Magnificent Beeves: Hereford Cattle Quiz

Answer: Red and white

The typical Hereford cow has a red coat, with white patches on its chest and belly, and a white head. Some also have white patches on their backs.

Answer: Bob

Opinion was divided as to whether 'Bob' was an attraction or an eyesore! 'Bob' is actually an acronym for 'bull on building'. He was taken down when the American Hereford Association moved its headquarters, but was later reinstated across the I-35 highway.

Answer: Henry Clay

The first Hereford cattle were imported circa 1817 by the politician Henry Clay, who introduced a young bull, a cow and a heifer to his farm in Kentucky. They were bred with shorthorn cattle to prevent inbreeding. As the popularity of the cattle caught on, William H Sotham later imported a herd of breeding cattle to New York, and the Texas rancher William Ikard and his brother imported several animals from Britain, some of which were from the royal herd.

Answer: Eye cancer

Eye cancer is most common in Hereford cattle, though it rarely occurs in other cattle breeds. It is thought to be hereditary. Cattle with a lack of pigment in their eyes are particularly vulnerable. The most common site for a tumour on the eye is the third eyelid. Advanced eye cancer means the cow or bull instantly being sent to slaughter.

Another hereditary problem common in Hereford cows is vaginal prolapse, which can cause problems during calving.

Answer: Polled Hereford

A polled animal is basically a member of a horned animal species which does not have horns. In the case of the Polled Hereford, it's a genetic mutation that was bred into the animal as a result of selective breeding. Some farmers prefer polled cattle as they pose less of a threat to humans, or each other. Warren Gammon, a rancher from Iowa, started a registry for polled Hereford cattle.

Answer: Docile and pleasant

According to the website 'That's Farming!', the Hereford cow's temperament makes it an ideal breed for many farmers who work alone, and makes milking easier. It also makes herds of Herefords easier to manage.

Answer: True

Hereford cows aren't just bred in North America or Europe; they can also be found in Asian countries such as Israel, Japan and Kazakhstan, in South American countries such as Argentina and Uruguay, and southern African countries such as South Africa and Namibia, both of which have Hereford cattle associations. Because of genetic variations, it is an adaptable breed and can be bred in many different countries and climates.

Answer: Conservation grazing

Conservation grazing involves using domesticated or semi-feral livestock to maintain and/or increase biodiversity in areas such as grasslands, wetlands or heathlands, although care must be taken to ensure the animals don't overgraze the area. By eating dominant plants, they help rarer ones to flourish, and by consuming nutrients from the earth such as nitrogen and phosphorus, they help plants which require low-nutrient conditions to thrive. According to the Worcester Wildlife Trust, the long, rough tongues of the cattle make it easier for them to uproot coarser grasses, leaving space for wildflowers to grow.

Their dung is also important as a fertiliser.

Answer: True

'Marbling' is when intramuscular fat is distributed throughout the lean meat, giving it a marble-like effect, which makes the beef extra juicy and tender when cooked. In the case of the Hereford cattle, it has a high quantity of intramuscular fat. Other cattle breeds which produce highly marbled meat include the Aberdeen Angus, the Australian Murray Grey and any of the Japanese wagyu breeds.

Answer: Black Baldy

The breed usually chosen to create the Black Baldy is the Aberdeen Angus, which is naturally solid black or red. Angus bulls are also sometimes crossed with Hereford heifers to create smaller calves and prevent obstructed labour from occurring. Its black skin also comes in handy in hot climates, as it reduces the possibility of sunburn on bare skin.

A similar crossbreed exists in the UK called the Black Hereford, which is the result of crossing Herefords with Friesians (not to be confused with the Black Hereford colour variant).