Chatting Chairman

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Feeling like your voice, vote, or opinion doesn’t matter. I don’t like that. I don’t want you to think that way. I want you to know it does matter.

I spoke to an ASA member that has been a member for 25-plus years who had never voted in a trustee election. We have to find a way to get more people to vote in the election, and to be active in their association. Voting electronically from your phone or computer has helped, but if you don’t take time to do it then we aren’t making any progress. The faces of the ASA, the staff in Montana, and our board needs to be more out in front of the members showing you and telling you why it is important. The town-hall-style meetings and meet and greet events have been making some traction, but we still have work to do. Please contact me if you would like to talk about making a difference.

During this time when people are relying more and more on the internet and electronic communication, what do you perceive as the future for the ASA’s print publications?

No matter what is happening we will continue with our breed publications. The success of some other breed publications is strong, however they face the same challenges. ASA continues to sell ads throughout the year. The increased use of social media will help us to embrace new members and a new generation. Human interest pieces are very appealing to the membership and should include all types of members from across the country. ASA adding some statements on monthly and quarterly reports from different sources was a great step and well received by many.

Why is ASA’s history important, and how does it continue to influence Simmental’s path?

The groundwork of our early leadership and the ability to adapt to change has helped get us where we are today. Our breed, like many others, has faced some challenges. Most importantly, over time our breeders have been focused on raising good cattle; no matter if they were really tall red-and-white ones, or a more moderate-framed black, white-faced female. Simmental breeders are good people looking to raise good cattle. Our diversity makes us unique with Fleckvieh, Simbrah, Purebreds, and the continued rise of the percentage of SimAngus. The foresight with advancing science, the growth of IGS, and collaborating with other breeds is a great plus for the future. Why have people come into our breed? The answer is we as breeders, large or small, adult or junior, have made the cattle better. The people who choose our breed do so for a reason. Simmentals are accepted by the commercial industry, seedstock producers, feedlots, packers, and the show ring. We all aren’t so different because we have strength in numbers. n