S&S Polled Herefords Bull Sale Guide Rock NE

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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. 4

Published by: Hereford America, Inc. • 13823 Beaver Creek Place • Reva, SD 57651 • Est. 1996 January 2022

Editorial Comments...

Jill Bayers Hotchkiss

Jill Hotchkiss

Seems like it’s been a long time since our last issue. A lot of things have happened and the fall female and bull sale run is almost done, ushering in 2022! The winter bull sale run for us starts in mid-January. I am amazed how strong the sales have been and I hope that trend continues.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you. We’re all looking forward to a great new year.

This marks our 25th anniversary year of publishing Hereford America. This season we are bringing you articles on registered breeders who have made a big difference in the breed as well as those who are great supporters of our publication. We hope you enjoy these articles throughout the year and the coming years.

Marc and I went to the American Hereford Association’s annual meeting and events back in late October. An oustanding set of speakers, awards, officer election and meeting kept all the participants busy. The American Royal show was also going on at the same time so if you got tired of being cooped up at the convention you could go down to the Royal and look at cattle and get a little poop on your boots. It was wonderful to see old friends and make new acquaintances.

For me the absolute highlight was the Hall of Fame and Hall of Merit awards. We knew most of the people being inducted and are good friends with several of them. These honors are so meaningful for the families (continued on page 6)

Holden Herefords: Stacking Genetics to Perform Best for Their Customers

Eric Lawver, and son Brayton with HH Advance 9073. Eric is Brooke Holden’s husband. Brayton is the first grandson for Jack and Tresha Holden.

By Terra Ochsner It’s impossible to mention Holden Herefords without talking about Line 1 breeding, and it’s been that way since the very beginning. Les Holden purchased his first Line 1 bull from the Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory in 1947. According to the USDA ARS, “Line One has been closed […] longer than any other identified line of beef cattle.” Founded in 1934 with two sons of Advance Domino 13, “work with Line 1 has contributed greatly to the understanding of maternal genetic effects in beef cattle. The influence of a cow’s milk production on the growth of her calf is one well-recognized example.” (continued on page 18)

Churchill Cattle Company: Do the Work to Make the Breed Better

Bulls with the Bridger Mountains in the background. Morgan Meisenheimer pictures the Churchill cattle and focuses a lot on scenic photos to help paint an all-around picture of their herd. by Terra Ochsner

“Churchill” has become a household name in the Hereford world, and while they’ve staked their claim in the industry, Dale and Nancy Venhuizen’s beginning as producers was a humble one, and it all started with Dale’s father. “I grew up with Herefords,” Dale recalled. “My dad had good, quality cattle.”

It was never a question in Dale’s mind that he’d stick with the Hereford breed as he grew up around them. When it came time for Dale to go out on his own after high school, he’d started to build his own herd. One of his cows had a “good bull calf,” and he had to think of a worthy name.

“I ended up naming him Lord Churchill, and I have no idea why,” Dale laughed.

Not only would Lord Churchill become the namesake for their operation and give Dale the confidence he needed as a young breeder, but he helped build the Venhuizen family. Dale ended up taking him to the Nugget sale in Reno, Nevada.

“{Lord Churchill} topped that sale