Why a Black Hereford? 

Most ranchers breed for black baldies when using Hereford bulls on black hided animals.  The primary benefit of using a Black Hereford Bull versus a Red Hereford bull on black hided cows is that you virtually eliminate red baldies which bring lower sale prices at most auctions.  Many ranchers report that Their Red Hereford bulls will yield up to 40% red baldies.  This breed of Hereford can make ranchers more money at auction by eliminating the less profitable calves.  This was the primary motive behind the breed.

The American Black Hereford Association was established as a non-profit corporation in 1994. The first cattle to qualify for registration were recorded in 1997.  This new breed of cattle has been selected first and foremost for fertility. Bulls were selected for testicular size. Then maternal and calving ease traits were emphasized.  Obviously, to create a new breed of cattle from scratch requires calving heifers and turning generations as quickly as possible. Selections were made for milk, pelvic size and low birth weights.

In 2000, the association installed a customized breed software that tracks herd and breed wide performance data as well as carcass information.  It can generate purebred and composite pedigrees and can project EPDs and record EPD values.

In 2002, Black Hereford became a registered trademark with the US Patent and Trademark Office.

In 2003, Black Herefords recieved international breed designation by the National Association of Animal breeders.

In 2005, the breed developed its own EPD's as a seperate beef brand.

Black Herefords are in short supply, but still reasonably priced to help expand the breed.