Council 2021-2023

Council talks

Now in the midst of this council term (2021-2023), council members look back on the previous year while planning ahead. After some changes of representatives in 2021, the current members are optimistic for the future.

Chairman Philip Allman

West Midlands

pjallman2@gmail.com 07860 824703

What do you think the society has done well in 2021?

In the year 2021, a huge positive has been the sustainability project, allowing us to think about the corner stones for future Hereford Beef production.

What has been the highlight of your year?

A highlight of the year was judging the South West area herd competition and meeting Hereford cattle breeders using the breed successfully on different farms.

Do you think the breed is well placed for the future?

Hereford Cattle Society is now proactive in approaching the meat trade and highlighting the opportunity of Hereford Beef. This in the future will pull demand for Hereford cattle.

Is there anything you hope to achieve as council for 2022?

2022 will allow council to review our responsibilities and constitution, allowing us to move forward in a quickly changing marketplace.

Mark Roberts

West Midlands

mark@bromleycourt.com 07980 834266

What do you think the council has done well in 2021?

The appointment of Paul Sneyd as director of operations was made in late 2020 but the new council met and welcomed him in 2021, with a sense of optimism for the future. The transition, however, turned out to be more challenging than we could have foreseen.

Council did well to handle the adjustments that this necessitated, holding to our plan while helping and encouraging in whatever way we could. We have also made moves to bring up-to-date our articles of association and our rules, which should be of great benefit to the society.

What has been your highlight of the year?

I have taken pleasure in fulfilling the role of president of the society at a couple of shows and at some local association meetings. The Great Yorkshire Show was the first outing for many with a strong turnout and spectators to see the judging. The National Poll Show also ran a close to normal event which Maddy and I were delighted to attend. At both events the sense of relief at being back together was palpable. Our visits to Scotland and the North of England, and my visits to the Midlands and East Anglia were also enjoyed, introducing Paul Sneyd to many members.

Do you think the breed is well placed for the future?

As a breed we have a good following and as long as we supply good quality cattle to any buyers who come our way, then we will be well-placed for the future.

Is there anything you hope to achieve in 2022?

There is much still to do partly because of the complications of this Covid year. We have a new firm called Seed Group handling our social media and PR needs. We want to drive forward our breed and brand awareness to increase the demand for Hereford Beef and thus for our cattle. Within the breed we need to be united in our aims and not pulling in different directions.

Vice-chairman Jackie Cooper

North of England

jackie.jcrltd@outlook.com 07960 994 376

What do you think the society did well in 2021?

The council has had quite a turbulent year to deal with and if we were to assess our performance, on a progressive level, it would be difficult to relay this. What I will say is that we have all dealt with matters that none of us have ever experienced before which have given us new inputs that will help us in the future of the running of the society. The year 2021 gave the society a new foundation to progress to 2022 with, a newfound confidence and a closer working relationship throughout, so we can better serve our membership and breed.

What was the highlight of your year?

At the November 2021 council meeting I was elected as vice-chairman of council. With my combined number of years within the breed, I feel I am well positioned to service the vice-chair position and ultimately the breed.

Do you think the breed is well placed for the future?

The Hereford is a breed that ticks all the boxes for me. During the course of the next two years of office, I intend to ensure we have made an impact in heightening the Hereford into the position that it deserves. The breed’s ability to produce an amazing and nutritious beef product, from grass alone surely is an attraction for all that demand more extensive systems of beef production.

Is there anything you hope to achieve as council for 2022?

I certainly aim to continue to provide my input, and that of the North of England breeders, to ensure this is achieved.

I am keen for the new Seed Group’s social media campaign to hit the ground running in early 2022, and that Hereford Beef becomes a household name, ensuring meat demand is increased, enabling the opening of more commercial Hereford cattle outlets.

James Graham

Northern Ireland

richmountherefords@gmail.com 07984 458007

What do you think the society did well in 2021?

All council members are equally responsible for the society and there are many, often complex, operational decisions to be considered. The trustees bring experience in various fields which contribute to the governance of our society. There have been many long and difficult discussions this year which have resulted in a much more cohesive team, able to work together to produce credible results for members as well as the breed itself.

