How do I recognise Hereford Cattle... ?

The Hereford with its gentle white face is known all over the world. Herefords are also referred to as Whiteface or Whitehead cattle.

 

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Where can I find Hereford Cattle?

United Kingdom (from 1700s), Ireland (from 1775), Australia(from 1825), New Zealand, United States (from 1817), Canada, Russia (from 1904), Norway (1949). Herefords will stand out in the arctic snows of Finland, endure the heat of the northern Transvaal, withstand the tough climate and rough grazing of northern Uruguay or the sub - tropical zones of Brazil and still manage to thrive

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What are the origins of the Hereford Breed?

The Hereford (A Short History)
There is something special about the soil and water and atmosphere of Herefordshire that has helped to create the unique qualities of this international breed.

In Herefordshire in the 1770's the Herefordshire breed was the first accepted as an distinct breed of cattle. The Hereford breed developed on the rich pastures of Herefordshire and is bred to produce the highest quality red marbled beef from grass alone. Since the early 1800's, Herefords have been bred in Ireland and we have kept the tradition of grass-based beef production at which our breed excels.

The origin of the Hereford is shrouded 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 Britain and from a large white Welsh breed once numerous along the border of England and Wales.

The Hereford Herd Book Society was founded in 1878, The herd book was opened in 1846 and since1886 has been closed to any animal whose sire or dam had not been previously entered so that for over 150 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 can hardly be appreciated. 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 Hereford export trade 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 the Russian Steppes. The former USSR has more than two million white-faced cattle, Australia and South Africa have vast numbers and they can be found in Israel, Egypt, Romania, Japan, Spain New Zealand and throughout Europe and Scandinavia.

Because of the growth of the breed overseas and the formation of societies in many countries the World Hereford Council was set up in 1951 to deal with problems of mutual interest to pedigree Hereford breeders every where.

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Who is the largest producer of Hereford Cattle in the world?

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What is ... ?

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When is ... ?

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Early Chronology of the Hereford Breed 1723-1955

1723
Death of R Tomkins May 6th. Benjamin Tomkins (The Elder), born 1714 succeeds under his father's will to the cow Silver with her calf.

1769
Benjamin (The Younger) takes Blackhall, Kings Pyon. At this time father and son occupied four farms, together 840 acres.

1775
Herefords introduced into Co. Westmeath, Ireland, by Mr Richard Reynall.

1779
William Galliers of Wigmore Grange died, aged 66, his herd passing to his son, John Galliers; his other son, also William, became a famous breeder of Herefords, winning thirteen cups for his cattle from the Hereford Agricultural Society between 1802-1815.

1789
Rural Economy of the West of England published by W Marshall. The markings of the Hereford are described; Its colour of a middle red with a bald face, the last being an esteemed characteristic of the true Hereford Breed. Benjamin the Elder died and Benjamin the Younger went to Wellington Court.

1795
Sale of Herefords belonging to John Galliers, Wigmore Grange. Prices and buyers' names were recorded at this first ever documented sale of the breed.

1797
Herefordshire Agricultural Society founded.

1799
Champion Prize won at first Smithfield Show by Mr John Westcar of Onslow, Buckingham, with Hereford ox, bred by a Mr Tully of Huntingdon. The animal was six years old and weighed 2,198 lbs. It changed hands for 100 guineas.

1806
A Silver cow bred by Mr George Tomkins, nephew of Benjamin The Younger was calved. This cow was painted by Wheeler. The importance attached to the Silver strain is clearly shown.

1808
Sale of Mr Gwillim's herd at Purslow Hall. Sale average for cows; £ 65. 3s. 6d. Top price for a cow and calf; L225.

1812
Challenge by Mr Price of Ryall to show 20 of his Hereford cows in milk against 20 Longhorn cows. Challenge accepted by a Mr Meek and decided in Mr Price's favour.

1813
Mr Price of Ryall had a sale of his stock which realised high prices, the total being £ 4,134

1815
Benjamin The Younger dies.

1816
On October 17th and 18th, Mr John Price held an extensive sale at Ryall;116 head averaged £58.0s.0d, in total £ 6,728. The stock was described as being wholly descended from that of Benjamin Tomkins. His bull Wellington (160) was sold to Mr M Jellicoe for £ 283.

