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Recently Updated (December 2020)

What's New, Newsletter

Virtual Annual Meeting on Zoom

February 20, 2021, 12 noon CST

Join Zoom Meeting (Passcode required, see below)

PLEASE NOTE: Contact Loxi Smyth at to get the passcode.

Eugene “Gene” Wirth Passes

October 4, 1943 - January 8, 2021

View Obituary

Marvin J. Espenscheid Passes

October 5, 1940 - December 7, 2020

View Obituary

2020-21 WJHA Scholarship

View Scholarship Application

View Scholarship Rules

The Wisconsin Junior Hereford Association is sponsoring two, eight hundred-dollar scholarships for Wisconsin Junior Hereford Association members to continue their education in college or technical school. Scholarships will be awarded on the following criteria.

An interview will be held Saturday morning before the annual junior meeting, to be held at the Wisconsin Hereford Association meeting to be held at The Lodge at Mauston, February 20, 2021 . If you are a member of the WJHA and are interested in participating, please visit www.wisconsinherefords.org for a scholarship application. Applications are due January 1, 2021.

Hall of Fame Inductees:
Warren & Isabel Brown

View AHA Press Release

View WHA President's Letter

View Warren & Isabel Brown Biography

2021 WHA Spring Sale

March 6, 2021 • Grant County Fairgrounds, Lancaster, WI

View Rules

WHA Summer Picnic Rescheduled for Summer 2021

The WHA Summer Picnic by the Southeast district has been rescheduled for Summer 2021.

FOL Scholarship Available Through WJHA

The Wisconsin Junior Hereford Association is sponsoring a $400 scholarship for one Wisconsin Junior to attend the Faces of Leadership Conference. FOL is an activity that helps juniors develop leadership skills and meet fellow Hereford juniors from around the country. This year FOL will be held on July 29 – August 1 in Columbus, OH. Junior members, parents and advisors from all parts of the country participate in the event each year. During the three-day event, close to 100 participants listen to nationally known speakers and participate in junior board workshops, which assist in the enhancement of the individual's leadership talents, communication skills and beef industry knowledge. If you are a member of the WJHA and are interested in attending this year, use the link below to get a scholarship application or contact BJ Jones at bj@wildcatcattle.com.

Applications due May 15, 2020.

WJHA FOL Scholarship Application

COVID-19 Wisconsin Spring Preview and WJHA Open Jackpot Show Changes

Major changes are being planned for the 2020 Spring Preview Show in Jefferson, WI.  The WLBA is making major changes to their show structure this year to try and limit crowds to no more than 50 in the building. They are trying hard to have a show, but not knowing what the state COVID recommendations will be like, planning is difficult. We are hoping to have a show if the state regulations will allow. 

They will be moving the Saturday Beef Preview Show to Sunday. They want to show hogs Friday, and sheep Saturday, pushing all the cattle to Sunday. This will reduce the congestion on the grounds.

Proposed schedule

In addition, rules will include

Additional changes

The entry forms for both shows have been revised. Please enter both shows if you would like to participate in both.

We are trying really hard to still have a show. We will need a lot of things to go right with relaxation of state guidelines to still have it, but we are optimistic we can still have something for the kids. Thank you for your patience.

WJHA Open Jackpot Show

June 5 - 7, 2020, Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Jefferson, WI

View Open Jackpot Entry Form

WLBA Spring Preview Show

June 6, 2020, Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Jefferson, WI

View News Release

View Rules and Regulations

View Flyer and Schedule

View Spring Preview Entry Form

WHA Jackpot Hereford Steer Show

August 12, 2020, Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Jefferson, WI

$3,000 in Premiums!

The Wisconsin Hereford Association is sponsoring a Jackpot Steer Show class at the Wisconsin State Fair for Wisconsin-bred steers by WHA or WJHA members. Premiums include $1000 for champion steer, $750 for reserve, $500 for third, $250 for fourth, $125 for fifth. All steers will receive a $25 premium for participating. Entries and rules can be found below and are due June 12, 2020. Entries must be nominated by the breeder and the exhibitor, and the steer must also be entered at the 2020 Wisconsin State Fair by May 21. For questions, contact Kermit Rhiner at 608-445-1279.

Entries due June 12, 2020.

View Information and Entry Form

Welcome New Members Erik and Ashley Johnson

John Edward Oltman Passes

NEW GLARUS, Wis. – On Thursday, April 9, 2020, John Edward Oltman, loving husband, father and grandfather, peacefully passed away from natural causes at the age of 78.

