2025 Annual Meeting Preview by American Hereford Association

SCHEDULE

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 22, 2025

6 p.m. The Welcome Beef Festival Buses from the Kansas City Marriott Downtown depart at 5:15 p.m.

THURSDAY, OCT. 23, 2025

7 a.m.

8–8:45 a.m.

Attendee Registration, Continental Breakfast and Trade Show Open Basie Foyer

The Hereford Quest for Excellence

Tom Field, Ph.D., University of Nebraska–Lincoln

8:45–10:15 a.m. Beef Cattle Improvement – Past, Present and Future

Dorrian and Daniel Garrick, Theta Solutions Basie Ballroom

10:15–11 a.m. Refreshment Break Basie Foyer

11 a.m.–noon Global Perspectives: Country Report Presentations Basie Ballroom

noon–1:30 p.m.

Unlocking Potential Luncheon: How Innovation is Redefining Animal Health in Cattle Production Presented by Merck Animal Health, Tiago Arantes, DVM Basie Ballroom

1:30–3 p.m. Hereford F1 Efficiency Impacts

Shane Bedwell, American Hereford Association

Dr. Dan Shike, University of Illinois

3–3:45 p.m.

Refreshment Break

3:45–4:45 p.m. Global Perspectives: Country Report Presentations

FRIDAY, OCT. 24, 2025

Time

7 a.m.

Ballroom

Basie Foyer

Basie Ballroom

Attendee Registration, Continental Breakfast and Trade Show Open Basie Foyer

8–8:45 a.m. Tracing the History of the National Reference Sire Program

Shane Bedwell, American Hereford Association

8:45–10 a.m. Adding to Beef’s Positive Story

Mark Enns, Ph.D., Colorado State University

10–11:15 a.m. Refreshment Break

11:15 a.m.–noon Global Perspectives: Country Report Presentations

noon–1:30 p.m. Shaping the Breed’s Future: Young Breeders Competition & Hereford

Youth Foundation of America Scholarship and Awards Luncheon Presented by VitaFerm®, Chris Cassady, Ph.D.

1:30–2:00 p.m.

2–3:30 p.m.

3:30–4 p.m.

6 p.m.

Coffee and Dessert in the Trade Show

Lifecycle Assessment of High Performance Cattle in the Cow-Calf Sector

Greg Thoma, Ph.D., Colorado State University

Carrying the Tradition Forward

Jack Ward, American Hereford Association

Global Celebratory Gala

Buses will depart from the Kansas City Marriott Downtown at 5:15 p.m.

Basie Ballroom

Basie Foyer

Basie Ballroom

Basie Foyer

Basie Ballroom

Arrowhead Stadium

OF EVENTS

SATURDAY, OCT. 25, 2025 Time

7 a.m.

8 a.m.

Attendee Registration, Trade Show Open and Breakfast Served Basie Foyer

AHA Annual Membership Meeting & Hereford Honorees Recognition Basie Ballroom

11 a.m.–8 p.m. Continuous shuttles from the Marriott Downtown to the American Royal Complex

1 p.m. Young Breeders Competition Fitting and Showmanship Competition

2 p.m.

American Royal National Junior Hereford Show Following the Young Breeders Competition Fitting and Showmanship Competition

6 p.m. Young Breeders Competition Awards Ceremony

6:30 p.m.

Royal Complex | Hale Arena

International Hereford Genetics Sale & Social American Royal Complex | Wagstaff Arena

SUNDAY, OCT. 26, 2025 Time

7 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

8 a.m.

Continuous shuttles from the Marriott Downtown to the American Royal Complex

American Royal National Hereford Show

Crowning of the 2026 National Hereford Queen will take place prior to the champion female drive Depart for post-tours from American Royal Complex

American Royal Complex | Hale Arena

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

Breeders in six states will host World Hereford Conference visitors.

American Hereford Association (AHA) members and international Hereford enthusiasts who signed up for World Hereford Conference tours will have an opportunity to see leading Hereford genetics across a wide range of production environments.

“These tours before and after the conference in Kansas City are designed with the thought in mind of showing the great hospitality and the great progress that U.S. Hereford breeders have made,” says Shane Bedwell, AHA chief operating officer and director of breed improvement. “Whether you’re 100 miles away from the tour locations or thousands of miles away, these tours offer an amazing opportunity.”

View the maps for a glimpse of what tour participants will see, and thanks to our tour hosts.

Big Sky Tour

Oct. 16-21

1. Billings, Mont.

2. NJW Polled Herefords, Decker, Mont.

3. L Bar W Cattle Co., Absarokee, Mont.

4. Feddes Herefords, Manhattan, Mont.

5. Churchill Cattle Co., Manhattan, Mont.

6. Storey Hereford Ranch, Bozeman, Mont.,

7. Ehlke Herefords, Townsend, Mont.

8. Cooper Hereford Ranch, Willow Creek, Mont.

9. Holden Herefords, Valier, Mont.

10. Yellowstone National Park, Gardiner, Mont.

TEXAS

Southbound to Cowtown Tour

Oct. 26-29

1. Historic Stockyards in Oklahoma City

2. Express Ranches, Yukon, Okla.

3. Bar A Cattle Co. and Genesource, Nocona, Texas

4. GKB Cattle, Desdemona, Texas

5. Fort Worth Stockyards, Fort Worth, Texas

6. Buck Cattle Co., Moore Cattle Co. and Oklahoma Steel and Wire, Madill, Okla.

7. D&H Cattle Co., Ardmore, Okla.

Sandhills Sights and Mountain Views Tour

Oct. 26-29

1. Kearney, Neb.

2. Hoffman Ranch, Thedford, Neb.

3. Snowshoe Cattle Co., Arthur, Neb.

4. Ogallala, Neb.

5. Van Newkirk Herefords, Oshkosh, Neb.

6. Olsen Ranches, Harrisburg, Neb., home of the National Reference Sire Program

7. Cheyenne, Wyo.

8. Coyote Ridge Ranch, LaSalle, Colo.

9. National Western Stock Show Complex, Denver, Colo.

OKLAHOMA

MONTANA

STEP UP

Make the most of Hereford’s growing industry opportunity.

Opportunity always shows up when history and need intersect. This reality helps explain the significant increase in demand for Hereford genetics by U.S. commercial cow-calf producers.

The nation’s beef cow herd at the beginning of 2025 was the smallest since 1961 at 27.9 million head, driven lower by lingering widespread drought and poor economic returns. That was about four million head fewer than the recent peak in 2019. This is part of the history component.

Need has everything to do with the nation’s beef cow herd becoming increasingly straightbred over time. This focus helped increase average carcass quality and consumer eating satisfaction, which clearly underpins current consumer beef demand. However, based on various industry data, the push for more carcass quality through straight breeding also came with static or declining beef cow herd performance, such as declining reproductive efficiency, weaning weights and weaning weights per cow exposed.

Now, more commercial producers are utilizing Hereford genetics to restore lost performance and gain maternal heterosis, as well as the breed’s inherent genetic advantages, including docility, fertility, feed efficiency and longevity — along with extraordinary gains in carcass quality.

Registered Hereford bull sales during calendar year 2024 demonstrate the breed’s expanding market share. American Hereford Association (AHA) field staff reported 7,320.70 bulls selling at auction for an average of $6,964 ($US). Compared to the previous year, 629 more bulls sold for an average price that was $588 higher per head. The number of bulls sold and

average prices paid will be higher yet for the current calendar year. Keep in mind, breed opportunity should expand further when the national cow herd expansion begins, as long as breeders continue their same dedicated commitment to breed improvement.

More commercial producers are utilizing Hereford genetics to gain maternal heterosis and the breed’s inherent genetic advantages, including docility, fertility, feed efficiency and longevity …

— Jack Ward, AHA executive vice president

U.S. Hereford breeders have forged current industry opportunity by embracing cutting-edge genetic selection tools while also maintaining a keen eye for phenotypic traits, such as foot and leg structure, teats and udders.

Celebrate the moment

All of this serves as the backdrop for the World Hereford Conference (WHC) Oct. 22-26, held in conjunction with the Annual AHA Membership Meeting and related events. This is the first time the AHA has hosted the WHC since 1996. Fittingly, it takes place in Kansas City, Mo., where Hereford has been a fixture for more than a century. The American Royal grew from the first national Hereford show in 1899. The AHA headquarters has been here since 1920.

The AHA is proud to host this extraordinary event, as well as the herd tours before and after. This is a rare opportunity to showcase our breeders and cattle to the international Hereford community. It is also a singular chance for AHA members to mingle with and learn from this same community. WHC delegates will share country reports during the Educational Forums.

WHC and AHA Educational Forum participants will be the first to see the results of cooperative research designed to further validate Hereford’s genetic advantages in production efficiency and the associated economics. The WHC will also provide a deeper look into research aimed at developing genetic selection tools related to environmental sustainability.

Other highlights of this year’s WHC include: the Young Breeders Competition, featuring 11 teams from seven countries, including two from the U.S.; the Ladies of the Royal International Edition Sale; recognition of this year’s inductees to the AHA Hall of Fame and Hall of Merit; scholarships awarded by the Hereford Youth Foundation of America; the presentation of the Hereford Commercial Producer of the Year; and much more. You will find the full schedule and event details in this preview.

