Hereford cattle are an old breed. Traced back to 1742, this strain has been isolated since the first true breeding herd in 1840. Although it comes from cool, wet Britain, it does well all over the world. It is prized both as an exclusive breed and as a source of hybrid vigor.
Bulls were brought to North America to improve the native animals, wild descendants of Spanish cows that came over with the earliest European settlers. The rangy wild animals were hard to domesticate, carried little flesh, and matured slowly. Herefords were able to survive in conditions ranging from Florida swamps to frozen Montana uplands, and the potent bulls soon had sturdy white-faced babies that made better beef for the hungry market.
Today the desirable traits of the breed remain, although currently the animals produce a leaner meat for today's consumers. The breeders' associations work hard to keep Herefords sound, fertile, docile, and superior at both milk production for their young and meat for the market. Although there are two distinct strains - horned and naturally hornless or 'polled' - and two associations, the animals of both types are otherwise the same.
The ease of handling Herefords, the high feed-to-meat conversion ratio, the fertility that makes them outstanding in both purebred and hybrid vigor, and their soundness have made this breed more popular all over the world than any other. From North America, the animals were taken to Mexico and on south to the now major beef producing countries of the southern continent. They also spread throughout the immense British Empire and are prized in places like New Zealand and Australia.
Many ranchers prefer crossbreds, and it is true that this practice can overcome some of the drawbacks of the more exotic breeds. Herefords have been proved to be excellent crosses. Their can raise low fertility rates, make calving easier for first-time heifers, mitigate a high bone-to-meat ration, and improve the feed conversion rate. Since artificial insemination means that beef producers have access to the best bulls, outstanding Herefords have greatly influenced the industry with hybrid vigor.
From the great outdoors to the feedlot, the Herefords have proved to be the best investment of all for beef ranchers. Many other breeds are popular, of course, because there are other fine breeds in the world. However, there are more Herefords than any other type, even after all these years and all the modern improvements to beef cattle. No other beef animals can replace the dominant and desirable traits of Anxiety 4 and his foreign kin.
The tenderness and juiciness of the meat is another feature that is hard to imitate. Even with new policies of grass feeding and leaner beef, the flavor of this meat is prized by many. There is even a marketed meat designated as 'Certified Hereford Beef', produced only by one or two ranches in the USA.
Hereford cattle have impressed breeders, ranchers, and feedlot managers for over two centuries. The breed has been judged worth preserving for its superior qualities. These sound, docile, and efficient animals show no signs of losing their dominance in the industry.
Bulls were brought to North America to improve the native animals, wild descendants of Spanish cows that came over with the earliest European settlers. The rangy wild animals were hard to domesticate, carried little flesh, and matured slowly. Herefords were able to survive in conditions ranging from Florida swamps to frozen Montana uplands, and the potent bulls soon had sturdy white-faced babies that made better beef for the hungry market.
Today the desirable traits of the breed remain, although currently the animals produce a leaner meat for today's consumers. The breeders' associations work hard to keep Herefords sound, fertile, docile, and superior at both milk production for their young and meat for the market. Although there are two distinct strains - horned and naturally hornless or 'polled' - and two associations, the animals of both types are otherwise the same.
The ease of handling Herefords, the high feed-to-meat conversion ratio, the fertility that makes them outstanding in both purebred and hybrid vigor, and their soundness have made this breed more popular all over the world than any other. From North America, the animals were taken to Mexico and on south to the now major beef producing countries of the southern continent. They also spread throughout the immense British Empire and are prized in places like New Zealand and Australia.
Many ranchers prefer crossbreds, and it is true that this practice can overcome some of the drawbacks of the more exotic breeds. Herefords have been proved to be excellent crosses. Their can raise low fertility rates, make calving easier for first-time heifers, mitigate a high bone-to-meat ration, and improve the feed conversion rate. Since artificial insemination means that beef producers have access to the best bulls, outstanding Herefords have greatly influenced the industry with hybrid vigor.
From the great outdoors to the feedlot, the Herefords have proved to be the best investment of all for beef ranchers. Many other breeds are popular, of course, because there are other fine breeds in the world. However, there are more Herefords than any other type, even after all these years and all the modern improvements to beef cattle. No other beef animals can replace the dominant and desirable traits of Anxiety 4 and his foreign kin.
The tenderness and juiciness of the meat is another feature that is hard to imitate. Even with new policies of grass feeding and leaner beef, the flavor of this meat is prized by many. There is even a marketed meat designated as 'Certified Hereford Beef', produced only by one or two ranches in the USA.
Hereford cattle have impressed breeders, ranchers, and feedlot managers for over two centuries. The breed has been judged worth preserving for its superior qualities. These sound, docile, and efficient animals show no signs of losing their dominance in the industry.
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