KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Four longtime Hereford producers were named Golden Breeders during the 2024 American Hereford Association Annual Meeting on Oct. 26 in Kansas City, Mo., in honor of 50 years of unwavering commitment to the Hereford breed.  

“Golden Breeders represent 50 years of diligence, dedication and steadfast faithfulness to the Hereford breed,” says Shane Bedwell, AHA COO and director of breed improvement. “We are proud to recognize them and are grateful for their hard work spanning across decades and generations.”

Golden Breeders

Lee Elzemeyer, Richmond, Ind.

Elzemeyer Polled Herefords started in 1973 when Howard and Susan Elzemeyer purchased a cow-calf pair and a yearling heifer. In 1974, the first calf crop was born. Howard and Susan were both born and raised in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. Susan was a true city girl, and Howard was immersed in agriculture as a child and attended the University of Missouri after serving in the Navy at the end of World War II. Howard’s brother had a farm outside of St Louis which had Hereford cattle – starting his love for the breed.

In the early ’70s they purchased a small farm south of Richmond, Indiana, classified as a true ‘work in progress.’ With the construction of fence the first cattle came to the farm. Over the years the herd has grown to a group of 45 cows managed by Lee, Cindy and Matthew Elzemeyer.  The herd is performance-based, producing bulls and heifers which are sold annually in a production sale each spring.

Darrell and Pat Hicks, Cullman, Ala.

Darrell and Pat Hicks purchased a small herd of registered polled Hereford cows in 1972, starting their Hereford herd. They transitioned to an Al breeding program in 1974, later using embryo transplant, and have produced numerous Dams of Distinction over the years. They presently calve between 35-50 cows, marketing bulls and heifers private treaty on the farm. A satisfied repeat customer is the trademark of their operation, and their goal has been quality cattle rather than quantity through the years. They have been fortunate to meet many friends from all over the U.S. at shows and sales. These people are their family, embodying the work ethic and values that they see and love with their Hereford cattle.  

Barbara Metch, Canton, Texas

Herefords became a part of Barbara Metch’s life at the age of ten, when she showed a polled Hereford steer. By 11 she had a heifer and her next steer project. From then on, showing and working with cattle and people was her way of life. Barbara took over the management of the 165-purebred cow/calf operation in 2017 when she lost her father. Barbara and Gary Holan were married in 2005 at Four Mile Lutheran Church where they met, and together they share their love of the church, travel and polled Hereford cattle.  

Barbara, Gary, and her mom, have continued the storied history of Metch Polled Herefords and expanded their genetic base, offering purebred and commercial cattlemen quality cattle that will work in a variety of environments.  

Terrace Farms, Lexington, N.C.

Terrace Farms is located in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, about 25 miles south of Winston-Salem. Their dairy operation was converted to a Hereford operation shortly after the Great Depression. Today, the farm runs between 35-70 registered Herefords.  Jim, his wife Linda, and son Chad, maintain the cattle and poultry operations. Jim graduated from High Point College in 1970. His job moved the family to North Dakota in 1972, and after several moves and years later, the family returned to their North Carolina farm in 1986. They are proud to be fourth and fifth generation Hereford breeders and equally proud to be a part of the number one industry in North Carolina: agriculture. Jim and Linda have one son, Chad, one daughter, Dawn and three grandchildren.

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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 more information about the Association, visit Hereford.org. For pictures and additional news releases, visit www.Hereford.org/media.

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