Take advantage of this opportunity to meet old friends, make new ones, aim higher and celebrate where Hereford is heading next.

—

Jack

Ward, AHA executive vice president

2025 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING AND CONFERENCE

American Hereford Association (AHA) members are invited to the 2025 Annual Membership Meeting and World Hereford Conference, and the national Hereford show at the American Royal. This event is an opportunity to network with Hereford breeders and enthusiasts from across the globe.

The AHA is hosting the World Hereford Conference for the first time since 1996. It will feature Educational Forums, an industry trade show, a scholarship and awards luncheon, the Annual Membership Meeting and a Global Celebratory Gala. These events take place at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown Hotel in Kansas City, Mo. The weekend will conclude at the American Royal complex for the Ladies of the Royal International Edition Sale and the national Hereford show. Members are welcome to attend the Annual Membership Meeting free of charge on Oct. 25 but must complete a registration to attend.

Wednesday, Oct. 22

The festivities begin Wednesday afternoon with the World Hereford Council delegate meeting at 1 p.m. Later in the day, buses depart at 5:15 p.m. for The Welcome Beef Festival held at 6 p.m. at the AHA headquarters.

Thursday, Oct. 23

The first day of the Educational Forum begins at 8 a.m. Registration and the trade show open at 7 a.m.

Friday, Oct. 24

The Educational Forum resumes Friday morning at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown with the first session beginning at 8 a.m. Registration and the trade show open at 7 a.m. The Educational Forum sessions break from noon to 1:30 p.m.

for the awards luncheon, where Young Breeders Competition (YBC) teams will be recognized, National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) Fed Steer Shootout winners will be honored and the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) will award scholarships. National Hereford Queen interviews start at 1:30 p.m. The Educational Forum sessions will conclude at 4 p.m. Following the sessions, attendees will take part in a Global Celebratory Gala held at Arrowhead Stadium.

Saturday, Oct. 25

Breakfast will be served at 7 a.m. on Saturday, followed by the AHA Annual Membership Meeting at 8 a.m., including the annual report. Hall of Fame and Hall of Merit inductees, Century and Golden Breeders, the Commercial Producer of the Year and Certified Hereford Beef® honorees will be recognized during the Annual Meeting. Association members will select up to 153 delegates to conduct the Association’s business and elect three new directors to serve on the Board. The six 2025 candidates are:

Northeast: Ross Carlson, Murdock, Minn.; Joe Ellis, Chrisman, Ill.

Southeast: Ryan McGuffee, Mendenhall, Miss.; Bryan Blinson, Buies Creek, N.C.

Southwest: Chris Beck, Minden, Nev.; Joe Dan Ledbetter, Wheeler, Texas

Candidate profiles can be found on Pages 14-17. The list of delegates is on Pages 22-23.

American Royal events

The Ladies of the Royal International Edition Sale will be at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, in the Wagstaff Sale Arena at the American Royal Complex. View the entire offering at HerefordsOnDemand.com.

The World Hereford Conference YBC will conclude with the fitting and showmanship competition at the American Royal, beginning at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 25.

The junior Hereford show, judged by Chris Mullinix, Manhattan, Kan., will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, in Hale Arena. The American Royal national Hereford show, judged by Kevin Jensen, Courtland, Kan., will begin at 8 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, in Hale Arena. The national and regional show award winners will be announced after the selection of the champion females.

For those who cannot attend, show results will be available online at Hereford.org.

The National Hereford Queen will be crowned before the selection of the grand champion Hereford bull.

RSVP

Registration for the World Hereford Conference is closed. Those wishing to attend the Annual Membership Meeting taking place on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 8 a.m. must register by Oct. 15. Please assist the AHA in planning for this event by submitting your RSVP at Hereford.org/ events/annual-meeting.

Event locations

Hotel headquarters:

Kansas City Marriott Downtown 200 W 12th St. Kansas City, MO 64105

American Royal complex: 1701 American Royal Ct. Kansas City, MO 64102

AHA headquarters: 11500 N. Ambassador Dr., Suite 410 Kansas City, MO 64153

HEREFORD NEXT

World Hereford Conference Educational Forum features pioneering research.

Members of the American Hereford Association (AHA) have always valued objective, collaborative research as requisite guideposts for breed improvement. Participants at the World Hereford Conference Educational Forum — held in conjunction with AHA Annual Meeting — will be the first to see the latest results of innovative, multi-year studies, which further define the breed’s advantage in sustained efficiency.

Presenters are pioneers and leaders in their respective fields. Collectively, they provide insight to current research guiding Hereford breed improvement and industry positioning.

All Education Forum sessions will be held Oct. 23-24 in the Baise Ballroom of the Kansas City Mariott Downtown.

Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025

8-8:45 a.m.

The Hereford Quest for Excellence Looking back informs our vision for the future. Tom Field, Ph.D., will share lessons from the 1996 Hereford Generations research project and provide context as breeders look forward to 2026 and beyond. He is director of the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program and holder of the Engler Chair in Entrepreneurship at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

An enthusiastic advocate for free enterprise, the potential of young people and opportunities in both agriculture and rural communities, Field is an internationally recognized educator and innovator who has the ability to connect the dots between people, industries and ideas.

A fifth-generation cattleman, who is a partner in his family’s cow-calf business in western Colorado, he also authors the column, Out of the Box, consults and advises a number of enterprises and organizations. Field is also a sought-after speaker who challenges and inspires audiences to lead their organizations to excellence by asking the right questions, seeking solutions beyond conventional

wisdom and unleashing the power of focused creativity

Field, his wife, Laura, and their family live near Raymond, Neb. He is a native Coloradoan and earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees at Colorado State University (CSU).

8:45-10:15 a.m.

Beef Cattle Improvement — Past, Present and Future

Dan Garrick, Ph.D., and Dorian Garrick, Ph.D., will review the nature and scope of genetic evaluation in the past and present, with reference to the AHA. They will also provide insight to future developments in genetic evaluation and associated infrastructure.

Dan Garrick spent his childhood on a sheep, beef and deer farm in rural New Zealand — an early connection to agriculture that later shaped his career. After high school in Colorado, he studied at Iowa State University (ISU) to earn a bachelor’s and a doctorate degree in aerospace engineering. In 2017, he turned his “rocket science” training toward agriculture — adapting techniques from high-performance computing, numerical optimization and large-scale data systems to build genomics software that drives innovation in animal and plant improvement worldwide.

Dan is the managing partner of the U.S.-based Theta Solutions LLC, which develops the Biometric Open Language Tools (BOLT) software for large-scale genetic evaluations. He is also the co-founder of New Zealand–based The Helical Co. Ltd., which develops the Helical genetics data platform.

Collectively BOLT and Helical help breed associations reduce information system support costs, while helping producers generate genetic gains, manage genetic defects, improve fertility and growth, enhance health and drive sustainability across multiple species worth many hundreds of millions of dollars each year globally.

A defining feature of Dan’s work is systems thinking: every project is framed

within the broader strategy, its data flows and its long-term trajectory.

Dorian Garrick’s passion is in facilitating others to improve the costeffectiveness of their genetic improvement programs. Dorian obtained a first class honors degree in agriculture at Massey University and his doctoral degree at Cornell University. He held leadership positions in animal breeding and genetics for more than 40 years at Massey, CSU and ISU. Over the course of his academic career, he studied theoretical aspects of the linear models that are used in genetic and genomic evaluations, and invented algorithms for their efficient implementation.

Dorian co-founded Theta Solutions LLC in 2014. This company developed the BOLT software used for singlestep evaluations by the AHA and International Genetic Solutions (IGS) in North America, and it is now widely used throughout the world in national and international genomic evaluations, in a wide range of species.

Dorian also works for The Helical Co., which has state-of-the-art database systems that complement BOLT, including the most comprehensive data system in the world for managing single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip genotypes, along with additional modules that can collectively comprise a complete registry system now globally used by large and small companies and in various species.

noon-1:30 Unlocking Potential: How Innovation is Redefining Animal Health in Cattle Production

Tiago Arantes, UFU, USEP et al, is associate vice president of ruminant global marketing at Merck Animal Health. He will explore how cutting-edge innovations in animal health and technology are transforming the global cattle industry. He will highlight the integration of monitoring technologies that generate actionable insights to improve herd health, productivity and welfare.

Arantes brings more than 20 years of experience in the animal health industry, leading Merck’s largest livestock segment — ruminants — which spans operations in more than 140 countries and focuses on beef and dairy cattle, as well as sheep.

Arantes holds a degree in veterinary medicine (UFU, Brazil), a master’s in veterinary parasitology (UNESP, Brazil), a master’s of business administration in finance (FGV, Brazil), a master’s in positive leadership (Tecmilenio, Mexico) and a master’s in development of people potential (MSD University, Brazil).

Before joining Merck, Arantes was a researcher at São Paulo State University in Jaboticabal, Brazil, specializing in veterinary parasitology. He contributed to the development and testing of several parasiticides. His career began as a biology and karate teacher, and he also led a social initiative teaching karate to underprivileged children.

1:30-3 p.m.

Hereford F1 Efficiency Impacts

Dan Shike and Shane Bedwell will present findings from the multi-year cooperative research project between the AHA and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), which documents the efficiency advantages gained through maternal heterosis by breeding Hereford bulls to commercial Angus cows.

