For the Studdards, Black Herefords are the right kind of cows

Photo by Jessica Wilson

meet yourneighbors

Three generations of the Studdard family work to raise high-quality Black Herefords. Pictured, from left, are Barb Studdard, John Studdard (holding grandson Michael), and Barb and John’s daughter Maria and granddaughter Shandon.

The Right Kind of Cow By Jessica Wilson The Studdards found what they wanted in Black Herefords

What is the best breed of cattle? Ask any farmer, and they will tell you their not have the quality they want as someone with a smaller herd. Raising high-qualfavorite. For John Studdard, it is the Black Hereford. A mix of black Angus and ity registered Black Herefords is a passion for the Studdard family. John is the presHereford makes this the winning breed for him. ident of the Missouri Black Hereford Association.

John and his family have been raising registered Black Herefords for more than 10 “I have been the president the last few years,” he said. “We started out as a smaller group years. John is not new to registered cattle. He is originally from Belle, Mo., where he but have grown a lot. The association is growing every year with more new members.” grew registered Limousin bulls. Now John and his family live in the Newburg, Mo., The Circle S farm sells bulls, heifers and bred females. area on a 115-acre farm, where they are “I have bulls sold all over Missouri,” focusing on getting the best results from John said. their cattle. Black Hereford cattle are classified as 62 “It takes a village (or family) They also sell beef halves on the market. Everyone in the family helps the day-topercent or greater Hereford, and must be sired by a bull registered in the American to run a farm.” day operation of the farm. “It takes a village (or family) to run a farm,” Black Hereford Association. The breed has only been around for the last 25 years but — Barb Studdard John’s wife Barb commented. Not only does his daughter, Maria, and has grown in popularity in areas of Missouri. wife help with the cows, their grandchildren,

“I like the Black Hereford because they 7-year-old Shandon and 2-year-old Michael are docile, look good and are easy to handle,” John said. “They have become one help with bottle-fed calves. of the top growing breeds.” “I hope that my grandkids will take over the farm one day,” John said with a smile.

John and his family run 20 head of Black Herefords on their farm. The Even though he is busy with his cows, John operates his business, Central MO cattle are grass-fed and moved to different fields in the winter. Bobcat Service and Custom Brush Hogging.

Calves are given grain until they can be moved to pasture. For the last two years, John and Barb have attended the Ozark Fall Farm-

Their breeding program consists of the use of AI to cover cows, with fest in Springfield, Mo., and plan to have another booth in October of semen from registered bulls that are selected to achieve high-quality Black this year. Herefords. “I am going to be busy the next few weeks culling my herd.” John In addition to breeding Black Herefords, the family also enjoy raising commented. Newburg, Mo. Black Copper Hens. They sell the eggs locally.

A smaller herd allows him to focus more on the kind of cows he is breed- This family enjoys the farm life and all the hard work it takes to keep ing. While other farmers have larger herds, or more quantity, they might it going.