September 2025 Hereford World

CHURCHIL L C ATTLE CO .

World Class DISPERSAL

SEPTEMBER 18 & 19, 2025

CONTENTS

September 2025

JNHE: Live From Louisville

They gathered their crews. They set the stage. The lights turned on, and it was showtime. More than 700 exhibitors from 41 states and Canada played a championship tune at “Live From Louisville,” the 26th annual VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), July 12-18. And it was a show for the books. Replay the Hereford

Tommy Coley retires after nearly 15 years of guiding Hereford breeders with his industry experience. — by Katie Maupin

4| World’s Perspective

The Best Seat in the House Covering the JNHE every year

8| Breed Focus Electricity Exemplified Hereford juniors keep raising the bar.

| Board Points

Members First

AHA staff provide the professional and personal touch.

The American Hereford Association Board of Directors met July 21-22 in Canadian, Texas.

Tandem Progress

Hereford breeders are improving cattle phenotypically and genetically.

16 | What’s New?

Association News and Events

New staff begin with the AHA, upcoming deadlines and Annual Meeting and World Hereford Conference information.

20 | Youth Movement

Welcome to the New NJHA Year Lots to look forward to in 2025 and next year.

22 | Foundation’s Focus

Leadership Takes Center Stage HYFA supports building a pipeline of future leaders.

24 | Member Service

Remember to Renew Member service fees expire at the end of the previous fiscal year — Aug. 31.

26 | CHB Bites

Building Momentum

Driving ahead with innovation.

28 | Hereford Women

Gathering Strength

National Hereford Women bring the power of community, connection and progress to Texas.

DEPARTMENTS

Start Small — Use What You Have

Low-risk strategies to shift from conventional to adaptive grazing. — by Laura Nelson

The Best Seat in the House World’s Perspective

by Sydnee Shive

Covering the JNHE every year is a pleasure.

I’ve spent my fair share of time in the showring with a camera. I’ve watched countless grand drives and seen hundreds of exhibitors get the coveted handshake. Yet, the VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) remains one of my favorite events to cover each year.

I get a front row seat to all of the action with a camera in my hand, and it’s such a pleasure. Watching National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members accomplish their goals, create connections, have fun and make the most out of JNHE never gets old.

One of the best parts of my job is capturing the stories that make the Hereford breed so special, whether it’s through a photo or a written article. The Hereford breed is built on tradition and rich with history. From the fifth-generation Hereford breeder to the first-time JNHE exhibitor, all the moments matter.

In this issue

The September issue is one of our largest issues of the year, right next to the July Herd Bull and Reference Edition. Each year, I eat, sleep and breathe the September issue after I leave JNHE and until we send it to print. It’s one of the most rewarding issues the magazine team puts together. The JNHE is a huge, impactful event for NJHA members and their families, and playing a small role in telling JNHE’s story is an honor.

JNHE coverage starts on Page 53. There are results, stories, recaps and more as you flip through the 66-page special section. Our Hereford Publications Inc. and AHA communications intern, Denver Drake, has several wonderful stories throughout the section.

Long-time AHA eastern region field representative, Tommy Coley, is retiring. There’s no doubt in my mind that the Hereford breed wouldn’t be the same without him, and I’ve really enjoyed

working alongside him. He’s one of the best. His story is on Page 32.

As of Sept. 1, the American Hereford Association is about 45 days away from hosting the World Hereford Conference for the first time since 1996. A preview of speakers and the schedule are on Page 44, and more about Team USA’s Young Breeders Conference representatives is on Page 42. We can’t wait to see Hereford enthusiasts from around the world in Kansas City, Mo.

Living the Dream

by Denver Drake

As I reflect on the last several months interning with the American Hereford Association (AHA), I’m struck by a deep sense of gratitude and wonder. Just last summer, I was stepping into the office as one of the youth activities interns, wide-eyed, eager, yet incredibly nervous. Now, here I am, back again. This time as the communications and Hereford Publications Inc. intern but continuing a journey I once only dreamed about during my freshman year at Texas Tech University. What began as a simple idealization, has evolved into so much more than I could have ever imagined.

Last year, from May through August, I had the incredible opportunity to be hands-on with some of the AHA’s most impactful programs. Helping coordinate the 25th VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) and the Faces of Leadership conference wasn’t just a job, it was an immersion into a community that values youth, leadership and tradition; everything that I believe so deeply in. The energy of those events, the passion of the families and youth involved, the connections I made. It left a lasting

Contacts

American Hereford Association

Address:

11500 N. Ambassador Dr., Ste. 410 Kansas City, MO 64153 816-842-3757 • Fax 816-243-1314 hworld@hereford.org • Hereford.org

AHA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President

Chad Breeding, Miami, Texas

Vice president

Austin Snedden, Maricopa, Calif. Directors

Term expires 2025

Lou Ellen Harr, Jeromesville, Ohio

Travis McConnaughy, Wasola, Mo.

Term expires 2026

Jim Coley, Lafayette, Tenn.

Hampton Cornelius, LaSalle, Colo.

Term expires 2027

Jerry Delaney, Lake Benton, Minn. Cindy Pribil, Hennessey, Okla.

Scott Sullivan, Grannis, Ark.

Term expires 2028

Danny Fawcett, Ree Heights, S.D. Grant McKay, Marysville, Kan.

Jim Williams, Kearney, Neb.

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Executive vice president

Jack Ward, jward@hereford.org

Chief operating o cer and director of breed improvement

Shane Bedwell, sbedwell@hereford.org

Chief nancial o cer

Leslie Mathews, lmathews@hereford.org

Director of records department

Stacy Sanders, ssanders@hereford.org

Director of youth activities and foundation

Amy Cowan, acowan@hereford.org

National shows coordinator and youth activities assistant

Bailey Clanton, bclanton@hereford.org

Associate director of youth marketing and education

Chloé Durian, cdurian@hereford.org

Education and information services coordinator and records supervisor

Laura Kouba, lkouba@hereford.org

Director of communications and digital content

Taylor Belle Matheny, tmatheny@hereford.org

Audio-visual specialist

Kelsey Vejraska, kvejraska@hereford.org

| Certi ed Hereford Beef Sta

President and chief executive o cer

Ernie Davis, edavis@herefordbeef.org

Account executive

Marie Prodell, mprodell@herefordbeef.org

Brand manager

Ty Ragsdale, tragsdale@herefordbeef.org

| Commercial Programs

Director of commercial programs

Trey Befort, tbefort@herefordbeef.org

Commercial marketing representatives

Jake Drost, jdrost@hereford.org

Trevor Johnson, tjohnson@hereford.org

| Hereford World Sta

Director of eld management and seedstock marketing

Kane Aegerter, kaegerter@hereford.org

Production manager

Caryn Vaught, cvaught@hereford.org

Executive editor

Wes Ishmael, wishmael@hereford.org

Managing editor

Sydnee Shive, sshive@hereford.org

Assistant editor

Katie Maupin Miller, kmiller@hereford.org

Creative services coordinator

Bailey Lewis, blewis@hereford.org

Creative content & editorial specialist

Kaitlyn Baker, kbaker@hereford.org

Graphic designers

Sharon Blank and Teri Wolfgang

Contributing writers

Denver Drake, Sarah Beth Aubrey and Laura Nelson

| Field Sta

Western Region – Emilee Holt Ariz., Calif., Idaho, Nev., Ore., Utah and Wash. 208-965-3130, eholt@hereford.org

North Central Region – Aaron Friedt Kan., Minn., Neb. and S.D. 701-590-9597, afriedt@hereford.org

Upper Midwest Region – Corbin Cowles Ill., Ind., Ky., Md., Mich., Ohio, Pa., W.Va. and Wis. 270-991-2534, ccowles@hereford.org

Southwest Region – Cord Weinheimer Ark., La., N.M., Okla. and Texas 830-456-3749, cweinheimer@hereford.org

Eastern Region – Tommy Coley Ala., Fla., Ga., Miss., N.C., S.C., Tenn. and Va. 815-988-7051, tcoley@hereford.org

Mountain Region – Contact the AHA Colo., Mont., N.D., Wyo., central and western Canada

Central Region – Contact the AHA Iowa, Mo. and eastern Canada

Northeast Region – Contact the AHA Conn., Del., D.C., Maine, Mass., N.H., N.J., N.Y., R.I., Vt.

In conjunction with the World Hereford Conference, this year’s Ladies of the Royal sale offers a truly global opportunity. Alongside an elite lineup of bred heifers and open show calves, this event will feature a distinctive selection of international genetics — including semen and embryos from leading programs across multiple countries — as well as top-tier U.S. genetics from premier operations around the world.

We’ll also proudly announce the results of the Young Breeders Competition just prior to the sale.

information,

impression on me that I will never forget nor take for granted.

When the summer ended, I was fortunate to continue contributing remotely, diving into graphic design, social media and feature writing for the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA). Being entrusted with telling the stories of the Hereford youth and the generous donors who support their dreams was an honor and a responsibility I held close. Later, the chance to return

to Kansas City to assist with the Annual Meeting further deepened my appreciation for the organization’s reach and impact.

This year, my internship started in May and will finish in December, a blessing that still feels surreal. I was back at JNHE, this time with a camera in tow, capturing the next generation of the industry grow and thrive, and now I’m preparing for the 2025 World Hereford Conference, which is a truly exciting milestone and once in a lifetime opportunity. I am constantly in total admiration of the level of skill I get to learn from and I’m soaking in every bit of it. This staff is truly the dream team.

I know the 13-year-old version of myself who begged my dad to buy the red-and-white cow would be speechless if she would have known the opportunities that would later come. Storytelling, design, event coordination and the youth of the cattle industry — these are some of my greatest passions and this

internship has allowed me to bring them all together while teaching me so much more than I could’ve imagined. I mean talk about a dream come true. Most importantly, though, I have had the chance to give back to the industry that gave so much to me. Every step of this journey reminds me why this experience means so much. It’s not just about the work; it’s about being part of something bigger. A legacy of a breed I fell in love with as a little girl, leadership and community. From the moment I first dreamed of interning here to the present, I still can’t quite believe I’ve been given the chance not once, but twice.

I’m beyond thankful for the trust the AHA has placed in me, for the lessons I’ve learned, and for the incredible people I’ve met along the way. This internship has shaped my path in ways I never expected and I’m still in awe that I’ve been lucky enough to live out what was once just a dream.

Electricity Exemplified Breed Focus

by Jack Ward

Hereford juniors keep raising the bar.

The VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) is a “Best of the Barns” event, dedicated to the success of National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members in the showring and beyond. This year’s chapter certainly contends for the best-ever.

Participation was extraordinary once again with more than 700 exhibitors from 41 states and Canada showing 1,215 steers, bred-and-owned heifers, bred-and-owned bulls, cow-calf pairs and owned females. As well, 599 exhibitors competed in four showmanship divisions.

The JNHE is a premier industry event connected to many other leadership, educational and scholarship opportunities that prepare NJHA members to be successful in whatever path they choose in the future.

It is so impressive to watch these juniors lead out such high-caliber cattle and compete in contests designed to sharpen skills that will prepare them for future success. These competitions include illustrated and advanced speech, photography, livestock judging with a separate oral reasons contest added this year, team fitting, the Certified Hereford Beef® Cook-Off, Hereford bowl and future professionals.

Beyond the competition

Moreover, the JNHE continues to evolve with education and career exploration opportunities. For instance, Bridging the Gap — a college and career fair — enables Hereford juniors to meet college representatives to visit about their schools and degree programs. It also features representatives from a wide variety of companies who explain internship and career opportunities.

Likewise, the Meet-Up Powered by Sure Champ® is a community mentorship program offered at the JNHE and other locations across the nation. It pairs more experienced NJHA members with newer members. The program fosters networking among Hereford juniors, not just establishing networks but maintaining them, all while engaging

in fun, hands-on activities.

Turn to Page 53 in this issue to read the complete “Live From Louisville” coverage.

Thanks and gratitude

Such a successful event is the result of countless dedicated individuals working together, before, during and after.

First, a very special congratulations and thanks to the American Hereford Association (AHA) staff, interns, NJHA board of directors and the Kentucky volunteers who managed such a seamless event while also navigating unforeseen and difficult situations stemming from other events and construction at the show complex.

Most importantly, huge thanks to all the families and supporters who commit their resources and time to support the NJHA at this event and many other activities throughout the year.

I extend special thanks and congratulations to: Gary and Kathy Buchholz, GKB Cattle, Desdemona, Texas, for sponsoring the top five overall bred-and-owned females along with the sponsors of the various divisions and contests.

Thanks, also, to our long-time partners and JNHE title sponsor, VitaFerm; Meet-Up title sponsor, Sure Champ; and Sullivan Supply, the showmanship title sponsor.

I also extend thanks to the judges who worked with our junior exhibitors throughout the week while providing their evaluation expertise.

Congratulations to all.

Next stop — World Hereford Conference

If you have not done so yet please make plans to join us for the World Hereford Conference (WHC), Oct. 22-27, in Kansas City, Mo. This event will take place during the American Royal. You will find a full and detailed schedule at Hereford.org. It will be an amazing opportunity to visit with breeders from around the world.

Members First Board Points

by Chad Breeding

AHA staff provide the professional and personal touch.

Hats off to members of the National Junior Hereford Association for an extraordinary display of Hereford genetic progress and individual talent at this year’s VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE). It’s always a summer highlight and a showcase for the breed.

Thanks for such a spectacular event go to the exhibitors and contest participants, their families, the dedication of countless volunteers and unwavering support of sponsors. However, I also believe it’s important to recognize that its success also depends on the American Hereford Association’s (AHA) committed staff.

Amy Cowan, Bailey Clanton and Chloé Durian likely come to mind immediately, along with the AHA ambassadors, interns and the junior board. The AHA field staff are familiar to many, as are members of the communication staff at the show, such as Taylor Belle Matheny, Kelsey Vejraska and Sydnee Shive. Who you don’t have a chance to see at the show are many other AHA staff who play a key role in the event’s success, including those in the records department who work to make sure exhibitor paperwork is in order and on time.

Speaking of the records department, if you’re like me, they should really be known as the customer service department. It starts with an actual person answering the phone, followed by knowledgeable help. Any time I have a problem, I can call, and they help find an answer. I know many of you feel the same way, based on conversations over time.

They’re on a mission

Those are just some of the staff involved in a single event. Some of the same ones and others work tirelessly to provide members and the industry useful information through a variety of

publications and electronic channels, including news releases, Hereford World, Baldy Advantage, Hereford Headlines and the Bald Faced Bottom Line. Similarly, creative services staff continue finding new and effective means for AHA members to market their genetics, be it via print ads, sale books or geo-targeted social media.

Others, like Trey Befort focus more intently on the commercial side of the business, including the Hereford Feedout Programs and Certified Hereford Beef®.

Then there are folks like Shane Bedwell and Stacy Sanders who keep Hereford on the leading edge of genetic evaluation, research and breed improvement.

Of course, staff starts with Jack Ward, the leader, who is focused not just on today or tomorrow but on what the breed and the organization need to be prepared for years down the road.

Common to staff is the fact that they take their positions personally. It’s not a job; they want to help the breed and breeders succeed. Everything done at AHA is done with the membership in mind. Plus, they have continued to find ways of doing more with less. The amount of money AHA spends on personnel is significantly less than 10 years ago. Leslie Mathews, AHA chief financial officer, ensures budget maintenance, as well as the organization’s reserves.

The point is AHA members should be proud of the staff representing them.

Meet the world

The World Hereford Conference in October is the next big event AHA staff have been preparing for over the course of several years. This is an amazing opportunity for breeders from across the U.S., and from around the world to participate in a once-in-a-life-time event.

GUARDIAN 4192

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2025

noon at the GKB Sale Headquarters …Desdemona, Texas

GKB GUARDIAN 4290

AHA 44547345 • 3/11/24 • Horned S: C GKB Guardian 1015 ET MGS: GKB 88X Laramie B293 CED +4.8 /

GKB GUARDIAN 4292

AHA P44547734 • 3/13/24 • Homozygous Polled

GCC IMPACT 3721

P44522918 • 12/18/23 • Polled

GKB CONAIR M104 ET

AHA 44531993 • 1/21/24 • Horned S: GKB Conair K102 ET MGS: DS 1045 Advance 3575N

GKB ADVANCE 4119

AHA 44538393 • 2/23/24 • Horned S: GKB 6006D Advance 2282Z 9903 MGS: NJW 79Z

Catalog available online and mailed on request — please call or text to request your mailed copy. Videos online prior to sale

Gary & Kathy Buchholz, owners • Office (254)440-1440 Gary Buchholz (214) 537-1285 • gary@gkbcattle.com Jay Creamer (254) 707-2199 • jay@gkbcattle.com Raymond Gushee (207) 256-7365 • ray@gkbcattle.com 7440 Hwy. 16, Desdemona, TX 76445 gkbcattle.com

Summer AHA Board Meeting Board Action

The American Hereford Association Board of Directors met July 21-22 in Canadian, Texas.

Breed improvement

Dale Woerner and Blake Foraker, Texas Tech University meat scientists, updated the American Hereford Association (AHA) Board about new technology that measures carcass red meat yield more accurately, and the potential industry evolution of using it in carcass pricing.

The Board reviewed potential updates to the Growth, Teat, Udder, Scrotal, Fat and Carcass models and then unanimously approved implementation of the updates to the evaluation as soon as possible.

The staff shared that the transition to Weatherbys Scientific for AHA’s DNA testing has gone well and results have been received with minimal issues.

Finance

The Board unanimously approved the fiscal year 2026 (FY 26) consolidated budget of $9,169 before depreciation and ($174,599) after depreciation.

Certified Hereford Beef®

Ernie Davis, Certified Hereford Beef® (CHB) CEO and president, updated the Board on current business and marketing initiatives, as well as potential new customers.

Marketing and communications

The AHA marketing and communications staff reviewed the national and regional advertising budget and placement schedule for FY 26, including print and digital. The staff also shared analytics for social media platforms and Hereford.org. Additionally, staff provided updates about the World Hereford Conference and the 2025 Hereford Seedstock Academy.

Commercial programs

AHA staff provided the Board updates about the Hereford Feedout Programs, current calf and feeder

cattle markets, and the Hereford live specification affidavit program. The Board voted unanimously to recognize Groendyke Ranch, Nash, Okla., as the 2025 AHA Commercial Producer of the Year.

Member service

AHA staff shared that the 2025 Board election was underway and that July 31 was the final day for ballots to be postmarked for the delegate election. The staff explained 22 state/ state groups would not receive a ballot because they were either short of eligible delegates or had only the correct number nominated. The Board voted unanimously to ratify the election process.

Show and sale

Staff gave an update about the VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE). They reported 84 National Junior Hereford Association members from 20 states were expected to attend the Faces of Leadership conference at Purina corporate headquarters near St. Louis, Mo.

Staff informed the AHA Board it needed to select a third judge for the Cattlemen’s Congress pen show. The Board unanimously approved the selection of Jeff Ward, Wyoming.

The Board also discussed the possibility of a performance show at the JNHE. No action was taken.

Hereford Publications Inc.

Mark Core and Ashley Schueler, Vermeer Corporation, provided an overview of the HPI strategic plan developed from the planning session held after the spring AHA Board meeting. HPI staff presented current financials and business highlights.

Executive session

The Board moved into an executive session.

Priv e Tre y Female Sale

OPENS SEPTEMBER 14, 2025 AT THE RANCH, VALIER, MT

40 ELITE LINE-ONE BRED FEMALES • 25 2- TO 6-YEAR-OLD BRED COWS

Donors and Donor Prospects Included

March and April calving dates — Bred to HH Advance 2123K and CL 1 Domino 241K

15 POWERFUL BRED HEIFERS

High quality, foundation type heifers with EPDs, phenotype, and Line-One Cow Power

March and April calving dates — Bred to CL 1 Domino 3262N

70 years of continuous balanced trait selection with a strong emphasis on maternal strength. Udder quality, functionality, fertility, and milk production along with eye appeal. Backed by a line breeding program that enhances, predictability and uniformity.

HH MISS ADVANCE 8123F

HH MISS ADVANCE 0231H

The high selling female from our 2021 Sale at $47,500. Dam of our

HH MISS ADVANCE 3042L ET

Extra pigment and wow, is she fancy. This 0159H has big time donor potential and is a daughter of the 8046F donor. 9 maternal brothers to 3042L have averaged over $50,000 at auction in the last 5 years. Top 10% or higher on nine different traits. One of 10 coming 3-year-olds to sell!

Powerful donor that goes back to the great 5139R donor cow.

HH MISS ADVANCE 4049M

Body, pigment, femininity and cow power. 0022H daughter that will knock your eyeballs out.  Dam is a top producer and donor for us. One of 15 front pasture bred heifers to sell!

•Bred females will be split into age and price groups and penned accordingly.

• They will be available in groups or individually.

•All final breeding data will be available to interested parties by September 1.

•Visitors are welcome to stop by anytime to preview the offering

THE BEST IN LINE-ONE GENETICS

Follow us on Facebook for more updates @holdenherefords

3139 Valier Dupuyer Rd. • Valier, MT 59486 • 406-279-3301 Home 406-450-1029 Jack’s cell • 406-450-0129 Jay D. Evans 406-600-3118 Eric Lawver • 406-590-3307 Brad Holden jtholden@3rivers.net • www.holdenherefords.com

Please plan on stopping by and making your selections the week of September 14th!

Tandem Progress Performance Matters

by Shane Bedwell

Hereford breeders are improving cattle phenotypically and genetically.

The quest to be the best remains very apparent among Hereford breeders, both new and seasoned. Through my travels this summer, I saw a vast amount of breed enthusiasm, increased Hereford demand and the tremendous progress breeders are making on both visual conformation and balanced genetic performance. The notion that one must be sacrificed for the other is just coffeeshop talk.

As an example, turn to Page 53 in Hereford World, where coverage of the VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo begins. As the show progressed, I was blown away by the quality and depth of the cattle and how the expected progeny differences (EPDs) of many of the top-placing cattle were heading in such a breed-positive direction. Look at the EPD profile beneath the picture of each champion to see what I mean. Traits highlighted in yellow rank in the top 30% of the breed or higher.

Some of these females ranked in the top 30% of the breed or higher for more than 10 traits. That’s just impressive.

Genetic evaluation models updated Speaking of progress, during their summer meeting, the American Hereford Association (AHA) Board of Directors voted unanimously to update and improve some of the models used in the breed’s genetic evaluation.

Since implementing the single-step marker effects model utilizing Biometric

Open Language Tools (BOLT) in 2017, the AHA has made these model improvements a half dozen times. You may recall some of these improvements pertained to the Sustained Cow Fertility, Mature Cow Weight and Calving Ease models. Essentially, these changes are similar to when genetic groupings were restructured. New BOLT software tools also are being added to improve weekly run time and stability.

Additionally, significantly more phenotypes, as well as hard-to-measure phenotypes with genotypes, have been submitted since 2017. This enables the carcass models to be calculated in one large model rather than a large model and a small model. This will address the issue that a few of you have raised about a non-genotyped animal falling outside of its pedigree average before being genotyped. Although this happened very rarely, this is just one of the many housekeeping model improvements that were made during this upgrade.

See Table 1 for the rank correlations of the traits that were updated in this latest round of model improvements. These correlations encompass the 2.6 million animals in the performance pedigree. As you can see, these correlations between old and new models are very strong. This means you should find very little reranking of animals, although a few animals could change.

As always, keep them sound.

What’s New?

Association News and Events

“What’s New?” is a column designed to keep you in the know about Hereford happenings. You can sign up for Hereford Headlines, an electronic newsletter distributed the first Friday of each month by the American Hereford Association (AHA) highlighting Hereford news and events. You can also receive the Bald Faced Bottom Line, a commercially-focused electronic newsletter sent the third Friday of each month. To subscribe to these free newsletters, send an email to outreach@hereford.org. Archived issues are posted at Hereford.org.

Annual Meeting/World Hereford Conference

2025 AHA Board of Directors candidate slate

The American Hereford Association (AHA) nominating committee is pleased to announce the six candidates nominated for election to the AHA Board of Directors. The candidates are:

Chris Beck

Genoa Livestock LLC, Minden, Nev. 618-367-5397 chris.genoalivestock@gmail.com

Bryan Blinson

Blinson Hereford Farm, Buies Creek, N.C. 919-422-9108 bkblinson@gmail.com

Ross Carlson Carlson Farms, Murdock, Minn. 320-808-7095 rbmrc1@gmail.com

Joe Ellis Ellis Farms, Chrisman, Ill. 765-366-5390 efbeef1@aol.com

Joe Dan Ledbetter Ledbetter Cattle Co., Wheeler, Texas 806-236-0958 joedanledbetter@yahoo.com

Ryan McGuffee

McGuffee Polled Herefords, Mendenhall, Miss. 601-668-1000 ryanmcgu@bellsouth.net

Register

for 2025 World Hereford Conference

The AHA looks forward to hosting the World Hereford Conference (WHC), accompanying tours and the Young Breeders Competition Oct. 22-26, in Kansas City, Mo. Find event details and registration information at WorldHerefordConference.com. The registration deadline is Sept. 1.

Attend Annual Meeting

Join us in Kansas City, Mo., for the 2025 AHA Annual Meeting, held in conjunction with the WHC. The Annual Membership Meeting and Hereford Honorees breakfast will be Saturday, Oct. 25, and will honor the 2025 Hereford Hall of Fame and Hereford Hall of Merit inductees. The Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) scholarship recipients and Young Breeders Competition participants will be recognized at a special awards luncheon on Friday, Oct. 24. The 2026 National Hereford Queen will be crowned on Sunday, Oct. 26.

There is no registration fee to attend the Annual Meeting, but please register to accommodate seating. The registration deadline is Sept. 1. Find the full schedule, hotel information, registration and more at Hereford.org/Annual-Meeting or WorldHerefordConference.com.

Commercial Programs

Hereford-influenced feeder calf sales

For a list of upcoming fall and winter Hereford-influence feeder calf sales, visit Page 168. Find a complete listing and details at Hereford.org/commercial/programs/ feeder-cattle-sales.

Association News

Breed improvement adopted changes and initiatives

The Board reviewed suggestions presented by the DNA policy task force (Dave Bielema, Sam Shaw, Mark Cooper, Mark Squires and Charlie Boyd) and unanimously supported the following:

1. In addition to AI sires, embryo transfer (ET) donor dams and walking sires born after Jan. 1, 2026, will be required to have a genomic profile completed at the AHA official lab and be fully parent verified and tested for all recognized genetic conditions.

2. The Board voted unanimously to purge all DNA samples starting Jan. 1, 2026, after the requested testing is complete. For other accepted DNA policy changes, please see Hereford.org/ Hereford-Handbook.

DNA sample storage policy

The AHA Board of Directors voted unanimously during the fall Board meeting to purge, starting on Jan. 1, 2026, all DNA samples submitted to AHA’s official lab on or before Dec. 31, 2024. The AHA Board has determined to offer members the opportunity to request a return of any sample that was submitted to the AHA official lab prior to Dec. 31, 2024. These requests must be made prior to Dec. 31, 2025, with the following understanding:

1. A member must submit a request for the DNA samples they would like to retrieve. Only samples that were originally submitted by a member will be returned.

2. The AHA does not guarantee a timeline for delivery of the

samples after the request is made, and it is highly recommended that requests are only made on animals that are deceased and there is no other sample available, including semen.

3. The AHA does not guarantee that a sample can be found, or that there will be viable DNA available.

4. Please understand that DNA sample storage is different for each type of DNA (hair, blood card, tissue sample unit [TSU]).

5. A fee will be charged for each sample that is requested to be returned. This fee will be determined from time to time by the AHA Board. At this time, the fee that has been established by AHA’s Board is $10 per sample plus packaging and shipping costs.

Moving forward, any DNA sample submitted after Jan. 1, 2025, the testing lab, in agreement with the AHA, will use the submitted sample for the purpose of conducting the testing requested by the member. After the initial testing is complete, the AHA, in agreement with the AHA official DNA testing lab, will store the remaining DNA for any additional testing that is available at the lab for a period of one year. After one year, the sample will be subject to disposition.

There is no guarantee by the AHA or the AHA official lab that there will be any additional or viable DNA available from the submitted sample. It is understood that, while the AHA’s agreement with its official testing lab requires the testing lab to store the remaining DNA sample for a period of one year, the AHA has no obligation or responsibility to do so or to make such remaining sample available to the member for subsequent testing or use.

3. TSUs can be stored (methods shared from Merck representative):

• The preferred method of storing is in a negative thaw cycle freezer, but they can be stored in a regular freezer.

• There has been success in storing them in a cool, dry place. Some have been stored this way for three years and are still viable.

• The biggest thing is to protect them from sunlight.

Sharing of ISAG/ICAR parentage markers

Starting Jan. 1, 2025, the AHA Board adopted a policy to share ISAG/ICAR reduced panel parentage markers through a request submitted to the AHA from a World Hereford Council member, other breed associations or any AHA member. A fee, determined from time to time by the AHA Board of Directors, will be charged for any requests except for those from any World Hereford Council member. Currently, the fee for an AHA member is $10 for each animal requested.

her Hereford herd in 2003 and transitioning her operation to miniature Herefords in 2012. She graduated from Western Illinois University in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture business and a minor in animal science.

“Being able to work with an Association that I have been a part of for more than 20 years is a true honor,” Biddle says. “I am excited to get to work with some of the top breeders in the country, along with people I have previously met because of Hereford cattle, while also getting to work with people just starting out on their journey.”

Biddle can be contacted at kbiddle@hereford.org.

Please contact AHA customer service with any questions or requests at 816-842-3757 or records@hereford.org.

Biddle begins as customer service representative

Karly Biddle, a native of Walcott, Iowa, started with the AHA records department July 21.

Baker named creative content and editorial specialist Murdock, Kan., native Kaitlyn Baker started her duties as Hereford Publication Inc.’s (HPI) creative content and editorial specialist Aug. 4.

In her position, Baker will layout the Hereford World and Baldy Advantage publications in addition to assisting with creative services projects. She will also play a key role in managing and developing content for HPI’s social media and digital platforms.

Moving forward, the AHA would encourage any breeder to collect and store an additional sample if they deem necessary. Most frequently used DNA types submitted and storage method:

1. Hair or blood cards. These types of samples can be stored in a dark, dry place at room temperature.

2. Semen — it can be thawed semen — but it is suggested to keep it frozen until a DNA test is needed.

In her position, Biddle plays a vital role, from communicating with users of Hereford genetics, helping resolve questions and interpreting discrepancies to conveying accurate information and promoting participation in AHA programs and services.

“We are really excited to have Karly join our team in the records department,” says Shane Bedwell, AHA director of breed improvement. “With Karly’s strong Hereford roots and excellent communications skills, she will be an asset to our team and Hereford breeders.”

Biddle previously worked for First Trust and Savings Bank. She’s spent a lifetime in agriculture, starting

“We’re thrilled to welcome Kaitlyn to the HPI team,” says Kane Aegerter, AHA director of seedstock marketing. “Her strong background in agricultural communications and journalism will be an incredible asset, whether she’s supporting our editorial efforts or advancing our digital marketing strategies. Kaitlyn’s passion for the industry and her storytelling ability will strengthen our connection with members and the broader livestock community.”

Baker attended Hutchinson Community College and graduated from Kansas State University in 2024 with her bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications and journalism. She was a member of award-winning student magazines at both universities. She has a strong background in agriculture, growing up

continued on page 18...

on an Angus cow-calf operation and participating in FFA.

“As someone who has always been inspired by the hard work behind agriculture, the chance to work alongside such creative and dedicated individuals at the AHA is incredibly meaningful,” Baker says. “I’m eager to learn from the creative and dedicated HPI team and help shine a light on stories that make this industry so unique.”

Baker can be reached at kbaker@hereford.org.

