HYFA Annual Report 2022

LETTER FROM THE FOUNDATION DIRECTOR

A pillar is defined as any upright, supporting post that makes a structure worthy and prominent to stand the test of time. The Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) is built on the four pillars of scholarship, leadership, education and research. These four pillars are the motivation behind all fundraising efforts, creating and developing growth in the next generation of Hereford breeders and cultivating leaders who will carry industry research and breed development forward. HYFA’s already strong pillars gain more strength each year as more programs and opportunities are added to benefit future generations and current National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members.

The NJHA is a space for young Hereford breeders who want more from their junior careers and aspire to be leaders. NJHA and HYFA work hand in hand to provide Hereford youth multifold opportunities to share their common passion for the cattle they raise, while extending their knowledge, honing leadership skills, networking and engaging in professional development opportunities. Learn, Lead and Achieve.

Thanks to the army of HYFA supporters, the scholarship program as well as all of our education and leadership endeavors continue to thrive. In fiscal year (FY) 2022, $185,000 in scholarships was awarded to Hereford youth who are busy putting their scholarship dollars to work as they chase their dreams and work toward their college degrees. An additional $172,000 was given back to Hereford youth in the programs and missions outlined here in the following pages of the 2022 Annual Report.

This FY saw the addition of two new scholarships, the Mead Family Memorial Scholarship and the Ostgaard-Breiner Non-Traditional Scholarships. In addition to the new scholarships on the roster, families and friends rallied together to honor the memory of loved ones and legacies that built the Hereford breed with the creation of several new endowments on the horizon that will pave the way for future generations.

I have watched these scholarships and leadership opportunities make a difference in hundreds of young people, and sometimes that is the difference of being able to afford a quality education or not. And, when these Hereford youth begin their college journeys and enter the work force, you may rest assured they are set up for success because of the firm foundation and strong pillars that have helped shape them. Donors, we couldn’t build these prominent support beams without you. You continue to amaze me as every time you step up, big things happen for our youth programs.

HYFA focused on growing its presence and marketing efforts this past year, aiming to raise additional funds — more opportunity for Hereford juniors — with each promotion. HYFA’s new website illustrates the organization’s streamlined, modern approach toward the future. HYFA’s Annual Report is now available online and mailed to donors. This report was recognized for excellence by the Livestock Publication Council and demonstrates HYFA’s effort to grow and expand opportunities in all areas of scholarship, leadership, education and research.

Thanks to the visionary folks and donors who came together in HYFA’s infancy to create the firm foundation and policies for our pillars to stand on. These inaugural board members and committees knew there would be storms to weather and with that they devised a solid plan that would allow HYFA to be a mainstay in the industry. The inception of HYFA’s investment portfolio started in 2005, with the goal of maintaining a five percent return. I am thrilled to say, that even despite some down years in the market, today, seventeen years later, HYFA maintains a 6.45 percent return on all of our investment portfolio, ensuring that gifts will continue to perpetuate for generations to come.

Just like the Hereford breed that started in 1881, HYFA was built to stand the test of time. In a year when markets and inflation rates test us, I am encouraged by the strength of our pillars standing firm and supporting our missions. I encourage you to take a moment to think about all of the progress Hereford has made since 1881 in genetics, youth programs, research, marketing — you name it. This is a sustainability story for the ages and it is an honor to be a small part of building the foundation upon which it will stand the test of time.

The Hereford breed is definitely engineered to sustain with the endless opportunities breeders, breed supporters and donors have created for Hereford youth. HYFA is proud of the programs built over time to help NJHA members become the best version of themselves. I am reminded every day that the future is in good hands.

SINCERELY, AMY COWAN DIRECTOR OF YOUTH ACTIVITIES & FOUNDATION acowan@hereford.org

HEREFORD YOUTH FOUNDATION OF AMERICA 2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

RAY RAMSEY PRESIDENT GEORGE SPRAGUE VICE PRESIDENT AMY COWAN DIRECTOR OF YOUTH ACTIVITIES & FOUNDATION

JILL BIELEMA KATIE COLYER

STEVE FOLKMAN NANCY KEILTY KATHY BUCHHOLZ BILL KING

Bob Norton, a long-time supporter of the Hereford breed and the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) was humble, kind and generous with a servant’s heart.

