Torrance Herefords, a purebred seedstock operation in western Illinois, began in 1974, when Scott Torrance purchased his first two heifers. Since then it has transformed from a business to a passion for Scott, his wife, Monica, and children, Gabrielle and Nicholas.

As owners and operators, Scott and his family manage the mating, production, promotion and marketing of their Hereford genetics in the form of live animals, semen and embryos. Along with a fifth-generation farming enterprise consisting of 3,000 acres of row crops and hay acreage, the operation maintains a herd of approximately 60 registered Herefords. Coupled with a strong ET program, they calve 80-100 registered Herefords each year. Using a multi-faceted marketing strategy, genetics from Torrance Herefords are sold to seedstock and commercial cattlemen across the U.S. through private treaty, social media and online sales. Additionally, consignment sales are utilized to merchandise to their seedstock customers. A production sale is scheduled for December 2019, as well.

A three-time winner of the Illinois Hereford Association (IHA) Breeder of the Year, Torrance Herefords is proud to produce high-quality bulls. The majority of its commercial business is from repeat customers and word-of-mouth referrals. Scott is passionate about the genetic component of the industry and believes producers must “dare to dream” where the Hereford breed can be in the next five to 10 years.

Scott’s involvement in the breed includes serving as president of the IHA, where he has served three terms on the board. He was also president of the Illinois Junior Hereford Association and received its Outstanding Member award. He and Monica currently serve as adult advisors for the junior association. As a beef industry representative, Scott has been president of the Illinois Beef Association, which lobbies on behalf of Illinois’ 32,000 beef producers and president of the Tri-County Cattlemen’s Association and attended National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Young Cattlemen’s Conference. He has served on the Illinois governor’s transition team, the Illinois Farm Development Authority board, his parish council, local FFA Alumni executive board and volunteer fire department and currently serves as vice president of his local school board.