ACA Board of Directors Update

ACA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ken Culp, III, Ph.D– President

At Large Director • Kentucky • Term expires 2022 859.227.7506 • ken.culp@uky.edu

Justin Tracy – Vice President

At Large Director • Nebraska • Term expires 2020 806.445-2496 • justin@tracycattle.com

Andy Higgins, Secretary

Southeast Region • Tennessee • Term expires 2020 615.330.6446 • higg1andy@aol.com

Lyle Sexton, Treasurer

At Large • Iowa • Term expires 2021 319.461.6337 • lsgwp6337@gmail.com

Randy Gaddis

At Large • Missouri • Term expires 2020 660.562.9509 • gaddisrl@yahoo.com

Ryan Dunklau

Northwest Region • Nebraska • Term expires 2020 402.369.2025 • dunkcattleco@gmail.com

Larry Garrett

Northeast Region • Indiana • Term expires 2021 765.969.0154 • lgarrett@globalsite.net

Mike Stoppel

At Large • Kansas • Term expires 2021 785.445.2671 • mikestoppel@yahoo.com

Dr. Robin Sheets

At Large • Indiana • Term expires 2021 765.583.4565 • rsheets462@aol.com

Tyler Winegardner

At Large • Ohio • Term expires 2022 419.236.4375 • tylerwinegardner@icloud.com

Segayle Foster

Southwest Region • Texas • Term expires 2022 806.445.2496 • segaylef@yahoo.com

Derek Evans

At Large • Kentucky • Term expires 2022 217.218.0242 • derek@summitflooring.us

The Time for Change

by Derek Evans, At Large Director

Unlike many of you, I was not raised in the Chianina breed. I had the pleasure of being introduced to it by my wife Kelsey Evans (Culp). I remember it like it was yesterday. It was the National Junior Heifer Show in Louisville, Ky. While my wife would probably like me to remember our first cow show together and the memories that we made, I simply remember how good the cattle were and how much fun the Junior members seemed to be having. I knew right in that moment, I wanted to become involved and start raising Chianina cattle. Now mind you, I had attended many other cattle breed Junior Nationals before, but this event was different. I was hooked! I loved how the Chianina’s were so well made from the side, but were wide based, huge footed and packed with tons of shape and dimension. The cattle that hit me the hardest were the Chiangus females – maternal perfection with more bone, balance and muscle than the traditional Angus. I was purely a spectator at this event, but I knew I had to be involved in this breed, in some way.

I was blown away with why the Chianina breed was not more widely popular, and I still struggle with this today. I realize that times are different and things cost a lot more than they used too. I believe the Chianina breed is resilient and the biggest thing the ACA offers is breeding versatility. From Fullblood, American Purebreds, Chiangus, Red Chiangus, Chiford and Chianina, we register them all. We allow our breeders to use their Chianina genetics how they see fit in their operations, whether you are a cow-calf guy, a commercial cattleman, a seed stock producer, a commercial feeder or a show family. The Chianina Association has something for everyone.

My journey down memory lane is for a purpose – to inform you on how I was changed by a single moment or event in time like most people are and how it changed my course through life. Recently, the board of directors choose to implement a one-year trial Composite Show for registered Chianina heifers that fall below 6.25% Chianina. This show will be at the 2021 NJHS in Chickasha, Okla. I am grateful to be involved with breeders and livestock producers who are willing to embrace change. This is a very big step for our Junior program as many Junior Members and nonmembers have been able to breed, purchase and register these animals but were not allowed to exhibit them at our biggest Junior event of the year, the very same event that got me into this breed. If we can help one, two or ten Junior Members to develop their love and desire for this breed, I deem this opportunity a success. What we must realize and embrace is that these young folks are the future of this breed and of agriculture. The more members we can influence and inform through a Composite Show, a Chianina Show, a Chiangus or a Chiford Show, the better chance we have of surviving the agriculture exodus. My dad always told me he could present me with any opportunity but

The Time for Change…Continued

it was up to me if I took advantage of it, and how far, how hard, and how serious I wanted to work at the opportunity.

A few Board Members have received some backlash on this decision and if you do not agree, that is completely understandable, but for most of us true Chianina breeders, this opportunity will not affect how we breed, manage or develop our programs, it simply creates another opportunity for a sale that breeders might not have otherwise had and it creates an opportunity for that breeder to showcase to the youth exhibitor why he as a breeder choose the Chianina breed and the greatest Junior program in the country. With saying all of this, I think it is our job as breeders to promote, develop and inform all junior members on the breeding opportunities they have before them with high percentage Chianina cattle. While most of us know that junior members are going to breed their animals to the next hottest thing or the next National Champion, we need to change this perception. It is our job as leaders, breeders and mentors to inform them on other breeding opportunities and help mold junior members into something sustainable, for everyone in this breed.

“There comes a time when you must choose between turning the page or closing the book.” -Josh Jameson.

I thought this quote was very fitting for this article and for the time we are currently in at the ACA. Simply put, we are in dire need of memberships, registrations and more participation from everyone involved and those that need to be. I wrote in my board introduction letter that if we, as an association, did not make big changes, we would cease to exist in 5-10 years. This has never been truer, and I do not want to see this happen to this great association. We have gone far too long with no change and added more rules and regulations than I can shake a stick at. Albert Einstein said it best, “If you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got.” While Einstein might have said it best, Socrates puts things into perspective, “The secret of change is to focus all your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”

Things in today’s world are more divided than I’ve ever seen them, and I think we have all realized the freedoms we take for granted. This association is the very same way, and we must adapt or die. I certainly do not want to be responsible for the demise of our association and the ability to develop youth in animal agriculture. We all need to come together and stop all this bickering and support our breed, junior members and the ACA.

Chianina might be our name, but breeding versatility is our game.