What has been the highlight of your year?

This past year I have enjoyed the role of president and chairman for the Northern Irish Hereford Breeders’ Association (NIHBA). In August I was honoured to host the NIHBA annual barbecue where we also announced the results of the herds competition. More than 150 people attended and over £3,000 was raised for our chosen charity, the NI Air Ambulance.

Do you think the breed is well placed for the future?

Environmental issues pose some of our biggest challenges and it provides us with a wonderful opportunity to take advantage of the natural traits of Herefords to meet these demands. I have been delighted to see that we, at council, are collectively raising our game and members will need to do likewise if we are to capitalise and succeed in this developing marketplace.

Is there anything you hope to achieve as a council for 2022?

As a member of the beef and breed strategy sub-committees, I am enabling the opening of new doors to introduce Hereford Beef to a highend marketplace that has hitherto been overlooked. This dynamic and hardworking group has much to offer the society in facing the challenges ahead over the coming year and I am determined to bring much-deserved credibility back to the breed.

Council meetings 2022

Tuesday 8 February Tuesday 10 May Tuesday 6 September Tuesday 15 November

Aled Jones

Wales

aledljones@btinternet.com 01686 688266

What do you think the society did well in 2021?

Having completed the sustainability project, it will give us a point of focus to help move the breed forward.

What was the highlight of your year?

As I am being asked at the end of 2021, I am still waiting in anticipation but am not holding out much hope as only a couple of weeks to go.

Is there anything you hope to achieve as council for 2022?

As a council we aim to produce a new beef marketing scheme in early 2022, as well as developing a new breed strategy. This should help improve and develop the Hereford breed.

Jimmy Hodge

Scotland

johodge@btconnect.com 07967 643129

What do you think the society did well in 2021?

2021 has been an extremely challenging year for the society and also for those of us in our first year on council. I believe council has dealt with all the issues throughout 2021 in a very professional manner and taken appropriate advice when it was required.

What was the highlight of your year?

Highlight of my year was our youngest daughter getting married, however the Covid-19 vaccination programme must rate as the greatest highlight of 2021.

Do you think the breed is well placed for the future?

The customer/consumer will determine how Herefords are seen as a breed. So Hereford breeders must demonstrate to their customers that they provide quality beef with flavour and tenderness which has been reared sustainably. I believe Herefords along with other native breeds will have a greater influence on how beef is provided in the future.

Is there anything you hope to achieve as council for 2022?

I would like to see more data being recorded on sires and dams then made available to members currently and with greater emphasis on Herefords used in beef suckler and dairy herds less on the show ring. As a council member it would be helpful to know what society members want council to achieve. If you have a view on something, please let us know.

Allen Massey

North of England Sarah Cowle

Midlands and East Anglia Jonathan Moorhouse

South West

George Harvey

Scotland

george-harveybros@outlook.com 07810 807824

What do you think the society did well in 2021?

I think the society has had challenging times in 2021 as many organisations have had. Gatherings have been limited but the society has engaged with its members well and, when possible, representatives have been seen at events. The staff in Hereford House are a great asset to the society and the members in Scotland find them helpful, willing, cheerful and nothing is ever too much bother.

What was the highlight of your year?

The fact we got to the Highland Show was remarkable. The icing on the cake was winning our class with our Hereford heifer Harveybros 1 Crocus Tiara and with our Limousin bull, Harveys Real McCoy. We also had a very successful farm visit to Balbuthie Farm with over 100 attending the event. The hospitality shown by John and Margaret Cameron and their staff was second to none. It was the first time in a long time the Hereford breeders of Scotland had met up.

Do you think the breed is well placed for the future?

I think there is still a lot of work to be done to bring the profile of the Hereford into the public eye. We have to understand our consumer and what is important to them when buying Scottish-bred Hereford Beef. We have to move with the times and aim to be one step ahead of the requirements.

Is there anything you hope to achieve as council for 2022?

As a council member for Scotland, I hope to be able to lift the profile of the Scottish-bred Hereford and report back to my members the workings of the council in 2022. I would also dearly love to get a beef scheme up and running to help promote Scottish-bred Hereford Beef.

