Post by blueoakfarm on Jan 14, 2012 12:52:11 GMT -5
With the increasing use of social media for agriculture promotion, other breed associations have used this outlet to their advantage. Although the ABWPA association has decided we do not need a blog at this time, I thought that having our own Facebook group may be another way to reach producers (especially young producers) that may be interested in the breed. Nearly two years ago I created such a page ( www.facebook.com/pages/American-British-White-Park-Cattle/97786134194 ). For those of the British White Cattle Association, they also have a page (which I have nothing to do with) which can be found here www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=32030422305 .
It is a place where members can post photos, propose questions, and ask about cattle for sale. If there is no activity, I try to post something (such as cattle related articles and show results) to encourage others to post.
Recently, a poster asked this question: "What y'all gonna do about British Whites and Parks bringing the absolute worst price at auction? We need to get these breeds on tv and people talking about them."
Though both my father and I gave our opinions, I hope that others who are not on Facebook could give their opinions here. I would like to direct the poster to this thread so that he may hear the opinions of other members in both associations.
My response was this: Great question! Perhaps you should send your question/concern to the board of the association. (I am just a very active member.) In my personal opinion, its going to be a hard thing to do. What is the best way to get our message out there? Who is going to pay for it? Are there better things to put our money into (example: EPDs)? Is our breed ready to handle a nationwide response from other cattlemen (do we have enough cattle, could our breed handle the genetic hit of losing certain lines into commercial programs)? Will it benefit enough of the association or only the active, larger breeders that most people would call? Higher prices would be great, but some may not be ready to give up that small breed, everyone knows everyone and is nice to everyone kind of mentality. In our area, Steve Klabnik and I have worked hard to promote the breed: sell bulls as breeding stock at market prices just so they will get out there, pass out pamphlets so people will remember what they are, mention that we raise a unique breed whenever it fits into a conversation, gift membership to all new buyers (unless they just by steers), offer discounts and payment plans on 4-H/FFA calves, etc. Just my thoughts...
Happy calving and thanks for the responses!
-Jess
PS: If at any point the association would like to take over this Facebook page, I would be happy to turn it over to them. Competing pages would not benefit the breed in any way. Until then, I am glad to do my part to promote the breed thorough social media.
It is a place where members can post photos, propose questions, and ask about cattle for sale. If there is no activity, I try to post something (such as cattle related articles and show results) to encourage others to post.
Recently, a poster asked this question: "What y'all gonna do about British Whites and Parks bringing the absolute worst price at auction? We need to get these breeds on tv and people talking about them."
Though both my father and I gave our opinions, I hope that others who are not on Facebook could give their opinions here. I would like to direct the poster to this thread so that he may hear the opinions of other members in both associations.
My response was this: Great question! Perhaps you should send your question/concern to the board of the association. (I am just a very active member.) In my personal opinion, its going to be a hard thing to do. What is the best way to get our message out there? Who is going to pay for it? Are there better things to put our money into (example: EPDs)? Is our breed ready to handle a nationwide response from other cattlemen (do we have enough cattle, could our breed handle the genetic hit of losing certain lines into commercial programs)? Will it benefit enough of the association or only the active, larger breeders that most people would call? Higher prices would be great, but some may not be ready to give up that small breed, everyone knows everyone and is nice to everyone kind of mentality. In our area, Steve Klabnik and I have worked hard to promote the breed: sell bulls as breeding stock at market prices just so they will get out there, pass out pamphlets so people will remember what they are, mention that we raise a unique breed whenever it fits into a conversation, gift membership to all new buyers (unless they just by steers), offer discounts and payment plans on 4-H/FFA calves, etc. Just my thoughts...
Happy calving and thanks for the responses!
-Jess
PS: If at any point the association would like to take over this Facebook page, I would be happy to turn it over to them. Competing pages would not benefit the breed in any way. Until then, I am glad to do my part to promote the breed thorough social media.