Board Minutes

ACA Board of Directors
Meeting
Platte City, Mo. • March 5, 2008

Chairman Comer called the meeting to order at 1:05 CST.

Roll call was taken. Directors present:
Stan Comer, Neal Branscum, Steve Melroe, Jill Miller, Dennis Clarahan, Myron Danner, Tom Looney, Rob Sheets, Brian Sulak, Ken Geuns, Lene Hitz, Chuck Madaris

Staff members present:
Glen Klippenstein, Ed Creason

The minutes from the Jan. 18, 2008 meeting were reviewed. Motion was made by Melroe and seconded by  Branscum to accept the minutes as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

Steve Melroe gave the treasurers report. The Behlen contract has been signed and paid for. He suggested that the 1997 and 2000 embryo accounts listed under Other Current Assets on the balance sheet be moved into the   general accounts receivable. Their purpose has been completed and there’s no longer a need to keep them itemized.

Motion was made by Looney and seconeded by Branscum to accept the treasurers report as presented and move the accounts as suggested. Motion passed unanimously.

Dr. Bob Weaber from MU was introduced as a guest speaker. He gave an update on the progress of the Angus  Genetics Inc. and Center for Beef Excellence genetic evaluation programs. Both are potential alternatives to the  ASA, which the ACA is now using.

Board recessed from 2:55 p.m. until 3 p.m.

Ed Creason gave an update on genetic testing issues. The turn around time for getting the results of samples that are sent to Dr. Beever continues to be slow and the process for a complete DNA evaluation is complex. Currently   there doesn’t seem to be any better alternatives. Ed will continue to monitor any changes that may improve this service.

Discussion on where and how to put any genetic test data on ACA registration papers. Due to the limited space on the present papers and the many different options for listing codes and case numbers, Chairman Comer   appointed a research committee to formulate a new registration paper, or find ways to fit the test data on existing
registration papers.

The committee consisting of Creason, Madaris, Melroe and Guens will have a report for the next board meeting.

Rob Sheets addressed the problem of the herd prefix not included as part of the tattoo on many animals at shows. He suggested adding the word“tattoo” to the herd prefix header on existing registration papers to eliminate confusion on that matter.

After debating the issue Madaris made a motion to eliminate the herd prefix as part of the ear tattoo as is currently  required by the ACA. Melroe seconded.

Voting in favor: Branscum, Melroe, Madaris, Sulak, Looney.

Opposed: Miller, Sheets, Hitz, Clarahan, Geuns.

Undecided: Comer, Danner

Stalemate. This issue will be tabled until next meeting.

Myron Danner gave a Beef Derby update. There are 68 head on feed. They will be re-weighed and sorted in mid  April. Decatur Feed Yard and Micro Beef Tec will do the final harvest calculations. The Calcutta auction raised   $23,400. There will be 3 payouts presented at the ACA National banquet.

Jill Miller gave an update on the ACA major fund raising event (held in conjunction with the NJHS show). To date   there are commitments for 13 lots of elite genetics. The event will be held Wednesday July 2, 2008 starting at 5   p.m. Details to be announced. Genetic and parental verification is required on lots, no commissions and a slide  show of the offerings will be presented at the sale. Follow up article will be in next ACJ.

Discussion followed on what the money raised will be used for. Motion was made by Melroe that the money raised by the benefit auction be split 50-50 on ACA debt reduction and for ACA breed promotion. Geuns seconded.  Eleven in favor. Looney opposed. Motion passed.

Chairman Comer appointed an ACA Promotion’s Committee consisting of Melroe (Chairman), Sulak, Miller and  Madaris. They will manage the breed promotion portion of the benefit money.

An update on the NJHS was given. Schedules and details are being finalized. The AJCA board of directors are  working on raising funds for the show since there is no state association sponsoring it this year. The board   encouraged staff to organize junior members and form a plan to aggressively seek donations. Time is running   out. This year an additional fee of $35 for bedding will be added as part of the entry fee to help cover costs. It appears the Shorthorn, Maine and Chianina associations are all working very well together to produce a great show.

The AJCA board will be attending the Youth Beef Industry Conference in St. Louis, Mo., March 27-30. A motion was  made by Miller to use money from the Lorene Snow fund to pay the motel rooms for the AJCA board members   who attend that conference. Seconded by Geuns.

Motion passed unanimously.

Rob Sheets discussed the upcoming ACA National Sale. Many breeders have expressed a desire to have an  event this year. Motion was made by Sulak for the ACA to handle the National Sale. Seconded by Hitz. Ten voted in  favor. Sheets and Branscum opposed. Motion passed.

Motion made by Looney that the ACA function as sale manager for the 2008 ACA National Sale and keep Sonny   Booth as auctioneer. Seconded by Sulak. Eleven voted in favor. Branscum opposed. Motion passed.

