Hereford Cattle Boot

Description

Champion Hereford Steer (King Max) raised and shown by Jacqueline Bowen of Prosperity Acres.

The National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) is one of the largest, strongest and most active junior cattle programs in the country. Over the years, members of this association have gone on to earn international and domestic respect as models for youth organizational success.

The NJHA, through its extensive educational programs, continues to lay the foundation for the beef industry’s future leaders. The traditions of the past coupled with the energy of today’s board of directors have created a progressive approach to further develop a meaningful and educational association focus.

Until the 18th century, the cattle of the Herefordshire area were similar to other cattle of southern England, being wholly red with a white switch, similar to the modern North Devon and Sussex breeds. During the 18th and early 19th centuries, other cattle (mainly Shorthorns) were used to create a new type of draught and beef cattle which at first varied in color, different herds ranging from yellow to grey and light brown, and with varying amounts of white. However, by the end of the 18th century the white face characteristic of the modern breed was well established, and the modern color was estabilised during the 19th century.

The Hereford is still seen in the Herefordshire countryside today and featured prominently at agricultural shows.  The first imports of Herefords to the United States were around 1816 by the politician Henry Clay, with larger importation of the breed beginning in the 1840s.