Case Name :      Midland Bull Test – Going Green? (A) and (B)

Authors :           Tom D. Hinthorne, Patricia A. Holman

Source :             North American Case Research Association (NACRA)

Case ID :            NA0098

Discipline :        Entrepreneurship

Case Length :    17 pages

Solution sample availability : YES

Plagiarism : NO (100% Original work)

It was June 2008 at Midland Bull Test in south-central Montana. The (A) and (B) cases feature Leo McDonnell, Jr. and his wife “Sam,” the owners of Midland Bull Test, a long-time leader in the performance testing of bulls. Leo was a charismatic entrepreneurial leader in the cattle industry. Sam was an astute manager of their business affairs. In 2007, the two invested $700,000 in a feeding and monitoring system to produce feed efficient cattle that consumed less feed and produced less methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Cattle produced 20% of the methane emissions in the US, and feed efficient cattle produced up to 40% less methane. Leo felt the potential for reducing methane production through increases in feed efficiency and other improvements in ranch practices was huge. He saw the feed efficiency program as environmentally unique. … sustainable,” and “part of a growing movement to reduce greenhouse gases in a socially responsible way.” In June 2008, Sam was concerned about meeting their cash flow objectives. Leo said, “I agree, but global warming is important too.” The conflicting interests emerge when Sam says, “Show me how ‘social responsibility’ adds value to Midland Bull Test. Why should we risk our money and reputation on going green?” The (A) case focuses on Leo and Sam’s analysis of installing an anaerobic digester to convert the biogases in manure to electricity for use or sale. The (B) case focuses on their marketing strategy and the possibility of positioning Midland as a green business. In addition, Leo and Sam wanted to leverage the emerging relationship with Pfizer who was developing DNA-marker technologies to improve animal health, quality, and productivity.