Youth

Enter the Fed Steer Shootout

Plan to learn more about the cattle feeding sector and how your genetics perform in the feedyard by participating in the 2026 National Junior Hereford Association Fed Steer Shootout. The contest entry deadline is Nov. 1, 2025, and delivery for cattle to HRC Feed Yards LLC in Scott City, Kan., is Dec. 13-16, 2025. For more information and

to plan your cattle delivery, contact Trey Befort at tbefort@herefordbeef.org. Cattle can be entered individually or in pens of three and must meet the following qualifications:

• 2025-born steers

• Purebred Hereford and commercial Herefordinfluenced steers

• 600-pound weight minimum

• Be weaned at least 45 days prior to delivery

• Received two rounds of vaccinations

Visit Hereford.org/Youth/NJHAFed-Steer-Shootout to enter and learn more.

Scholarship deadline approaching The HYFA fall scholarship deadline is Sept. 1. HYFA will award more than $200,000 in scholarship money throughout the year, including $165,000 in scholarships and awards during the AHA Annual Meeting in Kansas City, Mo. Scholarships must be

submitted online through Submittable. To learn more, visit the website: HerefordYouthFoundation.org/ scholarships.

Deadline for queen applications

National Hereford Queen applications are due Sept. 1. For more information, email nationalherefordwomen@gmail.com.

Order JNHE photos

Be sure to order your favorite memories captured at the 2025 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE). To view and purchase photos, visit the Hereford Gallery at HerefordGallery. shootproof.com.

Forrest Polled Herefords

19th Production Sale

Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025 | 11 a.m. Saluda, South Carolina

Selling over 100 head Service Age Bulls, Spring and Fall Calving Pairs, Bred and open heifers, select ET calves and a donor dam. Also selling 30 lots of Black and Red Baldy bred and open heifers.

FPH MS 9190 Deluxe N70 ET

P44669017 | BW 0.9;WW 72;YW 119;MM 33; MARB 0.16;CHB$ 169

FPH G13 Final Print N27 P44659440 | BW 0.5;WW 74;YW 110;MM 38; MARB 0.38;CHB$ 178

CEDAR CREEK 020 Merit 464 P44648402 | BW 2.8;WW 78;YW 123;MM 29; MARB 0.55;CHB$ 177

Catalogs on Request:

FPH MS E5 4013 M16 ET P44668973 | BW 0.8;WW 67;YW 103;MM 27; MARB 0.20;CHB$ 120

RILEY’S 0016 Encore M51

P44618821 | BW 3.6;WW 91;YW 143;MM 34; MARB 0.24;CHB$ 182

FPH MS C89 Red Cloud M26 ET P44670089 | BW 2.6;WW 71;YW 112;MM 27; MARB0.39;CHB$ 161

Guest Consignors: Riley Farms Saluda, SC 864-992-5498

Cedar Creek Farm Donalds, SC 864-910-0696

Welcome to the New NJHA Year Youth Movement

by Salem Sifford

For the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA), the new year began in July, when we welcomed four new members to the junior board of directors to begin charting the new year’s course, while jumping straight into the 2025 Faces of Leadership conference. The fresh faces in maroon jackets stand at the threshold of exciting opportunities, renewed energy and the promise of progress.

As the newly elected NJHA chairman, I’m incredibly excited for what this year holds — from impactful events to unforgettable experiences. In October, the NJHA will have the opportunity to showcase our Hereford youth and the strength of our junior organization on a global stage. As a board, we’re thrilled to highlight our outstanding membership while working the National Hereford Show at the American Royal, participating in

the World Hereford Conference and Young Breeders Competition and connecting with Hereford enthusiasts from around the globe.

Our junior board is also looking forward to the opportunity to continue expanding our leadership events at a regional level, hosting the NJHA Meet-Up Powered by Sure Champ® at both the Western States Hereford Show and Cattlemen’s Congress. These gatherings will continue to travel across the country, offering Hereford youth the chance to build new friendships, strengthen leadership and communication skills and grow as individuals. This year, we’re placing an even greater emphasis on the quality and impact of these programs, with a clear focus on engaging and empowering our members.

Chairman

Salem Sifford, ssifford366@gmail.com

Vice chairman

Sam Birdsall, birdsall.sam04@gmail.com

Communications chair

Emma Ballinger, emma.ballinger@uky.edu

Membership chair

Rylie Meinhardt, rjmeinhardt@gmail.com

Fundraising chair

Matt Bruns, mattbruns101@gmail.com

Leadership chair

Lauren Gatz, lauren03g@gmail.com

Directors

Kendall Boatman, kendallboatman@gmail.com

Sarah Beth Callicott, callicottsb@gmail.com

Jordan Mitchem, jkmitchem@gmail.com

Gavin Rhode, 24grhode@gmail.com

Harlee Watson, harleewatson1@gmail.com

Maddie Weaber, maddieweaber@gmail.com

Director of youth activities

Amy Cowan

816-842-3757, acowan@hereford.org JrHereford.org

Directors also will be on-site to welcome NJHA members delivering their cattle for the 2026 NJHA Fed Steer Shootout to HRC Feed Yards LLC, in Scott City, Kan., Dec. 13-16. This program continues to grow, spotlighting both exceptional cattle beyond the showring and the juniors behind them. The NJHA Fed Steer Shootout Field Day will be held next spring, along with another NJHA Meet-Up, to bring the learning and education full circle. It’s quickly become a favorite among NJHA members and the junior board, and we can’t wait to see it thrive again this year.

As spring arrives, the junior board will turn its attention to the Building On Leadership Development (BOLD) conference, one of our most anticipated events. Hosted March 26-29, 2026, this conference continues to offer powerful opportunities for growth, inspiration and connection. This remains one of the premier leadership opportunities; it is application-based and highly sought after. Keep an eye out this winter when applications open.

the boardroom. The NJHA board of directors is made up of 12 college-aged students who balance academics, personal commitments and their roles within the association. Spread across the country, this team brings the Hereford story to life in countless ways — sharing their passion on campus, in their communities and at industry events. Their unique experiences and regional perspectives allow them to connect with a wide audience and represent the NJHA with pride, purpose and authenticity.

The NJHA has always been more than just an organization. It’s a family rooted in shared values and a deep passion for the Hereford breed. Whether you’re a first-year member just starting your journey or a seasoned junior leader, your role is vital. Success in the year ahead won’t come from one person’s effort, it will come from all of us leaning in, lifting each other up and working toward shared goals with purpose and pride.

I encourage each of you to set a personal goal for this NJHA year. What do you want to achieve? Let’s make our Hereford goals happen together.

Leadership Takes Center Stage Foundation’s Focus

by Amy Cowan

After returning from the recent Faces of Leadership conference and wrapping up a memorable VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), I am more impressed than ever by the young leaders our association and foundation

are building. The Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) is truly becoming the gateway to leadership for the next generation, and there is no stopping us now.

President Ray Ramsey

317-462-7122, rayramsey77@gmail.com

Vice President George Sprague 541-465-2188, gks@bar1ranch.com

Directors

Jill Bielema 616-292-7476, jbielema@comcast.net

Katie Colyer 208-599-2962, katie@hereford.com

Bill King 505-220-9909, bill@billkingranch.com

Kathy Buchholz 214-537-1306, kathy@gkbcattle.com

Bruce Everhart 317-407-3618, bruceeverhart56@gmail.com

Director of youth activities

Amy Cowan 816-842-3757, acowan@hereford.org

HerefordYouthFoundation.org

We live in a busy world filled with countless choices and opportunities for young people and their families, yet year after year, you choose Hereford and all the experiences the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) provides. “Thank you” hardly seems enough for making Hereford a priority and being part of leadership in action at our many events.

This summer has been nothing short of unforgettable. I’ve been fortunate to have a front-row seat as junior members stepped onto the leadership stage, learning different leadership styles, refining their skills and preparing to guide this nation’s future, no matter their career path or industry.

Leadership lessons are woven into every NJHA program. But one message resonates year after year, conference after conference, and that is the power of connections and the vital role networking plays. In my mind, there’s nothing more important for our young people than helping them build strong networks. That begins at an early age, from the NJHA Meet-Up, powered by our good friends at Sure Champ®, to the Bridging the Gap College and Career Fair for older members, a crowd favorite for attendees, industry partners and universities alike.

The NJHA board, both those who handed off their maroon jackets in Louisville, Ky., and those who put them on for the first time, remains at the heart of HYFA’s leadership pillar. I couldn’t be prouder of this group. Each season, they pour

their hearts into guiding younger members, whether they’re stepping into the showring for the first time or attending events like the Building On Leadership Development (BOLD) conference, Fed Steer Shootout Field Day or Faces of Leadership. Thanks to our incredible donors, HYFA has been able to invest in developing the board, and watching their growth is a testament to the impact of that commitment.

Fast forward to this fall, HYFA’s leadership will shine on an international stage when we welcome 11 teams to compete in the Young Breeders Competition, held in conjunction with the World Hereford Conference. Once again, this would not be possible without our donors, who are making this global experience a reality.

I’m especially excited to announce HYFA’s newest fund — the Cottonwood Springs Global Leadership and Education Endowment, established by Tim and Nancy Keilty, to support international leadership opportunities. After decades of dedicated service on the HYFA board, Nancy retired this past year, but not before ensuring young breeders will have the resources to represent America at the World Hereford Conference this fall in Kansas City, Mo., and for generations to come as the event travels the globe.

Meet the Team USA members on Page 42 of this issue. HYFA is proud to support our young people as they take center stage in October. I hope you’ll join us in cheering on the red, white and blue, and continue to be part of this incredible leadership journey.

Amy Cowan is the American Hereford Association’s director of youth activities and foundation. She can be reached at acowan@hereford.org.

Remember to Renew Member Service

by Laura Kouba

The American Hereford Association’s (AHA) new fiscal year began Sept. 1. The 2025-26 fiscal year will run Sept. 1, 2025, through Aug. 31, 2026. The start of the fiscal year marks the time to renew all annual AHA dues and member service fees for junior and adult members.

Remember, all member service fees expire at the end of the previous fiscal year — Aug. 31. Annual dues and member service fee reminders were sent out to the membership in August. If you are a MyHerd user, these reminders were emailed rather than mailed. AHA members not enrolled in MyHerd were mailed their annual reminders.

Annual dues for junior and adult members are $15 per year. Junior memberships are available to anyone 22-years-old and younger. Once members turn 22, their junior membership is canceled, and they need to renew as an adult member.

Don’t forget

Fall 2025 herd inventories were due Sept. 1. Any inventories turned in after Sept. 1 will incur the additional $2 per head surcharge. Inventories can be updated and submitted by mail, or MyHerd users may submit them online through MyHerd.org.

Member service fees also need to be renewed after Sept. 1, or the fee will be billed automatically when a member registers a calf during the new fiscal year. The member service fee for adult members is $100. This includes yearlong subscriptions to Hereford World and Baldy Advantage magazines. The junior member service fee is $20, and it does not include the magazine subscriptions. As always, this is an annual fee, and once paid, it will be good for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Renew online

MyHerd users can check their account’s membership status, as well as any linked account’s status, at any time, by logging into MyHerd.org. Hover over the “Member Details” tab and then select “Member Dues & Service Fees.” From this screen, AHA members can renew any dues or member service fees. Simply click on the member you want to renew. When the whole line is highlighted in blue, two buttons below the list (Renew Membership and Bill Service Fee) will become clickable if the selected membership needs renewed and/or the service fee needs to be billed. Members will only be

able to click these buttons if that particular task is needed for the specific membership highlighted. MyHerd users can also tell if a membership needs to be renewed or if the service fee needs to be billed by the columns shown on this screen (Figure 1). The column titled “Service Fee” will read “Billed,” if the service fee for that member has already been billed. If the column says “Unbilled,” the service fee for this member is yet to be billed. The column titled “Renewal Needed” will show a “Y” if the membership for that member needs to be renewed. If the membership does not need to be renewed for the highlighted member, it will be blank.

Help

along the way

Having trouble navigating through MyHerd? Visit Hereford.org/memberservices to view more than 20 tutorials that demonstrate the ins and outs of MyHerd, or contact AHA customer service at 816-842-3757. To sign up for MyHerd, email your member number to myherd@hereford.org.

Laura Kouba is the records supervisor and education and information services coordinator of the American Hereford Association. She can be reached at lkouba@hereford.org.

CHB Bites

by Ernie Davis

Building Momentum

“CHB Bites” is a column designed to keep you in-the-know about the Certified Hereford Beef® (CHB) program. To get involved with CHB on social media, search Certified Hereford Beef on Facebook and Pinterest, or @certifiedherefordbeef on Instagram.

Certified Hereford Beef® (CHB) exists for one reason — to deliver more value back to stakeholders, who are members of the American Hereford Association (AHA) and commercial users of Hereford genetics — by building a premium brand that commands attention from customers and consumers.

As beef prices continue to rise, we’ve worked hard over the past six months to ensure CHB isn’t just keeping pace but gaining ground. Through a strategic and focused approach, we are strengthening customer relationships, building demand and laying the foundation for long-term growth.

Sharpening the CHB value proposition

We’ve taken steps to reposition the brand around our greatest strengths — our breed, our product integrity and our ownership by ranching families.

Key initiatives include:

• A refreshed CHB Premium identity that presents a modern, upscale look while honoring our heritage and emphasizing exceptional flavor.

• Storytelling that highlights our ranchers through local bios, in-store signage and social media, reinforcing trust and transparency.

• Marketing and training tools to equip our partners with compelling ways to promote CHB and build consumer loyalty.

Growing sales through deeper customer engagement and acquisition

Over the past two months, our three-person account team has been on the road continuously, meeting with current customers and highpotential prospects. These efforts are paying off.

• In-person visits, new training presentations and onboarding of regional partners have generated strong sales momentum and an expected 5% volume increase.

• We’ve received praise for our hands-on support, effective training sessions and engaging, market-specific social media campaigns.

• Several key accounts have been relaunched with tailored programs, marketing support and increased buy-in from our partners.

Focusing on volume and margin growth

Together with our partners at National Beef, we are strategically managing our product mix to meet market demand while maximizing returns. Our team is:

• Placing emphasis on highdemand, high-margin cuts, such as middle meats and grinds, to improve carcass utilization and profitability.

• Aligning programs to customer preferences to boost sales efficiency and tonnage.

These efforts are designed to drive sustainable revenue growth for the CHB brand and greater value back to our rancher community.

Building a platform for long-term success

Beyond today’s wins, we’re investing in tools that will strengthen the CHB brand and prepare us for continued growth, including:

• A new website and marketing platform that align with our updated messaging and visual identity.

• Retail and foodservice training materials, videos and promotional tools to expand CHB’s reach and recognition.

• Continued development of compelling consumer engagement strategies to build awareness, trust and loyalty.

Final thoughts

Sincere thanks to the CHB board of directors for their support, guidance and high expectations. Their leadership has helped shape an ambitious strategy that’s already driving results.

Thanks also to AHA members and commercial users of Hereford genetics for your trust, passion and ongoing commitment. Your involvement is what makes this brand truly unique. We are working every day to grow Certified Hereford Beef into a brand that delivers more opportunity, recognition and value back to you.

In times of challenge, we don’t just hold steady, we move forward together.

Ernie Davis, is the CHB president and CEO,. He can be reached at edavis@herefordbeef.org.

For more information about Certified Hereford Beef, visit CertifiedHerefordBeef.org

Hereford Women

by Bellana Putz

Gathering Strength

As the summer heat mellows into autumn, the National Hereford Women (NHW) invite you to The Gathering Sept. 19–21 at GKB Cattle’s Hi Point Ranch, Desdemona, Texas. The event is rooted in the connections, ambitions and resilience of the remarkable women who are shaping American agriculture. The Gathering is not a passive conference with hours of speakers. This event facilitates idea sharing and interaction while fostering relationships.

Guests are encouraged to arrive Friday afternoon for an evening social, wine-pairing and Texasstyle kick-off meal. On Saturday, participants will enjoy workshops and sessions, such as “Telling Our Story,” led by Tarleton State University staff, Jean Dudley, Laura Henson and Morgan Jackson, and “A Legacy of Hereford Women Leadership” facilitated by Hereford’s own Terri Barber and Diane Johnson. Additionally, attendees can learn how to further develop leadership skills, connect with their communities,

navigate today’s political environment and reach their God-given potential. Participants will also be treated to a discussion about the nuances of branded beef programs and marketing while dining on delicious Certified Hereford Beef® before a private tour of GKB Cattle.

There are even more special plans in the works to make attendees’ experience unforgettable. Guests will wrap up their weekend on Sunday and leave the Lone Star State with new ideas and new friends.

Building a lasting network

The Gathering’s most enduring legacy is the network it fosters. Production agriculture can sometimes seem isolating — vast land, long hours and unpredictable challenges — so, community is vital. In Desdemona, laughter and wisdom are traded as freely as business cards, friendships are forged around the fire pit and stories are shared over iced tea. Women swap marketing strategies, recipes, leadership ideas and encouragement.

It is in these moments that the true spirit of The Gathering shines. Attendees return home with more than tote bags and notepads; they carry a renewed sense of belonging and possibility.

The Gathering offers a lineup of speakers reflecting the breadth of the industry: from multi-generational ranchers to young professionals at the cutting edge, from policy advocates to rural entrepreneurs leveraging technology and social media to tell their stories. Their collective experience underscores a simple truth: when women are empowered, the industry thrives.

This event also underscores NHW’s commitment to the next generation. Young women are not only welcomed, but celebrated, with programming designed to ignite curiosity, highlight emerging leaders and encourage mentorship.

A celebration and a call to action

The Gathering is more than a party; it is a call to action, a reminder to build a more inclusive, sustainable and prosperous future for American ranching.

Looking forward to the event, Hereford women must remember they carry the power to change not only their lives but the course of an entire industry. The NHW Gathering is a celebration of that power and a beacon for all who believe in the strength of community, the beauty of tradition and the boundless promise of what comes next.

OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS

President: Beth Mansfield, Liberty, Tenn.

Vice president: Marlena Ballinger, Bluffton, Ohio

President-elect: Bellana Putz, Otley, Iowa

Secretary: Madison Katzenberger, Monroe, Wis

Treasurer: Melinda Watson, Flemingsburg, Ky.

6196 Mt. Sterling Rd., Flemingsburg, KY 41041

Ex Officio: Sally Wingler, Christiana, Tenn.

DIRECTORS

Nikki Crumm, Anadarko, Okla.

Melanie Fishel, Barnardsville, N.C.

Brandi Murphree, Hamilton, Texas

Lindsey Jacobs, Millersville, Md.

Shelly McQuaig, Ila, Ga.

Elizabeth Crumm, Anadarko, Okla.

Rosie Katzenberger, Monroe, Wis.

HerefordWomen.com

The power of representation

Women standing at the helm of ranch operations is not simply a matter of equity — it drives progress. Studies have shown that diversity in leadership leads to more resilient businesses, creative problem-solving and stronger communities. The Hereford breed’s reputation for adaptability is mirrored in the women who champion it. They are stewards of land and legacy, along with innovators, educators and bridge-builders.

Take a long weekend and join NHW for the third Gathering. Engage with women from across the nation, relax, tour GKB Cattle and leave with ideas to better yourself and your community.

Contact Bellana Putz at 641-780-3927 or Brandi Murphree at 254-223-0821 with any questions. Limited slots are available with registration closing Sept. 15. Visit HerefordWomen.com/the-gathering for more information.

To join and to learn more about the NHW, visit HerefordWomen.com or email nationalherefordwomen@gmail.com.

Proven Trust

Tommy Coley retires after nearly 15 years of guiding Hereford breeders with his industry experience.

by Katie Maupin Miller

Tommy Coley was 2 months old when he attended his family’s inaugural Hereford production sale in the Tennessee hills. He spent his childhood helping manage their cattle, participating in 4-H and FFA and even made the winning nomination for Tennessee’s first junior association president.

Tommy’s favorite days would be when the Association’s field representative would visit his family’s operation. He and his cousins would scramble toward the pick-up truck praying they’d be the first one to clamber into the bed, so they could ride along through the pastures and open gates.

sales,” Tommy laughs, and with his front row seat to the seedstock industry he realized at a young age that he wanted to be a fieldman.

dream come true when he joined the American Hereford Association (AHA) as the Eastern region field representative in 2011. But that opportunity came after a career immersed in the purebred business — raising, marketing, managing and judging Hereford cattle.

Kim, happily moved to a cabin on top of a Tennessee mountain, cleared away blackberry bushes and brambles and cleared their minds as they sipped coffee overlooking a Smokey Mountain vista so idyllic it rivals postcards sold through Appalachia.

souls can find peace atop their mountain mecca. Yet despite travelling some 70,000 miles and spending more than 220 nights in hotels each year, Tommy never needed the mountain view to recharge.

you love to do. The last 14 and a half years have been a joy,” Tommy says. “I know every day when I get up that I’m going to see a friend.”

Wisdom built on experience

Tommy’s somewhat unique resume for a fieldman gave him a lifetime of knowledge to help guide Hereford breeders in his territory. His keen eye for evaluating livestock and years spent raising

registered Hereford cattle, managing ranches, preparing show and sale calves and sorting stock honed Tommy’s knack for marketing. It also ensured that he could relate to the breeders in his territory.

“The thing that separates Tommy from others is the fact that he has been around the block,” explains Tommy Mead of Mead Cattle Enterprises, Midville, Ga. “He has been in every position in a purebred cattle farm. He has managed cow herds, run a show barn and been an owner. He has seen it. He knows what everyone is going through.”

Consider his annual trek to the National

ultimately represented Hereford breeders as a field representative, working ringside, lining up junior cattle and all of the rest. His breadth of hands-on, real-world experience gave him a unique view of the seedstock industry, one that encompasses the entire horizon, rather than bits and pieces.

“That experience and institutional knowledge that he acquired over the years made him a good fit for the role. There is no substitute for actual experience,” says Billy Ashe of Ashewood Farm, Selmer, Tenn.

Or as Martha Dixon of River Circle Farm, Hartsville, Tenn., simply states: “Tommy’s knowledge of the Hereford breed is astronomical. He forgot more about it than I will ever know.”

It isn’t just his lifelong commitment to all aspects of the breed that helped Tommy excel though; it’s also the skills he honed along the way. For example, Tommy picked up a film camera to take photos for a sale catalog when he managed Perks Ranch in Rockford, Ill. At the time, they had to take photos in the morning and hurry the film to one-hour developers over lunch.

Tommy’s knack for taking photos helped countless Hereford breeders in the Eastern region. His know-how when it comes to preparing cattle, creating a picture pen and setting up each animal to get their best shot helped push his territory’s marketing efforts to new heights.

Tommy spent a great deal of time helping breeders better understand not only how to improve their stock, but how to market them. The first few years in his role, he traveled with a prepared PowerPoint explaining how to select and prepare cattle for consignment sales. Countless breeders took their first steps toward actively marketing their Hereford cattle with Tommy by their side. His efforts paid off. Today, the region hosts more than 40 sales; when he started there were 18.

“He has had a profound effect on the genetic improvement of Hereford cattle in the Southeast,” Ashe says. “Our state sale has been in the top five consignment sales in the country for several years. That is the result of the genetic improvement.”

Good eyes and integrity

Those involved in the seedstock business will tell you that success depends on good marketing to make a sale, coupled with integrity to keep it. Each day, field representatives, like Tommy, walk a tightrope of describing sale cattle in ways that will garner interest, yet accurately represent them to prospective buyers.

“You can never mislead anybody,” Tommy says. “It is not unusual for someone to call me about an animal in the sale, and I have to tell him that it won’t work. It is a hard thing to do, but you have to.”

Kim laughed when she heard this, saying it’s not too hard for Tommy because he has spent years being honest and forthcoming with breeders and buyers, both of whom trust him implicitly.

“I’ve had Tommy look at cattle for me that are being sold elsewhere, and he looked at a lot of cattle at our place for potential customers,” explains Paul Bennett of Knoll Crest Farm, Red House, Va. “Here is a good set of eyes and a great, reputable guy that can give you a third-party

Work is not really work if you’re doing what you love to do. The last 14 and a half years have been a joy. I know every day when I get up that I’m going to see a friend.

— Tommy Coley

Bennett always seeks out a little time with Tommy, whom he says always makes him feel good about what they’re doing and the cattle their representing.

“He is a really good person to be around when things are really stressful,” Bennett notes. “He is the type of person who can focus on the big picture and not get caught up in the moment.”

Mead echoes those sentiments, noting Tommy’s even-keeled temperament, whether they’re in the picture pen or working a sale.

To Mead, Tommy is synonymous with loyalty and dependability. Mead’s mother’s final wishes included Tommy serving as a pallbearer. When she passed, he drove many miles to honor her wishes while keeping his sale obligations to other AHA members. For Mead, that kind of commitment highlights the type of man Tommy is — one who has been through his own struggles but uses them

they have about Hereford cattle. Dixon notes Tommy treats every junior member he comes across like they’re his own grandkid, rather than a passing showman.

When visiting about Tommy, many also mention Kim, who means as much to Hereford breeders as him, since she often travels with him to sales and shows.

“Kim has become a staple in the Hereford family, just like I am, they look for her,”

“I just remember to thank God for the opportunity,” Kim says. “Tommy and I are

The couple is known for working together, like when they hosted Hereford on the Mountain for a decade. Originally, the duo invited Hereford breeders in their territory to a local restaurant as a way of growing fellowship among producers and thanking the Hereford family for their support. Soon though, the event stretched beyond the walls of the small-town café, and the Coleys hosted it at their Tennessee home. At the last event more than 250 guests from 15 states attended, including the

“Tommy is the greatest fieldman that I’ve ever had the privilege to work with. I don’t see how he does it, but he loves it. He is so passionate. He has always kept going,” Dixon says. “It doesn’t matter if you have a big operation or two cows. He treats

“He goes above and beyond expectations to take care of his constituents,” Hedrick adds.

Tommy and Kim hope to spend more time visiting their 11 grandkids and two great-grandkids. Most of their children are still involved in the agricultural industry. So, as peaceful as their mountain home is and as much as Kim would like to keep closer tabs on her flower garden, the couple will still be traveling to visit their Hereford family, in part because Tommy will still be picturing cattle for select sales. Also, he recently accepted a role as vice president of marketing and sales for Sale Day. The position will allow him to spend more weekends at home and work remotely. Or, as some joke, Tommy and Kim will only have to travel to a sale on a Saturday if they really, really want to.

As Tommy hangs up his hat as an AHA fieldman, he hopes all of the breeders in his territory realize that he does so with an

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to have done this,” Tommy says. “They will never know how much it means to me to play a small part in the Hereford history of the Southeast.”

FLYING D H086 J21 Twix N1

1/29/25 • P44680034

Sire:SHF Houston D287 H086

MGS: AH JDH Munson 15E ET Stunning Houston daughter.

One of the first progeny by ASM Red Man to sell. See you In

JLCS 325L Elana J6 N11

2/4/25 • P44649201

Sire:ASM 405B Red Man 325L ET

MGS: MOHICAN THM Excede Z426

LFF Sprinkles 2501

1/4/25 • P44649832

Sire: EF MF Longest Yard 19Z 228J ET

MGS: NJW 84B 10W Journey 53D Show heifer deluxe.

KH JLCS 619K On The Run M74 ET

9/1/24 • P44607444

Sire: BAR JZ On Demand

MGS: GOLDEN OAK Outcross 18U Herd Bull Prospect sired by OnDemand.

CHF 132E Chloe 0024

Homozygous Polled

2/6/20 • P44313274

Sire: NJW 76C 10W Whitmore 132E

MGS: TH 122 71I Victor 719T Due March 2026 to WF CLC JT Wildcard 76E 2505.

KH JLCS 15E Ruby 5G K75 ET

9/22/22 • P44418817

Sire: AH JDH Munson 15E ET

MGS: INNISFAIL WHR X651/723 4013 ET 2025 Ohio State Fair Champion Cow-Calf Pair.

BERG 81E Queen 1M

1/30/24 • P44573715

Sire: NJW 160B 028X Historic 81E ET MGS:KT Small Town Kid 5051 Due March 2026 to Boyd Pursuit 4032.

CREEK 2504 411 McKayla 139J ET 10/25/21• P44346214

Sire: UPS Sensation 2504 ET

MGS:NJW 73S M326 Trust 100W ET Due to calve before sale day to  Churchill Red Thunder 133J ET.

Gateway to Leadership

Purina Animal Nutrition Center hosted young Hereford leaders.

The Gateway to the West served as the gateway to leadership development for 84 National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members from 21 states who traveled to the Show Me State for the Faces of Leadership conference held July 30-Aug. 2.

The conference opened as participants stepped into the St. Louis Cardinals Ballpark Village and were welcomed by former Major League Baseball catcher and manager Mike Matheny. Matheny set the tone of the event focusing on building and developing leadership skills and cultivating better communication through team workshops and individual activities.

“People want to follow leaders who stay humble, stay hungry and always try to find better for those around them,” Matheny said.

The remainder of the conference was hosted in partnership with Purina Animal Nutrition at the Purina Animal Nutrition Center located in Gray Summit, Mo. There, Purina has conducted more than 24,000 animal nutrition studies on the farm’s 1,200 acres while caring for 3,000 animals. Conference participants toured the beef, dairy, poultry and companion animal departments while learning from industry leaders about animal nutrition and the research conducted at the farm’s diverse operation.

NJHA members were also treated to several agriculturally focused keynote speakers, including the Missouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn. She shared how her “why” helps fuel her advocacy for agriculture and those who work in it.

“My ‘why’ is because I want my kids to have a better future than I had. I want you (NJHA members) to have every opportunity available to you,” Chinn said.

City Barbeque’s Rick Malir also offered his insights on how young people could take what they learned during the conference and apply it to their future success.

“A lot of times we think, if we want to be good at something, it’s going to be a natural gift that we have. If you’re willing to humble yourself and

say, ‘No, I’m willing to be bad for a while to really work on this new skill,’ then I think you’ll excel,” Malir noted.

Malir and his wife, Bonnie Coley-Malir, are passionate about youth development. The couple helps make the conference possible each year through the Coley-Malir Leadership Endowment in partnership with the Hereford Youth Foundation of America. They attended this year’s conference in full and met and mingled with the young people they support.

Additionally, attendees participated in a handson leadership simulation led by the NJHA board of directors, designed to challenge and grow their

People want to follow leaders who stay humble, stay hungry and always try to find better for those around them.

— Mike Matheny former MLB catcher and manager

Bridging the Gap — College and Career Fair — hosted during the event included representatives from 13 agricultural companies and universities for NJHA members to meet and discuss potential opportunities for furthering their education and pursuing careers.

NJHA chairman Salem Sifford offered a powerful closing keynote address, summarizing not only the importance of developing individual leadership skills but also having a supportive network of peers and mentors. The once shy Sifford noted her experiences with the NJHA taught her she doesn’t have to raise her voice to be a leader; she can enact change in her own quiet, confident way. Sifford encouraged other young people to hone their strengths with the support of their Hereford network.

“I was never told that I had to be one way or another to be a leader within the Hereford breed. My Hereford family accepted me as I am and simply encouraged me along the way. I learned that it truly is all about the people that meet you where you are and encourage you,” Sifford

NJHA members ages 14-21 years old. It serves as a pivotal steppingstone in building the pipeline of future leaders for the Hereford breed.

“Faces of Leadership is a tool to not only build leaders, but a tool to get these young people started on a successful career path. We hope they stay in agriculture, but whatever industry they pursue after college, we want them to be armed with the knowledge and the skill sets to be successful,” said Amy Cowan, AHA director of youth activities and foundation.

Through the Faces of Leadership conference, young leaders are exposed to opportunities in the industry, and the conference cultivates communication skills, encourages working in team settings and focuses on individual development. If you’re interested in attending next year’s conference watch for more information at Hereford.org/youth/ njha/faces-of-leadership.

Matheny noted the importance of leadership through this Jackie Robinson quote he lives by: “A life is unimportant, outside of the impact it has on other lives.”

4455488

44554882

Heifer bull with the look and pedigree to build a cowherd! Beautiful mother out of the 3007A/1014Y cow family that is our modern foundation.

Powerful herd bull prospect who was a standout from day one. Cool maternal pedigree with lots of power.