There was discussion on the money raised at the National banquet benefit auction. Motion made by Geuns that   $12,000 or 50% (the largest sum) of the total money raised at the benefit auction will be used for the following   years NJHS. Melroe seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

March 4, 2008 the ACA executive board met with the Maine Anjou Association executive board members. All the  factors of a “partnering” of both associations are under exploration. Daryl Anderson of the National Swine Registry  will share his experience on combining the multi breed hog associations. This will give valuable information on  many issues our associations will be encountering if we move forward with the plan. Both the ACA and AMAA are  positive on venture possibilities.

The 2008 AI Sire Directory was reviewed. Staff was instructed to research and improve management on printing  deadlines and screening issues. This should prevent problems with genetic testing requirements for breeders  who want to place ads in the future. All extra 2007 ACA AI Sire Directory’s were attached to the January 2008 ACA  Commercial Journals and mailed out.

At 5:15 p.m. Chairman Comer moved to adjourn the meeting until the following day at 7:30 a.m. Seconded by
Looney.

ACA Board of Directors
Meeting
Platte City, Mo. • March 6, 2008

Chairman Comer called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. CST. All board members present.

Chairman Comer moved for executive session (all ACA board members) at 7:31 a.m. Executive session ended   8:22 a.m.

ACA board meeting reconvened at 8:30 a.m. All members present along with Klippenstein and Creason.

Old Business:
Murfreesboro, Tenn., is the confirmed site for the 2009 NJHS for both Chi’s and Maine’s. The Tennessee Chi   breeders are organizing a great event and will keep us updated on their progress.

The staff presented an updated accounts receivable collection policy that was drafted by Tom Looney. Motion to  accept the collection policy made by Geuns. Seconded by Madaris. Motion passed unanimously. The policy is on file in the ACA office.

A completed financial report of the 2007 NJHS was presented by the ACA and Kentucky Chi Association. The final   accounting shows the ACA owes the Kentucky Association a total of $3,590. Motion made by Miller that the ACA  pay the Kentucky Association the debt owed of $3,590. Seconded by Sheets. Eleven voted in favor. Melroe  opposed. Motion passed.

Melroe stated that the Junior Shows bookkeeping policies need to be simplified. A defined accounting plan  between the ACA and the hosting states should be formed to prevent future problems. Staff was directed to follow up on that.

Creason gave an update on the Hybrid Advantage trademark. Still working on details.

New Business:
Dawn Jochim (ACA accounting manager) reviewed potential changes for bookkeeping entries that will help clarify  the balance sheets. After questions and review, motion made by Miller for staff to make the accounting changes  as presented with the ACA auditors approval. Seconded by Melroe.

Motion passed unanimously.

The board approved adding Tom Hunt to the ACA Show and Sale Committee and Ed Miller to the LRPC.

Judges were selected for Denver and Ft .Worth 2009 shows.

Denver: Cliff Orley and Todd Adamson as alternate.

Fort Worth: Open Dan Shike and Todd Herman as alternate. Junior Show: Kent Habeger and Todd Herman as alternate.

Motion by Hitz to accept the judges as selected. Seconded by Geuns.

Motion passed unanimously.

Selected for ACA Honoree for Cattle Persons of the Year: JT Pass, Doug Beckett and Andy Lehnert.

Motion by Melroe to honor all three breeders posthumously. Seconded by Geuns. Motion passed unanimously.

Selected for ACA Cattle Person of the Year: Ed Miller.

Motion made by Geuns to accept the nominee. Seconded by Sheets. Motion passed unanimously.

Leaders within the beef industry are establishing a fund in honor of Dr. Harlan Ritchie. It will be used for an annual beef symposium to be held at Michigan State University. Motion made by Miller to make a single contribution of  $500 from the ACA Jack Phillips Memorial Fund to the Dr. Ritchie Fund. Seconded by Melroe. Motion passed unanimously.

Hitz discovered a glitch in the ACA registry system that was allowing cattle with zero percent (0%) Chianina to be   registered. ACA staff was informed, computer system corrected and the animals involved were dealt with. Hitz  encouraged the board to require at LEAST 6.25% Chi to be registered (that’s what is deemed significant as“other”  in the CA registry) or allowed to participate at any ACA sanctioned events. After a lively discussion the majority felt  that because there is a significant number of registered cattle below that 6.25%, it would cause mayhem in the  membership to make any changes.

The LRPC will meet Wed., July 2, 2008 in conjunction with the NJHS. Details to be announced.

The next ACA Board meeting will also be Wed., July 2, 2008 in conjunction with the NJHS. Details to be announced.

Chairman Comer moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:45 a.m. CST.

Seconded by Sulak.

Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Stan Comer, Chairperson
Lene Hitz, Secretary