Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Port Lavaca, Texas Permit Number 213
Vol. 36 No. 5
•
MAY/JUNE 2016
•
Published By TPHA
Return Service Requested: TPHA, P.O. Box 1867, Port Lavaca, TX 77979
International Cattle Leaders Converge on Fort Worth to Study Genetics and Management By Lisa Bryant Cowboy Connection Designs & Communications
World Champion Bull - FWSSR - CHAC Mason 2214 captured the 2015 Hereford Champion of the World title for owners Gary and Kathy Buchholz, Waxahachie, Texas, United States; and Prairie Rose Cattle Co. and Eleanor James, both of Sherman, Illinois, United States, at the 2016 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. The Feb. 6, 2012, son of CRR About Time 743 topped entries from 66 countries. Photo courtesy of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.
Miss World - FWSSR - BR Anastasia 3023 ET claimed the 2015 Hereford Miss World crown at the 2016 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. The March 2, 2013, daughter of UPS TCC Nitro 1ET is owned by Rylee Barber, Channing Texas, United States; Deppe Bros., Maquoketa, Iowa, United States; Sullivan Farms, Dunlap, Iowa, United States; and Cottonwood Spring Farms and Bushy Park Farms, both of Mitchell, South Dakota, United States. Photo courtesy of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.
In the heart of Texas cattle country, international cattlemen convened at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo (#FWSSR) to coronate the top Hereford bull and female in the world for 2015, experience America’s western culture and examine the elite genetics and management practices of the globe’s most prestigious ranches. Not daunted by restrictions such as health and export regulations that a live international show would incur, South Africa native P.J. Budler, now of Fort Worth, Texas, conjured up a new method to judge an international Hereford show. He worked tirelessly throughout 2015 collecting the names and photos of national champions from four regions of the world. Then, these champions competed in an online photo competition officiated by four judges plus an equally weighted fifth vote from the “Hereford Breeder” Facebook page. This year, 4,331 judging sheets from 35 countries were tabulated to narrow down the “best of the best” to name the outstanding four females and four bulls in each region. The owners of the eight finalists recently traveled to the FWSSR in Fort Worth, Texas, United States, for the pinnacle of the yearlong competition — the announcement of the Hereford Champion of the World (bull) and Hereford Miss World (female). On Jan. 31, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price recognized the finalists prior to the Fort Worth National “Cowtown Select” Hereford and
Polled Hereford Sale. Having grown up on a Texas Hereford ranch, Mayor Price’s knowledge and appreciation of the Hereford breed made an impression with the international guests. When the life-size cutouts were unveiled, the crowd cheered as the North American entries swept the competition. BR Anastasia 3023 ET was selected as Hereford Miss World. The March 2, 2103, daughter of UPS TCC Nitro 1ET is owned by Rylee Barber, Channing, Texas, United States; Deppe Bros., Maquoketa, Iowa, United States; Sullivan Farms, Dunlap, Iowa, United States; and Cottonwood Spring Farms and Bushy Park Farms, Mitchell, South Dakota, United States. Also stepping into the winner’s circle as Hereford Champion of the World was CHAC Mason 2214. The Feb. 6, 2012, son of CRR About Time 743 is owned by Gary and Kathy Buchholz, Waxahachie, Texas, United States; Prairie Rose Cattle Co. and Eleanor James, both of Sherman, Illinois, United States. Other regional winners included: • Tranqueras X4850 Good Gitana T/E, owned by Las Tranqueras, Belgrano, Buenos Aires, Argentina • Kanimbla Miss K H100, owned by Tondara Herefords, Urana, New South Wales, Australia • Romany 1 Plum A84 E37, owned by Romany Poll Herefords, Kelso, Borders, Scotland • La Piedra 0X2065 Mustag Shark T/E, owned by Terra Garba SACAI y F, San Martin, Buenos Aires, Argentina • Locheim Best Performer WDW 120053, owned by Vicedale Herefords, Cullinan, Gauteng, South
Africa • Normanton 1 Lionel, owned by Normanton Herefords, Normanton le Heath, Leicester, England An Invaluable Learning Opportunity Key to the trip for many of the international guests was experiencing the 2016 FWSSR Hereford show and the opportunity to meet and network with the exhibitors throughout the week. Eric Beckmann, president of the Mexican Hereford Association, said most of the genetics in the state of Chihuahua are derived from American cattle. He said Mexican cattlemen have done their homework to have the USDA upgrade the state’s tuberculosis status, and to better track animals, resulting in increased trade across the border. A delegation of six came to the FWSSR and World Hereford competition to study the genetics being used by U.S. cattlemen and upgrade their herds in Chihuahua. “The tools that the American Hereford Association has to select EPDs and information has helped us a lot,” Beckmann said. “We came here to find out which genetics would be useful for our herds. For us, it’s a time well spent regarding the knowledge we have acquired, the friends we have made and the hospitality of the organizers of the FWSSR. All the American Hereford breeders have shared their experiences with us so we can improve our herds and make a profit with our cattle ranches in Mexico.” The scholastic and networking opportunity was also the reason for an Italian cattlemen’s trip to See WORLD CHAMPS, page 2