SPENCER HEREFORDS

Don Spencer's grandfather, Fred W. Spencer and wife Alvira, homesteaded land east of Brewster, Nebraska in 1886. Alvira's parents and her brothers and families homesteaded adjoining land. They all came here from Iowa. Their cattle were of Durham and Shorthorn base. Fred W. purchased his first Registered Hereford bull in 1897. He purchased nothing but Registered Hereford bulls after that for his commercial herd. Spencer Ranch commercial cattle were highly sought after and respected by Iowa feedlots. Year and a half old yearlings were sold to cattle feeders. This practice continued when Fred W.'s son Roy Spencer took over the operation. After the passing of Roy Spencer his son's Don, Jerry and Ted continued with the tradition. They would go back to Iowa and visit the cattle feeders that were feeding our cattle. This gave us the inside story of what to select for in our breeding program.

The desire to improve the genetics of the Spencer commercial herd led Don Spencer to invest in registered Hereford genetics in the mid 1940's. Don held his first production sale in 1960 and has held a fall bull sale every year since.

The foundation of outstanding commercial cattle has always been the driving force and catalyst for Spencer Hereford genetic selection. Don Spencer has never tolerated bad udders, bad eyes or prolapse. The female has always been the foundation for herd sire selection. Don always said it didn't matter how good a bull was “if his dam had big teats or other problems, the bull wasn't worth a damn!”

Today the 4th and 5th generations of Spencer's continue the tradition of raising the best Hereford cattle they can, striving to maintain consistency and outstanding quality in the cowherd. We also work to lower and moderate birth weights while maintaining outstanding performance. In addition, we want a cowherd that is low on maintenance, problem free and efficient. Finally, we realize our genetics must perform in the feedlot and on the rail to satisfy consumer needs and carry on in the future.