In place of its annual field day, the North Carolina Hereford Association hosted more than 70 cattlemen and women at an educational workshop Nov. 23 in Winston-Salem, N.C. The program covered a variety of management topics including preparing cattle for consignment auctions, reducing the impact of fescue toxicosis, forage species for grazing and how to maximize forage use.

Tommy Coley, American Hereford Association (AHA) Southeast regional field representative, presented on the importance of preparing cattle for consignment auctions. He emphasized how presentation is a big part of a successful sale. “Your consignment represents your whole program at home,” Coley says. “Don’t consign one that you wouldn’t buy.”

Laura Loschke, AHA education and information services coordinator and records supervisor, guided attendees through new and improved features of MyHerd, the AHA’s online registration platform. She provided a step-by-step presentation of several actions on MyHerd, such as DNA requests and new options on the transfer screen.

The event was well-attended by breeders from North and South Carolina, who listened to presentations from representatives of the AHA, North Carolina State University, AgriSeeds LLC and BioZyme Inc. North Carolina juniors also presented at the event, including recently crowned National Hereford Queen Melanie Fishel. Loschke was impressed with the engagement and enthusiasm from the speakers and attendees.

“The North Carolina membership was fantastic to work with,” Loschke says. “The breeders were very knowledgeable on Hereford cattle and the AHA’s programs, but also didn’t hesitate to ask fantastic, inquisitive questions when needed.”

For more information about the North Carolina Hereford Association visit NCHereford.org.