Forms, Documents & FAQ's

All calves must be Genomic tested as soon as possible to obtain a certificate. This can be carried out by contacting ICBF on 023 8820452 or via HerdPlus and requesting a hair sample kit.

Please note: Certificates will NOT be issued for calves until the Genomic test has been completed & correct results have been returned including the Polled results.

Genomic tests generally take 4-6 weeks for results to be returned & cost €22 (fee to be paid to ICBF when ordering).

Alternatively, breeders can sign upto the National Genotyping Scheme and use the calf tags to genotype calves from birth. More information here: CLICK HERE.

For any other queries please contact the Irish Hereford Breed Society at irishhereford@gmail.com.

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Once the animal has been named with ICBF, the IHBS will pick up the registration and issue an invoice for the registration during the following calendar month.

The Fee for registration is €45 – paid via Direct Debit or €50 if paid by cheque, cash or card payment can be made over the phone.

All calves must be notified within 30 days of birth or there will be late fees incurred at a rate of €5 per week overdue on top of the €45/€50 fee.

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Pedigree Hereford genetic evaluations are publicised on the ICBF website via the Animal Search engine - https://webapp.icbf.com/v2/app/bull-search/

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There are several benefits in joining the National Genotyping Scheme including:Labour saving: Farmers signed up to NGP will have exclusive access to Double Tissue Tags. By sampling animals at birth, farmers don’t have to wait for button tags or hair-cards for SCEP or Pedigree Societies and then round up and bring in animals for sampling at a later stage. It is also much safer and easier to tag and sample newborn animals than more mature animals.

Cost: Herds accepted into the National Genotyping Programme will genotype any remaining ungenotyped breeding stock FREE. From 2024 to 2027 (inclusive), farmers will be required to genotype ALL calves born at a reduced cost of approximately €6. (This is an estimate and includes the farmer’s contribution of €4 towards genotyping, plus the additional cost associated with a double tissue tag and postage cost.). Herds participating in SCEP will only incur the €6/calf cost of those calves not counted towards their annual 70% SCEP genotyping requirement.

Parent verification: Parentage errors (which currently sit at an average of 15% nationally) lead to incorrect Eurostar figures and create paperwork to correct once the animal is already registered. Genotyping at birth will confirm parentage & correct any errors prior to registration.

Genomic Eurostar figures: Animals sampled at birth will receive genomic evaluations at the earliest possible opportunity, increasing the reliability of their Eurostar figures well before they are selected/sold for breeding and confirming their eligibility for SCEP.

Commercial Beef Value (CBV): Genotyped weanlings and store cattle that are being traded through marts will have their CBV displayed on mart screens.

Genomic Hair test kitscan be ordered by contacting ICBF on 023 8820452 or via HerdPlus and requesting a hair sample kit.

Genomic tests generally take 4-6 weeks for results to be returned & cost €22 (fee to be paid to ICBF when ordering).

Please note: Certificates will NOT be issued for calves until the Genomic test has been completed & correct results have been returned including the Polled results.

Alternatively, breeders can sign upto the National Genotyping Scheme and use the calf tags to genotype calves from birth. More information here: https://www.icbf.com/national-genotyping-programme/

The Society host several sales throughout the Spring and Autumn in GVM Tullamore, GVM Kilmallock and Central Auctions Nenagh. There are always a variety of Hereford bulls for sale throught these auctions with different strengths and traits depending on what the purchaser requires. The Purchaser needs to decide what traits they require within their herd and this will determine what bull is best suited to their herd. There are always bulls advertised for sale nationwide on Donedeal. Enquiries can also be made to the Irish Hereford Breed Society office.

There are severeal AI sires available - both horned and polled - through the Breed Improvement Scheme. There are also a range of AI sires available through AI stations nationwide including Dovea Genetics, Progressive Genetics, Munster Bovine and Eurogene

Each new member must fully complete the New Membership form and return it to the Irish Hereford Office.For more information on becoming a member please visit the Become a Member page.

In order to register Pedigree Hereford calves – all breeders MUST be registered with ICBF.

Initial Calf Registration:

Both Male & Female calves need to be registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food & Marine either by using the Animal Events Book or HerdPlus since 1st January 2004.

If using the Animal Events Book; Complete & Remove the top white copy of this book & return to; National Calf Registration Services/Animal Events Agency, PO Box 72, Clonakilty, FREEPOST, Co. Cork.

• Up to ten calves can be registered on each sheet – only fill in 1 line for each calf.
• Please insert the first seven digits of the yellow tag in the top centre of each new page in the Animal Events Book
• For ET calves two lines are required. Please fill in the recipient’s tag number and breed code on the same line as the calf’s details, and on the next line please just fill in the donor dam’s tag number and breed code.
• When you enter a sire for a calf, please use either his; A.I Code / Herd Book Number or / NID (yellow tag)
  (Please do not enter the bull’s name as the sire for the calf)
• The breed of sire should always be filled in even if it is an AI sire
• Be careful not to put an entry in the “Dead” column unless your calf is actually dead; “1” = abortion and “2” = dead at birth
• You do NOT have to fill in a white card for any calf notified to the AIMS office using the Animal Events Book
• The Yellow copy of the Animal Events book is retained in the book for your own records.

Society sales take place in GVM Tullamore, GVM Kilmallock and Central Auctions each Spring and Autumn. Dates and detail are available in the Shows & Sales page on this site.

All members are permitted to enter Society hosted shows and sales.

Please order and purchase through the Breed Improvement Scheme page on this website. Please note orders can take upto six weeks to fulfill from the time the order is processed in the office