KILE Show Honoree - Dr. Raymond Ediger

Keystone International Harrisburg, PA KILE Livestock Exposition 2021 Shorthorn Show Honoree

Dr. Raymond Ediger

Even as a little kid, growing up in Oregon, Dr. Raymond Ediger loved cattle, but since 1976, the Shorthorn breed of cattle have been his passion. It all started so simply. As a veterinarian he was visiting Holly Hill Farm owned by the now deceased Robert Richie, Ijamsville, Maryland. When Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia dispersed their performance-based Shorthorn herd, Mr. Richie purchased most of them. At that time, the Holly Hill herd was one of the largest purebred shorthorn herds in the State of Maryland.

During Dr. Ediger’s April 1976 visit, he saw a cow that had had twin heifer calves. She had accepted one but the other she was knocking around. It was getting beat up and was weak. That evening he mentioned to his wife about the poor little calf. She said, “what are you going to do about it.” He said, “I hate to see a calf beat around like that on this chilly April night. I am going to call and see if he will sell the calf,” and that was the beginning of the Shorthorn herd at Green Spring Farm. The calf was kept in a big box on the porch, given a lot of TLC until she was strong enough to go to the barn. She was named Countess Mari-Ann x3617563.

Dr. Ediger’s herd to this day is essentially a closed herd. Although many AI performance-based sires have been used over the years, only three genetically out-crossed females have been added to the herd. All of the other cattle trace back in some way to the original Mari-Ann. One of Dr. Ediger’s favorite bulls Wolf Ridge Samson POC 35 and presently RDE Boxman 410. Mari-Ann had five sets of twins and her daughters also had multiple sets of twins. She had stayability. She was an active member of the herd until 19 years of age. To the end she had great feet, legs and a beautiful udder. Time it’s toll with a little grey around the muzzle and a sway back.

From the beginning of the Green Spring herd, performance was the primary emphasis in the breeding decisions with special emphasis on feet, legs, udders, and dispositions. Purchasing a scale to weigh the cattle was one of the best investments ever made. Although when the herd was small, emotions played a role in which heifers in which heifers to keep. As the herd enlarged the scale made the decisions. In 2009, Dr. Ediger disbursed 185 head at a public sale with cattle going to 9 different states.

Dr. Ediger is a strong advocate of knowing one’s market. He wanted cattle that would be profitable and pretty to look at as well. His largest market over the years has been 4H and FFA members. These youngsters have had many champions, and rate-of-gain and carcass winners. Many of these purchases have resulted in new Shorthorn herds or Shorthorns to compliment crossbreeding programs. Dr. Ediger feels strongly about the 4H program and has served as a leader for close to 60 years. The number of classes and workshops on veterinary science and animal care that he has conducted are too numerous to count. This includes the now legacy hands-on castration party.

Dr. Ediger has been the recipient of numerous awards including Building of the Breed 2011, the Top Hat Award when president of the Maryland Cattleman’s Association, the Maryland Governor’s Citation for Bravery for saving the life of a man being gored by a bull, the Dr. Raymond Ediger Award for Excellence in Agriculture awarded annually at the Maryland Science Fair, the Maryland Veterinary Medicine Lifetime Achievement Award to name a few.

However, Dr. Ediger cherishes the most the many friends he has made over the years. Each year going to the National Shorthorn Annual Meeting as an attendee or delegate from Maryland has been special. He said, “No matter how old you are, at those meetings you can always learn something new.” Now at 85 years of age, he says he wants to cut back a little, maybe to just 15 cows. Some have said that they have heard that statement before and now don’t believe it. He loves those Shorthorn cows, and it is obvious to everyone from the special gleam in his eye when he is surrounded by them, each waiting for that special scratch on the shoulder.

Congratulations to Dr. Raymond D. Ediger on being selected as the 2021 Keystone International Livestock Exposition Show Honoree, it is well deserved. =