Shike lives in Sadorus, Ill., with his wife, Jennifer, and their three children: Olivia, Hunter and Harper. He grew up on a diversified grain and livestock operation in western Illinois.

He received his associate’s degree from Black Hawk East, his bachelor’s from Kansas State University (K-State) and his master’s and doctorate from UIUC.

He is currently a professor and the interim head of the UIUC Department of Animal Sciences, where he is responsible for teaching and research in beef cattle nutrition and management. Dan coached 11 livestock judging teams (2001-2011) at the UIUC and served as the coordinator of the team from 2012-2019. Shike previously served as the faculty supervisor for UIUC’s three beef cattle operations.

Shike’s research focuses on identifying nutritional strategies and management

practices that improve efficiency, reproduction and profitability in beef cow-calf production. He enjoys working with youth who are passionate about the livestock industry.

He has served as an official at many national judging contests and is currently the assistant superintendent for the junior college livestock judging contest at the North American International Livestock Exposition. He has judged shows in more than 35 states, including several junior nationals and major steer shows, as well as internationally at the Sydney Royal and Royal Adelaide in Australia.

Bedwell works closely with the AHA’s genetic evaluation, as well as National Reference Sire Program (NRSP). He led the Association through the successful implementation of its single-step genomic evaluation using BOLT software and adding dry matter intake and sustained cow fertility to AHA’s suite of traits and economical indices.

Prior to joining the AHA, Bedwell was a professor and livestock judging coach at CSU for eight years. He received an associate’s degree from Butler County Community College in 2002 and a bachelor’s degree in animal science and industry from K-State in 2004. Shane completed a master’s degree in beef cattle nutrition at UIUC in 2007.

Bedwell has judged cattle in 33 states, as well as international cattle shows in Canada, South America and Australia.

Bedwell was raised on a cow-calf and stocker ranch near Medicine Lodge, Kan., and helps manage his family’s cow-calf operation, which consists of a rotational cross of Hereford, Angus and Red Angus. He and his wife, Lacey, have two children, Cealy Rose and Chisum.

Friday, Oct. 24, 2025

8-8:45 a.m.

Tracing the History of the National Reference Sire Program

Bedwell will describe the structure and power of the AHA’s NRSP, which helps validate the genetic merit of young Hereford sires by comparing progeny in large contemporary groups from birth to harvest, including individual feed intake, as well as individual methane emissions and nitrogen excretion.

Tiago Arantes, UFU, USEP et al, associate vice president of ruminant global marketing, Merck Animal Health

Shane Bedwell, director of breed improvement and chief operating officer, AHA

Chris Cassady, director of beef technical solutions, BioZyme® Inc.

Mark Enns, Ph.D., professor and the John E. Rouse Chair in animal breeding, CSU

Tom Field, Ph.D., Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program director, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Dorian Garrick, Ph.D., co-founder, Theta Solutions LLC and consultant, The Helical Co. Ltd.

Dan Garrick, Ph.D., managing partner, Theta Solutions LLC, and co-founder, The Helical Co. Ltd.

Dan Shike, Ph.D., professor and interim head of the Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, UIUC

Jack Ward, executive vice president, AHA

Greg Thoma, Ph.D., director for agricultural modeling and lifecycle assessment with AgNext, CSU

8:45-10:15 a.m.

Adding to Beef’s Positive Story — Genetic Improvement of Hereford Sustainability Traits

Mark Enns will focus on the outcomes of cooperative research conducted by the AHA and CSU. Research includes heritability of methane emission rate, blood urea nitrogen and feed intake along with their relationships with other traditionally measured performance traits. The project aims to create genetic selection tools for improvement in traits related to environmental sustainability.

Enns is currently a professor and John E. Rouse Chair in Animal Breeding at CSU. He grew up working on his family’s fourth-generation wheat and cattle operation in northwest Oklahoma. Those early experiences stimulated his interest in livestock and agriculture and led him to undergraduate degrees from Tabor College, and master’s and doctorate degrees in animal breeding and genetics from CSU. After college, Enns worked two years in New Zealand for Landcorp Farming Ltd., the largest ranching company in that country.

He serves the beef industry through activities with the CSU Center for Genetic Evaluation of Livestock — a center that calculates expected progeny differences and performs foundational genetic evaluation research for breed associations and producer groups both nationally and internationally. He also serves on the board of directors for the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) as the western region secretary.

Enns’ primary research areas include beef animal sustainability and adaptability, cow longevity and genetic improvement in health traits, such as susceptibility to bovine respiratory disease and pulmonary hypertension (e.g. High Mountain Disease and feedlot heart failure).

He is married to Kellie, who teaches agricultural education at CSU. They have a son, Wyatt, and a daughter, Avery.

noon-1:30 p.m.

The Care That Comes Full Circle

Chris Cassady will share BioZyme’s core values and its focus on building leaders in the industry through innovation and providing the best for livestock every day.

He grew up on a diversified, familyowned purebred Angus and grain farm in north-central Illinois. He attended Black Hawk East and Texas A&M University and received a bachelor’s in animal science. He went on to receive a doctorate in cow-calf nutrition and management from the UIUC in 2016.

Cassady has judged shows in more than 35 states at all levels, including several beef breed junior nationals. Aside from his consulting role, Chris is the co-owner of the family herd, C-5 Angus, which markets show heifers to junior members through an annual sale in the fall and an online sale in the spring. Chris currently resides in St. Charles, Ill., with his wife, Katie, and their three children.

2-3:30 p.m.

Lifecycle Assessment of High performance Cattle in the Cowcalf Sector

Greg Thoma will explore the benefits of fecundity and calving rate as influenced by performance traits that are affected by genetic selection programs.

He is the director for agricultural modeling and lifecycle assessment (LCA) with AgNext at CSU, where he is leading a team of modelers in construction of a robust model of beef production. He was the inaugural director for research of The Sustainability Consortium (University of Arkansas and Arizona State University). He serves as subject editor (agriculture) for the International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment and was a member of the steering committee for the Swiss National Research Program (NRP69) — Healthy Nutrition and Sustainable Food Production — as an expert in agricultural LCA.

Thoma currently serves as a board member of the International Lifecycle

Academy in Barcelona, Spain. He played an active role in the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Livestock Environmental Assessment and Performance (LEAP) partnership, leading the scientific technical advisory groups for poultry supply chains, and subsequently was co-lead for both swine production and large ruminant technical advisor groups. The LEAP guidelines are being used worldwide by LCA practitioners evaluating agricultural production practices sustainability characteristics. He is currently a member of the International Dairy Federation’s working group revising the carbon footprint guidelines for the global dairy sector.

3:30-4 p.m.

Carrying the Tradition Forward

Jack Ward will provide context to the breed’s deliberate steps in breed improvement and the research enabling Hereford’s expansion of market share among commercial users of the breed’s genetics.

He currently serves as the executive vice president of the AHA. When he joined the Association in 2003, he served as the COO and director of breed improvement.

Ward received his bachelor’s in agricultural economics from Purdue University and an associate’s degree from Black Hawk East.

He and his wife, Mary Ann, live at Plattsburg, Mo. They have two grown sons, and together they operate Ward Bros. Livestock.

Ward has served on various boards and advisory committees including the BIF board, Germ-Plasm preservation committee, Ultrasound Guidelines Council and National Beef Cattle Evaluation advisory committee. Additionally, he is a member of the American Royal board of directors.

He has traveled across the U.S. and to seven countries, judging livestock shows and presenting lectures on beef cattle genetic improvement.

MEET THE NATIONAL HEREFORD QUEEN CANDIDATES

Five young women will compete for the title of 2025-26 National Hereford Queen.

Morgan Firlus

Morgan Firlus, Wonewoc, Wis., is the 19-year-old daughter of Scott and Kelly Firlus. She is a sophomore at Kansas State University (K-State) majoring in animal sciences and industry. An active member of the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA), she has participated in the Building on Leadership Development (BOLD) and Faces of Leadership conferences. At K-State, Morgan serves as an Agriculture Ambassador and is a member of Block and Bridle. She has also served as a Juneau County Youth Livestock Association youth director in Wisconsin.

“I truly believe that the National Hereford Queen is a platform and a position to advocate for an industry that has given me so much. To be able to give back and help the next generation of young women know that no matter what they are not alone would mean the world to me,” Morgan says.

McKenna Gatz

McKenna Gatz, Fairview, Kan., the 18-year-old daughter of Taylor and Jennifer Gatz, is a freshman at K-State majoring in integrative human sciences with a pre-nursing emphasis. She serves on the Kansas Junior Hereford Association board and has been involved in numerous NJHA programs and competitions, including the Faces of Leadership conference, the Future Professionals contest, Pen-to-Pen and showmanship at the VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE). At K-State, she is a member of the Pre-Nursing Club, the Leadership Club and the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.

“I am committed to upholding the legacy of the Queens before me and would strive to gracefully fulfill all the duties of the National Hereford Queen to the best of my ability,” McKenna says.

