THE
HIGHLAND
HOOFBEAT
NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH
CENTRAL
HIGHLAND
CATTLE ASSOCIATION
April 2010…VOLUME 23, NUMBER 1
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Presidents
Page:
Prospective- outlook for 2010
By: Dave Bergin of Round Rock Farm
March 2010
What a great year 2010 is going to be. We as a family are optimistic for 2010 because 2009 was extremely difficult for many. As a prospective, being 39, it was the worst economic times that this youngster remembers. When comparing the economic slowdown to the boom years of 2000-2008 it has been quite an adjustment for all of us. Most likely we all know someone who has been laid off or lost his or her job. Hopefully they have found other work and are back on their feet.
With that in mind we have seen an adjustment in peoples thoughts and values. The biggest change that we have seen locally is in the value of land and housing. In the past it seemed as if there was no end to the appreciation in one’s home or property values. Land speculation and “flipping” of properties was the norm. This had led to double-digit property value increases. None of these increases in valuation were reflected in a change in agriculture production. If your hay and cattle production also went up by double digits each year it would be a little easier to justify such increases. With rising property values many of us have found it difficult if not impossible to purchase additional land. Each large tract of property was simply a housing development waiting to happen. When one started comparing the value of property to the production you could get off of it farming or ranching you simply could not justify the expense. Fortunately, in our area we have seen land prices drop 20% or more. This should slow the tide of development and get people back to using good land for what it was meant for, food production.
Another change that we have seen is that people are more cautious than they were in the past. Our “pay for it tomorrow” society of where more is better is being replaced by a realigning of values. We have seen it in our grass fed direct meat business; “value” has been gone for too long. Our customers are realizing that what you eat and how you take care of yourself is an investment in your health and well-being. The Walmartizing” of the food chain has far removed the producer from the consumer. Movies such as Food Inc., http://www.foodincmovie.com/, have also been helpful in expanding people’s awareness of where their food actually comes from. Add to this the number of cooking programs on television where they treat food as an experience to savor and enjoy rather then as a commodity of substance and you have a whole new set of values pertaining to our food.
As this movement grows we, as Highland Producers are well positioned to fill this growing need. Our cattle are unique food producers that are not designed be raised as a commercial commodity. They do well on grass are good for your health and have a unique flavor and texture. Add to this the unique experience of not eating a “black” cow and knowing where it comes from. As producers though we have to carefully take advantage of this movement. There are a number of marketing pitfalls the one can easily fall into. We will be reviewing these marketing does and don’ts in my upcoming article. Until then, I will leave with one of best farming pieces of advice that I have ever received, “you must run your farm as a business or a hobby, but not both for then both are sure to fail.”
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MN Jr. Spring Classic April 17th & 18th
Submitted by Jamie Schulz
There is a show just for youth taking place in Austin, MN the weekend of April 17th. On Saturday they have a boot camp where they have demonstrations of fitting, clipping, and showmanship. You don’t need to show to participate in this activity. There will be 4 Highlands and 1 Highland cross being shown on Sunday at the show in the “Other Breeds” class. If you are interested please check out the show website at www.minnesotajsc.com They have a video from the 2008 show that is interesting to watch. They are really trying to get kids involved from other states and we hope it will be a good experience for the kids to have their own show. We would love to have some support there for the kids and their Highlands, and maybe we could have more animals there next year. We could have our own breed class next year if we can get just a few more animals and sponsorship for the class. In the years past they have had almost 200 head shown on Sunday, and it sounds like the numbers for this year are running about the same. It will hopefully be a fun experience for the kids!!
I will try and have the kids write up something for the next hoofbeat on what they thought of the show.
Application for North Central Highland Junior Association
Membership Name:_________________________________
Address:__________________________________________
Date of birth:______________________________________
Home Number:____________________________________
E-mail Address:____________________________________
Parent’s Name:_____________________________________
Junior memberships are for persons under 21 years of age. Membership expires when you turn 21 years old. Please take the time to list all the cattle that you own personally along with the registration numbers on a separate sheet of paper. It is perfectly fine if you do not have cattle in you name; you are still 100% eligible to be a NCHCA Junior Member.
