Traditional Hereford Cattle - Livestock showcase - Scottish Smallholder Festival 2020

A breed with a wealth of history, the Hereford originates from the Welsh Marches. Bred to utilise the natural environment to a maximum in the areas around the Black and Cambrian Mountains of Wales, and the river valleys that flow east into the counties of Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire, these cattle grew into a medium sized, early maturing, very hardy and easy fleshing breed of cattle.
Original Population Hereford breeders pride themselves on producing a high-yielding, compact beef animal with natural thickness and an unmatched ability to convert grass to quality meat.
Their conversion rate can be attributed to the skilled breeding of these cattle, having been selectively chosen for their docility, conformation and foraging ability since the 17th century.
These characteristics make them ideal for use within both suckler beef and dairy operations, with producers able to reduce inputs and create a highly desirable end product, whether selling as youngstock or finished beef.
This video is part of the rare and native breed livestock showcase for the 2020 Scottish Smallholder Festival, organised by Smallholding Scotland.
Produced by the Traditional Hereford Breeders' Club, with thanks to Serena Sykes, Kileekie Farm.
Traditional Hereford Breeders' Club: www.traditionalherefords.org/
Kileekie Farm: www.kileekie.co.uk/
Scottish Smallholder Festival: ssgf.uk/
Smallholding Scotland: smallholding.scot/
Supported by The Scottish Government and SRUC.
Scottish Government: www.gov.scot/
SRUC: www.sruc.ac.uk