1881

In this episode of 1881, Bill Ashe of Selmer, Tenn., shares the story of building a registered Hereford herd from scratch in 1963 and the decades of leadership that followed. From his military service to shaping the commercial acceptance of Hereford genetics in the Southeast, Ashe’s influence can be seen across the region. Tune in to hear more about a lifetime dedicated to the Hereford breed.

In this episode of 1881, Noble Research Institute regenerative ranching advisors Charles Rohla and Devlon Ford join Shane Bedwell to break down research-proven strategies. The conversation covers what actually drives plant recovery and soil health, how maternal heterosis strengthens resilience in the cow herd, and the monitoring tools producers can use to stay profitable while adapting to change. This episode sets the stage for a deeper discussion at the Learning Lounge at #CattleCon, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. — built for cattlemen making real decisions on grass, genetics and long-term sustainability.

In this episode of 1881, Shane Bedwell sits down with members of the American Hereford Association Records department, the team on the front lines of registrations, transfers and data. Talina Nelson and Debbie Hayes answer frequently asked questions from breeders and commercial cattlemen, clear up common misconceptions and share practical guidance to help navigate the registration process.

In this episode of 1881, Shane Bedwell sits down with Austin Snedden, a fifth-generation California rancher and newly elected chairman of the American Hereford Association Board of Directors. Austin shares his background, the long-standing history of Snedden Ranch and how his family continues to build a program rooted in quality Hereford cattle with a strong focus on meeting the needs of commercial customers. Their conversation also explores Austin’s vision for the breed, where the Association is headed and how Herefords continue to shape the commercial cattle industry today.

In this episode, American Hereford Association (AHA) Executive Vice President Jack Ward joins host Shane Bedwell to discuss the Association’s new DNA testing partner. They walk through frequently asked questions about the transition to the new lab, what breeders can expect and how the change will benefit members. The episode also highlights what’s ahead for the AHA, including the 2025 Junior National Hereford Expo and the upcoming World Hereford Conference.

Mark your calendars for an event that celebrates the heart of the Hereford breed. The American Hereford Association is proud to host the 2025 World Hereford Conference, featuring exclusive pre- and post-conference tours, and the highly anticipated Young Breeders Competition. Want to know more? Tune in to this episode with Amy Cowan, where we share the details you need to know about the conference, tours and competition. Registration is open now, and early bird pricing won’t last forever — prices increase on April 1, 2025. Secure your spot today and be part of this global gathering. Find more information on the conference here -- worldherefordconference.com

What makes a cow truly fit for a regenerative ranching system? In this episode of 1881, we visit with Hugh Aljoe of the Noble Research Institute to dive into the traits of a productive and efficient cow—one that thrives in both economic and environmental conditions. Want to learn more about leveraging profit potential, environmental stewardship, and social demands? Join us at #CattleCon25 on Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 10–11 a.m. at the AHA booth (#3560) to visit with AHA staff and Hugh Aljoe. See you there!

An episode packed with information – Kane Aegerter, the newly appointed Director of Seedstock Marketing for the American Hereford Association, joins host Shane Bedwell on this episode of 1881. With excitement building around the Hereford breed, they discuss its latest highlights and growing momentum. Kane shares his industry experience, along with the passion and vision driving his approach to helping breeders market their genetics. Reflecting on the start of 2025, they dive into the successes of Cattlemen's Congress and the National Western Stock Show, the unmatched demand for F1 females, and the value of Hereford bulls as sale season kicks off. Tune in now!

On the final 1881 episode of the year, we’re honored to welcome Chad Breeding, a lifelong Miami, Texas, resident and the newly elected chairman of the American Hereford Association board. Chad reflects on his family’s rich legacy with the Hereford breed, shaped by generations of ranching and leadership, and shares his vision for the year ahead.

Tune in to this episode of the 1881 podcast as we visit with Hugh Aljoe, Director of Ranches, Outreach, and Partnerships at the Noble Research Institute. Learn how the NRI’s innovative approach to ‘doing more with what you have’ is helping farmers and researchers. Visit the Noble Research Institute here: https://www.noble.org/

This episode of the 1881 Podcast is truly 'all about the beef' as we welcome Dr. Shawn Baker, renowned author of The Carnivore Diet and advocate for the carnivore lifestyle. Dr. Baker has thrived on this diet for years, and he joins us to dive deep into its benefits and the essential role beef plays in nutrition. Tune in to discover more about the power of beef in your diet and the essential role farmers and ranchers play in raising this nutritious staple.

A resource for breeders and commercial cattlemen – the AHA field staff cover the United states promoting Hereford genetics. Tune into this episode of 1881 to meet the team, learn about their industry backgrounds, and find out how they can assist your operation.

