Sandhill Farms

What Sandhill Farms does

Sandhill Farms is a fifth-generation, family-owned Hereford seedstock operation headquartered near Haviland in south central Kansas, with registered Hereford genetics integrated into the program since the mid-1940s and a registered cow herd established by Kevin and Vera Schultz after graduating from Kansas State University in the early 1980s. The business maintains a base of 400-plus registered polled Hereford brood cows supported by a commercial cow herd, and is transitioning into its seventh generation through Kevin and Vera's son Tyler Schultz and his wife Hannah. Customers are predominantly commercial cattle producers across the Midwest, Southwest, Southeast, and Mountain West regions, with a smaller share of purebred breeders seeking high-accuracy Hereford genetics for herd improvement.

The operation's core products are registered polled Hereford breeding bulls, registered cow-calf pairs, and commercial Hereford, black baldy, and red baldy open heifers, sold through an annual on-ranch spring production sale launched in April 2008, year-round private-treaty transactions, and video auctions on LiveAuctions.tv, supplemented by semen ($20-$50 per straw) and embryo sales through events such as the Frozen Genetics sale in Oklahoma City. Genetic improvement is driven by Genetically Enhanced EPDs on every sale bull and the entire cow herd, annual ultrasound carcass scanning, genomic testing through GeneSeek (a Neogen company), feed-efficiency testing via GrowSafe systems at partner Olsen Ranch, and participation in the AHA National Reference Sire Program, in which Sandhill has tested more bulls than any other breeder in the past decade. The firm retains ownership of steers and cull heifers through the feedyard for forty years to collect actual carcass data.

Revenue is generated through transaction-based cattle sales (the 2026 sale averaged $14,613 per bull, up from $8,055 in 2023), unit-priced semen and certificate sales, embryo sales, and value-added marketing services including US Premium Beef grid slots and sale-barn network access provided to customers. Distribution combines direct on-ranch sales, video auctions, and channel partnerships with breed associations (AHA), branded-beef programs (Certified Hereford Beef), Superior Livestock, and US Premium Beef. Customer concentration is low, with a long tail of commercial ranchers across multiple US regions and a repeat-buyer discount, free US delivery, and one-year complete guarantee reinforcing retention.

Name

Sandhill Farms

Legal name

Sandhill Farms

Website

https://www.sandhillfarms.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1869

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sandhill Farms is a farm that offers grain operations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Beef Cattle Seedstock & Genetics

NAICS

Beef Cattle Ranching and Farming, including Feedlots (11211), Beef Cattle Ranching and Farming (112111)

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYAFAEABAA

Cow-Calf Operations (Breeding Herds)

Agriculture & Food Production/Animal Production & Aquaculture/Beef Cattle Ranching & Feedlots

SECONDARYAFAEABAC

Feedlot Finishing (Cattle Feeding)

Agriculture & Food Production/Animal Production & Aquaculture/Beef Cattle Ranching & Feedlots

Keywords

• Registered hereford cattle
• Beef seedstock genetics
• Cattle breeding services
• Polled hereford bulls
• Livestock genetic improvement

Headquarters

HQ city

Haviland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Registered Bull Sales: Annual production sale of 100+ yearling bulls to purebred and commercial breeders. Bulls average $8,000-$14,000+ depending on quality and year.
2. Registered Cow/Calf Pairs: Sale of registered Hereford cow-calf pairs, including proven cows with heifer calves at side. Typically 20-30 pairs per sale.
3. Commercial Heifer Sales: Commercial Hereford, black baldy, and red baldy open heifers sold annually at production sale
4. Semen Sales: Sale of semen from reference sires and herd bulls. Semen prices range from $20-$50 per straw. Certificate prices $40-$75 each.
5. Embryo Sales: Sale of frozen embryos from donor cows at events like the Frozen Genetics sale in Oklahoma City

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sandhill Farms is a family-owned Hereford seedstock cattle operation that breeds, raises, and sells registered polled Hereford bulls, registered cow-calf pairs, and commercial Hereford/Black Baldy/Red Baldy open heifers. The ranch sells 100+ yearling bulls per year through an annual spring production sale and private treaty transactions, supported by 40+ years of retained-ownership carcass data and Genetically Enhanced EPDs. Supporting offerings include semen and embryo sales, cattle marketing assistance through US Premium Beef grid slots, and producer education programs.

Product overview

Sandhill Farms is a family-owned Hereford seedstock business offering a comprehensive cattle genetics program. The core offerings include registered polled Hereford breeding bulls (with semen and certificates available), registered cow-calf pairs, and commercial heifers (Hereford, black baldie, and red baldy). Supporting services include cattle marketing assistance through US Premium Beef grid slots and sale barn networks, producer education programs, and genetic consultation. The operation sells over 100 bulls annually through production sales starting in 2008, with approximately 20% going to purebred operations and 80% to commercial breeders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Registered Polled Hereford Bulls High-performance Hereford breeding bulls with documented Genetically Enhanced EPDs, genomic testing, ultrasound carcass data, and proven carcass and maternal genetics. Sold primarily through the annual spring production sale (115+ bulls in 2026) with free US delivery and a one-year complete guarantee.
• Registered Hereford Cow-Calf Pairs Proven registered Hereford cows paired with heifer calves, sold at the annual production sale (typically 20-30 pairs per sale). Five-year-old cows are tested free of all known defects.
• Commercial Heifers (Hereford, Black Baldy, Red Baldy) Open commercial heifers in Hereford, Black Baldy, and Red Baldy breeds, sold annually at the production sale for use as replacement females or in crossbreeding programs.
• Cattle Semen Sales Semen from Sandhill reference and herd sires (e.g., SHF Progress P20, Rib Eye M326 R117, KCF Bennett 3008 M326, Gerber Anodyne 001A, SHF Zane), priced $20-$50 per straw with certificates $40-$75 each. Distributed direct and via partners such as ABS Global.
• Cattle Embryo Sales Frozen embryos from donor cows sold at industry events such as the Frozen Genetics sale in Oklahoma City.
• Cattle Marketing Assistance Marketing support for customers selling Sandhill-influenced cattle, including connections to sale barn networks, US Premium Beef grid slots purchased by Sandhill on behalf of customers, and introductions to order buyers and cattle feeders seeking value-added cattle.
• Genetic Consultation Direct consultation with producers on bull selection, EPD interpretation, crossbreeding strategies, and herd improvement using Sandhill Farms genetics.

