 The history of the
KP Ranch includes many "firsts". In Burt County, NE, which is in
the northeast corner of the state, many have still not heard of
Miniature Hereford cattle, even though they have been here for
twelve years. Widely known across the country as the "Miniature
Hereford Show Bull Capitol of the World" breeders and owners of
KAP King Henry, the leading herd sire in the industry; KAP Silver
Sampson, the most winning bull in the Miniature Hereford industry;
and KAP Powerful Gust Grand Champion at the Miniature Hereford
World Show in Regina, Sask, Canada, KP Ranch is tucked in the
rolling hills near Tekamah, Nebraska.
In 1994, the
inability to expand the commercial herd of momma cows led to the
sale of them and the purchase of Miniature Hereford cattle. Ten
females and a bull were purchased for the same amount we sold the
commercial herd for. What a gamble for a couple NE cow-pokes.
Since that time, we have enlarged our herd, and our ranch and have
worked very hard to promote the breed in various ways.
In 1999 the unending
calls looking for information regarding the breed and care for the
animals led to the establishment of the Miniature Hereford
Breeders Association and the publication "Miniature Cattle Around
the World" which both began right here in our office. With the
help of several caring people, the first show at the National
Western Stock Show, in Denver, CO came to the planning table.
January 2000 launched that National show for Miniature Hereford
cattle. 2001 brought Miniature Hereford breeders and cattle down
from Canada for the show, what an experience.
2006 was the date of
the first Miniature Hereford show at the Houston Livestock Show &
Rodeo in Houston, TX. Yet another first.. Cattlemen of all ages
were fascinated with the superior quality of the animals
presented.
2007 should prove to
be yet another first, as we work toward the first Miniature
Hereford show on the east side of the country in Harrisburg, PA.
While we at the KP
Ranch work very hard to win Miniature Hereford cattle shows, it is
just as gratifying to us to have the cattle that we have raised &
sold win for other breeders.
Our beginning was
just a day in history, while the beginning of the Hereford breed
was history. Hundreds of years ago, the Hereford breed came to be
in Hereford, England. The cattle we refer to as Miniature Hereford
cattle today are merely a product of the original Hereford cattle
of the 1950's and 60's that were not bred up to where they are
today. In recent years, breeders have continued in an effort to
down-size them a bit more. Miniature Hereford cattle have no
specific designation at the American Hereford Association where
they are registered. Height requirements need only be met at MHBA
sanctioned shows, where the acceptable height for a mature
Miniature Hereford bull is 48 inches measured at the hip and 45
inches for a mature female, measured at the hip.
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