Writing & Editing Services
The written word is critical to effective communication strategy. Beyond the basics of grammar & spelling, vocabulary and structure must be artfully implemented to establish tone and convey personality. My services help your story and messages come to life; furthering the goal of establishing meaningful connection with your audience.
Copy Editing, client authored content
One of the many enjoyable times on the ranch is morning coffee break. This is our chance to take pulse of current events and visit with friends & neighbors. A discussion topic hitting home recently is the emphasis on EPD’s and 50k testing in today’s market. We are often asked: “Should I put more emphasis on individual performance or EPD’s?”
We are inclined to rely on the time-tested advice that has been instilled by our elders & mentors. That being, when you pay close attention to your own cows and do what’s best for them, then numbers take care of themselves. Where some breeders get in trouble is when their records are used as marketing schemes rather than herd improvement tools.
The following is a background on the available measures and our philosophy regarding their use. Performance testing was developed to identify superior cattle as well as those that are sub-standard within one’s own herd. These measures are extremely important in evaluating your own herd but are not meant to be used to compare one’s cattle to other herds.
On the other hand, EPDs are a tool to compare cattle across the entire breed. EPDs used properly are a great herd improvement tool. However, meaningful, high-accuracy EPDs take time and lots of progeny to develop.
In today’s instant information environment, many have lost patience with accumulating the amount of performance data necessary for valid, high accuracy EPDs. While we utilize modern tools such as 50k testing & EPDs; we also recognize that individual performance and pedigrees are what consistently provide us the most valuable insight. Especially regarding the potential of young, unproven bulls.
Thus, we place more emphasis on individual performance when evaluating yearling bulls. On older bulls with lots of progeny, we evaluate with more weight placed on their EPDs.
Scientists tell us that DNA tests such as the 50k make a young bulls EPDs much more accurate. We expect that only time can reveal its verdict on the validity of these claims… Meanwhile, we will provide our customers with all available measures (performance, EPDs & DNA) to assist them in making well-informed decisions when purchasing cattle from our breeding program.
Editorial, 03.18, Montana Angus News
As I’ve watched the Winter Olympics, it occurs to me that many of our Seedstock ranchers match the criteria of an Olympian. Not only raising livestock; but raising elite, thriving livestock in the harshest season of an already challenging climate. There’s a reason so few meet the challenge.
Like an elite athlete, the modern Angus rancher is meticulous in their training regimen. Do you rise early, constantly test your endurance threshold, monitor nutrition (the cowherd anyway) and make personal sacrifices in pursuit of a superior herd? Are you an obsessive record keeper, constantly analyzing your data in the hunt for improvement?
If you answered “yes” to all the above, pat yourself on the back, you share primary characteristics with the world’s elite athletes. You just might be an Olympian! Write the Olympic committee – certainly you were overlooked. The medal’s in the mail.
Letter excerpt, Formal complaint
*Names redacted, sample edited for length.
We write with grave concern on behalf of (patient name). He was placed in your care on November 13, 2017. In this short tenure, he has suffered two life-threatening emergencies. We believe these incidents were entirely preventable had he received proper supervision and care. While we cannot attest the quality of care received by other residents; we feel what has happened to (patient name) raises serious concern for the overall health and safety of any client entrusted to the care of (facility name). Consider this letter formal notice of our complaint.
(patient name)’s first serious injury under your supervision occurred on February 27, 2018. We were informed that (patient name) rose from bed unsupervised, fell on a wet floor breaking his hip. (patient name) has great difficulty rising independently and cannot walk unassisted. His broken hip required emergency transport to (unnamed) Hospital for surgery. This incident causes us to question the steps your facility takes in monitoring non-ambulatory residents. We insist (facility name) adjust & implement sound policy to ensure safety for all non-ambulatory residents.
…Paragraphs removed that further detail lapses in patient care…
As outlined, the lapses in (patient name)’s care are totally unacceptable. It also bears mentioning the waste of tens of thousands of dollars, on the backs of taxpayers, to cover medical care for incidents that should never have become emergencies. Said emergencies have also placed significant financial burden on the family of the patient. To date these incidents have cost a total of $(dollars) out-of-pocket after Medicare.
We understand and value the importance of geriatric nursing facilities in rural communities such as (town). We earnestly hope to see the continued availability of these vital services in our hometown. However, the community can ill-afford incompetent care. In the interest of all residents, we strongly recommend a thorough audit to identify and correct any inadequacies caused by staffing issues, care protocols, administration, communication, etc. Action to remedy identified short comings must be a top priority. If these issues are not addressed to our satisfaction, we may opt to pursue further action if deemed necessary. It is our duty to protect the welfare of (patient name) and stand up for the interests of all residents in the care of (facility name).