As the saying goes it wasn’t my first rodeo (to be clear it was a national Hereford show; not a rodeo ) when Gail and I attended the recent National Show in Reno. We have been planning to go probably half a dozen times but something always got in the way. I have had the pleasure to be at every other major show, many, many times.
 
Let me fess up early; this is a spectacular event. Do not miss it. It’s all Hereford all the time. Hereford breeders have enjoyed a 40 year relationship with John Ascuaga at the Golden Nugget. He and his staff make Hereford breeders welcome and if you don’t have a good time its your own fault!
 
The competition is first rate. Recently I attended another major show and couldn’t find a bull that would work for us. In Reno I found several bulls; Hereford and Polled Hereford that we will sample.
 
At the same “ other” show I  thought the female show was a disaster. Heifers were so over-conditioned that I seriously doubt they will ever have a second calf even if they have a first. In the champion drive 90% would have been yield grade 3 or 4.
 
Many years ago we showed calves that were milk fat from nurse cows and corn. It was awful; beef breeders destroyed or distorted our best genetics. I thought I would never see that again, I was wrong.
 
This is what was cool about Reno. The breeds best fitters ( Colyer, Hoffman, Wiemar, etc) exhibited superbly prepared females that were not over done. The judge, Tod Herman, as expected, sorted them well. It was great to see a Hereford breeder with an experienced view sort a quality offering. Tod is one of those you really appreciate but don’t always have to agree with. Few have enjoyed more success in a breeding program than Tod . I have had the pleasure of talking to him about cattle many times; if you get the chance chat him up; you will learn something.
 
In short go to Reno next December; you will have a great time and see some great Herefords. My only regret is that it’s way to far in miles for us to ever take a string. Probably just as well, most of them will be in Denver and its hard enough to get around them then!