2003 NAPA Annual Meeting – Highlights….

A Standing Ovation for the Brewer Family…Open Book Policy on Financial Statements… Future of DNA testing...

On October 18, 2003 at the Howard Johnsons in Billings, Montana – the third Annual NAPA Annual Meeting was held following a Baron of Beef banquet. The banquet beef was, sadly, not Piedmontese. Steps will be taken next year to improve upon that.

NAPA President, Gary Owens, opened the Meeting and introduced the various special guests – including Bridger Feuz of MMI Genomic, California and the Show Judge, Neil Wright from Canada.

Secretary, Dick Gooby, read the Minutes of the 2002 Annual Meeting and then gave his report on the NAPA Cattle Sourcing Program. As you know, this is a free service to NAPA members…to network better, so that potential buyers will know where the Piedmontese-influenced feeder and slaughter cattle can be found.

Peter DenOudsten, NAPA Treasurer, gave a full report and all of the various Bank Statements and NAPA Checkbooks were there for members to review personally. The NAPA finances are stronger every month – and the original loans from Members that were used as ‘start-up’ funds for NAPA have been repaid in half already…with the budget set to re-pay those loans in full within the first 4 months of 2004.

Vicki Johnson gave the Executive Director’s report, which included comments on the heavy use of the NAPA website, the numbers of animal registrations and transfers of ownership, promotional successes, and problems with the PAUS registry. The largest NAPA membership is found in the state of Ohio, with more members in the eastern USA than in the west. The highest number of animal registrations in 2002 came from the state of Montana, with Washington second and Ohio third. There were 870 animals registered with NAPA in 2002, which was the first full year period that NAPA was registering stock.

Problems with the PAUS registry have been identified, several animal re-registrations were found to have in-accurate pedigree information from PAUS. Following the recent PAUS rule change to allow the registration of “Myostatin 0 or 1-copy fullbloods” – NAPA began investigating how there could even be the occurrence of 0 or 1 copy fullbloods in North America. This research led NAPA to find (so far) some 100+ head of crossbred Piedmontese, ranging from some 44% to 87% Piedmontese blood, which are carrying PAUS Fullblood registration numbers.(ie. No letter prefix designation to the registry number.) It seems obvious that, if PAUS is finding a number of so-called Fullblood cattle that carry less than 2 copies for Myostatin, they are NOT really Fullblood cattle.

By general consensus, the NAPA members agreed that NAPA should continue to register Fullblood Piedmontese which have pedigrees traceable to the original Italian stock and that carry 2 copies for Myostatin. Any animal which applies for Fullblood NAPA registry, that carries less than 2 alleles for Myostatin, will be removed from the Fullblood category and may be registered in the Naturalean category. NAPA also reserves the right to correct any and all pedigree in-accuracies from the PAUS database as they are identified.

NAPA has joined the National Pedigreed Livestock Council and have issued to the NPLC a “breed description” for Piedmontese. The USDA will be considering the NPLC’s member associations and breed descriptions as their standard.

Kevin Brewer and Ralph Peterson of Montana Range were the impetus behind this decision for NAPA to join NPLC, as it will have a profound effect on future USDA Beef Labeling regulations.

NAPA extended a hearty thank-you to the Brewer family and gave a much deserved standing ovation to Kevin and JoAnn Brewer for their tremendous support of the breed and of NAPA. The Brewers are now the proud owners of Montana Range, with Ralph Peterson as Manager.

Ralph Peterson of Montana Range gave a full report on the issues that Beef Marketers face with new USDA Labeling regulations. His comments included the fact that the Piedmontese breed is ideally positioned to continue expansion in brand-name marketing programs, because the product is simply superior and it is genetically “unique” from other breeds. Ralph explained that one of the most critical points in effective brand name labeling is to have something that sets your beef distinctly apart from other beef. Piedmontese, with the myostatin gene, has this ! Montana Range is set to expand.

Bridger Feuz of MMI Genomic in California presented an extremely interesting report on the future of DNA testing. MMI is currently conducting the DNA parentage and permanent record tests for NAPA, via Stormont Labs. Options in the future may include DNA tests for multiple “marbling” genes, growth, color, and tenderness factors and more…A full report on NAPA’s response to these new developments will be forth-coming…

Vicki Johnson gave a brief report on behalf of NEPA (North East Piedmontese Association) as the President, Delon Shetler, was un-able to attend this meeting. NEPA has again had a very successful year, with show venues and the annual Piedmontese Consignment Sale. They report a strong financial position, and next year may expand their activities. NEPA also extends their offer to assist breeders in any part of the country to launch their own regional promotional groups… Give them a call !

The Meeting was entertaining and full of news about the future of the breed and of NAPA. This future is brighter than ever before, thanks to the quality of people involved.

Vicki Johnson – Exec. Director – NAPA

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