Mail application to:
Heather Nelson
N9281 Nature Road
East Troy, WI 53120 |
Submitted by Sue Dyke
I attended the Nebraska Cattleman's Classic in Kearney, NE on Feb 18-20 with a display of my red angus/ highland cross steer and my 10 month bull calf. Since the live cattle displays are outside it was a challenge to keep things on the table dry and keeping myself warm. But as a whole , I was able to make some good contacts. Amongst the people that I visited with , I learned about a new website called ExclusiveLivestock.com. This a new site for the minor breeds for marketing, farm profiles, etc. Since it is a new site ; it is a work in progress , but , I think it is well worth your time. They also told me about the Grassfed Exchange that was going to happen on Feb 26-27 in my backyard of Yankton,SD. After I checked out the website, I thought it was worth the e-mail to see if I could sneak in at the last minute with a display. As it turns out, they were very welcoming and I took, my 3 yr. old black bull and the cross bred steer. And what an event it was! It started out as a small gathering until the word got out. I met people from Maine to Montana; Canada to Mexico. The seminars were held on Friday with over 300 attending . On Saturday, it was a great opportunity to meet and talk to so many people with the same goals. We were told that Arby's is going to start a national campaign serving grass fed beef in all of their restaurants !! The common thread that I heard about during these seminars is what the Highland breed can offer as beef animals. The interest in our bull and steer was unbelievable as breed representatives. People were asking if there were going to be any Highlands in the sale ; which I thought well. The sellers were getting as a whole market price for their animals. It was so much fun to be around a group of people that were also thinking outside the box. I heard so many times that we as a breed are on the edge of something huge. How exciting it's going to be when that happens.
The winners of the Seahorse Coloring Contest are:
Paige Proctor, Denali Bronder, and Ty Bronder.
They did a great job! Way to go!
Submitted by Chris Bergin
COMING SOON! A new look for our association website. Watch for it at www.nchca.org. Help your customer's find you! Add your farm profile to the website for only $25 per year. Details will be e-mailed and/or mailed to you in April. |
Where to See Highlands!
We would like to provide a list of events where people will have their highlands to people on the NCHCA website. The hope is that people who are interested in the breed can see where they could go to see some animals and talk with breeders about Highlands. It seems people are always bringing animals somewhere, whether to a fair, a festival, farm event, live nativity, etc. We do lots with our animals and let’s get that information out to people. It is just another way for us to share these wonderful cows with people who always love to see them. Please send the name of the event, dates, and city and state to Jamie Schulz at info@flatlandfarm.com so we can get an updated list and post it on the website.
Highland Events 2010
Where to see Scottish Highland Cattle
February 18-20 Nebraska Cattlemens Classic Kearney, NE
26-27 Grassfed Exchange Yankton, SD
April 17-18 Minnesota Junior Spring Classic Austin, MN
May 9 MAHA Spring Show Mercer, PA
22 Minnesota Scottish Fair and Highland Games Farmington, MN
21-23 Spring Fair Allegan, MI
July 20-22 Wisconsin Farm Technology days River Falls, WI
August 11-15 Mower County Fair Austin, MN
30-Sept.2 MN State Fair St. Paul, MN
September 25 North Central Highland Cattle Show West Salem, WI
October 16 Husker Classic Highland Cattle Show York, NE
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Classified/Want Ads
Ads from members may be submitted for a dime a word or $5.00 for a business card per issue. Remember it does not have to be just cattle. It can be head gates, corral panels or any other equipment you wish to sell or purchase.
For Sale
Bred cows, and cows with calves at side.
Also 2009 Heifers for sale and 2009 steers.
