Certified Hereford Beef®:
Devoted to Continuous Improvement
for More than 1 ½ Centuries
Key Milestones Over the Decades
Certified Hereford Beef® is not a new breed—or a new brand. It’s a very special heritage breed that’s been raised here in the United States for more than a century and a half.
Over the decades, U.S. Hereford ranchers have relied upon science and data to continuously improve breeding and raising practices.
1817
Hereford cattle are brought to the United States from England.
1960
10 million head of Hereford cattle are registered with the American Hereford Association.
1995
The Certified Hereford Beef brand is established.
1999
The National Reference Sire Program is established to improve genetic quality.
2013
A Hereford bull brings $600,000 at auction.
2017
US-MARC feed intake comparison finds that Hereford cattle consume 2 pounds less feed per day than average.
2024–2025
The Certified Hereford Beef brand has grown to include 8,500 U.S. family ranches.
All of these bold, innovative actions have preserved the quality and integrity of Certified Hereford Beef over the decades.