Bob passed away unexpectedly in April. At the time, he was Chief Executive Officer of BioZyme, Inc. Before that, he carved an enviable path in the beef packing business. Both roles served as a bridge to his longtime involvement with Hereford and serving on the Hereford Youth Foundation of America Board of Directors.

Cody Jensen was honored on July 22 during the 2022 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) with the inaugural Bob Norton Excellence Award and the show was dedicated to Bob Norton.

The Bob Norton Excellence Award is given to a former National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) member who demonstrates the work ethic of Bob, along with his zest for life and dedication to youth programs. HYFA board members choose from a nominated list of individuals considered to be among the best and brightest of their generation and in the infancy of their career.

Bob began his career with BioZyme, Inc. in 2000 after a stint in the meatpacking industry. As CEO, Bob oversaw the activities of the employee-owned company, headquartered in St. Joseph, Mo., and worked closely with the President and COO to monitor domestic and international growth. Bob was the ultimate team leader and innovation champion, and his legacy and philosophy will remain as a guidepost for BioZyme, Inc. Bob was passionate about aviation, active in the Veterans Airlift Command and dedicated to the future of agriculture. In addition to serving on the HYFA Board of Directors, he was inducted in the Honorary Angus Foundation and previously served on the Certified Angus Beef® board of directors. Moreover, he was a promoter of the NJHA. Bob was an inspiration to all who knew him.

A Kansas native, Cody Jensen lives in Platte City, Mo., and is a plant manager at BioZyme Inc. Cody has worked with the company for six years. “I remember the day Bob called me right after they hired Cody and how excited he was to hire a young man he had met through our partnership with VitaFerm,” said Amy Cowan, director of youth activities and foundation for the American Hereford Association (AHA). “Bob and I talked on several occasions about Cody and I know how proud he was of his work ethic and his ability to lead the team there at the plant.”

Cody served as chairman of the NJHA board of directors in 2016. During his tenure, Cody and the NJHA board of directors spent time at VitaFerm®, learning more about the company and connecting with Bob and his wife, Lisa. Cody and Bob’s relationship led Cody to a career he loves today. Cody graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in feed science and management and feels lucky to have worked under Bob’s wing.

“Bob is truly going to leave a lasting legacy,” Jensen says. “A lot of juniors won’t have the chance to meet him, but the people he has met, he has touched so hard and left a legacy that will be shared with future generations.”

IN MEMORY OF BOB NORTON

in scholarships for the fiscal year

FALL 2021 RECIPIENTS

Vanier Family Scholarships: Molly Biggs Jacob Johnson Trevor Johnson Lauren Jones Regan Mitchem

Bar One Ranch Scholarship: Abigail Spindle

Perks Ranch Scholarship: Lauren McMillan

EE Ranches Scholarships: JW Cox

Bailey Morrell Libby Rushton Madison Sifford Tar Tut Rusty Wolf Wesley Denton

CBY Polled Hereford Scholarship: Isaac Rhode MGM Memorial Scholarship: Regan Mitchem

Gary Bishop Memorial Scholarship: Regan Mitchem

Blin Family Scholarship: Karstyn Cantrell

Larson Polled Herefords Scholarship: Ralston Ripp

Tennessee River Music Inc. Scholarship: Whitney Walker

Whitehead/Rocking Chair Ranch Scholarship: Dylan Kottkamp

Bob & Lucy Kube Scholarship: Kira Sayre

HYFA Scholarship: Katie Nolles

Ball Foundation/Cottonwood Springs Farm Scholarship: Bryden Barber

National Hereford Queen Scholarship: Kaylee McInvale

John Ascuaga Scholarship: Bailey Morrell

SPRING 2022 RECIPIENTS

NOP Founders Scholarships: Haley Mouser Lauren Gatz

Junior Merit Scholarships: Wesley Denton Taylor Dieball Regan Mitchem

SCHOLARSHIP $185,000

John Wayne Memorial Scholarships: Wesley Denton Lauren McMillan Hereford Herdsman Scholarships: Bailey Morrell Bryden Barber Charles E. Boyd Memorial Scholarship: Dylan Kottkamp Walter and Joe Lewis Memorial Award: Bryden Barber Buckeye/Bluegrass HYFA Scholarship: Lauren McMillan

Golden Bull Achievement Awards: KayAnn Eck Bryden Barber Molly Biggs Lauren Gatz

Ostgaard-Breiner Memorial Scholarship: Bridget Beran Keayla Harr

Mead Family Scholarship: Rylie Melancon

Twenty National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members were selected to accompany seven NJHA Board of Directors as they attended the first Building On Leadership Development (BOLD) Conference at Desdemona, Texas, March 24-27. This elite leadership retreat was hosted at Hi Point Ranch owned by Gary and Kathy Buchholz of GKB Cattle. Attendees left the three day conference energized and ready to take the next steps in their leadership journeys. Megan Underwood, BOLD participant from Kentucky and graduate student at Kansas State University said after the conference, “I’m excited to take the knowledge learned and friendships created to make a bold impact while living my dreams.”

