Annual Meeting 2002

February 16, 2002

Minutes

The 2002 annual meeting of the Midwest Highland Cattle Association (MWHCA) was held at the Potawatomi Inn in Pokagon State Park near Angola, Indiana, on February 16. 28 people attended this year’s meeting. The cost was $16 per adult and $10 for kids.

Coffee and social hour began at 11 am in the Wigwam Room.

President-Elect Eddie Mackay called the meeting to order at 11:30 am. Eddie chaired the meeting in the absence of Association President Bill Pruitt.

Eddie began the meeting by inviting introductions from those present.

Following the introductions, Eddie invited each person present to review the meeting agenda and add items for discussion. Pat White added an item of new business, a discussion of potentially charging members for enhanced web pages to help pay the cost of maintaining the web site. A motion was made by Richard Muntz and seconded by Tom Snyder to accept the agenda. The motion carried.

At 12 noon, Eddie recessed the meeting for lunch in the Inn’s dining room.

At 1 pm, Eddie reconvened the meeting in the Wigwam room.

Mary Van Antwerp, Secretary/Treasurer, read the minutes from the year 2001 annual meeting. There being no additions, corrections or discussion, the minutes stood approved as read.

There was no President’s report, as Bill Pruitt was unexpectedly kept from attending the meeting and had not sent a written report.

Mary Van Antwerp, Secretary / Treasurer, gave the Treasurer’s report for the year ended 12/31/01. A copy is appended to these minutes. The Treasurer’s report was also published in the Midwest Musings newsletter, which was mailed to all MWHCA members and midwestern members of AHCA.

Dean Dykstra reported on the Junior Association. Dean summarized events in which the Juniors had participated and gave a brief financial statement. He thanked MWHCA members who donated calves, equipment and cash to help fund the Junior activities. Dean reported that after starting the Junior Association five years ago and being advisors to the Juniors all this time, he and Michele would be hanging up their calf halters. The members recognized the Dykstras’ hard work and lasting contribution to the Association’s junior members with the sincere thanks of the Chair and a round of applause. Eddie asked the members to be watching for potential recruits over the next few months.

Larry Alber, MWHCA’s representative to the national association, gave a report on AHCA activities. Larry and Pat attended the AHCA annual meeting in Pennsylvania last May, as well as the national show and sale in Denver in January. Referring members to the Bagpipe magazine for a complete report, Larry gave a brief summary of AHCA activities:

1. Ginnah Moses, AHCA Executive Director, will be on maternity leave for three months in the spring of 2002.
2. A three-member executive committee was appointed to act on behalf of the AHCA Board when immediate action is required between board meetings.
3. The AHCA annual budget was presented for review by anyone interested.
4. Minor changes were made to the general purchase agreement.
5. A trust was set up for educational activities apart from the AHCA general fund.
6. There was questions whether to publish a herd book for 2000-2001, but it was decided to go ahead and publish one.
7. At the 2002 membership meeting in Mt. Vernon, WA, an election will be held for President, President Elect, and three directors. Nominations are invited, and should be directed to Don McLeod, chairperson of the nominating committee.

Eddie Mackay presented the show report for 2001. It was the second year at Centreville, with 30 entries and 27 animals showed. The premiums are excellent. Contact Eddie for tips on how to maximize the value of premiums by showing the same animals in multiple classes. Eddie and Rick have volunteered to do chores again for those who want to show in Centreville on September 18, 2002. Cattle will need to come in on Sunday, September 15, and go home on Sunday, September 23.

Dave Van Antwerp presented a report on the MWHCA web site. A map of the navigation structure was discussed. Pages with pictures are visited most often. Members are urged to send in pictures for their web page. Classified ads are visited next most often after pictures. Several members have sold animals through the classified ads and pictures.

Eddie reported on the Beef Expo at Michigan State University. There was a lot of traffic. He showed a cow/calf pair. The one-month-old heifer was a show stealer! He also showed his Dundonald Enterprises aluminum show equipment. Larry and Pat helped with at the show again. Dates for this year’s show are April 5-6-7. An open house at the MSU vet clinic at the same time is a good place to visit while attending the beef expo.

Rich Muntz reported that Highlands were exhibited at Goshen College last May. This year’s date is May 4. Rich brought an orphan calf and Eddie brought a cow/calf pair. Both were very popular.

Pat and Larry reported they showed Highland Cattle at 3 Scottish or Celtic Festivals last year. Dean and Michele attended one. Highlands had a very warm reception at all four festivals.