Here is the whole package – birth weight and calving ease with enough power to use on cows. Beautiful, freckle faced mother out of our 3007A donor.

Heifer bull prospect with a great EPD spread. His sire did

HERD BULL PROSPECTS AND

P44554898

Take on the World

Young U.S. Hereford breeders to compete in Young Breeders Competition.

Eleven teams of young Hereford breeders from eight countries will compete in the Young Breeders Competition (YBC) at Kansas State University (K-State), concluding at the American Royal, as part of the World Hereford Conference in Kansas City, Mo., this October.

“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, American Hereford Association (AHA) director of youth activities and foundation. “This competition pits the best against the best from around the world.”

Two teams of four members and two alternate individuals will represent the U.S., selected for their depth and breadth of industry experience.

Team members and alternates received scholarships to cover the costs associated with their participation through the OXO World Traveler Scholarship Fund and the newly established Cottonwood Springs Farm Global Education and Leadership Endowment program (see Foundation’s Focus, Page 22).

YBC winners will be announced following the final competition, a fitting and showmanship contest Oct. 25.

Team USA-Blue

Jacob Johnson, Ruth Miss.

“I have a great love for the Hereford breed, so to have the opportunity to compete on Team USA at the Young Breeders Competition is an honor,” Johnson says. “To also compete alongside some of the brightest Hereford breeders will be incredible.”

Johnson graduated from K-State in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences and industry. He was a member of the 2022 national champion meat animal evaluation team and competed on the livestock judging team, concluding his collegiate judging career as an All-American. Johnson serves as a Premier Select Sires area sales manager and assists with his family’s Genesis 31 Beef Processing.

Blake Bruns, North Platte, Neb.

“Experiences like the Young Breeders Competition don’t just provide an opportunity to compete, they help shape the future leaders of our industry,” Bruns says. “I am ready to represent Team USA with integrity, passion and pride, and I’m eager to take what I learn to help strengthen the Hereford breed.”

Bruns earned a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences and industry from K-State in 2025. He was a member of the school’s national champion livestock judging and meat animal evaluation teams. Bruns is a National Beef cattle buyer trainee, who views his role as a bridge between producers and the packing industry, while serving as a voice for the value of Hereford genetics.

Trevor Johnson, Centerville, S.D.

“The Hereford junior program has shaped me into who I am today, and it will be an honor to serve alongside other young leaders in representing our country on the global stage,” Johnson says.

Johnson graduated from K-State in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness. He was a member of the school’s 2023 national champion meat animal evaluation team and previously competed on the livestock judging team at Butler Community College. Johnson works for Johnke Farms, is an AHA commercial marketing representative and serves as an independent contractor for IMI Global.

Logan Topp, Grace City, N.D.

“What excites me most about representing Team USA is the chance to immerse myself in the Hereford community on a global level while also competing alongside some of the brightest, most passionate young breeders in

Topp graduated from K-State in 2025, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences and industry. He was a member of the school’s national

champion livestock judging and meat animal evaluation teams. Topp returned to his family’s operation, Topp Herefords, where he plays a key role in ownership and management.

Team USA-Red

JW Cox, Flemingsburg, Ky.

“I am incredibly excited to join forces with some of the brightest and most talented young breeders to showcase what we, as a team, can accomplish,” Cox says.

“Together, we have the chance to prove that the AHA is not only a leader in the industry but also a unified and dedicated team capable of competing at the highest level.”

Cox is studying at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. He graduated from Western Kentucky University with a degree in animal science.

A past National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) chairman, Cox is involved in the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association student chapter and Society for Theriogenology.

Dylan Kottkamp, Clayton, Ind.

“This is a chance to connect with breeders from around the globe, share knowledge and proudly represent the U.S. This is about being a part of something bigger than myself, and I am truly honored to compete at such a high level,” Kottkamp says.

Kottkamp is pursuing a master’s degree in international agriculture at Oklahoma State University (OSU). He also serves as the prospective student services graduate teaching assistant for the Ferguson College of Agriculture. Kottkamp’s long list of NJHA achievement include being named Junior Herdsman of the Year and senior showmanship champion at the 2023 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo.

Ralston Braden, Kearney, Neb.

“To represent Team USA is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity where I hope to be in the arena striving for something bigger than my own goals,” Braden explains. “The AHA has taught me to value not only strong genetics and good-looking cattle, but also the breeders behind them, those who aren’t afraid to face challenges head-on and rise above obstacles.”

Braden earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science and agribusiness at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2022, where she was a member of the livestock judging team. She is a previous NJHA

vice chairman and works as a SenseHub Vence rancher success specialist for Merck Animal Health.

Tar Tut, Bells, Texas

“Being a part of Team USA at the Young Breeders Competition is an opportunity to represent everything that has shaped me,” Tut says. “It’s about more than just competing, it’s about showcasing the knowledge, work ethic and dedication that define young American Hereford breeders.”

Tut graduated from Texas A&M University (TAMU) in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications and journalism. He competed on livestock judging teams at Butler Community College and TAMU, and coached the Texas 4-H reserve national champion team. A former NJHA chairman, Tut is a territory manager in the Merck Animal Health ruminant business unit.

Team USA alternates

Lauren Jones, Darlington, Wis.

“This opportunity is about more than just competition,” Jones says. “It’s about representing the breed that shaped me, the country that raised me and the Association that gave me so much.”

Jones earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from OSU in 2025. While there, she completed internships in veterinary medicine, and marketing and event planning, while also serving as a Sigma Alpha leader and as a mentor for the Learning, Engaging, Achieving and Flourishing program. A long-time NJHA leader and competitor, and former junior board member, Jones returned to her family’s Wildcat Cattle Co.

Logan McFatridge, West Lebanon, Ind.

“The Young Breeders Competition at the World Hereford Conference is an amazing opportunity where young adults from across the globe can compete in different categories to showcase their skills,” McFatridge says.

McFatridge earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science at Purdue University in 2025, where he was a member of the livestock judging team. He was active in Block & Bridle, Collegiate Cattlemen’s Association and FarmHouse Fraternity, while also interning with American Foods Group. A past NJHA chairman, McFatridge returned to his family’s Hereford operation. He also serves as a local 4-H volunteer and county beef superintendent.

Hereford Next

World Hereford Conference Educational Forum features pioneering research.

Members of the American Hereford Association (AHA) have always prized 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. These are some of the Symposium topics and speakers.

The Hereford Quest for Excellence

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

Beef Cattle Improvement — Past, Present and Future

Dorian Garrick, Ph.D., is a co-founder of Theta Solutions LLC/The Helical Co. in Australia. Dr. Garrick, along with Daniel Garrick, CEO of the Helical Co. will review the nature and scope of genetic evaluation in the past and present, with particular reference to AHA. He will also provide insight to future developments in genetic evaluation and associated infrastructure.

Genetic Improvement of Hereford Sustainability Traits

Mark Enns, Ph.D., is a professor and the John E. Rouse Chair in animal breeding at Colorado State University.

Dr. Enns will focus on the outcomes of cooperative research conducted by the AHA and Colorado State University. Research includes heritability of methane emission rate, blood urea nitrogen, feed intake and their relationships with other traditionally measured performance traits.

Lifecycle Assessment of High-performance Cattle in the Cow-calf Sector

Greg Thoma, Ph.D., is the director for agricultural modeling and lifecycle assessment with AgNext at Colorado State University.

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

Hereford F1 Efficiency Impacts

Dan Shike, Ph.D., is a professor and the interim head of the Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois.

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

Unlocking Potential: How Innovation is Redefining Animal Health in Cattle Production

Tiago Arantes, DVM, is associate vice president of ruminant global marketing at Merck Animal Health.

Dr. Arantes 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.

MHPH RVP 3128 ROSIE 107N

SMOKEY X 4013 07/01/2025

CE: 1.4 BW: 2.3 WW: 75.6 YW:118.7 MM: 39.2 TM: 77.0

MHPH 3128 VELVET 104N

SMOKEY X WARRIOR 04/01/2025

CE: -1.9 BW: 1.9 WW: 71.4 YW:115.3 MM: 36.6 TM: 72.3

MHPH 316 BETTY 122N

OSHOTO X RED BARON 22/01/2025

CE: 4.9 BW: 5.9 WW: 67.5 YW:115.9 MM: 34.7 TM: 68.5

MHPH JWR 102L DEANNA 106N

LEGACY X RED BARON 06/01/2025

CE: -6.5 BW: 6.2 WW: 72.1 YW:113.8 MM: 25.2 TM: 61.3

Regenerative RANCHING

| by Laura Nelson

Start Small — Use What You Have

Low-risk

Regenerative RANCHING Regenerative RANCHING

Astrategies to shift from conventional to adaptive grazing.

s course participants gathered around in the pasture, the instructor started the timer at the word ‘go.’

The ranchers began by observing the animals and the available forage. How much grass would these 168 heifers need for the next grazing rotation?

Once they reached a consensus on paddock size, the men and women set out with step-in posts and a polywire reel to build a temporary electric fence enclosure. They added a path to the existing water source and then dropped the fence. The eager heifers filed into the fresh paddock on their own. When the last animal crossed the wire, Charles Rohla stopped the watch.

Twelve minutes from paddock-size calculation to happy heifers.

“That was a huge ‘ah-ha’ for those ranchers in the Noble Grazing Essentials course,” says Rohla, senior regenerative ranching advisor at Noble Research Institute.

The participants spent the first day of the Noble course in the classroom discussing the principles of regenerative, adaptive grazing. Inevitably, a quiet grumbling began: “We don’t have time to build all this fence,” and “Who has time to move cattle every day?”

“When I stopped the clock and showed it to those participants that were questioning the feasibility of building temporary fences and moving cattle daily, they were pretty well hooked from there on,” Rohla says.

If you’re considering transitioning from traditional, season-long grazing to a more adaptive, regenerative system, you can apply the same steps: take an inventory, start small and measure your results.

Step one — take stock of your land, animals and current infrastructure

The first step for students in the Grazing Essentials course is to create a current inventory. The ranchers review a large aerial map of their property and list the water sources, fencing, pasture sizes and stock inventory.

Many ranchers easily carry these numbers in their heads, but there’s power in writing it all down. “When you get it on paper and look at it on a map, then you can start thinking more critically about what you have and what you could do with it,” Rohla says.

Then, get a snapshot of your land’s health and set a benchmark using the Haney soil health test. This will give you a clear view of the current state of your organic matter levels and your soil’s biological and chemical health.

Finally, take stock of your true carrying capacity. Many ranchers base their stocking rate on historic capacities, or the number of animals that they feel they need to sell at the end of the year to make their bank payment. Instead, Rohla suggests evaluating the current forage availability and the needs of your cow herd.

Consider calculating your business’s current profitability per acre rather than basing success on a per-animal performance model. This calculation will illustrate how your land management impacts true profitability.

Step two — start small and use what you have

With a clear view of your current situation, you’ll see new ways to make small changes. Set aside worries about building miles of new fences, adding water sources or making complicated management changes all at once.

Instead, Rohla suggests finding ways to move a portion of your herd more frequently to lengthen recovery time on one particular pasture. Look at the big map and see where you might temporarily split one pasture to offset the effects of continuous grazing. Build a lane or let cattle float back to an existing water source.

“The first thing to do is always use your existing infrastructure,” Rohla says. “Start with what you’ve got, and you’ll see, over time, the best places to invest as you learn and grow in your management.”

Starting with one or two of these small steps ensures a manageable increase in stock density, too.

“There is power in adding stock density. That’s often where we see the greatest changes in soil health,” Rohla says. “But you can’t just go out and try 100,000 pounds or more of stock density on day one and hope it turns out OK.”

If your herd is split between multiple continuously grazed pastures, consider combining just a couple of groups together to give one pasture a rest for part of the grazing season to allow plant recovery to occur.

Step three — observe and measure progress along the way

Once you take these first small steps, the most important job will be to observe, monitor and record small, incremental upward trends. Measure and compare your soil health, animal health, forage production, carrying capacity and profitability over time.

“With adaptive grazing, you’re observing not only the forage in front of you but the forage behind you, and also more closely monitoring animal health,” Rohla says. “You start seeing things differently. Once this occurs, you start

doing things differently and start pushing the envelope and trying things that you probably would’ve never tried before. That’s when it gets fun.”

Most importantly, Rohla says, this is where you see the tradeoffs inherent to the regenerative transition.

The rancher who combines herds might spend a little more time trailering or trailing cattle between locations throughout the grazing season, but they also cut down on the weekly time and wear and tear of traveling to multiple locations to check water, livestock health and fence all summer.

Seeing is believing When the watch stopped at the 12-minute mark, the ranchers in the

Noble Grazing Essentials course, shocked by their speed and efficiency, realized that building a fence and moving cattle in an adaptive grazing model is not the same as how they shifted herds from pasture to pasture (or at all) in the previous decades of their careers.

“We didn’t have to go get the bale of hay or round up three neighbors on four-wheelers. The cattle were at the fence, ready to move, and we spent our time quietly observing the grass and our livestock,” Rohla says. Those 12 minutes offered a new perspective on old procedures.

“Once we get into this fresh mindset of observation and adaptability, it almost becomes like a game. We get our curiosity back, and we start to feel

Adaptive Grazing Transition Field Checklist

Step one: take stock of your starting point before entering the pasture:

Print or sketch of your ranch, showing existing:

• Pasture boundaries

• Water sources

• Permanent fences and gates

• Livestock groups and numbers Walk your land or use satellite imagery to note:

• Bare or overgrazed spots

• Weedy or underutilized areas

• Natural lanes, shade and topography

Write down your inventory:

• Acres per pasture

• Number and type of livestock

• Current stocking rate

• Infrastructure (polywire, reels, step-in posts, ATV access, etc.)

Calculate carrying capacity based on current forage availability — not historical estimates

(Optional) Perform a Haney soil test to benchmark soil health

Step two: start small with what you have

Choose a pilot paddock or pasture:

• Select a pasture to subdivide using temporary fencing (no new infrastructure needed)

• Create a basic polywire paddock using step-in posts and reels

• Ensure cattle can access an existing water source from the new paddock

• Move a single group of animals (not the entire herd) as your test run

• Time yourself to test fence setup and cattle move (aim for <15 minutes)

• Observe cattle behavior during the move — are they calm and ready? To increase rest periods, identify a pasture you can rest longer by:

• Moving animals earlier

• Skipping it in the next move

• Consolidating herds to graze fewer paddocks more intensively Tips for ease and safety:

• Use polywire at belly height (for cows)

• Keep paddocks sized to graze for 1-3 days

• Avoid overcrowding by matching density to available forage

• Use lanes, gates or natural features to ease movement

the excitement of watching growth and positive opportunity,” Rohla says. “And that’s what makes ranching fun.”

Editor’s Note: This is part of a continuing series of articles about regenerative ranching from Noble Research Institute, long trusted by beef cattle producers for supporting the industry with research, education and consultation. Follow the series in future issues of Baldy Advantage and Hereford World, as well as in special 1881 podcasts. Additional regenerative resources and past articles in the series are also at Noble.org.

Laura Nelson is a freelance agriculture journalist based in western Nebraska.

Step three: observe, record and adjust

Before grazing measure forage height/ density

After grazing leave 3-4 inches residual cover

Take notes or photos of:

• Animal behavior

• Manure distribution

• Soil surface condition

• Wildlife or pollinator activity

Compare grazed vs. rested areas weekly/monthly

Track simple metrics:

• Days of rest per paddock

• Days grazed

• Forage recovery rate

• Animal condition and health

• Profitability per acre (start tracking this annually)

Mindset reminders:

• Perfection isn’t the goal — progress is

• Be curious, not critical: what changed, and why?

• Use mistakes as feedback, not failure

• Celebrate the small wins: a quick move, rested grass, better cow condition

Genetically Yours

Saturday, October 4, 2025 Saturday, 2025 11 a.m. / Springfield, Mo.

SALE LOCATION:

William H. Darr Agriculture Center

44249310

LJR/MSU VIXEN 15J

A beautiful young cow that always has a good calf, deep in Journagan Ranch breeding. Mated to Churchill Final Print 3130L. Don’t miss this pair.

44029542

LJR HAZEL 19G

A great daughter of “old reliable”, Logic. She is a Dam of Distinction and has a heifer calf by Emblazon. What a family. Mated back to SF Remington 212. Great numbers too!

44680436

LJR MSU 973E NELSON 13N

A dark red, red eyed, long bodied son of the popular, Jalapeno. Great numbers. Great herd bull prospect.

44682482

LJR MSU JESSY 37N

A Jester daughter that will get your attention. Perhaps the most stylish heifer in the sale. She could make the show string.

JOURNAGAN RANCH

446870547

LJR MSU SALSA 87N

A power packed pedigree. A Jalapeño daughter out of an Emblazon daughter. What a pair, great numbers.

44563545

LJR MSU JARI 82M

A feminine, eye appealing Jarman daughter with outstanding numbers. Mated to AW Statesman 038H.

44564340

LJR MSU CELESTE 163M

A daughter of Homer whose calves were very popular last year. Red eyed, feminine and safe to 316F. Check her and her numbers out.

44563600

LJR MSU 136J MCCLURE 120M

An attractive, long bodied, heavy muscled Jazz son with great numbers, 2.4 birth to 108 yearling. An outcross pedigree with power.

Genetically Yours

SALE LOCATION: William H. Darr Agriculture Center

Perhaps the best daughter of Jalapeño we own. She does everything right. Great numbers, big stout power cow. Mated to SF Remington. Saturday, October 4, 2025 Saturday,

44140239

LJR MSU SALSA 162H

44563604

LJR MSU 340H MARAIS 125M

A stout, attractive son of our Homer bull. 21 more like him sell!!

44563473

LJR MSU JAZZI 45M

A super eye appealing bred heifer carrying the service of AW Statesman 038H. One of 17 outstanding bred heifers selling.

Homozygous Polled DB Free

Quite possibly the best son of Final Test Heifer approved

A high fertility sire with a great disposition Top 2% for CE, BW, SCF, MARB Top 1% for BMI$, BII$

Auctioneer: Eddie Burks

44680530

LJR MSU BELL 75N

P44177977 • AW STATESMAN 038H

Average progeny ratios for BW 93.8, WW 98.2, YW 101.7, REA 101.2, IMF 104.2 Daughters maintain 105 WW ratio

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LJR MSU ESTER 1M

This outstanding daughter of AW Statesman sells bred to Boyd Ft Knox 17Y YZ5 4040.

Live From Louisville

They gathered their crews. They set the stage. The lights turned on, and it was showtime. National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members played a championship tune at “Live From Louisville,” the 26th annual VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), July 12-18.

And it was a show for the books.

More than 700 exhibitors from 41 states and Canada showed 72 steers, 81 bulls, 27 cow-calf pairs, 300 bred-andowned females and 735 owned females on Broadbent Arena’s green chips.

Each year, the JNHE is possible thanks to support from its title sponsor,

VitaFerm. Sponsorships from corporate and breeder partners are vital to the annual success of the event.

Turn through the pages of this section and replay results, moments and stories from the Hereford event of the summer.

Day-to-Day Highlights

Saturday

Call time.

Association (NJHA) members and their families traveled to Louisville, Ky., to set the stage for “Live From Louisville,” the 26th annual VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE). As trailers were unloaded and cattle began resting, Hereford youth put their final touches on preparations for the best week of the summer. Exhibitors and their families were welcomed to the Bluegrass State by American Hereford Association

Sunday

The opening act. The lights were on, and the crew was in place. Sunday marked the official opening night for “Live From Louisville,” with exhibitors checking in their cattle and competing in contests. Attendees started the day by bubbling in Hereford bowl tests and presenting during the public speaking contests, and they completed the night with opening at the tailgate party.

Monday

Live From Louisville

The second installment. The Hereford Youth Foundation of America’s Live 5K Race set the pace for the day, followed by the competitors marking their cards in the livestock judging contest. Attendees

Tuesday

Act three. The cattle show begins. The states’ group-of-three and -five started the show, and Hereford exhibitors rocked the ring in the Sullivan Supply national showmanship contest. The top 10 exhibitors in each age division received vinyl records recognizing their accomplishments in a special ceremony. All the while, a live commentary booth ringside featured special guests, from AHA staff to NJHA alumni.

Day-to-Day Highlights

Wednesday

The headliner. The bred-and-owned female show and top five overall, with support from the GKB Cattle Youth Endowment, headlined the JNHE for the third year. Young Hereford enthusiasts also exhibited steers, cow-calf pairs and bred-andowned bulls, showcasing the power of their personal breeding programs.

The tour is almost complete. Thursday marked the first day of showing owned females. Four members of the NJHA board of directors said their farewells and passed their maroon jackets to the newly elected directors. High-achieving youth received scholarships. The second-to-last day of the show was one for the books.

LShow Champions

Top Five Win Big in Bred-and-Owned Female Show

andry Allan, Nocona, Texas, showed the grand champion bredand-owned female and was the winner of a custom trailer during the VitaFerm®

custom trailers, while third through fifth overall win semen tanks.

Allan’s winning entry, BACC 241 Haley 472, a Nov. 17, 2024, daughter

the reserve grand champion banner. Norvell’s female was a Dec. 4, 2023, daughter of CH High Roller 756 ET, from division X.

Third-overall honors went to Maddie Jenkins, Athens, Texas, with a Feb. 8, 2024, daughter of T/R BPF

Grand and champion division II bred-and-owned female, Landry Allan, Nocona, Texas, with a Nov. 17, 2024, daughter of UPS Sensation 2296 ET.

ET.

Editor’s Note: The EPDs published are reflective of the show date. EPDs in the top 30% of the breed are highlighted. Visit Hereford.org to view current EPDs.

Abbreviations used in expected progeny di erences (EPDs) tables: calving ease (CE), birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), yearling weight (YW), dry matter intake (DMI), scrotal circumference (SC), sustained cow fertility (SCF), maternal milk (MM), maternal calving ease (MCE), mature cow weight (MCW), udder suspension (UDDR), teat size (TEAT), carcass weight (CW), rib fat (FAT), ribeye area (REA), marbling (MARB), baldy maternal index (BMI$), Brahman influence index (BII$), and Certified Hereford Beef index(CHB$).

Hoffman Debbie 4370 ET was named the fourth-overall bred-and-owned and champion division VII female. A March 17, 2024, daughter of Bar JZ On Demand, she was shown by Haxton Hoffman, Thedford, Neb.

Rounding out the top five was Nora Werk, Manhattan, Kan., and Werk Rachael 4100 ET. Werk’s female, a Sept. 8. 2024, daughter of KSU Land

Charlie Boyd Jr. and Blake Boyd, Mays Lick, Ky., evaluated the 300-head bred-and-owned female show.

“I think the greatest asset of this breed is the people. I don’t think there’s any doubt this is one of the most friendly, welcoming and genuine groups of people in the beef business and that is so awesome,” Blake said before the selection of the champion bred-and-owned female.

admire about this breed is how we’ve kept the cattle real-world … in the last five years, I don’t think there’s a breed that can touch the Hereford breed in the progress that it’s made in terms of both phenotype and genotype.”

For full results from the 2025 JNHE, visit Hereford.org.

Show Champions

Hoffman, Pecha Claim Grand Champion Females

Hayden Hoffman, Thedford, Neb., and Marlyn Pecha, Meno, Okla., won the grand champion owned female titles in the finale of the 2025 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), “Live From Louisville,” July 18 in Louisville, Ky.

Cody Sankey, Economy, Ind., and John McCurry, Burrton, Kan., judged the owned female show, evaluating 180 horned females and 555 polled females.

“This lineup will get your blood pumping,” McCurry said before the selection of the horned female champions. “We knew we were going to have good cattle, and we have one more lineup to get through. But boy, you get back out here, and your heart gets to racing, because this is what it’s all about.”

Hoffman exhibited the grand champion horned female, BK Lavish Points 3045L ET, an Oct. 6, 2023, daughter of H The Profit 8426 ET from division VI. Maddie Jenkins, Athens, Texas, and ECR SQCF D87 Luna 424 ET, an April 8, 2024, daughter of KLD RW Marksman D87 ET, claimed reserve grand champion and champion division III honors in the horned female show.

Pecha grabbed the champion polled female banner with BK Ella Mamacita 464M ET, an April 3, 2024, daughter of SR Dominate 308F ET, from division VIII. Haxton Hoffman, Thedford, Neb., showed the reserve grand champion polled female and division IX champion, Hoffman Debbie 4370 ET, a March 17, 2024, daughter of Bar JZ On Demand.

“I have no words. I am just still in shock, I’m beyond thankful for this,” Pecha said. “This has always been a huge dream of mine and to see it come true is just so surreal, and I couldn’t have done it without my family or any of the crew that I also get to call my family.”

The polled female show was sponsored by Stellpflug Cattle Co., Guernsey, Wyo., and Hoffman Ranch, Thedford, Neb. T/R Cattle Co., Glencoe, Okla., sponsored the horned female show.

For full results from the 2025 JNHE, visit Hereford.org

Editor’s Note: The EPDs published are reflective of the show date. EPDs in the top 30% of the breed are highlighted. Visit Hereford.org to view current EPDs.

Hudson and Grady Carter, Stratford, Okla., and Buck Cattle Co., Madill, Okla., claimed top honors in the bredand-owned bull show at the 2025 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), “Live From Louisville,”

“I think it’s big for me, my brother and Carter Cattle,” Hudson said following his win. “It’s a big success for us here, and I’m so excited that I get to share it with my brother and all the people who help us out.”

Live From Louisville

Carter Siblings Win with Grand Champion Bull

The bred-and-owned bull show was sponsored by Cattlemen’s Congress, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Chan Phillips, Maysville, Ky., evaluated the 81-head bull show.

For full results from the 2025 JNHE, visit Hereford.org.

division IV bull, Hoffman Hacksaw ET,

Grand and champion division IV bred-and-owned bull, Hudson and Grady Carter, Stratford, Okla., and Buck Cattle Co., Madill, Okla., with a March 20, 2024, son of SR Dominate 308F ET.

Hoffman Hacksaw ET Reserve grand and reserve champion division IV bred-and-owned bull, Haxton Hoffman, Thedford, Neb., and Vanderwork Herefords, Taloga, Okla., with a Jan. 29, 2024, son of SR Dominate 308F ET.

Show Champions

Heath’s Steer Rises to the Top

T

roy Heath, Cooksville, Md., topped the steer show with Heaths Ace 2424, July 16 in Louisville, Ky., during the annual VitaFerm® Junior National

Fellow Marylander Lane Cady, from New Windsor, claimed reserve grand champion steer and reserve champion division III steer honors with SILO H18

Chan Phillips, Maysville, Ky., evaluated the 72-head steer show.

“It’s been a minute since I judged the steers at Hereford junior nationals. I think the last time I did it was in Sioux

Libby and Peyton Pérez, Nara Visa, N.M., won the cow-calf pair show at the 2025 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), “Live From Louisville,” July 16 in Louisville, Ky.

The Pérez twins claimed the top honor with their champion bred-andowned cow-calf pair, PCC New Mexico Lady 1107 ET, a March 20, 2021, daughter of JDH AH Standout 16G ET. She was shown alongside a November bull calf, by KSU Land Grant 153 ET.

“This is our cow’s second time to Louisville (she showed at the 2022 JNHE as a heifer), and it’s just amazing that she’s made it this far,” Peyton said. “So, we’re really proud of her.”

The reserve grand champion cow-calf pair and champion owned cow-calf pair title went to Hayden Hoffman, Thedford,

Neb., with H BL Lady Bird 3102 ET, a May 12, 2023, daughter of H WMS Thomas County 1443 ET. Her March heifer calf was sired by Stellpflug Great Plan ET.

Kendall and Kade Boatman, Rockford, Ill., showed the reserve champion owned cow-calf pair, MKS 73G 3J Yankee Girl 9L. The pair shown by the Boatman twins is led off by a Jan. 27, 2023, daughter of 77 Pinstripe 76D 73G, with a February heifer calf, by NJW EH 130H 254G Ridge 195K.

In the bred-and-owned cow-calf pair show, Ella Weldon, Piedmont, Okla., showed the reserve champion. A March 8, 2023, daughter of UPS Sensation 2296 ET, Ella Jungle Queen 3010, showed alongside a March bull calf, by RST Final Print 0016.

Live From Louisville

Pérez Twins Top Cow-Calf Pair Show

Charlie and Blake Boyd, Mays Lick, Ky., sorted 27 cow-calf pairs to name their champions. Colyer Herefords, Bruneau, Idaho, sponsored the cow-calf pair show.

“I think it’s evident, with what we’ve seen throughout these classes, why Hereford cattle and the Hereford breed are designated and perceived in the commercial industry as a maternal breed,” Charlie said before the selection of the champion cow-calf pair.

For full results from the 2025 JNHE, visit Hereford.org.

Editor’s Note: The EPDs published are reflective of the show date. EPDs in the top 30% of the breed are highlighted. Visit Hereford.org to view current EPDs.

Grand and champion bred-and-owned cow-calf pair, Libby and Peyton Pérez, Nara Visa, N.M., with a March 20, 2021, daughter of JDH AH Standout 16G ET. Her calf is a Nov. 25, 2024, son of KSU Land Grant 153 ET.

Ella Jungle Queen 3010

Reserve champion bred-and-owned cow-calf pair, Ella Weldon, Piedmont, Okla., with a March 8, 2023, daughter of UPS Sensation 2296 ET. Her calf is a March 10, 2025, son of RST Final Print 0016.

MKS 73G 3J Yankee Girl 9L Reserve champion owned cow-calf pair, Kendall and Kade Boatman, Rockford, Ill., with a Jan. 27, 2023, daughter of 77 Pinstripe 76D 73G. Her calf is a Feb. 10, 2025, daughter of NJW EH 130H 254G Ridge 195K.

Show Champions

California/Nevada, Nebraska Win Group Shows; Pérez

Twins Have Best Produce-of-Dam

National Junior Hereford Association members from across the U.S. brought their best cattle to group competitions July 15-16 in Louisville, Ky., for the annual VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), “Live From Louisville.”

In the group-of-three show, California/Nevada showed the grand champion, and New Mexico exhibited

2025 Hereford Herdsman of the Year, Kari Brumley, Orovada, Nev., evaluated the group classes prior to showmanship.

“As a teacher at heart, I like that the kids have to work together,” Brumley said before selecting the group-of-three champions. “In life, there’s always going to be places where we do have to work as a team, so I like that the states work together to find heifers that go together

Libby and Peyton Pérez, Nara Visa, N.M., showed the grand champion produce-of-dam group, out of PCC

New Mexico Lady 0152. Kynsleigh and Sage Krebs, Gordon, Neb., grabbed the reserve grand champion produce-of-dam group title with two progeny from JCS Miss Buttercup 7296.

Charlie Boyd Jr. and Blake Boyd, Mays Lick, Ky., judged the produce-ofdam groups following the conclusion of the bred-and-owned female show.

For full results from the 2025 JNHE,

Special Awards Given on the Green Chips

The National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) presented members with special awards during the final awards ceremony July 18 at the VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), “Live From Louisville,” Louisville, Ky.

For the fourth consecutive year, Landry Allan, Nocona, Texas, was named premier breeder, and Buck Cattle Co., Madill, Okla., was awarded the adult premier breeder award. Peyton Pérez, Nara Visa, N.M., took home the premier exhibitor banner.

Each year, the Golden Pitchfork award honors a state group for their dedication to stall maintenance and cleanliness throughout the week. The state association that consistently

The GKB Super States contest, sponsored by GKB Cattle, Desdemona, Texas, recognizes two divisions: small states (less than 25 head) and large states (more than 25 head). During the JNHE, members earn points for their state via contest placings and showring standings. This year, Idaho was named the small states division winner, and

presented a clean, uniform and uniquely decorated stall area took home

Retiring NJHA Board

Built for This

Four NJHA board of directors retire after three years of dedicated service.

by Denver Drake

There they stood, the four of them with the spotlight shining upon them, knowing this was the last time. The last time they would stand before the hundreds of junior members they had led for the last three years. The last time they would wear the coveted maroon jacket that held so much pride, dedication and loyalty.