Emma Lewis

Emma Lewis, Litchfield, Ohio, is the 18-year-old daughter of Dawn Handrosh. She is a freshman at Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute (ATI), pursuing a degree in agricultural business. An 11-year member of both the Buckeye Junior Hereford Association and the NJHA, Emma has held various leadership roles and participated in multiple programs, including the Faces of Leadership conference. She served as the premier show committee chairman for the Buckeye Junior Hereford Association and was named the overall intermediate member at her state show in 2024.

“Serving as National Hereford Queen would be a significant honor,” Emma says. “Inspired by exemplary role models, I am eager to give back to the Hereford industry.”

Reese Pinkerton

Reese Pinkerton, Troup, Texas, is the 18-year-old daughter of Roxanne Pinkerton, and she is currently a freshman at K-State majoring in animal sciences and industry. An active member of her community and state association, Reese has contributed through a variety of service projects. As Texas Hereford royalty, she has represented the breed at major events including the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo and San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo.

“If selected, I would fulfill this role by being a visible, approachable and enthusiastic representative of the Hereford breed,” Reese says.

Lauren Wingler

Lauren Wingler, Christiana, Tenn., is the 18-year-old daughter of Russ and Sally Wingler. She is a freshman at the University of Tennessee at Martin, studying agricultural business. Lauren is an active member of the university’s Cattlemen’s and Farm Bureau Associations and has been heavily involved in Tennessee 4-H. She also serves as a Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association youth ambassador. Currently, Lauren is president of her state junior Hereford association, and she has attended the Faces of Leadership conference and participated in various leadership opportunities and contests at JNHE.

“Serving as National Hereford Queen would allow me to give back to the industry that has shaped me, share the values and traditions of the Hereford breed and ensure a bright, sustainable future for agriculture and for the generations that follow,” Lauren says.

TAKING ON THE WORLD

Young Breeders Competition features 11 teams from seven countries.

Excitement is building as the American Hereford Association (AHA) and National Junior Hereford Association prepare to welcome young Hereford cattlemen and women from around the globe to the World Hereford Conference Young Breeders Competition (YBC).

The YBC took flight during the 2020 World Hereford Conference in New Zealand, where Team USA won championship titles in communication and judging contests, placing third overall. Competition is open to Hereford enthusiasts, ages 18–26, selected by participating countries. The event offers competitors the chance to showcase their skills across a wide range of industry-focused events while learning more about cattle production and Hereford genetics from around the world.

“The competition includes a variety of events aimed at demonstrating and evaluating competitors’ knowledge and skill about the cattle and beef industries, Hereford genetics and seedstock production and marketing,” explains Amy Cowan, AHA director of youth activities and foundation. “This competition pits the best against the best from around the world.”

See YBC Daily Highlights to get a feel for the specific competitions and opportunities contestants will experience.

“Sponsored by industry leaders, such as Merck Animal Health®, VitaFerm® and Sullivan Supply, this competition is more than just a contest,” Cowan explains. “It’s an opportunity for future leaders to connect, collaborate and deepen their knowledge of the beef and Hereford industries.”

This year’s event features 11 teams of young Hereford breeders from seven countries, including two teams from the U.S. Each team is comprised by four members (see YBC Teams).

U.S. team members and alternates received scholarships to cover the costs associated with representing the U.S. through the OXO World Traveler Scholarship Fund and the newly established Cottonwood Springs Farm Global Education and Leadership Endowment program.

Kansas State University (K-State) will host the Young Breeders Competition Oct. 19-22 in Manhattan, Kan.

“We’re thrilled to bring this world-class event to a land grant university like K-State,” Cowan says. “As a special highlight, competitors will be among the first to experience K-State’s new Bilbrey Family Events Center, set to open this fall.”

After their time at K-State, the teams head to Kansas City, Mo., for the final leg of competition at the American Royal, where they’ll demonstrate their showmanship skills in a grand finale sponsored by Sullivan Supply.

Join us in welcoming and cheering for these talented young leaders from around the world as they compete, learn and lead the Hereford breed to new heights. Let the countdown to competition begin.

YBC Daily Highlights

Oct. 19, 2025

• Welcome from Dan Moser, K-State, interim dean, College of Agriculture

Oct. 20, 2025

• Hereford bowl written test

• Virtual cattle evaluation with steers from HRC Feed Yards, Scott City, Kan.

• Practicums sponsored by VitaFerm and Merck Animal Health

• Tour and dinner at Vanier Family Football Complex

Oct. 21, 2025

• Tour National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility

• Tour K-State Beef Stocker Unit

• Hereford bowl buzzer round

• Meat evaluation contest at K-State Meat Lab

• Tour Springhill Herefords, Blue Rapids, Kan.

Oct. 22, 2025

• Communication challenge presentations

• World Hereford Conference Welcome Beef Festival

Oct. 23, 2025

• World Hereford Conference Educational Forum

• American Royal/Sullivan Supply Educational Clinic

• Jensen Ranch, “The Chosen Sale,” Louisburg, Kan.

Oct. 24, 2025

• World Hereford Conference Educational Forum

• World Hereford Conference Global Celebratory Gala

Oct. 25, 2025

• AHA Annual Membership Meeting

• Young Breeders team fitting and showmanship competition

• American Royal junior Hereford show

• YBC awards ceremony

• Ladies of the Royal International Edition Sale and social

YBC Competitors

Team Australia

Tabby Cross, Indigo Valley, Victoria; Lochie McLauchlan, Glenormiston North, Victoria; Emily Taylor, Quipolly, New South Wales; and William Van Gend, O’Connell, New South Wales.

Team Canada — National Selects

Codee Kopelchuk, Canora, Saskatchewan; Emma Lees, Arcola, Saskatchewan; Levi Rimke, Oaklake, Manitoba; and Daniel Schuepbach, Claresholm, Alberta.

Team Canada — Red Coats

Emma Cross, Camrose County, Alberta; Brandon Fraser, Rocky View County, Alberta; Megan Nicholas, Milestone, Saskatchewan; and Matthew Trefiak, Edgerton, Alberta.

Team Denmark —

The Danish Vikings

Sofie Brydsø, Varde, Vestjylland; Natasja Jakobsen, Auning, Midtjylland; Maria Jensen, Horsens, Midtjylland; and Peter Olesen, Allingaabro, Djursland.

Team Ireland — Green

Catherine Smyth, Navan, County Meath; Colin Burke, Kinnegad, County Westmeath; Patrick Farrell, Athlone, County Westmeath; and Jack Larkin, Tullamore, County Offaly.

Team Ireland — White

Sarah Armstrong, Arva, County Cavan; Mark Hyland, Carrigallen, County Leitrim; John O’Dwyer, Nenagh, County Tipperay; and Sarah Murray, Moate, County Westmeath.

Team New Zealand

Niamh Barnett, Southland; Ella McWilliam, Gisborne; Georgia Moody, Manawatu; and Joel Steele, Taranaki.

Team United Kingdom — Beef & Beyond

Matthew Fearon, Keswick, Cumbria; Lottie Hill, Evercreech, Somerset; Sean Mitchell, Carlisle, Cumbria; and Isal Soutter, Leicestershire.

Team United Kingdom — Hereford

William Awan, Bath, Somerset; Ethan Brook, Mynach, Hengoed; Cara Doggett, Hildale, Carlisle; and Iona Smith, Turnberry, Ayshire.

Team USA — Blue

Blake Bruns, North Platte, Neb.; Jacob Johnson, Ruth, Miss.; Trevor Johnson, Centerville, S.D.; and Logan Topp, Grace City, N.D.

Team USA — Red

Ralston Braden, Kearney, Neb.; JW Cox, Flemingsburg, Ky.; Dylan Kottkamp, Clayton, Ind.; and Tar Tut, Bells, Texas.

INTRODUCING THE

These six are vying to join the American Hereford

CHRIS BECK

Genoa Livestock

Minden, Nev. 618-367-5397

chris.genoalivestock@ gmail.com

CHRIS BECK

Chris Beck manages Genoa Livestock, Minden, Nev., a registered Hereford ranch situated in the heart of Carson Valley. Covering 1,100 acres of grassland, the ranch supports 250 mother cows — 210 spring-calving and 40 fall-calving cows — in west-central Nevada.

The ranch focuses on breeding and marketing commercial range bulls and low-maintenance females, continually improving genetics tailored to thrive in the arid western environment. Each fall, Genoa Livestock hosts an annual production sale and offers private treaty bulls early in the winter, marketing 70 bulls per year. Additionally, the ranch presents a pen-of-three females at the National Western Stock Show each year and consigns the pick-of-the-pen to the Herefords in the Yards sale.

Bryan Blinson Blinson Hereford Farm Buies Creek, N.C. 919-422-9108

bkblinson@gmail.com

Originally from Illinois, Chris now lives on the ranch with his wife, Lydia, and their daughter, Hallie, surrounded by views of the Sierra Mountains and Hereford cattle. Chris’ journey as a herdsman began in the sow unit of a neighbor’s farrowing operation. He relocated to Lafayette, Colo., to work for Culver Cattle Co., a progressive and large commercial cow-calf operation, ranching in two locations with distinct environments. After Culver Cattle dispersed in 2015, he spent two years in eastern South Dakota on a diversified farm and GAP-certified feedlot, managing daily operations and the cow herd. Chris was drawn to the seedstock side of the cattle industry and knowing the value of Hereford genetics in a commercial setting, he moved to Minden to pursue a career at Genoa Livestock. Through his diversified experiences, he’s built a skillset that works in all segments of the beef industry.

