American Herbataurus Society

A Letter from Gearld Fry

Dear Fellow Cattlemen & Cattlewomen,

I have launched a new society that will assist livestock producers in developing grass-based genetic cattle herds. We are a record keeping association that will enable people to create their own high performance paternal bulls. The purpose of this letter is to provide more explanation of what American Herbataurus Society (AHS) is about and what my intentions and goals are for this society.

After several years of working with cattle people and their livestock, it became more and more evident to me that there is no constant genetic standard being used as a guide to select and breed cattle. Our system does not teach us what specific animal traits are re-quired to efficiently produce a flavorful, tender, high-quality, protein product on a diet of total grass. If cattlemen/women continue to work alone or in small segmented groups pro-ducing animals for the nondiscriminating packing houses, then the industry as a whole re-mains responsible for producing low quality, unhealthy meat that the educated consumer will no longer purchase.

The typical family farm raising cattle does so for the love of the lifestyle and the animals and will occasionally make a profit, but must support the family and operation with off-farm income. The prediction is that many will leave the industry in the next five years or less. This doesn't have to be. We can work together and using a common set of proven standards produce a product that meets consumer demand. Grass-based operations equipped with adapted, genetically correct livestock to harvest their grass are sustainable.

This society's founders are focused on educating you the producer, the necessity of proper genetics and body structure (phenotype) that your cattle must posses to make your operation rewarding. Members of AHS receive this education through newsletters, phone consultations, visits to your farm, workshops, and seminars. I know that each one of you have already developed a level of skill and knowledge about what works and what doesn't. We can all prosper by sharing this accumulated wisdom and our God-given talents.

It does require a specific style of bovine to utilize a grass only diet and produce ten-der, palatable beef. The trained society staff and I will help you recognize the individuals in your herd that best fit this profile. We will then recommend a genetically superior bull to breed these cows to so that you begin building your own gene pool using the correct type of animals.

AHS will be the registry that keeps track of your lineages as you breed and improve your cattle. The society will issue you papers on your half blood calves (any Bos Taurus beef breed) and assist you with your breeding up programs. This registering system has a breeding coefficient factor that tracks linebreeding percentages. It contains a linear measur-ing ranking system that will be a vital selection tool for you and your progress. There is a farm version of this animal record keeping system that you may want to purchase to keep your basic data stored at home which can be downloaded via email to the AHS master system.

Each person that submits a signed, completed membership application with fees will then be entitled to specific privileges and benefits. The entry fee for new membership is $65. and the renewal fee is $35. Join now, your membership will be valid until December 31, 2005.

My desire, along with the society founders, is to help you build a grass based bo-vine gene pool that produces gourmet beef. The AHS's record keeping system takes the guesswork out of tracking your progress. You will know what you are producing. Instead of EPDs, you will have KPDs - Known Progeny Differences. AHS standards are high and different from any other breed registry. I am confident that we can help you reach these standards no matter what your starting point. Your investment and diligence now will pay off in creating superior grass-based genetic animals that will be extremely valuable, in demand, and profitable. You will be developing a legacy for your children who will be proud to stay on the farm.

To get things started, simply become a member and begin registering your calves. We will walk you through the applications and correspond with you on any unclear information.

AHS Standards

Hormones to synchronize cows for breeding purposes are allowed. Growth hormones of any kind, implants, or feed grade growth stimulants are absolutely NOT acceptable. If you have animals that you feel must be dewormed with chemicals, there are other natural alter-natives to control internal and external parasites that are not harmful to the animal or con-sumer. If you have been using chemicals for parasite control, there will be a withdrawal period. Your animals will rebuild their own natural immune response. To accept animals that require chemicals to stay "healthy," or animals that are given growth accelerators would be against the AHS's foundation principles.

Regarding the use of inoculation shots (vaccinations): They were developed because the weak and fragile animals that have been created lost the ability to fight off disease naturally. I personally have not inoculated an animal in over twenty years.

I'm sure that there will be many questions that deserve answers. I will address these as best I can, and many will be discussed in future newsletters.

My intention for creating the American Herbataurus Society is to work with my fellow cattlemen/women who share the same philosophies. The philosophy of producing quality, nutritious beef from grass fed animals. The philosophy that four hands are better than two and that the integrity of the family farm is worth preserving. My goals are to es-tablish a membership base, maintain the data on the developing grass-based gene pools, and use that information to enable society members to work together and make a difference (become the new standard) for ourselves, our farms/ranches, our cattle and for this great industry.

I invite you to become a part of this "grassroots" movement and look forward to working with each and every one of you.

May God richly bless your decisions and all that you do.

TRUTHS

All truth passes through three stages:

1. First, it is ridiculed
2. Second, it is violently opposed
3. Third, it is accepted as self evident

Contact American Herbataurus Society
RD #1, Box 81A
New Bethlehem, PA 16242
Main Office: Laurel Hoffman: 814-256-3707
Gearld Fry: 501-454-3252
Ridgway Shinn: 413-657-7709
Email: