Greetings Hereford Breeders

by Sally Wingler, Tennessee Hereford Association President

I hope each of you had the happiest of holidays, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I wish all of you peace and joy in your heart, safety, and good health. Please be especially grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Tennessee Hereford Association.

With the year 2022 now in the rear-view mirror, it is a suitable time for us to stop momentarily and take a look backward. A long, hot, and dry summer is finally passed and gone, the fall season is history and winter arrived on time in Tennessee with a sub-zero Arctic blast. Nevertheless, with the arrival of calves we can see the rewards of all our hard work over the past year. Cows were bred with the hope of the next great-one being born ------- if everything works in our favor. The year, 2022, was a very chaotic and trying year for cattle producers and everyone involved in agriculture. High input costs, hot temperatures and at times little to no rain made it extremely difficult for everyone. We all know that this is just how it is in agriculture. We face adversity in all facets of the industry and unfortunately, some years more than others. Yet, we continue to work hard and survive from year to year because each one of us has a passion for the industry. We would not change a thing about the life that we have chosen.

As we enter the winter show season, we look forward to once again reconnecting with friends and meeting new ones as we travel across this great nation. These shows give all of us the opportunity to highlight the work and dedication that we have all put into our operations to produce the best product that we can, and hopefully they are well received. Also, it gives us ideas about things we can do better, like which bull we need to try for the next breeding season. We all like to be competitive and take a banner home with us from a major show, but the true benefits of exhibiting are the relationships we develop and the information that we receive from each person we take the time to visit with. I always look forward to seeing old friends and making new friends as I travel to shows and other events representing Tennessee and the Hereford breed across this great nation.

I have a few words to pass on from the national scene. Jim Coley was recently elected to the board of directors of the American Hereford Association. Sally Wingler is president-elect of the National Hereford Women. Bethany Mansfield now serves the National Hereford Women as secretary. Libby Rushton in her maroon jacket continues her role as membership chair on the National Junior Hereford Board. Jaclyn Aiken Tennessee Hereford Queen represented our state at the National Queen Contest in Kansas City where she was selected Miss Congeniality by contest peers. Also, Jaclyn Aiken, Allie Harrison, and Mary Carter Shirley along with Libby Rushton represented Tennessee Junior Hereford Association at the Faces of Leadership Conference this past summer in Billings, Montana. As I sat down to write this article, I was watching the Supreme Drive of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City. While watching the supreme drive bulls I would like to congratulate Land Slinger 2296 1046 on being named the National Champion Polled Hereford Bull. Land Slinger was the 4th overall bull at Cattlemen’s Congress. I would like to congratulate the owners Walker Polled Hereford, Dry Creek Farm, Dirt Road Farm, Jernigan Farm and Landgren Ranch of Nebraska. A big shout-out to all these Tennessee Hereford members both adult and junior who are at work for the Hereford breed on the national level. Safe travels and a very blessed and happy 2023 to all!