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February/March 2008 Showpig Issue
Real-life heroes
by Darrell Anderson
Even though my Indianapolis Colts took an early departure from this year’s playoffs, I couldn’t help but reflect back on their incredible season last year. As I read the book “Quiet Strength,” written by Tony Dungy, coach of the world-champion Colts, I was so impressed with the incredible role model he has been – not only to football coaches and players, but to many others he has touched.
This New York Times’ No. 1 Best Seller tells in Dungy’s own words how he has dealt with many obstacles, as well as victories in his life. When asked why he wrote the book, he replied, “I really wanted to show people you can win all kinds of ways – for your faith to be more important than your job, for your family to be more important than that job. We all know that’s the way it should be. I’m not afraid to say it.”
Dungy has led by example through the valleys, as well as the mountain-top experiences. He received a phone call on December 22, 2005, that his son Jamie had taken his own life. He has used this experience to build hope in many others who have suffered similar losses. A year later, his team won Super Bowl XLI on February 4, 2007.
After I reflected on the incredible message in his book, I kept thinking about what he shared with his team the night before that Super Bowl victory. I would like you to think about this admonition, as we enter a year of uncertainty in the swine industry, and see if you think it could apply to our situation, as well. Here is the simple message he delivered that night: 1) Do what we do, 2) Don’t panic, and 3) Stay the course.
This message is an incredible challenge for everyone involved in our business.
I recently met with the NSR Executive Committee, and one of the biggest tasks we had to tackle was developing the 2008 budget. Even though we just concluded a very successful year, there is cause for some apprehension in this new year. Yet, as I looked around the table, I couldn’t help but think of the incredible examples of breeders who have “stayed the course.”
The NSR Executive Committee Chairman is Earl Cain – he has so much faith in this industry that he brought his second son into it from a very successful banking career. The Cains represent three generations of commitment to the betterment of the Hampshire breed, and they have been the top recorder for several years. The other Hampshire representative at this meeting was Dave Kilmer. He has been involved in many aspects of the industry and just recently brought his son, Jim, into their operation.
The Yorkshire representatives include: Randal Buck, who has two of his sons working with him at Triple B Sires; Chuck Olsen, who recently brought his son, Ben, back home after a career in agricultural lending; and Jim Grimm, who after persevering through the tragic loss of his son in a car accident, gave his nephew a chance to be involved in our industry.
The Duroc representatives also are excellent examples of committed breeders who believe we should continue to “do what we do.” They include: Terry Shaffer, who learned how to compete and succeed in this business from his dad, and has the pleasure of working with many family members today in their operation; Doug Stewart, whose dad started their very successful Duroc operation in his garage – today they send Duroc genetics around the globe; and Willard Olson, who has the pleasure of working side by side with his son, Casey, in their operation.
The Landrace breed is currently represented by Russell Whewell. He has also experienced the loss of a child, but has remained committed to breeding and promoting purebred hogs and takes great pride in helping his grandchildren compete at the NJSA shows.
I rarely have mentioned breeders’ names in this column, but I thought it was appropriate this month to give you some examples of real-life heroes in the purebred swine industry. What does it take to be a modern-day hero? According to the folks that encouraged Dungy to write his book, “It is one who teaches us about the importance of quiet strength, fierce competition and a humble heart.”
Tony Dungy is definitely a real-life hero, and I would argue that we have plenty of real-life heroes in our industry, as well. Try to hang around them and see what you learn from them – it will help you get through the challenges that lie ahead!
