Long-time Shorthorn Breeder and Century Club Member Recognized

KANSAS CITY, Missouri, (December 3, 2015) – Long-time Shorthorn breeder, Bradley Eisiminger was named Show Honoree last month in Louisville, Kentucky. The Jack C. Ragsdale North American International Livestock Expo (NAILE) is the largest all-breed, purebred livestock event in the world. Eisiminger was recognized for his outstanding contributions to the livestock industry, his long-time involvement with the American Shorthorn Association and his devotion to building the Shorthorn breed.

Woodside Farm, owned by Bradley & Shirley Eisiminger of Waynesburg, PA, is one of, if not THE, oldest Shorthorn herds in the country. Bradley is the sixth generation to show Shorthorns. Annie Strosnider, Bradley’s Great Aunt and member of the Greene County Farm Women’s Association, was tasked with naming farms across the township. Great Aunt Annie is credited with choosing the name Woodside Farm.

In 1945, Bradley became a Junior member of the American Shorthorn Association. As a Senior member, he eventually became an ASA Board member for two terms. He was awarded Builder of the Breed in 1986. Bradley is the sixth generation in his family to breed and show Shorthorns.

Bradley and Shirley graduated from high school in 1951 and were married in 1952. Bradley was in the Army from 1953-55.

After high school and the Army, Bradley purchased the remains of the Leon B. Risser Herd from Ephrada, Pennsylvania. And the first animal they bought together was a heifer named Warrick Snow Lady purchased from Ira Daffen. They had a son, Bret, 8 years after they married. Bret and his daughter Falyn are here today. Bret showed steers and breeding cattle in Harrisburg and at the Pennsylvania Livestock Expedition.

For many years, both worked full-time, good paying jobs off the farm. In 1980, both companies closed within 6 months of each other Shirley and Bradley lost their jobs. That’s when they started their sale. It’s been going strong for 35 consecutive years. In the early years they had about 30 head per sale. Now it is about 55 head. Breeders who bring their cattle to the sale have been a huge part of this success. They come from KY, VA, IN, OH, PA, MA, NY, WV, and Canada.

In 1985, Woodside Farm was added to the list of Green County Pennsylvania’s Official Century Farms. Bradley’s great-grandfather, John Strosnider, made the original farm purchase in 1871, four years post-civil war. Woodside Farm was still going strong. And now, another 30 years later, Bradley and his wife Shirley are still in business.

They have an accomplished list of champions and memorable animals. In the mid-80s, he made a trip to Missouri and bought a bull named Greenridge Currier. That year, he won in West Virginia. He was National Champion in Denver at the National Western Stock Show and he also won at the American Royal in Kansas City.

In this year’s sale, Woodside Farm’s second high selling bull in 2015, was produced with a direct son of Greenridge Rosewood Cow Family, who was 18 years of age when she gave birth to this was a natural calf. A grandson of the same cow was also the high selling bull.

Through the years, Shirley have exhibited breeding cattle and feeder steers at countless fairs and exhibitions at the county, state, national and international levels.

Bradley has deep roots in the industry through involvement like planning sales and hosting sales at the Woodside Farm. He has been a president, director, served on committees and has been a member across many associations.

It’s no doubt that Bradley’s roots run deep in this industry and we are honored to have him here to share his knowledge and experience with us. He and Shirley cherish the friendships they have made in the Shorthorn family over the years.