The Alberta Hereford Association named BAR-RZ Polled Herefords as the 2023 Purebred Breeder of the Year. Back row, from left: Fern Zoeteman, Jared Poytress, Brittany Poytress, Desiree Zoeteman, Justin Zoeteman, Sherri Zoeteman and Stuart Zoeteman. Front row, from left: Margo Poytress, Scarlett Poytress, Holly Zoeteman and Lia Zoeteman.
A Fort Macleod-area family was named the 2023 Purebred Breeder of the Year by the Alberta Hereford Association.
Stuart and Sherri Zoeteman and BAR-RZ Polled Herefords was honoured earlier this summer by the association.
BAR-RZ Polled Herefords was established by Stuart’s parents Robert and Fern Zoeteman in the late 1960s.
The ranch borders the Oldman River and also runs on part of the site of the World War Two British Commonwealth Air Training Program base at Pearce.
Stuart as a youth was active in 4-H both in the Fort Macleod Beef Club and Horse Club. Stuart was an active Junior Hereford member, showing at various summer shows and in the fall showing at the Lethbridge Livestock Show.
At present, Stuart and Sherri run 100 females, keeping back 15 to 20 replacement heifers each year.
A family-run operation Stuart and Sherri rely on their children Justin (Dez) and Brittany (Jared) for support on the weekends for some of their bigger tasks like processing calves and haying.
Stuart and Sherri are proud grandparents having four granddaughters, Holly, Scarlett, Lia and Margo, and watching them play with the calves truly make their grandparents smile.
Stuart and Sherri have both served on various Hereford boards. Stuart has served on the SACB Bull Sale committee, SAHC and 1998 National Hereford Show committee. Sherri was a Southern Alberta Hereford Belle; was a southern rep on the Alberta Hereford Association board and is serving as secretary for SAHC.
BAR-RZ have had a few highlights over the years notably:
- Raising the 1993 Calgary Bull Sale Reserve Senior Champion.
- 1998 National Champion Female bought and shown by Duralta Farms.
- 1998 National Breeders Herd.
- 2001 Farmfair Solitaire Classic Champion female.
- 2005 National Junior Champion bought and shown by Flewelling Cattle Co. Ltd.
- 2012 World Hereford Conference Pen Show Reserve Champion Cow-Calf Pair.
- Alberta Hereford Showcase 2022 Grand Champion People’s Choice Bull.
One of the highlights of their summer is the annual trip up to NAHC Hardisty Field day where they have had some success.
Stuart and Sherri have a passion for Hereford cattle and truly enjoy the Hereford community.
The Zoeteman family would like to thank the SAHC and the Alberta Hereford Association for the nomination.