At the 2025 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), Logan McFatridge, Haley Mouser, Isaac Rhode and Kaylee McInvale passed their jackets to four new directors and completed their three years of service to the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) with farewell speeches that left no dry eyes.

For each of them, the maroon jacket represented far more than a title; it was a commitment to lead, to serve and to represent the breed and junior members with integrity. Each brought something

unique to the team: quiet strength for some, contagious energy for others. But together, they shared the same drive to give back to the breed that had given so much to them.

A lasting impact

Retiring chairman Logan McFatridge, Otterbein, Ind., left the crowd struck with emotion as he gave his final words as a director. A second-generation cattle breeder in an area known more for row crops than livestock, his passion for the breed grew quickly, but it was never just about agriculture. For him, it was the people, the purpose and the sense of belonging that became his map to leadership.

“Few people get to wear this maroon coat,” McFatridge says. “It’s just incredible to be a part of the few

McFatridge’s journey began with a love for showing cattle and a desire to connect. Though Otterbein’s livestock scene was small, his dreams were big and never wavered.

“I ran for the board with the theme, ‘One breed, one family,’ because I always thought this breed did feel like a family to me,” McFatridge says. “It’s something I’ve always been super passionate about; I love working with people.”

Known for leading with humility, McFatridge’s impact was felt in the small moments — the fist bumps, the encouragement and the late nights preparing behind the scenes.

“NJHA has given me so many opportunities to speak in front of people, lead and become a better version of myself,” McFatridge says. “The relationships I’ve made will last a

dedication to them.

“They are people I always looked up to as leaders, and really tried to shape myself into,” McFatridge says. “They were really impactful in my life.”

board in 2022 with a deep passion to help lead others toward their dreams.

“I knew regardless of what the competition looked like, I was going to give it my all and put my best foot forward,” Mouser says with a smile. “Looking back now, I received so much more than I gave, and I’m leaving a much different person because of this board.”

Years of doing what he could to put a smile on a junior’s face, while hoping to leave a legacy, led him to his last few moments as a director, when he expressed his immense gratitude for all the NJHA had provided him.

“You carry every moment, every kid you talk to, every early morning and late night. And when it’s time to take it off for the last time, you just hope you made a difference,” McFatridge says.

Passion with purpose

Retiring vice chairman, Haley Mouser, Tenstrike, Minn., is a first-generation cattle breeder who fell in love with the Hereford breed at her first show heifer sale in 2014. She never looked back.

Mouser highlights much of her growth through experiences like delivering the closing keynote speech at the 2024 Faces of Leadership conference. She gives her utmost gratitude to Amy Cowan, American Hereford Association director of youth activities and foundation, for allowing her these one-of-

“When lot 2 walked into the ring, I tugged on my dad’s sleeve and said, ‘Dad, I want that one.’ Her name was Janie, and she came home with us that day,” Mouser says. “I fell in love and that was the start of all of it.”

She vividly recalls attending her first JNHE at age 12 in Madison, Wis. “I was just awestruck. I was completely blown away by all the cattle and all the different accents we heard,” Mouser says. “It was incredible to see the scope of the industry, and I knew that’s something I wanted to be involved in.”

Encouragement from past NJHA directors like Montana Lawrence, Bailey Morrell and Ralston (Ripp) Braden helped Mouser decide to run for the

“I was taken back to being at my first Faces of Leadership when the board felt so untouchable, and now here I was getting to be the closing keynote speaker as a third-year board member,” Mouser says. “That was really special.”

Mouser hopes that her short term of service was able to impact even just one junior, and she hopes to leave a legacy of pure intentionality.

“It’s passion with purpose. Every moment matters and having intentionality in every little action … that’s what I hope this next board carries on,” she says.

For Mouser, the Hereford breed is family. As she concludes her time as a junior, she wants others to remember: “It’s not about showing a champion or the name you have. It’s about your passion for the breed and how you choose to use that.”

A full-circle moment

Isaac Rhode of Stewartsville, Mo., retiring director, grew up in the breed and reflected on not only the last three years, but also on his childhood as well. Since he was old enough to walk into the showring, his life revolved around red-and-white cattle. He marked his retirement with a rare and personal moment — passing his maroon jacket to his younger brother, Gavin.

“To see a sibling hand that jacket off to another sibling is rare,” Rhode says. “It’s something really special for me and my family.”

He continuously expressed his pride for his family and the joy that comes

from watching generations make a difference in the breed.

Rhode’s journey began early in life, inspired by his mother, who also wore the jacket during her junior years. He also had a desire to be part of something bigger.

“My mother grew up in the Hereford industry, and she served on the junior board as well,” Rhode says. “She’s always been my biggest supporter and has encouraged me to get out and be part of pretty cool organizations that are bigger than myself.”

Reflecting on his board experience, Rhode recalls the joy found beyond formal duties, especially the camaraderie on bus rides to events. “I like to bring a lot of energy to the junior board and just have a fun time with the kids, singing karaoke and playing games on the buses,” Rhode says. “Getting to interact with kids on those trips has always been one of my favorite memories.”

Rhode still treasures the moment he received his jacket from past director Noah Benedict in 2022. “It was such a cool moment,” Rhode says. “It showed

In the scavenger hunt portion of the NJHA Meet-Up, retiring NJHA vice chairman, Haley Mouser, works alongside Jacqueline Studer, Frankfort, Kan. For Mouser, the Hereford breed is a family.

missing her connection, he kept her calm and walked her through exactly what to do. Having someone there who cared was incredibly important, and she knew she wanted to do the

I’ve worked very hard, and I’m grateful for everything I’ve been able to accomplish.”

He hopes his legacy will be one of impact and encouragement.

“Whether it’s putting a smile on a kid’s face, giving a hug or a fist bump when someone needs it, that’s what made me proud and happy,” Rhode says. “I’ve been there as a kid who struggled, so I know how important it is to be there for somebody.”

For Rhode, the NJHA has been a place where he grew into himself, built lifelong friendships and had the honor of watching a full-circle moment right before his eyes.

Serving with heart

McInvale explains several people had different small impacts on her that helped her fall in love with the program and its opportunities, explaining that multiple people have helped her get where she is today.

“You never know what small thing is going to make an impact on someone” McInvale says. “Did she smile at me? Did she tell me, ‘Good job?’ That’s so special to these kids.”

One last look

Retiring director Kaylee McInvale, Cumby, Texas, has been showing Hereford cattle since around 2013. Although her JNHE journey didn’t start until 2016, her passion for leadership within the industry was always present.

In McInvale’s first year, she remembers being inspired by the leadership she saw and knew she wanted to follow in their footsteps.

One board member, Steven Green, from Kentucky, made a lasting impression at her first Faces of Leadership conference. When her flight was delayed and she risked

As the four stepped off the stage for the last time, their voices softened, but their impact echoed loudly.

For three years, they gave their time, hearts and leadership to

What a week it was! TO Amy, the entire AHA Staff and Junior Board, THANK YOU for an exciting week filled with HEREFORD magic! CONGRATULATIONS to the juniors on a successful week, your hard work and dedication paid off!

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NJHA Directors Elected

New leaders put on the maroon jacket.

Four National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) directors were selected during the 2025 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), “Live From Louisville.” The newly elected NJHA directors were announced during the Hereford Youth Foundation of America Scholarship, Award and Maroon Jacket Ceremony July 17. Fiftynine state delegates chose these young leaders to serve a three-year term on a team of 12 directors who govern and serve the organization of more than 4,000 members.

After giving their retiring addresses, retiring NJHA board members handed off their jackets to the newly elected directors: Maddie Weaber, Wamego, Kan.; Gavin Rhode, Stewartsville, Mo.; Jordan Mitchem, Vale, N.C.; and Kendall Boatman, Rockford, Ill. Passing their maroon jackets to newly elected directors were retiring board members: previous chairman Logan McFatridge, Otterbein, Ind.; retiring vice chairman Haley Mouser, Tenstrike, Minn.; and directors Kaylee McInvale, Cumby, Texas, and Isaac Rhode, Stewartsville, Mo.

daughter of Bob and Tami Weaber has served on the Kansas Junior Hereford Association board of directors and participated in the Kansas State University Animal Science

Leadership Academy. Maddie also excelled in FFA, where she earned sixth place in the National FFA Agriscience Fair animal systems category. She believes the NJHA has a place for everyone from the showring to the pasture, from becoming a better leader to connecting with like-minded peers. As a candidate for the NJHA board of directors, she explained, “I’m not just running to lead — I’m running to serve, to represent juniors who are passionate about production, education and the future of the beef industry.”

The 2025-2026 NJHA officer team consists of chairman Salem Sifford, Goldvein, Va.; vice chairman Sam Birdsall, Torrington, Wyo.; communications chair Emma Ballinger, McKee, Ky.; membership chair Rylie Meinhardt, Onaga, Kan.; fundraising chair Matt Bruns, North Platte, Neb.; and leadership chair Lauren Gatz, Fairview, Kan. Harlee Watson, Flemingsburg, Ky., and Sarah Beth Callicott, Only, Tenn., also serve as directors alongside the four newly elected board members.

Newly elected directors

Maddie Weaber, a sophomore at Oklahoma State University, is majoring in animal science. The 19-year-old

Gavin Rhode is the 19-year-old son of Jeff and Susan Rhode and is a sophomore at the University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou), where he is majoring in agribusiness management. He has already demonstrated his leadership while serving as the Missouri Junior Hereford

FFA State Secretary. He is also a Mizzou Litton Leadership Scholar. Gavin’s primary goal as a board member is to make a meaningful difference: “Making an impact on each junior I will meet while wearing the maroon jacket will be unique and different, and that difference is what excites me most about

Jordan Mitchem, the 18-year-old daughter of Wayne and Crystal Mitchem, plans to attend North Carolina State University to major in animal science and biochemistry. She has served as president of the North Carolina Junior Hereford Association for the past three years. Jordan earned the Commissioner of Agriculture Award — the highest honor in North Carolina’s 4-H program — and was the 2024 NJHA Fed Steer Shootout contestant of the year in the senior age division. Jordan explains programs offered at the JNHE helped shape her more than any other NJHA opportunity. “I want every Hereford youth to have the same experiences I have had and be prepared to go out and conquer the world,” she says. One of Jordan’s goals as an NJHA director is getting more juniors involved

Live From Louisville

and livestock judging teams. This past summer, she interned with the Animal Agriculture Alliance and Virginia Cooperative Extension. Salem is excited to serve as a voice for members of the agricultural community and youth in the agricultural industry. She has been a member of the NJHA for 14 years, holding several leadership roles. Some of her fondest memories come from the friends she has made within the Hereford industry and the time spent with family along the way. She strives to be someone that youth can look up to and receive encouragement. Her goal within the NJHA is to focus on encouraging juniors to work toward their goals with confidence and dedication.

Kendall Boatman will be a freshman at Lake Land Community College this fall, where she plans to complete an agricultural transfer degree, followed by majoring in agricultural communications and business at a university. Kendall has taken advantage of many NJHA opportunities, including the Building on Leadership Development (BOLD) and Faces of Leadership conferences, the Fed Steer Shootout and Bridging the Gap. She is a 12-year member of the Illinois Junior Hereford Association, where she currently serves as secretary, board member and chairman of the preview show awards committee. The 18-year-old daughter of Tom and Tammy Boatman is a generational Hereford breeder who has deep respect for the people, values and traditions that comprise the NJHA. “Serving on the

NJHA board of directors is my way of giving back to the breed and the people who have shaped my life,” Kendall says. “I want to be part of the team that moves the breed forward by guiding the junior members who represent its future.”

Other directors

Salem Sifford is the 21-year-old daughter of Steve and Rosemary Sifford. She will be a senior at Virginia Tech this fall, majoring in dairy science with minors in agricultural business and animal and poultry sciences. Salem is active in Virginia Tech’s Beef Leadership Council, Dairy Club, Alpha Zeta and Young Farmers. She was a competitive member of the school’s livestock and dairy judging teams. Currently, Salem serves as a teaching assistant for the Virginia Tech dairy

Sam Birdsall is the 20-year-old son of Dennis and Heather Birdsall. He will be a junior at Kansas State University (K-State) this fall, double majoring in agricultural economics and accounting. At K-State, Sam is active in the Collegiate Cattlemen’s Club, the College of Agriculture’s Student Council and the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, where he has helped plan and run the Alpha Gamma Royal Preview Show. He has been an NJHA member for 14 years. Sam looked up to NJHA board members since his first JNHE. He has known he wanted to run for the board for as long as he can remember. Sam’s goal for his time on the board is to inspire NJHA members to dream more, learn more, do more and become more.

Emma Ballinger is the 20-year-old daughter of James and Carrie Ballinger. She will be a junior at the University of Kentucky MartinGatton College of Agriculture, where she is studying agricultural education and advocacy. Emma plans to use her degree to share her passion for agriculture with others and to teach her students the value of agriculture. She is a member of Collegiate Farm Bureau, Ag Ed Society and the Singletary Scholars Cohort. Emma worked for the Kentucky FFA Foundation during the last two semesters,

continued on page 76...

New NJHA Board

...continued from page 75

helping raise funds to impact the lives of future agriculturalists — further highlighting her passion for introducing others to the field of agriculture. As an NJHA member and director, Emma hopes that she can help young people find the courage to be involved in the NJHA and to step out of their comfort zone. Her goal as a director is to make others feel at home and welcome within the Hereford breed.

summer, where he gained hands-on experience in advanced reproductive technologies. Matt plans to combine his interests in genetics and sales to build a career in cattle marketing and reproductive services. He is excited to give back to the association that has shaped his leadership and personal growth and hopes to inspire younger members to get involved and take advantage of NJHA opportunities. Matt’s goal as a board member is to help juniors find their voice and thrive within the Hereford community.

Rylie Meinhardt is the 19-year-old daughter of Bryndon and Julie Meinhardt and comes from a proud agricultural family. She recently completed her freshman year at K-State, where she is pursuing a degree in animal sciences and industry. Rylie is actively involved on campus, serving on the Student Alumni Board and participating in Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT), Block and Bridle, Agriculture Ambassadors and as a mentor in the animal sciences and industry program. Alongside her siblings, Rylie co-owns and operates Redwood Cattle Co., where they raise Hereford and Gelbvieh cattle. She combines her academic focus and strong interest in marketing and communications with her hands-on experience in the beef industry. She is especially passionate about developing leadership skills in junior members, just as past mentors and board members did for her. Rylie values learning from others and is deeply committed to building relationships within the Hereford community.

Matt Bruns is the 21-year-old son of Kelly and Stacie Bruns. He will be a senior at K-State this fall, majoring in animal science with a focus on livestock production and management. He has a strong passion for the purebred cattle industry and is actively involved in the NJHA, as well as in other breed associations. Matt has exhibited at numerous JNHEs and has served in local and national leadership roles. He interned with Boviteq this

Lauren Gatz is the 22-year-old daughter of Taylor and Jennifer Gatz. She graduated from K-State in May, where she majored in agricultural communications and journalism with minors in leadership studies and marketing. At K-State, Lauren was involved in ACT, the Agriculturist magazine and the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She has served internships with the Beef Improvement Federation, American Royal, Cargill and U.S. CattleTrace. Lauren has been an NJHA member for 14 years, holding numerous leadership positions. In addition to her NJHA leadership role, Lauren also serves as the communications director for the Kansas Junior Hereford Association. Lauren’s goal as an NJHA board member is to help juniors find their place within the organization and encourage them to take advantage of the association’s many opportunities. She hopes to contribute to the development of the next generation of leaders and ensure the future success of the Hereford breed throughout her time

involved extensively in the Kentucky Junior Cattlemen’s Association, where she served on the board for several years. Harlee has been a member of the NJHA for 12 years, holding numerous leadership positions, including serving three years as president of the Kentucky Junior Hereford Association. Harlee’s goal as a junior board member is to motivate juniors of all ages to get involved and have fun. She hopes to shine light on the opportunities available and help members develop their leadership skills to grow the Hereford breed and agricultural industry.

Harlee Watson is the 19-year-old daughter of Matt and Melinda Watson. She will be a sophomore at Butler Community College this fall, majoring in agribusiness and competing on the school’s livestock judging team. Harlee is an active member of Collegiate Farm Bureau and the Ag Ambassadors club. She is

Sarah Beth Callicott, 20 years old, is the daughter of Claude and Lee Ann Callicott. She is a junior at Tennessee Tech University, majoring in agricultural education. Sarah Beth plans to turn her passion for agriculture and the beef industry into a lifelong career, teaching and inspiring future generations of agricultural leaders. On campus, she’s an active member of Sigma Alpha, the professional agricultural sorority, and she participates in the Baptist Collegiate Ministry. Sarah Beth also works at a cow-calf operation, gaining valuable experience in beef production, genetic selection and cattle marketing. A proud member of the NJHA for the past seven years, she stepped into the ring of her fifth JNHE this summer. Sarah Beth and her family take pride in raising high-quality Hereford heifers in their operation and are honored to represent the Hereford breed. Wearing the maroon jacket with pride, Sarah Beth hopes to inspire fellow Hereford juniors to find their confidence and strive to become the next leaders of the industry.

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Doug & Mary Perks • Wade & Brie Perks • Tom Boatman (404) 372-6754 • Tammy Boatman (770) 354-4195 tomtammy@perksranch.com • 12526 N. Weldon Road, Rockford, IL 61102

Catalogs mailed on request— please text or email to request your copy. Catalog online at hereford.org. Catalog, videos and updates will also be available at perksranch.com

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BARBER RANCH

Happy Birthday Sure Champ ®

Forty Years Young

Sure Champ celebrates juniors and its birthday.

by Wes Ishmael

Sure Champ® is no stranger to Hereford juniors and their families.

Besides the company’s familiar products many exhibitors use in the quest to give livestock the chance to be their healthiest and most competitive, Sure Champ has long been involved as a key partner in the VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE).

Sure Champ along with the JNHE’s long-standing title sponsor, VitaFerm, are among a family of six brands built and sustained by the same parent company, BioZyme® Inc., headquartered in St. Joseph, Mo.

Sure Champ, VitaFerm and the BioZyme family began sponsoring the JNHE at the 2006 show in Louisville, Ky. A year later their expanded title sponsorship commenced with the first VitaFerm Junior National Hereford Expo. So, they celebrated Sure Champ’s 40th in Louisville, where their sponsorship started, and next year will mark their 20th year of title sponsorship.

BioZyme is a global leader in fermentation. Research-driven preand post-biotics are the foundation of the company’s products and its innovative approach to animal health and nutrition. The company is also a leader in giving back to those who use its products, especially where juniors

Anderson explains Cody Jensen, the BioZyme plant manager, exemplifies the company’s mission in action. Jensen is a fourth-generation Hereford breeder. He’s a past NJHA chairman who worked with and learned from Bob and Lisa while he served on the junior board. Fittingly, Jensen was named the first Bob Norton Excellence Award winner in 2022.

Happy 40th

Sure Champ’s involvement at the 2025 JNHE came with extra luster as the company celebrated its 40th birthday. Though they view themselves as the proverbial small fish in the mammoth pond of livestock supplement manufacturers, Anderson emphasizes

Meet-Up nationwide

Sure Champ expanded its NJHA support this year, becoming the title sponsor of the organization’s Meet-Up program. Grounded in community mentorship, the Meet-Up program gives juniors the opportunity to build connections, collaborate with others across the country and develop lifelong skills.

More than 300 juniors attended the two Meet-Ups during this year’s JNHE. Altogether, the NJHA has hosted five events this year in different parts of the country, with more to come.

“By supporting these Meet-Ups, BioZyme aims to create opportunities for junior Hereford members to connect, build relationships and grow personally and professionally outside of the showring,” Anderson says.

More specifically, she says BioZyme hopes its support helps make possible: stronger peer-topeer networking across the country; mentorship connections between junior members and industry leaders; confidence-building experiences for youth in leadership, communication and collaboration; along with a sense of belonging and support within the Hereford community

Live From Louisville

the next generation of agriculture leaders, while reinforcing Sure Champ’s mission of, ‘Care That Comes Full Circle,’” Anderson says.

Anderson was on the BioZyme team when VitaFerm and Sure Champ first began partnering with the NJHA and the JNHE. She explains the breed’s family culture and values made the relationship one of those perfect fits.

Thanks, Sure Champ, and

Bob Norton Excellence Award

Leaving an Impact

Honoring Bob Norton’s legacy at the JNHE.

by Sydnee Shive

Afirst-generation Hereford breeder, Steven Green, Hodgenville, Ky., embodies the values the late Bob Norton, BioZyme® Inc. CEO, held dear: kindness, hard work and humility.

Green was named the Bob Norton Excellence Award winner during the 2025 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) in Louisville, Ky. A past National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) board chairman and Junior Herdsman of the Year, he owns Green Cattle Co. with his wife, Lauren, and their children, Clay and RaeLynn.

Norton passed away unexpectedly April 13, 2022, and this award honors his legacy by recognizing a former NJHA member who shares Norton’s passion for making the world a better place.

Learning from the best

Green attended his first JNHE in 2010 in Indianapolis, Ind., and was immediately drawn to the NJHA board.

home he shared with his wife, Lisa, who remains a staunch supporter of the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) and JNHE. Green fondly remembers Norton’s kindness and dedication.

“He could light up a room,” Green says. “Some people have an electric personality. That was Bob. He just walks in with a smile and everybody in the room changes.”

Norton played an important role in developing the NJHA’s young leaders, like Green. And like Norton, Green understands how the inside of a barn can develop a young person.

“I noticed those folks with the maroon jackets, and I thought they were pretty cool,” Green says. “A couple years later, we’re in Kansas City, Mo., and I get to talk to them more. I got to be a delegate that year and vote. I made my decision there in Kansas City that I was going to run for the junior board the next year.”

Green didn’t get on the board his first year, but he ran again and as the saying goes — the rest is history. Today, Green is a constant presence at JNHE and other events, whether he is providing advice to NJHA members considering their run for the junior board or fitting a back leg on show day. He believes in giving back due in part to mentors, like Norton, who tirelessly supported youth in agriculture.

Norton advocated for the NJHA and events like the JNHE. He often welcomed the NJHA board into the

“I just think there’s no better place to start with kids than in a barn,” Green says.

Success is a state of mind

Green serves as an example of how the NJHA can shape young people. Through

somebody else,” Green says. “I think that’s helped me a lot in building our program and building our brand. We can’t do this alone. None of us can. And I was fortunate to have some really good mentors early into my Hereford career.”

From speaking at high school career days to providing breeding advice and assisting young Hereford exhibitors — regardless of if their animals carry the Green prefix or not — Green is always reaching out a hand to those that need it.

His method for success is simple. Get involved, work hard and meet people along the way. He encourages other young Hereford breeders to do the same.

“Just work hard and get involved … Find some way that you can make an impact, whether it’s on the local, state or national level. Find some way that you can get out there and connect, network and find a role for you.”

To Green, hard work and success

Taste of a New Tradition

Junior members make lasting connections and memories during the JNHE tailgate party presented by CHB.

by Denver Drake

The tailgate party put Certified Hereford Beef® (CHB) on center stage at the 2025 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), bringing together junior exhibitors and families from across the country to celebrate the breed in a new way. Merging the tailgate with a fresh competition was a way for state members to work together, gain knowledge of the breed and make lasting memories.

Each participating state chose from three cuts of CHB to use in any way they wanted. From sliders and walking tacos to queso, the food was as diverse as the states doing the cooking. Every booth offered something different, and it was all prepared, served and showcased by the juniors themselves, along with their advisors or parents.

Koble Lewis, Oklahoma Junior Hereford Association member, discussed how fun it was to bring the older and younger juniors together, giving him the opportunity to bring other members out of their shell.

Kaytlyn and Easton Harfst, Michigan Junior Hereford Association (MJHA) members expressed their excitement for the tailgate and shared insight on Michigan’s strategic plan for the contest.

“The best part was getting to work with the other members from our state,” Kaytlyn says. “During junior nationals, everyone is so busy, but the tailgate brought us all together.”

The goal was more than just a tasty bite. The competition aimed to spark teamwork, highlight the versatility of CHB and foster camaraderie among state associations. Though competitive in spirit, the event was rooted in unity, providing a chance for states to show off their cooking skills, as well as their state pride.

“One of the biggest reasons I was interested in it was so I could get the little kids to come out and get involved,” Lewis says. “I knew if they saw someone older, they would be more likely to think ‘Hey, I want to be out there doing that too.’ It was really cool.”

Diversity on display

Colorful tents and tables lined the building, each decorated with state

of each team. Excitement, laughs and smiles prevailed as participants tried new dishes and discovered the most unique ones.

Cole Dieball, Kansas Junior Hereford Association member, was shocked to see so many creative ways to bring CHB to the table.

“Texas definitely had the most unique way of using CHB,” Dieball says. “It was street corn with a strip steak, I believe. That was really cool.”

The tailgate brought more opportunities than just the cook-off. Some states, like Michigan, used this time to gain support for their state by promoting their raffle for a full semen tank donated by an MJHA

event as a team. The entire building was overflowing with support for one another and truly represented the heart of National Junior Hereford Association members.

As music played and the crowd moved from booth to booth, laughter and storytelling filled the scene, while a panel of judges walked from tent to tent, sampling dishes and speaking with teams.

For spectators and participants alike, the competition was a celebration of more than just beef; it was a celebration of tradition, innovation and shared roots as they leaned on one another and let loose during a fun-packed week.

“The interactions that I had with other members and getting to hear what they think about our state and others was definitely my favorite part,” Dieball says.

and the fact that they were able to compete together.

Jonathan Harfst, Kaytlyn and Easton’s dad, touched on how seriously Michigan took the importance of the product and the level of the event.

“We did a practice round at home before we came to junior nationals,” Jonathan says. “And just being able to replicate that on a really big level at the event took a lot of organization and caused us, as a state, to really come together, which was a lot of fun.”

Live From Louisville

people, see new things about CHB, learn about the different states and see how they run their operations. I really liked it and hope they continue the cooking competition.”

Though this year marked the first state CHB cooking competition, junior members hope it won’t be the last. The juniors loved the time spent together

While competing was one of the most thrilling parts, most juniors agreed the real reward was the time spent with friends, old and new, the memories made over the grill and the opportunity to learn new things. From cooking to team chats, the tailgate party presented by CHB left a lasting impression on juniors, parents and supporters of the breed.

“It gets more peoples’ attention and brings everyone to the table,” Lewis says. “You get to meet more

The tailgate was a hit all around, but the hearts of the young people brought it to life. Whether flipping burgers or setting up tables, each junior who participated added to a growing legacy of involvement and connection.

“Just being with the Michigan group was my favorite part,” Easton says. “And getting to interact with everyone,” says Kaytlyn, who explains, “At the JNHE you’re busy watching your cattle and don’t really get to stroll through the barns and meet new people, so at the tailgate we really gathered together.”

Juniors walked away from the tailgate with bellies full and hearts fuller, with friendships gained, new skills learned and the satisfaction of being part of something bigger than

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Junior Herdsmen of the Year

Twice as Nice

The Boatman twins named Junior Herdsmen of the Year.

by Katie Maupin Miller

Kade and Kendall Boatman were born into the cattle business. The twins, hailing from Rockford, Ill., cut their teeth at stock shows, sitting in a tractor’s buddy seat and standing chute side. Everything they’ve learned as sixth-generation stockmen honed their junior show careers, so they were chosen by their peers as the Junior Herdsmen of the Year during the VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) in Louisville, Ky.

“Waking up early for a show, staying up late, making hay before a rain or getting up at 1 a.m. to check calvers has evolved into instinct instead of task,” Kade says. “The amount of real-world, hands-on experience I possess is what made me the cattleman I am today.”

Raised in a barn

The Boatman family manages Perks Ranch, a 120-cow registered Hereford operation, in addition to the twins’ cowherd they call 2TK Cattle Co. With a lifetime of experience and generations of knowledge, managing nutrition,

health, reproduction, show and sale prep and facility maintenance has become secondhand to Kade and Kendall.

“My family has never had a nonindustry job, so cattle are how we make our living — they are our lifeline,” Kade says. “When it came to choosing sports or cattle I chose cattle. Or hanging out

Garnering the Herdsman title adds to their family’s industry footprint.

As Kendall noted, the twins’ greatgrandfather, Don Riffel, was named herdsman in 1969, their grandmother, Margarete Riffel, in 1993, and their parents, Tom and Tammy Boatman, were honored in 2015. Family truly

Success doesn’t happen overnight, and hard work, teamwork and doing things the right way matters.

— Kendall Boatman

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without my family. They’ve been the backbone of everything I’ve done in this industry,” Kendall notes. “We all pitch in, whether it’s early mornings in the barn, late nights during calving or getting cattle ready for a sale or show. We’ve learned a lot by working side by side, even though it’s not always easy. At the end of the day, we are a team and it’s not just about the cattle, but it’s about building something together as a family and being there for each other through it all.”

It’s often said that twins share an unbreakable, special bond, and that is certainly the case for Kade and Kendall, who use each other’s strengths to learn from one another.

“We are a team that shares the same passion for working toward our goals, pushing each other to be better and holding each other accountable,” Kendall says.

“I learn from her strengths, and she learns from mine. We push each other to be the best we can possibly be each and every day,” Kade notes.

Attention to detail

Pushing for their absolute best is part of the Boatman twins’ success inside and outside of the showring. Both Kade and

Kendall are quick to note the importance of placing your best foot forward and doing things the right way.

“Gary Buchholz (of GKB Cattle) once told me, ‘You’re presenting a program, not the cattle.’ I have taken it to heart,” Kade says. “You can have the bestpresented cattle in the barn, but if people don’t get a good first impression of you and your program, it doesn’t matter.”

Kendall hopes this philosophy catches the attention of those standing along the rail, observing. “I hope the people ringside can see the sacrifice, time and heart we put into this,” Kendall says. “I want our program to stand out not only because of the cattle, but because of how we present them with care, responsibility and attention to detail. It matters to me that people see we take pride in doing things the right way, from how we feed and fit to how we carry ourselves and treat others.”

for daily or managed with consistency, she won’t live up to her potential,” Kendall says. “Success isn’t just what happens on show day, it’s the result of months of hard work and attention to detail. And to me that’s what separates the good ones from the great ones.”

To the twins, good cattle are foundational breeding pieces that cover the bases. As Kade says: “I hear a lot of kids say they raise show cattle, but I am the complete opposite. I raise good cows first, and having some extra eye appeal for the showring is a bonus.”

He adds that he has a healthy dose of old-school cattle knowledge, which colors the way he selects and presents his stock. “My viewpoints align more with the old cow guys rather than the kids my age. Give me a torch and a set of big shears, and I’ll have 50 head done before other kids pick up a can of Powder’ful,” he says.

Kade and Kendall’s commitment to their cattle program means prioritizing spending hours working on the family’s ranch in Rockford — skipping gatherings with friends or choosing show cattle over sports. Sacrifices the pair willingly makes to present their cattle and their operation in the best possible light.

“You can have the best heifer in the barn, but if she’s not fed correctly, cared

Most importantly though, the twins strive to outlast and outwork their competition. They have a shared grit and tenacity that is apparent from their many champions and their success sorting livestock, which landed them both at Lake Land College this fall as part of the judging team.

As Kendall learned last year at the Faces of Leadership conference, you can’t let a speed bump become an obstacle.

“Life will throw you punches and sometimes you just have to roll with it,” Kendall notes. “Not everything in life is going to work out exactly as you

continued on page 90...

Junior Herdsmen of the Year

planned, but don’t let small challenges get in the way of reaching your goals.”

Future focused

While the twins are still exploring their career goals, both are certain they want to pursue roles in the agricultural industry. Kendall sees herself specializing in agricultural communications or business, and Kade is looking toward agribusiness or animal science options. Both are confident that they will always be involved in the beef industry and the Hereford breed.

