AN ANCIENT RACE

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32321, 12 June 1970, Page 9

AN ANCIENT RACE

How and when did the Hereford breed originate? It has been in New Zealand for just over 100 years; the first volume of the English Hereford Herd Book was published just over 120 years ago. The Hereford is one of the earlies English cattle breed to have been “improved.” Among the better known of the early breeders were Benjamin Tomkins the younger (1745-1815) and John Hewer (1787-1873). The present-day Hereford is a descendant of a widely diffused and ancient race. It has been suggested that the Hereford obtained its white face as a result of crossbreeding with Flanders cattle introduced' into the country by Lord Scudamore, who died in 1671, but it seems more probable that it came from the Welsh White cattle, which were once very common in Herefordshire. Hereford County The famous white-faced

breed of cattle now so popular and well known throughout the world has its origin and derives its name from the County of Hereford, in the western part of England on the border of Wales. Herefordshire has so long been famed for its cattle. As early as 1627 its cattle were much in request as yoke oxen by farmers from all parts of the country on account of their size and strength. Writing in 1788, William Marshall, a Yorkshireman, said: “The Herefordshire breed of cattle, taking it all in all, may without risque, I believe, be deemed the .first breed in the Island.” He further stated that in attending the October Fair in that year he saw about a thousand head of cattle, by much the finest show he had seen anywhere. He described the main points of the breed, colour and markings as being “a middle red with bald face, the last being esteemed characteristics of the true Herefordshire

breed.” The date of this quotation is important as establishing the fact that the breed had been improved and the type mixed. First Volume The 1846 (the first) volume of the English Hereford Herd Book contained pedigrees of 551 bulls. The second volume was printed in 1852; the Hereford Herd Book Society was founded in 1878 and since 1886 it has been a closed book. The Polled Hereford breed originated from the results of extensive experiments made in the United States, the breed later becoming firmly established and popular throughout that country. Enthusiasm on the part of the New Zealand breeder has bad a big influence on the standard reached by New Zealand Herefords today, and money has been a secondary consideration when buying top cattle for importation to this country.