J.B. Greaves, manager of the Douglas Lake Cattle Co., imported the Hereford cow “Frances” in a shipment from England in 1888. Frances was purchased by J Guichon, father of L.P., J.F., and J.A., Guichon, and from her the Guichons’ developed a large herd of purebred Herefords. A bull calf from this cow was sold in 1892 to T. Kirkland of Ladner and was later awarded the grand champion ribbon at the New Westminster Fair.
On July 1, 1920 the Hereford and Shorthorn breeders of B.C. met in Kamloops, under the auspices of the B.C. Stock Breeders Association, a forerunner of the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association. The purpose of this organizational meeting was to form independent associations for the two breeds and so a motion was made at that meeting to form the British Columbia Hereford Breeders Association.
One of the purposes of forming an association was to have an alliance with the Canadian Hereford Breeders, to help keep breeders posted with information regarding buyers and sellers of purebred cattle. Local organizations would look to the advancement of community herds by improving the breeding stock available to the ranchers, thus helping to improve the stock and attract more buyers to the area.
On June 8, 1921 another meeting was held and F.B. Ward of Douglas Lake Cattle Co. was in the chair. Ward was first elected president in 1920 and held that position for several more years. Geo Hay of Kamloops was the first secretary.
L. P. Guichon of Guichon Ranch at Merritt was among the first Directors of the BC Hereford Association.
Both Ward and Guichon were interested in improving their own herds as well as supplying seedstock for other ranchers. These pioneer ranchers who first formed our association were progressive and looked toward the future of the breed.
The Hereford breed is still the backbone of the beef industry in British Columbia and our association today boasts some of the most forward thinking and progressive breeders of the purebred industry. We have some 170 members across BC who invite you to visit them to discuss your needs and the benefits of having Hereford genetics in your herd. We are proud of the place Herefords have taken in the beef industry in Canada and we look forward to working with our commercial customers to improve their product.
We invite you to explore our website, to join us at one of our functions or visit a breeder near you. See what the Hereford can do for you and how you can become a member of an established association whose function is to promote Herefords and produce better cattle for the beef industry.
If you have any questions about the British Columbia Hereford Association please contact us by email at keithmiller@telus.net , or by phone (604)795-4363. Our mailing address is 46159 Sycamore Place, Chilliwack, BC V2P 5C5