Chris has worked for Genoa Livestock for nearly nine years and has served as the ranch manager for eight. As a firstgeneration Hereford breeder, he’s deeply committed to being an active member of the AHA and highlighting the opportunities and resources the Hereford breed offers to the commercial cattle industry.

Chris devotes most of his time to the ranch and his family. He believes his greatest achievement is successfully marketing bulls to commercial customers who understand the benefits of incorporating Hereford genetics to improve their operations, while also providing a consistent, high-quality product for the end consumer.

BOARD CANDIDATES

Association (AHA) Board of Directors in 2025.

BRYAN BLINSON

Bryan Blinson and his wife, Beth, operate Blinson Hereford Farm, a small seedstock operation split between Buies Creek, N.C., and Lenoir, N.C. Calving about 20 cows annually, the farm’s focus is selling a few select bulls each year as well as offering females private treaty and through the North Carolina Hereford Association (NCHA) sale. They work hard to manage their pastures, improve soil health and breed cattle that can efficiently perform in their environment — through those practices the Blinsons provide more adapted and efficient seedstock to their customers.

Bryan and Beth live on the farm near Buies Creek, and his parents help manage the cattle on the farm in Lenoir. Breeding, marketing, pasture management and other decisions are a family effort. The couple’s daughters, Rossie and Mason, both served on the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) board, and Beth served on the National Hereford Women board. The Blinsons have always tried to be involved in the associations that supported their family.

Bryan was named distinguished alumni by North Carolina State University (NCSU) and has a bachelor’s degree in animal science from the university, in addition to graduating from the Forrest School of Auctioneering and Mendenhall Auction School. He finds his greatest educational opportunities working alongside and advocating for farmers and ranchers, having served as the executive director of the North Carolina Cattlemen’s Association and Beef Council for 24 years.

He helped organize and served as president of the Feed the Dialogue Foundation (a multi-organization advocacy group). Bryan also served as secretary of the NCSU Agricultural Foundation for two decades, along with serving on numerous NCSU advisory boards. He was named president of the Auctioneers Association of North Carolina and the Harnett Area Board of Realtors.

From serving as chairman of the National Junior Polled Hereford Council to holding various leadership positions on the NCHA board and auctioneering the NCHA sale, Bryan has been involved in all levels of the Hereford industry.

Bryan hopes to serve producers large and small and use his experiences to unify all segments of the Hereford breed and make each breeder stronger.

ROSS CARLSON

Carlson Farms, located near Murdock, Minn., is owned and operated by the Carlson family. Ross Carlson and his wife, Beth, in partnership with his brothers and their wives, represent the fourth generation to operate the west central Minnesota farm and ranch.

Carlson Farms currently maintains a 250-head spring-calving Hereford cow herd, with most of their females being bred to Hereford bulls through AI and walking herd sires. In addition to the Hereford calves from these matings, they also produce black baldies by breeding Angus bulls to the bottom 25% of their cow herd, adding immediate value through heterosis. The operation’s goal is to maintain a reliable herd while striving to enhance its quality and customers’ profitability.

The Carlson family markets their registered and commercial calf crops in several ways. They sell the males as private treaty bulls or feedlot steers and keep their best females as their own replacements while marketing the baldy heifers as replacements for commercial cattlemen.

Ross and Beth have two children. Their daughter, Mallory, her husband, Ryan, and their grandson, Beau David, are involved in the family operation. Their son, Regan, is currently in medical school at the University of Minnesota. Both kids were involved in the NJHA and showed at the VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), along with participating in the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout.

Ross received his bachelor’s degree from North Dakota State University, where he was a member of the livestock and meats judging teams. He’s been involved in his state Hereford association since the early 1980s and helped facilitate the merger of the polled and horned Minnesota associations in 1998. He was named the Minnesota Hereford Breeders Enthusiast of the Year in 2003.

Ross has been a regular attendee of the AHA Annual Meeting for more than a decade and has served as a Minnesota voting delegate. Moreover, he is a longtime member of the Glacial Ridge Cattlemen’s Association and has served on the Kerkkoven Lutheran Church Council and livestock advisory board for Swift County 4-H.

JOE ELLIS

Joe Ellis Ellis Farms Beef Genetics

Chrisman, Ill.

765-366-5390

efbeef1@aol.com

Joe Dan Ledbetter

Ledbetter Cattle Co. Wheeler, Texas 806-236-0958

joedanledbetter@yahoo. com

Joe Ellis, Chrisman, Ill., operates Ellis Farms Beef Genetics, a three-generation family business, which raises row crops and cattle to support four family households. Hereford cattle have always been the operation’s primary focus. Today, the family runs 200 mama cows.

The Ellis family has raised registered Herefords for 143 years. The first registered stock were brought into the family operation as a wedding gift in 1883: two cows and the imported sire, Beekjay Hero.

The EFBeef program provides seedstock genetics to the commercial cow-calf producer and purebred sector. EFBeef genetics have been utilized on four continents and in nearly all 50 states. They strive to produce a low-cost female with high fertility, which will thrive on fescue grass pastures, while also making a steer of the highest value that garners carcass weight and yield and quality grade incentives. The operation emphasizes producing a pound of beef more efficiently than prior generations through feed intake testing. EFBeef invests significant time and resources gathering genetic information each year. They’re committed to providing commercial cow-calf producers with additional data to help make decisions when marketing offspring sired by EFBeef bulls.

EFBeef is a two-time winner of the Beef Improvement Federation Seedstock Producer Honor Roll of Excellence. Joe’s parents, Phil and Joyce, previous directors of the AHA, were recently inducted into the Hereford Hall of Fame. EFBeef has been named the Illinois Hereford Breeder of the Year multiple times, along with being the winner of the Illinois Beef Seedstock Breeder of the Year and winning multiple grand championships at the national show in the ’70s and ’90s. EFBeef has received multiple honors and designations from the AHA and American Polled Hereford Association (APHA) for Sires of Distinction (SOD), Certified Hereford Beef® SOD, Gold Seal Sire and Gold Trophy Sire.

Ryan McGuffee

McGuffee Herefords

New Hebron, Miss. 601-668-1000

ryanmcgu@bellsouth.net

Joe has served on the nominating committee for AHA Board candidates and the committee for genetic evaluation updates. He was a member of the 2005 Young Cattlemen’s Conference and was active in the APHA youth program during the 1980s.

Joe is retired from a career in the material handling industry. He currently serves as treasurer and is a past president of The Vermillion RISE, a 7,000-acre redevelopment of a former World War II Army base. He’s served on the County Area Plan Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals and is serving his 18th year as treasurer of the Hopewell Friends Meeting.

Joe and his wife, Lauri, have three daughters: Audrey, Hannah and Lauren.

JOE DAN LEDBETTER

Joe Dan Ledbetter owns and operates Ledbetter Cattle Co., Wheeler, Texas, a progressive herd consisting of around 50 cows — 35 Hereford females and 15 commercial recip cows. As a smaller breeder, Joe Dan threads the needle each year by producing bulls that perform with limited inputs while maintaining functionality, eye appeal, fleshing ability and style that will impress any cattleman and be problem-free. Ledbetter Cattle Co. markets these bulls through the Indian Mound Ranch Annual Production Sale every October.

When it comes to females, udders and disposition are at the top of the operation’s selection criteria, along with a mother cow that’s earned her keep. Some females are marketed as show heifers to local and regional customers; everything else is sent to wheat pasture. Once they come home, anything that won’t be a Ledbetter replacement is bred to an Angus bull and marketed as a commercial bred heifer.

Ledbetter Cattle Co. is a family operation. Joe Dan and his wife, Hope, their sons and their wives, Ceaton and Erin, Grant and Lauren, and Grady and Lindley; two grandchildren, Knox and Tandi Jo; and daughter, Caton, all chip in on the ranch from time to time.

Joe Dan was born and raised in Wheeler. He attended West Texas A&M University and graduated with a degree in animal science in 1997. He’s been a member of the Texas Hereford Association for 30 years, serving as director for more than 15 of them. He’s currently serving his second term on the executive committee. Joe Dan is a past member of the Texas Association of Sports Officials and was a high school football official for almost 20 years before retiring due to injury in 2021.

Ledbetter Cattle Co. is an AHA-recognized Gold Total Performance Records (TPR™) Breeder, and they regularly go the extra mile to collect and report data at all levels of production in a timely manner.

RYAN MCGUFFEE

Third-generation cattleman, Ryan McGuffee, owns and operates McGuffee Herefords, New Hebron, Miss. Ryan began his Hereford operation in 1977 with polled Hereford heifers for a 4-H project. Nearing almost 50 years in the Hereford business, McGuffee Herefords has always been a family affair. Ryan considers it a blessing that his parents, Joe and Delores, still play an active role in the operation, along with his wife, Angie, their son, Walker, and his wife, Mary Jo.

The family’s operation consists of a 285-head registered Hereford herd and a 500-head black baldy commercial herd. McGuffee Herefords utilizes extensive AI and embryo transfer (ET) programs, producing more than 150 ET calves each year. By investing heavily in AI and ET, the McGuffees ensure they maintain focus on quality genetics and an emphasis on maternal ability, carcass strength and above-breed-average genomic profiles.