1817
Exportation to the United States, two pairs of Herefords by the Hon. Henry Clay of Kentucky.

1824
The bull Sir Isaac bred by Mr J G Cotterell, Garnons, presented to the Massachusetts Society by Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin.

1825
First Herefords exported to Australia.

1836
Hereford bull Cotmore (376) calved. Bred by by T Jeffries and acknowledged the greatest bull ever produced to that day. His weight at 9 years was 3,920 lbs.

1838
Youatt's book on cattle shows that Herefords were the predominant breed in 15 English and Welsh counties.

1839
Miss Tomkins' final sale. First Royal Show at Oxford. Devons, Herefords and Shorthorns were the only breeds shown. First prize for best cow in milk won by Hereford. Cotmore wins first prize. Hereford ox, bred and exhibited by Mr Joseph Hill of Collington, weighed 3,600 lbs. Mr W H Sotham made his first imports of Herefords to America.

1841
Mr Price's third sale on October 15th; 99 head averaged £ 56 16s 4d, in total £ 5,328. He considered this his best sale. The three sales; in 1813, in 1816 and in 1841, realised in total £ 16,690. Mr Price was presented with his portrait. This now hangs in the Society's boardroom.

1843
Death of Mr J Price.

1846
Mr T C Eyton of Donnerville, Wellington, Salop, published the first Herd Book.

1849
Sir David (349), probably the most famous Hereford sire, shown by Mr Edward Price, Court House, Pembridge, wins first prize at Norwich Royal Show. He sired Sir Benjamin who sired Sir Thomas, the sire of Sir Roger who sired Lord Wilton.

1852
Second volume of Eyton's Herd Book published.

1856
Mr W C Powell of Hereford bought Eyton's copyright in the Herd Book and published first part of third volume.

1857
Herefordshire Agricultural Society bought the Herd Book copyright from Mr Powell's executors, following his death, for ten pounds. It was boughtfor the same sum by Mr Thomas Duckham, who continued to publish until 1878.

1865
Outbreak of cattle plague. Royal Show cancelled until 1868.

1866
Sir Benjamin (2228) bought by Mr Benjamin Rogers for £ 409 10s 0d.

1867
Horace (3877), one of the most impressive sires ever calved, bred by Mr J Davies of Preston Court, used by Mr J Price of the Court House, Pembridge. His rare wealth of flesh and magnificent quality were carried through successive generations. His strain was used with that of Regulus, another highly successful Court House bull. Sale of Mr Edward Price's cattle at Court House. Highest price paid for the bull Paragon.

1873
New South Wales Agricultural Society published first volume of their Herd Book, in which 152 Herefords and their produce were entered. The celebrated bull Lord Wilton calved 30th August, bred by Mr W Tudge, Adforton, sold to Mr L Lloyd, Addington, Surrey.

1875
Lord Wilton wins Royal and other major Shows.

1877
Exhibits of Herefords at Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition created great impression and led to wide extension of the breed in the United States.

1878
Hereford Herd Book Society founded under the patronage of Queen Victoria.

1879
Mr Carwardine buys Lord wilton at Kilburn Royal Show from Mr Lloyd.

1880
Volume 1 of the American Hereford Book published.

1881
The bull Anxiety (5188), bred by Mr T J C Carwardine, Stocktonbury, Leominster was exported to the United States where he was bought by Mr Culbertson. Anxiety sired a number of important bulls including Anxiety 3rd (4466) and Anxiety 5th (9904), afterwards famous in the herds of Mr Clarke, Mr Gudgell and Mr Simpson.

1882
Mr Thomas Clarke ships 152 Herefords in one lot to New York

1884
Death of William H Sotham, for 50 years the champion of Herefords in the United States. Stocktonbury Sale, when Lord Wilton was sold for £ 3,990.

1886
MacDonald and Sinclair's History of Hereford Cattle published. This carefully prepared volume showed that there were two Benjamin Tomkins, father and son.

