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It Started Nearly

300 Years Ago,

 

farmers of Herefordshire, England, founded the breed in response to demand created by Britain’s Industrial Revolution. Efficient production, high yields and sound reproduction were of utmost importance. Read on to learn more.






  • 1742

    Benjamin Tomkins, a primary founder of the Hereford breed, starts with a bull calf from the cow Silver and two cows, Pidgeon and Mottle.

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  • 1817

    Henry Clay, Kentucky statesman, brings Herefords to the United States.

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  • 1881

    American Hereford Cattle Breeders Association is organized (name later changes to American Hereford Association [AHA]).

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  • 1920

    The AHA is the first beef breed association to own its own headquarters; permanent residence is established at 300 West 11th St., Kansas City, Mo.

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  • 1933

    The Great Depression takes its toll, and prices drop to a low point; all 2,743 head of Herefords sold at auction this year bring an average price of $105 per head. AHA registrations also fall from 101,839 in 1929 to 87,541.

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  • 1953

    President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower dedicates second AHA headquarters at 715 Hereford Drive, Kansas City, Mo.

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  • 1960

    By the end of the year, the AHA has registered a total of 10 million head.

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  • 1968

    APHA issues its first artificial insemination (AI) certificate. Producers who don’t own the bull can now purchase its semen to AI their cows, making the best genetics available to everyone.

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  • 1974

    The first Junior National Polled Hereford Heifer Show and Forum is held in Nashville, Tenn.

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  • 1995

    On October 15, the American Hereford Association establishes the Certified Hereford Beef brand to market the beef our ranchers work hard to produce.

     

    Also in 1995, AHA and APHA merge.

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  • 2000

    The Hereford breed continues to grow in popularity worldwide as AHA membership grows to more than 4,000 family ranches, with genetics marketed around the world.

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  • 2001

    Whole Herd Total Performance Records (TPR™) replaces old performance measuring tools.

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  • 2009

    The first Pan-American Cattle Evaluation is released, which included data from the U.S., Uruguay, Canada and Argentina.

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  • 2012

    The AHA publishes the first genomically-enhanced EPDs.

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  • 2013

    A Hereford bull named C Miles McKee 2103 ET set the world record for a cattle sale, selling for $600,000.

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  • 2014

    The AHA launches the electronic recording system, MyHerd.org, in November.

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  • 2016

    Terri Barber is elected as the first female AHA president since the APHA and AHA merger.

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