News Release
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Matt Brockman
Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show
817-877-2599
817-312-6333 (c)
International Cattle Leaders Converge on Fort Worth to Study Genetics and
Management
By Lisa Bryant, Cowboy Connection Designs & Communications
FORT WORTH, TEXAS–In the heart of Texas cattle country, international cattlemen convened at
the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo (#FWSSR) to coronate the top Hereford bull and female in
the world for 2015, experience America’s western culture and examine the elite genetics and
management practices of the globe’s most prestigious ranches.
Not daunted by restrictions such as health and export regulations that a live international show
would incur, South Africa native P.J. Budler, now of Fort Worth, Texas, conjured up a new
method to judge an international Hereford show. He worked tirelessly throughout 2015
collecting the names and photos of national champions from four regions of the world. Then,
these champions competed in an online photo competition officiated by four judges plus an
equally weighted fifth vote from the “Hereford Breeder” Facebook page. This year, 4,331
judging sheets from 35 countries were tabulated to narrow down the “best of the best” to name
the outstanding four females and four bulls in each region.
The owners of the eight finalists recently traveled to the FWSSR in Fort Worth, Texas, United
States, for the pinnacle of the yearlong competition — the announcement of the Hereford
Champion of the World (bull) and Hereford Miss World (female).
On Jan. 31, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price recognized the finalists prior to the Fort Worth
National “Cowtown Select” Hereford and Polled Hereford Sale. Having grown up on a Texas
Hereford ranch, Mayor Price’s knowledge and appreciation of the Hereford breed made an
impression with the international guests.
When the life-size cutouts were unveiled, the crowd cheered as the North American entries
swept the competition. BR Anastasia 3023 ET was selected as Hereford Miss World. The March
2, 2103, daughter of UPS TCC Nitro 1ET is owned by Rylee Barber, Channing, Texas, United
States; Deppe Bros., Maquoketa, Iowa, United States; Sullivan Farms, Dunlap, Iowa, United
States; and Cottonwood Spring Farms and Bushy Park Farms, Mitchell, South Dakota, United
States.
Also stepping into the winner’s circle as Hereford Champion of the World was CHAC Mason
2214. The Feb. 6, 2012, son of CRR About Time 743 is owned by Gary and Kathy Buchholz,
Waxahachie, Texas, United States; Prairie Rose Cattle Co. and Eleanor James, both of Sherman,
Illinois, United States.
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Pg. 2 – Hereford Champion of the World
Other regional winners included:
• Tranqueras X4850 Good Gitana T/E, owned by Las Tranqueras, Belgrano, Buenos Aires,
Argentina
• Kanimbla Miss K H100, owned by Tondara Herefords, Urana, New South Wales, Australia
• Romany 1 Plum A84 E37, owned by Romany Poll Herefords, Kelso, Borders, Scotland
• La Piedra 0X2065 Mustag Shark T/E, owned by Terra Garba SACAI y F, San Martin,
Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Locheim Best Performer WDW 120053, owned by Vicedale Herefords, Cullinan, Gauteng,
South Africa
• Normanton 1 Lionel, owned by Normanton Herefords, Normanton le Heath, Leicester,
England
An Invaluable Learning Opportunity
Key to the trip for many of the international guests was experiencing the 2016 FWSSR Hereford
show and the opportunity to meet and network with the exhibitors throughout the week.
Eric Beckmann, president of the Mexican Hereford Association, said most of the genetics in the
state of Chihuahua are derived from American cattle. He said Mexican cattlemen have done
their homework to have the USDA upgrade the state’s tuberculosis status, and to better track
animals, resulting in increased trade across the border. A delegation of six came to the FWSSR
and World Hereford competition to study the genetics being used by U.S. cattlemen and
upgrade their herds in Chihuahua.
“The tools that the American Hereford Association has to select EPDs and information has
helped us a lot,” Beckmann said. “We came here to find out which genetics would be useful for
our herds. For us, it’s a time well spent regarding the knowledge we have acquired, the friends
we have made and the hospitality of the organizers of the FWSSR. All the American Hereford
breeders have shared their experiences with us so we can improve our herds and make a profit
with our cattle ranches in Mexico.”
