The Wisconsin Hereford Association hosted the 2017 Fall Wisconsin State Hereford Tour Aug. 26-27 in the southwest region of the state.

The tour made stops at Bacon Branch Beef, Platteville, Wis., Wildcat Cattle Company, Darlington, Wis., Thousand Hills Herefords, Stockton, Ill., Sand Rock Ranch, Benton, Wis., Plum River Ranch, Monroe, Wis., and Owego Stock Farm, Argyle, Wis. More than 100 purebred and commercial Hereford breeders joined in on the six educational stops across the southwest portion of the state.

The largest stop of the day was at Sand Rock Ranch, AHA field representative John Meents said.

“AHA’s Shane Bedwell made a presentation at Sand Rock Ranch,” Meents said. “They are a new young sire test herd, so we went through that program. All of the stops were educational. We looked at lots of different cattle and even learned about a new technological advancement that can detect if a cow is in heat by her body temperature.”

Judging classes, pasture tours, and technology demonstrations were a part of several stops along the tour to educate attendees.

“It was great to see Hereford breeders in Wisconsin excelling in their programs,” said AHA chief operating officer and director of breed improvement Shane Bedwell. “Their hospitality was great and the tours were exceptional. We are really excited about the Sand Rock Ranch’s involvement in the National Reference Sire Program.”

Meents said the event was great for all of those who attended.

“All six host families were very gracious in sharing their knowledge and experience in the Hereford business for new and upcoming Hereford breeders,” Meents said.