The Way I See It

by Ken Culp, III, Ph.D. Chairman of the Board, American Chianina Association

Serving on the Board of Directors for the ACA is not for the faint of heart. It is both a huge commitment, as well as a tremendous responsibility. Rest assured that it is not taken lightly by those whom the membership has elected to serve. The board consists of 12 individuals; one elected to represent each of the ACA’s four regions; with an additional eight serving in at-large positions. Association by-laws stipulate that a maximum of four individuals may serve from any region at a time.

Boards are faced with important, weighty issues and are challenged to make decisions based upon the best interests of the association, its membership, and breeders. These decisions become more difficult because our breed is very diverse and is composed of a variety of breeders, including Italian Fullblood, Chiangus, Chianina, Chiford, as well as club calf and commercial producers. Many times, the best interests of one group conflict with the best interests of another.

Decisions are further complicated because breeding principles and the personal convictions of individual board members must sometimes be compromised to protect the Association’s bottom line. Moreover, each board must deal with decisions that were made by other boards, often decades earlier. Each board uses current information to make the strongest, most well-informed decision possible. However, the impact of that decision is sometimes not felt or observed while the directors making the decision are still seated on the board.

Early Registration Requirements

Originally, the ACA registered cattle by fractions (rather than percentages.) To be eligible for registration, the minimum amount of Chianina blood required was one-quarter. (It is important to note that one-quarter was expressed as ¼ rather than 25%.) Registering quarter-blood cattle was easy in the 1970s and 1980s, when there was an abundance of Italian Fullblood genetics available; all of which were fresh and new; providing a remarkable new outcross.

Additionally, in the 1970’s, the industry had shifted to leaner, faster-growing cattle. Tallow was no longer a valuable product; cattlemen selected faster-gaining, leaner made cattle. In response to this industry shift, the show ring began selecting larger framed, leaner, later maturing cattle. Italian fullbloods provided the easiest avenue to transform “beltbuckle” cows to larger framed, later maturing cattle in a single generation.

Amendments Made

The “quarter-blood registration requirement” was eventually amended; with the minimum requirement being lowered to 1/8, largely due to the influence of a single sire. BC Total Power 2CA was born on March 14, 1985. This extremely popular sire, who sired champions in both breeding and steer shows, eventually had 2, 266 progeny registered. Unfortunately, Total Power was 15/32 blood. Because the ACA didn’t “round up” fractions, he was not considered a half-blood. Therefore, when mated to non-registered females, his offspring were 15/64 … 1/64 shy of being a quarter blood. Not wanting to lose the considerable registration revenue that Total Power was generating, the minimum registration requirement was reduced from ¼ to 1/8.

Rules of Registration Amended to Remove Minimum

Later, another Board amended the Rules of Registration, removing the 1/8 minimum requirement and replacing it with the stipulation that at least one parent be registered with the ACA to register a calf. That single decision, made by a board in the previous century, probably had a greater impact on the loss of Chianina blood in the pedigrees of cattle recorded with the ACA than any other decision in our association’s history. I’m not criticizing that board; they made the best decision possible based up on the information that was available at the time.

None of us have a crystal ball and it isn’t possible to determine what impact an individual decision will have on the association in the future.

Boards in the 1970s were faced with entirely different challenges than those facing later boards. This was a time of tremendous growth in the life of our organization. The association had to be formed; bringing with it a variety of consequential decisions. Three major governing documents were created, including the Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws of the Association, and Rules of Registration. I have read each of these documents multiple times. Each reading brings an appreciation for the foresight and vision of the ACA’s “Founding Fathers” in creating a structure that has not only withstood the test of time, but has also been flexible enough to be amended as necessary over the course of time. Similar to the United State Constitution and Bill of Rights, these documents have served us well throughout the history of our association.

Each of these documents have been appropriately amended by later boards, reflecting the evolution of society and the changing needs of the association and its membership. It is, however, a tribute to the ACA’s “Founding Fathers” who had the vision to create three documents that have each withstood the test of time.

Finally, in 1999, the computer programmer advised the Board to change from fractions to percentages. The Board took the programmer’s advice, and, based upon a vote of the entire ACA membership, the documents were amended again.

These changes, made by well-meaning boards, more than a quarter of a century ago, and based on (what was then) current information, have contributed, in part, to the declining percentages in the amount of Chianina blood in cattle being registered with the ACA.

