The Olsen Ranch, Harrisburg, Neb., just finished breeding to selected National Reference Sire Program (NRSP) bulls.

The Olsen Ranch has been a part of the NRSP since 1999. This year, Olsen Ranch selected 18 sires to use in their program – 15 new sires and three reference sires who have also been used in previous years. Due to the American Hereford Association’s (AHA) partnerships with various test herds like the Olsen Ranch, breeders can make better-informed breeding decisions relative to traits of interest.

The goal of the NRSP is to identify young sires that can positively affect the marketplace and give both seedstock and commercial breeders proof that Hereford genetics are profitable.

The Olsen Ranch selected the following bulls for their breeding program:
43792609 – H5 0945 DOMINO 7181 ET
43623019 – PCR 3X CHIEF 507C
43793579 – SHF ECLIPSE Z115 E165
43822847 – KCF BENNETT BEDFORD E177
43627404 – BR A004 CRACKERJAK 915C ET
43764491 – BOYD 31Z BLUEPRINT 6153
43688371 – HH ADVANCE 6007D ET
43779861 – SCHU-LAR EFBEEF 40E OF X640409
43793570 – SHF EVERSTONE Z311 E156
43776025 – GG TRUST 167Y 632D
43720817 – H FHF ADVANCE 628 ET
43829144 – DESERT EXPLOSION 728
43763389 – WHITEHAWK NATURAL 290E

43782451 – F FINAL TEST 722
43745946 – OR N162 HUSKER L574

The reference bulls used in this year’s test are:
43268578 – OR 3575 HUSKER N162 ET
43268575 – OR 3575 HUSKER N151 ET
43624399 – SCHU-LAR CONVERSION 501 ET

“The Olsen’s involvement in the NRSP has certainly been a benefit to the American Hereford Association and it’s membership,” said Shane Bedwell, AHA chief operating officer and director of breed improvement. “We appreciate the time they take to collect this data and their dedication to improving the Hereford breed.”