The Final Chapter for Prairie Valley Farm Charolais — The Legacy Moves Forward at L.G. Herndon, Jr. Farms For more than four decades, Prairie Valley Farm Charolais near Platte, South Dakota, has been recognized as a program built on disciplined breeding, strong cow families, and cattle designed to perform in real-world environments. Now, that legacy enters a new chapter as the Prairie Valley Farm Charolais herd moves south to become the foundation of the Charolais program at L.G. Herndon, Jr. Farms in Georgia. The acquisition carries forward a program developed by the Mason family—one built on a commitment to producing genetics that serve both commercial and purebred breeders. The opportunity began with a ranch visit in late 2025 while Bo Herndon was in the area looking to purchase a few cattle. As he walked through the PVFC cows, the quality and uniformity of the herd quickly became evident. Among the cattle that immediately caught his attention were the powerful daughters of WCR Titan, a herd sire David Mason had purchased to move the program forward. These females reflected the maternal strength, balance, strong EPD profiles, and performance PVFC had spent years developing. For David Mason, the transition represents the closing chapter of a program built through a lifetime devoted to the Charolais breed. PVFC traces its beginnings to 1980, when David’s father, Clarence Mason, purchased a Charolais bull with the goal of developing one of the finest cow herds in South Dakota. Over time, PVFC grew into a highly regarded program, hosting its first bull sale in 1989 and eventually celebrating its 35th Annual Production Sale. Each spring, customers traveled from across the region to Platte, confident in the consistency and integrity of PVFC cattle. This spring’s sale will mark the final Prairie Valley Farm Charolais Bull Sale. “After spending my life building this Charolais herd, it means a great deal to see it move forward with someone who truly appreciates the PVFC cattle and the legacy behind them,” David Mason said. “These cow families represent a lifetime of work, and I’m proud to see them continue with Bo.” When Herndon visited the ranch, he quickly realized the significance of the opportunity. “I didn’t go to PVFC intending to buy the whole herd,” Herndon explained. “But once I saw the overall quality of the cattle and heard David’s story, I realized this was more than just a purchase. It felt like the closing chapter of a remarkable legacy for him—and the beginning of a new one for L.G. Herndon, Jr. Farms.” For Herndon, the decision was also personal. “After being out of the cow business for only six months, I realized how important our cow herd had been to my family,” he said. “My daughter Sky, my grandson Bryton, and our family loved being around the cows—and to tell the truth, I missed them too.” The PVFC herd now provides the foundation as Herndon re-establishes a Charolais program in Lyons, Georgia. Looking ahead, L.G. Herndon, Jr. Farms plans to honor the legacy built by the Mason family while guiding the program forward to meet the demands of today’s beef industry. The HF operation is committed
to producing industry-leading Charolais genetics through disciplined selection, data-driven decisions, advanced reproductive technologies, and thoughtful management— while having fun doing it. As Bo’s daughter Sky explains, “We’re really just picking up where we left off, this herd has over 40 years of production behind it. When you think about the depth of female selection behind this herd, it’s exciting to imagine what the future holds.” Now, under the stewardship of L.G. Herndon, Jr. Farms, those cow families begin their next chapter—carrying with them the history, discipline, and breeding philosophy that defined Prairie Valley Farm Charolais.
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