How many cattle producers can currently claim herd lineage that spans 13 generations? Ted Hunt, Battle Ground, Ind., discovered the milestone about two years ago when he was looking back at his operation’s cattle pedigrees.

“I went back four or five generations on paper of our cattle’s lineage, and then looked further and saw more consistency. It was an accident I discovered this, but I can go back the 13 generations and know where our bulls came from. Many cattle were bought sight unseen, especially those our family bought out West.”

Hunt explains how he selected cattle 40 to 50 years ago. “I was selecting what I thought were good, sound animals and believed would represent the traits I wanted in our herd,” he says. “It just so happened the ones I thought were good were part of this long-standing ancestry.”

Known in Indiana’s Hereford circles as a kind, generous, encouraging producer with immense dedication to his cattle, Hunt takes modest pride in the time he spends daily with his calves and the rest of his herd.

“To make calves that are good, they must receive diligent and undivided attention and care,” he says. “To be successful, you must have passion, whether you show at county and state fairs, junior nationals, or at the national all-breed shows.”

My daughters count Hunt as one of their favorite Hereford mentors. They remember him walking among his cattle in pastures and realizing the animals didn’t run but stood still as he scratched or combed them. He told the girls being out with them often daily made a huge difference in their behavior.

On Aug. 9, Hunt remembered it had been 70 years since he won grand champion 4-H steer with Walter, a polled Hereford, at the Indiana State Fair.

Dedication is key, and patience is a virtue.

Hayhurst writes from Terre Haute, Ind.