Call 262-594-2542 or email tamarlinnorth@aol.com
Minnesota Scottish Fair & Highland Games
The Minnesota Scottish Fair and Highland Games are being held once again this year at the Dakota County Fairgrounds in Farmington, MN (4008 220th Street W.) on Saturday May 22nd 2010. Gates open at 8:00AM-closing at 5:30PM. For the last several years we have been displaying our cattle there to show people what a classy animal our Highlands are There is a ton of interest in the animals and it is a great way to promote the breed.
If you are interested in joining in on the fun for the day, with or without animals, please call Billy Johnston at 651-457-4449 or email at dalriada@comcast.net by the 1st week of May and he will get tickets lined up for you. If you don’t call him and show up, general admission is $15 for an adult, so be sure to call him. Even if you don’t bring an animal, you can give those that do a break during the day and watch their beast’s while the others check out the fair.
This is only open for Minnesota animals. Due to the TB watch in Minnesota. Call or email Billy for questions.
A great web site to check out on the fair is:
www.mnscottishfair.org
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Presidents Report and Annual Meeting Report:
By Dave Bergin of Round Rock Farm
As winter fades to spring my mind is still abuzz with all of the great information that we learned at our February annual meeting. It was the third annual meeting that my wife and I attended. As we almost always do, we got involved from the beginning. At our first meeting I was nominated for and elected as your Vice President. At that meeting our family along with the Sassen’s volunteered to organize and host the 2009 annual meeting. We must have done a good job for we were nominated again for the 2010 meeting. Well, our two-year commitment has passed and we are looking forward to 2011’s meeting as attendees rather than organizers. We are really looking forward to 2011’s gathering for our new Vice President; Mary Ann Proctor has agreed to host the meeting. Maybe we are starting a new trend or re-writing the VP’s job description. Either way as a member you really need to attend our annual meeting. It is not only a time to meet your fellow producer, but is also a time to learn more about highlands and farming.
This year’s annual meeting was a compilation of the surveys that we collected in 2009. Going into to 2009 we were sort of blind to what our members were looking for. What we did find out in our surveys was that there wasn’t enough time for networking. So, we changed it for 2010, adding longer breaks and more networking time. We narrowed our speakers down from three to two. What we did add was a group discussion activity on why we do what we do. I had just recently come back from a one day planning seminar sponsored by another business group that I belong too. The focus of the seminar was getting a better understanding of why we do what we do. Well, what better place to put this to practice than at our annual meeting. Even though the answers were varied we all agreed upon a few points:
1. We raise highlands for they are unique, low maintenance and have quality meat.
2. We are often hobby farmers that would like to aspire to more.
3. The sale barn is not a friendly place to highland producers.
4. We need a stable fair market for our highlanders.
With these ideas in mind I have made it a goal for my Presidency to help find, foster or produce a stable market for our highlanders. I am not going to be able to do it alone; I am going to need your help. Some of the discussion on this topic at the annual meeting made mention of other organizations or cooperatives that were marketing or buying highlanders, if you know more about this please let me know. To further this project I am looking for your help with:
1. Marketing ideas for highland products:
a. Meat
b. Hides/Hair
c. Skulls/Horns
2. Regional or national cooperatives that would or will deal in highlanders.
3. The viability of a NCHCA marketing cooperative.
4. Standards for raising and finish highlanders.
I am asking that you e-mail me your thoughts and ideas so that in a joint effort we can secure a stable market for our cattle. This will allow producers to concentrate on producing and marketers to concentrate on marketing. Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts and ideas. info@roundrockfarm.com 218.330.1531. We will gather the collective thoughts and ideas of all to formulate a plan of action.
As an organization, we are here to serve you, the member. We can only do that with your help and input, so please be willing to help with your thoughts, ideas and participation.
Dave Bergin lives with his wife Christine and their young children Holly and Hunter in Fort Ripley, MN. They have been highland producers for five years. Feel free to contact them or visit their web site: www.roundrockfarm.com |
NORTH CENTRAL HIGHLAND ASSOCIATION
Minutes of the annual meeting 2010
The annual meeting of the North Central Highland Cattle Association was held at the Country Inn by Carlson, Woodbury, Minnesota, Saturday, February 13, 2010, and Sunday. February, 14, 2010.
Saturday afternoon: registration, paying of dues, and renewing business cards ads in the Hoofbeat. Three different group activities took place: #1 – Why did you join the association? What association sponsored events would interest you and why? What reasons would you give someone to join the association? #2 –
Why did you choose Highland cattle? Have you been happy with your breed choice? Do you own other cattle breeds? How do you market your cattle? #3 – Do you raise cattle as a hobby or a business? If you raise them as a hobby, would you like it to be a business? What factors prevent you from raising cattle as a business? There were also two speakers: Leon Vetsch, area sales manager from Genex Cooperative, Inc., and Hugh Kraemer from K-FENCE. Both these gentlemen were very interesting and informative. After an excellent buffet dinner, an auction was held for our Junior members, with some very interesting and unusual items offered.
The Sunday morning meeting was called to order by President Roger Weideman at 8:35 A.M. Roger thanked Cindy and Larry Sassen and Dave and Christine Bergin for arranging the location of our meeting this year and getting the two excellent speaker that we had Saturday afternoon. The Secretary’s minutes from 2009 were approved. Don Veidel did the audit that morning; then the Treasurer’s report was approved. (Ken Rose will do the audit in 2011.) Balance on hand: $7,761.43. (This includes Junior - $574.38, but not including money from the auction Saturday evening.) NOTE: the Juniors are also selling cookbooks - $20.00 each.
Chris Bergin reported on the NCHCA website. Her suggestions: a classified ad with picture for 90 days - $15.00, additional picture pictures, $5.00 each; profile with more information about the farm - $25.00 a year. This was approved. The treasurer will send out invoices/bills for payment of fees for previous classified ads, etc. not having been paid. Updating the website will cost about $700.00 to $800.00. The webmaster (Nate Fry) charges $50.00 an hour for his work.
Billy Johnston, NCHCA representative to the AHCA, gave his report. There are four main committees: governance, breed protection and promotion, budget and finance, and shows. The AHCA National Convention is June 17th –19th in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In 2011 – not sure where. In 2012, probably the Northeast.
Jessica Weideman read an e-mail from Heather Nelson (head of the Juniors); Heather was unable to attend this meeting. Winners of the NCHCA Junior Challenge were Jamie Sawle ($100.00) and Aurora Martinez ($50.00). Congratulations, girls! There were activities available for the Juniors Saturday afternoon and evening: swimming, making cow halters, television, pizza, and “Avatar” (for the older kids). Sue Dyke gave a report about Junior activities at the National Western Show: having their own show, getting animals ready for the Highland cattle auction, and raising $7,000.00 at auction for the Juniors. Nationally, there are about 100 Juniors. Sue is an at-large director to AHCA. She had the Grand Champion Bull at the National Western Stock Show. Congratulations, Sue!
Mark Schulz talked about a 2-day junior event showing cattle in southern Minnesota: April 17th & 18th. The Minnesota Scottish Fair & Highland Games will be held on Saturday, May 22, 2010, Dakota County
Fairgrounds, Farmington, Minnesota. Billy Johnston is the contact person for this event. This is an excellent venue to show the Highlands, and a good time is always had by everyone. There were no Highlands at the 2009 Minnesota State Fair; a whole herd TB had to be done, and no one had had one. For 2010, Mark & Jamie Schulz volunteered for a four day slot. Roger Weideman is going to contact John Reiman for this year; if he cannot make the arrangements, Larry Zea knows whom to contact. He also volunteered to go down to the Fair for 2 to 3 days to help, as did Billy Johnston. The 2009 Wisconsin Farm Technology Days were held July 21st – 23rd in Dodge County, Waterloo, Wisconsin. The 2010 Days will be held July 20th—22nd in Pierce County, River Falls, Wisconsin. Roger and Cindy Weideman will have cattle. A motion was passed for NCHCA to participate in this event and spent the required $400.00. Joan Rose covered the NCHCA Show in 2009. There were 51 animals there (50 are needed for a Super Point show). The date of the Show this year is September 25, 2010. Jamie Schulz presented the new brochures and fact sheets. They are excellent: colorful and informative
The by-laws were changed so that NCHCA representative to the AHCA Board can serve two three-year terms. This is accordance with ACHA’s ruling.