McGuffee Herefords sells bulls private treaty, supplying more than 80 registered Hereford bulls annually to some of the most prolific commercial operations in the Southeast. In 2024, McGuffee Herefords hosted a female production sale for the first time in 35 years, along with their inaugural commercial bull sale. In addition to successful female and bull sales in 2024 and upcoming sales in 2025 and 2026, McGuffee Herefords, along with partner, Pérez Cattle Co., exhibited the 2024 American Royal champion Hereford bull, KRM 9160 Follow Me 8G L35 ET.

The McGuffee family is a dedicated supporter of Hereford youth. Walker was an active NJHA member and showed at the JNHE. Over the past 30 years, more than 100 young people have been mentored by the McGuffee family as they began their 4-H and FFA career with a Hereford heifer provided by McGuffee Herefords.

Outside of McGuffee Herefords, Ryan is president of McGuffee Properties LLC, Mendenhall, Miss., a land development firm he founded upon graduation from the University of Southern Mississippi. Giving back and supporting their community is a pillar of strength for the McGuffee family. Ryan has served on the Mississippi Hereford Association board of directors for many years, dedicated countless hours to helping Mississippi Hereford youth plan to attend the JNHE, co-founded the Mississippi Youth Expo and was awarded the Simpson County Cattleman of the Year.

CANDIDATE Q&A

AHA Board candidates provide insights to their vision and goals.

Q: Why are you running for a position on the American Hereford Association (AHA) Board of Directors?

Chris Beck

It is both an honor and a privilege to be considered by the nomination committee to run for a position on the AHA Board of Directors. This opportunity carries responsibility, which I approach with respect. Representing Genoa Livestock and Hereford enthusiasts nationwide is a responsibility I do not take lightly. I am fully invested, bringing time, determination and a deep appreciation for the Hereford breed. My candidacy for the AHA Board is motivated by expanding handson education and bridging internship opportunities for National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members with Association partners. These experiences cultivate future leaders in the Hereford community and advocate for the industry. I am also committed to representing the commercial producers who have placed their trust in Hereford genetics. My goal is to advance the Association’s current momentum while honoring the legacy of the breed. Progress should be measured by principles that maintain membership integrity, uphold Hereford fundamentals and encourage innovation.

Bryan Blinson

I consider it an honor to be nominated for the AHA Board of Directors. From my youth, I have found that it is critical to be involved in the organizations that support your passions. It is well documented that an association is only as strong as its members who belong. The leaders that the members choose to set the policy and direction of the AHA have a tremendous responsibility. They must have both the foundation of history and experience, as well as the confidence for forwardthinking to allow for the organization to be dynamic going forward.

The seeds of my career were planted with my time on the junior board and were nourished by the leaders of the adult Board

and for that I am forever grateful. It is my hope that if chosen to serve, I can give back by contributing some of the organizational experiences to the Association that gave me the opportunity to spend a career serving the people and the industry that I am truly passionate about.

Ross Carlson

The first and foremost reason for me accepting the nomination to the AHA Board is to represent the wishes and concerns of the breeders of the northeast quadrant. To accomplish this, I will always be open and available to accept opinions, input and concerns from members and will convey them to the Board during meetings. I feel it is a great honor to be asked to be a nominee for this Board position and realize that this four-year term will require considerable dedication by myself, my family and partners. I also feel that I am at the point in my working career to serve a term with the AHA Board, knowing there will be travel requirements and time commitments. During my 50 years of raising registered Herefords, I have been a continual member of our state Hereford association, where I have served several terms on that board as well as the office of secretary/treasurer and president. Hereford functions and activities have always been on my calendar throughout my entire adult life. Furthermore, I feel that a seat on this Board would be a good fit for me since my interest in animal breeding, meat science, breed history and youth involvement are some of the major subject areas that the AHA Board covers. Finally, I think it is time to give back for all the benefits that I have realized from the AHA and prior Boards of Directors — a time to probably learn and help out with the ongoing decisions and strategies that our Association is continually implementing. The AHA has been and always will be the basis for building and maintaining registered herds, utilizing traditional pedigree recordings and modern technologies for enhanced performance and genetic defect management. I feel that serving on this Board will be a learning

experience the first year or two, and hopefully that knowledge along with my experience will allow me to aid in progressive guidance of the AHA.

Joe Ellis

I come from a family of quiet public service, wishing to serve the greater good. It is a privilege to have been nominated to run for this position and an honor to serve the AHA. Utilizing my prior Hereford and board experience, I hope to be a conduit of the membership’s thoughts and wishes to help staff put in place the long-term vision that a board provides.

Joe Dan Ledbetter

I am running to be on the Board of Directors because simply, I was asked. Being a Director has never been a goal, an ambition or a pursuit of mine. But, if I were ever afforded the opportunity to give back or help advance this great breed, I would do it without question. I am just a guy who has a passion for Hereford cattle and a no-nonsense, common-sense approach to how I handle my business and go about my life. I think the friends that I have made over my 30 years in the Hereford business would agree with that statement. I think the people that nominated me think this type of approach would be appreciated when it comes to making decisions and judgements about issues that would affect the membership and the breed. I think my firsthand knowledge and experience on a wide range of topics and issues would be beneficial to the Board of Directors and the members.

Ryan McGuffee

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the AHA nomination committee for inviting me to stand as a candidate for the AHA Board of Directors. As a third-generation Hereford breeder, McGuﬀee Herefords has worked tirelessly for 50 years to provide eﬃcient, functional cattle for our customers. I am committed to advocating for the Hereford breed, Hereford producers and all the AHA members supporting the long-term growth

of the Hereford cattle industry. I believe I would be an asset to the AHA Board of Directors if elected and serve as a positive voice for the Hereford breed. My goals are simple: to strengthen the breed through enhanced marketing for all phases of the beef cattle production chain, enable and grow the AHA membership, thus retaining the youth membership through adult status and to serve as a communication link between the AHA membership and AHA headquarters in Kansas City, oﬀering viable solutions to solve problems and prompt initiatives for the betterment of the Hereford breed.

Q: If elected, what are three goals for your tenure on the AHA Board?

Beck

It is important for the membership to know that my intent in seeking this seat is to serve as a voice between the membership and the Board, ensuring that considerations are presented in an organized manner. At Genoa Livestock, there is no “I” — we operate as a team. I feel strongly that we (the membership) can achieve a lot with the same mentality.

One: The future of our breed relies on the young people, and I think it is important to educate and create more opportunities for them to succeed and experience the Hereford operations and the beef industry in general. Partnerships within the membership would benefit both parties (the intern and the membership partner). Creating a simple but long-lasting opportunity should be a top priority for the longevity of the Hereford breed.

Two: The Hereford breed and the cattle industry have celebrated successful markets over the last few years, but with record-low cow numbers. Now is the time to follow through and keep maintaining and gaining, which the current leadership has done a phenomenal job at. I hope to strengthen Hereford-influence cattle, make the Certified Hereford Beef® (CHB) program more accessible for all states and regions, and hold the bald-faced female as a standard. As a breed, we are gaining the trust of commercial cattlemen and women through white-faced animals, whether it be a Hereford bull or a bald-faced red, black or tiger-striped female.

Three: We live in a day and age where bad news travels fast and good news takes a while to trickle its way down the pipeline. My third goal is to explore multiple outlets to better educate the membership and potential bald-faced customers with program updates and detailed, pertinent information on different platforms, and improve pathways to distribute quality, transparent information.

Blinson

One: I have been told by many within the industry that Hereford breeders are the most welcoming and seem to be the most unified of all breed associations. I may be biased, but I certainly believe that. I would like to do my part to continue to make that perception even more of a reality. This unity to me is displayed through the support of the youth programs and goes well beyond the showring and into areas of leadership and critical industry segments such as the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout. In addition, I am always impressed with the sharing of ideas and aspirations among breeders large and small to make each one more productive. While members make up the Association, the professional staff is critical to carrying out the mission set forth by the members. It is apparent the dedicated staff is and has been critical to the sense of unity and progress of the AHA. It would be my hope that my experience in Association management could help me, as a volunteer leader, make decisions that enhance the ability of our dedicated staff to succeed in carrying out the mission keeping the Hereford breed at forefront of the beef industry. One of the foundational beliefs that I have based my career around is that we can make much more progress if we are all pulling on the same end of the rope.

Two: Help the Association find ways to be more strategically involved throughout the beef industry and capitalize on the tremendous resources that are available in local, state and national associations, programs and initiatives. There are Hereford breeders throughout the country that volunteer their time, experience and financial resources to beef and other agricultural organizations, and I would like to help quantify and bring those efforts together in policy, promotion

and advocacy efforts to enhance the Hereford breed while ensuring that beef continues to own the center of the plate.

Three: I hope that we can continue to find ways to make Hereford genetics an integral part of any commercial breeding strategy as the nation’s cow herd begins to rebuild. Highlighting our strengths, such as efficiency, fertility, docility and forage utilization, will be critical as inputs continue to be expensive and labor less abundant. It is also exciting to be able to tout our tremendous progress in areas such as carcass traits. The excitement for Hereford genetics is truly beyond encouraging, and it is my hope that we can help it spread from breeder to breeder, commercial producer to commercial producer and probably most importantly from consumer to consumer.

