I. HUMOR
"Crappy Fishing"
Years ago, before I was married, I took my family on a camping trip. I had rented a cabin at a very nice retreat. The weather was perfect and our family all settled in for a great weekend. As luck would have it the lake was almost at flood stage, and when we went down to the lake we found the floating crappie house detached from it's dock and floating in the middle of the cove. We didn't have a boat, but we did have a small rubber raft, so we devised a plan. We would place all our fishing tackle in the raft and then swim along side it out to the crappie house. The plan worked well and we all spent the afternoon enjoying the solitude and shade of the crappie house. The fishing wasn't that good though, so my brother-in-law and I decided we would try our luck in the crappie house again later that night with a couple of lanterns.
That night, after several hours with only a couple of fish, I got a phone call on that floating crappie house...it was mother nature...:) She told me I wouldn't make it back the cabin much less the closest restroom at the resort, and then she hung up. She was right. I had to make a choice, and lucky for me there I was inside one giant floating outhouse with no one around (except my brother-in-law who was on the outside porch). So, it was up on the safety rail and down to business. That taken care of, I let my brother-in-law know I was ready to leave (the fishing stunk). As it was already getting to be very late, he agreed, so we swam the hundred yards back to the shore and called it a night. The next morning I slept in. I just didn't have the incentive to get up early and go fishing when the fishing wasn't good, but my dependable Dad did. According to him they were really biting. He had even caught enough for a mess, and the plan was to have them for supper.
That afternoon I took a trip back to town and picked up Tina (then my girlfriend), so she could spend the day and evening with us fishing and playing cards. It was also an opportunity for her to meet a good part of our large family and see how we enjoyed the simple pleasures in life...especially fishing! The visit went well, and it was a great time had by all. That night we sat down to a nice big mess of pan fried fish (thanks to my dad) and everything was going just fine. That's about the time my sister spoke up across the very large group and asked me to tell Tina about the "crappy" fishing I had been doing (the reference being pronounced using the base word "crap"). I shot a quick glance at my brother-in-law, and then my dad! I could see the laughter attempting to explode from their mouths. I looked and Tina and saw a confused look on her face...she didn't get it....whew! However my misery and embarrasment wasn't over yet. The story of the "crappy" house began to be imbelished across the table and I became aware that everyone knew about my private moment the night before. Some were even so bold as to contribute my Dad's luck that morning to "unknown circumstances". Eventually the truth was let known that evening, and we all had a good laugh...including Tina. To this day that story still gets retold at get togethers, and I still think it's kinda "crappy"!
The moral of the story:
If you are making regular deposits, then sooner or later you should anticipate some return!
From a cattle raisers point of view:
If it's a family operation, your family can be your best or worst advocate when it comes to exposure.
II. INFORMATIVE
"Keeping the Faith"
Changes continue to occur within the breed these days. It seems as if many long time breeders, and large investment operations are taking the genetic bases which they have work so hard to to build and dispersing them within the breed. This is not uncommon, and if you are involved in the breed through time you will see it happen over and over again. Many of these same operations will rebuild down the road, and some will branch into other related investments. In some ways this "washing of genetic lines" is what keeps our breed strong, but it also lends question as to the motivations and direction of their programs and the breed. Was there a breed trend that they were not able to adjust too? Did their quality fail? Was there a fault that had been identified in their program through the management or data collection? Was it simply the times?
The more you advertise, and make a name for yourself, the more visible the downsizing, dispersal, or sell out will be. Does it have an adverse affect on the breed? Not as much as some would lead you to believe. Certainly the loss of a genetic base which has been managed by sound cattle breeders over an extended period of time will be a loss, but our breed still remains strong. There is not one breeder who determines our direction, nor is there one breeder who will cause the collapse in the generic base of the breed. However, it is prudent to try and understand the reasons behind the loss of a genetic base, so that we either choose to perpetuate those genetics or allow them to be assimilated or eliminated. The dilemma which exist with some investors is that they hold no committment to the breed, and what they accomplish in their short time is merley profit or loss. I think most cattle breeders who have been around a while understand the long term benefits of developing, or maintaining a sound genetic base for the sake of profit. Their advertisement comes in the way of their cattle, and it is proven over time, not through high visibility advertisement and winnings.
As times get hard, so do the men and women who are committed to the breed for what it represents in long term goals. Understanding the importance of sound genetic bases, and providing infusion of these genetics into the breed will keep the Hereford as strong as it has been for over 300 years. So when you see breed icons and investors fail, dont loose hope. Consider yourselves as keepers of the faith, and understand that the proper management and breeding of your herds is what will keep the breed strong overall for the decades to come.
III. FARM NEWS:
Thank You!
Paratex Farms for your repeat purchases of Double H Farms cattle
J Bar B Cattle for your repeat purchase of Double H Farms cattle
Chasity Cox for your repeat purchase of Double H Farms cattle
Willis Polled Herefords for your repeat purchases of Double H Farms cattle
The Graves Family for your purchase of Double H Farms cattle
Michael Naydan for your purchase of Double H Farms cattle
Notes:
We currently do not have cattle to sell. Call to find out when we will, or just check our web site periodically. No show heifers will be available for release this year.
IV. CURRENT/ UPCOMING EVENTS:
Congratulations to all the kids who showed at the Jr. Nationals this year!
West Texas State Fair in Abilene, Texas on September 5th and 6th
East Texas State Fair in Tyler Texas on September 27th
Dallas State Fair in Dallas, Texas on October 10th through the 12th
TPHA Sate Show in College Station, Texas on October 18 through the 19th
V. HEREFORD HIGHLIGHTS:
SHF Lady F12 L109
(03/30/01)
