Glynn Debter is the third of five generations operating a family farm in north central Alabama. The Debter farm has evolved from its sole cash crop of cotton to a nationally recognized Hereford seedstock supplier.

Since 1948 Debter has committed himself and his sons to making the purebred Hereford herd a priority and positioning it to meet the changing needs of the industry.

Early on, the family was involved in the Beef Cattle Improvement Association (BCIA) and Total Performance Records (TPR). Their search for higher performing and more functional cattle led to the introduction of Line Ones into their program in the early ’70s.

Artificial insemination was used to supplement their breeding program and Debter was one of the first to see the enormous potential of embryo transfer.

He was honored in 1990 as the BIF seedstock producer of the year.

The Debters have hosted annual production sales on the farm for 33 years. They consistently rank among the top five Hereford bull sales in the U.S. in the 50-100-bull category.

Debter has always made time to promote Herefords and the beef industry. He served as director and vice president of the American Hereford Association (AHA) and was elected president in 1987. During the merger of the AHA and the American Polled Hereford Association (APHA), he was selected to serve a three-year term as chairman of the merged board from 1995-1998.

“His fairness, integrity and good business sense were very instrumental in smoothing the transition of the merger,” Jim Coley, Tennessee Hereford Association president, says. “Although he is known for his diplomatic leadership during this merger, many believe that his conservative business experience, which kept the AHA in sound fiscal position, was equally important.”

Debter served in every office of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, including president. He has been honored at the local, state and national level. He has received American and State FFA degrees and the district agribusinessman of the year award. Debter was named Alabama BCIA purebred seedstock producer of the year, and was inducted into the Alabama Livestock Hall of Fame.

Fellow Hereford breeder, Bill Woodard, says, “The Debters produce sound, useful cattle and stand behind those they sell. Their breeding program has helped in the improvement of Herefords in the Southeast and elsewhere.”