“As a sixth-generation Hereford breeder, my roots are deep in the beef business, and they will only grow deeper,” Kade says. “I want to build on my legacy and pass it down to future generations. I know that when I am gone, there will be younger versions of me to tell my story and work toward bigger goals than the ones that I accomplished.”

and work in roles where I can highlight the importance of our industry,” Kendall adds.

The twins marked this trip to JNHE with nearly unprecedented success. Outside of being named Herdsmen of the Year, Kade was recognized as the Walter and Joe Lewis High Point Senior, and Kendall donned the maroon jacket as a newly elected member of the junior board. Still, this honor holds a special place in their hearts, even if Kade is undecided if the Herdsman buckle will take the place of his long-cherished peewee showman one.

“I hope to stay connected to the beef industry, continue raising Hereford cattle

“This award means everything to me. It is a testament that if you always do the right thing, keep working and don’t quit that good things will come your way,” Kade says.

Perhaps Kendall summarizes the twins’ secret to success the best: “Success doesn’t happen overnight, and hard work, teamwork and doing things the right way matters.”

2025 Junior Herdsman Finalists

Lauren Jones, Darlington, Wis., has been rooted in the Hereford breed since day one, attending her first JNHE in 2005 at just 2 years old. A recent graduate of Oklahoma State University, Lauren returned home to take on the role of herdsman at Wildcat Cattle Co., while closing out her junior career.

As a second-generation Hereford breeder, she’s proudly worn the maroon jacket, serving the membership of the NJHA and helping shape the next generation of leaders in the breed.

“I’m humbled to be nominated for this honor, and I owe so much to my family — especially my siblings — for keeping things running while I was away and for always being part of the daily grind,” Jones says. “I’m forever grateful.”

of his life, shaping not only his upbringing but also values and aspirations.

Foster has proudly exhibited Hereford cattle at local, county, state and national levels. In addition to managing the farm, Foster is currently employed by his family’s business, Chem-Tree Service, where he serves as a ground foreman gaining handson experience in team leadership, equipment operation and the day-to-day demands of running a successful service-based business.

Foster Wingler, Christiana, Tenn., is a fourth-generation Hereford breeder, carrying on a proud family legacy as he works alongside his sister to oversee the daily operations of Cedar Forest Farm, a fourth-generation cow-calf operation with a herd of 40 registered Hereford cows. His passion for the Hereford breed began when he attended his first JNHE at 3 months old. Since then, the breed has remained at the center

Madras, Ore., grew up on her family’s operation, Gohr Cattle Co., where she developed a deep passion for livestock and a strong work ethic. Herefords became a key part of the program when Fallon began her junior show career. Since then, she has become a familiar face in the breed, competing at 11 consecutive JNHEs.

Fallon’s experience in the NJHA is marked by consistency, leadership and growth. She has earned multiple top 10 finishes in showmanship, including the 2022 intermediate showmanship championship and, most recently, the 2024 senior showmanship title.

Fallon is entering her second year at Linn-Benton Community College, where she competes on the livestock judging team.

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Layers of SUCCESS

The first half of 2025 has been memorable, not only for our family, but for our trusted customers as well. We invite you to inquire on the genetics we have available and add another layer of success to your program.

BK ELLA MAMACITA 464M ET

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BK ELLA MERCY ME 465M ET

Sire: SR Dominate 308F ET • Dam: BK CMCC Jungle Cat 149J ET Owned by Maddox Montano, TX

2025 Grand Champion Horned Female, Texas Youth Expo

Sold in the Buck Cattle Co. Fall Premier Sale

ELLA MISS KITTY 4014ET

Sire: SR Dominate 308F ET • Dam: BK CMCC Jungle Cat 149J ET Owned by Rett Blume, SD

2025 5th Overall Female, South Dakota Junior Hereford Association Field Day

2025 Reserve Grand Champion, South Dakota Summer Spotlight Sold in the Callahan Cattle Co. The Next Chapter Sale

ELLA JUNGLE SUGAR 4013 ET

Sire: SR Dominate 308F ET • Dam: BK CMCC Jungle Cat 149J ET Owned by Ella Weldon, OK

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Advisors of the Year

Servant Leadership

NJHA Advisors of the Year lead what they teach.

by Wes Ishmael

Leading by example might sound trite, but seen in action, it continues to be powerfully effective. This year’s National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) Advisors of the Year, Jeff and Susan Rhode, Stewartsville, Mo., are a crystalline example.

“Serving the role of a junior advisor, you must have a love and a passion for what it means to have the responsibility of helping guide kids. The big thing is getting people to understand the value of servant leadership,” Susan says.

“In agriculture, it’s something we have to do, and we have to provide that guidance and those examples to our kids,” she explains. “If you want the honor of being in agriculture, servant leadership is part of the equation. Serving as an advisor was an opportunity to do that.”

Jeff and Susan were advisors to the Missouri Junior Hereford Association for six years before retiring last year. Both grew up in beef seedstock families — Susan with polled Hereford and Jeff with Angus. Their parents encouraged their involvement in junior breed associations, 4-H and FFA.

“Our parents were adamant about getting us involved in organizations that gave us opportunities to learn and grow,” Susan explains. “Being involved and making your family bigger than your hometown is important.”

She shares the same advice for families with juniors just getting started.

“The value of being involved in showing livestock goes well beyond livestock. It’s about what the programs teach your children. It’s the opportunity they have to be part of an organization like the NJHA,” Susan explains. “How many head you lead out, what they cost or where they stand in class doesn’t matter. Do it for your kids. Your family

of the equation. Serving as an advisor was an opportunity to do that.

— Susan Rhode

will benefit, and your family will never regret it.”

Full circle

Susan was chair of the National Junior Polled Hereford Council in 1993. She won the National Junior Merit Scholarship the previous year, which provides travel to a Hereford operation anywhere in the U.S. She went to Rogue River Ranch in Oregon, which had purchased her reserve grand champion bred-and-owned heifer in the national sale as a bred heifer. “I wanted to go see an operation that had invested in my genetics,” she says.

She worked for the American Angus Association for a decade, before moving

Angus Association before Susan lured him to Missouri.

While the family raises and exhibits both breeds now, she explains her boys showed Herefords first because they could start a year earlier than was possible with Angus.

Given the heritage, it’s not surprising to see how their sons, Isaac and Gavin, have been so involved in NJHA and the VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE).

The Rhode brothers took three head to this year’s JNHE and stood in the middle of every class, but Susan says it was one of the family’s best-ever junior nationals. They got to watch Isaac retire from the NJHA board, handing his maroon jacket to his brother, who was elected to the board, and be named Advisors of the Year.

“It was a complete surprise to us,” Susan explains. “The honor is great, but being nominated by the kids is the real honor. I hope I’ve inspired a kid to be an advisor in the future.”

Team Fitting

Team Fitting Champions Crowned

Top youth fitters went head-to-head

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Champion Senior Showman More Than a Dream

Fifth-generation

by Denver Drake

THereford breeder named champion senior showman.

he arena, full of people and beaming lights, suddenly felt silent and empty as Aidyn Barber stood in the ring, her heart pounding and tears welling. She watched as the judge reached out and shook the hand of the only other exhibitor standing in the ring and then it hit her. She had just won senior showmanship at the VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE). The dream she’d carried for years had just become a reality.

“I started crying in the ring when I realized I was in the top three, but when I won it, I was honestly just in shock,” Barber says. “I couldn’t believe that just happened. It was always a goal of mine, but I never expected to win it my first year. It’s really a dream come true.”

Barber is an 18-year-old, fifth-generation Hereford breeder from Channing, Texas, whose family has more than 120 years rooted in the redand-white cattle she grew up loving. Her family’s nationally recognized Barber Ranch was established in 1904 and built by generations of commitment, hard work and passion for good cattle.

You know, it might not go your way one day, but if you keep working and you keep improving, eventually it will.

— Aidyn Barber

Bryden was also in the top 10 during his four years as a senior.

After years of traveling across the nation, show stick in hand, her dreams never wavered. This summer, one of the most prominent came true.

“Honestly, it’s something you work your whole show career toward,” Barber says. “It’s years of working to perfect every little thing and having a presence in the ring.”

Barber’s older siblings, Rylee and Bryden, inspired her work ethic and have always been her greatest supporters. Rylee made the top 10 all four years of her senior showmanship career and is a past champion herself.

When Barber entered the ring this year as a first-time senior, those family milestones lingered in the back of her mind, though she never expected to take home the champion banner.

“Going into this week, I had no expectations,” Barber says. “I feel like that’s why I did so well. I went into the ring and did my thing. There was no pressure.”

Becoming reality

Following the selection of the top 10 showmen, Barber ran to her stalls

“I didn’t make it out of my showmanship heat last year in the intermediate division,” Barber says. “But no matter how wild or unreachable something seems to obtain, you can do it if you put your mind to it.”

A loss can be difficult to work past but she credits much of her success to them. Without losses, the wins can feel routine, almost expected. However, perseverance and dedication regardless of the outcome is what truly matters.

“You know, it might not go your way one day, but if you keep working

and you keep improving, eventually it will,” Barber says. “People watch the way you react when you win and when you lose. It really matters.”

Standing quietly at the stalls, a flood of emotions hit her: gratitude, nervousness, hope. There were still hours before the final drive and the fitting contest, but the energy was already building. Instead of letting it overwhelm her, Barber leaned on those who had always guided her. She picked up a pair of clippers and began practicing.

She knew the competition was tough. Senior showmanship at the JNHE brings together the very best — exhibitors who have grown up in the ring, fine-tuned their skills for years and represented families from across the country. Barber was confident in herself and what she knew she could do, but she wanted to feel ready.

Before she stepped back into the ring for that final drive, she carried not only the lessons from the barn, but the legacy of those who had walked before her.

“I have learned that it’s about the people you meet along the way,” Barber says. “It’s not always about the win, but those who are in your corner. They’re always there.”

To calm her nerves and sharpen her focus, she began fitting on the back legs of a few heifers, surrounded by people who had stood in the same spot. She turned to trusted mentors and peers like Tar Tut, Dylan Kottkamp, her siblings, Rylee and Bryden, and her uncle, Justin Barber, who were each a former senior showmanship finalist. They gave her encouragement, last-minute tips, and most importantly, belief.

A family tradition

Barber Ranch was more than represented in that ring. It was entwined in every moment. In 1904, Barber’s great-grandpa, James Benjamin Brown, traveled to Texas from Kentucky to begin the ranch. In the ’50s, they transitioned from commercial Hereford cows to registered Hereford cows. From there, Brett Barber, Aidyn’s dad, brought in polled genetics from Michigan State University in the 1990s and has continued to raise high-quality Herefords on the same land. But the legacy isn’t just in the cattle — it’s in the values passed down.

Live From Louisville

“To see all of the hard work they’ve put in and continue to put into our operation, and to see the success it has today, is just unreal to me,” Barber says. “They are a couple of my biggest role models.”

Watching her grandmother show up day after day has instilled something unshakable in her: the understanding that success is built, not given and that the people who stay the course, no matter their age or circumstance, are the ones who build legacies that last.

Her grandparents, Mary and Dale Barber, at nearly 80, still work cattle on the ranch. Their quiet strength and steady presence are woven into every corner of Barber Ranch, and Barber says her grandparents work ethic and commitment to the family legacy are part of what drives her to succeed.

For as long as Barber can remember, the barn has been her second home. Countless nights are spent brushing, practicing showmanship and washing calves under the hot Texas sun. She says that consistency and those everyday efforts mattered more than any single win.

Though she credits much of her knowledge and success to her family, Barber also shared appreciation for others, like Robyn Samsel, who helped shape her journey. Samsel, a former herdsman at Barber Ranch, helped teach her the value of loving and caring for the animals, regardless of how they perform in the ring.

“She’s kind of made me into the showman I am today,” Barber says. “She’s played a big part in allowing me to be with my cows the way that I am.”

Building a future

Even more than the buckle or the banner, Barber says what she’ll carry with her is the character she built getting to that moment. She emphasizes to younger showmen that wins aren’t everything because what really matters is how you lose, how you grow and how you treat people.

That attitude has already made an impact within the industry and will only continue to do so. As the outgoing Texas Junior Hereford Association president, Barber has spent the last year serving younger exhibitors, encouraging them to build friendships and show with purpose. Her goal is to leave a legacy, not of winning, but of welcoming and guiding others into the industry she loves.

“As I get older, I have such an appreciation for what the Hereford

continued on page 100...

Champion Senior Showman

...continued from page 99 breed does for the youth,” Barber says. “I want to carry on a legacy that your wins don’t define you, but who you really are inside does.”

As she attends Texas Tech University this fall to major in animal science with a minor in agricultural communications, Barber already sees how this experience will shape her future. She hopes to pursue a master’s degree in agricultural business and eventually raise her own children in the breed she grew up in.

She plans to someday start her own cattle operation and continue the Barber legacy in her own way. Whether it’s in the showring, on the ranch or in the classroom, she plans to remain an advocate for the Hereford breed and for the youth of agriculture.

More than a win

As soon as the judge shook Barber’s hand, she fell into a hug that said so much more than a ‘thank you.’ It represented the pride and genuine love she has for not only the showring, but for her cattle. She then turned to Paige Lemenager, reserve champion senior showman and wrapped her arms around her while expressing how proud she was. Stepping out of the ring, overwhelmed with emotion, came a flurry of more tears, phone calls and disbelief.

“I gave Paige a hug right away,” Barber says. “I have a great deal of respect for her, and I think she’s an awesome human being who works so hard and definitely deserves it.”

This year’s showmanship win marks a full-circle moment, not just for her, but for her entire family. From watching her sister win years ago to now standing in that same spotlight, she is both a product of her family’s legacy and a new chapter in their story.

She knows there will be more rings to step into, more cattle to halter-break and more juniors to mentor. But for now, she’s soaking in the moment.

“I still don’t think it’s really hit me,” Barber says. “It’s a memory I’ll carry forever, and a dream come true.”

To the young showmen watching from the stands or dreaming from home, she wants them to know this: “Don’t let one tough show — or even one tough year — discourage you. The people who keep showing up, keep working hard and keep loving their animals are the ones who go far.”

Barber quickly ran to Rylee and Robyn for a hug and then grabbed her phone to call her grandmother. Winning means so much more to her than the title itself; it’s clearly about the moments before and after.

For the Barbers, raising and showing cattle is more than a competition, it’s a way of life. From the moment she could walk a heifer into the ring, Barber has been surrounded by people who exemplify passion, dedication and humility. Although winning senior showmanship in her first year as a senior is a storybook moment, it’s only the beginning of her story.

Barber’s story proves that success is built on attitude, work ethic and heart. Sometimes, dreams don’t take years to come true. Sometimes, they show up sooner than expected, but exactly when they’re earned.

“Yes, we’re showing cows, but it’s about so much more than that,” Barber says. “It’s not always about who’s standing at the backdrop. It’s the memories, the friendships, the connections — and it’s those dreams that you never let go of.”

Showmanship

Barber Wins Top Honors in Senior Showmanship Contest

idyn Barber, Channing, Texas, took home top senior showmanship honors July 15 at the 2025 VitaFerm Junior National Hereford Expo, “Live From Louisville,” in Louisville, Ky. Paige Lemenager, Hudson, Ill., claimed reserve senior showmanship honors. Sullivan Supply and Stock Show University, Dunlap, Iowa, sponsored the national showmanship contest. Grimmel Schaake Cattle Co., Manhattan, Kan., sponsored the senior showmanship finals and trophy for the grand champion.

joined the pair to judge the top-10 finals, which featured a fitting contest.

Rounding out the top 10 senior showmen were third-place, Lauren Jones, Darlington, Wis.; fourth-place, Kade Boatman, Rockford, Ill.; fifthplace, Beau Ann Graves, Chillicothe, Mo.; sixth-place, Harrison Roberts, Williamsburg, Mass.; seventh-place, Cally Miller, El Dorado, Kan.; eighthplace, Rylee Stockdale, Dayton, Pa.; ninth-place, Morgan Fuhriman, Parma, Idaho; and 10th-place, Carly Wheeler,

Taos Heck, Fitzhugh, Okla., was selected champion peewee showman, Burlington, N.Y., was reserve champion

“It means everything to me; all the long hours, early mornings, late nights, it all just comes together,” Barber said after her win.

Brother-sister duo Ty Bayer, Ringle, Wis., and Callie Spengler, Cascade, Iowa, sorted through 120 senior showmen to find their top-10 finalists. The 2025 Hereford Herdsman of the Year, Kari Brumley, Orovada, Nev.,

In the intermediate division, Elayna Aue, Auburndale, Wis., was named the champion showman, and Jase Beltz, Canton, Kan., took home the reserve

Templeton, Calif. champion buckle.

Ella Weldon, Piedmont, Okla., claimed the junior division champion title, followed by reserve champion Chesney Prinz, West Point, Neb.

and Adalynn Blankenship, West peewee showman.

Bayer and Spengler also judged the intermediate showmanship contest.

the peewee and junior showmanship and Stock Show University national showmanship contest boasted a total of

Father-daughter duo Bob May, Mineral Point, Wis., and Lauren May, Stillwater, Okla., evaluated competitions. The Sullivan Supply 599 showmen.

“It is never luck. It is the work that you put in, so please continue to put in the work,” Brumley said prior to selecting the top 10 senior showmen.

“We need kids like you.”

Common Ground

Former NJHA member uses lessons learned in the showring on the volleyball court.

by Sydnee Shive

It’s hard to think of Nebraska without thinking of corn, cattle and the dominant Husker volleyball team. Fletcher Larsen, a native of Valentine, Neb., grew up showing cattle in a state that loves its college volleyball team so much they set the women’s sporting event attendance record in 2023 — 92,003, to be exact — during a Wednesday night match.

So, when the opportunity presented itself to join the volleyball team at Kansas State University (K-State) as a student manager, he thought, “Why not?”

After working as a student with the K-State volleyball program for more than three years, the former National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) member was promoted to director of operations following his graduation in May with his bachelor’s degree in agricultural technology management.

Now, instead of spending his summers in the barn, he finds himself organizing schedules and team travel, tracking team statistics and ensuring the day-to-day operations of the K-State volleyball team run smoothly.

In his element

As the K-State volleyball team’s director of operations, Larsen helps manage everything from schedules and meals to team travel, along with being the team statistician, something unique to his role. He attends practices and helps plan game days. He enjoys the competitive spirit that comes with being so hands-on with a Division I volleyball team.

“I like to be involved and be around the sport every day,” Larsen says. “With the high-level athletes constantly competing, it’s really cool to see that day-to-day aspect and be

Larsen’s route to his current position began with a hometown connection — a mom of one of the players on the university’s volleyball team was his mom’s best friend in high school.

“I was at that point in my college career where I felt like I had classes figured out, and I wanted to start a job or find something to do to fill some more time. I found out from a friend on the team that they had manager positions open. Growing up in Nebraska, volleyball is pretty prominent. You can’t help but pay attention,” Larsen says. “And that piqued my interest. I thought, ‘Well, maybe this would be something to try.’”

behind-the-scenes, because not many people get to see it from this view.”

As he’s attended games and events across the U.S., he’s continued to learn and build relationships.

“Similar to showing, I’ve met people that have a connection to big time volleyball, like staff that were part of the Nebraska national championship team. Also, our head coach won and was part of many Final Four runs,” Larsen says. “Being able to connect with a variety of people across the country has been one of the coolest parts of my experience.”

When Larsen originally started his part-time job, he didn’t envision becoming full-time.

“I really didn’t know where it was going to take me,” Larsen says. “It was a great avenue for me to spend some time doing something different, and it came with a scholarship. It just kept growing and evolving.”

At home with Hereford

Larsen started showing cattle at 11 years old and bought his first Hereford heifer in 2015. While his current career isn’t agriculturally focused, he’s undoubtedly a product of youth livestock organizations.

He’s been involved in both the NJHA and American Junior Simmental Association, along with the Nebraska Junior Hereford Association. His summers were spent at junior nationals like the VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), exhibiting cattle across the country and connecting and working with other exhibitors.

Having to take care of something that doesn’t take care of itself really teaches you to think of something else’s needs before your own. That taught me that every detail matters.

Managing a volleyball team isn’t unlike maintaining a string of show cattle or a cowherd. Instead of feeding, rinsing, brushing and making management decisions, there are other details to keep in mind and benchmarks to reach.

“Having to take care of something that doesn’t take care of itself really teaches you to think of something else’s needs before your own,” Larsen says. “That taught me that every detail matters.”

Larsen remains connected to the livestock industry through his own operation, Fletcher Livestock, with help from his brother, Lex, and his mom and dad, Kris and Scott. They work with

other breeders, like the Hoffman family, also of Nebraska, to get their cattle into barns for other junior exhibitors. He raised a reserve division champion at this year’s JNHE, to boot.

“Something I really enjoy is the breeding of livestock and seeing how things work in different matings along with getting them sold to a family that loves the breed as much as we do,” Larsen says.

Making it matter

From Faces of Leadership to team fitting and showmanship, Larsen competed in and out of the showring. He uses those lessons learned in the barn — like teamwork, planning, responsibility, timeliness and a strong work ethic — every day.

— Fletcher Larsen

“Every minute matters. You have to take care of the responsibilities in front of you and also make sure you’re paying attention to the details around you,” Larsen says. “That’s helped me grow into this position, where we have immediate things that need to get done, like meals and the practice schedule. But I also have to be looking further ahead. Our fall travel schedule requires planning and coordination several months in advance, with all the different locations and teams we will play.”

A successful team doesn’t revolve around one person. It takes planning, delegating, communicating and buy-in from everyone on the team. Every detail counts. And Larsen’s experience as a young Hereford breeder makes him a unique asset.

“You can’t do everything by yourself,” Larsen says. “That’s something that has really stuck with me and that I’ve had to apply, especially here. There are so many different aspects between travel, schedules and managing a team of 17 players, five coaches and 10 support staff.”

Larsen hopes to continue building the K-State volleyball program into a destination for young athletes. For those NJHA members just beginning their college careers, whether traveling two hours or 12 hours from home, Larsen says not to be afraid of stepping outside your comfort zone.

“Don’t be afraid to get involved in different things. Try it. You never know who you might meet and where it might take you. You’ll never know what opportunities exist for you if you don’t take that chance.”

THYFA 5K Race Results

Dash to the Finish Line

hirty runners of all ages hustled to the finish line July 14, in the Hereford Youth Foundation of America’s (HYFA) Live 5K Race, at the annual VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), “Live From Louisville.”

For the second consecutive year, Trevor Crutcher, Montrose, Ill., was the fastest overall runner, crossing the finish line first in Louisville, Ky.

In the male 14-and-under division, Crayton Chapman, Seneca, Ill., claimed first place. Gabe Crutcher, Montrose, Ill., was second, and third was Cooper Acheson, Wichita, Kan.

Taking first place honors in the female 14-and-under division was Gentry Gudel, Wilton, Calif. Second place went to Cora Belle Chapman, Seneca, Ill., and Kennedy Hoffman, Thedford, Neb., placed third.

Rhett Lehman, Sullivan, Ill., claimed first place in the male 15-30 division. William Faust, Waskom, Texas was second, and Clay Lawrence, Kite, Ga., took third.

In the female 15-30 division, first place went to Cadence Harris, Salado, Texas. Kynsleigh Krebs, Gordon, Neb., placed second, and third was Sarah Kate Childs, Ripley, Miss.

Paul Jones, Blue Mounds, Wis., earned first place in the male 31-and-over division. Second-place honors went to Matt Harris, Salado, Texas, while third went to Toby Bialzik, Radcliff, Ky.

Kristin Broadwick, Elkhart, Ind., was the winner of the female 31-andover division, and second place was Julie Mears, Cleveland, Ala.

All proceeds from the event support HYFA’s mission of strengthening its pillars of education, leadership, scholarship and research. Grand Meadows Farm, Ada, Mich., sponsors the HYFA 5K each year during the JNHE. The National Junior Hereford Association and HYFA are grateful for the steadfast support of Grand Meadows Farm and their dedication to building a pipeline of future leaders.

“The HYFA 5K at the JNHE is synonymous with the Bielema family’s Grand Meadows Farm,” says Amy Cowan, American Hereford Association director of youth activities and foundation. “The 5K sets the stage for an exciting week filled with competition and comradery. We can’t thank Grand Meadows Farm enough for their continued support of the event.”

Queen Service Project Delivering Hope

National Hereford Queen’s service project offers comfort to cancer patients.

by Katie Maupin Miller

Kindness doesn’t have to be complicated, says National Hereford Queen, Nataleigh Belcher. Her queen’s service project proved just that. Belcher asked National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members and their families to bring small, comforting items, such as fuzzy socks, lotion, candy, journals and crossword puzzles to the VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) in Louisville, Ky. There, JNHE participants helped prepare and pack Courage Kits for cancer patients, including these comforting items along with colored bookmarks and handwritten notes of encouragement. NJHA members and their families packed more than 200 Courage Kits during the week, which will deliver hope to those battling cancer around the country.

To Belcher, this is the ultimate act of service. “It’s not about grand gestures or elaborate plans; it’s about genuine connection and showing someone they matter,” she says.

Personal experience

surround people with love during tough times.

“I believe this is a significant reason why I’m so passionate about ensuring others feel seen, supported and not alone in their struggles,” Belcher notes. “It taught me that even in the face of immense adversity, there’s always an opportunity to offer kindness and make a difference.”

Belcher sees each hand-packaged gift as a reminder that there are people who care about your struggles and surround you with love.

Belcher was inspired to create Courage Kits through her family’s experience with cancer. When she was just 2 years old, her mom was diagnosed with stage IV leukemia.

“Watching her go through that and seeing how much love and support helped her stay strong inspired me to find a way to do the same for others,” Belcher says.

Her mom’s battle with cancer profoundly shaped Belcher into the young lady she is today. By watching her mom fight cancer, she learned firsthand what true strength and unwavering faith look like, and the experience left her with a deep sense of compassion and resilience along with an unrelenting calling to

“This project is my way of giving back and saying, ‘Hey, we’re in this with you,’” she says. “It also shows how strong the Hereford family really is. No matter what, we show up for one another and help.”

Spreading kindness

Belcher was impressed with how many NJHA members participated in the project. As she says, she learned people are incredibly kind when offered ways to help. She has also seen the power of small things, such as a handwritten note or fuzzy socks, which have brought such comfort to those battling cancer.

“Most of all, this project showed me that young people really can lead and make a difference, especially when it comes from the heart,” Belcher adds.

across the country to share hope and love with someone who needed it.”

Belcher also hopes that the Courage Kit project shared the spirit of kindness across the country after a banner week in Louisville.

“I think it’s so important for young leaders to realize that leadership isn’t about a title or awards,” she notes. “It’s about using your voice and your heart to help others. When we give back, we create a ripple effect. You never know how one small act of kindness could change someone’s life and make them want to give back. It truly starts with us.”

The more than 200 Courage Kits were dispersed across the country. Belcher brought several back to Georgia to hand out at the same cancer clinic that helped heal her mother.

“That moment felt full circle and incredibly special,” she says. “The rest of the kits were shared with queens and families from different states, so they could carry them home and deliver them to cancer clinics in their own communities. This wasn’t just about one place, it became a way for people all

Ultimately, Belcher hopes the Courage Kits serve as a reminder for not only the recipients, but the many JNHE participants that came together to create them — a reminder that even on the hardest days you’re not alone, and you can always find comfort in simple things. She was reminded of that as she handed out the Courage Kits in her local cancer center.

“It’s hard to describe what it feels like, watching someone open something so simple, yet so full of love,” Belcher says.

Division and Class Placings

Bred-and-Owned Division

Class 001 — Calved 2/11/2023 to 5/1/2023

4 head shown

1. Ella Weldon, Piedmont, Okla., with Ella Jungle Queen 3010 by UPS Sensation 2296 ET. 2. Emma Lynn, Purcell, Okla., with ERL Ms Spice Fancy 2303 ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET. 3. Morgan Riley, College Grove, Tenn., with Banner MPR Huckleberry 2315 by CH High Roller 756 ET.

Class 002 — Calved 1/17/2020 to 11/30/2022

6 head shown

1. Libby and Peyton Pérez, Nara Visa, N.M., with PCC New Mexico Lady 1107 ET by JDH AH Standout 16G ET. 2. Kiera and Kinsley Bremer, Fullerton, Neb., with EF Lady Queen K17 by KJ BJ 58Z Contender D56 ET. 3. Kya

Cow-Calf Pairs

Rhodes, Ada, Okla., with TFRKR Ruby & Buckles 2291ET by TFR KU Roll The Dice 1326.

Class 006 — 972-1,088 pounds

5 head shown

1. Preslie Ivy, Seguin, Texas, with BF Ward 743 Ferdinand 458M by CRR About Time 743. 2. Cooper, Madelyn and Wyatt Weaber, Wamego, Kan., with DSM Manny 412M by PCC 6002 66589 Mandate 0189 ET. 3. Sedona and Salem Sifford, Goldvein, Va., with RCF SXS Kay’s Seagram M812 by Boyd

Owned Division

Class 003 — Calved 3/15/2023 to 5/26/2023

5 head shown

1. Hayden Hoffman, Thedford, Neb., with H BL Lady Bird 3102 ET by H WMS Thomas County 1443 ET. 2. Jarrett Worrell, Mason, Texas, with T/R 1816 Faye 25L ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET. 3. Rhett Day, Telford, Tenn., with MJC GFJ Savannah’s Luna 4L ET by Loewen Genesis G16 ET.

Class 004 — Calved 1/17/2023 to 2/22/2023

7 head shown

1. Kendall and Kade Boatman, Rockford, Ill., with MKS 73G 3J Yankee Girl 9L by 77 Pinstripe

Steers

Class 007 —1,152-1,199 pounds

8 head shown

1. Cooper Miller, Newcastle, Wyo., with DCLL Cracker Jack 26M by AH JDH Cracker Jack 26U ET. 2. Eva McBride, Gardiner, Maine, with KESL Gumby 81M by FTZS Dignified 104J. 3. Brinley, Danica and Jalyn Davis, Maple Hill, Kan., with Brookwood Wildcat 417 by Brookwood WAM Historic 208.

Class 008 —1,205-1,235 pounds

76D 73G. 2. Khloe Toelle, Burwell, Neb., with TKCC Miss Diva 301 by CH High Roller 756 ET. 3. Olivia Walsh, DeGraff, Minn., with WF 174H Polly 21L by Harvie OVHF Hudson ET 174H.

Class 005 — Calved 1/8/2018 to 12/15/2022

6 head shown

1. Brooke and Elayna Aue, Auburndale, Wis., with Wildcat Clementine 2117 ET by ECR 628 Ivys Advance 8923 ET. 2. Owen McArthur, Pittsford, Mich., with BF 858H Mimosa 2204 by KJ 482Y Leader 858H ET. 3. Natalie and Nathan Liston, Seville, Ohio, with KH JLCS 15E Ruby 5G K75 ET by AH JDH Munson 15E ET.

Chapman, Seneca, Ill., with JBC 1106 5213 Irvin 4316 by PCC 7028 308F Encanto 1106 ET. 3. Landon Fix, Shelbyville, Ind., with RB ABC Marlin 423M by GGSC MGS Ladies Man H09 ET.

Class 009 —1,240-1,279 pounds

8 head shown

1. Jorja Ebert, Polo, Mo., with JRE Pony Boy 2405 ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET. 2. Clayton Heins, New Salem, N.D., with CJH George 453 by Land Bourbon 2042ET.

Division II

Class 010 — 1,290-1,299 pounds

8 head shown

1. Kylie Gillespie, Toulon, Ill., with Purple Digger 48M ET by FTZS Dignified 104J.

2. Colton Davisson, Calamus, Iowa, with Storey Steve 36M by MYO 559 On Time 927 ET.

3. Riley Bohrer, Damascus, Md., with GGSC Willie 23M by RW KLD Ruger 109 7029 ET.

Class 011 —1,300-1,329 pounds

8 head shown

1. Brayson Mayo, Scott City, Kan., with KJS CHEZ Mr Red 4786M by MH 708 Red Time 042. 2. Addison Young, Lexington, Ill., with YCC Mr D. A. Hopwood 2410 by YCC Mr Forrest 2296 2207. 3. Delaney and Tyree Figge, Onaga, Kan., with FBF Rugers Fred 4964 by FBF Ruger Bandit 1674.

