16/04/2026
THBC 2026 census highlights at-risk cow family lines
📲 For more census background and numbers, read the full article on the THBC website: https://www.traditionalherefords.org/post/thbc-2026-census
A 2026 census conducted by the Traditional Hereford Breeders' Club (THBC) has recorded a 6% decline to 1,230 pedigree registered Traditional Hereford breeding females, though tracking slightly better than the national cattle herd decline of 9% in the same period. There were 327 Traditional Hereford calves registered in this census year, which included a positive 2% increase in female calf registrations.
Further research revealved that 695 of the 1,230 breeding females were residing in herds actively registering pedigree calves with the Breed Society, making up roughly half of the total UK female population, with a further 378 in non-registering commercial herds, and the remaining 157 females alive but currently residing in herds of unknown, non-registering ownership.
Several rare female lines, such as the Maria, Lively, Pearl, and Daisy families, have fallen to single digits, prompting the THBC to set its latest goal to increase these lines into double digits for genetic preservation.
Club members are working hard to trace these cattle and build relationships with owners, to encourage the breeding and registration of more pedigree Traditional Hereford calves to preserve and populate these rare female lines. Efforts include embryo collection projects and securing funding support, as well as disseminating this information to members to encourage responsible breeding and the importance of pedigree calf registrations.
