KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Brett Schoenherr, Baldwin, Iowa; Hannah Pearson, Oconto, Neb.; Ivan Blume, Zell, S.D.; and Bronson Lasley, Penngrove, Calif., received the inaugural Hereford Herd Builder awards during the 2026 American Hereford Association (AHA) Annual Meeting and Educational Forum in Kansas City, Mo., on Oct. 23. The Hereford Herd Builder program was spurred by Dale and Nancy Venhuizen, Churchill Cattle Co., Manhattan, Mont.,  to develop future breeders, strengthen the breed and support the long-term growth of the Hereford industry, by supplying young breed leaders with proven, elite genetics. 

Through this opportunity, the AHA and Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) worked with Churchill Cattle Co., and awarded four pregnant recipient females carrying elite Hereford genetics, along with two embryos of the same genetics. The genetics will assist these four young people getting their start in the Hereford business and building the foundation of their young cow herds.

Close to 60 applicants applied for this pilot program. After selections were made by a committee made up of Hereford breeders and industry leaders, the first four herd builders were recognized on stage during HYFA’s special awards ceremony. 

Hereford Herd Builders was launched through the Venhuizens’ vision, leadership and commitment to supporting the next generation of Hereford breeders. Ivan Blume, Zell, S.D., received HHB 2601A — the HH Advance 3206L ET x CL 1 Dominette 5146N mating. Blume graduated from South Dakota State University with an animal science degree and currently manages his own breeding herd and program. A past participant in the Hereford Seedstock Academy, Blume looks at this addition to his small, but mighty herd as a foundation to build upon and an opportunity to accelerate the genetic progress — helping him more quickly reach the goals he’s working toward.

Hannah Pearson of Oconto, Neb., received HHB 2602A — another mating of HH Advance 3206L ET x CL 1 Dominette 5146N. After graduating from Texas Tech University with an agricultural communications degree she moved back to her family’s operation to focus on improving and building her own Hereford herd. She currently serves as the manager for the Nebraska Hereford Association. Ultimately, receiving genetics, such as these, allows her to introduce exceptional genetics into her herd, so she can develop and build upon them.

Brett Schoenherr, Baldwin, Iowa, received HHB 2603A — the Churchill Legacy 5117N ET x CL 1 Dominete 5146N mating. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville with a degree in animal science, Schoenherr manages his family’s operation, Longbranch Farms, alongside his wife, Halie, and mother, Jennifer. As the first generation to focus on raising registered cattle, he looks forward to being a breeder who can one day give back to a program supporting young people, like the Hereford Herd Builder program.

Bronson Lasley of Penngrove, Calif., received HHB 2604A — the Churchill Stampede 486M ET x Churchill Lady 0403H ET mating. Lasley is currently pursuing his animal science degree from Lassen College. As a first-generation rancher, he was introduced to the Hereford breed when he managed the Pfendler Ranches. He and his wife own Lasley Land & Livestock, and Lasley is confident that these genetics will help set a new trajectory for the future of his brand and open the door to many opportunities for his growing herd.

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The Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) was established in 2000 and is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to its four core pillars of scholarship, leadership, education and research. The mission of HYFA is to encourage, recognize and reward the development of life skills and values in the next generation of leaders by providing education, scholarship and leadership opportunities for Hereford youth. For more information about HYFA, visit Herefordyouthfoundation.org. 

Find photos and press release here.