MICHIGAN SHEEP BREEDERS ASSOCIATION
BOARD MINUTES
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Crowne Plaza, Lansing
Meeting called to order by President Mike Bronkema at 6:10 p.m.
Approval of the minutes; motion by Karen Scovill, second by Denise Bartlett; motion passed. Approval
of the Treasurer’s report; motion by Larry Hagadorn, second by Tyler Martin to approve as presented by
Judy Moore. Passed.
Correspondence included a thank you from Gladwin County Farm Bureau for our help with their Project
Red. We received a thank you from Beaverton Primary School, from the 2014 Gladwin County Farm &
Garden Show and from the Make it with Wool contest organizer, Cindy Reiseg.
MSU Update by Dr. Richard Ehrhardt:
There is still one session of the Great Lakes Region Sheep for Profit Programs remaining; November 8th
at Oswalt Family Farms. Sessions were held at Matchett Sheep Farm, Wernette Family Farm and at MSU
South Campus and Ehrhardt Farm. Over 100 people attended the Small Ruminant Health Symposium on
Oct 11th. Speakers that day included, Dr. Robert Van Saun, DVM, Penn State. Participants included
about 20 vets, 20 vet students, under-grad students and producers of all sizes; a good number of them
goat producers.
Research funding is making possible major renovations to Bennett Barn – lab space & animal care,
surgical, a new feeding system, and a birthing area. A reproduction research person has been added –
the sheep industry will also benefit from this. Richard looks forward to writing grants together for joint
projects. Maury questioned the funds available – Richard estimated $300k. The projects are to start
next spring and be completed by mid-summer. Monies are coming from the Ag Bio research funds – not
from the Animal Science Department yet.
Breed Reports:
Pure Bred – No Report.
Club Lamb – No Report.
Small Flock – Michigan Fiber Festival took place in Allegan in August. Letty did a program on color
genetics in sheep and Mike Ludlum did a presentation on MAEAP verification.
Legislative - Doug Uzelac reported that there has been no progress on setting a date for the stake holder
meeting. It appears that they are refusing to meet.
Wool – No one present.
Membership – 364 current members – up 7 from the last meeting – the “dead wood” is gone.
Youth – No Report. Information on the scholarships did not go out in the last Shepherd’s News –
discussion of how to get a reminder out to the membership. The successful mailing of 364 emails is not
realistic. Sheryl Oswalt offered to help with a postcard mailing. Dave Meeuwse reported on the lack of
responses for the Starter Flock program as well. A reminder card for both programs would work. Sheryl
will work with Brenda, Dave & Maury and take care of it.
Symposium – Handled in depth later in the meeting.
Let’s Grow – replaced Marketing
Money available for lots of programs – Richard’s grant was part of that.
Discussion was held regarding the duties and scope of the historian. Tom Bass has all issues of the
Michigan Shepherd’s News from 2000 forward. It was agreed that he should have minutes, treasurer’s
reports, everything we can gather. Jeff Buckham thinks his mom has past sale catalogs. Maury gave him
a tote with everything that Pat Tirrell had been storing. The group liked the idea of having a trivia
question from Tom for each newsletter issue.
Shepherd’s Magazine Report – we have moved up the deadline for the December issue so it will be in
the member’s hand before Thanksgiving to give them more time to register for Shepherd’s Weekend.
Space permitting Sheryl would like to see something from Brian Larson or Harvey Warrick on their trip to
England.
Maury had invited Mike Kovacic to present the Board a proposal to develop a long-term plan. Mike has
extensive experience with both MSU & Farm Bureau in the area of goal setting and long-term planning.
The process would create a living set of goals that can be reviewed each year by the Board.
Unfortunately in some organizations they are written and forgotten. It takes a commitment of the
Board and staff to stay with the program. Long range planning includes everything from 1 week to 10
years. It’s a roadmap; where do we want to see the organization in the future – goals to work towards.
It is “an opportunity to assess where the organization has been, where it is now and where it wants to
be in the future” said Kovacic. We must think about membership numbers, goals, and what will happen
unless we change what we are doing. We need to look beyond the immediate future for opportunities,
challenges, and consider course corrections to help assure the organization is doing the right things.
The basis of our plans would center round our mission and vision. Your mission is what you are about,
what you stand for – what you won’t stand for. They are Board statements that describe who you are
and why you exist as an organization. It describes the highest expectations for the organization. To be
approved by the Board and communicated widely, then and reaffirmed or rewritten as needed.
His examples:
Vision – to be Michigan’s most influential livestock organization.
Mission – to foster the wellbeing and integrity of Michigan’s sheep industry.
Goals provide a clear target to focus resources. They need to be realistic, achievable and believable;
understandable to all that read them. They must be time specific and developed by the board with
input from staff and members. He recommends 6 – 10 goals with dates.
Action Plans. Committees break down the future goals and create a progress plan towards the goals.
The Board develops and reaffirms the mission/vision after collecting data.