John was born on Dec. 19, 1941, in Sycamore, Ill. to William “Bill” and Ruth Oltman. He graduated from Sycamore High School in 1960 and received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Northern Illinois University in 1964. After graduating from college, John moved to Madison, Wis. to work at Rayovac. On September 26, 1970, he married Christine Lund, his beloved wife.

John was raised on a farm and always enjoyed a view of the countryside. He bought Foggy Hollow Farm in 1967 where he raised Polled Hereford cattle. John was active in the Wisconsin Beef Improvement Association (WBIA) and Wisconsin Polled Hereford Association (WPHA). Both he and Chris were inducted into the Wisconsin Hereford Association Hall of Fame in 2006. Professionally, he worked at Rayovac for 33 years.

During the second half of his career at Rayovac, he led the Zinc Air Department designing hearing aids to be smaller and more powerful. After Rayovac, he founded Key Consultants and worked with battery companies worldwide. John was known for being the author of 50 patents, his sense of humor (especially his puns) and having a beautiful singing voice. He was often asked to sing at weddings and other special occasions, including his own wedding and his daughter’s wedding. Many people commented that, “if you couldn’t see John in church, you knew he was there by his singing voice.”

John was preceded in death by his parents, William “Bill” and Ruth Oltman; and his nephew, Luke Oltman. He is survived by his wife, Christine; his daughter, Beth (David) Craig; grandsons, Ryan and Tyler; his brothers, August “Sam” (Bessie) Oltman and Roger (Joyce) Oltman; nieces, Diane, Janice, Jean and Jill; nephews, Mark, Kent and Troy; and many great-nieces and nephews.

Farm Technology Days Postponed to 2021

Farm Technology Days has been postponed to July 20-22, 2021.

2020 Annual Meeting


Jerry Huth and his ring man Bryce Brancel selling ads for the Wisconsin Hereford Directory.


Jack Ward, President of the American Hereford Association, came and spoke at our annual meeting.

WJHA Donation Heifer:
Thank You Whitetail Farm!

The Wisconsin Junior Hereford Association would like to thank SNL’s Whitetail Farm, Steve and Loxi Smythe, for donating SNL’s A363 Greta 18G to the Wisconsin Junior Hereford Association.

Congrats to Arnold & Alicia Adams family on buying the winning ticket…and better yet…donating the heifer back to be sold again! Thank you to Eric and Karri Yttri, Viroqua WI, for purchasing this beautiful Jackhammer daughter.

Thanks to all who bought raffle tickets!  Over $10,000 was raised! Continuing a great tradition started by Steiny’s Polled Herefords and continued by the Mark Friedrich Family! Special recognition to our sponsors over $100 include.

Gold Sponsors $500+  

Silver Sponsors $250-499

Bronze Sponsors $100-249  

Thank You Harold Lietzau for Your Years of Service to the WHA

HOF Inductees: Ken and Sandy Pierce


From left to right: Megan, Travis, Harper, Ken, Sandy, and Jim Pierce.

Faces of Leadership of Wisconsin (FOLOW)

Saturday, March 14, 2020

View Information Flier

Register for FOLOW

Pay Registration Fee:

Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association Winter Conference

February 21-22, 2020 • Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells

View Schedule and Registration Form

Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association Scholarships

The Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association is excited to offer a Student Scholarship for high school seniors looking to further their education at any university, technical or community college in the United States or the University of Wisconsin-Madison Farm and Industry Short Course Program.

The second scholarship is the Young Producer Scholarship, which awards a $1,500 travel stipend to a young Wisconsin producer between the ages of 18 and 35 years old in order to attend the 2020 Cattle Industry Convention in San Antonio, Texas, in February of 2020.

View News Release

View Student Scholarship Rules & Application

View Young Producers Scholarship Rules & Application

Wisconsin Junior Attend Faces of Leadership

Two Wisconsin Junior Hereford Association members attended the Faces of Leadership Youth Convention held July 30- August 3 in Lincoln, NE. Sydney Espenscheid-Stolee and Lauren Jones joined juniors from multiple states to visit local operations and businesses. FOL helps juniors develop leadership skills and meet fellow Hereford juniors from around the country. FOL is a great way to tour some awesome universities, hear educational and motivational speakers, and get an up-close look at some outstanding cattle operations. Tour stops included the University of Nebraska and Sulllivan Show Supply.

