Current messages from the President, David Millison
[To read past messages, click here]

Hello everyone,

Here are some updates on the organization to keep you all up on all the new and exciting things happening with the AMZA and in the Miniature Zebu world.

The AMZA Board of Directors has been working very hard to upgrade the organization. Thanks to Larry Munchrath's hard work, the AMZA website has been an amazing success with the ability to see all the show wins and pics of the Grand and Reserve Grand Champion animals. It also keeps our members and potential owners/buyers abreast of upcoming shows and events they may attend to purchase animals. Bernie Keasler has taken over as the Web Master and Larry is going to be his web support co/Web Master. Bernie and Larry are currently working on a whole new website that will be bigger and better than ever. They are keeping all the great parts of the web site Larry created and then improving it.

Promotion, promotion, promotion. What more can I say? Without the shows, clinics and seminars that AMZA has become known for, our breed would still be an obscure back yard "pet" with no relevance in the livestock market. Even in these hard economic times, the Miniature Zebu breed continues to grow and become more popular. The sale prices of quality animals has stayed constant and even risen on show animals with show pedigrees. We are now in many of the most prestigious venues available in the cattle/livestock world. It is not easy to get into some of the fairs and livestock shows we are in, but due to the support of you our members, we have proven that "if you build it, they will come". The AMZA has worked hard to expand the value and use of the breed. Certainly not everyone breeds for the same reasons, but without a true livestock market we would have no standing in the livestock world.

The show season has expanded by leaps and bounds, it has proven to be the most valuable tool in breed promotion and education. If you want to host a show or would like a show in your area contact me. I can't promise a show until I put all the numbers together to make sure it will be viable. The AMZA will also help and support Miniature Zebu clinics and seminars that help to promote the breed and educate the public as well as our members. If you are willing to host one of these events at your farm or know of a venue available to us, please contact me. We are here for you. Please understand that the AMZA BOD's are volunteers, NO one gets paid. ALL your money goes back into the organization. Many of us have other jobs and commitments, but do our best to work hard for you. We also have a lot of events going on and we have to make sure that they don't overlap and make both events suffer and people have the option to pick and choose. We need enough animals and exhibitors to sanction a show so the show wins are legitimate. Since the AMZA is only registry and show sanctioning organization for Miniature Zebu cattle, we have show rules and regulations to keep our shows relevant the show wins valuable. Your show wins go directly to the PNR or Personal Name Record of the animal. This is important as the PGCH (Permanent Grand Champion) and MCH (Master Champion) designation will carry on to the pedigrees to their offspring. We already have pedigrees that have 3 or more PGCH and MCH on them.

I want to thank the AMZA Board of Directors, Jim Mannos, Larry Munchrath, Dottie Love, Roger Maxwell and Bernie Keasler for all their hard work and dedication to the organization. They have worked hard and fast to keep up with the amazing growth of the AMZA. I also want to thank Debbie Ganschow who has really stepped up to the plate and done a great job with the Nadu-Zebu Journal.

We have grown much faster than we ever anticipated, so some aspects of the organization have been slower in developing than previously planned, but bear with us, we are making great strides and will continue to offer the support and service you have come to expect from your registry.

AMZA continues to grow and your support is appreciated. The AMZA is not the largest or the oldest Miniature Zebu Registry in the U.S. But, with your help and support it has become the BEST in five short years. It is your money that promotes the breed, no, we don't have tens of thousands of dollars in our bank account, that is because we are a NON profit organization that was created to support and promote the Miniature Zebu cattle breed and the members/owners/breeders who have them. The AMZA listens to our members and does accordingly. We are a member run organization that is inclusive and supportive to every Miniature Zebu enthusiast. As always, I want to know your issues, concerns, accolades etc. Never hesitate to contact me for anything, I always give my personal cell phone to every member, I am only a phone call away from your voice and I welcome it. This is your organization and without you we are nothing.

My home number is 972-227-7060             My cell is 214-475-1000              My personal email is whfarms@aol.com

Wishing you best this calving season and hope to see you all soon.

Sincerely, David

Here is the show schedule for the 2010 AMZA sanctioned shows:

Feb. 3-5 2010 Florida State Fair, Tampa, Fla. (2 shows)
Judges: Darrell Pitchford, Athens, TX Robbie Sand, Alachua, Fl.