BOLD will be held annually in March, for emerging young leaders in the Hereford breed.

Ninety-two junior members from 22 different states and Canada all gathered in Billings, Mont., for the 2022 Faces of Leadership conference, hosted by the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) on August 3-6. The theme of the conference was “Sky’s the Limit,” hosting tours of Hereford operations in the big sky country, inspirational and educational keynote speakers, sessions hosted by the NJHA Board of Directors, tours of the iconic Public Auction Yards (PAY’s) and fun adventures that included white water rafting on the Yellowstone River.

The Faces of Leadership conference is supported by the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) and the Rick and Bonnie ColeyMalir Endowment. The 2023 conference will be hosted in Malir’s hometown of Columbus, Ohio. This conference continues to be a place where connections, memories and skills are made that will last a lifetime.

EDUCATION

More than 775 juniors were entered into the 2022 VitaFerm Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), gathering in Louisville, Ky., July 16-22. In addition to showing their cattle projects, juniors competed in educational and leadership events in and out of the showring.

Juniors competed in hybrid skills-based contests including illustrated speaking, extemporaneous speaking, sales and the Hereford bowl trivia contest. These contests allow the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) and the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) to carry out their joint mission of promoting leadership and education. The 2022 contests had a mixture of both virtual and in-person presentations to be judged in their respective contests. The return of a portion of the contests being in person was exciting for all and provided great educational opportunities for the Hereford youth to grow in their public speaking and knowledge.

Forty-three runners dashed to the finish line on Monday, July 18, at the 23rd annual VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) in Louisville, Ky. Each year HYFA hosts a 5K Race during the JNHE with proceeds going to the foundation and excitement and awards going to the runners. Grand Meadows Farm, Ada, Mich., sponsors the race, and all proceeds from the event go to HYFA to support the mission of promoting leadership and education. In addition to this event at the JNHE, the HYFA Foundation Club was in full-swing, providing opportunities for donors, family members and club pass holders, to enjoy the show from the comfort of a lounge. Or if the club isn’t your style, members had a brand new opportunity with a front-row seat experience at the ring, with all proceeds of these memberships going to the continuation of education at the JNHE.

At the end of its fifth year, the National Junior Hereford Association’s (NJHA) Fed Steer Shootout contest teaches juniors about the opportunities and challenges of the cattle feeding industry. In the 2021 contest, 41 members from 15 states entered 133 steers in the program. The winners received nearly $20,000 in scholarships and awards from the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) and premier partner, BioZyme Inc., St. Joseph, Mo. The young cattle feeders took center stage and were recognized for their efforts Oct. 22 at the American Hereford Association’s (AHA) Annual Membership Meeting and Conference in Kansas City, Mo.

90 Hereford breeders from 14 states gathered in Scott City, Kan., April 2, to continue learning about the cattle feeding industry as well as look at their own cattle on feed with the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout Program and AHA’s Hereford Feedout Program. Hosted by the NJHA at HRC Feed Yards, the field day welcomed both current and future participants in the programs to learn about the cattle feeding industry as well as meat processing and fabrication.

Demonstrations by Cargill Inc., focused on carcass fabrication and processing, encouraging junior members ages 7-22 to learn more about the packing aspect of the beef supply chain, and future careers in the industry. Parents and adults in the Hereford Feedout Program also participated in these workshops, encouraging in-depth conversations and questions about the fabrication process, labor issues, supply and demand, and other issues affecting this sector of the supply chain.

