International Hereford breeders tour High Plains states
Hereford breeders from around the world are coming to multiple High Plains states, Oct. 26-29, touring prominent Hereford operations following the previous week’s World Hereford Conference in Kansas City, Missouri.
Among the states were Nebraska, Colorado, Texas, and Oklahoma.
“This tour is designed to showcase some of the leading Hereford genetics and operations in the nation,” said Jack Ward, American Hereford executive vice president.
Nebraska and Colorado
From historic cowtowns flanked by the snow-capped Rocky Mountains to history-making industry research, the Nebraska and Colorado tour dives deep into America’s cattle industry—past and present.
The Sandhills Sights and Mountain Views tour offers a glimpse of Western cowboy culture, unique AHA research, historic Hereford herds and the distinct, diverse and wide-open spaces that make up Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska.
In addition to viewing leading Hereford genetics at each tour stop, tour participants will hear about Merck Animal Health’s SenseHub Vence technology, see part of the Hoffman Ranch Female Sale, visit the historic Haythorn Land and Cattle Co., gain insights to the AHA National Reference Sire Program and hear from researchers at Colorado State University and AgNext.
The tour and World Hereford Conference come at a historic point in the breed’s United States history.
“More commercial cow-calf producers in the United States are embracing Hereford’s inherent genetic advantages of fertility, docility, longevity and documented feed efficiency on the range and in the feedlot,” Ward said. “Many of these producers are also using Hereford genetics as an essential component in strategic crossbreeding, magnifying the breed’s genetic advantages through direct and maternal heterosis.”
World Hereford Conference tour stops and hosts include (in schedule order):
- Hoffman Ranch, Thedford, Nebraska
- Snowshoe Cattle Co., Arthur, Nebraska
- Van Newkirk Herefords, Oshkosh, Nebraska
- Olsen Ranches, Harrisburg, Nebraska
- Coyote Ridge Ranch, LaSalle, Colorado
- Colorado State University Spur at the National Western Stock Show Complex, Denver, Colorado.
Ward notes the successful preparation and execution of the Sandhills Sights and Mountain Views Tour are due to the tireless efforts of the tour hosts. He also extends his thanks to Merck Animal Health, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and the Nebraska Hereford Association.
Oklahoma and Texas
The Southbound to Cowtown tour offers a unique view of cattle country, American agriculture and Hereford, while rubbing elbows with stockmen and women who push the breed forward.
In addition to viewing leading Hereford genetics at each tour stop, tour participants will see the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, state-of-the-art sale and embryo facilities and elite rodeo stock breeding programs. They will also visit the Cattlemen’s Congress world-class stock show facilities, where they will hear from Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur.
The tour and World Hereford Conference come at a historic point in the breed’s U.S. history.
“More commercial cow-calf producers in the United States are embracing Hereford’s inherent genetic advantages of fertility, docility, longevity and documented feed efficiency on the range and in the feedlot,” Ward said. “Many of these producers are also using Hereford genetics as an essential component in strategic crossbreeding, magnifying the breed’s genetic advantages through direct and maternal heterosis.”
World Hereford Conference tour stops and hosts include (in schedule order):
- Express Ranches, Yukon, Oklahoma
- Bar A Cattle Co. and Genesource, Nocona, Texas
- GKB Cattle, Desdemona, Texas
- Buck Cattle Co., Madill, Oklahoma
- Moore Cattle Co. and OKBRAND Fencing, Madill, Oklahoma
- D&H Cattle Co., Ardmore, Oklahoma
The AHA expects breeders from 12 countries to attend the tour. For broader perspective, the conference includes registrations from more than 700 U.S. and international breeders, representing 20 countries and 37 states.
“I think the opportunity for all Hereford enthusiasts to make connections and interact with one another during this tour is going to be priceless,” says Shane Bedwell, AHA chief operations officer and director of breed improvement. “I know of nowhere else you’re going to be able to spend time with a really great nucleus of Hereford breeders, while getting to see some great Hereford cattle in the process.”
Ward notes the successful preparation and execution of the Southbound to Cowtown Tour are due to the tireless efforts of the tour hosts. He also extends thanks to Merck Animal Health, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture and the Texas Hereford Association.
For broader perspective, the conference includes registrations from more than 700 U.S. and international breeders, representing 20 countries and 37 states.
For more information, visit hereford.org.
