improve the CHB program. focus our marketing on Hereford's strengths, not how they compare to Angus. educate the general public about Hereford cattle, their history and how they fit the needs of today's consumers. reach out and encourage new breeders to use Herefords (it's an impressionable and growing market) educate new breeders on how to raise, breed, and market Herefords continue to conduct studies on how to improve our cattle and the beef they produce continue to conduct studies that scientifically prove the merits of Hereford cattle and beef plaster the results of said studies on every lamppost and web page we can find perhaps implement the MSA grading system here in the US www.mla.com.au/Marketing-beef-and-lamb/Meat-Standards-Australia/MSA-beef/Grading (short version, It is also more reliable and consistent, and it doesn't rely solely on marbling, taking the competitive edge away from high marbling breeds.) find a way to tie the show ring to the realities of beef production encourage more breeders to turn in more information for more accurate EPDs diligently work towards more accurate EPDs have more openness and transparency concerning the EPD system and calculations, their strengths and shortcomings perhaps have the option to publish actual data along with the EPDs have at least equal emphasis on the show side and commercial beef production side of the association (what happened to the NHF, can't find it anywhere...) work toward getting more Hereford influenced and straight Hereford cattle into feedlots and onto plates, preferably with a CHB brand on them What else do we need? What can we cross out? What if instead of only discussing it amongst ourselves, we get together a "wish list" for the new EXVP, (not what I wrote, but change it as we need to) everybody "sign" it, (just add their name, we can't mail it everywhere) then send it in to the AHA. Certainly if enough people sign it, they would have to at least read it. Even if we don't specifically do that, there must be a way to collectively communicate the sentiments of so many breeders to the AHA. If its a dumb idea, call me out. Tell me what you think should be done. We can talk about the issues that we have with EPD's and the direction the industry is heading on here but unless an intelligent and articulate alterative is formulated with the signatures of stud breeders etc. nothing will ever change. That is some list you have taken time to compile and I would have no hesitation to sign it myself and pass it on to other breeders to do so. Start the ball rolling!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2015 13:48:35 GMT -6
Jack Ward has been named interim EVP: hereford.org/node/11917 Hopefully it leads to him being named to the position permanently.
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Post by mehf on Feb 23, 2015 13:55:01 GMT -6
Jack Ward has been named interim EVP: hereford.org/node/11917 Hopefully it leads to him being named to the position permanently. You have got to be sh-ting me.
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Post by timbernt on Feb 23, 2015 18:08:21 GMT -6
Looks like the Know Nothings are in full control.
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Post by Glenn on Feb 23, 2015 19:14:16 GMT -6
Sgt Schultz........
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Post by timbernt on Feb 23, 2015 20:34:48 GMT -6
Actually, I was thinking of the political party in the 1840's. I may be wrong, but I think they were the predecessors of the modern day Democrat party.
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Post by strojanherefords on Feb 23, 2015 21:06:25 GMT -6
I think I speak for most of us when I say I would welcome Mr. Ward's participation this forum. It is much preferable to speak to someones face than to speak about someone who will not address us. Mr. Ward if I stop registering my heifers it will be because I feel the association does not value me and the breeders I have admired from afar.
