Status quo is a Latin phrase that refers to the existing mindset or state of affairs. Although painfully slow, every status quo way of thinking and doing will eventually be replaced by a different and better way of thinking and doing – and that different and better way of thinking and doing will eventually be replaced. It has been this way since the beginning of time.
Twenty-five years ago, my good friend and mentor, Chip Hines, told me, “The status quo beef industry will eventually be forced to come around to PCC’s way of thinking and doing.” Chip then challenged me by asking, “What are you going to do when that happens?” He went on to say, “You must never stop thinking ahead and you must never rest on your laurels.”
I vividly remember that discussion. Chip thought the first new thing we should start working on was genetic parasite resistance. No one else in the beef industry was even thinking about it. Twenty-five years later, Pharo Cattle Company™ is still your only source for bred-in parasite-resistant genetics. Everyone else continues to treat the symptoms of parasite problems with toxic chemicals.
We know we must stay ahead of the curve to maintain our competitive advantage. I discussed this in last week’s Loved or Hated article. If you are doing things different than the status quo, the status quo will feel like you are putting them down – which will cause them to hate you. Below is a partial list of other things Pharo Cattle Company™ is already doing to stay ahead of the status quo.
- Develop bulls on grass – NOT grain
- Guarantee bulls for calving ease
- Heat-tolerant genetics – with no Brahman influence
- Selecting for A2/A2 Beta Casein
- Selecting for Tenet® (superior beef tenderness)
Thanks to Chip and others, Pharo Cattle Company™ is so far ahead of the curve, the status quo beef industry doesn’t know which way we went. Little by little, our ways of thinking and doing have been and will continue to be accepted by the status quo. That’s a good thing! In fact, that’s the only thing that will save many family farms and ranches.
Our challenge is to continue to create new ways to stay at least one step ahead of the status quo. We are definitely up to the challenge! What do you think we will be working on next? What do you think we should be working on next?
Quote Worth Re-Quoting
“The secret to getting ahead is getting started.” ~ Mark Twain