Fellow breeders
2009 in the deer business resembled the stock market with its ups and downs. Four factors triggered this unstable market. First the early auctions reported selling bucks at half the price of previous years. This triggered doubt among breeders who were already worried about the economy and the increased number of available shooters. But what made things seem even worse, there were very few ranches in Pa. purchasing shooter bucks last September as compared to years past. Some breeders used wisdom, fear, or both by selling their shooters early at cheaper prices once they did find a buyer. This panic set early prices that continued well into fall. However, toward late fall, prices rebounded and stabilized. The bucks that took the worst hit on prices were the 180 inch deer and up. Many breeders, especially those new in the deer industry, wonder if this will be the trend for the next few years. Of coarse, no one knows. One thing we do know is, if the economy does not pick up and we do not get more hunters interested in high fenced hunting, next year will probably not be much better.
So how to resolve our problem? We must first identify the problem. We can blame the untimely early auctions, the economy, the deer breeders panicing and selling cheaper. Or we can blame the hunting ranches for taking advantage of deer farmers and the cheaper prices. Or - Or we can work together and build a stronger industry that will bring stability for us all. To do this I suggest that every deer breeder lay down your differences, join and support your state deer associations. I know many of you past members have been hurt or felt betrayed by the PDFA and other state ***. Originally, the PDFA was set up to serve, protect and promote all Pa. breeders (members and non-members alike). In the legislative area, working with the state agencies and representatives, the PDFA, through it's board members, has done a great job. However, over the past several years, the board focus seems to have turned a bit self serving with an overemphasis on the breeding market, to the detriment of the smaller breeders who purched their deer. As we all know not all deer produced are breeding quality, but in todays market that depends on the pedigree. Along with the breeding market, there needs to be a strong shooter market for the deer who do not make the grade for breeders.
As we move into 2010, we must realize that Pa. breeders, PDFA and all state associations focus should not only be on selling more breeding stock where there already is a glut in the market, but to emphasize the shooter market as viable outlet along with the breeding market.
Its time to bury the hatchets, re-join your state ***. and let your voices be heard. The PDFA should be supporting all Pa breeders by helping to establish a hunting market for our shooter bucks that all the Pa. breeders are producing. Tell them how you feel. Be part of the sloution and not the problem. There must be a shift in focus from marketing breeding stock to marketing shooter bucks. If this happens, the breeding stock market will grow stronger and regain on its own. Join your state ***. and in 2010 attend the meetings. Remind our elected officers 2010 will define the motives of the board members to serve, protect and promote or be self serving. Call your elected board members and let them know how you feel. Complaining and seeking sympathy from fellow deer farmers only accomplishes one thing, division. And yes we are all guilty of that, including me. Lets bury the proverbial hatchet and build a stronger deer associations from the inside out, a stronger deer industry, a brighter future for each of us, our children and future generations.
Join, join today and let your voices be heard in love.
Andy Foor
2009 in the deer business resembled the stock market with its ups and downs. Four factors triggered this unstable market. First the early auctions reported selling bucks at half the price of previous years. This triggered doubt among breeders who were already worried about the economy and the increased number of available shooters. But what made things seem even worse, there were very few ranches in Pa. purchasing shooter bucks last September as compared to years past. Some breeders used wisdom, fear, or both by selling their shooters early at cheaper prices once they did find a buyer. This panic set early prices that continued well into fall. However, toward late fall, prices rebounded and stabilized. The bucks that took the worst hit on prices were the 180 inch deer and up. Many breeders, especially those new in the deer industry, wonder if this will be the trend for the next few years. Of coarse, no one knows. One thing we do know is, if the economy does not pick up and we do not get more hunters interested in high fenced hunting, next year will probably not be much better.
So how to resolve our problem? We must first identify the problem. We can blame the untimely early auctions, the economy, the deer breeders panicing and selling cheaper. Or we can blame the hunting ranches for taking advantage of deer farmers and the cheaper prices. Or - Or we can work together and build a stronger industry that will bring stability for us all. To do this I suggest that every deer breeder lay down your differences, join and support your state deer associations. I know many of you past members have been hurt or felt betrayed by the PDFA and other state ***. Originally, the PDFA was set up to serve, protect and promote all Pa. breeders (members and non-members alike). In the legislative area, working with the state agencies and representatives, the PDFA, through it's board members, has done a great job. However, over the past several years, the board focus seems to have turned a bit self serving with an overemphasis on the breeding market, to the detriment of the smaller breeders who purched their deer. As we all know not all deer produced are breeding quality, but in todays market that depends on the pedigree. Along with the breeding market, there needs to be a strong shooter market for the deer who do not make the grade for breeders.
As we move into 2010, we must realize that Pa. breeders, PDFA and all state associations focus should not only be on selling more breeding stock where there already is a glut in the market, but to emphasize the shooter market as viable outlet along with the breeding market.
Its time to bury the hatchets, re-join your state ***. and let your voices be heard. The PDFA should be supporting all Pa breeders by helping to establish a hunting market for our shooter bucks that all the Pa. breeders are producing. Tell them how you feel. Be part of the sloution and not the problem. There must be a shift in focus from marketing breeding stock to marketing shooter bucks. If this happens, the breeding stock market will grow stronger and regain on its own. Join your state ***. and in 2010 attend the meetings. Remind our elected officers 2010 will define the motives of the board members to serve, protect and promote or be self serving. Call your elected board members and let them know how you feel. Complaining and seeking sympathy from fellow deer farmers only accomplishes one thing, division. And yes we are all guilty of that, including me. Lets bury the proverbial hatchet and build a stronger deer associations from the inside out, a stronger deer industry, a brighter future for each of us, our children and future generations.
Join, join today and let your voices be heard in love.
Andy Foor