The scholastic and networking opportunity was also the reason for an Italian cattlemen’s trip to
the event. In the fertile vineyard country of Italy, the soil is too rich for most farmers to raise
cattle so meat is imported, Mauro Taccia of Aiello Del Friuli, Italy, said. However, Taccia needs
cattle to train his performance horses and decided the functional British breeds would produce
better beef than the popular French genetics from neighboring countries. Taccia began feeding
his cattle and opened a farm shop to sell the more flavorful, tender meat that Italians are
seeking from watching televised cooking shows.
Yet, Italy didn’t have shows or resources for Taccia to gain knowledge about cattle. “After the
contact I had with P.J., I came here to visit the FWSSR because I wanted to grow in my
knowledge of the two breeds of Angus and Hereford and to watch the cattle live, because in
Italy, I don’t have a show or any idea of how to have the best animal possible.”
Taccia said the World Hereford event has allowed him to network with cattlemen from across
the world, including some that are within two hours of his ranch. “Maybe I need to come here to
Fort Worth to find a place close to my home for cattle,” he laughed.
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Pg. 3 – Hereford Champion of the World
The international cattlemen spent the week experiencing Texas culture firsthand and learning
about the cattle industry in the United States. On Feb. 2, the group addressed the Texas
Christian University (TCU) Ranch Management program students, who asked in-depth questions
about the industry abroad.
Mid-week, the participants traveled nearly 800 miles in Texas to visit several Hereford ranches
including Rocking Chair Ranch, Ft. McKavett; Dudley Bros., Comanche; Iron Lake Ranch,
Athens; GKB Cattle, Waxahachie; and Glaze Herefords, Gilmer. At each stop, the cattle
breeders judged a class of cattle and discussed why the cattle would or would not work in their
country. At GKB Cattle, a presentation demonstrated clipping, fitting and photography.
On Feb. 6, the visitors concluded the week watching the FWSSR Sale of Champions that
featured the top 292 steers, barrows, lambs and goats exhibited from the 11,000 shown in the
youth categories. The sale grossed $3.4 million for the young exhibitors.
The World Hereford (#ChampionOfTheWorld) experience was made possible through sponsors
TheCattleMarket.net LLC and Lone Star Ag Credit, with partners the Fort Worth Stock Show &
Rodeo, Texas Christian University (TCU) Ranch Management, City of Fort Worth and Fort Worth
Stockyards.
The legendary Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo offers visitors a chance to experience the unique
western lifestyle along with a one-of-a-kind combination of history, tradition and Western
Heritage. For more information, visit www.fwssr.com or contact 817-877-2400. This thing is
®
legendary .
SIDEBAR: World Champions Began as Youth Projects
The path to the pinnacle of the Hereford breed shared similar beginnings for several guests,
including both of this year’s world champions — both started out as junior projects for Texas
youth.
In 2014, Bryden, Aidyn and Rylee Barber, of Channing, Texas, United States, captured the
bred-and-owned champion title at the Junior National Hereford Expo with BR Anastasia 3023
ET. Seventeen-year-old Rylee would win many more titles with Anastasia before her being
named the 2015 National Western Stock Show champion, which qualified her for the World
Hereford Contest. Rylee’s grandmother, Mary Barber, said Anastasia is “a dream cow that
wanted to show. In the stalls she wasn’t very impressive, but when you got her out and put
that leather halter on her, Cinderella had arrived!”
Youth exhibitor Jonathan Chachere, Dayton, Texas, captured the reserve champion bred-andowned bull title at the 2013 Junior National Hereford Expo with CHAC Mason 2214. Fred
Nessler, Sherman, Illinois, United States, said the young bull captured his attention as one of
the two great ones he had ever seen that made him say, “Wow!” Chachere eventually sold the
bull to Nessler and used the proceeds to pay for college.
Nessler shares a vision in youth projects with his No Mountain Too High Christian ministries,
which he plans to promote with the publicity surrounding his world champion bull’s global
accomplishment. Nessler said the ministry brings underprivileged youth with no agricultural
background to the farm to learn to work with and show cattle. “They end up loving it once they
are exposed to it so it’s really fun,” said Elaine Nessler.
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Pg. 4 – Hereford Champion of the World
Young cattleman Brandon Sparrow of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, came to the World
Hereford Competition as part of Canada’s Cattlemen’s Young Leaders. Budler serves as
Sparrow’s mentor. Sparrow used the Fort Worth experience to complete the educational project
sponsored by the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.
