Builders & Taters

     When one stops to think about it, God put some people on the earth to be builders and some people to tear down what the builders had built. If there weren’t any builders, then those responsible for the tearing down would have nothing to do.

Are you a builder?
     The Maine-Anjou breed, for all of its past successes and future expectations, depends on builders who have the courage, forethought and individuality to make a positive difference. Builders are ones that believe in something, build a strong foundation to work from and expand their thoughts from that foundation. Of course, builders are the first to be criticized, used and abused, but as stated in the beginning, it’s hard to tear something down that hasn’t been built! The Maine-Anjou breed, with all of its diversity, has so much to offer to the cattle industry. The builders within our breed recognize the positive influence of pedigreed Maine-Anjou livestock. The pedigree is a contract of that animal’s genetics, performance and now, the possibility of carcass traits. The Maine-Anjou breed finds a way to make sure that the contract of their program is passed on to their customers. The builders know that with a strong support system the whole will prosper and grow with time. Builders make decisions only to be questioned on the very reasons for those decisions. Builders are flexible in their design—they attract the widest possible customer base. At the recent Texas Maine-Anjou Association meeting held at the Fort Worth Stock Show, Jerry Gibson, the outgoing President, said it best when he said, “Don’t tell me it can’t be done, tell me ways in which it can be done! Give me ideas don’t give me excuses.” Builders have ideas, visions and convictions to press forward. A little item came across my e- ail the other day about  “Tater People,” which depicts different kinds of personalities. The cattle business is a people business. What kind of “tater” are you?

     Some people never seem motivated to participate, but are just content to watch while others do the work. They are called “Spec Taters.”

     Some people never do anything to help, but are gifted at finding fault with the way others do the work. They are called “Comment Taters.”

     Some people are very bossy and like to tell others what to do, but don’t want to soil their own hands. They are called “Dick Taters.”

     Some people are always looking to cause problems by asking others to agree with them. It is too hot or too cold, too sour or too sweet. They are called “Agie Taters.”

     There are those who say they will help, but somehow just never get around to actually doing
the promised help. They are called “Hezzie Taters.”

     Some people can put up a front and pretend to be someone they are not. They are called “Emma Taters.”

     Then there are those who love others and do what they say they will. They are always prepared to stop whatever they are doing and lend a helping hand. They bring real sunshine into the lives of others. They are “Sweet Taters.”

     “Sweet Taters” can help build a better future for the pedigreed Maine-Anjou business. Be a builder of a better tomorrow. It has been said that great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events and small minds discuss people. The bright future of the Maine-Anjou breed has
“Sweet Taters” building better programs from great minds