Michael Clark

South of England

mikeclarklowesmoor@btinternet.com 07929 637573

What do you think the society did well in 2021?

The society has had a very busy year with monthly meetings at Hereford when circumstances allowed, or via Zoom which has meant that more time has been spent on individual projects rather than waiting for the next quarterly meeting. Big decisions have been taken with the appointment of Seed Group to carry out the marketing brief along with the sustainability project which will reach its conclusion in the near future.

What was the highlight of your year?

Finally getting to grips with Zoom, with the extra meetings enabling much decision making.

Do you think the breed is well placed for the future?

The breed is well placed for the future with some outstanding cattle available. We need to focus more on the commercial traits of the breed where we need to produce cattle of 350kg deadweight off grass at 20 months.

Is there anything you hope to achieve as council for 2022?

I am a great advocate of cattle recording. It is the very best way to assess cattle for commercial value and enables direct comparison with other breeders.

Non Thorne

Wales

nonthorne@hotmail.com 07890 781323

What do you think the society did well in 2021?

Keeping the momentum going and staying engaged with its current members, as well as attracting new members during a global pandemic.

What was the highlight of your year?

Winning the National Herd of the Year title.

Do you think the breed is well placed for the future?

Absolutely. Native breeds in general when farmed in the right places, at the right density, have a big part to play for sustainable UK agriculture. There will be changes in agriculture over the next few years and those changes should provide a lot of opportunities for those keeping native breeds.

Is there anything you hope to achieve as council for 2022?

To continue to work together for the society, breed and its members.

Vice-president David Smyth

Northern Ireland

m5wds@hotmail.com 07808 078117

What do you think the society did well in 2021?

I think we have finally jelled together after a period of terrible unrest. 2021 was year of firefighting and HR difficulties. Hopefully 2022 will see council pulling together to finally start achieving the results we are there to do.

What was the highlight of your year?

I have taken up the role as president of NIHBA which I consider as an honour, and I am also vice-president of the Hereford Cattle Society for the year 2022. I look forward to fulfilling the role as president in 2023.

Do you think the breed is well placed for the future?

I think the Hereford breed is always well placed, however it is important that careful selection is adhered to. We have too many hobby breeders flooding the market with sub-standard cattle. Keep the best, cull the rest.

Is there anything you hope to achieve as council for 2022?

To further consolidate and put to bed anything that detracts from our core objectives, ie., to create a market leading brand and build on the sustainability project to put Hereford Beef where it belongs.

Mike Shaw

Midlands and East Anglia

thornysure@gmail.com 07968486823

What do you think the society has done well in 2021?

Maintaining our service and increasing members during the difficult Covid times.

What has been the highlight of your year?

Being elected to council was an honour. Being able to attend the National Poll Show and catching up with everyone at the annual dinner were also highlights.

Do you think the breed is well placed for the future?

Yes, I think the quality of animals is out there, but we need to work hard on the commercial schemes for the breed.

Is there anything you hope to achieve as council for 2022?

I would like to see UK Hereford Youth continue to grow as there are some fantastic young people doing great things. I would also like to see the links and communication between members and council improve.

Martin Jenkins

South of England

What do you think the society has done well in 2021?

Firstly, I think the society has adapted well to working remotely together in these times of Covid restrictions with disruption to the membership kept to a minimum and where possible everyone has pulled together to achieve this. We have managed to get projects like the sustainability project well underway showing to the supply chain and the general public that the Hereford breed takes its responsibilities regarding the environment seriously.

What was the highlight of your year?

The highlight this year for myself and Appleridge Herefords was winning the South of England herd competition and going forward to the national competition.

Do you think the breed is well placed for the future?

I feel the Hereford breed will increase in popularity over the coming years given its ability to finish off grass and its superior taste quality and environmental credentials. As long as we keep embracing new technologies as they become available and look to produce the cattle customers require, I think the breed will continue to grow.

Is there anything you hope to achieve as council for 2022?

The last few years have not been easy for the society but hope we are now in a better position to move forward with the breed development for the better of all.