Sydney Stolee won scholarships through the WJHA to attend Faces of Leadership, and will be reporting on it at our annual meeting. Watch for details on the 2020 FOL convention in Ohio next summer.

Jean Dalton Passes

View Obituary

Special Red Hided Feeder Cattle Sale

Noon, Wednesday, October 2, 2019

For more information, visit equitycoop.com or call 715-687-4101.

WJHA Donation Heifer Winner

The WJHA would like to thank Windy Hills Herefords, the Friedrich family, for donating Windyhills Bailey 8F to the Wisconsin Junior Hereford Association.

Congrats to Valley View Acres, Viroqua, WI on buying the winning ticket!

Thanks to all who bought raffle tickets. $6,000 was raised! Special recognition to our sponsors over $100 include.

Gold Sponsors $500+

Silver Sponsors $250-499

Bronze Sponsors $100-249

WHA Field Day

August 24, 2019

At ST Genetics and Huth Polled Herefords.

View Schedule and More Information

Welcome New WHA Members

Good Luck and Best Wishes
Caleb and Alissa Ahrens

Kermit and Jana Rhiner presented Annah Dobson with a gift of flowers for showing their Heifer "Emmy Lou" all year. This was the donation heifer that Kermit and Jana were lucky enough to win on the WHA State sale 2018. Annah showed this heifer with class and style. The heifer lived up to her part of the bargain also. The Rhinners thanked the Steinhoff family for their great donation.

50/50 Drawing Winner

Charlie Holler won the 50/50 drawing for juniors. He returned his winnings to the Junior program. Thank you Charlie!

Thank You From The Merry Family

The Merry family wishes to thank the many kind condolences and sharing of memories after the passing of Gordon Merry. The Hereford breeders are a special group of people, especially the Wisconsin breeders which we are fortunate to have as friends. Thank you also for the many contributions from breeders and the WHA  to the Gordon Merry endowment to the HYFA scholarship for veterinary students with interest in Hereford cattle.

Sincerely,

Steve Merry

2019 National Western Stock Show


2019 National Western Stock Show Champion Pen Yearling Bulls. Exhibited by Larson Hereford Farms, Spring Valley, WI.


2019 National Western Stock Show Reserve Champion Pen Junior Heifer Calves. Exhibited by Next Generation Genetics, Endeavor, WI.

2018 Showmanship Medallion Recipients

View Recipients

PHH PCC 025 Pearl 742 ET American Royal Grand Champion Female


2018 American Royal Grand Champion Female PHH PCC 025 Pearl 742 ET, owned by Miles, Jace and Tucker Stagemeyer, of Page, Neb. Bred and sold private treaty by Travis Pierce, Pierce’s Hereford Haven of Baraboo Wis. She is a Jan. 29, 2017, daughter of CRR 719 Catapult 109.

Wisconsin Juniors Attend Faces of Leadership

Three Wisconsin Junior Hereford Association members attended the Faces of Leadership Youth Convention held August 1-4 in San Francisco, CA. Jarrett Breber, Bailey and Lauren Jones joined 76 juniors from multiple states to visit local operations and businesses. FOL helps juniors develop leadership skills and meet fellow Hereford juniors from around the country. FOL is a great way to tour some awesome universities, hear educational and motivational speakers, and get an up-close look at some outstanding cattle operations. Tour stops included a diversity of California agriculture including Hereford breeders Sierra & Pedretti Ranches; walnut, almond, dairy, and produce farms along with a vineyard; and a a dinner cruise in the San Francisco Bay to see all the sights.

Lauren Jones won scholarships through the WJHA to attend Faces of Leadership, and will be reporting on it at our annual meeting. Watch for details on the 2019 FOL convention in Nebraska next summer.

Wildcat Cattle Company Named Premier Breeder

Wildcat Cattle Company was named Premier Breeder in Kansas City in October.

Melissa Berggren Marries Michael Berggren

September 22, 2018

Austin Folkman Awarded $5,000 Scholarship

Austin Folkman, C&L Herefords was awarded the $5,000 Ball & Cottonwood Springs Scholarship.