The Hereford breed is known for its heritage and history in the beef industry. The National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) has played a crucial role in shaping the leaders of tomorrow by fostering the development of junior members. Each summer, the NJHA's hallmark event is the VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE). On this episode of 1881, Mike Simpson and Bonnie Coley-Malir share the storied history of the junior Hereford programs, culminating in the inception of the JNHE in 2000. As you journey to Grand Island, Neb., for the Grand Daddy of 'Em All, tune in to relive the proud heritage of the Hereford breed.

What started as a 4-H project in Redmond, Oregon, grew Denny Hoffman into a herdsman, manager and now owner of Hoffman Herefords in Thedford, Nebraska. With more than 60 years of involvement in the breed, Denny began the early part of his career as a herdsman for Stone Herefords, Hermiston, Oregon. On a courageous leap of faith, Denny moved the family operation from California to Nebraska in order to grow and sustain the business for the next generation. A 2019 Hall of Fame inductee, Denny shares his history with the Hereford breed in this episode of 1881.

Every state newsletter column John Meents, Jenera, Ohio, penned ended with the sentence, “Make your cattle better today because you have to market them tomorrow,” a sentiment John believed throughout his entire livestock marketing career. Meents had a 21-year career with the American Hereford Association as the Upper Midwest Region field representative. He worked hard to sell animals in the sale ring and privately, offered industry insights for advertising and breeding decisions, and cheered on multiple generations of Hereford breeders. A 2021 Hereford Hall of Merit inductee, John shares about his livestock marketing career in this 1881 episode.

The inaugural Hereford Seedstock Academy brought together a group of young Hereford enthusiasts eager to learn from industry professionals and Association staff all while building their network. Shayne Wiese, Wiese and Sons Herefords, Manning, Iowa, participated in the 2023 Hereford Seedstock Academy. From the board room to meat retail, from pasture to feedlot and to cutting-edge research in three states, Shayne shares his experience as part of the Academy. Applications for the 2024 Hereford Seedstock Academy are open and can be found here: https://hereford.org/hereford-seedstock-academy/

John Loewen, Waukomis, Okla., got his start in the Hereford breed after receiving his first registered female as a wedding gift from his father-in-law and long-time Hereford breeder, Harold V. Hunter. John and his wife, Mona, now operate the ranch and have stayed true to raising cattle that fit the need of the beef industry. Tune in as John shares about his commitment to advancing the Hereford breed.

With a clear vision and passion for the Hereford breed, Wyatt Agar, Thermopolis, Wyo., began his tenure in October, as the newly elected president of the American Hereford Association. With deep roots in the breed, Wyatt is eager to continue building upon the momentum the Hereford breed has garnered as a key component to the commercial industry.

Beginning in the late ‘70s, the Beef Quality Assurance program has changed over time to serve as an educational resource for producers while having a positive impact on the beef industry. Dan Kniffen, Ph.D., Penn State assistant professor of animal science, and Josh White, NCBA senior executive director for producer education and sustainability, join the podcast to discuss how the BQA program has evolved and how the program has made progress. To learn more about the BQA program, visit bqa.org

Guy Colyer, a respected cowman who built the foundation for a successful operation alongside his wife, Sherry, started his registered herd as a 4-H project while growing up on his family’s commercial Hereford ranch. A former AHA board member and Hereford Hall of Fame inductee, Guy, shares the history of Colyer Herefords in this episode of 1881.

Former chef turned center of the plate specialist, Colin Campbell, National Beef Packing Company Regional Marketing Manager, joins the podcast as we celebrate beef month. In this episode, hear firsthand how Certified Hereford Beef is marketed and the superior eating experience drawing consumers to the brand.

Hereford-influenced feeder cattle sales are proving to be a valuable tool for cattlemen to market their genetics. Jarrid Herrmann, Cherokee Sales Co. and Mitchell Livestock Marketing owner, joins the podcast to discuss his upbringing in the industry, shares the recent success of the Hereford-influenced sale held in Cherokee, Okla., and offers insight to producers looking to market their cattle.

Olsen Ranches, Harrisburg, Neb., has been instrumental to the Hereford breed through the National Reference Sire Program. A fourth-generation rancher, Douglas Olsen, joins the podcast to share more about Olsen Ranches, giving listeners a deeper understanding of the NRSP.

The American Hereford Association offers producers a wide variety of resources and tools to assist with their operations. In this episode, Stacy Sanders, director of records; Trey Befort, director of commercial programs; and Joe Rickabaugh, director of seedstock marketing, join Shane Bedwell, chief operating officer and director of breed improvement, to discuss how the AHA can assist members and commercial producers. From MyHerd search features to commercial and seedstock marketing, this episode offers valuable information for listeners.

