Hereford Cattle Society - Hereford

The Hereford, with its gentle white face, is known all over the world.

There may be something about the soil, water and climate of Herefordshire that has helped to create the unique qualities of this international breed. More important in the development of the world's main beef cattle has been constructive breeding, based on accurate records, maintained for over two centuries.

Herefords will stand out in the arctic snows of Finland, endure the heat of Northern Transvaal, withstand the tough climate and rough grazing of northern Uruguay or the sub-tropical zones of Brazil and continue to thrive.

They are renowned throughout the world for their ability as foraging cattle, their diet consisting mainly of grass and grass products.

Desirable Traits

The characteristics of the modern Hereford were implanted by a group of breeders more than 200 years ago. Their objective was to fix in one strain of animal the desirable traits of hardiness, early maturity, prolificacy and the swift, efficient conversion of grass into meat, so firmly that the transmission of these qualities from father to son could always be relied upon.

Their success was spectacular and the Hereford became the cornerstone of the beef economy in all the cattle-raising countries in the world.

Known for their longevity, many females live and produce calves beyond the age of 15 years. Bulls are capable of remaining profitable at stud to the age of 12 or more. Many breeders keep their elderly cattle until they die of natural causes and the more sentimental of them, bury them on their farms.

Origins of the Breed

The origin of the Hereford is lost in the mists of time but it is generally agreed that it was founded on the draught ox descended from the small red cattle of Roman Briton and from a large Welsh breed once numerous along the border of England and Wales. Records of the breed were first kept by the local breeders, one of whom was a Mr Price of Ryall. The first Herd Book was produced in 1846 by Mr Thomas Duckham of Holmer and was published by T C Eyton of Donnerville, Wellington, Salop.

The Hereford Herd Book Society was founded in 1878 by Mr J H Arkwright of Hampton Court, Herefordshire, under the patronage of Queen Victoria. The Herd Book has been closed since 1886 to any animal whose sire or dam had not been entered previously. So for over 100 years, the purity of the breed has remained intact.

Because of its performance as a crossing sire on commercial cattle and indigenous breeds in many countries, the impact of the Hereford on world beef production has been profound. This widespread popularity could only have come about because farmers, ranchers and feeders found the Hereford to be consistently profitable under a wide range of climates and conditions.

More than five million pedigree Herefords exist in over 50 countries. The export of Herefords began in 1817, spreading across the United States and Canada through Mexico to the great beef-raising countries of South America. Today, Herefords dominate the world scene from the prairies to the pampas and from the Russian steppes to the South African veldt.

Polled Hereford Strains

A number of strains are discernable; Horned, polled (hornless) and British Polled. Originally all Herefords were of the horned variety. British polled Herefords were developed by a group of breeders through crossing a Galloway bull with a horned Hereford cow. The resulting progeny bred true polled Herefords. By 1955 this new British Polled strain was established and was admitted into the Herd Book.

The first Herefords were exported to North America in 1817 and quickly became dominant over the traditional Longhorn and Shorthorn breeds. In 1898, a lawyer named Warren Gammon was impressed by the sight of some polled cattle exhibited at the Trans Mississippi International Exhibition at Omaha, Nebraska. He later located 1500 naturally hornless cattle, choosing 3 bulls and 8 cows from which he bred the strain known today as the American Polled Hereford. Two organizations exist for Hereford breeders in the United States; the American Hereford Association, and the American Polled Hereford Association.

In 1825 Herefords were exported from England to Australia and in 1890 the Australian Herd Book Society was founded. American Polled cattle arrived in 1920 and these became very popular very quickly and in 1933 the Australian Poll Hereford Society was established.

Beef Economics

The beef cattle industry has a bright future because beef is a nutritious, high quality protein for which an expanding market is now assured. Producing beef is the most economically sound method of converting the grasslands of the world into food. The Hereford and its crosses have a vital role to perform in helping to satisfy this increasing demand. No breed or cross is better adapted to take advantage of modern feed conditions nor can it equal the Hereford's efficient conversion of food or roughage into prime beef.

The Hereford and its crosses have a great capacity to deal with grass and arable by-products and have the unique ability to winter rough, hold their flesh and still put on weight faster than any other on pasture.

No breed can equal the Hereford for siring profitable feeders, from dairy or beef cows of indigenous breeds, anywhere in the world.

The Profit Factor

Herefords have achieved and held supremacy in the beef production field because of certain fundamental profit factors:-

Greater weight for age and rate of gain either at pasture or on yard feeding;
The ability to command top prices in the markets as finished beef or as store cattle;
A higher selling price for breeding stock;
Greater economy of gain in feeding;
High percentage of calf crops;
Lower wintering costs;
Docility and ease of management;
Lower labour costs;
Early maturity and longevity.

Herefords are raised under natural conditions and, excepting bulls and show animals, are only rarely housed. Cows and heifers are at pasture all year, receiving only hay and straw in winter and many breeders allow females to calve outside, resulting in healthy, hardy cattle.

The foundation and backbone of Hereford breeding is the production of bulls for crossing with other breeds. It has always been the pedigree Hereford breeder's responsibility to provide improved and potent stock with which better beef can be produced quickly, and at less expense, in commercial and dairy herds.

This makes Hereford breeding sound and enduring.

Typical Weights and Dimensions

Royal Show 1993

              Av Weight    Weight Range         Av Height  Height Range
Mature Bull   1,147 kgs    998 kgs-1,230 kgs    153 cms    150 cms-157 cms
Mature Cow    857 kgs      770 kgs-967 kgs      141 cms    138 cms-145 cms


Bulls Recorded on Farms 1991/92

Average 400 day weight - 516 kgs         648 kgs max
Average 400 day height - 121.7 cms       137 cms max
Average backfat        - 4.6 mm          3.2 mm min
Average weight of calf - 40 kgs (bull)   35 kgs (heifer)
Gestation period       - 280 days approx

Sales Records

A Hereford bull called "Haven Reign On" fetched a record 27,000 guineas (1980).
A Hereford female called "Smithson Lady Lynda C12" fetched 8,500 guineas (1988).

Buying Herefords

Once you have decided to follow the example of other discerning cattlemen around the world by deciding to purchase pedigree Herefords, you will find that nothing could be easier. Every detail will be arranged for you through the Society's headquarters in Hereford, from your hotel reservations in Britain to the delivery of your cattle to your farm. Breeding guarantees will be given wherever possible and all statutory veterinary tests carried out. If you do not wish to select your cattle personally, this may be arranged through the Society's Purchasing Panel, consisting of breeders and judges of international repute who will, without charge, buy the animals for you. For further information on Hereford cattle and services to breeders worldwide contact:-

The Hereford Cattle Society

Note: To celebrate the hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the Hereford Herd Book Society during 1996, its name was changed to the Hereford Cattle Society. The first special event was a celebration sale and open day, held in April, culminating with a gala dinner at the time of the Society's annual show and sale in October.

Mutual Interest

Because of the growth of the breed worldwide and the formation of Hereford Societies in over twenty countries the World Hereford Council was set up in 1951 to deal with problems of mutual interest to pedigree Hereford breeders everywhere. Every four years the World Hereford Council is hosted by one of the national herd book societies.