The Hereford cow is the backbone of the commercial beef industry in BC. In almost any commercial herd across BC, you will see the Hereford Influence. Look for the white faced cow. Whether she be black, red, buckskin or brown, the white face signifies she came from a Hereford. The Hereford breeders across BC are proud of their role in keeping beef on the consumer tables. Many of the major ranches in BC consider the Hereford to be one of the main cogs in the breeding wheel. Some use a Hereford cow base and breed those to Black Angus bulls, selling the steer calves and keeping the cross bred Hereford/Angus females. These good black baldy heifers are then bred a Hereford or Charolais, with the resulting Hereford/ Angus females sold as replacements or retained for breeding and the Charoials considered a terminal cross. Some ranches use Rad Angus or another breed, but in all cases the operator tries to keep a sound Hereford base from which to have continuity in the herd.
The main reason for a BC Rancher to maintain a Hereford cowherd base is docility, mothering ability and the ability for a Hereford cow to rebreed on less than ideal range conditions, a factor on many of the ranges in BC.
The Hereford cow will find her way home from the high country and bring her calf with her. Most cowboys would prefer to handle a Hereford cow on the range because of ease of handling.
For more ideas on a breeding program that could suit you contact a Hereford breeder near you.
