American Chianina Journal

Congratulations ACA Breeders, Board, LRPC, Staff and Industry Leaders!

It’s good management to periodically take inventory of our stock, assets, liabilities and objectives. We need to know where we have been and where we are in order to better know where we are going and how to get there. Several years ago, our Long Range Planning Committee unveiled a very thorough and complete road map for our American Chianina Association. The ACA Board of Directors uses that road map to help direct the breed and staff to make progress. The following is a bird’s-eye view of what’s going on. Even those of us directly involved didn’t quite appreciate all that has been accomplished until we wrote it down. If we all continue to do our share, there is no telling what the total reward could be.

ACA Mission
“To assist our membership in placing our genetics at the forefront of the beef industry by providing useable information, documentation of ancestry and services that promote profitability and enjoyment.”

The Long Range Planning Committee met and produced an informative 44-page handbook that was sent to each active adult member. The long-range plan gave the staff and board direction, and even permission, to change things that improved optimism and confidence. Following is a list of accomplishments that were inspired by these LRPC suggestions and which offer an increasing state of health for our breeders.

1. Engaged a dynamic, talented and loyal staff.
2. Re-clarified and simplified rules of registration.
3. Updated accounting system for efficient and accurate reporting.
4. Updated information and technology system through Midwest Mircosystems for more inclusive performance data, input and feed back.
5. Implemented new, more informative and easier to read registration papers.
6. Producing yearly a widely circulated Commercial Journal and an informative AI Sire Directory.
7. Continue to produce a high quality ACJ with extra editorial information.
8. Implemented online registrations and informative website.
9. Drastically decreased average turn around time on registrations and transfers while increasing registration and transfer numbers.
10. Developed a New Employee
Handbook.
11. Decreased staff and increased output and efficiency.
12. Substantially decreased ACA member's outstanding balances.
13. Decreased most expense categories.

14. Updated fee schedule.
15. Continue to update and maintain Association property.
16. Discarded non-useable equipment and old records.
17. Increase in Adult and Junior memberships.
18. Increase in Junior and Open Show entries at NAILE.
19. The National Junior Heifer Show has shown continual increases in participation.
20. Junior Board is more actively
involved in junior member activities.
21. Positively promote image of "new and improved" cattle and breeders with a confident and enthusiastic attitude.
22. Chi genetics were reintroduced to the USDA Meat Animal Research Center and were accepted to their genetic testing for the first time since 1972.
23. Ultrasound carcass traits are not accepted for carcass calculations.
24. Created Hybrid Advantage Group.
25. Pen fo Three Bull Show and individual show and sale have been added to the National Western Stock Show.
26. Continue to do extremely well with feedlot and carcass tests.

27. Participated in Beef Empire Days.
28. Re-installed successful Denver Sale.
29. Increased commercial acceptance.
30. Most across-breed champions include Chi genetics.
31. Improvement of a positive Chi
cattle image and gained industry
respect.
32. Upgraded accuracy of EPDs.
Carcass EPDs now a reality.
33. Began testing of ACA registered herd sires for production and product traits.
34. Greater use of parental verification.
35. Huge increase in usage of gene markers for marbling, tenderness and other genetic tests.
36. Increase in breed sale averages.
37. More active in beef industry activities by visiting over 1,000 farms and events in the last seven years, resulting in over 500,000 miles traveled by Glen and Ed.

The ACA is working with breeders, staff and industry personnel to help create a more favorable environment for Chi genetics and to ensure a better climate for profit and enjoyment for those who really want it. This is a team effort. Let’s resolve to do everything we can to keep increasing our momentum.