2021 Annual meeting
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Due to the COVID pandemic, the 2021 annual meeting was virtual done through zoom. The agenda was limited to business items. We hope next year we can gather again in person and have some educational sessions as well as networking opportunities. |
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Elections for President, Vice President and two director positions.
Officers and directors are President: Jan Larson Vice-president: Melinda Cowell Secretary: Anne Proctor Treasurer: Josh Krenz AHCA Board: Mark Schulz Directors: Katie Baker Jon Carlson Kevin Oppermann |
items of note
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outstanding service award
Joan and ken rose
We tired acres
2013 NCHCA Breeders Herd
Updated photo coming soon
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Ken Rose retired in 2000 and with his wife Joan, purchased land upon which to build their dream house in western WI near where Interstate 90 turns west and 94 continues north. Wilton was halfway between their two children and their families and the property sat amongst the rolling hills typical of the area. People kept asking Ken and Joan how they liked retirement and their answer was “Retired, heck we are just tired!” And so became We Tired Acres.
Ken had always wanted Scottish Highland Cattle and their new property was perfect for them. They actively started looking for their first cattle in the fall of 2002 and purchased a herd of “older cows” and a bull in February of 2003. The cows started calving in March of that year and they were in the cattle business. Joan and Ken had a long history of showing some very exquisite Arabians for many years in Janesville, WI, so they were accustomed to the showring and showing cattle was something they wanted to do. |
A long time Highland breeder, Heather Bailey remembers: “I met Joan for the first time at the 2004 Badger Classic. She invited me to their farm to see the cattle that she wanted to show. They had purchased a small herd that was an excellent genetic start to successful years of breeding. They were both so very excited to show me the young bull that they wanted shown. We Tired Acres Joc proved not only to be a competitive show bull but a very successful sire. What I thought would be a business venture turned into years of amazing friendship.”
Over the years within the NCHCA, they became incredible supporters of our region. Ken served as treasurer for several years. In 2007, the association made the decision to combine the Farmington, MN, and Beaver Dam, WI, shows into a single event and someone was needed to manage the new show. Although a newer member at that time, Joan took the reins and the show moved to West Salem. Joan made sure every detail was attended to and that breeders had what they needed. I remember attending the show as a spectator in 2007 and being impressed with the cattle and the efficiency with which the show progressed. When I went back in 2008 with 2 little kids and 2 calves in a borrowed truck and trailer, Joan welcomed us clueless newbies, got us settled in the stalling area and probably suggested to a few people that we looked like we could use some guidance. That is where my own involvement with NCHCA was solidified. They went out of their way to help new breeders and I know I am just one of the many people whom Ken and Joan welcomed into the breed and the association.
We Tired Joc was just the first of a long list of We Tired cattle who had success in the show ring. Ken and Joan often came with a couple heifers, a bull prospect and a cow calf pair. Perhaps the most exciting for a breeder is taking champion honors at the National Western Stock Show. Ken and Joan were there to see We Tired Brook named the Reserve Champion Female at the 2014 National Western Stock Show.
While the show ring is one way to evaluate success, promotion of the breed and starting new breeders was more important to Ken and Joan. A search of the AHCA herdbook shows 88 offspring carrying the We Tired prefix. Many of those animals were sold to new breeders. If you visited We Tired Acres, you might be treated to lunch showcasing Highland beef, a ride in the Kubota to meet the herd wherever they were grazing, a tour though the pedigrees and answers to whatever questions you had. No question was too mundane and no tour of We Tired was complete without a visit to see the horses. Ken and Joan helped countless new breeders get started and provided mentorship well beyond the sale.
Heather summed it up well. “Joan and Ken were diligent promoters of the cattle, their passion was the cattle and because of that passion and devotion to the breed, our region was blessed with some excellent representation for years that new and old breeders benefited from. Bigger than that, they were kind and caring, and the type of people that became forever friends. You were always welcome at We Tired Acres.”
Ken and Joan recently sold the remaining cattle and moved to be closer to family. Their legacy lives on in the breeders they influenced and in the pedigrees that will carry the We Tired prefix into the future. Thank you, Ken and Joan, for your contribution to the North Central Highland Cattle Association, the many breeders you mentored and the cattle that you shared with us. We hope you enjoy your retirement as you enjoyed your “We Tired-ment”.
Over the years within the NCHCA, they became incredible supporters of our region. Ken served as treasurer for several years. In 2007, the association made the decision to combine the Farmington, MN, and Beaver Dam, WI, shows into a single event and someone was needed to manage the new show. Although a newer member at that time, Joan took the reins and the show moved to West Salem. Joan made sure every detail was attended to and that breeders had what they needed. I remember attending the show as a spectator in 2007 and being impressed with the cattle and the efficiency with which the show progressed. When I went back in 2008 with 2 little kids and 2 calves in a borrowed truck and trailer, Joan welcomed us clueless newbies, got us settled in the stalling area and probably suggested to a few people that we looked like we could use some guidance. That is where my own involvement with NCHCA was solidified. They went out of their way to help new breeders and I know I am just one of the many people whom Ken and Joan welcomed into the breed and the association.
We Tired Joc was just the first of a long list of We Tired cattle who had success in the show ring. Ken and Joan often came with a couple heifers, a bull prospect and a cow calf pair. Perhaps the most exciting for a breeder is taking champion honors at the National Western Stock Show. Ken and Joan were there to see We Tired Brook named the Reserve Champion Female at the 2014 National Western Stock Show.
While the show ring is one way to evaluate success, promotion of the breed and starting new breeders was more important to Ken and Joan. A search of the AHCA herdbook shows 88 offspring carrying the We Tired prefix. Many of those animals were sold to new breeders. If you visited We Tired Acres, you might be treated to lunch showcasing Highland beef, a ride in the Kubota to meet the herd wherever they were grazing, a tour though the pedigrees and answers to whatever questions you had. No question was too mundane and no tour of We Tired was complete without a visit to see the horses. Ken and Joan helped countless new breeders get started and provided mentorship well beyond the sale.
Heather summed it up well. “Joan and Ken were diligent promoters of the cattle, their passion was the cattle and because of that passion and devotion to the breed, our region was blessed with some excellent representation for years that new and old breeders benefited from. Bigger than that, they were kind and caring, and the type of people that became forever friends. You were always welcome at We Tired Acres.”
Ken and Joan recently sold the remaining cattle and moved to be closer to family. Their legacy lives on in the breeders they influenced and in the pedigrees that will carry the We Tired prefix into the future. Thank you, Ken and Joan, for your contribution to the North Central Highland Cattle Association, the many breeders you mentored and the cattle that you shared with us. We hope you enjoy your retirement as you enjoyed your “We Tired-ment”.
junior scholarship award
kaitlin edwards
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This year’s Junior Scholarship recipient is Kaitlin Edwards. Kaitlin is from Hartman Highland Farm in Arkansas. She has owned and shown Highland Cattle for about three years. Kaitlin currently serves as a reporter for the Juniors. This fall she plans to attend Arkansas Tech. to start her career in Veterinary Medicine. Congratulations Kaitlin! |
Special thanks go to Kevin Oppermann for helping us through zoom and the Board for organizing the event. Looking forward to next year and hoping to meet in person then!
