Open Letter to the Non-Traditional Livestock/Cervid Industry
Do We Need a National Alliance?
Many of our industry’s leaders have been discussing formation of a national, industry wide “alliance” for several
years. As is normal in such discussions, more questions than answers have resulted. The concept has been met
with both approval and distrust. Most have agreed the concept is sound and such an “alliance” would be of great
benefit to the industry as a whole…BUT…! I hope each and every participant in our industry will give serious
thought to the formation of such an “alliance”.
I have been actively involved in the non-traditional livestock business for many years and it has been good to me
and my family. Over the years I have seen our industry undergo significant changes. Our industry has grown from a
few small and scattered producers with little economic impact to a multi-billion dollar economic force. On the
“exotic” side, we have moved some threatened and endangered species from the brink of extinction, and are
posed to save even more. On the native side, our producers are building bigger and better genetics. We have
started to raise the awareness of the general public to the absolute necessity of private ownership to insure the
continued existence of desirable species. We have been instrumental in development of improved animal health
techniques and methodology. We have been successful! But our success is not without cost.
Due to our success, our industry is under ever increasing scrutiny. Not everyone is glad to see us thriving. Many
well intentioned but poorly informed folks are opposed to our very existence. The “antis” want us shut down, many
regulators believe we are a threat to the health of all animals, and some believe we have no right to do what we do.
Even some in the traditional animal industries view us as a threat.
After years of serious thought, I have reached the conclusion that our best hope for continued growth (perhaps even
continued existence!) is the formation of a national alliance. It is time for our industry to make the general public
aware of the good things we do. It is time for us to present a unified front to our detractors and those that regulate
us. If we continue doing “business as usual” we leave ourselves vulnerable to attack. It is much easier to pick us off
one at a time instead of taking on all of us at once. And believe me, there are those that wish to put us out of
business.
It is time for ALL industry organizations to develop a unified mission statement, and band together to present a “pro
industry” position. Such an alliance would be able to counter the arguments of our detractors, present common
goals, objectives and needs, and lobby for us as an industry. A few years ago, when we were an insignificant group
of individual organizations, we could function as separate entities; we could carry our own water. But times have
changed.
Under the “alliance” concept that is being proposed, each individual organization would retain the responsibility to
serve and protect its individual members. No one would lose representation nor independence. But all would gain
from the strength of numbers. We would benefit from having a central location to serve as a “clearing house” for
receiving and disseminating information and to serve as spokesperson on matters that affect the industry as a
whole.
There is much to be done before such a concept can be implemented. Questions such as cost, leadership, areas
of responsibility, etc., must be addressed. But I have faith in the individuals and organizations that make up this
industry. I do truly believe we can make this work. Our future, individually and collectively, depends on it!
I hope each and every organization will bring this before their individual members. Every President, Board of
Director, and Executive Director needs to give honest consideration on the value of this proposal and how to
implement it…we owe it to ourselves, our members, and our industry.
R. W. (Dick) Winters
1314 Wall Street,
Brady, Texas 76825