“If you ever get the chance to come here, do it,” Sparrow said. “There are lots of cool things to
see here.”
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Video Link to Hereford Champion of the World presentation
Video Link to Hereford Miss World presentation
Photo Links and Cutlines:
World Champion Bull-FWSSR_World Hereford Champion 2016_0482 Print.jpg
CHAC Mason 2214 captured the 2015 Hereford Champion of the World title for owners Gary and
Kathy Buchholz, Waxahachie, Texas, United States; and Prairie Rose Cattle Co. and Eleanor
James, both of Sherman, Illinois, United States, at the 2016 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.
The Feb. 6, 2012, son of CRR About Time 743 topped entries from 66 countries. Photo courtesy
of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.
Miss World-FWSSR_Hereford Miss World 2016_0462 Print.jpg
BR Anastasia 3023 ET claimed the 2015 Hereford Miss World crown at the 2016 Fort Worth
Stock Show & Rodeo. The March 2, 2013, daughter of UPS TCC Nitro 1ET is owned by Rylee
Barber, Channing Texas, United States; Deppe Bros., Maquoketa, Iowa, United States; Sullivan
Farms, Dunlap, Iowa, United States; and Cottonwood Spring Farms and Bushy Park Farms, both
of Mitchell, South Dakota, United States. Photo courtesy of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.
Miss South America-FWSSR 2016_IMG_0445 Las Tranqueras.jpg
Tranqueras X4850 Good Gitana T/E, exhibited by Las Tranqueras, Belgrano, Buenos Aires,
Argentina, won Miss South America to qualify for the Hereford Miss World contest at the 2016
Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. From left are Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price; Marta and Horacio
La Valle of Las Tranqueras; National Hereford Queen Taylor Belle Matheny, Mays Lick,
Kentucky, United States; Texas Polled Hereford Queen Jena McCall, Emory, Texas, United
States; and Texas Hereford Queen Stephanie Golightly, Bellville, Texas, United States. Photo
courtesy of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.
Miss Asia/Africa-FWSSR 2016_IMG_0452 Tondara.jpg
Kanimbla Miss K H100, exhibited by Tondara Herefords, Urana, New South Wales, Australia,
won Miss Asia/Africa to qualify for the Hereford Miss World contest at the 2016 Fort Worth
Stock Show & Rodeo. From left are Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price; Jordan Alexander and
Thomas Holt of Tondara Herefords; National Hereford Queen Taylor Belle Matheny, Mays Lick,
Kentucky, United States; Texas Polled Hereford Queen Jena McCall, Emory, Texas, United
States; and Texas Hereford Queen Stephanie Golightly, Bellville, Texas, United States. Photo
courtesy of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.
- more -
Pg. 5 – Hereford Champion of the World
Miss Europe-FWSSR 2016_IMG_0453 Romany.jpg
Romany 1 Plum A84 E37, exhibited by Romany Poll Herefords, Kelso, Borders, Scotland, won
Miss Europe to qualify for the Hereford Miss World contest at the 2016 Fort Worth Stock Show &
Rodeo. From left are Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price; Robert Wilson of Romany Poll Herefords;
National Hereford Queen Taylor Belle Matheny, Mays Lick, Kentucky, United States; Texas
Polled Hereford Queen Jena McCall, Emory, Texas, United States; and Texas Hereford Queen
Stephanie Golightly, Bellville, Texas, United States. Photo courtesy of the Fort Worth Stock
Show & Rodeo.
Hereford Champion of South America-FWSSR 2016_IMG_0469 Terra Garba.jpg
La Piedra 0X2065 Mustag Shark T/E, exhibited by Terra Garba SACAI y F, San Martin, Buenos
Aires, Argentina, won Hereford Champion of South America to qualify for the World Hereford
Champion contest at the 2016 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. From left are Texas Hereford
Queen Stephanie Golightly, Bellville, Texas, United States; Texas Polled Hereford Queen Jena
McCall, Emory, Texas, United States; National Hereford Queen Taylor Belle Matheny, Mays Lick,
Kentucky, United States; Manuel Kienast representing Terra Garber; and Fort Worth Mayor
Betsy Price. Photo courtesy of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.
