Association Outlook

Montie D. Soules

asa executive secretary/CEO

Reaping the Harvest

As the year flies by, we are already in November, one of the busiest times of the year for the association and Shorthorn breeders; including the start-up of national shows, annual meetings, and preparing for activities in 2023. Wow, it does not seem possible to be talking about 2023 already. It is just around the corner as we finish up fall sales and go headlong onto the holiday season.

Looking back, the past year has been good for Shorthorns. We registered over 15,000 head for the second consecutive year, sales have been strong, with many making record amounts and/or averages and the number of animals exhibited at most shows is up from the regional to national level.

During November, one of our busiest months, many are finishing crop harvests and getting the calf crop weaned. In the cattle industry, weaning is harvest time for the cattle industry. Many of you spend time and money evaluating the crop yields, genetics and fertilizer used plus some number crunching to ensure next year’s crop is even better. Reviewing the calf crop should be just as important. Weaning weights, cow production, sires used, and many other components go into your breeding and management selections. The big difference is that next year’s calf crop is already in the oven and will be born in the spring. So, your analysis cannot have an effect for another year out. This is still important as you may find a few low producers that need to be eliminated from the herd. The big cost of open cows needs to be addressed, especially in these times of accelerated inflation as costs continue to rise. Those that spend the time and evaluate the bottom end and remove them will reap huge benefits in the future. Many areas in the country are in severe drought conditions resulting in a record number of cows harvested and replacement heifers going into the feedlots. This will lead to an exceptionally strong market in the coming years. These activities are not the normal 2% or 3% that we have consistently seen in the past. We are hearing estimates of 10% or 12% fewer cows in the future. This will allow the market to hit some highs we have never seen. The Shorthorn breed is already seeing that increase in value in our cattle. Now is the time to get prepared for the future. The good cattle of this breed will be worth more than ever. Just look at the sales this fall - the surge has already started. It is a great time to be part of this industry and particularly in the Shorthorn Breed!

I just want to mention some activities happening this month in Louisville besides all the shows. The Shorthorn Youth Development Fund Foundation is sponsoring the fundraiser we have all come to enjoy in the barns: Deck the Stalls on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 12th. 100% of the proceeds from this go to sponsor the Junior National. That same evening, we will host a special social commemorating the 150 years of the ASA and honor past Builders of the Breed and past ASA Presidents and Board members. This will be a fun time for all to make new friends and get reacquainted with the Shorthorn Family.

November 18th and 19th will be the ASA Annual Meeting in Kansas City at the Hilton Airport Hotel. There will be a social Friday evening and a very interesting educational forum on Saturday morning. We will address the new strategic plan put in place by the ASA Board and Staff focused on looking at sustainability for both the ASA and you, the membership. Saturday afternoon is the Annual Meeting, and the Awards Banquet is on Saturday evening. Please register for this event on the shorthorn.org website so we can plan the number of meals needed. Look for details on page 17 in this issue of the magazine.

The ASA Board of Directors met in September and made the necessary decision to raise some fees. I do not think any of us are immune to the extreme inflation and cost of doing business felt by everyone, including the ASA office. It was important for the ASA Board to get out in front of this before the possibility of getting into a hole that we would have to dig out of. We have shared this through video communication and in the magazine. The new fees will take effect Jan. 1, 2023, except for the WHR and membership fees. Those two fees were mailed out in November; we felt it was best to get out in front of the changes with the information so you would not be surprised. Please check out the new fee schedule and information on pages 18, 20-21.

These times open new avenues that many of us may not have traveled before. Inflation rates and interest rates many have not seen. I remember paying 12% and even 18% interest when I was in my twenties. Why do I start on this topic? Well, it is easy for me to address. It is time to own something you can touch and feel; that is from experience. A Shorthorn cow is one of those assets that can and will grow in value as inflation controls our future. Just take a moment and look at the history and even closer to today, the past couple of years. Analyze the value of a good Shorthorn and how it has accelerated. Look into the future and see the forecasted cow numbers and need for protein. Purebred cattle have always held their value in times like these. They will grow in value in some cases, the good ones, faster than inflation when you must borrow money at a higher interest rate. The product you spend your money on had better be able to gain at a faster value than the interest rate or the pace of inflation. It can be the time to “Reap the Harvest” with that solid, good old standby, “The Shorthorn Cow!” =