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Post by oldduffer on Feb 25, 2015 12:03:40 GMT -6
Glen - RE: your 20 Feb post..... It's easy to come to an incorrect opinion when one does not have access to the facts. I have certainly done that myself. When we use hear-say we can easily confuse facts with venomus rants. We are micky mouse, small time, wanna be, part time, 50+ year Hereford multipliers. We used 3 consecutive dirty pedigreed bulls in our 25-30 cow herd and were hurt bad. We had shakers all over the place!! Being very involved, early on, as a test herd, I am familiar with FACTS. I have a box and a half full of letters, emails, and detailed notes from phone conversations on IE. The sources of these include breeders, auctioneers, board members, field staff, several geneticists, board candidates, association staff, and researchers. When pieced together we have the greatest cover-up in the history of the Hereford breed. It should be an embarrassment to the board, association staff, breeders and the Hereford breed. It is no wonder they do not share the FACTS. One of the smoking guns in my notes is a call to your executive sec about the July 2007 issue of the slick. "..acknowledgement of a new genetic defect...." is found in an article; BUT also in the issue is a breeder who states they were "Epilepsy-free" since 2004. HUH?? When I asked about it there was a p-a-u-s-e followed by: "that should have not been in there. If I would have saw that, it would not have been printed". How's that for not sweeping it under the rug? And do you remember the associations early description of IE..."it interferes with reproduction"? Well I guess it does....I AIN'T EVER SEEN A DEAD ONE REPRODUCE!!!!! And who stepped up to the plate to take a big one for the breed? K&B...they must [?] have been the first ones [?] to figure it out.[?] There are many, MANY, M-A-N-Y other examples of the cover-up. I am excited to hear that the breeder is doing "everything he could to help the folks affected out." You'll be the first to know when we are helped out!!!!
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT IS NOT A GRUDGE! I can only give you the facts...I cannot make you believe them. But, please do not confuse hear-say with fact!
I have found Mark Cooper to be a man of great integrity. The kind you can trust with your wallet, your wife, and even your BEST HUNTING DOG!
"I am right...................................................and I'm golly, gee whiz, shuckie darn, really sure!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by Glenn on Feb 25, 2015 13:09:03 GMT -6
First off, it is Glenn with two N's. Petty I know, but when you keep misspelling it and it's right there for you to see, it makes it seem as though you are doing it on purpose or maybe your not very careful, but I assume you are very careful since you keep so many documents.
I did not present my side as a fact. It is hearsay, what I HEARD from other breeders. Much like your hearsay from talking to "sources of these include breeders, auctioneers, board members, field staff, several geneticists, board candidates, association staff, and researchers."
I'm sorry you got hurt. I'm sorry you had losses. Did it occur to you if you were having problems to "do something else" or were you suffering from Einstein's definition of insanity (doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results)? Did you ask Jack for an adjustment? Did he offer you one and you refused?
And if you still register Herefords then I guess he is your secretary as much as mine.
I'm sorry things turned out bad for you. I don't know all the facts. I do know human nature and usually there are THREE sides to every story: 1. Your side 2. His side 3. The TRUTH
Have a good day
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Post by oldduffer on Feb 25, 2015 14:09:54 GMT -6
Glenn: Please accept my apology. I am careless. I do not intentionally use 1 "n'. One of my neighbors, best friend, bull customer, rented his farm for several years, god father to his youngest son is Glen with 1 "n". I will make every effort to be more careful in the future.
And thanks for serving as ADMINISTRATOR for Hereford Talk!
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Post by oldduffer on Mar 31, 2015 7:48:53 GMT -6
First off, it is Glenn with two N's. Petty I know, but when you keep misspelling it and it's right there for you to see, it makes it seem as though you are doing it on purpose or maybe your not very careful, but I assume you are very careful since you keep so many documents. I did not present my side as a fact. It is hearsay, what I HEARD from other breeders. Much like your hearsay from talking to "sources of these include breeders, auctioneers, board members, field staff, several geneticists, board candidates, association staff, and researchers." I'm sorry you got hurt. I'm sorry you had losses. Did it occur to you if you were having problems to "do something else" or were you suffering from Einstein's definition of insanity (doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results)? Did you ask Jack for an adjustment? Did he offer you one and you refused? And if you still register Herefords then I guess he is your secretary as much as mine. I'm sorry things turned out bad for you. I don't know all the facts. I do know human nature and usually there are THREE sides to every story: 1. Your side 2. His side 3. The TRUTH Have a good day
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Post by Glenn on Mar 31, 2015 8:15:16 GMT -6
Since OldDuffer brought my old post up, has anyone heard anything on the search for a replacement? Or is Ward in?
