Executive Summary

Welcome to the American Black Hereford Spring Issue!

Ernie Dominguez ABHA Executive Director

Greetings! I hope that you, your family, and cattle are doing well. This is an interesting time for agriculture with input prices continually climbing and available labor low, this is touchy for even the most efficient operations. Thankfully, we are seeing the reciprocal of this in cattle and commodity prices. Some say that 2022 could be a record-breaking year for prices and we will be hoping that it is.

Often, and particularly in the cattle business, when we see demand and prices increase, the selection pressure and quality control decreases. Let us do our best to stay diligent in supplying the best product we can for the industry and our customers. The level of American Black Hereford cattle currently available is gaining attention across the cattle industry and I feel we are about to see more seedstock producers from other breeds sample and look into what we have to offer.

So, I say to you as breeders, great work, and please stay the course. I feel that we are on the correct path. The use of progressive genetics, leveraging science and genomics, and ramping up your local marketing are the ingredients needed to reach our destination. In speaking with cattlemen from across the country, there are so many people who are recognizing the American Black Hereford and what it can bring to the industry.

Another topic that has come up in conversations lately is the subject of stayabilty. Simply put, cows that stay in the herd longer make more money. Females that are still in the herd at 6 years of age are believed to have recouped the costs of their development and are generating income. Fertility is the main factor used when determining a cow’s stayability. Obviously, if she breeds in the desired calving range, carries a calf every year, and raises a heavy calf, she is a valuable producer. But, there are many factors to consider in a cow’s ability to stay in the herd for an extended period of time. Structure, foot quality, udder quality, teat size, docility and body condition score all factor into the longevity of a cow and how well she produces. These are all attributes of the American Black Hereford that we, as producers, know and love.

Keeping breeding bulls and replacement females out of cows that have remained in the herd for many years is a good way to increase the stayability within your own herd and add market value for your customer. Do the math and discover what percent of cows make it to 6 years, 10 years, or 15 years of age, as valuable producers. Then check that against the industry average. Chances are, you’ll find you are sitting on a goldmine in terms of marketability when it comes to fertility and stayability.

So, as we all get ready to sell our bulls this spring, consider offering some stayablity data to your potential buyers to give them an idea of the fertility and longevity the American Black Hereford breed has to offer so they, too, can take advantage of the highly productive stayability of the Black Hereford. On that note, the next ABHA sponsored sale, The Southern Classic, is taking place on April 1st in Henderson, TX. Take advantage of the opportunity to add some great cattle to your program from 15 fellow ABHA breeders.

The 2022 ABHA Junior Nationals will be held June 22nd-25th at the James E. Ward Ag Center at the Wilson County Fairgrounds in Lebanon, TN. This will be our 6th Junior Nationals, so we are very excited, and planning is underway. Our Junior’s Committee has been working hard planning this year’s event to keep building on the momentum from years past. Also, do not forget our junior scholarship program for those that will be continuing their education after high school. To date, the support, and contributions to the scholarship fund by the membership has been nothing short of amazing. If you would like to contribute to the scholarship fund, we are always accepting contributions.

We are off to a great start here in 2022! The ABHA is growing and the interest in our cattle is at an all-time high. More and more cattlemen are recognizing the undeniable attributes that our cattle have to offer the industry and their ranch’s bottom line.

Please reach out if you have any questions or ideas for how we can continue to make a positive impact for the breed and this industry. We are all in this together, we will continue to work together to keep the ABHA strong, and American Black Hereford proud. We truly have some of the most dedicated, selfless people in the cattle business that support Black Hereford and its members. ABHA