It is also pleasing to report that the Association will post a positive financial picture for the 2009 year. The current board of directors have focused on the concept of living within our means, which as most folks would know is never as easy as it seems. Firstly, this has been achieved by steering as many members as possible away from the paper based system and on to our on-line registry system, which has resulted in a reduction of data entry personnel. Secondly, the administration has replaced full-time employees with consultants, contract personnel and part-time employees, which significantly lowers costs and makes for better utilization of a specific skill set when most needed. Currently the Association only employs two full time staff. Thirdly, the replacement of a full time field representative with several regional people has seen a considerable savings. The service fee funds these field representatives who now receive their direction from the provincial boards. And lastly the association has exited all research endeavors.
Reining in all of these expenditures has given the Association a more realistic chance of balancing the books on a consistent basis.
At the time of writing the Charolais Banner’s 2010 summary of bull sales is still in the development stage and will be published in the May edition of the Banner magazine. In conversation with Helge By and Craig Scott the best guess is that sale figures will see a slight improvement on last year’s reports. In my February 2010 Connection article I stated the following. My informed sources believe that the performance based terminal breeds such as Charolais will have “as good a go as any breed this year.” The sources are quick to point out that Charolais bull sales will not be a runaway, but sales should be as strong as any breed.
Based on information gleaned from different sources many of the other breed sales had lower sale averages and had a significant number of bulls not receiving bids. So when a comparison is made between breeds we stacked up as well as any.
Not to be overlooked is the news of a potentially huge order of Charolais males and females from the Russian Federation. Starting in the fall of 2010 when the first shipment is due to depart there is potential for upwards of 12,000 head to be exported over the next three years. This would be the most significant sale of Charolais females in over 10 years and will provide a substantial cash flow to many Charolais breeders. Please contact Garner Deobald of Hawkeye Land and Cattle at 306.677.7777 for more information.
The 50th anniversary of the Charolais breed in Canada will be held in conjunction with the Canadian Association’s Annual General Meeting in Moose Jaw, SK on June 15th, 16th, 17th, 2010. It is being billed as a 50th Homecoming and the organizational committee is expecting a large turnout of founding members. My information is that Joyce Stewart, Doug Howe and their team are planning two nights of activities specifically focusing on the early years of Charolais in this country. I urge everyone to try and attend this activity as many memories will be shared by the founding members and it will provide an opportunity for newer Charolais members to learn about some of the challenges and excursions undertaken in the growing years.
So in closing as my old friend Jack Black from Bridge Lake, BC would say – Neil, things are starting to look up.