Hereford breeders honored for 50 years in the business
In celebration of 50 years in the Hereford business, Hereford breeders were recognized for their commitment as Golden Breeders during the recent American Hereford Association Hereford Honorees Reception in Kansas City, Missouri.
This year’s Golden Breeders from High Plains Journal Readership area are Simpson Polled Herefords—Mike and Becky Simpson, Redfield, Iowa; Bill King, Moriarty, New Mexico; and Valley Creek Ranch—Scott and Judy McGee, Fairbury, Nebraska.
“It is impressive to see the number of Golden Hereford Breeder award recipients. This award is an immense achievement as a cattle producer,” says Shane Bedwell, AHA chief operating officer and director of breed improvement. “The AHA commends the dedication and longstanding passion of these families within the Hereford breed.”
Simpson Polled Herefords
Mike and Becky got their start in the Hereford cattle business at a young age. Both had the great fortune to exhibit and be around several state and national champions. Mike was an employee of the American Polled Hereford Association. His most notable achievement was developing the National Junior Polled Heifer show and forum. While working at the APHA, he met his wife, Becky, who was a writer for APHA and Polled Hereford World.
The Simpson herd has been developed with performance as the top priority. Their major focus is on calving ease, low birth weights and high growth traits. The Simpson herd is recognized as a Gold Whole Herd Total Performance Record breeder and have had several Dams of Distinction in their bloodlines.
Bill King
Bill King started his Hereford herd in 1968 as a junior in high school with the purchase of three heifers from Marshall Sellman. Over the years he has grown his herd to more than 400 head of registered Hereford operation, along with an extensive Charolais and Angus seedstock herd. He sells 400 to 500 hundred registered bulls annually, private treaty around the country and internationally.
A past president of the AHA board of directors, and currently is a member of the Legacy Foundation board. Bill has served the cattle industry on many other boards, including president of the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, president of the NM Livestock Board, Executive board of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, and NCBA Regional Vice President. In 2016 the US Secretary of Agriculture appointed Bill to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board where he is still currently serving. Today he and his family continue the business and hope to stay in the cattle business for the next 100 years.
Valley Creek Ranch
Located south of Fairbury, Nebraska, Scott has been raising Herefords for as long as he can remember. 2018 marks 50 years that Valley Creek Ranch has been in the registered Hereford business. VCR has exhibited on the local, regional and national levels for many years. VCR is a family run operation that now spans five generations. The ranch utilizes AI, embryo transfer and welcomes visitors to stop by and view the breeding operation anytime.