March 13-16 2010 Houston Livestock Show, Houston, TX (1 show)
Judge: Dr. Chris Boleman

April 29-May 2nd 2010 Run for the Roses, Lancaster, TX (2 shows)
(We will also host the annual AMZA Judges Training Seminar)
Judges: Dr. Bill Sanders, Terrell, TX Darrell Pitchford, Athens, TX

May 28-31 2010 Ze Orange De' Lite, Ocala Fl. (2 shows)
NOTE: Florida is hosting the AMZA National Show in Ocala, this is a MUST attend event! This is the time the National show is being held on the east coast and we expect it to be one of the best!
Judges: Denice Hasty

Sept. 2-4 2010 Colorado State Fair, Pueblo, Co. (2 shows)

Sept. 23-26 2010 State Fair of Texas, Dallas, TX (2 shows)

Sept. 28 Red River Valley Fair, Paris, TX (2 shows)

Nov. 5-7 Louisiana State Fair, Shreveport, La. (2 shows)
NOTE: The Louisiana shows are now on Sat. and Sun. instead of Fri. and Sat. They have also shortened the entry deadline, this to help us out with entries and financially so we don't have to pay both Texas and Louisiana at the same time.

Any other shows and judges will updated as soon as the information is available.

If you have any questions or need further info or assistance please contact me at 214-475-1000.

Hope to see every one soon. David

February 2010

Hello everyone,
I just got back from the 2010 AMZA sanctioned Miniature Zebu Show at the Florida State Fair, in Tampa. I want to start by saying that the quality of cattle in Florida has improved ten fold in the few short years of shows.

My hat is off to the Fla. breeders who have stepped up their game and without a doubt have proved to the rest of the Miniature Zebu world that the Miniature Zebu cattle in Florida are a force to re reckoned with and can stand up to competition from anywhere in the country!

It was truly a joy to see and compete against the caliber and quality of cattle, and I was very proud of the AMZA breeders/exhibitors at the fair.

For those Florida skeptics who say that AMZA sanctioned shows are "rigged" or that any particular breeder, herd or person gets preferential treatment needs to get off their A## and go to the Florida shows and see for themselves that Florida cattle and Florida breeders/exhibitors are legitimate and professional and both they and thier cattle are here to stay! It is easy to criticize those who work hard and aren't affraid to go to shows and exhibit their cattle against the competition from all accross the country, especially when you do nothing. Don't hate those who are committed and earn their bragging rights, and not just make them up........ Ok, enough of my soap box. I am sorry, but I get so tired of those who criticize from the safety of their computers and web sites. It's easy to be a bully when you don't have to look the ones your talking about in the face. Note: This is just my personal opinion and not the opinion of the AMZA or any other AMZA Board of Directors! I take total and complete ownership of this paragraph!

AMZA has committed to support all our breeders and members and not only to promote and educate but to acknowledge that there are quality members and cattle from the East coast to the West and from North to South.

I, as do other AMZA members, take both satisfaction and a sense of pride knowing that our dear friends and fellow members/breeders in Fla. have stepped up to the plate and put their cattle where their mouths were and are showing us they are here to stay, here to play and no doubt, here to compete with the best of us, and win!

My compliments to all the winners at the show and again, thanks to all the breeders/exhibitors who supported the show. I also appreciate all who helped me, I was alone and everyone jumped in and helped me and I am grateful and thankful to all of you.

A BIG thanks to Ed Rick, the Fla. State Fair show superintendent, as usual Ed did a great job and I know I speak for everyone when I say thanks Ed.

I also want to thank Judy Lekschus for being our Show Secretary, and Donna Messer for being the show ring Dominatrix, uh, er I mean, show ring Master!

Yes, I am tired, but I am so proud of the Fla. folks and their cattle and I look forward to the 2010 AMZA National Show in Ocala, Fla. at the Southeastern Livestock Pavillion on Memorial weekend. Don't miss the National show, I think it might be the best ever!

With love and respect to all, David

I would like to make a special note of appreciation to Cathy Olive who has done an amazing and professional job of servicing and monitoring the chat line;
miniatureZebuCattle@yahoogroups.com
The chat line has hundreds of members and is the largest most professional and informational chat line dedicated miniature zebu cattle available. If you’re not a member yet, please join and participate, you will learn a lot.

Thanks again to everyone,
David Millison and the entire board of the AMZA