1881

What started as a 4-H project in Redmond, Oregon, grew Denny Hoffman into a herdsman, manager and now owner of Hoffman Herefords in Thedford, Nebraska. With more than 60 years of involvement in the breed, Denny began the early part of his career as a herdsman for Stone Herefords, Hermiston, Oregon. On a courageous leap of faith, Denny moved the family operation from California to Nebraska in order to grow and sustain the business for the next generation. A 2019 Hall of Fame inductee, Denny shares his history with the Hereford breed in this episode of 1881.

Every state newsletter column John Meents, Jenera, Ohio, penned ended with the sentence, “Make your cattle better today because you have to market them tomorrow,” a sentiment John believed throughout his entire livestock marketing career. Meents had a 21-year career with the American Hereford Association as the Upper Midwest Region field representative. He worked hard to sell animals in the sale ring and privately, offered industry insights for advertising and breeding decisions, and cheered on multiple generations of Hereford breeders. A 2021 Hereford Hall of Merit inductee, John shares about his livestock marketing career in this 1881 episode. 

The inaugural Hereford Seedstock Academy brought together a group of young Hereford enthusiasts eager to learn from industry professionals and Association staff all while building their network. Shayne Wiese, Wiese and Sons Herefords, Manning, Iowa, participated in the 2023 Hereford Seedstock Academy. From the board room to meat retail, from pasture to feedlot and to cutting-edge research in three states, Shayne shares his experience as part of the Academy.  

Applications for the 2024 Hereford Seedstock Academy are open and can be found here: https://hereford.org/hereford-seedstock-academy/

John Loewen, Waukomis, Okla., got his start in the Hereford breed after receiving his first registered female as a wedding gift from his father-in-law and long-time Hereford breeder, Harold V. Hunter. John and his wife, Mona, now operate the ranch and have stayed true to raising cattle that fit the need of the beef industry. Tune in as John shares about his commitment to advancing the Hereford breed.  

With a clear vision and passion for the Hereford breed, Wyatt Agar, Thermopolis, Wyo., began his tenure in October, as the newly elected president of the American Hereford Association. With deep roots in the breed, Wyatt is eager to continue building upon the momentum the Hereford breed has garnered as a key component to the commercial industry.

Beginning in the late ‘70s, the Beef Quality Assurance program has changed over time to serve as an educational resource for producers while having a positive impact on the beef industry. Dan Kniffen, Ph.D., Penn State assistant professor of animal science, and Josh White, NCBA senior executive director for producer education and sustainability, join the podcast to discuss how the BQA program has evolved and how the program has made progress.

To learn more about the BQA program, visit bqa.org

Guy Colyer, a respected cowman who built the foundation for a successful operation alongside his wife, Sherry, started his registered herd as a 4-H project while growing up on his family’s commercial Hereford ranch. A former AHA board member and Hereford Hall of Fame inductee, Guy, shares the history of Colyer Herefords in this episode of 1881.

Former chef turned center of the plate specialist, Colin Campbell, National Beef Packing Company Regional Marketing Manager, joins the podcast as we celebrate beef month. In this episode, hear firsthand how Certified Hereford Beef is marketed and the superior eating experience drawing consumers to the brand.  

Hereford-influenced feeder cattle sales are proving to be a valuable tool for cattlemen to market their genetics. Jarrid Herrmann, Cherokee Sales Co. and Mitchell Livestock Marketing owner, joins the podcast to discuss his upbringing in the industry, shares the recent success of the Hereford-influenced sale held in Cherokee, Okla., and offers insight to producers looking to market their cattle. 

Olsen Ranches, Harrisburg, Neb., has been instrumental to the Hereford breed through the National Reference Sire Program. A fourth-generation rancher, Douglas Olsen, joins the podcast to share more about Olsen Ranches, giving listeners a deeper understanding of the NRSP.