Class 012 — 1,365-1,358 pounds

7 head shown

1. Riggin Goings, Royal Center, Ind., with RGR Shaka 15M ET by SULL TCC Mr Roy Who 5973C ET. 2. Kinsley Gillig, Blue Rapids, Kan., with DNTN SH/DD Ace 402M ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET. 3. Emma Davisson, Calamus, Iowa, with SEL Monte 408M by PERKS 0003 Easy Money 4003.

Division I

Class 016 — Calved 2/2/2025 to 3/16/2025

3 head shown

1. Tava Gustafson, Junction City, Kan., with TG 2135 Draft Timmy 5118 by G 83G Draftman 2135. 2. Timber Hula, Creston, Neb., with HH Landman 5025 by DVOR 619G 934 Expedition 1154J. 3. Gunner Whitehead, Townsend, Del., with WCC Onyx by TH Frontier 174E.

Class 017 — Calved 1/2/2025 to 1/22/2025

Division III

Class 013 — 1,365-1,398 pounds

8 head shown

1. Troy Heath, Cooksville, Md., with Heaths Ace 2424 by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET.

2. Lane Cady, New Windsor, Md., with SILO H18 Bubba 2405 ET by BK Red River H18 ET.

3. Easton Harfst, Battle Creek, Mich., with HC Electric 403 by SCG Showtime No Limit 111ET.

Bred-and-Owned Bulls

Division II

Class 018 — Calved 11/2/2024 to 12/28/2024

9 head shown

1. Libby and Peyton Pérez, Nara Visa, N.M., with PCC 1107 153 Land Grant 4425 by KSU Land Grant 153 ET. 2. Hannah Pembrook, Beggs, Okla., with HP Dandy Man 4444 by JA L1 Domino 008H. 3. Kylie Hurd, Ranger, Ga., with MTM KH 125 913 Del Rio 407 by MTM G16 Lesko Brandon 125 ET.

Live From Louisville

Class 014 — 1,400-1,441 pounds

5 head shown

1. Ella Deford, Jarrettsville, Md., with GGSC Slim Shady 12M ET by UPS Sensation 2296 ET.

2. Peighton Rhinehart, Thurmont, Md., with GSF Olivia Duke 58M ET by CH High Roller 756 ET. 3. Lily and Maddison Beissel, Hampton, Minn., with JRR 014H Mr Catapult 454M by JRR 712E Catapult 052H.

Class 019 — Calved 10/1/2024 to 10/26/2024

Class 015 —1,460-1,530 pounds

6 head shown

1. Sophia Taylor, Parkton, Md., with TVF Zelda 4M by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET. 2. Madelyn Grace and Brynlee Ann Thompson, Amity, Mo., with Blacks Caesar B409 by CH High Roller 756 ET. 3. Brayson Mayo, Scott City, Kan., with MCS YB Ace 224 by CH High Roller 756 ET.

ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET. 3. Marlee Grannis, Flemingsburg, Ky., with 2M High Roller 2405 ET by CH High Roller 756 ET.

Class 020 — Calved 9/14/2024 to 9/30/2024

7 head shown

1. Sage Lawrence, Avilla, Ind., with SEL Magnum 416M by SCG Showtime No Limit 111ET. 2. Peyton and Libby Pérez, Nara Visa, N.M., with PCC 8127 0183 Maverick 4408 ET by PCC 7009 173D Maverick 0183 ET. 3. Libby and Peyton Pérez, Nara Visa, N.M., with PCC 0152 Final Print 4360 ET by RST Final Print 0016.

Division and Class Placings

ET. 2. Jayna Blume, Pierre, S.D., with BLME Shooter 62M by PLCC CWP Shootout 7515E.

3. Brayson Mayo, Scott City, Kan., with MYO 0016 Don Julio 473 ET by RST Final Print 0016.

Division III

Class 022 — Calved 6/1/2024 to 7/23/2024

5 head shown

1. Madilyn Norvell, Tuttle, Okla., with NCC High Stakes 4083 by CH High Roller 756 ET.

2. Delaney Chester, Oregonia, Ohio, with RCSC McQueen 409M by Crane 867E Leader 2246. 3. Morgan and McKenna Rogers, Solon, Iowa, with M16 MC Creeks Kershaw 2296 by UPS Sensation 2296 ET.

Class 023 — Calved 5/2/2024 to 5/20/2024

5 head shown

1. Morgan Riley, College Grove, Tenn., with Banner MPR HR Glen Coco 2401 by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET. 2. Adalynn Blankenship, West Burlington, N.Y., with NXT 925 Ironman 423 by CRR 8Y Leverage 971.

3. Kya Rhodes and Turkey Feather Ranch, Ada, Okla., with TFRKR Tequila Sunrise 2422 ET by BR ER Big Country 007 ET.

Division IV

Class 024 — Calved 4/3/2024 to 4/25/2024

4 head shown

1. Lena May, Greenfield, Ind., with Ramsey Pearl Snap 407 by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET. 2. Samantha Campbell, Eaton, Colo., with SLC Mr Maxwell MLL6 by KJ 421F Trust 569J.

3. Clayton Heins, New Salem, N.D., with CJH Red Label 454 by Land Bourbon 2042ET.

Division I

Class 029 — Calved 3/2/2025 to 4/1/2025

4 head shown

1. Elayna Aue, Auburndale, Wis., with A&W’s 2117 Cherry Girl 32N by CH Premier 233 ET.

2. Jarrett Worrell, Mason, Texas, with WORR T/R 559H 25L Faye 25N by WORR 35B Big Shooter 559H ET. 3. Khloe Toelle, Burwell, Neb., with TKCC Herb Miss Reina 506 by Boyd 31Z Blueprint 6153.

Class 025 — Calved 3/2/2024 to 3/20/2024

6 head shown

1. Hudson and Grady Carter, Stratford, Okla., and Buck Cattle Co., Madill, Okla., with GHC BK Maverick 400M by SR Dominate 308F ET. 2. Carlisle Braman, Refugio, Texas, with MC Gunna Be Big Time 2411 ET by ECR 628 Ivys Advance 8923 ET. 3. Logan Rhoads, Chrisman, Ill., with LF PMH 8071 Proficient 4037 ET by Land Profit 2034ET.

Class 026 — Calved 2/3/2024 to 2/10/2024

5 head shown

1. Addison Koontz, Thomas, Okla., with SG Major Classic M9 ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET. 2. Lauren, Brady and Nicholas Jones, Darlington, Wis., and The Gunsmoke 222, Liberty, Mo., with Wildcat Legacy 402 by T/R GKB AC Red Kingdom J16. 3. Sophia Taylor, Parkton, Md., with TVF Musketeer 3M by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET.

Photo not available.

Class 027 — Calved 1/2/2024 to 1/29/2024

7 head shown

1. Haxton Hoffman, Thedford, Neb., and Vanderwork Herefords, Taloga, Okla., with Hoffman Hacksaw ET by SR Dominate 308F ET.

2. Kynsleigh Krebs, Gordon, Neb., with K Big Country 401 ET by BR ER Big Country 007 ET. 3. Cruz Colyer, Bruneau, Idaho, and GKB Cattle, Desdemona, Texas, with C GKB Hennessy 4189 by Churchill W4 Sherman 2157K ET.

Division V

Class 028 — Calved 9/2/2023 to 12/29/2023

6 head shown

1. Aidyn Barber, Channing, Texas, with BR Mesquite 3255 by BR Rare Air ET. 2. Silas Gullatt, Salem, Ala., with SLEW O31 Lariat 313L by CH High Roller 756 ET. 3. Atley Kleinman,

Champion division V bred-and-owned bull: Aidyn Barber, Channing, Texas, with BR Mesquite 3255 by BR Rare Air ET.

Bred-and-Owned Females

Mirandas Gal 503N by NJW EH 130H 254G Ridge 195K. 2. Sarah Beth Callicott, Only, Tenn., with RBF HAF 756 Nyla N001 ET by CH High Roller 756 ET. 3. Kiera Bremer, Fullerton, Neb., with EF Lady Queen N23 by UPS Mighty 7850 ET.

Class 031 — Calved 2/1/2025 to 2/5/2025

6 head shown

1. Caroline Wagner, Hull, Iowa, with CKW Elphaba 201N by T/R BPF AmericanClassic

division

Reserve champion division V bred-and-owned bull: Silas Gullatt, Salem, Ala., with SLEW O31 Lariat 313L by CH High Roller 756 ET.

Mo., with MLR K76 Joanne 9200 12N by EXR Platinum 9200 ET.

Class 032 — Calved 1/12/2025 to 1/24/2025

6 head shown

1. Landon and Collin Deatsman, Leesburg, Ind., with Deatsman Nori 5N ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET. 2. Nash and Tuck Lowderman, Macomb, Ill., with LCC L2 MKL Ms KiwiLime 7N ET by FTZS Dignified 104J. 3. Jessilyn Miller, Lakeville, Ohio, with MCC JM Prada 15N by CMF 1720 Gold Rush 569G ET.

champion division I bred-and-owned

by

Class 033 — Calved 1/3/2025 to 1/10/2025

7 head shown

1. Lauren, Brady and Nicholas Jones, Darlington, Wis., with Wildcat Lemonade 502 ET by CH Premier 233 ET. 2. Delaney Chester, Oregonia, Ohio, with RCSC Nyla 548N by JCS 8341 Domino 0700. 3. Mary Carter Shirley, Sparta, Tenn., with MCS Iggy 225 by MCS

Class 034 — Calved 12/2/2024 to 12/26/2024

9 head shown

1. Lauren, Brady and Nicholas Jones, Darlington, Wis., with Wildcat Pepsi 417 ET by CH Premier 233 ET. 2. Mary Carter Shirley, Sparta, Tenn., with MCS Rita 624 ET by TFR

KU Roll The Dice 1326. 3. Sedona Sifford, Goldvein, Va., with RCF 977 23K Magnolia M226 by Ramsey Showtime Compass 977.

Class 035 — Calved 11/13/2024 to 11/23/2024

7 head shown

1. Landry Allan, Nocona, Texas, with BACC 241 Haley 472 by UPS Sensation 2296 ET. 2. Cally and Cami Miller, El Dorado, Kan., with MG 510G Marlie 453M by MG Leading Corona Time 271H. 3. Paige Lemenager, Hudson, Ill., with Lemenager Myla M92 ET by KJ TWJ 907E Liberty 159H ET.

Class 036 — Calved 11/1/2024 to 11/12/2024

7 head shown

1. Henley and Beckett Barber, Amarillo, Texas, with BR GKB Supernova 4328 by BR Rare Air 2174. 2. Peyton and Libby Pérez, Nara Visa, N.M., with PCC New Mexico Lady 4431 ET by PCC 7009 173D Maverick 0183 ET. 3. Rhett Day, Telford, Tenn., with DAY Breckyn C1857 119M ET by T/R GKB AC Red Kingdom J16.

Class 037 — Calved 10/14/2024 to 10/27/2024

9 head shown

Big Country 007 ET. 3. Luke and Kaitlyn Keith, Campbellsville, Ky., with Kaitlyns Ivy by ECR 628 Ivys Advance 8923 ET.

Class 039 — Calved 9/18/2024 to 9/30/2024

12 head shown

1. Harper Ray, Brooksville, Ky., with 3RH Belle 23 6011 by BR Belle Air 6011. 2. Sarah Beth Callicott, Only, Tenn., with RBF HAF 1333 Monroe M003 ET by ECR Copper Candi 1333ET. 3. Hadley Eubank, Oblong, Ill., with EF 80H Karen 33M ET by Purple Sleepy Joe 80H ET.

Division III

Class 038 — Calved 10/2/2024 to 10/12/2024 10 head shown

1. Saylor and Madilyn Norvell, Tuttle, Okla., with NCC Electra 4091 ET by CH High Roller 756 ET. 2. Levi Womack, Pembroke, Ky., with Womack Dignified Lady 4171 by FTZS Dignified 104J. 3. Harrison Roberts, Williamsburg, Mass., with Bofat Hill Sweet Caroline 92M by KJ TWJ 907E Liberty 159H ET.

Class 040 — Calved 9/8/2024 to 9/17/2024 10 head shown

1. Nora Werk, Manhattan, Kan., with Werk Rachael 4100 ET by KSU Land Grant 153 ET.

2. Clayton Hayes, Ada, Okla., with BK BH Mexapixel 4081M by MCM H BK Stinger K12 ET.

3. Libby and Peyton Pérez, Nara Visa, N.M., with PCC New Mexico Lady 4397 ET by RST Final Print 0016.

Class 041 — Calved 8/8/2024 to 9/5/2024

11 head shown

1. Haxton Hoffman, Thedford, Neb., with Hoffman Lady 4716 ET by Churchill Red Thunder 133J ET. 2. Kraiton Carpenter, Leedey, Okla., with KC Patsy’s Champagne ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET. 3. Marlyn Pecha, Meno, Okla., with BK MP Memorable Date 4063M by BK Red River H18 ET.

Live From Louisville

3. Tenley Stollard, Sullivan, Ill., with STOL 7029 J47 Poblano 0224 by RW KLD Ruger 109 7029 ET.

Class 043 — Calved 6/17/2024 to 7/5/2024

10 head shown

1. Tuck and Nash Lowderman, Macomb, Ill., with L2 LCC J16 Fancy Pants 63M ET by T/R GKB AC Red Kingdom J16. 2. Aidyn Barber, Channing, Texas, with BR GKB Milani M214 ET by BR Ringo 8017. 3. Suter Clark, Gretna, Va., with Clarkboys Eleanor M37 ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET.

Division IV

Class 042 — Calved 7/6/2024 to 7/27/2024

Reserve champion division II

bred-and-owned female: Henley and Beckett Barber, Amarillo, Texas, with BR GKB Supernova 4328 by BR Rare Air 2174.

9 head shown

Class 044 — Calved 6/1/2024 to 6/16/2024

12 head shown

1. Ella Weldon, Piedmont, Okla., with Ella Jungle Cat’s Meow 4020 by MCM H BK Stinger K12 ET. 2. Carlee, Catie and Clayton Musser, Otterbein, Ind., with 5C 11J Ambition 23M ET by EXR Generator 0333 ET. 3. Rylee Stockdale, Dayton, Pa., with SCC 756 High Dolla 42M by CH High Roller 756 ET.

Division V

Class 045 — Calved 5/11/2024 to 5/31/2024

8 head shown

1. Henley and Beckett Barber, Amarillo, Texas, with BR GKB Sparks M177 ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET. 2. Cache Billman, Blackfoot, Idaho, with WSF Lady Dreamer M241 by WSF 415S Mandate J125 ET. 3. Emma Hackbart, Milford, Neb., with EH Daisy 2309 by JDH AH Lincoln 106H ET.

Class 046 — Calved 5/4/2024 to 5/10/2024

7 head shown

Champion division IV bred-and-owned female: Tuck and Nash Lowderman, Macomb, Ill., with L2 LCC J16 Fancy Pants 63M ET by T/R GKB AC Red Kingdom J16.

division IV

Champion division V bred-and-owned female: Henley and Beckett Barber, Amarillo, Texas, with BR GKB Sparks M177 ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET.

champion division V

Division and Class Placings

3. Sam and Sarah Birdsall, Torrington, Wyo., with DHB104 2056 Laura 4055 by DHB 66589 726 Mandate 104 ET.

Class 047 — Calved 5/1/2024 to 5/3/2024

9 head shown

1. Cierra, Claire and Cricket Collins, Chattanooga, Okla., with CLNS Barb 2431M ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET. 2. Beckett and Henley Barber, Amarillo, Texas, with BR GKB Sunflower M153 ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET. 3. Atley Kleinman, Wentworth, Mo., with Corks Monica 2428 by Corks AMK Mr. T 1481 1711.

Division VI

Class 048 — Calved 4/16/2024 to 4/29/2024

8 head shown

with SCC H18 Rivie 29M by BK Red River H18 ET. 3. Wyatt and Quaid McIntyre, Leedey, Okla., with QM Miss Kit Kat M12 by Boyd 31Z Blueprint 6153.

Division VII

1. Haxton Hoffman, Thedford, Neb., with Hoffman Debbie M408 ET by Bar Star Fresh Prince 018 ET. 2. Ella Deford, Jarrettsville, Md., with GGSC EED Merry Lily 10M by GGSC Trademark 9J ET. 3. Landon and Collin ...continued

1. Hadley and Hannah Harrison, Montague, Calif., with HL Skyfall 2419 ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET. 2. Delaney and Tyree Figge, Onaga, Kan., with FBF HR Pepper 4F02 by CH High Roller 756 ET. 3. Kya Rhodes, Ada, Okla., with TFRKR Mercedes 2420 ET by BR ER Big Country 007 ET.

Class 049 — Calved 4/7/2024 to 4/12/2024

10 head shown

1. Ella Weldon, Piedmont, Okla., with Ella Jungle Sugar 4013 ET by SR Dominate 308F ET. 2. Ella Crane, LaSalle, Ill., with Crane Sasha 2434 by KJ F31 Benchmark E26J ET. 3. Levi Womack, Pembroke, Ky., with Womack Elegant Lady 478 ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET.

Class 050 — Calved 4/1/2024 to 4/5/2024

11 head shown

1. Hadley and Hannah Harrison, Montague, Calif., with HL Miss Sweet 2416 by HL Stimulus 2108 ET. 2. Rylee Stockdale, Dayton, Pa.,

Photo not available.

division VI bred-and-owned female: Ella Weldon, Piedmont, Okla., with Ella Jungle Sugar 4013 ET by SR Dominate 308F ET.

Class 051 — Calved 3/25/2024 to 3/31/2024 7 head shown

2. Aidyn Barber, Channing, Texas, with BR McKinley 4070 by BR Blueprint 1311. 3. Riley Rhodes, Carlinville, Ill., with RGR Purple Lilibet 34M ET by FTZS Dignified 104J.

Division VIII

Class 055 — Calved 2/24/2024 to 2/28/2024

11 head shown

1. Aidyn Barber, Channing, Texas, with BR GKB Marie M104 ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET. 2. Addison Duis, Petersburg, Ill., with DF ACD Miranda 403 by ECR 628 Ivys Advance 8923 ET. 3. Carlisle Braman, Refugio, Texas, with MC Miss Mallory’s 2406 ET by TFR KU Roll The Dice 1326.

Class 052 — Calved 3/12/2024 to 3/24/2024

10 head shown

1. Haxton Hoffman, Thedford, Neb., with Hoffman Debbie 4370 ET by Bar JZ On Demand. 2. Brady, Lauren and Nicholas Jones, Darlington, Wis., with Wildcat Violin 4939 ET by T/R GKB AC Red Kingdom J16. 3. Hudson Carter, Stratford, Okla., with GHC BK Movin Up 474M by KJ TWJ 907E Liberty 159H ET.

Class 053 — Calved 3/6/2024 to 3/10/2024

8 head shown

1. Jase and Josie Beltz, Canton, Kan., with JB Macey 25M by KLD EB Trump D58. 2. Kendall and Kade Boatman, Rockford, Ill., with 2TK MKS 4G Bailey 13M ET by RST Final Print 0016. 3. Blake and Bryce Brancel, Endeavor, Wis., with Next Gen 8426 Kelly 224 ET by H The Profit 8426 ET.

Class 054 — Calved 3/1/2024 to 3/5/2024

12 head shown

1. Mila Perez, Canyon, Texas, with RPC 6123 8123 Firework 409 ET by BR Belle Air 8123.

Photo not available.

1. Kayston Goss, Vinton, Calif., with Goss 0011 220K Petunia 2403M by BF 628 Mesquite 0011 ET. 2. Laney Stephens, West Salem, Ill., with GB Prada 374M by MK LH LB Tarantino 3001. 3. Elyse Garnhart, German Valley, Ill., with MCF 561C Violet 2411 by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET.

Class 056 — Calved 2/13/2024 to 2/23/2024

10 head shown

Reserve champion division VII

bred-and-owned female: Aidyn Barber, Channing, Texas, with BR GKB Marie M104 ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET.

Class 057 — Calved 2/3/2024 to 2/10/2024

8 head shown

Class 059 — Calved 1/3/2024 to 1/18/2024

10 head shown

1. Maddie Jenkins, Athens, Texas, with HAW BACC Tiana 407M ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET. 2. Mazie and Mack Bunn, Zebulon, N.C., with BF Miss Malibu by GCF Luke 02F 28J. 3. Hess Fowler, Carnesville, Ga., with FF D87 Lady Maker 103D 2402 ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET.

Division IX

Class 058 — Calved 1/19/2024 to 1/31/2024

12 head shown

1. W. Zeb Murphree, Hamilton, Texas, with Murph AC Betty 2404 ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET. 2. Kashlyn and Kynsleigh Krebs, Gordon, Neb., with K Madelyn 405 ET by SR Dominate 308F ET.

3. Callie Schmidt, Blue Rapids, Kan., with SH/ CF Defiance Pretty One M023 by Loewen DCF Defiance H49 ET.

1. Cruz Colyer, Bruneau, Idaho, with C PRH Jolene 4231 ET by C Cuda Belle 2111. 2. Ella Crane, LaSalle, Ill., with Crane Atta Girl 2409 by KJ F31 Benchmark E26J ET. 3. Jack Begoon, Grottoes, Va., with GOON Miss Macy M1 by CH High Roller 756 ET.

Division I Horned

Class 063 — Calved 11/14/2024 to 12/26/2024

9 head shown

1. Laynee, Bradyn and Brody Greenwood, Hamilton, Kan., with HAF H18 Merlot M102 by BK Red River H18 ET. 2. Samuel and Hogueland Wade Goldizen, Petersburg, W.Va., with HAWK Aurora 2412 ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET. 3. Sutton Stelzer, Oologah, Okla., with B&C Maple 4497M by B&C

Division X

Class 060 — Calved 12/4/2023 to 12/28/2023

7 head shown

1. Saylor Norvell, Tuttle, Okla., with NCC Saylor 3019 ET by CH High Roller 756 ET. 2. Jase and Josie Beltz, Canton, Kan., with JB Lainey 65L ET by CHEZ/PUGH/HARA Logic 8815F ET. 3. Rhett Day, Telford, Ten., with DAY Honky Tonk Woman 18 by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET.

Owned Females

Class 064 — Calved 10/11/2024 to 11/12/2024

10 head shown

1. Kennedy Hoffman, Thedford, Neb., with CMCC Make A Splash 4072M by KJ 753D Tomahawk 605K ET. 2. Graham and Gage Creamer, Waxahachie, Texas, with GKB K102 Brielle M178 ET by GKB Conair K102 ET. 3. Olivia Jones, Blue Mounds, Wis., with Dreamy 280 Jetta 2450 by Ramsey Showtime Compass 977.

Live From Louisville

Class 061 — Calved 10/23/2023 to 11/26/2023

8 head shown

1. Landry Allan, Nocona, Texas, with BACC 629 Georgia Kay 361 ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET. 2. Addison Duis, Petersburg, Ill., with DF ACD Lainey 309 by ECR WF Gus 058 ET.

3. William and Benjamin Webert, Warrenton, Va., with BLL WW BW Kaia K42 by NJW 79Z 81E Historian 334G ET.

Class 062 — Calved 8/28/2023 to 10/9/2023

8 head shown

1. Claiborne Perry, Madison, Miss., with BK PR Loves Good 3053L ET by H The Profit 8426 ET. 2. Landry Allan, Nocona, Texas, with BACC 629 Georgia Kay 357 ET by BK Red River H18 ET. 3. Libby and Peyton Pérez, Nara Visa, N.M., with PCC New Mexico Lady 3310 ET by RST Final Print 0016.

Miss Country 444 ET by BR ER Big Country 007 ET. 2. Madelyn, Cooper and Wyatt Weaber, Wamego, Kan., with FTZS Lora 424M ET by FTZS Fearless 002H. 3. Emma and Colton Davisson, Calamus, Iowa, with Laura’s Michelle Rae ET by FTZS Dignified 104J.

Class 066 — Calved 8/8/2024 to 9/17/2024

10 head shown

1. Brady, Lauren and Nicholas Jones, Darlington, Wis., with BK Mirror Points 4045M ET by H The Profit 8426 ET. 2. Nash and Tuck

Division and Class Placings

N.M., with PCC New Mexico Lady 4397 ET by RST Final Print 0016.

Division I Polled

Class 067 — Calved 12/14/2024 to 12/28/2024

9 head shown

1. Harper Rose Starnes, Fort Payne, Ala., with T/R 8105 Amaya 350M ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET. 2. Natalie Pitstick, South Solon, Ohio, with Aubreys Gold Rosa 10M by SCG Showtime No Limit 111ET. 3. Mary Carter Shirley, Sparta, Tenn., with MCS Rita 624 ET by TFR KU Roll The Dice 1326.

Class 068 — Calved 12/5/2024 to 12/12/2024

9 head shown

1. Gage and Graham Creamer, Waxahachie, Texas, with CHF BF Joycelyn 4158 ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET. 2. Jase Lasby, Shelburne, Ontario, with RB ABC Mimi 1208M by GGSC MGS Ladies Man H09 ET.

3. Lyla and Tinley Harvie, Olds, Alberta, with RGR Diana 315 Mavana 4117 by PCC 7009 173D Maverick 0183 ET.

Class 069 — Calved 11/15/2024 to 12/2/2024

10 head shown

Supernova 4328 by BR Rare Air 2174. 3. Connelly, Addison and Davis Ward, Oak Grove, Mo., with VO Rosie 4704 ET by Bar JZ On Demand.

Division II Polled

Class 071 — Calved 11/2/2024 to 11/5/2024

1. Landry Allan, Nocona, Texas, with BACC 241 Haley 472 by UPS Sensation 2296 ET. 2. Laura Landers Franklin, Blountsville, Ala., with BACC 228Z Tara 470 ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET. 3. Chism Harms, Chrisman, Ill., with LF 1083 Ms Universe 4235 by H United 232 ET.

Class 070 — Calved 11/8/2024 to 11/14/2024

9 head shown

10 head shown

1. Peyton and Libby Pérez, Nara Visa, N.M., with PCC New Mexico Lady 4431 ET by PCC 7009 173D Maverick 0183 ET. 2. Madelyn Beaver, Grandview, Texas, with Atlas 119E Ms Money 101H 180M by Atlas 74B Profit 8426 101H ET. 3. William and Lucy Kate Sexten, Nicholasville, Ky., with FLH 0562H Trumps Girl 435M by KLD EB Trump D58.

Class 072 — Calved 10/26/2024 to 11/1/2024

9 head shown

1. Peyton Pérez, Nara Visa, N.M., with CW Bonnie 438 ET by H WMS Thomas County 1443 ET. 2. Mila Perez, Canyon, Texas, with DAY Breckyn C1857 117M ET by T/R GKB AC Red Kingdom J16. 3. Karsyn and Kade Kleeman, Braymer, Mo., with YB Bambi 743 428 ET by CRR About Time 743.

Class 073 — Calved 10/19/2024 to 10/25/2024

10 head shown

1. Sarah Beth Callicott, Only, Tenn., with RBF HAF 1333 Monroe M003 ET by ECR Copper Candi 1333ET. 2. Savanah Grimes, Murchison, Texas, with BACC 612 Hadley 461 ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET. 3. Hadley Eubank, Oblong, Ill., with EF 80H Karen 33M ET by Purple Sleepy Joe 80H ET.

1. Harper Ray, Brooksville, Ky., with 3RH Belle 23 6011 by BR Belle Air 6011. 2. Atley Kleinman, Wentworth, Mo., with BACC 629 Georgia Kay 457 ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET. 3. Salem and Sedona Sifford, Goldvein, Va., with TDF Miss Monica M9 ET by BK Red River H18 ET.

Division III Polled

Class 075 — Calved 10/7/2024 to 10/12/2024

10 head shown

1. Grady and Hudson Carter, Stratford, Okla., with BKMT GHC Maternal Treasure ET by BK Red River H18 ET. 2. Grady Creamer, Waxahachie, Texas, with BF 5502 Novel 211M ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET. 3. Luke and Kaitlyn Keith, Campbellsville, Ky., with Kaitlyns Ivy by ECR 628 Ivys Advance 8923 ET.

Class 076 — Calved 10/2/2024 to 10/6/2024

9 head shown

1. Everly Foster, Niles, Mich., with BK CMCCMade Distinctive4049MET by C Arlo 2135 ET. 2. Parker Irwin, Hartshorne, Okla., with CMCC Made For It 4070M by KJ 753D Tomahawk 605K ET. 3. Sadie Wynne, Newcastle, Okla., with BKMT GHC Made Flashy 4059M ET by BK Red River H18 ET.

Class 077 — Calved 9/24/2024 to 9/30/2024

11 head shown

1. Collin and Landon Deatsman, Leesburg, Ind., with HAWK CP Malone 2402 ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET. 2. Madelyn Grace and Brynlee Ann Thompson, Amity, Mo., with CW Georgie 433 ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET.

Class 078 — Calved 9/17/2024 to 9/21/2024

10 head shown

1. Saylor and Madilyn Norvell, Tuttle, Okla., with NCC Electra 4091 ET by CH High Roller 756 ET. 2. Cache, Tymber and Chyloh Billman, Blackfoot, Idaho, with BF D87 Bahama Mama 4015 ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET. 3. Martina Alley, Danielsville, Ga., with McClain Ginny M2 ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET.

Division IV Polled

Class 079 — Calved 9/12/2024 to 9/16/2024

10 head shown

1. Piper Seiss, Thurmont, Md., with SSF KKH 25W Keyara 411 ET by H The Profit 8426 ET.

2. Garrett and Scott Hickey, Staunton, Va., with McClain Rosies Bab M1 ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET. 3. Sydney and Adelina Betes, Moses Lake, Wash., with BF D87 Pina Colada 4014 ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET.

Class 080 — Calved 9/5/2024 to 9/11/2024

9 head shown

by Golden Oak Outcross 18U.

Class 082 — Calved 8/2/2024 to 8/23/2024

10 head shown

1. Colyer Schaeffer, Hagerstown, Ind., with Hoffman Karma 4725 ET by Bar JZ On Demand. 2. Haxton Hoffman, Thedford, Neb., with Hoffman Lady 4716 ET by Churchill Red Thunder 133J ET. 3. Maryann Moore, Hamlin, Texas, with Hoffman Lady 4720 ET by Churchill Red Thunder 133J ET.

1. Nora Werk, Manhattan, Kan., with Werk Rachael 4100 ET by KSU Land Grant 153 ET. 2. Emmett and Cooper Acheson, Wichita, Kan., with Hoffman Pixie 4714 ET by Bar JZ On Demand. 3. Ada Meredith, Hodgenville, Ky., with GGSC Cagney 101M ET by H The Profit 8426 ET.

Class 081 — Calved 8/24/2024 to 9/4/2024

10 head shown

1. Macy Macke, Lake City, Iowa, with MAV Cottoms Jemm 5M ET by UPS Sensation 2296 ET. 2. Harper Rose Starnes, Fort Payne, Ala.,

Division II Horned

Class 083 — Calved 6/10/2024 to 7/4/2024

9 head shown

1. Lauren, Brady and Nicholas Jones, Darlington, Wis., with Wildcat Let’s Dance 413 by Wildcat Casino Royale 111 ET. 2. Natalie Brown, Groveport, Ohio, with FF/DL Greta 21M by CH High Roller 756 ET. 3. Jeb Painter, Gandeeville, W.Va., with KCL Fergie L48 by SCS

A Legend In My Time 1840F.

Class 084 — Calved 5/18/2024 to 6/6/2024

9 head shown

1. Kennedy, Haxton and Hayden Hoffman, Thedford, Neb., with HR 101D Macey 423M ET by K Rustic 711 ET. 2. Kyndal and Kylee Sadler, Tryon, Okla., with JCS Miss 100 Proof 4915 by JCS 100 Proof 0880 ET. 3. Blakely and Stetson Storey, Stockton, Ill., with RGR Trixy Gypsysmark 17Z 984ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET.