Carlson

As I think about our Association and all the ongoing programs and strategies, I feel that there has been a great amount of time and effort spent by our leaders, staff and previous Boards to get us to the position we are in currently. Our breed registry ranks high in total registration by comparison and continues to be an active, progressive, member-based association. An overall goal for each and every one of us would be to maintain that strength or increase it to higher levels.

My first goal, if elected, would be to dedicate the necessary amount of time to this position to effectively represent the membership of my area. By that I mean, I would always be accessible either in person or by communications to hear and absorb the concerns of AHA members. As I mentioned above, the AHA is a memberbased association, where a potential Board member, like me, would bring the concerns and issues of the members to the Board. I would welcome all input as that would not only be good policy but also a great way to get to know more members during the four-year term.

Another goal would be to acquire a deeper understanding of the current programs in existence at the AHA, not only the ones that affect me, but all programs in general. This Association is very well-rounded with active events for

youth, producers and retirees. With the diversity in types of operations we have, I feel it is important to have programs in place to match the needs of our producers. Whether it be commercial efficiency trials, pedigree and performance needs or youth educational events, there is something for everyone.

A final goal as a Board member would be to always be open minded to potential new ideas and changes. The cattle industry and especially the seedstock business is continually changing in the way it evaluates its production. With new technologies emerging in the DNA field and new feedlot practices, we need to be open minded and progressive to keep up with the industry. There will be decisions made where the result will have to be weighed against the cost, and often, it takes an open mind to embrace and go forward. An overall goal for our breeders should be long-term profitability as stated in the mission and strategy of the AHA.

Ellis

The industry currently enjoys the tailwind of top market prices in a low supply environment. I wish to help AHA plan for the future when the cattle cycle does eventually turn, when increased market share becomes even more important. I wish to quantify and promote new industry opportunities for Herefords, like fertility, efficiency and disease, etc. Lastly, to protect and do no harm to the business and lifestyle that all Hereford breeders are afforded, allowing members to raise our children in the best youth program in America if they so choose.

Ledbetter

Goal No. 1: This is a general goal that should be applied to everything — when I go off of the Board, I want to leave this organization in a better place than when I started.

Goal No. 2: Increase membership at a grassroots level. I’m talking about brand new members, not just legacy Hereford families or junior members becoming adult members. A real push to somehow grow this membership to where we have those herd bull editions of Hereford World with 500 pages — pages with maps and locations of Hereford breeders all over the country. So,

when you’re on the road you can pull up your Hereford World on your phone or pull the actual magazine out and call that breeder up and say, “Hey, I’m in your neck of the woods and would love to stop by and see your cattle if you have time for a visit.”

Goal No. 3: If you haven’t used AI yet, you’re missing out. The AI I’m talking about is artificial intelligence. AI is a technology that really amazes someone the first time they see it used or try it for themselves. Whether it be ChatGPT, Grok AI or Gemini, ask it something you know the answer to and see how close it comes to your answer. In my opinion the AHA needs to keep using the latest and greatest technology that we can implement to keep us on the leading edge of the beef cattle industry.

McGuffee

A.) To provide innovation through education and marketing. We must advance consumer knowledge from a collaborative eﬀort of both AHA and CHB. The better equipped the AHA membership is with the necessary tools to better market our product to the grassroots, along with an impactful, industry-focused mindset on consumer education, breeder education and a direct marketing plan to bring the commercial cattleman into the fold with our proven F1 hybrid vigor component — that will cause impactful results throughout the beef cattle marketing chain.

B.) To continue to work moving the Hereford breed forward by adhering to the current strategic plan as a road map and strengthening the financial bottom-line of AHA and its subsidies. I would like to see CHB become a self-sufficient entity to encapsulate the growth of Hereford beef to a greater consumer market share. To stay relevant as a breed we must support our members and grow membership and market share. Improve customer service and data collection efficiency and update MyHerd to enhance AHA member satisfaction.

C.) Communication transparency is the key factor in running a successful business. My approach would be to listen to the members and producers of the AHA and their current needs and provide the transparency that promotes both trust and understanding. I believe the goals to

be successful are profitability, growth and sustainability. Efficiency has always been a trademark of the Hereford breed, but we must look for business efficiencies in data collection, processing and ensuring that customer service is always a priority for our members.

Q: In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge(s) the AHA will face over the next 10 years? How can the Board prepare for and overcome that challenge(s)?

Beck

Moving forward, the Hereford breed will have multiple targets that will need attention soon. In my opinion, keeping Hereford’s reputation across all segments of the industry that it has gained in the last cattle cycle is a must. Cattle are in such short supply today that feeder and buying representatives are not picking these load lots apart.

To address upcoming challenges, the Board needs to implement region-specific strategies, recognizing that each area of the country has unique strengths and areas for improvement. For instance, eastern regions typically have smaller cow herds with limited load lot capabilities but access to affordable forage and are located only a few hundred miles from the Midwest. The Midwest, in contrast, excels in cattle finishing capabilities and is home to numerous harvest facilities. The western region presents significant opportunities and challenges for all sectors of the cattle industry, characterized by its expansive landscapes and the availability of affordable leased ground. Despite these advantages, Hereford bulls currently hold only about 8% of the market share in the West. This highlights the potential for growth and the importance of strategic initiatives aimed at increasing the presence of Hereford genetics nationwide.

Positioning a program with a packer in the central part of the country may be advantageous for outbound logistics, but it can also restrict the number of live cattle available from each region. CHB is a value-added, high-quality product with strict production parameters, which is essential to maintain its reputation and integrity. However, developing CHB

initiatives on a regional scale could help increase participation and accessibility, while still upholding the standards that set the program apart and maintain success.

Blinson

Challenges are but opportunities if we work together to face them. I firmly believe that the beef industry will have to find ways to do more with less. We have historically been very good at just that, however with the shrinking number of acres for pasture and agriculture in general, and the aging of our farmers and ranchers, the challenge will only become more difficult. It is my belief that the AHA has a tremendous opportunity to help meet these challenges head on. The traits that I mentioned before such as efficiency, fertility, docility and forage utilization can fit perfectly into the strategy of doing more with less. In addition, the tremendous efforts that the AHA has made in the area of youth development should certainly help us not only to have a welleducated and passionate next generation of breeders, producers and feeders but just as importantly, the next generation of policymakers, thought leaders, marketers, physicians, dietitians, educators and beef advocates. The AHA Board has the opportunity to take our message, our talent and our breed to new levels if we continue to work together.

Carlson

I see our Association being challenged continually by market acceptance, or when buyers are making choices. Will they choose what we have to offer? That is a very broad statement that has meaning in many areas like seedstock sales, commercial cattle purchases, events that interest youth and consumer choices at the supermarket. The survival of the AHA is highly dependent on maintaining revenue derived from registrations. As we see ourselves wanting to increase recordings, we know that producing better cattle is essential to that goal. Yes, good cattle sell themselves, but I maintain we have to use the tools and programs provided to further increase the amount of good cattle. That is where I see our Association’s role. The AHA should continue with its many programs and look to add others

to ultimately make our cattle better and more profitable.

I like the feed/reproductive efficiency trials currently in existence. I think they drive the point that our breed definitely has a place in the commercial setting when used on the black cow herd. More data should further prove that point and lead to higher usage of Hereford genetics.

CHB, a subsidiary to the AHA, has been a great creation for our Association. It not only provides a market for the white-faced market animal but also promotes our end-product so well. Consumer market challenges will always need attention as price and quality find their balance. I feel that our Association can continue in this challenge by searching for new markets to sell product and identifying more qualifying cattle to slaughter.

Our Association also has a role in attracting and educating the youth, which hopefully will result in long-term careers related to our breed. We need youth that are interested in becoming breeders/ producers to replace our outgoing ones. We also need youth that are willing to find careers in the meats, genetics, nutrition, sales and promotion/research industries. The AHA’s youth programs must be maintained and advanced to keep up with this challenge.

The AHA Board is well aware of these challenges and doing a great job in attacking them. As a Board member, I would certainly want to continue the efforts that are in progress but also search for new programs/promotions to make this breed even stronger.

Ellis

We should expect to see in the next decade more industry change than we have seen in the previous 100 years as new technology invades every aspect of our daily lives. We risk a return to a political climate with ill wishes toward the beef industry. As always, the cattle cycle will play an important role in downstream revenue opportunities. We will need to navigate these outside influences while working to gain additional market share on the protein plate of the American consumer. As the beef industry has increased the production of higher quality

beef, the consumer has continued to demand it. That answer is, “increased quality still pays.” Every Board has opportunities, some expected, some unexpected; prepare for the expected and put in place processes to deal with the unexpected in a thorough and transparent manner. My vision for the Hereford breed is to help put in place and execute on the short- and long-term opportunities that will improve the everyday lives of Hereford members and the future generations.

Ledbetter

I think one of the biggest challenges to come is something that we are facing today and will continue to face for the foreseeable future. That challenge is that every day more land is being taken out of production agriculture and either developed for small residential ranchettes or recreational use, such as hunting and fishing or ATV use. I think some type of program to incentivize these new landowners that may not understand production agriculture or realize the benefits that cattle, specifically Herefords, could bring to their new property. I think if we could provide them with information and possibly incentives to start up a Hereford herd or lease this land to a Hereford breeder the benefits provided to them would far outweigh the cost or trouble that they have envisioned in their minds.

