“The Hereford Season of Giving offers a chance for the industry to come together to give back to the breed that never stops giving to us,” said Jerry Huth, Huth Polled Herefords, Oakfield, Wis. Huth has been a passionate Hereford breeder and advocate for 62 years, serving as the breed improvement chairman on the American Hereford Association (AHA) Board of Directors in 2011 and is a part of the Hereford Research Foundation (HRF) Board that sets the direction for current research projects happening at the association.

Jerry and his wife Maryann have made a lifetime of raising registered Hereford cattle and building their performance program. This fall marked a major milestone for Huth Polled Herefords as they hosted the complete dispersal of their industry leading herd. As the cattle with the famous Huth prefix go to work across the country, Jerry and Maryann will begin to take the foot off the gas and enjoy spending some more time with their grandchildren and the third generation.

Breed leading genetics were a mainstay at Huth Polled Herefords. In 1996 Huth purchased an interest in RRH Mr Felt 6191, who had a major impact on the breed. Over the years, the Huth family marketed 16 bulls to the major bull studs, including Huth Enhancer 2D, Huth Oak P017 and Huth Prospector K085. In addition to raising quality bulls, the Huth family was honored in 2023 with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Region III Environmental Stewardship Award.

Throughout their journey in the Hereford business, much emphasis has been put on breeding cattle that perform with selection pressure on calving ease, excellent growth and later incorporating carcass traits for ribeye and marbling into the equation. Huth Polled Herefords started submitting performance records to the AHA in 1977 and started submitting ultrasound data for carcass traits in 1995 and now using the tools of DNA testing and GE EPDs for genetic selection.

With this philosophy on breeding cattle and taking care of the land, it is no secret that Jerry’s passion truly lays within research and the growth of not only the Hereford breed, but the beef industry as a whole. “You have to breed them better today to market them tomorrow. So, if we don't have the knowledge on how to breed them better, we can't market them tomorrow,” said Huth. “Research is pivotal to the industry and the betterment of it.”

During Jerry’s tenure on the AHA Board of Directors and thanks to his leadership, the Hereford Research Foundation (HRF) was founded in 2009 as a division of the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) to support breed improvement projects outside the scope of the AHA budget. One of these projects has included the National Reference Sire Program (NRSP) at Olsen Ranches that Huth has supported immensely as a way to prove young sires in a real-world, commercial setting.  

From day one, the mission of the research foundation has been to create a culture for the advancement of the Hereford breed through genetic research, and thanks to breeders like Huth many advancements have been made along the way. “We saw the success of the youth foundation and wanted to mimic that,” said Huth. “With the guidance of Jack Ward, AHA Executive Vice President, the board decided to establish the Hereford Research Foundation. We desperately felt that we needed this to continue research projects that would benefit the breed.”

Support Breed Research

By enhancing research opportunities, you begin to see a shift in the knowledge of the breed as well as tools and an avenue for growth. With the Hereford Season of Giving, there is a chance to be a part of something bigger, watching the Hereford breed grow in substantial ways. “I really want to emphasize that time and talents will always trump resources,” said Huth. “Giving comes in more ways than one and that’s what’s so special about it.”

When we give, we give in several different ways. Donation, time, energy, volunteering: it’s all crucial in the growth of the industry. Huth stresses that passion is the ultimate gift. Huth is a proud supporter of the Hereford breed and its young people and he whole heartedly believes without current research we fail the future of our industry. “I’ll never not prioritize the importance of giving back. It’s incredibly important to invest in today to see the flourishment of tomorrow,” said Huth.

The Huth family firmly believes that you don't give to receive something in return and that is the philosophy behind their gift in the 2024 Hereford Season of Giving. “You give to give back to something that has benefited you in the past,” said Huth. “One of the things that has always impressed me with the AHA is the amount of people that give their time, talents and resources wherever needed.”

In the first Season of Giving three years ago, Huth was the lucky winner in the drawing for the Priefert chute. For the Huth’s this gift is a reminder to keep giving, not to win anything, but to create greater opportunities for industry youth while encouraging involvement within the breed.

Huth says the Hereford breed has impacted his family’s lives in more ways than he can begin to count. Whether you’ve been a part of the breed for decades or you are just beginning your involvement, passion and dedication doesn’t change. When passion runs deep, you want nothing more than to make a difference and we thank our donors for their everlasting support in the continuation of creating opportunities for a greater tomorrow. “Don't be afraid to step forward and join different boards. We have to get involved for the strength of not only the state and local organizations, but also the national organizations,” said Huth. “Get involved, and then, if you have the resources to give, do it.”

“It’s not about how many cows you have or how big or small your operation is, we’re all passionate about the breed and want to see it succeed,” said Huth. “That’s what really makes my heart fill up.”

Join the Huth Family in giving towards the future of the breed and generations to come during this Hereford Season of Giving. As Jerry had mentioned, “It’s incredibly important to invest in today to see the flourishment of tomorrow,” and the Season of Giving is dedicated to seeing the success of tomorrow.