LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Greetings from the great state of Texas!

I am thrilled to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported The Mini Hereford Journal. Your overwhelming interest in our inaugural edition surpassed all our expectations, and it fills me with immense joy to present this Summer 2024 edition to you.

The Mini Hereford Journal’s journey since its inception in 2024 has been remarkable. With the distribution of 500 hard copies and 1,800 digital copies worldwide, our reach exceeded what we initially envisioned. It was truly gratifying to witness our publication being embraced in 10 countries, with hard copies finding their way to Australia, Mexico, New Zealand, Colombia, and Belgium.

2024 also marks the 35th year mini Herefords have been available on the open market. As we celebrate the 35th anniversary since Roy Largent, III, sold his first mini Hereford, we are reminded of these cattle’s remarkable evolution over the past three decades. Despite the changes, their unwavering ability to adapt to any environment remains a testament to their resilience. The market for mini Herefords, both domestically in the USA and internationally, continues to flourish.

Building upon the foundation laid in our Winter 2024 edition, where we traced the breed’s origins from the 1970s with Roy Largent III and his family, this edition picks up in the early 1990s to dive deeper into the bloodlines and introduce the families who played pivotal roles in expanding the mini Hereford cow’s legacy.

In this Summer Edition, we invite you to immerse yourself in the world of mini Herefords from a Midwesterner’s point of view and read our exhibitor’s interview with the Piney Woods Princess from East Texas. We also address crucial issues with insights from the American Hereford Association and Australian Miniature Hereford Breeders Network. And if you’re asking, “Where’s the beef?” flip to page 30 to learn how breeders are doing across the U.S.

I encourage each of you to enjoy the content of this edition and participate actively in our community, including the first State of the Mini Hereford Survey. Share your thoughts, stories, and experiences with us as we strive to make The Mini Hereford Journal a platform that truly resonates with every mini Hereford enthusiast.

Warm regards,

Kyle Shipley

Editor-In-Chief The Mini Hereford Journal