CALF News Aug./Sept 2018

30 CALF News • August | September 2018 • www.calfnews.net young stockman R CALF NEWS PRESENTS R By Patti Wilson Contributing Editor T urn off the news. In a world of instantaneous communication, I often worry about the chaos of humanity and wonder what the future may bring for our nation. Are there any sane or responsible people left? I can assure you there are, and I was gratified to visit with one good example of why we are going to be fine, as an industry and country. Many of our national cattle breed associations have developed youth lead- ership programs, successfully launching a new group of ambitious and sensible vanguards into the cattle industry each year. Meet Steven Green of Munfordville, Ky. A recently retired board member of the National Junior Hereford Associa- tion (NJHA), Green has stepped out of the youth circle into the deep waters of adulthood. He graduated fromWestern Kentucky University with a degree in agriculture/animal science and married his wife, Lauren, a short year ago. The moment Green fell in love … with Herefords. Caught on film, he watches as the white faces jump out of their trailer. Photo circa 2008 His story is one that most of us can relate to; you cannot do exactly what you want to do, all the time, especially in your developing years. So it is with Green. He is actively involved with his family’s farm, while also working at Con- crete Coring and Cutting of Louisville, Inc. The heavy industrial demolition company is owned by Lauren’s family. While grateful for a good job, Green’s long-term plan is to remain home full- time, raising cattle and hay. Home front The Green farm spans 240 acres of pasture and hay ground, stocking one cow per acre. Eighty-five commercial, black-baldy cows are run with 15 regis- tered Herefords. Bluegrass and fescue remain abundant in this high-rainfall area nine months of the year, and cattle are rotationally grazed. I was reminded that this size of opera- tion may seem small to Midwestern or Plains cattlemen while, in fact, it is large compared to most Kentucky herds, which average only 27 head. Purebred business The young cattleman’s pure- bred herd was started in 2008 while observing a family unload their cattle at a fair. While the Herefords hopped out the back of their trailer, Green says,“I stood there and watched, and it was love at first sight.” Shortly after, he purchased his first registered Hereford. Building slowly, our Ken- tuckian recognized the dis- advantages of raising bulls in the eastern United States. Small-herd size leads commer- cial producers to purchase less expensive bulls; they cannot spread their costs out as effi- ciently as producers with larger herds. Green’s solution for neighbors is to utilize artificial insemination (AI) and then clean up with the bulls that fit their budget. Facilitating this idea, he has developed an AI business in the area. However, this still leaves his Hereford bulls to sell. Although, ultimately, he wants customers to come to his farm for breeding stock, Green’s cattle have sold well at the Kentucky Beef Expo and Kentucky Hereford Autumn Harvest Sale in Mount Sterling. Steven Green of Munfordville, Ky., has established a purebred Hereford herd that complements the commercial cow-calf operation his family runs in the Bluegrass state. Continued on page 45  In addition to implementing AI in his own herd, he is transferring 10-15 embryos in his cows each year. Ninety percent of his commercial herd are serviced, as well. The Green family recognizes the value of Angus, and they are currently flushing an elite female to expand their breeding stock operation. Commercial herd Commercial calves are born in Febru- ary and March, within a 55-day window. Weighed and weaned at about 6 months