Bofat Hill Farm: Winners all
Amy and Richard Roberts raise and sell commercial and registered Herefords on their Bofat Hill Farm in Chesterfield, MA. Their family is well known on the fair circuit. Their son, Harrison Roberts, 18, continues on a winning streak, doing so well at fitting (clipping and grooming his animals for the show ring) that others are requesting his services for their animals.
Harrison did well in the Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) with showmanship, said Amy. Sponsored by the American Hereford Association, this year’s show took place in Louisville, KY.
“Harrison was picked in the top 10 seniors on his showmanship skill,” she said. Then he had to fit his heifer in front of several judges and then go back into the ring to show her again after he was finished fitting. He placed sixth overall.
“Harrison really enjoys the fitting part of things,” Amy said.
He did so well showing his farm-born and raised junior yearling, “people want to have him go to different places to do their fitting.” Already, he’s traveled to Maryland for the Shorthorn Junior National Show, caring for and fitting animals, and has more shows scheduled.
The JNHE is hosted by different states every year. “We go as a family. We pack our own hay and feed and water,” Amy said. The water tank will keep the cattle watered should there be a problem along the way as well as quench their thirst at each fair.
Last year, the show was in Nebraska. This year they stopped at a friend’s house along the way on the 15-hour journey to Kentucky and stayed overnight. The cattle got out of the truck to have a rest too.
At the 2025 New York State Fair, Harrison won Overall Champion Showman in the Junior Hereford Show. Bofat Hill Sweet Caroline 92 M won Grand Champion Hereford Female in the open show, shown by Harrison. Bofat Hill Night Vision 93 M won Reserve Grand Champion Hereford Bull in the junior show. Amy and Richard proudly stood with him in the winner’s showplace. Bofat Hill 756 Saltine 12 M won Champion Junior Heifer Yearling. The farm also won Four Best Head in the open show.
At this year’s Big E in West Springfield, MA, Harrison won Reserve Champion Cow/Calf Pair, Premier Exhibitor and Breeder and a couple of division wins in the Hereford show.
Bofat Hill Farm finished the show season at the 2025 Keystone International Livestock Expo in Harrisburg, PA, winning Six Best Head of Cattle and Premier Exhibitor.
First generation farmers, the Robertses have been raising Herefords for over 20 years. They purchased their current 300-acre farm in 2020, which is protected under APR. They grow and harvest their own round bales to feed their 50 head of cattle and sell hay as well. Buyers purchase their Herefords as 4-H project heifers and steers or as animals to expand their herds.
They process four to six head a year to feed their own family and fill standing beef orders. “We have no problem finding buyers for the beef,” said Amy.
She enjoys working with the Herefords. “I think they are a great breed. They’re gentle, docile, great moms and their yield is good.”
Harrison is the second generation working the farm. He also works in the family’s construction business. He is already on his career path: working alongside his father and showing cattle.
For more info, access facebook.com/bofathillfarm.
by Laura Rodley