4 Wisconsin Golden Breeders Honored in Kansas City

Baker Polled Herefords
Paul & Sylvia Baker

Boettcher's Brookview Acres
Butch & MaryEllen Boettcher

KLS Farm
Kevin & Kathy Stork

Lamar Polled Herefords
Emmett & Margaret Langness

Gordon D. Merry DVM 1925 - 2018

Dr. Gordon D Merry, age 92, peacefully  passed away on Tuesday September 4, 2018 at home. He was born November 2, 1925 near Richland Center, WI. He was the son of William and Ruby ( Bender)  Merry. He was married to Marian Brewer on September 11, 1948. He graduated from the University of Minnesota Veterinary  School in 1954. He practiced Veterinary Medicine in Sun Prairie for 40 years until 1994. He is the third of six generations of Merry Hereford cattle breeders. Gordon marketed cattle all over the United States and sold a few in Canada as well as one in Argentina under the prefix of MGM ( Marian and Gordon Merry ). The family asks that in lieu of flowers please contribute to his endowment to the MGM scholarship fund which will be given to veterinary students with interest in Hereford cattle c/o Amy Cowan Hereford Youth Foundation, American Hereford Association 11500 N. Ambassador Dr. Kansas City, MO 64153.

Gordon is survived by sons Steve ( Jann ) Merry MD of Hartford, David  ( Martha ) Merry DVM of Lebanon, OH, Roger Merry JD of Janesville, and Tim ( Paula ) Merry DDS of Germantown, WI.  He was preceded in death by his wife Marian and daughter Judy. Gordon was so proud of his grand children Matthew Merry, Ginger Merry, Daniel Merry, Justin Merry, Leah Burroughs, William Merry, Michael Merry, Courtney Meyer, Joshua Merry, Kyle Merry, and Jenna Merry as well as his  seven great grand children. Special thanks to his devoted care givers Anthony Beasley and Zaya Sugarjav. Visitation will be held on Friday September 21, 2018 at the Cress Funeral Home 1310 Emerald Drive, Sun Prairie from 2 pm to 4 pm and on Saturday September 22, 2018 from 10 am to 11 am at the Pratt Funeral Home 120 N. Park St.  Richland Center. Funeral Services will be held Saturday September 22, 2018 at 11am. Burial will be held at held at the Bloom City Cemetery in the township of Bloom.

Important Dates & Deadlines

See the Calendar page for the latest important dates and deadlines to add to your calendar.

Thank You Brandner Family

The WHA thanks the Scott and Heidi Brandner Family for bringing their two great animals, Olive the heifer and Ricky the steer, to exhibit at Farm Tech Days this year. They were newcomers to this event and looked like old pros. Their interaction with the public was wonderful to watch,their passion for the breed was evident, and their commitment to our youth is 110%. When you see them at the Wisconsin State Fair please give them a big shout out because they earned it. It was a pleasure and an honor to work with them.

2018 Fall Tour

August 18-19, 2018

The WHA would like to give a huge thank you to all of the participants! It was a lot of work but a ton of fun for all who were able to attend.


John Mentz


Christ the Rock Farm, Mark & Deb Schoen


Annah Dobson, Brittney Renn, Jerry Huth


Windy Hills Farm; Mark, Angie, Kim & Kelley Friedrich


Starck Centory Farm, Rick & Jenny Starck


Boettcher Brookview Acres, Butch & Mary Ellen Boettcher

Thank You Steiny’s Polled Herefords, Dave and Laurie Steinhoff, Bryan and Liz Johnson

The WJHA would like to thank Steiny’s Polled Herefords, Dave and Laurie Steinhoff, Bryan and Liz Johnson for donating “Whitey” to the Wisconsin Junior Hereford Association.

Congrats to Kermit Rhiner on buying the winning ticket!

Thanks to all who bought raffle tickets. $9,500 was raised! Special recognition to our sponsors over $100 include.

Gold Sponsors $500+ — Randy Filer, C & L Herefords, Lauren May, MGM Polled Herefords, Next Generation Genetics, Schlieckau Polled Herefords, Wildcat Cattle Company, Wiswell Farms

Silver Sponsors $250-499 — Scott Firlus, Windy Hills Polled Herefords, Josh Spaeth, Lamb Brother's Beef, BJ Reeg, Eric Yttri, Dalton Polled Herefords, Otter Creek Polled Herefords

Bronze Sponsors $100-249 — Ty Wagner, SnL's Whitetail, Y-Tri Farms, Rennsnest Polled Herefords, Mike Sorenson, Peters Polled Hereford, Baker's Polled Herefrod, Brookview Polled Herfords, Charlie & Chase Kent, Litzeau Herefords, Otter Creek Stock Farm, Owego Stock Farm, Plum River Ranch, Shannon Schenck

Dr. BJ Jones and Matt Breneman honored as WI Cattlemen of the Year

Learn more

2018 Spring Hereford Sale Results

Total Gross: $97,600
Average on 39.75 lots: $2,455
Bulls Averaged: $2,653
Females Average: $2,310

High Selling Bulls:

Volume Buyer: BJ Reeg with 6 bulls

High Selling Females:

2018 WHA Member Directory

Coming in the spring of 2018, a new WHA directory which will be printed and mailed to our membership, and used for hand-outs at all state promotional functions.