Collect data – suggests 5 years
Finance
Membership
Leadership and organizational structure
External data
Other
Review/modify data
Speak-up meeting with the membership
Write goals
External data presentation
Small table review on each statement
Opportunity to raise other topics
Board rough drafts goals
Committees and staff implement
It’s a journey not a destination. Annual review and approval would be part of the budget
process/reorganization (election of officers). New goals should be considered every 3-4 years. Mike
questioned if the Board would be willing to consider speak-up meetings at the Summer Picnic with a
roll-out at Shepherd’s Weekend 2016.
Comments from the Board:
Maury – with the current 15 member board – how does that fit into the plan of doing this –
Keep the entire board involved – but data collection may be a smaller group.
Denise Bartlett – appreciated the presentation. Not sure we are at that point – we need to decide if we
even want to do it, let alone by ready by summer picnic for roll out at next year’s Symposium. Summer
Picnic attendance has been very low to discuss something this important. It warrants more thought and
discussion on whether it holds value. Will Mike be the lead person or not?
Tyler Martin – feels it’s an all or nothing type of thing – unless the board is willing to do this – it won’t
work.
Mike Bronkema – wishes we had some goals for our committees.
Larry Hagadorn – feels the reason we see no reports from our committees is because they have no goals
or missions.
Tammy Weaver – As co-chair of the Commercial Committee they have already chosen to adopt a
mission to increase the scope and profitability by networking, mentoring and educational committees.
A good example is our reoccurring discussions on tail docking. Some are sure that we have already
adopted a prior policy but no one has found it. It’s an issue open for controversy and misunderstanding
because we don’t have clear goals.
Mike indicated that he could facilitate this process through his position at no charge. We thanked him
for his time.
In old business, Dave Meeuwse updated us on the Starter Flock Program. It was announced in the
Shepherd’s News and there were 4 flocks available. He received one request for an application that has
not been returned; one phone call but no application. How can we advertise to 4-H and FFA? We have
only publicized in our own organization but it is open to all interested. In the past Pat Henne has been
able to get information out through FFA connections. We didn’t have that this year. Different types of
flocks were offered donated to fit different types of people looking at the sheep industry. The deadline
will be extended and information can be clarified in the postcard that it’s ok to share with others outside
the organization.
Judy Moore reported on the State Fair. Numbers were up; they estimated over 90,000 people came
through the gates. There were shearing demonstrations going on all four days – Judy took pictures; she
had our updated booth there. She added questions and small photos. We need to make sure we take
more photos during 2015 youth activities so we have good shots to add to the booth. We need to
consider some type of tear-offs on the display for those interested in future small flock participation.
New Business:
ASI Award nominations are due November 15th. Mike Bronkema would like to see Dr. Ehrhardt
nominated for Camp Tender Award. He will coordinate the effort and others are needed to write
recommendations. Harvey, Denise, and Scott Oswalt will write a part. Dale Thorne could be called upon
to write about accelerated lambing.
Nominations for the Distinguished Service Award were collected by secret ballot.
Discussion held on the disposition of the livestock scales. They were used when there was a State Fair.
Now they are housed at the Livestock Pavilion and they don’t work. We must decide if they can be
fixed, at what cost, if they should be fixed and then what should be done with them.
Comments included:
Harvey – we have no use for them.
Judy – They were used in 2013 for the All-American Youth Show. Al is storing them – maybe MSU
classes use them – prior they were rented out. Now that there is no State Fair – they don’t get used
very often. Do we fix it then sell them?
Maury will work with someone to go look at them. He’s thinking Grand Rapids Scale Company unless we
have other ideas.
Tyler Martin moved to figure out the problem before we sell them and get a cost of repairs. Harvey
Warrick seconded the motion. Motion to amend the motion was made by Denise Bartlett to limit the
repairs to $200; if they exceed that then sell as they are instead. Amendment seconded by Doug Uzelac.
To be done by Symposium. Motion passed as amended.
Maury wanted the Board to be aware of issues he has been having when trying to get funds from ASI. A
recent example of a problem was the funds for Make it with Wool. In working with Mary Jensen, he has
found documentation requirements have been tightened. Project coordinators MUST supply pictures,
and details of how the money is being spent before funds are committed. Then full details including all
receipts need to be provided after the event. Nancy is working on a form to use in the future. Final
reports are due by September 15th. Maury asked the Board to review the forms and see if they think it
will work.
Discussion on the agenda for Shepherd’s Weekend began. Club, purebred, industry service award
nominations are due by December 1, 2014. Pat Henne is currently very busy with FFA convention but
has agreed to continue working on the Youth Activities for Friday night. We don’t have confirmed
sponsors yet; past sponsors were Michigan Soybean Committee and Consumers for $500 each. Ideally
sponsors will be identified by the time we print Michigan Shepherd’s News so they can get additional
promotion from their donations.
Possible changes in the program for Symposium were discussed. Most would like to see Brian Larsen’s
scrapie program to be a general session rather than an optional breakout session. The committee will
continue to work through the proposed changes. Denise Bartlett is hoping that facilitators will be given
a clear printed list of things they are responsible for. Sheryl Oswalt offered a sample program survey
that has been effective in another organization. She’ll get a copy to Nancy for consideration.
