Presidents
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Happy New Year!
Here it is, my last article for the President’s page, and while it is not a real hardship I am not unhappy to pass the responsibility on to the next president. The annual meeting is coming up in February and I hope everyone is planning to attend; an association works best when there is good participation. I would like to remind everyone that we have multiple positions to fill. It can be fun, challenging and rewarding to get involved.
The weekend prior to our convention Cindy and I will be attending the Wisconsin Cattlemen’s convention in Tomah, WI. Last year I was impressed with the educational speakers and the reports from the various political committees. It is at this meeting that the planning for next summer’s Farm Technology display takes place, and I would encourage all our Wisconsin members to join Wisconsin Cattlemen and come to the meeting. Minnesota has a similar organization and I would assume other states also so all our members could participate in their state. If we want Highland Cattle to be recognized it is important for our breeders to be involved with other cattlemen and cattle breeds. It gives us a chance to expound on the virtues of our magnificent Highlands
With all the talk of global warming it is a bit hard to take it seriously when we go for days and days and never see the thermometer get above zero. It may be warm someplace but it sure isn’t here. Hope you are finding a place to stay warm and I hope to see you all at the convention in February.
Roger Weideman |
ATTENTION JUNIORS
submitted by Heather Nelson
Happy New Year!
Our Junior Challenge is now completed for 2009. We will announce the winners at the NCHCA Convention in February. I will not be able to be there, but Jessica Weideman will be heading all the planned Junior activities and giving the report for the Junior program.
We have a really great group of Juniors, and when we get together it is always a fun time. I hope that in the upcoming year we can encourage some younger Juniors to take the plunge and get involved as well as keeping our older Juniors not only involved, but teaching the younger Juniors what they have learned from being a member of the NCHCA Jr. program. We are developing some very promising role models within the Junior program as Highland Breeders and young adults.
After the NCHCA meeting all new programs will be sent out to the Juniors that are members. If you are not sure if you are a member yet, or would like to be one, just contact me at tamarlinnorth@aol.com and I will send you a membership form.
I am looking forward to another year full of good times and laughs. It has been a great adventure being the Jr. Leader in the NCHCA. It has been a pleasure to be involved with so many terrific kids. Check out all the activities that are coming up this year. See you soon!
NCHCA Junior Happenings
We need to get planning our Jr. Get2gether. We had talked about camping out this year. Get your ideas to me and we will get the plans going.
WELCOME THIS NEW MEMBER TO OUR ASSOCIATION
Submitted by Pat Zea
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Brian B. Banister |
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Oak Hill Farm |
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25940 320 Street |
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Starbuck, MN 56381 |
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320-843-2585 |
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NOTES FROM THE SECRETARY
January 2010
submitted by Pat Zea
This will be my last “Notes from the Secretary.” Eight years ago, the Secretary-Treasurer-Hoofbeat editor was one position. In 2002, this one position was divided into three separate positions. I volunteered to be Secretary. I have enjoyed working with the various officers that the NCHCA association has had over the past eight years and meeting the new members and helping them throughout the years. But, now it is time to hand this position over to another person.
At our annual meeting in February, we will be selecting a new Vice-President. Two NCHCA board positions are up for election, plus the AHCA representative from NCHCA. We will be planning our 2010 events. Plan to attend so that we can have an exciting and busy year with our Highland cattle.
Ask us (Larry & me) about our trip to Chile in October-November, and we will probably talk “your arm off” for 30-40 minutes and show you our great pictures!! It was spring down there and the flowers were just starting to bloom and the trees were leafing out. It did rain quite a bit in the southern part of Chile, not a cold rain but a warm rain. We spent a week in Santiago with a couple we knew: Juan and Kirsten Castro (she is from Minneapolis and he grew up in Chile and they met in Minneapolis). We toured a beautiful house (which is now a museum: Familia Cousino). This family lived between Paris, France, and Santiago. We also drove to the Parque Metropolitano de Santiago; it is on a chain of mountains, and you see all of Santiago. It was absolutely gorgeous. We had a Chilean couple (Pablo and Connie) who were our tour guides. They were college students. Then we flew south to Panguipulli in Southern Chile. This is where the cattle were, the ones that had been sold to Senor Ibanez and their many offspring’s. We stayed a week there. Larry helped with a breach birth of a calf and showed them how to groom the animals and set them up for showing. We were asked to stay longer to attend an Exposition for the cattle but could not as we both had commitments at home. Juan and Kirsten came down for the weekend, and we toured the area (even though it was raining lightly). We flew back on that Sunday and spent three days in Santiago. We got a chance to use our “little” bit of Spanish. We managed to buy food, souvenirs, and presents. We had dinner with Senor Ibanez the night before we left. All in all, it was a great experience. We made an effort to eat the local cuisine and foods. That was really interesting.
In closing, we had a very unusual experience on our way down to Chile. We were in Atlanta, Georgia, waiting for our plane a company of soldiers (at least 200) was embarking for Germany and then on to Afghanistan. We made a point to thank these young men and women. The last four were dawdling, and I spoke to them “Thank You” and one of them hugged me and said “We love you.” It was touching; I felt like a grandmother sending off her grandson. On a note closer to home, Denys, our grandson, is leaving for Afghanistan this weekend. Please keep him in your hearts.
Chao! |
National Junior Happenings
submitted by Heather Nelson
Hey Juniors-if you haven’t read the Bagpipe yet, I would encourage you to check out the Junior page. There is something interesting there that might get you “Rock-n-Rolling”! On top of that you should read it to keep you updated on what’s going on in the breed.
Watch the spring edition of the Bagpipe for the Annual Convention highlights for Juniors. There are some pretty cool things to see in Michigan. It should be a really fun time!
There is a heifer program coming up, it has changed a little, instead of a traveling heifer it will be yours to keep if you are the winner. This will be in the next Bagpipe also!
Jake Larsen, a former AHCA Jr., drew an awesome picture that is going to be auctioned off in Denver. Watch for the flyer from AHCA and also you should get an email. It’s really good!
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NCHCA ANNUAL MEETING
submitted by Cindy Sassen
The annual meeting will be held February 13th and February 14th, 2010 at the Country Inn in Woodbury. This is the same place as last year. The room rate will be the same as last year, $69.00 plus tax. Reservations need to be placed by January 18, 2010. The hotel number is 651-739-7300. There will be a banquet on Saturday, February 13th. The cost of the banquet will be $27.00 a person. Please send banquet reservations to Cindy Sassen, 20374 223rd Street, Little Falls, MN 56345 by February 1, 2010. Our guest speakers this year will be from Genex and K Fence.
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: 2 – 2008 White Heifers and 2 – 2007 Red Heifers. Pictures available upon request. Interested? Call Vicki 218 835-4376 Northern Divide Highlands
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