CommunicationsSeedstock EDGE | “For the Record” | “The Pinnacle” | |
| Seedstock EDGE Seedstock EDGE main | Seedstock EDGE archives Advertising rates/deadlines | Mail dates Subscribe today! | Seedstock EDGE staff |
January 2005 Issue
Unity
by Jennifer Shike
Sometimes kids can teach you the darndest things.
At the NJSA Barrow Classic last September, I listened in on a lively conversation about life, hogs and Gameboys between Aaron Cain, Chase Grimm and Jackson Johnson the night before the show. (I even came close to taking a football in the back during their pick-up game in front of the barn.)
It wasn’t that their conversation was that unusual or extraordinary, but as I looked back on what happened that night, I realized we can all learn from their simple example.
One of the things I admire about these three guys and many NJSA youth is that friendship comes first and the competition comes second. Oh, I know they like to win – who doesn’t? But, I also know that when push comes to shove, they quickly admit that their friends matter more than the win.
Aaron, Chase and Jackson all drove competitive barrows in the ring on Sunday afternoon and finished first, second and third in showmanship. There is no doubt in my mind that they each wanted to win. But as they walked out of the ring, they congratulated each other with a high five.
Their relationship is exactly what the purebred swine industry used to be all about – good friendship, good stockmanship and good hogs.
As we begin a new year filled with opportunities, I encourage the purebred swine industry – young and old alike – to consider their example. Imagine how our industry would be if we all recognized the strengths of our competition and used that to our advantage. Instead of focusing on what makes us different, what if we focused on what brings us together? A passion for purebred hogs.
The purebred industry is complex and filled with a variety of talented people. This can be our strongest asset – but unfortunately, it’s often our greatest dividing point. We have third-generation purebred breeders, young showpig breeders, large commercial operation managers, veterinarians, lawyers, doctors, teachers, pharmaceutical salesmen, nutritionists, and many others in our industry who offer a unique perspective and have important viewpoints to share.
While the profile of a purebred swine breeder in the 21st century is changing, the key to our industry’s ability to succeed is still the same.
We need to unite – and the unity begins with you. It starts with your family. Do you have any unresolved issues with your brother or sister? Your parents? Your kids? Start taking steps toward resolving those issues. Life is unpredictable, and you don’t always get a second chance to make amends. What better time than the present to fix the past and move on to a better tomorrow?
After you fix the problems at home, look around to your neighbors and your workplace. Carrying the burden of a broken relationship is tiring and wears out not only you, but also your family.
Once you take care of these relationships, consider your role in the purebred swine industry. Do you have any attitudes to change? Issues to address? Friendships to mend?
If we all adopt this mentality, then our industry will be able to face any challenge and succeed. Agriculture needs the swine industry to be strong and united – not divided and broken.
Maybe you think I am being idealistic and naïve. But, I’ve already had enough experience to know that choosing sides and carrying grudges doesn’t work for anyone.
It’s exciting to see a new generation of swine breeders, boar-stud owners and professionals begin to find their place in the swine industry. A few months ago, a past NJSA board director approached one of our staff members at a show. He made the comment that we could count on him to support NSR and NJSA in order to make the purebred industry better.
That’s all he said – it wasn’t a major thing, but it made a major impact on me.
It takes courage to stand up for things like that, and it takes courage to say it out loud. Now, he will be held accountable to those words. And I am so pleased that NJSA is developing young leaders like him to go back into our industry and make a difference.
Now is the time to unite as purebred breeders. Our industry needs each of you to succeed, and the best way to do that is together. Take a minute to sit down and reflect with a fellow breeder. Remember how it all started. That will make it last.