Dave Van Antwerp reported that Highland Cattle had been featured on National Public Radio’s web site, and in a two-page feature story in the Wayland, Michigan, newspaper. Peggy Taylor, AHCA Board Member, said that if any breeder will send the name and address of their local newspaper to Ginnah at the AHCA office in Denver, Ginnah will send press releases to that paper.

In preparation for holding the annual election of officers, Eddie announced that two positions were up for election: a director’s position currently held by Richard Muntz, and the Secretary / Treasurer position currently held by Mary Van Antwerp. A review of mail ballots showed no nominations among those ballots. Eddie opened the election to nominations from the floor. After ample time for consideration, a motion was made by Ez Braun and seconded by Valerie See that nominations be closed. Motion carried. A motion was made by Larry Schmahl and seconded by Tom Snyder that the slate of candidates is elected by acclamation. Motion carried. Richard Muntz was elected for the first time as director (last year he was appointed to complete the second of a two-year term), and Mary Van Antwerp was elected to a second two-year term as Secretary/Treasurer.

Mary Van Antwerp read a letter from a "new" old member – Owen Mehrenger – who had retired from raising Highland Cattle ten years ago, but wanted to continue his association with the breed by sending in his dues to the MWHCA.

A round-table discussion was held about feeders and feeding, including pros and cons of large round bales versus small square bales, as well as benefits and pitfalls of feeding grain supplements. Rick Gamby looked for advice on finishing Highland steers for beef in a shorter period of time. Larry Alber was able to provide several good tips. Doug Cooper talked about storing round bales outside and feeding on the ground rather than in a feeder. Eddie suggested planting turnips to provide nutritious forage after the grass has gone dormant in the fall, perhaps between the rows in a field of seed corn. Pat pointed out that supplements are appropriate for finishing beef, and for young cattle, but pointed out problems with feeding grain to mature heifers and cows. The importance of free choice minerals was stressed.

In new business, Pat White asked for discussion as to whether it might be appropriate to charge for classified ads on the web site and in the Midwest Musings newsletter, and also perhaps for breeder web pages that include photos and information. Pat has a concern that some people might pay their association dues, put out classified ads, sell their cattle, and then never participate or renew their membership. Dave Van Antwerp, speaking as webmaster, suggested that we give the web site another year. He feels that we should give members as much value as possible, and has not run into problems so far.

A discussion was held about possible promotion of the web site to drive more traffic to it. A motion was made by Larry Schmahl and seconded by Margie Schmahl to allocate a budget not to exceed $500 to the Web Site Committee for use in maintaining and promoting the web site. The Committee is further directed to present a proposal at next year’s annual meeting to impose additional charges for more extensive use of the web site by members. Motion carried.

Show dates for 2002 were discussed. Pat White said that some members of the association would like to show at the Michigan State Fair in Detroit. No motions were made, and discussion indicated that members are encouraged to participate in any available fair, but no official MWHCA or AHCA show will be held in Detroit at this time. Pat White also said that some members had questioned the members’ enthusiasm for a second show each year to replace the show that had been held in August but was cancelled last year. After considerable discussion, a motion was made by Mary Van Antwerp and seconded by Pat White that the Show Committee schedule another show in addition to Centreville, but that it not include a sale. Margie will check into Mansfield, Ohio, the first week of August. Rich Muntz will check into a fair in Northern Indiana.

Pat White and Larry Alber were complimented on the Highland Barbeque they held at LEA-White Farms last summer. Everyone agreed they had a great time and appreciated Pat and Larry’s hospitality. More barbeques will be scheduled throughout the three-state area this coming summer. Valerie See was appointed events chairperson to set up a schedule of social events for the summer.

Eddie asked opinions about the facility where the MWHCA annual meeting was held last year and this year. Discussion indicated it is centrally located, easily accessible by interstate highway from every direction, and the hotel staff is wonderful. A motion was made by Tom Snyder and seconded by Cindy Gamby that next year’s annual membership meeting be scheduled for Saturday, February 15, at the Potawatami Inn, Pokegon State Park, Angola, Indiana.

In final business, Eddie asked for direction of the members present regarding a gift for Ginnah Moses, Executive Director of AHCA, as she goes on maternity leave. With the support of the members present, Eddie directed Mary Van Antwerp to purchase an appropriate gift engraved with the Midwest Highland Cattle Association logo and send it to Ginnah with the association’s best wishes.

Meeting adjourned at 4:00 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Van Antwerp
Secretary / Treasurer