The Hereford Research Foundation was established in 2009 as a division of the Hereford Youth Foundation of America, a 501© 3 not-for-profit organization, to support breed improvement projects outside the scope of the American Hereford Association (AHA) budget.
The research division was developed to support programs that enhance beef cattle production. These projects are conducted throughout the U.S. in conjunction with universities, private firms and ranches and are funded by donations. Extensive time and resources are spent each year by the AHA to enhance beef cattle production through various ongoing projects. You can see the value of these projects at Hereford.org.
To learn more about the Hereford Research Foundation contact AHA Chief Operating Officer and Director of Breed Improvement, Shane Bedwell at sbedwell@hereford.org or 816.842.3757
In the first Season of Giving in 2022, Jerry and Mayann Huth of Huth Polled Herefords were the lucky winner in the drawing for the Priefert chute. The Huth family then moved to give back tenfold during the 2024 Season of Giving, supporting the Research pillar of HYFA through a $10,000 gift. 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.”
With the leadership of the Huth family and Huth Polled Herefords, $54,635 was raised during the 2024 Hereford Season of Giving directly benefitting the HYFA Research pillar and the Hereford Research Foundation.
In 2020, The Hereford Research Foundation (HRF) was the benefactor of the Hereford Prime Foundation’s $116,000 gift in support of future research projects at the American Hereford Association (AHA). The donation was made on behalf of the late Allan Shumaker, from Wetmore, Kan., who founded the Hereford Prime Foundation with funds from the dispersal of his cowherd. An advocate for tracking performance in beef cattle, Shumaker was a leader in collecting DNA samples to document the performance of Hereford cattle in feedlots. His efforts have aided research efforts to enhance and trace the predictability of growth traits, efficiency and carcass merit. Shumaker funneled his passion for Herefords into a breeding herd with an emphasis on traits to raise cattle for range country and for the commercial beef industry.
“The Hereford Research Foundation is extremely grateful for Shumaker’s foresight to utilize DNA to enhance the marketability of Herefords,” says Shane Bedwell, chief operating officer and director of breed improvement for the AHA. “His generosity and leadership have allowed us to make great strides in documenting and proving Hereford genetics across the industry.”
In 2011, John and Mona Loewen, Waukomis, Okla., donated herd sire, Loewen Foundation 34X to the Hereford Research Foundation (HRF). Ten years later the bull has generated more than $25,000 to support research efforts. Foundation was leased by ABS Global and both the proceeds from the semen shares and the semen sale royalties continue to fund the HRF. Foundation is in the non-certificate AI program and the AHA has designated a spot in the National Reference Sire Program (NRSP) to test his progeny, including gathering feed intake information. This proven AI sire is a legendary udder fixer and is a trait leader for DMI. Just like his breeder, Foundation has left a favorable mark on the breed.
Contact AHA for more information on how to make tax-deductible contributions to the Hereford Research Division.