Advertising rates for the directory are as follows:

Deadline for directory ad information is April 1, 2018.

View Directory Advertising Form

BJ Jones Named 2018 Wisconsin Cattleman of the Year

Congratulations Dr. BJ Jones, Wildcat Cattle Company for being named 2018 Wisconsin Cattlemen of the Year!

2018 WHA Scholarship Winners

The WHA and WJHA each donate $800 every year. Congratulations to Tori Hanson, Sparta and Taylor Chwala, Jefferson.

To the WHA Board of Directors and Hall of Fame Committee,

Thank you for recognizing us at the annual meeting with the Hall of Fame Award. It was totally unexpected and most definitely a surprise! The Hereford breed is very important to our lives, so it was special to be recognized buy our friends and peers. Thanks to those friendships and relationships,developed over so many years of involvement in the WHA, that has made it so enjoyable.

Sincerely Fred, Lori, Jerry & Joyce Larson

HOF Inductee: Steve Folkman


Left to right: Folkman Family, Fred Larson

On behalf of my wife Jill, we would like to thank the WHA on the honor of inductment into the Wisconsin Hereford Association Hall of Fame.

My involvement in the livestock industry started over 40 years ago when I showed a Charlois Hereford cross steer at the Waukesha county fair. It was back then that we met the Browns, Schuetts and John Craig and I had my first Angus experience with Dave Kilpatrick’s steer getting away and running the fair grounds later to be caught and dragged back and tied next to my steer. It gave me a much greater appreciation the Hereford breed.

In 1973 we started raising Herefords with my fathers purchase of the original 325 acres at Blair, Wi. This property adjoined Dad’s good friend and hunting partner Arnold Jorn’s whom we shared equipment, pastures, herd bulls , facilities and labor. Herd bulls were added from the Wisconsin State sale where Dave Simmons Champion Rollo Ruff along with a bred heifer from Leminagers. Two Kiyiwana New Trend (first Superior sire) sons from Spring Creek farm and a 15G son from Larry Hanson in South Dakota were added. Cows from Calderon Curran Grass Lake Michigan, Willard Allen and Augie Williams joined the herd as it was built to 125 head.

In 1989 I met my wife Jill and in 1990 we were married and have enjoyed 27 years on marriage and have 4 wonderful kids: Nicole 22, Curtis 20, Ali 19, Austin 17.

Family is important to our operation where every day we are early risers and All involved in the daily chores around the farm. We’ve enjoyed attending 14 JNHE as a family and you may have seen Lorna; Steve’s mom helping cook in the stalls.

Over the years we’ve bred or been a part of National Champions Absolute, Neon, and Vickey 36R. We’ve also owned 33N Redeem’s dam, 6T Doubletime’s dam, 1T Federal 6Y’s dam, J119 Logic’s dam, 54E Git ER Done’s dam and a host of other influential females.

We’ve also been proud to say that Doubletime, Vaquero, M326, Advantage, Federal 6Y, Logic, have been bred and or called C&L home.

Our involvement in breed activities started in 1981-84 serving on the WPHA board ; president in 1983. I served from 1991 through 1998 on the Wisconsin Beef Improvement board. 2003-2007 I served on the AHA board. Jill and I served on the executive committee for the 2005 JNHE which I co-chaired with Jerry Huth. I am currently since 2011 serving on the HYFA board where I’m the chairman JNHE steering committee. Jill has served since 2014 on the NHW board and is currently president.

It has been Jill and my involvement in HYFA and the Hereford women that have given us a tremendous amount of satisfaction in helping with the development and character building of the young adults in our industry. We have always tried to promote and support our local and national organization. We have hosted several WHA summer tours, held high school, county and college judging clinics and for several years provided beef live animal classes for the UW intercollegiate judging clinics at Arlington.

Again thank you for this honor. Both Jill and I hope to continue to help for many years to come in and industry we so love.

Annah Dobson named National Queen

Learn more

Briana Katzenberger awarded Vanier Scholarship

Learn more

Congratulations to the Following Golden TPR Breeders

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