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October 2005 Issue
It's not about the money!
by Darrell Anderson
As usual, the Austin, Minn., community did a fantastic job arranging for media coverage of the National Barrow Show®. No other event orchestrated by NSR compares to the local and national media coverage afforded us in Austin. This year, we were interviewed by local and regional radio and television stations, as well as covered daily by the local print media.
Something happened during one of those TV interviews that has been on my mind ever since. A reporter who didn’t know a lot about the NBS®, or even why we were in town, asked me about the importance of this event to our industry. I was telling him of the significance of the exchange of genetics each year, and how many of these top boars impact the entire swine industry.
He then shifted the emphasis of the questions specifically to the prices that would be paid in the next day’s auction. I told him that some of the very top boars and gilts would sell in the $5,000-$10,000 range, and some could even go higher. As an example, I told him that one had sold in last year’s sale for $98,000. At this point in the interview, his tone of voice changed, and he said, “So that’s it – it’s all about the money.”
It must have been fate. At that very instant, Earl Cain and his grandson Aaron walked by the camera, within five feet of where I stood. Seeing the breeder who paid that NBS® record price for a Hampshire boar inspired me to respond in this fashion:
“No, I’m sorry – you couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s not about the money, but rather it’s about that,” I said as I pointed to Earl and Aaron. “That happens to be the gentleman that purchased the boar we just visited about, and his decision to buy that boar was more greatly influenced by that young man walking at his side than by any monetary factors.”
The reality of our business is that we are blessed by many living examples of one of my favorite Bible verses – Matthew 6:21, “…for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Earl Cain’s purchase of a $98,000 boar was much more influenced by his family’s future involvement and their passion for the Hampshire business, than about the return on his investment.
Let me share two other NBS® examples. During the Yorkshire show, we recognized Jim and Linda Brinkmeier as breeders of this year’s Yorkshire Hog College Gilt. As Sam Howell presented the mantel clock to Jim, I couldn’t help but notice the tears streaming down Linda’s cheeks. Jim and Linda have spent much of their life together raising Yorkshire hogs. Rest assured, even though their gilt sold later in the sale for $2,600, it wasn’t about the money.
Lastly, let me share with you about a young man from Purdue University who competed in the NBS® collegiate judging contest. Mac Mendell is a bright young man who has shown a great amount of courage and passion for this business. For several years, Mac’s dream has been to participate in the collegiate judging contest at the NBS®. He showed hogs in 4-H and is a student of swine pedigrees.
The morning of the contest, I hurried by Mac as he waited outside Crane Pavilion to fulfill his dream. I quickly yelled at him, “Good luck today!”
What I haven’t told you: Mac was waiting at the door so that his dad could push his wheelchair up to ringside. You see, Mac is challenged by a progressive form of epilepsy that has left him physically challenged. In fact, his is the only known case of this particular form in North America.
It would have been easy for Mac to give up and say, “I just can’t do it – I just can’t compete.” But Mac had a dream, and with the help and support of his coach, Matt Claeys, and the entire Purdue judging team, not only did Mac live out his dream, but he beat a lot of competitors in the process. He completed the entire contest, and averaged a very good 41 on the four sets of reasons.
Mac is a great example of many folks in our industry who have exhibited the “heart” to overcome obstacles in their life – but none of them have done it alone.
Mac enjoyed great support from his family, coach and teammates. I can only imagine how proud his dad was as he watched Mac live out this life-long dream.
If your goal in this business is “all about the money,” I encourage you to learn from some of the great examples that we have. Those who demonstrate daily that it’s the heart that really matters.