In addition to capitalizing on the education of Hereford juniors and adult members about how their own cattle perform in a feedlot setting, the AHA has partnered with Colorado State University (CSU) to begin sustainable genetics research. Specifically, AHA-CSU cooperative research will enhance understanding of the genetic differences in seedstock relative to enteric methane production and nitrogen excretion. The research includes identifying selection tools that can help reduce beef’s carbon and environmental footprint. Methane emission, as a genetic trait in cattle, appears to be moderately heritable with genetic correlations (modest to strong) to economically relevant production traits, such as measures of growth, dry matter intake and various estimates of feed efficiency. Direct emissions from the animal agriculture sector accounts for 3.8% of U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, according to the nation’s Environmental Protection Agency. Enteric methane accounts for approximately 27% of methane emissions in the U.S. Worldwide attention is also focusing more intently on nitrogen — a byproduct of rumen fermentation. Previous research suggests genetics play a significant role in nitrogen excretion by cattle, and when selected for, an individual animal’s environmental footprint can be reduced. HYFA looks to further its involvement in this research in the coming years.

2021 OCTOBER 2021

■ To kick off Fiscal Year 2022, HYFA Board gathered in Nashville, Tenn., to discuss plans for the new year as well as select the scholarship recipients for the HYFA Fall Scholarships.

■ $150,000 in scholarships and $13,000 in Fed Steer Shootout Awards were presented during the HYFA and NJHA Award Luncheon at the association’s annual meeting in Kansas City.

■ The National Hereford Women presented HYFA with $63,000 to kickstart a scholarship endowment funding two new non-traditional scholarships in memory of Sandra Ostgaard and Callea Breiner.

MARCH

A YEAR AT A GLANCE SEPTEMBER

2022 APRIL 2022

■ Nineteen NJHA members and seven board members attended the first-ever BOLD Conference in Desdemona, Texas, hosted by Gary and Kathy Buchholz where juniors were encouraged to Build On their Leadership Development.

■ Ninety Hereford breeders from 14 states gathered in Scott City, Kan., April 2, to continue learning about the cattle feeding industry as well as look at their own cattle on feed during the second-annual Fed Steer Shootout Field Day, sponsored by Merck and HYFA.

■ The Hereford Research Foundation geared up for their annual online sale that generated more than $40,000 to advance the ongoing research to document the sustainability of the Hereford breed.

2021 MAY 2022

■ The Mead Memorial scholarship was established in memory of Hazel and Valerie Mead. The first of its application was available this spring with $2,000 to be awarded to a deserving NJHA member in July.

DECEMBER 2021

■ A massive fundraising effort happened at the Western States Hereford Show in Reno, Nev., in honor of the late Willard Wolf, who served the American Hereford Association for 30 plus years. More than $50,000 was generated for a scholarship endowment to benefit juniors in the western states. HYFA added $10,000 to the endowment, making a total of $60,000 in Wolf’s memory.

JUNE 2022

■ As the final preparations were made for the Junior National Hereford Expo, the support was unwavering as more than $370,000 was generated from corporate partners, breeders and friends to provide educational opportunities for Hereford youth and host Banners in the Bluegrass in Louisville, Ky.

■ The Hereford Night in OKC Sale hosted two lots for HYFA that generated more than $80,000. A Kentucky Derby package was purchased by Chapman Land and Cattle, Nunnelly, Tenn., and the second was a heifer generously donated by T/R Cattle Company, Glencoe, Okla., and purchased by GKB Cattle, Waxahachie, Texas.

JANUARY 2022 JULY 2022

■ Outstanding Hereford youth were awarded numerous scholarships during the VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo Banners in the Bluegrass Awards Ceremony in Louisville, Ky. HYFA awarded $33,000 to deserving junior members.

■ Well over $100,000 was generated through an online sale and memorials continue to come in for an endowment in memory of the late Donna Curry, McAlester, Okla.

FEBRUARY 2022 AUGUST 2022

■ HYFA unveils a new and improved website to help with marketing efforts and to tell the story of the foundation’s pillars of scholarship, leadership, education and research.

■ Ninety-two junior members from 22 different states and Canada all gathered in Billings, Mont., for the Sky’s the Limit Faces of Leadership conference sponsored by HYFA and the Rick and Bonnie Coley-Malir Leadership Endowment.

SEE THE IMPACT

It is an amazing opportunity to learn more about your own cattle, the Hereford breed and the cattle industry.

KATHERINE KRAUSS, RUSSELL, KAN.

Kansas State University 2021 NJHA Fed Steer Shootout Program Participant

It’s single handedly the best junior organization in the country. The connections forged here are second to none.

TREVOR JOHNSON, CENTERVILLE, S.D.

Kansas State University 2021 Vanier Scholarship Recipient