Hereford Champion of Asia/Africa-FWSSR 2016_IMG_0471 Vicedale.jpg
Locheim Best Performer WDW 120053, exhibited by Vicedale Herefords, Cullinan, Gauteng,
South Africa, won Hereford Champion of Asia/Africa to qualify for the World Hereford Champion
contest at the 2016 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. From left are Texas Hereford Queen
Stephanie Golightly, Bellville, Texas, United States; Texas Polled Hereford Queen Jena McCall,
Emory, Texas, United States; National Hereford Queen Taylor Belle Matheny, Mays Lick,
Kentucky, United States; Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price; and Hinner and Heiko Koster of
Vicedale Herefords. Photo courtesy of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.
Hereford Champion of Europe-FWSSR 2016_IMG_0474 Normanton.jpg
Normanton 1 Lionel, exhibited by Normanton Herefords, Normanton le Heath, Leicester,
England, won Hereford Champion of Europe to qualify for the World Hereford Champion contest
at the 2016 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. From left are Texas Hereford Queen Stephanie
Golightly, Bellville, Texas, United States; Texas Polled Hereford Queen Jena McCall, Emory,
Texas, United States; National Hereford Queen Taylor Belle Matheny, Mays Lick, Kentucky,
United States; Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price; and William Livesey and Darragh McManus of
Normanton Herefords. Photo courtesy of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.
Group Photo-FWSSR 2016_IMG_0691 Group.jpg
International Hereford breeders traveled to the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo Jan. 29 to Feb.
6 to compete in the Hereford Champion of the World competition, participate in educational
programs and tour Texas ranches. From left are (first row) Liz, Fred and Elaine Nessler,
Sherman, Illinois, United States; Terri Barber, Channing, Texas, United States; Susy Taccia,
Aiello Del Friuli, Italy; Sophie Holt, Urana, New South Wales, Australia; Marta and Horacio La
Valle, Belgrano, Buenos Aires, Argentina; (second row) Sam Lewis, Hereford, Herefordshire,
England; Darragh McManus, Normanton le Heath, Leicester, England; P.J. Budler, Fort Worth,
Texas, United States; Mauro Taccia, Aiello Del Friuli, Italy; Hinner Koster, Cullinan, Gauteng,
South Africa; Robert Wilson, Kelso, Borders, Scotland; Manuel Kienast, San Martin, Buenos
Aires, Argentina; and Brandon Sparrow, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; (third row) William
Livesey, Normanton le Heath, Leicester, England; Andrew Hughes, Halifax, West Yorkshire,
England; Heiko Koster, Cullinan, Gauteng, South Africa; and Andrew Hughes, Mold, Wales,
England. Photo courtesy of the Ft. Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.
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Pg. 6 – Hereford Champion of the World
Show-FWSSR 2016_IMG_0610 show.jpg
A highlight of the World Hereford trip for many was the live show at the Fort Worth Stock Show
& Rodeo. “We’d like to see a bull live before we use him,” said Hinner Koster, Cullinan,
Gauteng, South Africa. “We come here to see which type of bulls fit what we need back home.”
Photo courtesy of the Ft. Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.
Networking-FWSSR 2016_IMG_0692 network.jpg
Horacio and Marta La Valle of Belgrano, Buenos Aires, Argentina, visited with Sophie Holt of
Urana, New South Wales, Australia, during a break at the TCU Ranch Management seminar.
“I’m surprised how most of the breeders here are looking for similar things in our cattle,” said
Horacio. “The cattle have to be sound and move properly. Cows have to breed and be able to
calve easily. We are all talking about the same things. Information helps obviously. It’s very
good to have contact with breeders from other parts of the world and see how they are
working, their goals and the things they think about. It provides a lot of education and it’s
useful for all of us to be here.” Photo courtesy of the Ft. Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.
Sale-FWSSR 2016_IMG_0411 sale.jpg
The international guests at the World Hereford Championship experienced three types of sales
in the United States during their trip: a commercial heifer sale sold by the pen, a purebred bull
and female sale plus a youth project premium sale with the top lot selling for $210,000. Photo
courtesy of the Ft. Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.
Tour-KJC_1700 ranch.jpg
The international group discussed cow size appropriate for different environments while they
toured five Texas ranches. Environmental differences were evident when GKB Cattle Owner
Gary Buchholz said a really large cow for their herd would weigh 2,000 pounds. Normanton Poll
Herefords Herdsman Darragh McManus replied that size would be equivalent to a heifer ready to
breed in England. Photo courtesy of Focus Marketing Group Inc.