TM
The Largest Privately Owned Hereford Newspaper in North America
The one that’s read “from cover to cover.” • Visit us on the web at: www.herefordamerica.com Vol. 25, No. 3
Published by: Hereford America, Inc. • 13823 Beaver Creek Place • Reva, SD 57651 • Est. 1996
Editorial Comments... Jill Bayers Hotchkiss
I think it’s safe to say summer is officially over in western South Dakota and what a relief that is. After recordbreaking drought Jill Hotchkiss here in our area, on October 12-13 we were blessed first with heavy, wet snow followed by several inches of rain. As I write this, it is still raining. So far we have gotten more rain in two days than we had in the previous year. The relief is indescribable. South of us, and west, snow is still falling with some areas receiving up to two feet of snow. This combined with strong wind will make ranch life a challenge. It’s being billed as the first major snowstorm of the season and actually hit anywhere from Arizona to Montana. The rain in this area certainly was not in time for the growing season but a tremendous help in replenishing stock ponds and soil moisture. As with any storm like this, cold temps and wet conditions can be tough on livestock. I hope and pray that won’t be the case this time. I say “ this time” because this storm is reminiscent of a storm that hit this area in October of 2013 . Atlas brought heavy rain following by 3 -5 feet of heavy, wet snow and 50-7 0 mph winds to this area. It was an event like no other and one I hope will never be repeated. It was a killer of sheep, cattle and horses and the spirits of good ranchers. I will never forget seeing piles of dead cattle. It was haunting. What people did to try (continued on page 3 )
Nov./Dec. 2021
Stenberg Herefords: Passing on the Passion
By T erra O ch s ner The Stenbergs have never been the type to keep their knowledge close to the vest, and it’s been that way since 193 6 when Ove Stenberg purchased his first set of Herefords. Dave, Ove s son,
recalled that there was never any doubt that he wanted to be involved in his family operation, and his father encouraged that dream. have always loved the Hereford cattle,” Dave said.
Dave grew up working alongside his father, and once he graduated high school, they became business partners. went to work for him for five years, Dave recalled, and after that, they were (continued on page 5 )
Herefords in their Blood: Stroh Family Carries on Generational Legacy
A nice horned pair at Stroh Hereford Ranch. Photo by Casey St. Blanc
by R uth W iechm ann The rugged hills south of Killdeer, North Dakota, are home to Mike and Dawn Stroh, their sons Matt and Luke, and their herd of registered Hereford cattle. The family and the purebred cattle trace deep roots in the area. Three sets of Mike’s great-grandparents homesteaded within a short distance from the current ranch, and Dawn also traces her heritage to great-grandparents who homesteaded nearby. The family’s cattle also share a unique connection, going back to a group of heifers that Mike’s father purchased from Dawn’s grandfather. Both Mike and Dawn are passionate about the breed, raising registered seedstock, and the ranching heritage they have shared with their parents and now share with their sons. Jacob Stroh, Mike’s great-grandfather, was part of the wave of German/R ussian immigrants that came to the U nited States from what is now kraine. He brought his very large family to western North Dakota in the 1 s, homesteading about fifteen miles from the Stroh ranch. “ A lot of his boys homesteaded in the area too,” Mike said, “ But now I’m the
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