During two dynamic weeks in January — Cattlemen’s Congress and the National Western Stock Show — cattlemen and women exhibited Hereford genetics drawing a crowd of those seeking genetics to propel their programs forward. Tune in as Jack Ward and Shane Bedwell dive into the success of the beginning of 2023 and look ahead to continuing the tradition of the breed.

We are ending the year the way we started it. Jack Ward, AHA executive vice president, was our first guest on the podcast and he joins Shane Bedwell to wrap up 2022. In this episode, Jack and Shane reflect on the impact the Hereford breed had on the industry this year and discuss what 2023 will bring. To submit names or topics for the podcast, click here -- https://forms.gle/qcxm9UMN9NLZWqm17

The season of giving has arrived for the Hereford Youth Foundation of America. Amy Cowan, Director of Youth Activities and Foundation, shares about the work the foundation does to further scholarship, education, leadership, and research. Tune in to learn more about the foundation and its work to advance the breed.

Concluding the coverage of the American Hereford Association educational forum, Kim Stackhouse-Lawson, Ph.D., Director of AgNext, Colorado State University, joins the podcast. Current Hereford research initiatives further leverage the Hereford breed’s strengths to serve the evolving beef industry and the next generation of consumers. Tune in to this episode to learn more about the broader definition of sustainability and how it applies to animal agriculture.

Dr. Todd Bilby, Director of Dairy Technical Sales, Merck Animal Health, joins this episode to dive into the benefits of estrus synchronization in both cows and heifers bred through AI or natural service. Advantages include shortening the calving interval to increase pounds of beef at weaning and to improve replacement heifer fertility. Learn more about these benefits as well as the use of hormones to improve embryo transfer pregnancy retention.

At the American Hereford Association educational forum, Dr. J R Tait, NEOGEN Genomics presented the next step in genomic advancement for the breed and industry. In this 1881 episode, learn about the history and future of genomics with InfiniSEEK™.

At the American Hereford Association Educational Forum and Annual Meeting, the 2022-2027 strategic plan was unveiled. Tune in to this episode to learn more about the direction of the Hereford breed over the next five years with guest, Kevin Ochsner.

The Hereford Feedout Programs have experienced tremendous growth and are proving to be valuable for producers. Lee Mayo, HRC Feed Yards, Inc., joins this episode of 1881 to share about the programs and the importance of the data collected. Preparations are underway for the 2023 Hereford Feedout Program and NJHA Fed Steer Shootout, tune in to learn more about the programs.

A familiar voice to the livestock industry, passionate Hereford breeder and 2021 Hereford Hall of Merit inductee, Jim Birdwell joins the podcast to share about his career as an auctioneer.

The Hereford breed is known for its rich history in the beef industry. On this episode, Craig Huffhines, former American Hereford Association executive vice president recounts the growth of the breed and Certified Hereford Beef during his time with the association, and looks toward the future of Hereford research with the announcement of the cooperative research agreement with Colorado State University.

After a banner week in Louisville, Ky., for the Junior National Hereford Expo, Shane Bedwell was joined by the chairmen of the National Junior Hereford Association and American Hereford Association. Noah Benedict and Bruce Everhart highlight the future of the breed in this episode focused on Hereford youth.

Involved in multiple segments of the beef industry and vice president of the AHA, Bill Goehring shares insight on a variety of topics impacting cattlemen and women. Hear his story and thoughts about the industry moving forward on this episode of 1881.

The history of artificial insemination, the future of technology, and the role of Hereford genetics in the beef industry are discussed in this episode of 1881. Hear from Cody Sankey, Genex, and Aaron Arnett, ST Genetics, as they discuss a range of topics important to the industry.

To celebrate beef month, Shane Bedwell visits with Bill Esch, Hen House, and Amari Seiferman, Certified Hereford Beef, to discuss the history of CHB on this episode of 1881. Tune in to hear a unique perspective on the brand and a look into the future.

With an unwavering passion for the Hereford breed and the beef cattle industry, Glen Klippenstein created a life bettering both. An inductee into the American Hereford Association Hall of Fame in 2005, and former American Polled Hereford Association chairman, Glen shares stories from his life and the history of the Hereford breed in this episode of 1881.

In the late 1940s, Holden Herefords and Cooper Herefords Line 1 programs were established to increase the predictability of their herds. Tune in to hear about the Line 1 tradition that continues today with guests Jack Holden, Valier, Mont., and Mark Cooper, Willow Creek, Mont.

There is no doubt the baldy female is sought after by cattlemen and women to add maternal efficiency to their herd. The baldy female has done just that for our next 1881 guest, Anton Hermes. Tune in to hear the impact Hereford genetics are having on this cow herd located in Limon, Colo.

On our first episode of 1881, host Shane Bedwell visits with Jack Ward, AHA executive vice president. Listeners will get a behind the scenes look at how Jack and Shane both landed their careers with the AHA, the history behind the name 1881 and a brief look at where the AHA is headed.