Some boards chose to ignore the declining registration numbers (and decreasing revenue) and simply continued to operate in the same manner with “business as usual.” The downside of this was that the Line of Credit at the Platte Valley Bank very nearly got out of hand. It took years of operating frugally, coupled with significant spending cutbacks, to retire the debt at the bank. Tough decisions had to be made to protect the financial integrity of the association. Programs that did not generate revenue were often sidelined; not because they weren’t good programs, but because we didn’t have the luxury of operating them if they were unsustainable.

Now that the ACA is debt free, the Board is extremely cautious about living within our means. Sometimes we are faced with decisions that must be made that conflict with our own principles and convictions. These challenges cannot be ignored; they must be addressed, considered, debated and resolved.

Composite Heifer Show Pilot Test

The decision to pilot test a Composite Heifer Show (heifers that have less than 6.25% Chianina blood) at the 2021 National Junior Heifer Show provides a useful example.

The AJCA Board of Directors scheduled a meeting in conjunction with the ACA fall board meeting. Both boards have long expressed an interest in providing opportunities for networking and communication. Six members of the junior board made the trip to Platte City and met on Saturday, September 19. At the conclusion of their meeting, they asked to meet with the ACA Board. The Junior Board brought us a single issue; their desire to add a “low percentage show” at both the NJHS and the NAILE. (As a side note, the discussion of a low percentage show was also on the ACA Board of Directors agenda, but the junior board was not aware of this).

Members of the Junior Board were resolute and united in their desire to implement a “low percentage show.” The ACA Board questioned the juniors diligently and they stood firm and united. Personally, while I disagreed with their assessment that adding such a show would dramatically increase both the number of cattle as well as the number of youth participating in the NJHS, I was most impressed with their passion, conviction and their ability to frame and defend a convincing argument.

The board took their request to heart and considered it carefully. Ultimately, what was requested and what was decided were different things.

The decision to offer a one year, single show trial, was not made lightly. In fact, it was the most hotly debated, emotionally charged, contentious discussion that I have ever witnessed during my tenure on the ACA Board of Directors. It was not a unanimous decision. In the end, the motion passed; not because the majority of directors were in favor of exhibiting Composite heifers, but because the board believes that we might see an increase in the number of cattle exhibited at the 2021 NJHS, and also realize a bump in both registration and membership numbers.

The following table profiles the number of cattle registered in each composite category for selected years from 2003 through 2019. (Note: A Commercial cow is one that is added to the ACA Herdbook to register progeny. A Foundation cow is one that is regis-

THE WAY I SEE IT

tered with another breed association and is imported to the ACA decrease of Chianina blood in these animals from 2004 through

Herdbook to register her progeny.) 2010. Culp moved that breeding cattle born on or after January 1,

The table 2012 must have a depicts a Chiangus Chiford Chianina Fullblood Commercial Foundation Total minimum of 6.25% 43.93% loss in Chianina blood in registrations 2003 3984 2 3577 62 1154 527 9306 order to participate from 2003 in ACA nationally to 2019. The 2008 2583 10 4485 36 1409 685 9208 sponsored shows greatest decline or sales. Seconded came from 2013 1225 18 3686 17 830 491 6267 by Esch. Motion

Chiangus with a 77.44% decline. 2018 1171 2 3798 26 473 318 5788 carried unani mously.” -

We have got to turn this trend 2019 899 10 3738 45 318 208 5218 This issue was around. very important to

In 2019, of the 3738 Chianina cattle added to the ACA Herd- me 10 years ago; it remains equally important today. Although book, 851 were heifers with less than 6.25% Chianina blood. This not part of the original motion, it was the intent of the 2010 means that Composite heifers accounted for nearly one-quarter Board to increase the minimum percentage over time. Obviously, (22.77%) of all Chianina cattle (including heifers, steers, and that has not happened; boards evolve, directors rotate on and off, bulls) that were registered last year. perspectives change.

There were two primary questions that the Board wrestled with To me, the decision to pilot test a Composite show at the 2021 when debating this decision. NJHS boils down to two key factors. These factors are integrity and 1. Will adding a Composite Show at the NJHS result in an financial sustainability. increase in the number of cattle and exhibitors at the 2021 NJHS? Integrity… 2. Will adding a Composite Show result in increased registra- First considering the issue of integrity, a breed association must tions or memberships? stand for something. Breed identity is a challenge for our asso-

Time will provide the answers to these two questions. (You can ciation. While the Italian Fullbloods are easily recognizable, our bet that these numbers will be examined and studied carefully Chianina, Chiangus, and Chiford cattle are not. They are difficult and thoroughly.) to distinguish from other breeds. This lack of breed identity pro-

From a personal standpoint, I will admit that this was a chal- vides a serious challenge in marketing and promotion. A breed lenging issue to explore. Let me quote a section of the minutes association must stand for something. The 6.25% minimum is from the ACA Board of Directors’ meeting on April 9, 2010. equivalent to 1/16 blood. The question that I wrestle with is “how low are we going to go?” At some point, we have to draw a line

“Low Percentage Registrations: Culp shared a collection of and stand for something. There are those who contend that our tables documenting the Chianina Percentages by Breed Type, current 6.25% minimum is already too low.

