What is the AHA doing and why is it a secret?

[strojanherefords]

I heard talk about the AHA having bought a "cattle placement firm" when I was in New Zealand.  The only mention of such an action was in a Drover's article dated February 21, 2020. The relevant part of the article is here:

Feeder cattle marketing



The AHA is now offering a unique opportunity for Hereford producers to access more marketing outlets for their feeder cattle through a partnership with S= Cattle Company, a cattle-buying business owned and operated by Nolan Stone and based in Eaton, Colo.



AHA field representatives will locate and source Hereford-based feeder cattle to be marketed through Stone, with the aim to increase marketing avenues for commercial Hereford producers — and drive additional value for the breed. Both parties will also help locate backgrounding opportunities for feeder cattle and will organize locations across the country to pull small loads of cattle to get them weaned, vaccinated and sorted into marketable, uniform groups.



“The American Hereford Association is excited to announce this innovative partnership with a long-established expert in sourcing and feeding high-value feeder cattle. Combining Nolan Stone with our talented field staff, we gain momentum in driving more value for Hereford and Hereford-based genetics,” Ward says.

What is going on?

[franklinridgefarms]

Would be nice to know what the details are, don’t know why it would e a secret unless it’s just for a select few. If it is meant to be implemented widespread it could be good for the breed. We are commercial and at a crossroads right now as to beginning to transition back to black cattle. Our state has a couple Hereford influence sales a year. They are both at wrong times of the year to be real effective for us, but when selling straight Hereford calves the fall sale is usually the best option so far to do that. I would welcome any real opportunity to market our cattle. We feed out some of our own for our use and have been well satisfied with the results. I feel like our cattle should do well in feedlots and on the rail. We try to run cattle with enough frame to grow good. It’s always a darn shame to sell them for that ridiculous Hereford dock when I believe they probably do as good as their contemporaries.