Live From Louisville

by BACC 401B On Point 894 ET. 3. Hudson and Griffin Nitsche, Holt, Mo., with CW Merlot 425 ET by UPS Sensation 2296 ET.

Division V Polled

Class 086 — Calved 7/7/2024 to 7/27/2024

9 head shown

Class 085 — Calved 5/2/2024 to 5/15/2024

10 head shown

1. Paige Lemenager, Hudson, Ill., with Lemenager Myla M55 ET by H The Profit 8426 ET. 2. Vivian Lou Thompson, Troy, Ala., with EXR Elise 4060 by RST Final Print 0016. 3. Joseph Schohr, Oroville, Calif., with SS 219 Claudette 2413 by Werk High Roller 219 ET.

Class 087 — Calved 6/23/2024 to 7/5/2024

10 head shown

1. Tuck and Nash Lowderman, Macomb, Ill., with L2 LCC J16 Fancy Pants 63M ET by T/R GKB AC Red Kingdom J16. 2. Jarrett Worrell, Mason, Texas, with T/R 4092 Brielle Grace 292M ET by T/R GKB AC Red Kingdom J16. 3. Suter Clark, Gretna, Va., with Clarkboys Eleanor M37 ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET.

Class 088 — Calved 6/10/2024 to 6/17/2024

11 head shown

1. Haxton, Hayden and Kennedy Hoffman, Thedford, Neb., with KLL Candy Crush 15M by KLL KLD Triumph 4J ET. 2. Ryan Oleson, Arkdale, Wis., with 4LEAF Mabel 24G by FTZS Dignified 104J. 3. Braylen and Colyer Schaeffer, Hagerstown, Ind., with HAWK KP Marlee 50M ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET.

Class 089 — Calved 6/1/2024 to 6/9/2024

11 head shown

1. Carlee, Catie and Clayton Musser, Otterbein, Ind., with 5C 11J Ambition 23M ET by EXR Generator 0333 ET. 2. Rylee Stockdale, Dayton, Pa., with SCC 756 High Dolla 42M by CH High Roller 756 ET. 3. Brayson Mayo, Scott City, Kan., with MYO 0143 Chandon 464 by CRR 824 Cody 0143.

Division VI Polled

Class 090 — Calved 5/16/2024 to 5/31/2024

11 head shown

1. Wyatt and Maddox Gunn, Greenfield, Ind., with Storey Frost Hollys 654M ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET. 2. Nora Werk, Manhattan,

Division and Class Placings

Class 091 — Calved 5/10/2024 to 5/15/2024

12 head shown

1. Fallon and Gunnar Gohr, Madras, Ore., with H BL TB Pixie 493 ET by Bar JZ On Demand.

2. Miranda and Kristin Hansen, Checotah, Okla., with 6MC 275 Brecken 431 by 6MC PF 4159 Parlay 275 ET. 3. Jase and Josie Beltz, Canton, Kan., with ECR Minnie 419 ET by BK Red River H18 ET.

Class 092 — Calved 5/4/2024 to 5/9/2024

11 head shown

1. Olivia and Hadley Eubank, Oblong, Ill., with Purple HB Lainey 101M ET by UPS Sensation 2296 ET. 2. Addison, Hattie and Olivia Young, Lexington, Ill., with PRCC Miss Prairie Lady 440M ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET. 3. Maelee and Ellie Poarch, Lewisburg, Tenn., with HR 704E Penny 421 ET by BK CMCC Kool Profit K001ET.

Class 093 — Calved 5/1/2024 to 5/3/2024

10 head shown

Bright Miss Cher 2422 ET by CH High Roller 756 ET.

Class 095 — Calved 4/2/2024 to 4/12/2024

8 head shown

1. Maddie Jenkins, Athens, Texas, with ECR SQCF D87 Luna 424 ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET. 2. Nolan Lee, Wellington, Ill., with HAWK Adley 29M ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET. 3. Wyatt and Quaid McIntyre, Leedey, Okla., with CH Ms Willow 410 ET by BR GKB Winchester 1314.

1. Beckett and Henley Barber, Amarillo, Texas, with BR GKB Sunflower M153 ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET. 2. Adalynn Blankenship, West Burlington, N.Y., with ML Queen Charlotte 805M ET by KLD EB Trump D58. 3. Piper Seiss, Thurmont, Md., with HAW KLD Maisie 802M ET by ECR 628 Ivys Advance 8923 ET.

Division III Horned

Class 094 — Calved 4/15/2024 to 4/30/2024

8 head shown

1. Kya Rhodes, Ada, Okla., with TFRKR Mercedes 2420 ET by BR ER Big Country 007 ET.

Class 096 — Calved 3/25/2024 to 3/31/2024

9 head shown

1. Aidyn Barber, Channing, Texas, with BR GKB Marie M104 ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET. 2. Addison Duis, Petersburg, Ill., with DF ACD Miranda 403 by ECR 628 Ivys Advance 8923 ET. 3. Carlisle Braman, Refugio, Texas, with MC Miss Mallory’s 2406 ET by TFR KU Roll The Dice 1326.

Division IV Horned

Class 097 — Calved 3/15/2024 to 3/24/2024

9 head shown

1. Kennedy Hoffman, Thedford, Neb., with H LAR Myrtle 404 ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET. 2. Suter Clark, Gretna, Va., with Purple Clarkboys Salsa 57M ET by ECR 628 Ivys Advance 8923 ET. 3. Mary Carter Shirley, Sparta, Tenn., with YB Bambi 1326 2415 ET by TFR KU Roll The Dice 1326.

Class 098 — Calved 3/5/2024 to 3/12/2024

8 head shown

1. William and Rylie Meinhardt, Onaga, Kan., with RWCC Margot 443M ET by KLD RW

Price, Opelika, Ala., with KJ TWJ 907E Cadence 545M ET by KJ 753D Tomahawk 605K ET.

Class 099 — Calved 3/1/2024 to 3/4/2024

9 head shown

1. Ella Weldon, Piedmont, Okla., with BK Many Sweets 457M by BK Red River H18 ET.

2. Mila Perez, Canyon, Texas, with RPC 6123 8123 Firework 409 ET by BR Belle Air 8123. 3. Kashlyn and Kynsleigh Krebs, Gordon, Neb., with K Miss Monroe 402 ET by Churchill High Noon 8339F ET.

Division VII Polled

Class 100 — Calved 4/24/2024 to 4/30/2024

12 head shown

1. Kennedy Hoffman, Thedford, Neb., with HR 12F Charlie 1079 ET by CH High Roller 756 ET. 2. Delaney and Tyree Figge, Onaga, Kan., with FBF HR Pepper 4F02 by CH High Roller 756 ET. 3. Jarrett Worrell, Mason, Texas, with T/R 7260 Lexus 80M by T/R GKB AC Red Kingdom J16.

Class 101 — Calved 4/12/2024 to 4/23/2024

9 head shown

1. Hadley and Hannah Harrison, Montague, Calif., with HL Skyfall 2419 ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET. 2. Emma Hackbart, Milford, Neb., with Land Miss Belle 4098ET by BR Belle Air 6011. 3. Rhett Day, Telford, Tenn., with BR Brooke M132 ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET.

Class 102 — Calved 4/9/2024 to 4/11/2024

10 head shown

1. Ella Weldon, Piedmont, Okla., with Ella Jungle Sugar 4013 ET by SR Dominate 308F ET. 2. Olivia and Hadley Eubank, Oblong, Ill., with CFCC HPH Marley 26M ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET. 3. Kendall and Hayes Devine, Chickasha, Okla., with BACC 77E Spice 437 ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET.

Division VIII Polled

Class 103 — Calved 4/4/2024 to 4/8/2024

11 head shown

1. Graham Creamer, Waxahachie, Texas, with CHAC H18 Lexus 4380 by BK Red River H18 ET. 2. Luke Hamlin, Weatherford, Texas, with TCC 208 Georgia Kay 509M ET by KLD RW ...continued

Class 104 — Calved 4/2/2024 to 4/3/2024

10 head shown

1. Marlyn Pecha, Meno, Okla., with BK Ella Mamacita 464M ET by SR Dominate 308F ET.

2. Corbin and Canaan Fink, Wamego, Kan., with RWCC Breathless 439M ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET. 3. Brayson Mayo, Scott City, Kan., with CHEZ Mattie 4680M by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET.

Class 105 — Calved 3/28/2024 to 4/1/2024

9 head shown

1. Madeline and Joseph Schohr, Oroville, Calif., with Werk Rachael 430 ET by KSU Land Grant 153 ET. 2. Sage Lawrence, Avilla, Ind., with SEL Mickey 410M by SEL Jefferson 109J ET. 3. Mason and Kinsley Mullinix, Manhattan, Kan., with Purple HB Charlene 62M ET by Boyd 31Z Blueprint 6153.

Division IX Polled

Class 106 — Calved 3/22/2024 to 3/27/2024

11 head shown

Perfect Miss 567M ET by KJ TWJ 907E Liberty 159H ET. 2. Bo and Ellen Todd, Mt. Vernon, Ky., with KJ 215F Charlotte 564M ET by KJ TWJ 907E Liberty 159H ET. 3. Jase and Josie Beltz, Canton, Kan., with JB Macey 25M by KLD EB Trump D58.

Class 110 — Calved 3/6/2024 to 3/8/2024

10 head shown

1. Cruz Colyer, Bruneau, Idaho, with GS Kellie M22 ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET. 2. Ella Brooks, Prophetstown, Ill., with HAWK Sawyer 22M ET by UPS Sensation 2296 ET. 3. Matthew Elzemeyer, Richmond, Ind., with ELZE J338 Rachel 23M ET by KCF Bennett Monument J338.

Class 107 — Calved 3/16/2024 to 3/20/2024

10 head shown

1. Haxton Hoffman, Thedford, Neb., with Hoffman Debbie 4370 ET by Bar JZ On Demand. 2. Hudson Carter, Stratford, Okla., with GHC BK Movin Up 474M by KJ TWJ 907E Liberty 159H ET. 3. Cami and Cally Miller, El Dorado, Kan., with MG 769K Miami 430M by R Leader 6964.

Class 108 — Calved 3/12/2024 to 3/14/2024

12 head shown

1. Holden Roeder, Seguin, Texas, with ECR Mirage 410 ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET. 2. Brady, Lauren and Nicholas Jones, Darlington, Wis., with Wildcat Violin 4939 ET by T/R GKB AC Red Kingdom J16. 3. James Sladek, Iowa City, Iowa, with T/R 4092 Brielles Grace 43M ET by T/R GKB AC Red Kingdom J16.

Division X Polled

1. Suter Clark, Gretna, Va., with KLD HAW Mercedes Benz D404 ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET. 2. Libby Pérez, Nara Visa, N.M., with H BL TB Pixie M439 ET by HL Stimulus 2108 ET. 3. Madelyn, Cooper and Wyatt Weaber, Wamego, Kan., with KJ 931H Renea 554M by KJ 753D Tomahawk 605K ET.

Class 111 — Calved 3/4/2024 to 3/5/2024

8 head shown

1. Riley Rhodes, Carlinville, Ill., with RGR Purple Lilibet 34M ET by FTZS Dignified 104J. 2. Jordan Mitchem, Vale, N.C., with WSCC Miss Dot 01M by CH High Roller 756 ET. 3. Faith Benedict, Dewey, Ill., with VCF BH Raelynn 7M by MCF 2005 Dez 2201.

Class 112 — Calved 3/1/2024 to 3/3/2024

8 head shown

1. Fallon and Gunnar Gohr, Madras, Ore., with BK CMCC Magic Touch 450M ET by MCM H BK Stinger K12 ET. 2. Olivia McArthur, Pittsford, Mich., with PERKS BH Lola 4032 ET by CRR 971 Levitate 142. 3. Bradyn, Laynee and Brody Greenwood, Hamilton, Kan., with SH/DD KL Nala Houston M111 by SHF Houston D287 H086.

Live From Louisville

11M ET by H The Profit 8426 ET. 2. Madilyn and Saylor Norvell, Tuttle, Okla., with GKB 1326 Tater Tot M156 ET by TFR KU Roll The Dice 1326. 3. Elyse Garnhart, German Valley, Ill., with MCF 561C Violet 2411 by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET.

Class 114 — Calved 2/12/2024 to 2/20/2024

9 head shown

1. Garrison, Isaac and Ross Siedling, Brookville, Ind., with VH 628 Miley 46 by H FHF Advance 628 ET. 2. Crew and Cara Cummins, Hollis, Okla., with Purple Blanche 19M ET by UPS Sensation 2296 ET. 3. Grady Creamer, Waxahachie, Texas, with GKB 561C Megan M160 ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET.

Class 115 — Calved 1/26/2024 to 2/8/2024

7 head shown

1. Kashlyn and Kynsleigh Krebs, Gordon, Neb., with K Madelyn 405 ET by SR Dominate 308F ET. 2. Kade and Kendall Boatman, Rockford, Ill., with MMK 1502 Valerie 2404 ET by HAPP BK Valor 37C ET. 3. Hayden Hoffman, Thedford, Neb., with H BL TB Pixie M216 ET by DCF 642Z Dilly 002H.

Class 116 — Calved 1/3/2024 to 1/20/2024

9 head shown

1. Cruz Colyer, Bruneau, Idaho, with C PRH Jolene 4231 ET by C Cuda Belle 2111.

2. Beau Ann Graves, Chillicothe, Mo., with YB Bambi 711 402 ET by K Rustic 711 ET.

Division V Horned

Class 113 — Calved 2/22/2024 to 2/28/2024

3. Luke Bergeron, Belchertown, Mass., with GS Adalida M02 by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET.

Division XI Polled

Division and Class Placings

FCC Mattie Jayne 4653 ET by H FHF Advance 628 ET. 2. Drew and Marlee Ballard, Inman, Kan., with GS Madeline M18 ET by H The Profit 8426 ET. 3. Kiera and Kinsley Bremer, Fullerton, Neb., with KB Melania M28 by F Heart Claim D04.

Division XII Polled

Class 121 — Calved 2/14/2024 to 2/16/2024

12 head shown

Division XIII Polled

Class 125 — Calved 1/21/2024 to 1/26/2024

11 head shown

Class 118 — Calved 2/24/2024 to 2/26/2024

11 head shown

1. Delaney Chester, Oregonia, Ohio, with BACC 612 Hadley 417 ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET. 2. Suter Clark, Gretna, Va., with BK CMCC Money Shot 445M ET by H The Profit 8426 ET. 3. Fallon and Gunnar Gohr, Madras, Ore., with BK CMCC Money To Burn 446M ET by H The Profit 8426 ET.

Class 119 — Calved 2/20/2024 to 2/23/2024

10 head shown

1. Haxton Hoffman, Thedford, Neb., with Hoffman Debbie M408 ET by Bar Star Fresh Prince 018 ET. 2. Vivian Lou Thompson, Troy, Ala., with EXR Bailees McKee 4215 ET by EXR Benchmark 8240 ET. 3. Kade and Kendall Boatman, Rockford, Ill., with MMK 1502 Valerie 2409 ET by HAPP BK Valor 37C ET.

12 head shown

1. Crew and Cara Cummins, Hollis, Okla., with Hoffman Debbie M356 ET by H Montgomery 7437 ET. 2. Lute Judy, Ottumwa, Iowa, with KJ 889H Cher 473M by UPS Harvester 9985.

Class 120 — Calved 2/17/2024 to 2/19/2024

1. Makenna and Tessa Smith, Hubertus, Wis., with KJ DCC 181H Brittany 500M by KJ 753D Tomahawk 605K ET. 2. Gianna Marino, Clarence Center, N.Y., with H BL Carmel M376 ET by HL Stimulus 2108 ET. 3. Brody Greenwood, Hamilton, Kan., with MHF G3 Maeve 2418M by MPH 2103 Eastwood G3 ET.

3. Saylor and Madilyn Norvell, Tuttle, Okla., with GKB 561C Mirage M111 ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET.

Class 122 — Calved 2/6/2024 to 2/13/2024

10 head shown

1. Nolan Lee, Wellington, Ill., with HAWK Audrey 7M ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET. 2. Lauren, Nicolas and Brady Jones, Darlington, Wis., with PRCC Miss Prairie Lady 402M ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET. 3. Braxton and Barrett Carper, Vevay, Ind., with CF Alice 86M ET by EXR Bankroll 8130 ET.

Class 123 — Calved 2/2/2024 to 2/6/2024

11 head shown

1. Sage Lawrence, Avilla, Ind., with SEL Matty 401M by EKS DWK B26 Final Chapter J10.

2. Cruz Colyer, Bruneau, Idaho, with SHR Gloria 4075 ET by Land SHR Manhattan 2029ET.

3. Piper Seiss, Thurmont, Md., with SSF KKH 25W Beth 404 ET by H Bell Ringer 8459 ET.

Class 124 — Calved 1/27/2024 to 2/2/2024

10 head shown

1. Harper Rose Starnes, Fort Payne, Ala., with 6MC D87 Brecken 44M ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET. 2. Ella Weldon, Piedmont, Okla., with Ella Malibu 4001 by MCM H BK Stinger K12 ET. 3. Callie Schmidt, Blue Rapids,

1. Cara and Crew Cummins, Hollis, Okla., with GKB K102 Lady Hawk 4044 by GKB Conair K102 ET. 2. Conner McQuaig, Ila, Ga., with WLKR HDS Emma 1015 104J 415M by C GKB Guardian 1015 ET. 3. Payton Zepp, West Minster, Md., with TRF Urbanna 2402 by Ramsey Showtime Compass 977.

Class 126 — Calved 1/17/2024 to 1/20/2024

9 head shown

1. Hayden Hoffman, Thedford, Neb., with Stellpflug Rita 79Z 4700 ET by H WMS Thomas County 1443 ET. 2. Jack Begoon, Grottoes, Va., with GOON Miss Macy M1 by CH High Roller 756 ET. 3. Katie Cox, McNab Braeside, Ontario, with Double-H Edenrun Rosie ET 119M by T/R GKB AC Red Kingdom J16.

8 head shown

Class 127 — Calved 1/10/2024 to 1/14/2024

1. Avery Sweeney, Vinton, Iowa, with BOY Harley M416 ET by EXR Platinum 9200 ET. 2. Madelyn Grace and Brynlee Ann Thompson, Amity, Mo., with CW Bonnie 4002 ET by KJ BJ 58Z Contender D56 ET.

3. Ella Crane, LaSalle, Il with Crane Atta Girl 2409 by KJ F31 Benchmark E26J ET.

Class 128 — Calved 1/3/2024 to 1/7/2024

9 head shown

1. Quinton, Harper and Andrew Ray, Brooksville, Ky., with BACC 953 Georgia Kay 406 by KJ TWJ 907E Liberty 159H ET. 2. Isabella Hewitt, Branchville, N.J., with GGSC Carlyn 1M by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET. 3. Kaylie

Division VI Horned

Class 129 — Calved 11/16/2023 to 12/28/2023

10 head shown

1. Chesney Prinz, West Point, Neb., with BACC 618 Kiley 368 by BACC 747 Fundamental 114 ET. 2. Colton and Emma Davisson, Calamus, Iowa, with MAV Cottons Alana 27L ET by UPS Sensation 2296 ET. 3. Blakely and Stetson Storey, Stockton, Ill., with Purple Sutton 126L ET by CH High Roller 756 ET.

Class 130 — Calved 10/6/2023 to 11/15/2023

7 head shown

1. Hayden Hoffman, Thedford, Neb., with BK Lavish Points 3045L ET by H The Profit 8426 ET.

2. Adalynn Blankenship, West Burlington, N.Y., with KJ TWJ 907E Cherry 374L ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET. 3. Maddie Jenkins, Athens, Texas, with T/R 8424 Ms Merlot 750L ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET.

Class 131 — Calved 8/28/2023 to 9/26/2023

8 head shown

HAWK Parker 2302 ET by H The Profit 8426 ET. 3. Callie Harris, Canton, Texas, with BAR C D87 Breeze 361 ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET.

Class 136 — Calved 9/4/2023 to 9/14/2023

11 head shown

1. Paige Lemenager, Hudson, Ill., with KJ 746D Coco Carmel 321L ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET. 2. Grady and Hudson Carter, Stratford, Okla., with CMCC Liberty Bell 3074L by KJ TWJ 907E Liberty 159H ET.

Gillooly, Wadley, Ga., with CES Allie Belle H49 A13 ET by Loewen DCF Defiance H49 ET.

Class 137 — Calved 8/16/2023 to 9/3/2023

9 head shown

1. Grady and Hudson Carter, with CMCC Lake Kid 3054L ET by H The Profit 8426 ET. 2. Stetson and Blakely Storey, Stockton, Ill., with Purple Wanda 112L ET by Purple MB Womanizer 14U ET.

Roeder, Seguin, Texas, with BAR C H 18 Breeze

Live From Louisville

1. Fallon and Gunnar Gohr, Madras, Ore., with CMCC Landrie 3075L by KJ TWJ 907E Liberty 159H ET. 2. Libby and Peyton Pérez, Nara Visa, N.M., with PCC New Mexico Lady 3310 ET by RST Final Print 0016. 3. Callie Harris, Canton, Texas, with BK Luxury Points 3046L ET by KLD RW Marksman D87 ET.

Division XIV Polled

Class 132 — Calved 11/22/2023 to 12/20/2023

11 head shown

1. Saylor Norvell, Tuttle, Okla., with NCC Saylor 3019 ET by CH High Roller 756 ET. 2. Jase and Josie Beltz, Canton, Kan., with JB Lainey 65L ET by CHEZ/PUGH/HARA Logic 8815F ET. 3. Rhett Day, Telford, Tenn., with DAY Honky Tonk Woman 18 by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET.

Class 133 — Calved 11/3/2023 to 11/20/2023

10 head shown

1. Addison Duis, Petersburg, Ill., with DF ACD Lainey 309 by ECR WF Gus 058 ET. 2. Kylee and Kyndal Sadler, Tryon, Okla., with T/R 1816 Faye 751L ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET. 3. Hunter Faust, Waskom, Texas, with HZS 561C Lauren 25L ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET.

Polled champion division XV owned female: Grady and Hudson Carter, Stratford, Okla., with CMCC Lake Kid 3054L ET by H The Profit 8426 ET.

Class 134 — Calved 10/6/2023 to 10/29/2023

11 head shown

1. Harper Rose Starnes, Fort Payne, Ala., with BACC 629 Georgia Kay 356 ET by BK Red River H18 ET. 2. Levi Womack, Pembroke, Ky., with Womack Red Hot Lady 3237 ET by BK Red River H18 ET. 3. Lexa Jukes, Swainsboro, Ga., with THM 156J Dahlia 4054 ET by NJW 202C173DSteadfast 156J ET.

Division XV Polled

Class 135 — Calved 9/17/2023 to 10/5/2023

12 head shown

1. William Tackett, Iola, Texas, with Zoellers 8H Lorelai 13L ET by T/R BPF AmericanClassic 561CET. 2. Ella Brooks, Prophetstown, Ill., with

Contest Winners

Performing Outside of the Showring

NJHA members compete in JNHE contests.

Exhibitors from 41 states and Canada competed outside the showring in contests during the VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), “Live From Louisville,” July 12-18. Throughout the week in Louisville,

Ky., National Junior Hereford Association members presented their best performances, from the future professionals and newly added oral reasons contest to the highly competitive Hereford bowl. Winners were recognized on the

CHB Cook-Off

green chips in awards ceremonies July 16-18. Exhibitors have these educational opportunities, thanks to assistance from the Hereford Youth Foundation of America.

Promotional Poster

Intermediate judging contest winners pictured (l to r): first, Pittsford, Mich.; second, Keeley Warnken,

Illustrated Speech

Intermediate

Future Professionals

Advanced Speech

Hereford Bowl

Live From Louisville

Alabama - Mary Hannah Gullatt

Colorado - Samantha Campbell

Illinois - Colin Huelsmann, Logan Rhodes, Shelby Siemer and Laney Stephens

Indiana - Ray Duncan, J.D. Seward, Garrison

Siedling and Jayden Simpson

Iowa - Ashley DeMolles and Logan Schroeder

Kansas - Kaden Camerlinck and Lauren Gatz

Kentucky - Hannah Keith

Outstanding State Members

Alabama - Mary Hannah Gullatt

Colorado - Samantha Campbell

Idaho - Tymber Billman

Illinois - Kendall Boatman

Indiana - J.D. Seward

Kansas - Lauren Gatz

Kentucky - Emma Ballinger

Louisiana - Kyler Cooley

Maryland - Rianna Chaney

Michigan - Elayna Hawkins

Minnesota - Bella Pressnall

Mississippi - Sarah Kate Childs

Missouri - Phillip Mueller

Montana - Cooper Miller

Nebraska - Jackson Wright

Retiring NJHA Members

Maryland - Rianna and Sheridan Chaney, and Ian Forbes

Michigan - Paige Nichols

Minnesota - Will Freking

Missouri - Phillip Mueller and Issac Rhode

North Carolina - Amber Shutsky

Ohio - Sawyer Hake

Oklahoma - Kya Rhodes

New England - Luke Bergeron

New Mexico - Peyton Pérez

New York - Rebecca Vancamp

North Carolina - Jordan Mitchem

Ohio - Jillian Johnson

Oklahoma - Koble Lewis

Oregon - Fallon Gohr

South Dakota - Jayna Blume

Tennessee - Morgan Riley

Texas - Aidyn Barber

Virginia - Megan Mallory

Washington - Sydney Betes

West Virginia - Aaron Shriver

Wisconsin - Lauren Jones

Wyoming - Sarah Birdsall

Texas - Allyson Hamilton and Megan Gajdica

Virginia - Megan Mallory

Washington - Jarrett Dalia

West Virginia - Emilea Greathouse

Wisconsin - Brooke Aue, Alisha Klemme and Lauren Jones

Canada - Jacob Ball

TScholarships

Hereford Youth Earn Scholarships

he Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) awarded more than $50,000 in scholarships to exemplary National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members during the 2025 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), “Live From Louisville,” July 12-18. HYFA will award more than $225,000 in scholarships throughout the year to support Hereford youth in their academic pursuits.

“HYFA seeks to support and nurture young Hereford breeders by providing the opportunity to earn scholarships to support their post high school education goals and leadership training in all facets of the agricultural industry,” says George Sprague, vice president of the HYFA board of directors. “It is a true pleasure to learn about the accomplishments and goals of the juniors, and it is clear they are destined to be leaders. The future of the agricultural industry is definitely in good hands.”

NJHA members would not receive scholarships without the steadfast support from breeders, businesses and partner organizations, such as the National Hereford Women (NHW).

at North Carolina State University, dual majoring in animal science and biochemistry. Upon completion of her undergraduate degree, Mitchem plans to either attend veterinary school or graduate school to further her education. Though she may not know the exact path her career will take, she’s confident it will involve carrying on her family’s farming legacy.

Mitchem shares that a keynote speaker at the Faces of Leadership conference inspired her to find joy in the journey toward reaching her personal goals and to give back to others, just as many have given to her. While mentoring a fellow NJHA member, she discovered that uplifting others was even more rewarding than celebrating her own achievements in the showring.

Likewise, Lindsey Jacobs, NHW board member explains, “Part of the NHW’s mission is to welcome and support our youth in the Hereford breed. We are continually impressed by the applicants we see each year, and we are so proud of these recipients and their accomplishments in and out of the classroom. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for the next generation of Hereford breeders.”

Golden Bull Achievement Awards

Awarded annually at the JNHE, the Golden Bull Achievement Award honors three outstanding collegiate members for their dedication and extensive involvement in the NJHA. As one of the JNHE’s highest honors, recipients are awarded a bronze bull and a $2,500 scholarship to support their academic pursuits.

Jordan Mitchem, Vale, N.C., is a fifth-generation farmer and a freshman

“I have been given a gift of the love of the cattle industry, and I will make it my life’s purpose to give it back to the programs that made me who I am,” Mitchem says.

Rylie Meinhardt, Onaga, Kan., is a sophomore at Kansas State University (K-State) where she is pursuing a degree in animal sciences and industry, with a focus in communications and a minor in leadership. Meinhardt is passionate about being an honest, informed and reliable voice for agriculture, and she hopes to use her communication skills and personal experiences to educate individuals about where their food comes

that’s already shaping my future,” Meinhardt says. “Each Hereford event I attend reinforces the value of this experience, as I continue to build lasting connections with industry professionals who will support my career and remain lifelong mentors.”

Meinhardt’s long-term goal is to work in livestock communications, live in a rural community and actively promote the agricultural industry. She wants to use her voice to share real stories that help others understand the value of agriculture.

Salem Sifford, Goldvein, Va., is a senior at Virginia Tech majoring in dairy science and minoring in animal and poultry sciences and agriculture business. Competing in livestock judging from a young age opened the door to collegiate judging and coaching opportunities. She found a passion for coaching and teaching livestock evaluation. She plans to pursue a master’s degree and work toward becoming a livestock judging coach and associate professor at a twoor four-year university.

Sifford currently serves on the NJHA board of directors and intends to give back in meaningful ways both personally and professionally when her time as a member is complete.

“Ultimately, I want to build a career that not only supports myself and my family, but the greater good for Hereford youth,” Sifford says.

Junior Golden Bull Awards

The Junior Golden Bull Award honors four outstanding students, grades ninth through 12th, with a coveted bronze Hereford bull statue.

This award recognizes high-achieving NJHA members who demonstrate exceptional leadership in the Hereford breed, the agricultural industry and their communities.

“The NJHA is the best resource to help me become successful in the Hereford industry,” says Tymber Billman, 11th-grade Junior Golden Bull Award recipient. “This great association has allowed me to meet other passionate youth and professionals that share the same interests as me.”

The NJHA strives to offer its more than 4,000 members opportunities to enhance their leadership skills and advance their education through handson learning experiences.

Ninth-grade winner, Faith Benedict, Dewey, Ill., is a fifth-generation Hereford breeder who started showing cattle when she was 7 years old. A bred-and-owned heifer called Ruby captured her heart and ignited her passion for Hereford cattle. Benedict, who will start her sophomore year at Mahomet-Seymour High School, enjoys attending the NJHA’s Faces of Leadership conference, making connections and showing at the JNHE each summer. She plans to attend college and pursue a degree in agricultural communications.

“Being an active member of the NJHA means that I am a part of something bigger than myself,”

to run for an Oklahoma FFA state office and attend Oklahoma State University (OSU) to study pre-law, with an agricultural business or natural resources focus. Collins currently serves as the vice president of the Junior Hereford Association of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma state queen.

“Whether it was giving my first sales talk at JNHE when I was 7 years old or having my first position in Hereford royalty as the Oklahoma Hereford Sweetheart, the NJHA activities I have participated in have shaped me into who I am today,” Collins says.

Her participation in the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout and Faces of Leadership conference are highlights of her NJHA experience, and she is proud to represent the next generation of her family’s Hereford operation.

Collins says that her goal is to continue learning and to use her knowledge to positively impact the beef industry by making sound breeding and marketing decisions.

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for leadership and industry experiences,” Billman says. “I am sure that these experiences will help me in the future because I have been inspired to work hard, become a leader and keep the traditions of the Hereford breed alive.”

11th grade winner, Tymber Billman, Rigby, Idaho, has a passion for Hereford cattle inspired by her late grandfather, Neal Ward, who mentored, encouraged and provided Billman with opportunities to become more involved in the Hereford breed.

Billman will be a senior at Rigby High School with plans to attend college and pursue a degree in animal reproduction with a focus in embryology. She is also the Idaho Junior Hereford Association vice president. She enjoys participating in the NJHA’s Faces of Leadership conference, the Fed Steer Shootout and

12th-grade winner, Jordan Mitchem, Vale, N.C., a recent graduate of West Lincoln High School, currently serves as the North Carolina Junior Hereford Association president. Mitchem studies animal science and biochemistry at North Carolina State University. As a fifth-generation farmer, she is committed to expanding her family’s Hereford herd. Mitchem says her favorite NJHA events are the Faces of Leadership conference and the Fed Steer Shootout.