Quantifiable outcome

• 11.5% increase in fertility per year for Sandhill sired baldy females vs solid black herd mates ($418/head value)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Barnes HerefordsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 17 January 2019Purchased Pick of Herd Flush at Mile High Eve Frozen Genetics Sale in Denver during National Western Stockshow. Indicates distribution of elite genetics to other breeders.
• GeneSeek / NeogencoreTechnology or Integration · 1 June 2016Genomic testing service provider. Over 10,000 head of Hereford cattle tested. GeneSeek moved to Lincoln NE. Increases accuracy of bull EPDs through genetic testing.
• Frederickson Ranch and Ollerich Bros. HerefordscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 January 2016Co-ownership of SHF Daybreak Y02 D287 ET (Reg #43676330). Joint breeding program for this sire which became top-selling sire group in 2020 and 2021 sales.
• Loewen Herefords, Candy Meadow Farms, Gerber Land and CattlecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 January 2013Co-ownership of Gerber Anodyne 001A (Reg #43408924). Most demanded sire group in sale for 4 consecutive years. Joint semen marketing partnership.
• Certified Hereford Beef (CHB) LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013CHB is AHA subsidiary providing branded beef program. Sandhill is #1 breeder of CHB qualifying sires. 98% of sale bulls qualify for Hereford Advantage Program linked to CHB.
• Knoll Crest FarmcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Co-ownership of reference sire KCF Bennett 3008 M326. One of herd sires Rib Eye and Radar trace to this bull. Radar was high-selling bull of all breeds at 2006 NWSS.
• Umberger Polled HerefordscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 February 2012Co-ownership of SHF Zane X51 Z115. Sold to Umberger in 2013 but continued as co-owned herd sire. Zane ranks in top 1% for all three breed indexes.
• Kansas State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Long-standing relationship. Lot #36 donated to KSU Foundation for Livestock Marketing and Learning Center. Bob Weaber, PhD, Cow-Calf Extension Specialist provides educational content. Donated bull to KSU building project.
• American Hereford Association (AHA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2010Active participation in AHA Whole Herd Total Performance Records (TPR) program since inception. Gold TPR breeder status. Kevin served on AHA Board including as President.
• Beef Improvement Federation (BIF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2010Kevin Schultz served as BIF President. Active participation in BIF research and standards development. 2010 BIF Seedstock Producer of the Year recipient.
• Olsen RanchminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010National Reference Sire Program (NRSP) test herd since 1999. Added GrowSafe system in 2010 for feed efficiency data collection. Key testing partner for Sandhill genetics validation.
• Dan Kniffen and ABS GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 March 2005Co-ownership of reference sire SHF Rib Eye M326 R117 (Reg #42584003). ABS Global distributes semen. Bull ranks in top 1% of breed for BMI and BII indexes.
• Loewen HerefordscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 February 2004Co-ownership of reference sire SHF Progress P20. Joint semen marketing and breeding program. Progress ranks in top 1% of breed for calving ease and all breed indexes.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Knoll Crest Farm: Virginia-based Hereford seedstock operation and co-owner with Sandhill of reference sire KCF Bennett 3008 M326. Closely comparable in business model: registered bull production, annual sales, and reference sire genetics.
• Loewen Herefords: Oklahoma-based Hereford seedstock breeder and co-owner with Sandhill of SHF Progress P20. Direct peer in Hereford bull genetics with annual production sale model.
• Churchill Cattle Company: Montana-based Hereford seedstock operation with annual bull sale and AI/semen business. Comparable in offering registered Hereford bulls, semen, and embryos to commercial and purebred breeders.
• Holden Herefords: Montana Hereford seedstock producer running an annual bull sale with similar focus on EPDs, carcass merit, and maternal traits. Operates at comparable scale to Sandhill.
• Gerber Land and Cattle: Hereford seedstock operation and co-owner with Sandhill of Gerber Anodyne 001A. Direct comparable in polled Hereford genetics and joint sire marketing.
• Mohican West Polled Herefords: Hereford seedstock breeder in the western US with annual bull sales and emphasis on carcass and maternal EPDs. Comparable business model to Sandhill's registered bull program.
• W4 Ranch: Hereford seedstock operation with annual production sale, EPD-focused genetics, and semen marketing. Comparable peer in polled Hereford registered cattle.
• Umberger Polled Herefords: Co-owner with Sandhill of SHF Zane and fellow Hereford seedstock producer. Direct comparable in registered Hereford bull genetics and annual sale model.
• Coyote Ridge Ranch: Hereford seedstock operation focused on carcass merit and maternal traits, with annual bull sales. Comparable peer in Hereford genetics marketing.

Others

• American Hereford Association: The breed registry and association of which Sandhill is a member. While not a competitor, AHA sets EPD standards, runs the Whole Herd TPR program, and operates the CHB branded beef subsidiary—central infrastructure underpinning Sandhill's business model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SandhillFarms
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sandhill-farms

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sandhill Farms