1890
Australian Hereford Herd Book Society inaugurated.

1898
New Zealand Cattle Breeders' Association formed.

1900
The bull Protector (19660) bred by Mr Allen Hughes, sold for £ 1200 by Mr C T Pulley, to the United States.

1901
Sale for Mr W Tudge of Leinthall; average £53 pounds; total £4,1519. Sale for Mr John Price, Court House, Pembridge; average £54; total £9,152. King Edward VII becomes patron of the Society.

1902
History of Hereford Cattle, written by Mr T L Miller, published by T F B Sotham, Cillicote, Missouri, USA. 202 head exported in one shipment to Mr Armour of Kansas City.

1904
First Herefords exported to Russia.

1909
Irish Hereford Breeders' Association founded.

1910
King George V becomes patron of the Society.

1914
The Story of Herefords, by Alvin H Sanders, published at Chicago.

1919
Sale by auction of Mr L L Moores herd at Brampton Bryan when 152 head averaged 121 pounds sterling each.

1920
Sale of Mr W Griffiths' herd at Aldersend; 104 head averaged £ 474.16s each; the bull calf Alderend Conqueror changed hands for 3,150 pounds. Sale by auction of Mr T R Thompson's herd when 59 head averaged £ 446 each. The first Premier Show and Sale was held in February.

1926
Senor Carlos Pereyra Iraola invited to judge Hereford cattle at the R.A.S.E. Show at Reading.

1929
The bull Free Town director, bred by Mr P E Bradstock, exported to Australia, purchased by E C Tanner.

1932
The bull Free Town Admiral wins the championship at the Royal Show for the 3rd year.

1935
The female Britannia, bred and exhibited by Mr H R Griffiths, won the female chamionship at the Royal Show for the third time.

1936
The bull Tarrington Idol exported to Argentina, bought by Mr R L P Duncan. King Edward VIII becomes patron of the Society.

1937
King George VI becomes patron of the Society

1939
September 8th, Vern Robert born, five days after outbreak of World War II. Later to become known as the Bill Beyond Price

1940
A ship carrying a consignment of Herefords to America was torpedoed in the Atlantic. Two of them swam ashore to Ireland, showing the stamina of the breed.

1942
Brookhouse Sale, dispersal for Mr W H Jones of Lyonshall. 75 head sold for 7,087 pounds 10s. Wickton dispersal sale for the Exors of the late Mr F J Newman of Leominster. 98 head sold for £ 9,308.9s.0d

1946
The bull Weston Masterpiece, bred by Mr C H Morris sets a record price for a Hereford bull sold at auction, 12,500 guineas, a record which stood for 20 years.

1947
Sales restricted to TB attested cattle. Herefords the first breed to become fully attested.

1948
The bull Weston Masterpiece won First, Senior and Grand Champion at R.A.S.E.

1949
First record of Hereford exported to Norway. April 4th, first poll Hereford registered in Britain.

1950
North British Hereford Breeders' Association founded. British Polled Hereford Society founded.

1951
First World Hereford Conference held in Hereford under the Chairmanship of the Hereford Herd Book Society's Patron, Sir R G Cotterall, Bt., and attended by delegates from nine countries; Argentina, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Uruguay, the United Sates of America and The Union of South Africa. First recorded exports of Herefords to Israel.

1952
The Vern herd reduced realising a record average of 670 pounds for 66 lots offered, breaking a record which had existed since 1918. South of England Hereford Breeders' Association founded. Death of Mr H R Griffiths, Tarrington. The bull Lothian Dollar sold for 1000 guineas and exported to Argentina.

1953
The bull Vern Diamond sold for record price of 16,000 pounds to Wyoming Hereford Ranch, USA. Midlands and East Anglia Hereford Breeders' Association founded.

1954
The bull Eaton Eastern Venture, bred by Mr O S Hellyer, wins the Queen's Cup for the Best Beef Bull at the Royal Show, Windsor.

1955
Pentatok Crusader became the first Bull of the Year and co-winner with Sugwas Oyster Lassie 5th, of the Burke Trophy, awarded for the first time, for the best pair of beef animals. Toko Excelior was imported from New Zealand by Messrs Cooper, McDougal and Robertson of Berkhamstead, the first poll to found the Poll Herefords. Record price paid for bull calf, Haven Just Do, of 4,000 guineas to Argentina.

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© The Hereford Herd Book Society - 1995

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