Percentage, and Gender, since the inception of the American The issue of offering a Composite show becomes more palat-

Chianina Association. Additionally, Culp presented a packet of able to me if both parents are registered in the ACA Herdbook. (In information including the Grand and Reserve Grand Champions my mind, if both parents are registered with the ACA, the breeder at Denver, Ft. Worth, the Junior National and the North American is being intentional about breeding Chianina cattle.) Another from 2004 to 2010 and the percentage of Chianina blood in option considered was to require both parents to be registered; each of those cattle. Tables were included showing the general but only one would be required to have an ACA pedigree. (In this 6 | CHIANINA JOURNAL | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

case, the other parent could be registered with another recognizable breed association and we diminish the amount of undocumented DNA derived from commercial cows.) Neither of these options gained much traction during our discussion.

My personal conviction is that I serve the American Chianina Association. The ACA is NOT the “Show Cattle Association of America.” While I serve the ACA membership, I do not feel obligated to provide a registration or show service for individuals who choose to breed their females to sires from other breeds, then look to the ACA for an opportunity to register and show them, simply because no other breed association will recognize them.

I will acknowledge that some might find this to be an arrogant perspective; I, however, prefer to think that it is an issue of breed integrity. I believe that our association records Chianina genetics, as opposed to undocumented DNA that no one has bothered to register.

Financial Sustainability…

The second factor is one of financial sustainability. The two primary revenue streams for the ACA are registrations/transfers and memberships. Together, these two categories accounted for exactly 70% of ACA’s revenue in the 2019 calendar year.

When both registrations and memberships decline, the association absolutely needs the income derived from registering Composite (low percentage) cattle. Some directors argue that because we register the cattle and accept fees from breeders to provide this service, we are, therefore, obligated to allow them to exhibit. Other directors contend that purchasing a Composite heifer could be a way for a junior member to “breed up” to a Chianina heifer. Other directors believe that the most important factor to consider is increasing the number of cattle exhibited and the number of juniors participating in the National Junior Heifer Show.

One thing is certain; the organization must be sustained to continue to offer services to its membership. Without a pedigree, it’s just a calf.

The entire issue probably boils down to the decision made three decades ago, when the Rules of Registration were changed from a 1/8 (12.5%) blood minimum, to simply requiring that at least one parent be registered with the ACA in order to register progeny.

I firmly believe that the overwhelming majority of commercial cows entered into the ACA Herdbook could be legally registered Chianina cows, if their owners had simply taken the time or made the effort to register them. It’s not difficult to go back a couple of generations and find an ancestor that’s been registered in the ACA Herdbook. Most of our Chianina cattle actually have more Chianina blood than the registration paper documents; simply because no one took the time (or spent the money) to keep up their papers. Once again, the current board is placed in a difficult position and forced to make a decision with circumstances that were set into motion decades ago by a different group of well-intentioned people.

We won’t know whether the decision to offer a one year, single show trial for Composite (less than 6.25% Chianina blood) heifers will result in increased registrations and memberships for the ACA, or an increase in the number of cattle exhibited and/or youth participating in the 2021 National Junior Heifer Show, until at least next year. However, its time to be innovative and try something different. We must reverse the downward trend in registrations; the livelihood of the Association depends upon it.

Serving on the Board of Directors for the ACA is not for the faint of heart. It is both a huge commitment, as well as a tremendous responsibility. We are presented with challenges and opportunities that must be considered and resolved. Generally, there are no easy answers. We do the best that we can with our resources, given the current situation. We follow the trail blazed by previous boards, but often must reconsider how the environment, situation and circumstances have changed.

Rest assured that these difficult decisions are not taken lightly by those whom the membership has elected to serve. This is a tremendous responsibility. The ACA is fortunate that the current board of directors consists of passionate, well-intentioned, committed individuals who have the best interest of the association in mind and at heart. It is an honor to serve as chairman of this group as we navigate these issues and seek innovative, yet practical ways to resolve them. While we don’t always agree on the best course of action, we are committed and resolved to do the best we can to ensure the sustainable future of our Association.

That’s the way I see it.