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February/March 2007 Issue
Outlook determines outcome
by Darrell Anderson
One of my favorite quotes I saw many years ago on a pastor’s desk goes something like this:
“Upon the plains of hesitation bleach the bones of countless millions, who when on the dawn of victory paused to rest, and there resting died.”
Basically, the interpretation is that when you’re just about ready to give up the fight, don’t give in. If you can only hang on a little longer, you will probably win the battle.
Our industry is not without its challenges these days, but the purebred industry has been blessed with a countless number of independent-thinking, innovative, progressive individuals who have fought many battles and have come away victorious.
Maybe it seems that your breeding program is at a standstill right now. Maybe you’re frustrated with the challenge of finding enough customers for your commercial boars and gilts. Maybe you don’t understand why your neighbors can sell their project pigs for $400-$500, and you struggle to get $200.
Maybe the potential of corn prices staying above $3 makes you question the hopes of black ink at the end of the day. Or maybe you’re struggling with how to make the youth swine project more meaningful and rewarding for your kids and your entire family.
I believe one of the most-important truths you can cling to is this – outlook determines outcome!
If you truly grasp the significance and relevance of that truth, life can take on a whole different meaning.
Too often, some of our purebred breeders have prophesied doom and gloom, and by golly, that’s exactly what happened. Be careful or you’ll get what you’ve asked for.
In the next couple of months, thousands of young people will be starting over with their swine projects and beginning new experiences again.
For some, it will be their first year; for others, it will be their last. Regardless of the level of experience, each will begin the year with the goal of hanging a purple banner in his or her room at the end of the show season.
For some, a positive outlook will result in a positive outcome. For others, that won’t be the case. Regardless, most of them will be back again next year with those same great expectations in their hearts.
Oh, if only we could all enjoy that optimism of our young people.
Too often, we as adults run into a roadblock, and we’re ready to throw in the towel. We start feeling sorry for ourselves, and wonder why no one else has ever had to endure such a terrible fate.
Maybe we can learn a valuable lesson from our young people?
Let us use the swine project as a teaching tool this year, as we enable thousands of young people to learn many life skills that will serve them throughout their lives. It has been well documented that youth livestock projects have played major roles in developing leadership and building character.
And, let me share a little secret with you: If you want to determine the leadership ability of a young person with whom you’re working, don’t just give them responsibilities – give them privileges.
Most young people can handle responsibilities, but it takes a real leader to handle privileges. A leader will use his privileges to help others and help build the organization, while most will use privileges to promote themselves.
I would challenge all of us to find new ways to use this wonderful teaching tool – the purebred breeding stock or market hog – to really help build the next generation of leaders into a powerful force that will impact the future of animal agriculture in this country.
I can assure you the potential is there, as we have almost 10,000 members in the NJSA. These members represent an awesome opportunity for each of us to give of our time and talents.
Together, we can ensure that our industry’s youth do not give up just before they experience victory!