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Post by oldduffer on Mar 31, 2015 8:31:58 GMT -6
Glenn: Two things here. We need to clear up the difference between "hearsay" and "direct knowledge". When the breed secretary [AKA Executive whatever] is in a direct conversation with me and states: "that should have not been in there. If I would have saw that, it would not have been printed." That is direct knowledge NOT hearsay. Also, I did not suffer from Einstein's definition of insanity. [as Kit said in one of his newsletters...."I do no suffer from insanity. I enjoy it!] We had 3 local vets [experienced ones],an independent nutritionist, and others working on it. We re-vaccinated, fed fancy minerals and vitamins, bought "foo-foo dust", walked pastures for countless hours looking for poisons plants and sources of heavy metal like lead paint or old batteries. We made enough trips to the University Of MN Vet Diagnostic lab with necropsy samples, dead calves and live calves that as soon as we walked into the lobby the receptionist would say: "Good morning Mr. Madsen, what do you have for us today?". We had one of the shakers living with our Vet who tried numerous treatments to resolve the issue......it died there and another complete necropsy was done and more samples taken to the diagnostic lab. We switched bulls. Still no improvement and no answers. Of course we asked for a settlement. Still waiting. Mom always talked about 3 sides. You and Mom are correct. You will note that NO ONE WITH DIRECT KNOWLEDGE HAS EVER QUESTIONED MY SIDE.....IT REPRESENTS THE FACTS! Yes, I did keep lots of notes. One of my retirement projects is to work on a book that tells the story....along the line of The Battle of Bull runts. It will however, also tell a story of cover-up, lack of integrity of breeders and board members, breeders and board members who were given information to clean up their herds while others struggled for years trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. The story of winners and losers. [Too bad kid, you lost!]
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2015 21:02:45 GMT -6
Since OldDuffer brought my old post up, has anyone heard anything on the search for a replacement? Or is Ward in? Like most searches for a position like this I doubt it will be a quick process. That being said I still think Jack is the logical choice and I think if it is not him the choice will probably be someone we didn't expect.
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Post by oakcreekfarm on Apr 1, 2015 20:03:25 GMT -6
I still have never seen any of the field staff on my property. I have called and requested visits 3 times. I introduce myself at auctions. Every time I was given an estimated time frame, then no follow up call, and no show either. I have had to learn how to market the cattle on my own. I try not to bash the association, but boy they take a lot of money from my pocket and don't give me a lot of benefit. If i did that with my bulls I wouldn't be in business very long.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2015 11:19:04 GMT -6
I just noticed on the Hereford website today the EVP position posting doesn't close until April 8 so factor in the time it takes to go through applications, interviews, and make a decision I would guess we won't hear anything on a decision till sometime this summer at the earliest. Would hope that due diligence is put in and not a hasty decision made considering the importance the new EVP will have with where the breed currently stands.
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Post by mehf on Apr 2, 2015 12:05:21 GMT -6
In my opinion (and sincere desire too ...) the AHA's EVP selection committee can take as long as it finds to be necessary to find a well qualified (including the possession of a "Hereford heritage" history) individual. That individual should not be the well known "Jack", who we all know does not have a Hereford heritage.
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Post by okherefords on Apr 2, 2015 12:08:53 GMT -6
It is my understanding that they will review the applications they recieve and then make a final decision. I am not sure if anyone has made a wish list of candidates and reached out to those individuals to get their interest in the position, or came to the decision we really would like this person or persons for the position ,and they have not applied, so approached them about the position. You did not get your wife by waiting for her to apply for the job.
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Post by George on Apr 3, 2015 18:47:07 GMT -6
Yes, I did keep lots of notes. One of my retirement projects is to work on a book that tells the story....along the line of The Battle of Bull runts. It will however, also tell a story of cover-up, lack of integrity of breeders and board members, breeders and board members who were given information to clean up their herds while others struggled for years trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. The story of winners and losers. [Too bad kid, you lost!] Put me down as a buyer of your book when you publish it - autographed please! There hasn't been a recent update, in book form, of Hereford history here in the US. Nothing on Titan 23D, the lean years, the frame race, the genetic defects, etc. etc... Someone needs to write it.
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