Three National Reference Sire Program (NRSP) herds have made their selections for the 2018 NRSP. The American Hereford Association (AHA) NRSP is a program that allows Hereford breeders to test young sires in real-world commercial settings.

The Stahly Ranch, Cavour, S.D. is in their 19th year as a partner in the NRSP. Mike and Judy Stahly, along with their family, have been a part of the NRSP since 1999. Each year, Mike selects three sires to use in his program.

This year, Stahly selected 43601153 – KCF Bennett Homeland C34, 43763389-WHITEHAWK Natural 290E and 43829334-NJW 160B 028X Historic 81E ET.

New test herds in the program this year are Barnitz Cattle, Rolla, Mo. And Mershon Cattle LLC., Buckner, Mo.

In addition to their test herd, Barnitz Cattle sells custom-made mineral-added feeds sourced from local producers, as well as offering finishing or developing for steers and heifers at an onsite backgrounding lot.

Selections for the operation this year are 43834732 — /S Mandate 66589 ET and 43472415 — PCR X51 Bentley 454B. 43268578 — OR 3575 HUSKER N162 ET will be used as a reference sire to link the NRSP projects together as his data has already been collected through the program. Each bull will be mated to a group of females this spring.

Mershon Cattle LLC. is a commercial cattle operation who’s cow-calf operation retains ownership to harvest. They select Hereford bulls with docile traits, which they believe produces animals that are highly efficient and easy to handle.

This year, Mershon Cattle selected 43767040 — L III TFL C609 Impact 1714, 43829326 — NJW Long Haul 36E ET, 43683946 — EFBEEF X651 Tested D876 and 43786190 — HH Advance 7088E. 43558667 — EFBEEF BR Validated B413 will be used as a reference sire.

Because of the American Hereford Association’s (AHA) partnerships with various test herds like Stahly’s, Barnitz Cattle and Mershon Cattle, breeders can make better-informed decisions relative to traits of interest.

“We are excited two new operations into the NRSP. NRSP test herds continue to contribute to pushing Hereford genetics forward,” said Shane Bedwell, director of breed improvement and chief operating officer for the AHA.