KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In celebration of 50 years in the Hereford business David Smith, Tru-la Da Ranch, NS Polled Herefords, Hot Iron Enterprises, JC Cattle Co. and WCN Polled Herefords were honored as Golden Breeders Oct. 27. The six were recognized during the American Hereford Association (AHA) Hereford Honorees Reception in Kansas City, Mo.

“The Golden Hereford Breeder award represents a tremendous milestone,” says Shane Bedwell, AHA chief operating officer and director of breed improvement. “The AHA commends the dedication and longevity of these families within the Hereford breed.”

David Smith, Upper Sandusky, Ohio
David Smith, Upper Sandusky, Ohio, developed a love for cattle from his grandfather. He started out showing sheep in 4-H, but soon decided to show steers. His father told him, “if you want a good one, it’s got to be a red and white face,” and David has been with Herefords ever since. He saved money from his 4-H projects and bought his first registered polled female in 1967. To continually improve his herd, David utilizes artificial insemination (AI).

Tru-La-Da Ranch, Fieldon, Ill.
Dayle Deveining, Fieldon, Ill., has been raising Herefords since 1967, and his Dad and brothers have been in the business since 1947. Dayle and his wife of 50 years, Mary Lou, run Tru-La-Da Ranch and have only owned two bulls that weren’t Herefords. The couple markets cattle to the commercial sector through private treaty sales.

NS Polled Herefords, Shaker Heights, Ohio
Norman Starr, NS Polled Herefords, Shaker Heights, Ohio, purchased his first two Herefords in 1954 for $150 each and he’s being raising Herefords ever since. Norman has a strong focus on performance and has achieved Gold TPR™ (Total Performance Records) status for several years.

Hot Iron Enterprises, Mt. Gilead, Ohio
Tom Morrison, Mt. Gilead, Ohio, grew up in the purebred cattle business. He and his wife, Nikki, operate as Hot Iron Enterprises.
Having a passion for fitting, exhibiting and marketing cattle led Tom down the road of a lifetime of friendships and experiences. Tom has worked sale and show cattle for several of the reputable outfits in the industry. It is through dedication, loyalty and years of genetic innovation that Tom has succeeded as a 50-year breeder.

JC Cattle Co., Norman, Ind.
Jim Curry, JC Cattle Co., Norman, Ind., started in the cattle business with a 4-H heifer in 1953. After winning the Jackson County Fair two years in a row, he was hooked. Orville Kuhlman, George Ellis and Harold Younger were big influences in his Hereford operation. Jim bought Herb Bradners herd in 1968 and has utilized AI to build cow families. Jim’s advice for younger generations is start with the best heifer you can afford. He says, “Take care of your cows and they will take care of you.”

WCN Polled Herefords, Burkesville, Ky.
William Norris, WCN Polled Herefords, Burkesville, Ky., has been an AHA member since 1965. His first purchase actually dates back to 1961 when he bought his first heifer as a member of the junior association. Bill has been breeding registered Hereford cattle for 56 years on the Cumberland River family farm near Burkesville in south-central Kentucky.
Performance testing was initiated in the mid-1960s and the herd is currently recognized as a Gold TPR herd by the AHA.

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The American Hereford Association, with headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., is one of the largest U.S. beef breed associations. The not-for-profit organization along with its subsidiaries — Certified Hereford Beef (CHB) LLC, Hereford Publications Inc. (HPI) and American Beef Records Association (ABRA) — provides programs and services for its members and their customers, while promoting the Hereford breed and supporting education, youth and research. For additional press releases and photos, visit www.hereford.org/media.

Cutlines:
David Smith, Upper Sandusky, Ohio, was honored as a Golden Hereford Breeder Oct. 27, 2017, in Kansas City, Mo. Pictured (l to r) are: Terri Barber, 2017 AHA president, Channing, Texas; and David and Beth Smith.

Tru-La-Da Ranch, Fieldon, Ill., was honored as a Golden Hereford Breeder Oct. 27, 2017, in Kansas City, Mo. Pictured (l to r) are: Terri Barber, 2017 AHA president, Channing, Texas; and Dayle and Mary Lou Deveining, Tru-La-Da Ranch.

NS Polled Herefords, Shaker Heights, Ohio, was honored as a Golden Hereford Breeder Oct. 27, 2017, in Kansas City, Mo. Pictured (l to r) are: Terri Barber, 2017 AHA president, Channing, Texas; and Norman Starr, NS Polled Herefords.

Hot Iron Enterprises, Mt. Gilead, Ohio, was honored as a Golden Hereford Breeder Oct. 27, 2017, in Kansas City, Mo. Pictured (l to r) are: Terri Barber, 2017 AHA president, Channing, Texas; and Tom and Nikki Morrison, Hot Iron Enterprises.

JC Cattle Co., Norman, Ind., was honored as a Golden Hereford Breeder Oct. 27, 2017, in Kansas City, Mo. Pictured (l to r) are: Terri Barber, 2017 AHA president, Channing, Texas; and Jim and Maria Curry, JC Cattle Co.

WCN Polled Herefords, Burkesville, Ky., was honored as a Golden Hereford Breeder Oct. 27, 2017, in Kansas City, Mo. Pictured (l to r) are: Terri Barber, 2017 AHA president, Channing, Texas; and Bill Norris and his daughter Amy Proffitt, WCN Polled Herefords.

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David Smith Photo


Tru-La-Da Ranch Photo


NS Polled Herefords Photo


Hot Iron Enterprises Photo


JC Cattle Co. Photo


WCN Polled Herefords Photo