When Larry Pursel began his journey with beef cattle, he and his wife Tammy embarked on a trip out West. Driving through a picturesque town nestled in a stunning valley, Larry expressed his desire to move there and raise cattle. However, Tammy vetoed the idea. Undeterred, Larry named his farm back in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, after the scenic Western state they had admired. Little did they know, the town they had seen was actually in Wyoming, not South Dakota as Larry had initially believed. Despite this revelation, the name of Pursel’s farm remained unchanged: “LT’s South Dakota Polled Herefords.”
Regardless of the geographical mix-up, the beauty of the Western landscape is reflected in Pursel’s registered Herefords. Initially experimenting with crossbred cattle, Pursel observed the exceptional docility of those with Hereford lineage. Impressed by this trait, he made the decision to exclusively raise purebred Herefords a decade ago.
Transitioning to purebred Hereford cattle was a gradual process. Over the first four years, Pursel and his wife scoured Hereford sales across the country, searching for cows with superior genetics to establish their new herd. Their efforts paid off as they acquired seven high-quality cows, laying the foundation for their breeding program.
In his quest to improve genetic traits within the breed, Pursel employs a combination of artificial insemination and natural breeding methods. Initially focusing on maternal characteristics such as udder and teat score, Pursel has now shifted his attention towards enhancing carcass traits such as rate of gain and ribeye characteristics, driven partly by market demands.
Unlike some producers, Pursel minimizes the use of silage and grain in his feeding regimen, relying primarily on forage and hay to maintain his cattle’s health and weight. His herd of 15 cows is sold mainly for breeding stock, with some young bulls being consigned to the Bull Test Sale at the Livestock Evaluation Center near Penn State each year.
While carcass and maternal traits are paramount, Pursel also emphasizes the aesthetic appeal of Hereford cattle. While preferences may vary regarding markings and coloration, Pursel favors animals with less white and distinctive facial markings.
In addition to his dedication to improving genetics within the breed, Pursel is passionate about promoting Herefords to a wider audience, particularly youth. Through beef raffles held annually, he and his wife support young exhibitors showing Herefords at the nearby Bloomsburg Fair, providing encouragement and financial incentives to get more kids involved in raising Herefords.
Reflecting on his achievements over the past decade, Pursel takes pride in his contribution to advancing the genetic quality of Hereford cattle. For him, pushing for better genetics is not only personally fulfilling but also beneficial for the entire Hereford community.
