Hereford premiums exceed £4 million

The remarkable growth in demand for Hereford beef has continued through 2015 with the latest report from the breed society showing an increase of 14% in throughput in the branded Hereford schemes in the last year.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Feb 2016, 09:26 BST
Updated 26th Feb 2016, 11:34 BST
Hereford sired calves out of dairy cows arrive at Brownlee Farms aged 12 weeks weighing around 120kg. This batch on the farm from early summer 2015 had a DWLG of 1.2kg on 2.5kg meal by mid September. Photograph: Columba O'HareHereford sired calves out of dairy cows arrive at Brownlee Farms aged 12 weeks weighing around 120kg. This batch on the farm from early summer 2015 had a DWLG of 1.2kg on 2.5kg meal by mid September. Photograph: Columba O'Hare
Hereford sired calves out of dairy cows arrive at Brownlee Farms aged 12 weeks weighing around 120kg. This batch on the farm from early summer 2015 had a DWLG of 1.2kg on 2.5kg meal by mid September. Photograph: Columba O'Hare

“We now have an average kill of over 800 cattle per week through the various processor partnerships throughout the UK,” according to Robin Irvine, who sits on the breed’s ruling council.

“This is worth over £4 million per year in terms of the extra premiums paid to Hereford beef producers and has been reflected in the prices paid for whitehead calves and store cattle.

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“Today’s consumer is much better educated about beef quality and they are prepared to pay for the succulence, flavour and consistency of the Hereford product.

“Demand for Hereford bulls has also increased in line with this demand and local breeders have responded by producing more young sires suitable for use in the province’s beef and dairy herds.

“We have an excellent entry of 27 bulls for the Elite Breeders Sale in Dungannon on Monday and we have had considerable interest from dairy farmers keen to cash in on the demand for Hereford cross calves,” Mr Irvine added.

Entries will be paraded from 11.30am with the sale at 1pm.

Related topics:Hereford