The Stump family at Kim and Dan's wedding in 2003. Pictured (front row) Kim & Dan Schmidt; Delores & Dave Stump; and Wesley Denton (in the truck). Back row (l to r) are Jarrod & Jami Gillig; John & Angie Denton.

Springhill Herefords was established in 1937 by Dave's father Harold. Today 90 percent of the cows are descendants of the original “horned” herd. Bloodlines can be traced to WHR Sufficiency, Regent and Zato.

In the late '70s the Stumps switched from horned to polled sires. Justa Banner and 15G bloodlines were used quite extensively and are still the base of their cow herd today.

The Hereford cows have been more than a business for the Stump family, it's been a way of life. While growing up, all three of Dave and Delores' girls were active in the Kansas and National Junior Polled Hereford associations. Angie & Jami are past officers of the National Junior Polled Hereford Council and all three girls served as president of the Kansas Junior Polled Hereford Association. For nearly 20 years, their family vacation was attending the National Junior Polled Hereford Show and then the National Junior Hereford Expo (NJHE). The 2002 NJHE ended the junior show career of the Stump girls, where Kim was named Herdsman of the Year.

Now all three girls are married and starting families of their own. Grandson Wesley continued the Stump tradition in 2009 showing at the JNHE. We all look forward to Dakota, Dustin, Kinsley and Callie joining him in the showring.

Genetic Program

From 1986 to 1992 the Stump family participated in the American Polled Hereford Association’s (APHA) Young AI Sire program. This gave them an opportunity to add new blood to their herd. Today they continue to use AI.

Collecting performance data has been a goal of Dave’s since the early '80s. Reporting information originally to the APHA Guidelines Program and now the Total Performance Records Program, has given him the tools to continuously select for high-performing and efficient cows.

Grandson Wesley started his show career in 2009. His SH-bred heifer was named reserve supreme female at the Marshall County Fair and reserve champion at the Washington Co. Spring Beef Show.

The last six years SH genetics have excelled at the NJHE, placings include six firsts, nine seconds, seven thirds, four fourths, two fifths and three sixths; plus a division winner.

Current Springhill Herd Sires include KJ 122L Leader 644N, SH Victor Scott 3199, SHF Reality M33 R40 ET, Ernst Stacked Deck 701, SH Realy Stout 7038 and SH 5 Aces. Current AI Sires include EF Beef Schu-Lar Proficient N043, KT John Wayne 7167, CRR About Time 743, THM Durango 4037, Harvie Walk Hard 154U and KJ 2403 Recruit 966R.

SH genetics have been successful in the pasture, showring and sale ring. Raising Herefords with a combination of fertility, fleshing ability, high growth, adequate milk and excellent mothering ability has been their goal for more than 70 years.