Maury represented MSBA in a recent meeting with Maggie Bethal and others regarding the future
direction of MSU Extension. Maggie is in this position temporarily; Hammersmith is short term. Their
first priority is a dean; then hopefully a director of extension. Maury passed out Maggie’s response to
Maury’s questions posed at this meeting.
Regarding the Animal Initiative – the program has provided brick and mortar dollars in the past. The
livestock guys are looking to pool their dollars given to the University to get matching $$ from the State.
Dollars raised by the pork and dairy producers are huge – our $$ are small in comparison but we have
money that is sitting in our savings that could be considered as a contribution to the animal initiative to show some more skin in the game. Cattlemen dollars aren’t that large either. This animal initiative
will only come to fruition if Governor Snyder is re-elected. It provides matching monies from the State
for programs. In the past, we have supported the meat’s team with $1000 but now that’s done. We
also commit $2000 per year for Richard’s efforts. Question was asked if Maury was proposing that the
budget be changed for the current year or for future years. Ideally he could report our decision as soon
as possible and it should probably be a 3 year commitment rather than a one-time deal.
Denise Bartlett moved that the issue be tabled until the organizational meeting; support from Jeff
Buckham; motion passed.
Maury explained the Dr. Hawkins traveling trophy. It is given at the Michigan 4-H/FFA Livestock Judging
Contest held at the MSU Pavilion in July. The team with the most accumulated points will receive the
Dr. David Hawkins High Overall Team Award. The travel trophy will be displayed at the MSU Pavilion
and is sponsored by the Michigan Cattlemen’s Association, Michigan Pork Producers Association and the
Michigan Sheep Breeders Association. The judging team event is a good avenue for gaining skills in
communicating reasoning. With a sponsorship of $150 we were only able to be co-sponsors of the
trophy rather than full sponsors.
Doug Uzelac passed out pictures taken at his local fair this summer that started an extensive tail docking
procedure discussion. He tried to do a disqualification for non-healed dockings but their action in
response was to return with super glue on it. Doug presented a motion that as an organization we do
not support any event, financially or otherwise, where extreme tail docking is being exhibited. No
second was voiced.
Comments:
Dr. Ehrhardt – didn’t feel that the current group present didn’t include proper representation from the
club lamb people.
Jeff Buckham – raises club lambs and points out that they are a different “animal”. They feel they are a
different breed.
Tammy Weaver – we need to push for humane treatment regardless of the type of sheep that we are
talking about.
Brian Larson – he monitors the HSUS and what they are pursuing and surgical tail removal is on the
table. It’s not a matter of if they will take it on, it’s when. And when they do, they will win with the
funding they have available. We don’t need a black eye – 99% of the world will call it a sheep problem
and not a show lamb problem.
Dave Meeuwse - it’s an emotional issue more than a health issue – he has concerns about the wording
of the motion. For example, what if we sponsor an event, then something arises – then do we take the
money back? What are we currently sponsoring that this would effect?
Answer by Judy Moore: MI Livestock Exposition and the Michigan Preview Show.
Children are not raising their own sheep – they don’t know who to believe.
Tom Bass – we approved a motion in 2006 and then last year we adopted a welfare issue.
At this point, it was discovered that the motion had not received a second. Harvey Warrick seconded it.
Tyler Martin – understands that in talking with ASI – they know that HSUS may pursue the issue and
they (ASI) also said if we drive a wedge between ourselves then that’s when the “enemy” has leverage;
they will divide us further and we will all loose. ASI is the level in which it will have to be dealt with.
Judy Moore – we may be hurting a lot of kids by pulling support for the practices of a few.
Richard Ehrhardt– we need to consider it starting with the judges training – perhaps certification. It’s
taking place in the horse programs today – why can’t we bring it back to sheep.
Mike Bronkema calls the question.
Support for the motion by voice vote was questionable. The vote was retaken via paper ballot.
Brian Larson – Tyler has good points but it is not a National issue – they (HSUS) will attack us State by
State. Mike found it that way with the chicken business.
Dave Meeuwse – how we can police it? The individuals Counties can address it in the fair book – so the
judge follows the rules.
The vote is in; the motion has failed.
Larry Hagadorn– the ones that are hurt are the kids that own the lamb.
Additional comments:
Harvey Warrick – a ram lamb won his class in Sedalia; the National Champion in Louisville. He was QQ.
How many animals are we eliminating by squeezing out the possible superior traits of the QQ animal.
Scrapies is thought to be or believed to be contagious; a lot of money has gone into research that is not
proven.
Dave Meeuwse will be looking at nominations for Board positions. Tom Bass will help with the
expirations as Sheryl isn’t confident with the dates noted in the newsletter.
Denise Bartlett – is there any interest in electronic tags? If so, we might be able to get Gallagher to
come if there is interest.
Letty Klein – why don’t we have a secretary? We need the consistency. A Board secretary should be
considered.
Motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 p.m. by Tyler Martin, second by Doug Uzelac. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheryl Oswalt