Jamie Schulz volunteered to be NCHCA Secretary replacing Pat Zea; Jim Anderson volunteered to be the Editor of the Hoofbeat, replacing Vicki Brittain; Cindy Weideman will remain Treasurer. Vicki and Pat were thanked for their eight years of service. Anne Proctor was elected unanimously to be Vice-President; Mark Schulz and Sue Dyke were unanimously re-elected to the NCHCA Board, joining Dave Larson who was elected last year. Heather Nelson was unanimously elected as the NCHCA representative to the AHCA Board (three year term).
Dave Bergin then took over as President. Roger was thanked for serving as President these last two years. Anne and John Proctor and Mark and Jamie Schulz will be responsible for locating a place for our annual meeting in 2011. It was approved to donate $200.00 to the Highland Foundation and $100 to AJHCA. In Breed Promotion: new brochures –website – shows – State Fair – Scottish Fair– facebook. Mary Schmidtke volunteered to update our Highland display in time for the Scottish Fair.
Meeting was adjourned at 11:59 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary
IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2010:
May 22nd: Minnesota Scottish Fair & Highland Games, Farmington, Minnesota
June17th –19th: AHCA National Convention, Kalamazoo, Michigan
July 20th-22nd: Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, Pierce County, River Falls, Wisconsin
August 26th-September 6th: Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul, Minnesota
September 25th: NCHCA Highland Show, West Salem Fairgrounds, LaCrosse, Wisconsin
October 16th: Husker Highland Show, York, Nebraska |
North Central Highland Cattle Association
Farm Name ________________________________________________
Member Names ________________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________
City, State Zip ________________________________________________
Annual Membership Dues (February-February) $30 _______________
Membership Options:
Additional photos for classified ad $5(ea) _______________
TOTAL DUE _______________
Send form, Business card if advertising, and check payable to NCHCA to:
Jamie Schulz
NCHCA Secretary
18709 690th Ave
Elkton, MN 55933
Send Farm Profile and Classified Ad info to:
Chris Bergin
info@roundrockfarm.com |
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NCHCA OFFICERS
Dave Bergin—President (218) 330-1531
info@roundrockfarm.com
Anne Proctor—Vice-President (715) 457-6748
WindemereFarm@TheProctors.com
Jamie Schulz—Secretary (507) 582-1073
info@flatlandfarm.com
Cindy Weideman—Treasurer (715) 294-2249
rweidema@centurytel.net
Jim Anderson—Hoofbeat Editor (715) 483-9283
janderson043@centurytel.net
Board of Directors
Dave Larson—(262) 539-3257
FTAcres@tds.net
Sue Dyke—(402) 586-2631
almostafarm@gpcom.net
Mark Schulz—(507) 582-1073
info@flatlandfarm.com
NCHCA AHCA Board Member
Heather Nelson—(262) 594-2542
TamarlinNorth@aol.com
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NCHCA WEBSITE
Check out NCHCA website at www.NCHCA.org. Put this website on your favorites list and check it out frequently. Frequent hits on the website moves NCHCA up on the search engines list so check it out often. The NCHCA website is a great place to advertise your cattle for sale, in the classified section, or to describe your farm and operation in the Breeders page section or even to get your farm listed on the breeders map. For website changes contact Chris Bergin at: (218) 330-9658 or info@roundrockfarm.com
REMINDER
THE NEXT HOOFBEAT INFORMATION IS NEEDED BY
June 25, 2010
Jim & Barb Anderson
Blue Oak Farm
1835 250th Street
St. Croix Falls, WI |
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The Hoofbeat - January 2010
The Hoofbeat - October 2009
The Hoofbeat - July 2009
The Hoofbeat - April 2009
The Hoofbeat - January 2009
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