McGuffee

Eﬃciency, consistency and productivity are three important buzzwords that summarize what we as Hereford breeders must use to position ourselves for the next 10 years in the beef cattle cycle. As the American cow herd grows and evolves, it is vital to align the Hereford breed with future beef industry requirements, many of which we are known to bring to the table.

Eﬃciency, consistency and productivity are traits associated with Hereford cattle for breeders, consumers and commercial ranchers to market our product through innovative marketing strategies. We, as a breed, must keep our foot on the accelerator in regards to the NJHA, CHB, Hereford Youth Foundation of America, breeder education and innovative Hereford marketing.

VOTING DELEGATES

Each state Hereford association elects delegates to represent their association at the American Hereford Association Annual Meeting. Delegates vote on the candidates vying for positions on the Board of Directors. Below are this year’s delegates.

Alabama

Randy Price

C&H Farms

Opelika

Arkansas

Sherry Beaty-Sullivan

Triple S Ranch

Grannis

Terry McNatt

LM Polled Hereford Farm

Brookland

Phillip Moon

Moon Herefords

Harrison

California/Nevada

Don Brumley

Brumley Farms

Orovada, Nev.

Steve Lambert

Lambert Ranch

Oroville, Calif.

Austin Snedden

Snedden Herefords

Maricopa, Calif.

Colorado

Hampton Cornelius

LaSalle

Jane Evans Cornelius

Coyote Ridge Ranch

LaSalle

Georgia

Paul Harris

Screven

Whitey Hunt

Innisfail Farm

Madison

Tommy Mead

Midville

Idaho

Guy Colyer

Colyer Herefords

Bruneau

Katie Colyer

Bruneau

Illinois

Tammy Boatman

Perks Ranch

Rockford

Roger Jennings

Jennings Land & Cattle

Palmyra

Mark Stephens

Stephens Hereford Farms

Taylorville

Charles Warfel

Warfel Family Farm

Casey

Indiana

Jill Duncan

Able Acres

Wingate

Lee Elzemeyer

Elzemeyer Polled Herefords

Richmond

Bruce Everhart

Everhart Farms

Waldron

Matt Marion

Coal Creek Land & Cattle

West Terre Haute

Iowa

Thad Espenscheid

Espenscheid Cattle

Traer

Bill Goehring

Goehring Herefords

Libertyville

Tom Heidt

K7 Herefords

Lockridge

Steve Landt

Landt Herefords

Union

Shayne Wiese

Wiese & Sons

Manning

Kansas

Oliver Beall

Broken B Herefords

Natoma

Craig Beran

B&D Herefords

Claflin

Ryan Breiner

Bluemont Cattle

Pratt

Tom Granzow

Granzow Herefords

Herington

Kevin Jensen

Courtland

Tom Krauss

Bookcliff Herefords

Russell

Kevin Schultz

Sandhill Farms LLC

Haviland

Kentucky

Andrew Matheny

Andrew & Suzanne Matheny

Mays Lick

Dustin Ogburn

Sanders

Ben Smith

Smith Family Farm

Brandenburg

Louisiana

Kay Lewis

Lewis Hereford Farm

Angie

Michigan

Dave Bielema

Grand Meadows Farm

Ada

Ben Diekevers

Precision Livestock LLC

Alto

Minnesota

Jerry Delaney

Delaney Herefords Inc.

Lake Benton

Steven Neil

Northfield

R.J. Orsten

Cardinal Creek Cattle Co.

Willmar

Jeffrey Reed

Reed Stock Farm

Hampton

Mississippi

Ryan McGuffee

McGuffee Herefords

Mendenhall

Walt McKellar

CMR

Senatobia

Joe Waggoner

Waggoner Cattle Co.

Carthage

Missouri

Marty Lueck

Mountain Grove

Travis McConnaughy

WMC Cattle Co.

Wasola

Amy Phillips

Richmond

Makayla Reynolds

Huntsville

Matt Reynolds

Reynolds Herefords

Huntsville

John Ridder

Falling Timber Farm

Marthasville

Montana

Ethan Beery

Beery Land & Livestock Co.

Vida

Mark Cooper

Cooper Hereford Ranch

Willow Creek

Jack Holden

Holden Herefords

Valier

Carl Loyning

L Bar W Cattle Co.

Absarokee

Dale Venhuizen

Churchill Cattle Co.

Manhattan

Nebraska

Joe Brockman

Lawrence

Marie Farr

XA Cattle

Moorefield

Myron Miigerl

KM Cattle

Ravenna

Art Olsen

Olsen Ranches Inc.

Harrisburg

John Ridder

Ridder Hereford Ranch

Callaway

Ronald Schutte

Alfred Schutte & Sons

Guide Rock

Russ Tegtmeier

Clarence Tegtmeier & Sons

Burchard

Joe Van Newkirk

Van Newkirk Herefords

Oshkosh

Jim Williams

Valley View Cattle Co.

Kearney

New Mexico

Cliff Copeland

Copeland & Sons LLC

Nara Visa

Bill King

Bill King Ranch

Moriarty

New York

Tim Dennis

Glade Haven Herefords

Penn Yan

North Carolina

James Davis

Terrace Farms

Lexington

Kim Yates Prestwood

Prestwood Beef Cattle

Lenoir

North Dakota

Brent Mrnak

Bowman

Roger Stuber

Stuber Ranch

Bowman

Ryan Topp

Topp Herefords

Grace City

Ohio

Jeff Harr

J & L Cattle Services

Jeromesville

Keayla Harr

Jeromesville

Alexis Stitzlein

Mohican Polled Herefords

Glenmont

Oklahoma

Joel Birdwell

Birdwell Ranch

Fletcher

Doug Branch

Buford Ranches

Cleveland

Shellie Collins

Collins Cattle Co.

Chattanooga

Curtis Curry

McAlester

Paul Laubach

P&R Herefords

Leedey

Richie Oakes

Vanderwork Herefords

Taloga

Cindy Pribil

4B Herefords

Hennessey

Monte Shockley

Shockley Ranch Herefords

Poteau

Oregon

Bob Harrell

Harrell Hereford Ranch

Baker City

George Sprague

Bar One Ranch

Eugene

Pennsylvania

Les Midla

Flat Stone Lick

Marianna

Paul Slayton

Slaytons’ BearDance

Bedford

South Carolina

Greg Fowler

Fowken Farm

Jonesville

Gray Riley

Riley Farm LLC

Saluda

South Dakota

Pete Atkins

Atkins Herefords

Tea

Danny Fawcett

Fawcett’s Elm Creek Ranch

Ree Heights

Nate Frederickson

Frederickson Ranch

Spearfish

Jill Bayers Hotchkiss

Bayers Hereford Ranch

Reva

Jeanne Johnson

Sleepy Hollow Farm

Centerville

Jerome Ollerich

Ollerich Bros. Herefords

Clearfield

Peter Rausch

Rausch Herefords

Hoven

Tennessee

Billy Ashe

Selmer

Russell Crouch

Crouch Polled Hereford Farm

McMinnville

Rob Helms

Candy Meadow Farms Inc.

Lexington

Josh Mansfield

Ridgetop Farms LLC

Liberty

Eric Walker

Walker Herefords

Morrison

Texas

Brett Barber

Barber Ranch

Channing

Terri Barber

Barber Ranch West

Corrales, N.M.

Bill Breeding

B&C Cattle Co.

Miami

Chad Breeding

Miami

Gary Buchholz

GKB Cattle

Desdemona

Stephen Coates Jr.

Coates Ranch Co.

Mertzon

Mike Doyle

Doyle Hereford Ranch

Wolfe City

John Dudley

Dudley Bros.

Comanche

Joe Dan Ledbetter

Ledbetter Cattle Co.

Wheeler

Rylee Matheny

Channing

Steven Rader

Rader Herefords

Mt. Vernon

Deanna Roeder

Seguin

E.C. Rosson

White Rock Hereford Ranch

Milford

Upper Atlantic

(Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey)

Andy Billing

Grass Pond Farm

Greendell, N.J.

Kimberly Snader Crone

KS Cattle Co.

New Windsor, Md.

Utah

Roger Rees

Rees Bros. Herefords

Morgan

Washington/Alaska

Bill Cox

CX Ranch

Pomeroy, Wash.

West Virginia

Neil Litton

Cottle Bros. Farm

Summersville

Mike McDonald

McDonalds Polled Herefords

Lost Creek

Wisconsin

Eric Katzenberger

Plum River Ranch

Monroe

Fred Larson

Larson Hereford Farm

Spring Valley

Steve Merry

MGM

Hartford

Rick Starck

Starck Century Farm

Cadott

Wyoming

Wyatt Agar

Durbin Creek Ranch

Worland

Dale Micheli

Micheli Hereford Ranch

Ft. Bridger

Andy Stellpflug

Stellpflug Cattle Co. LLC

Glenrock

Jan Ward

Ned & Jan Ward

Sheridan

Editor’s Note: This list of delegates is confirmed as of Sept. 9, 2025.