“Because of the NJHA, I see life through the bigger picture,” Mitchem says. “My summers have a richer meaning. I have stepped out of my comfort zone, I am confident in who I am, and I have found my passion and life’s purpose.”

Mitchem says that her involvement in the NJHA has shown her that there is a vast world past the pasture, and she is excited about all the opportunities that it gives her.

Prospect Awards

The Prospect Award honors five junior members engaged in the Hereford breed and agricultural industry, with active participation in their schools and communities. It is awarded to the most committed and involved students in third through eighth grade.

Through this award program, young people demonstrate their dedication in the showring and beyond, while gaining professional skills they will call upon outside of their junior show career.

“The Prospect and Junior Golden Bull Award winners are the future of the agriculture industry,” says Amy Cowan, American Hereford Association (AHA) director of youth activities and foundation. “It makes me proud to know they are growing up in the NJHA and are already building their resumes and destined to do big things throughout their journey in the Hereford breed and beyond.”

Fourth-grade winner, Cooper Acheson, Wichita, Kan., is entering

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Scholarships

fifth grade this fall and is diving into his NJHA experience with enthusiasm and focus. Acheson is passionate about raising and showing Hereford cattle, the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout, Hereford bowl and learning about the beef industry.

“One of the many reasons I joined the NJHA was to show my pride for Hereford cattle,” Acheson says. “They are an amazing breed of cattle, and I want to be involved in a breed that adds value to the beef industry.”

Fifth-grade winner, Braxton Lockhart, Caldwell, Texas, says that, as a fifth-generation Hereford breeder, this industry is in his blood. He could not wait for his chance to start participating in as many NJHA contests and events as possible.

Klink aspires to be on the Michigan Junior Hereford Association board of directors, attend the NJHA’s Faces of Leadership and BOLD conferences and start a small feedlot to raise and sell freezer beef.

Lockhart enjoys competing in the Certified Hereford Beef® Cook-Off, team fitting and public speaking contests, while also showing at the JNHE. In the future, he plans to be a member of a Hereford bowl team, run for leadership positions at both state and national levels and attend the NJHA’s Faces of Leadership and Building on Leadership Development (BOLD) conferences.

“I have watched my two older siblings compete and make lifelong friends in the Hereford breed, and since I have joined, I have hit the ground running,” Lockhart says.

Sixth-grade winner, Jase Klink, Garden, Mich., just completed sixth grade and is eagerly planning a bright future within the Hereford breed and beef industry. He notes that he and his family love Hereford cattle for their docility, mothering ability and hardiness,

“I hope to keep raising Hereford cattle for the next generation on our family farm,” Klink says.

Seventh-grade winner, Josie Beltz, Canton, Kan., spent years admiring the NJHA board of directors and her older brother, Jase, before she stepped into the showring herself. Along with her passion for exhibiting Hereford cattle, she enjoys pushing herself by entering speaking contests that are honing her skillset for the future.

“I love being involved in the cattle industry, whether I am showing at the local, state or national level or competing in speech and judging contests,” Beltz says.

She aspires to one day be part of the NJHA board of directors and inspire fellow members, just as she has been inspired by the young leaders who have come before her.

Eighth-grade winner, Jarrett Worrell, Mason, Texas, finished eighth grade in May and currently serves as a Texas Junior Hereford Association director. He loves showing Hereford cattle, but more importantly, he loves watching them be born, grow and become mature cows in his herd. As a fifth-generation rancher, he says that raising Herefords is more than just a project — it is his family’s way of life and legacy.

Worrell hopes to be a positive role model for younger members by sharing his experiences to encourage others to be involved in the association. He plans to be an impactful leader within the NJHA,

while promoting Herefords, the beef industry and agriculture as a whole.

“I learn by being active in leadership roles, speaking contests and judging contests, and it will make me a better leader,” Worrell says. “Ultimately, I want to be a good person and make a difference.”

Bob Call Founders Scholarships

Emma Ballinger, McKee, Ky., and Haley Mouser, Tenstrike, Minn., were each awarded a $5,000 Bob Call Founders Scholarship.

The Bob Call Founders Scholarship honors the legacy of Bob Call, HYFA’s first president and a trailblazer in the establishment of its scholarship and leadership initiatives. This scholarship recognizes two outstanding Hereford youth and is fittingly awarded at the JNHE, where Call chaired the host committee 26 years ago for the first event in Oklahoma. Bob and his wife, Dolores Call, Cushing, Okla., owned and operated CBY Polled Herefords and loved nothing more than supporting Hereford youth and watching them succeed.

Ballinger is a junior at the University of Kentucky, where she is pursuing a degree in agricultural education and advocacy. She aspires to be an agricultural educator, empowering students to find their place in the agricultural industry. Her hope is to create a classroom environment where every student feels seen, valued and inspired to be a part of something bigger than themselves.

Ballinger’s family has lived and

farm serves as her roots, and her late grandfather’s love for the Hereford breed has pushed her to excel and be involved with the NJHA. She currently serves on the NJHA board of directors.

“Being an active NJHA member has given me countless opportunities to grow personally and professionally,” Ballinger says. “I’ve developed key skills in teamwork, communication and leadership, and these experiences have given me the confidence to face challenges head-on and the tools to make the most of new opportunities in school and beyond.”

Mouser is a senior at South Dakota State University majoring in animal science with hopes of pursuing a master’s degree in meat science. Her goal is to strengthen and expand the beef market by creating opportunities for cattle producers and their operations. She also is dedicated to connecting with consumers and sharing the beef industry’s story.

Mouser joined the NJHA in 2016, and asked herself: “What am I doing today that will set me up for success tomorrow?”

“The NJHA and AHA always seemed to be the answer and looking back, I can confidently say it was,” Mouser says. “Not only are the connections made, experiences gained and skills developed all integral parts of where I am today, but past the tangible results, the mindset it has helped me develop stretches even farther.”

She finished her time on the NJHA board of directors at the 2025 JNHE and often encourages junior members to never miss a chance to say thank you.

National Junior Merit Scholarship

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Her career goals are to expand and improve her cattle operation through strategic business management and to practice agricultural law. Lunsford hopes to be a practical and reliable legal resource for those working each day to feed and sustain the world.

he is double majoring in accounting and agricultural economics. Birdsall is considering pursuing a master’s degree in either finance or accounting and hopes to work within the agricultural finance industry supporting Hereford producers.

For more than 20 years, Birdsall has called the NJHA home while competing in and out of the showring. He is a fourtime recipient of the Junior Golden Bull Award; five-time NJHA board delegate and a past president of the Wyoming Junior Hereford Association. Birdsall currently serves on the NJHA board.

Sam Birdsall, Torrington, Wyo., was awarded the $5,000 National Junior Merit Scholarship.

The National Junior Merit Scholarship stands as one of the highest honors presented at the JNHE. Created to promote initiative, teamwork, passion, leadership and excellence, the award aims to cultivate well-rounded breeders for the Hereford breed and the beef industry. Each year, the recipient is awarded a $5,000 scholarship and a subsidized trip to a Hereford operation of their choosing within the continental U.S.

“In the future, I plan to give back to the Hereford association both personally and professionally,” Birdsall says. “Personally, I plan to run my own cows and stay engaged with the AHA. I’ll continue to highlight the advantages of white-faced cattle, such as added docility, efficiency, and heterosis …”

Bud Snidow Award

Kaylee Lunsford, Fort Scott, Kan., won the $2,500 Bud Snidow Award and Scholarship.

Each year, the NJHA pays tribute to Bud Snidow, a former AHA employee and a respected Hereford historian, by presenting a custom buckle and scholarship in his honor. This award is given to an outstanding NJHA member who exemplifies the values Snidow held dear: fairness, a strong work ethic, enthusiasm and an unwavering dedication to the Hereford breed and its community.

“This industry and community have given me so much, and I view this investment as a responsibility to not only pursue my goals with integrity and purpose, but to also reinvest my time, resources and knowledge back into the NJHA,” she says.

Donna Curry ScholarshipsMemorial

Three NJHA members received a $2,500 Donna Curry Memorial Scholarship.

When Donna Curry of McAlester, Okla., passed away in 2022, the Hereford community lost a remarkable woman and beloved friend. From her steadfast commitment to youth and her meaningful influence on so many, Donna inspired all who knew her. To ensure Donna’s spirit continues to lead future generations and carry her legacy forward, HYFA and the Curry family established this scholarship.

Lunsford is a senior at OSU majoring in animal science. After graduation, she plans to pursue a master’s in business administration and attend law school.

“Scholarship recognitions in the Hereford industry do more than just support education; they honor hard work, deduction to the breed and the next generation of leaders who will carry forward the legacy of excellence in cattle stewardship,” says Curtis Curry, scholarship selection committee member and husband of the late Donna Curry. “Donna would be so proud of the way these applicants conduct themselves in all facets of their lives.”

Addison Koontz, Thomas, Okla., recently graduated from Clarendon College, where she was a member of the livestock judging team. In the fall, Koontz will begin working toward a bachelor’s degree in animal science at West Texas A&M University. After earning her undergraduate degree, she plans to attend Texas Tech University (TTU) to become a veterinarian, with a focus on large animal care, which has been her dream for as long as she

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can remember. Her ultimate goal is to open her own clinic serving farmers and ranchers in her community.

“Thanks to the support of the HYFA, I am excited and prepared to give back to the community that has shaped me,” Koontz says. “I look forward to using my skills, resources and passion to make a lasting impact on the Hereford industry.”

Tyree Figge, Onaga, Kan., is a junior at K-State pursuing a double major in agricultural business and animal sciences and industry. His goals include working in agricultural sales and marketing, specifically within the livestock nutrition sector. He aspires to serve farmers and ranchers by helping them improve herd productivity, enhance animal health and ultimately boost operational efficiency and profitability.

“The NJHA has been one of the most influential organizations I have been involved in, continually opening doors and providing opportunities that have helped me grow as a leader and an individual,” she says.

Figge believes agriculture is built on people, and his passion lies in supporting and educating those who work tirelessly to feed the world. Whether it’s helping a rancher select the right feed program or speaking at producer meetings, he plans to use his education and experiences to advocate for animal agriculture and drive progress in the industry.

“With the foundation built by my family and the Hereford breed, I am determined to leave a lasting impact in agriculture,” Figge says. “Whether in the showring, at the feed store or mentoring young cattlemen, I will strive to reflect the values of hard work, integrity and generosity that this industry and the NJHA represent.”

Hereford Herdsman Scholarships

Kade Boatman, Rockford, Ill., and Aidyn Barber, Channing, Texas, were each awarded a $2,500 Hereford Herdsman Scholarship.

“The Herdsman Scholarship is one of the most prestigious scholarships among juniors who strive for excellence, whether on the farm, in the showring or in the back of the barns,” Curry says. “It was a true honor to get to interview the applicants and meet so many young talented individuals who will be the future of this industry.”

Kendall Boatman, Rockford, Ill., says that as a sixth-generation Hereford breeder, she has always known that agriculture would be a part of her future, and she does not know where she would be today if she had not grown up in the Hereford breed.

Boatman is a freshman at Lake Land Community College, competing on the livestock judging team. Though he is still exploring his future career path, he is confident in his desire to pursue a profession that supports the agricultural industry. His interests include auctioneering, animal genetics and political science.

Boatman says the NJHA offers countless opportunities that help shape youth into well-rounded individuals. He’s committed to giving back and ensuring that future generations have access to the same experiences and opportunities that have positively impacted his life.

“The people of our kind are dwindling, and I want to be a part of keeping traditions alive to ensure success for the beef industry and the Hereford breed,” Boatman says.

Barber is a freshman at TTU, where

This fall, Boatman will be attending Lake Land Community College to compete on the livestock judging team and continue her academic career. She then plans to attend a four-year university to major in agricultural communications and business. Boatman envisions a life spent staying connected to the beef industry through roles in marketing, public relations, working for a breed association or even managing her own operation.

pursue a master’s degree in agricultural law. Her career aspirations include working for a breed association or managing a major Texas stock show, where she can continue to work with youth and promote the livestock industry — especially the Hereford breed.

“I want to be someone who uplifts and creates opportunities for the next generation of livestock exhibitors,” Barber says. “I believe strongly in the value of mentorship and plan to use my career to advocate for youth programs, educational opportunities and the continued success of the junior livestock industry. My goal is to be the kind of role model and resource that so many have

been for me throughout my time in the Hereford community.”

Barber says growing up in the showring shaped her into who she is today, and the Hereford breed and people behind it have instilled in her values of hard work, dedication and heart, which are all qualities that she carries with her daily.

Bluegrass and Buckeye Scholarship

Sarah Beth Callicott, Only, Tenn., was awarded the $2,000 Bluegrass and Buckeye Scholarship.

The Bluegrass and Buckeye Scholarship is a collaborative effort between the Kentucky and Ohio Hereford Associations and HYFA. Each year, they award a $2,000 scholarship to an exceptional NJHA member. The scholarship aims to cultivate future leaders in the Hereford breed and the beef industry.

Callicott is a junior at Tennessee Tech University, majoring in agricultural education. As she explored career options, one passion stood apart: passing her love for agriculture down to her future students. More specifically, she aspires to establish a Hereford show team at her future agricultural program.

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devoted his life to supporting youth in the agricultural industry. Widely recognized on local, state and national levels for his achievements, Boyd was a renowned cattle judge who participated in all major livestock shows and exhibited numerous international and national Hereford champions. This scholarship supports youth in the Hereford breed who plan to attend college and pursue a degree in agriculture.

Callicott has been a member of the NJHA for five years and is currently serving on the NJHA board of directors. Her passion for the Hereford breed and commitment to young people are unmatched, and her dedication to making a positive impact in their lives reflects that ambition.

“Since 2018, my family has proudly walked Hereford cattle into the ring and shown with passion and a love for the breed,” Callicott says. “I am proud to carry that passion into pursuing a degree in agricultural education and giving my students the same opportunities I once was given.”

Boyd’s daughter, Suzanne Matheny, assisted with the scholarship interview process and says, “My dad strived to help others, and we are able to carry that on through this scholarship. Giving back and helping young people get started in the Hereford breed is what he did, and as a family, we are thankful we can keep giving back to others.”

Watson, a sophomore at Butler Community College, is majoring in agricultural business and animal science and is a member of the livestock judging team. After college, Watson hopes to pursue a career giving back to her community and using her strong communication skills to advocate for agriculture. In the future, she plans to own and operate a funeral home while carrying on the legacy of her family’s purebred and commercial cowcalf operation.

Charles E. Boyd Memorial Scholarship

Harlee Watson, Flemingsburg, Ky., was awarded the $2,000 Charles E. Boyd Memorial Scholarship.

The Charles E. Boyd Memorial Scholarship honors the legacy of Charles E. Boyd Sr., a third-generation Hereford breeder from Mays Lick, Ky., who

Watson credits her involvement in the NJHA with shaping who she is today. The NJHA has fueled her passion for agriculture and the livestock industry, taught her invaluable lessons and has shown her the meaning of hard work and dedication.

She says the Hereford breed has been an endless source of inspiration and opportunity in her life, and she is committed to giving back to youth and providing them with the same support she has gratefully received. Watson currently serves on the NJHA board of directors.

John Wayne Memorial Scholarship

Paige Lemenager, Hudson, Ill., was awarded the $2,000 John Wayne Memorial Scholarship.

The John Wayne Memorial Scholarship honors the legacy of John Wayne — a renowned actor, continued on page 140...

Scholarships

agriculturalist and Hereford breeder — by recognizing a deserving college student who has made significant contributions to the agricultural industry and the Hereford breed.

Lemenager is a senior at TTU, where she is majoring in animal science and is a member of the livestock judging team. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, she plans to pursue a postgraduate law degree with professional goals of running her family farm and becoming an agricultural attorney.

Lemenager’s passion for animal agriculture runs deep through her family’s cattle operation in central Illinois. Some of her most cherished memories involve the NJHA, Hereford cattle and people, and she cannot help but feel the utmost pride and joy when she reflects on her time as an NJHA member.

to a young member’s future, for an association who helped to shape mine, is a huge honor.”

Chaney is a senior at OSU majoring in agricultural communications and minoring in agricultural leadership and event management and planning. She looks forward to a career communicating the stories of Hereford cattle and people through graphic design and photography.

“My involvement with the Hereford breed has profoundly influenced my life, enhancing my skills as a stockman, communicator and leader,” Lemenager says. “Working with Hereford breeders has taught me the value of responsibility, effective collaboration and advocacy — qualities that will serve me well in law school and my future career.”

Mead Family Memorial Scholarship

Rianna Chaney, Keymar, Md., received the $2,000 Mead Family Memorial Scholarship.

As a fifth-generation farmer and firstgeneration Hereford breeder, Chaney had a lifelong dream of raising and exhibiting a champion bred-and-owned bull. That dream became a reality when her bull, Kylo Ren, brought home champion banners from shows nationwide.

The 2025 JNHE marks her 14th and final year exhibiting at the event. As she wraps her time in the junior showring, she plans to continue growing her registered Hereford herd while also pursuing a career in the agricultural industry.

Mead Cattle Enterprises, Midville, Ga., has been dedicated to breeding Hereford cattle for more than 40 years. As original members of the Pro Performance Breeders group, they have long supported young Hereford enthusiasts. In 2020, the Mead family experienced the loss of two amazing ladies and the backbone of their Hereford operation, owner Tommy Mead’s mother, Hazel Mead, and his wife, Valarie Mead. To honor their memory, family and friends established the Mead Family Memorial Scholarship Endowment in 2021.

“Our youth are the future,” says Tommie Mead Jones, daughter of Tommy and Valarie. “To play a small role in enhancing and providing support

NOP Founders Scholarship

Cady Pieper, Zurich, Kan., was awarded the $2,000 NOP Founders Scholarship.

Established in 2003, the NOP Founders Scholarship honors the pioneering women who founded the National Organization of Poll-ettes (NOP), which began in 1965 and later became known as the NHW.

Pieper is a senior at K-State majoring in agricultural and natural resources communications. Her future plans include being a livestock photographer and expanding her business, CW Imagery, to offer design, screen printing and merchandise embroidery services to breeders.

generation breeder, she says raising Hereford cattle is in her blood.

“I know that raising cattle, showing cattle and the people I’ve met in this business will be something that will continue with me the rest of my life,” Pieper says.

Hereford Herdsmen of the Year

Kade and Kendall Boatman, Rockford, Ill., were named the 2025 Junior Hereford Herdsmen of the Year.

The Boatmans haven’t missed a JNHE. As sixth-generation Hereford breeders, they’ve built their operation, 2TK Cattle Co., served in leadership roles for the Illinois Junior Hereford Association and worked alongside their family at Perks Ranch. This fall they’re off to Lake Land College to judge livestock and further their education.

The nominees are initially selected by a committee, then voted on by their peers throughout the JNHE. Kade and Kendall were awarded a $2,500 scholarship, sponsored by HYFA and Sullivan Supply, ...continued

Pieper and her family own Pieper Land and Cattle Co., part of the historic

Herdsmen winners demonstrate a tremendous work ethic along with knowledge about the Hereford breed and beef industry. These award winners stand out among their peers through their dedication and leadership leading up to and during the JNHE. The Boatmans’ passion for the cattle industry, their work ethic and commitment to the Hereford breed make them ideal recipients of this honor.

“My grandma, great-grandpa and parents have all been Herdsman of the Year, so to follow in their footsteps and keep the legacy going means a lot to me and Kade,” Kendall says.

“It means the world to me, especially getting to do it with my sister,” Kade says. “To be able to have this big of an award given to us and do it together just makes it that much more special.”

Walter and Joe Lewis High Point Senior Award

At the conclusion of JNHE, Kade Boatman, Rockford, Ill., received the 2025 Walter and Joe Lewis High Point Senior Award. Being one of the most sought-after awards at the JNHE, the Walter and Joe Lewis Award recognizes seniors who excel in leadership, teamwork, passion, skills and overall competition. Along with the title, Boatman also received a $2,000 scholarship. “It’s not just one victory that you’re focused on — you’re focused on every little moment throughout the week,” Kade says. “Every contest counts toward it, and it makes it really, really

Faces of Leadership Travel Scholarships

In 2023, the NHW began annually awarding $400 travel scholarships to 10 NJHA members attending the Faces of Leadership conference through a random drawing process. The NHW has worked diligently to support Hereford youth and lay the groundwork for future success. The NHW encourages young people to develop connections and build their leadership skills through events like the Faces of Leadership conference,

This year’s randomly selected winners were: Chyloh Billman, Rigby, Idaho; Hadlee Brown, Adrian, Ore.; Mazie Bunn, Zebulon, N.C.; Delaney Chester, Oregonia, Ohio; Addison Duis, Petersburg, Ill.; Graden Forbes, Kearney, Neb.; Miranda Hansen, Checotah, Okla.; Karsyn Kleeman, Braymer, Mo.; Creighton Smith, Georgetown, Ky.; and Christiana, Tenn.

Live From Louisville

Scholarship Deadlines

Each year, the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) awards more than $225,000 in scholarships and awards to help National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members continue their educations and enhance their leadership skills. Please mark these annual scholarship deadlines on your calendar.

HYFA Fall Scholarships application deadline: Sept. 1

More than $165,000 of scholarships are awarded each fall at the NJHA Awards and HYFA Scholarship Ceremony at the annual American Hereford Association Membership Meeting in Kansas City, Mo. More information about the different scholarships can be found at the HYFA scholarship page, Hereford.org/youth/ njha/scholarship-opportunities/, and within the application.

Western States Hereford Scholarships application deadline: Nov. 1

The Western States Hereford Association (WSHA) offers scholarship opportunities to provide tuition assistance to current or former NJHA members pursuing postsecondary education. Awards will be announced at the Western States National Hereford Show in Reno, Nev., in December. More information about the different scholarships can be found at the HYFA scholarship page and within the application.

HYFA Spring Scholarships application deadline: April 15

Each spring more than $50,000 in scholarships will be awarded to deserving NJHA members. Scholarship recipients will be recognized at the Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE). More information about the different scholarships can be found at the HYFA scholarship page and within the application..

Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025

Jeromesville, Ohio

Service Sires to our Sale Consignments:

SHF Houston D287 H086

Boyd Pursuit 4032

KCF Bennett Monument J338 Sale Consignors:

Berg Polled Herefords LLC, Ohio

J&L Cattle Service, Ohio

Creek Bottom Farms, Ohio

KC Polled Herefords, Ohio

Je , Lou Ellen and Keayla Harr

334 Twp. Rd. 1922

Jeromesville, OH 44840

Cell 419-685-0549 jlcattleserv@aol.com

Cottage Hill, W.Va.

Glenview Farm, Pa.

Jerry and Mary Ann Berg 16821 Withrich Rd. • P.O. Box 224 • Dalton, OH 44618 330-857-7967 • 330-465-6185 cell • jwberg@bright.net Mike Berg 330-465-2627 cell

“For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.” – Psalm 50:10

Landrum Family Farm, Ind. Doorman Farms, Ky.

John and Marytha Pitt 515-290-1383 pitt@iowatelecom.net www.pittfarms.com

Conard and Nancy Stitzlein 4551 State Rt. 514 Glenmont, OH 44628

Matt Stitzlein 330-231-0708

Alexis Stitzlein 330-231-9538

Josiah and Sara Hulbert 419-308-7055

lexstitz@gmail.com Visit us on Facebook Mohican Polled Herefords

www.buckeyeherefords.com 10708 Main Rd. Berlin Heights, OH 44814

Lisa Finnegan Keets, Secretary 440-320-6193 ohioherefordlady@yahoo.com

740-732-4783

21989 Woodsfield Rd. Sarahsville, OH 43779 rickgreenvalley@gmail.com www.switzerlandpolledherefords.com

Tim, Stephanie, Ashleigh and Andrew Osborn 3537 Second Creek Rd. Blanchester, OH 45107

Tim: 937-655-0644 timosborn62@gmail.com

8570 Shannon Rd. Dresden, OH 43821

Jeff Jordan 740-704-4807 cell jeffjordanssf@outlook.com

Respect for the Past – Belief in the Future

Open House

Sept. 13 & 14, 2025 | 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Don’t miss the chance to stop by and see what’s new.

EF MF LONGEST YARD 19Z 228J

P43829326

P44225190 | Calved: 2/28/21 • Tattoo: BE 228J •Owned with McDonald Farms, Mich.; and O’Hara Family LLC, Okla.

Brian, Janelle, Collin and Landon Deatsman 5708 North 200 East Leesburg, Indiana 46538

Brian Cell: 574-527-6679 gdeatsman@hotmail.com Visit our

CHURCHILL LADY 7202T ET {DLF,HYF,IEF}

P43829326NJW 79Z 10W RITA 11B {DLF,HYF,IEF,MSUDF,MDF}LJR 023R WHITMORE 10W {SOD}{DLF,HYF,IEF,MSUDF,MDF,DBF} BW 91H 100W RITA 79Z ET {DLF,HYF,IEF,MSUDF,MDF}

P43292936 Owned

BAR JZ RUMBLE 525X {DLF,HYF,IEF,DBP} MSU TCF REVOLUTION 4R {SOD}{DLF,HYF,IEF,MDF,DBC} AH MS 25L RUMBLER 19Z {DOD}{DLF,HYF,IEF,MSUDF,DBF}

1264 N. Mountain Rd. Wingate, IN 47994

David cell 765-366-0295 davidandjilld@aol.com www.ableacrescattle.com

2261 E. U.S. Hwy. 40 Clayton, IN 46118

Dale 317-752-7523

Dylan 317-752-3267 kottkampcattle@gmail.com

812-870-6968

casey.hampton@me.com 3013 W. State Rd. 38 West Lebanon, IN 47991

Lee, Cindy and Matthew Elzemeyer

2538 State Rd. 122 Richmond, IN 47374 765-969-2243 lee@elzehereford.com

mmarion.coalcreekcattle@gmail.com Megan – 812-870-3620 Rachel – 812-230-6689 Tanner – 254-485-5080 Terry, Susan and Hayley

Getting the Shot

“Photography has no rules, it is not a sport. It is the result which counts, no matter how it is achieved.” –Bill Brandt

The photography contest at the VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) allows National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA)

members to use their creativity and practice their skills through the lens of a camera. Each age division can submit photos in two categories: Hereford cattle and Hereford people. Photo contest entries were submitted and judged prior to the JNHE.

Peewee Hereford Cattle

1st place

“Born to Carry the Brand” by Mila Perez, Canyon, Texas

Peewee

Hereford Cattle

3rd place

“Sunset Cow Checks After the Rain” by Adalynn Blankenship, West Burlington, N.Y.

All week in Louisville, Ky., winning photographers had their work displayed on canvases. NJHA members were recognized for their placings on July 16. Hereford Publications Inc. sponsors the annual JNHE photography contest.

Peewee Hereford Cattle

2nd place

“Mmmm, Tasty” by Conner McQuaig, Danielsville, Ga.

Junior Hereford Cattle

1st place

“A Mother’s Love” by Addie Bourgeois, Opelousas, La.

Junior Hereford Cattle

2nd place

“Hangin’ Out on a Hot Day” by Charli Moore, Zurich, Kan.

Intermediate Hereford Cattle

1st place

“On the Horizon” by Kynsleigh Krebs, Gordon, Neb.

Intermediate Hereford Cattle

3rd place

Live From Louisville

Junior Hereford Cattle

3rd place

“MOOOve Over, It’s Time to Eat!” by Brayson Mayo, Scott City, Kan.

Intermediate Hereford Cattle

2nd place

“Standing Guard” by W. Zeb Murphree, Hamilton, Texas

“Calves in the Cold” by Amberlyn Christenbury, Starr, S.C.

Senior Hereford Cattle

1st place

“Stare Down” by Rianna Chaney, Keymar, Md.

Photo Contest

Senior Hereford Cattle

2nd place

“Stop n Stare” by Kade Boatman, Rockford, Ill.

Peewee Hereford People

1st place

“Cowboy’s Companion” by Mila Perez, Canyon, Texas

Senior Hereford Cattle

3rd place

“Built for the Brand” by Kendall Boatman, Rockford, Ill.

Peewee Hereford People

3rd place

“Besties” by Avery Wagner, Hull, Iowa

Peewee Hereford People

2nd place

“Little Cowboy, Big Heart” by Emmett Acheson, Wichita, Kan.

Junior Hereford People

1st place

“The Cutest Showman” by Josie Beltz, Canton, Kan.

Junior Hereford People

2nd place

“Little Ones” by Quinn Breiner, Pratt, Kan.

Intermediate Hereford People

1st place

“Shine the Lights” by Tymber Billman, Rigby, Idaho

Intermediate Hereford People

3rd place

“Checking the Herd” by Nolan Lee, Wellington, Ill.

Live From Louisville

Junior Hereford People

3rd place

“Making Friends” by Maddi Beissel, Hampton, Minn.

Intermediate Hereford People

2nd place

“Crafting Champions” by Amberlyn Christenbury, Starr, S.C.

Senior Hereford People

1st place

“Branding Day” by Cady Pieper, Zurich, Kan.

Photo Contest

Senior Hereford People

2nd place

“Pick of the Pasture” by Jalyn Davis, Maple Hill, Kan.

Senior Hereford People

3rd place

“Halters Change, Standards Don’t” by Ashlee DeMolles, Ames, Iowa

Where Heritage Meets the Halter

563-506-3751

IOWA HEREFORD BREEDERS

Craig and Denise Amos Indianola, Iowa 515-961-5847 515-238-9852 Cell cdamos@msn.com www.amosherefordfarm.com

Brent, Robin, Dylan and Nicole 2169 290th Ave. DeWitt, IA 52742 563-357-9849

bapete@iowatelecom.net

563-260-8771

•

St. Lockridge, IA 52635 Cell 608-574-2309

Have an elite heifer or steer prospect for us to consider for purchase?

Visit www.fourleafcattle.com  or text Eric at 262-719-6902

Investing, Breeding and Exhibiting Elite Hereford Cattle

Tod, Sondra, Blake and Bryce Brancel W7874 Hwy. 23

Endeavor, WI 53950

608-617-6949 cell 608-697-9026

Ben and Gail Brancel 608-981-2003 brancel@nextgenerationgenetics.com

Contact CORBIN COWLES 270-991-2534 ccowles@hereford.org

W13707 Hwy. 44 Brandon, WI 53919 Brent & Emma Hopp 920-266-6936 608-628-2330 hoppbre@gmail.com Facebook @ H&H Cattle Farm

OTTER CREEK

Polled Herefords

Chuck and Tracy Badertscher 4313 Cannonball Tr. Dodgeville, WI 53533

608-574-2002 Chuck 608-574-3858 Tracy ctbad2@hotmail.com

Eric 262-719-6902 // Allison 262-751-6405

Tessa, Makenna, Austin and Killian

WISCONSIN HEREFORD BREEDERS

LARSON HEREFORD FARMS

N8494 110th St. Spring Valley, WI 54767 Fred 715-495-0837 fredlarson@mac.com Easten 715-495-6233 Jerry 715-772-4566 www.larsonherefordfarms.com

Mark Friedrich and Family

1454 70th Ave. Roberts, WI 54028

715-760-2350 markfriedrich@yahoo.com

JOSH and AMY SPAETH

2515 250th St. Cadott, WI 54727

715-289-4098 spaethherefords@gmail.com www.spaethfarms.com

ccowles@hereford.org

Eric, Rosie, Briana, Rhett and Madison Katzenberger Monroe, WI 608-214-1154 ekatz@tds.net

Nick and Lenore Katzenberger Pearl City, IL www.plumriverranch.com

Joyce Bevan Jason, Jaclyn, Mya and Bianca Bevan 1681 Austin Rd. Platteville, WI 53818 bvbbeef@outlook.com jaclyn@jaclynbevan Jackie 608-732-4251