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 that all three girls are married — Angie & John Denton; Jami & Jarrod Gillig; and Kim & Dan Schmidt — and beginning families of their own, everyone looks forward to when grandsons Wesley, Dakota and Dustin, and future grandkids walk into 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.
"May" was bred-and-owned division champion for Kim at the National Junior Hereford Expo in Billings, Mont. |
The last six years SH genetics have excelled at the NJHE, placings include five firsts, eight seconds, five thirds, three fourths, two fifths and three sixths; plus a division winner.
Current Springhill Herd Sires include Huth UW Mr Felt 2012, KAS 19D Trouble 877, SH Mister Spark 649, KAS Festus and SH Sir G 0104 (son of Grazer). AI sires used in 2004 included ANL Maverick and RHF THM Supreme 2026.
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 almost 70 years.
