31/12/2025
As I reflect on 2025, there are so many great memories that make this year stand outโฆ
But none more so than my trip to Kansas for the World Hereford Conference and the Young Breeders Competition.
The first week was intense, to say the least! From carcass and stock judging to clipping and showmanship, the competition was incredibly diverse and thorough, pushing us in every aspect of stockmanship and knowledge.
I wasnโt there alone, I was proud to be part of a team selected to represent the UK Hereford Cattle Society. I couldnโt be prouder of how our team came together, communicated, and connected both within the group and with competitors from around the world. We performed exceptionally well, finishing as the highest-placed European team, but this trip was about so much more than results.
I went expecting to see a very different style of Hereford to what weโre used to at home, but they certainly didnโt disappoint. The cattle were more stout, deeper, with sweeping curves rather than the straighter lines we aim for in the UK. Show presentation was on another level entirely, and something I never got tired of watching. The masterclass from Sullivans was a real highlight for me.
The language used by the Americans to describe cattle, both in the ring and at pasture, was fascinating. Their fluency was incredible, it flowed like a song, and it gave me huge respect for how well the American Hereford Youth programme develops young people to represent both themselves and the industry. This was something that truly inspired me and my key learning from the trip!
Meeting like-minded people from around the world was, for me, the real highlight. Talking cattle, sharing experiences, and building friendships that now span the globe, along with some great memories made in ranches and barsโฆ
After the competition, I headed south to Oklahoma and Texas on the post-tour. Visiting ranches that completely blew my mind! There were outstanding cattle, incredible setups, and show barns and wash bays that were worth the trip alone. We finished in Fort Worth, the world renowned Cowtown, before heading home.
A huge thank you to the UK Hereford Cattle Society for giving me the opportunity to be part of this trip, and to our sponsors for supporting us along the way. Thank you also to Mike and Emma for your passion and dedication with the team, to everyone who helped with training and development! Thanks to all our hosts in the US, The American association, and fellow competitors. Finally, thank you to Dad and Bob for holding the fort back home.
2026 promises to be a very different but equally exciting year. Thank you to everyone for your support throughout 2025! I look forward to catching up with you all in 2026.
