President Outlook

Hugh Mooney

ASA president

People Make the Difference

One of the opportunities I am provided as president is to write an article for the July issue commonly referred to as the Herd Bull edition. Last year I wrote of the idea of building your brand which was related to the emphasis of the program planned for the Annual Meeting. Sadly, we had to cancel that program and in February had a virtual meeting to conduct the required business of the association. That was an opportunity lost like so many others during the past 15 months. It is now time to move forward with a celebration. Not just a celebration of an end in sight to the pandemic but a celebration of America’s First breed registry, Shorthorn.

In this issue and in future issues of Shorthorn Country you will hear about opportunities to celebrate 150 years of registered Shorthorn cattle. And yes, our breed is America’s First. This is the Shorthorn Sesquicentennial. The celebration will begin with the Annual Meeting in Kansas City following the American Royal Shorthorn Show. The association has been working on several projects to support this celebration not the least of which has been the creation of a book about the breed. This book begins with the origin of the breed and many decisions that have us where we are today. As a member of the board, I have had the opportunity to read a few of the chapters and I am certain that this is a book that any serious breeder of Shorthorn cattle will want to own. Look for information to get your copy of this limited-edition book on the history of the Shorthorn breed.

As I reflect on the early beginning of the Shorthorn breed in America I wonder about the people who made the decision in the late 1800’s to travel by boat to England to buy cattle to ship to America at great financial risk. What was it like at that time to buy cattle on another continent and then use them to improve the cow herd in America? They likely had to rely on people they trusted to move their herds forward and to be difference makers. This was not easy to do. As they say, “If it was easy everyone would do it.”

When any of us are looking for our next herd bull we identify certain characteristics that we value. When we see an animal that we think might possess many of the characteristics we ask ourselves some questions. Do I trust the breeder? Is that an actual birth weight? Do I believe the calf was born on the date that is listed on the papers? Is the pedigree accurate? Is the data accurate? If we can’t answer yes to all of those questions we likely will find it difficult to invest in those genetics.

There are few people who choose to take a risk to find outcross genetics that not only can move their herd forward but the breed as well. Who among our members will breed the next great bull that will truly have a wide impact on the breed moving forward? It will be somebody of integrity. By that I mean someone we believe is honest. Someone who we respect. Someone who generates trust. Someone who keeps their promises. Someone who helps others. Breeders who possess those characteristics develop relationships with both current and future customers. They believe that people make the difference.

I likely am similar to many Shorthorn breeders. Cattle are not my primary income. I am a first-generation Shorthorn breeder. I have a full-time job and have the cattle because I truly enjoy them. Every year I try to raise better cattle than the year before. Though I enjoy attending the big shows, I don’t expect that I will ever be the breeder of the National Junior Heifer Show Champion. I have a good friend that I run cattle with and share bulls. I like cows that calve unassisted and unobserved. I sell heifers and steers for those who show. I enjoyed showing each year at the State Fair, but being from California may never have that opportunity again.

I also likely have had some different experiences than many of you. First of course is serving as a member of the ASA Board of Directors and now as President. Each summer I have tried to spend some time traveling and visiting Shorthorn breeders. This has included breeders large and small. Those who raise show cattle and those who raise performance cattle. I have always seen cattle that I liked at every stop I made. My challenge has always been having the money to buy the cattle I liked. Since I didn’t win the Mega Millions Jackpot in May when it was over $400,000,000, that challenge continues. What I did gain from those travels was to develop an understanding of those breeders’ philosophy’s related to breeding cattle. What their priorities are, the direction they want to move their breeding program and how my vision to make progress toward my goals may be complemented by their genetics.

I would never buy cattle from someone who I did not trust. I value honesty and integrity. I hope that those who I have met in the Shorthorn breed find me to be a person who possesses those characteristics. I truly believe that people make the difference. If a breeder has successful production sales year after year, it is because they are people who customers trust. If a breeder sells significant numbers of cattle privately to repeat customers year after year, it is because they have a relationship built on trust.

The next great genetics created will happen because the right people tried to do it. Most breeders will just try to keep breeding cattle that they can sell. A few will take a chance to try to produce the next great one. It will happen because people made the right decision. As we celebrate the Shorthorn Sesquicentennial, let’s celebrate the people who have and will make a difference to the breed we all love. The future of the breed depends on people. People make the difference. =