Irish Hereford Breed Society

What Irish Hereford Breed Society does

The Irish Hereford Breed Society (IHBS) is a recognised breed society headquartered in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Ireland, serving approximately 800 members across six regional branches covering all four provinces of Ireland. It is approved by the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine to maintain the official breeding programme for Hereford cattle in Ireland under Regulation (EU) 2016/1012, making it the sole authorised pedigree registry for the breed domestically. The society processes more than 5,000 pedigree registrations annually and provides pedigree registration documentation, a Breed Improvement Scheme with Semen Directory marketplace, genomic testing through its partnership with the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF), Eurostar genetic evaluations, and a structured Next Gen youth development programme.

The society's operational technology is centred on a national data recording programme that integrates with ICBF's HerdPlus service for genomic hair test kit ordering and Eurostar result delivery. Distribution occurs through three auction venues (GVM Tullamore, GVM Kilmallock, Central Auctions Nenagh), an online Adverts platform for breeder-to-buyer listings, and the Semen Directory marketplace for AI straw purchases sourced through four AI station partners (Dovea Genetics, Progressive Genetics, Munster Bovine, Eurogene).

Revenue is generated across five streams: annual membership fees, pedigree registration fees (€45 via direct debit, €50 via cheque/cash/card, with €5/week late penalties after 30 days), show and sale entry fees at the three mart venues, semen sales through the Breed Improvement Scheme, and advertising on the Adverts platform. The society is a private limited company under Irish law with no external investment, no parent entity, and no subsidiaries, governed by an 11-person elected Council with a one-year rotating Presidency.

Name

Irish Hereford Breed Society

Legal name

Irish Hereford Breed Society Ltd.

Website

https://irishhereford.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Irish Hereford Breed Society (IHBS) is the sole recognised Hereford cattle breed society in Ireland, headquartered in Mullingar, serving 800+ members across six regional branches and processing 5,000+ pedigree registrations annually through its EU-approved breeding programme and ICBF partnership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Livestock Breed Society

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro primary industry

Breed Registry, Pedigree & Performance Recording Services (AFAEAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Genetic Trait Selection (e.g., polled, disease resistance) Services (AFAEAJAJ)

Keywords

• Cattle breed society
• Pedigree registration services
• Livestock genetic improvement
• Beef cattle breeding
• Agricultural membership organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Mullingar

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees providing access to society services, breed improvement scheme, and participation in shows and sales
2. Pedigree Registration Fees: Registration fees for calves: €45 via direct debit or €50 via cheque/cash/card. Late fees of €5 per week for notifications not made within 30 days of birth
3. Show and Sale Entry Fees: Fees for entering animals in society-hosted shows and sales across multiple venues including GVM Tullamore, GVM Kilmallock, and Central Auctions Nenagh
4. Semen Sales: Sale of Hereford bull semen through the Breed Improvement Scheme marketplace
5. Advertising Services: Platform enabling breeders to list cattle for sale to targeted Hereford community buyers nationwide

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Irish Hereford Breed Society is the official registry and breed society for pedigree Hereford cattle in Ireland, providing pedigree registration, an EU-approved breeding programme, a Semen Marketplace (Breed Improvement Scheme), member services through six regional branches, national shows and sales, and a youth development programme (Next Gen Herefords). It is a recognised breed society by the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine under Regulation (EU) 2016/1012.

Product overview

The Irish Hereford Breed Society operates as a breed society offering a comprehensive suite of services for Hereford cattle breeders in Ireland. The core offerings include membership services with pedigree registration, an official breeding programme approved under EU Regulation 2016/1012, and breed improvement through the Semen Marketplace. Additional services encompass the Next Gen Herefords youth programme, an Adverts Platform for cattle sales, Member Finder directory, Shows and Sales event calendar, and the Members Portal for exclusive member access. The society also organizes the European Hereford Conference 2026 for international engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Next Gen Herefords: Youth club program for young Hereford breeders providing resources, events, and interactive content.
• IHBS

Products and services

• IHBS Membership Annual membership in the Irish Hereford Breed Society providing access to pedigree registration, breed improvement scheme, members portal, regional branch events, shows and sales, and society publications.
• Pedigree Registration Service Registration of pedigree Hereford calves through the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF). Pricing is €45 via direct debit or €50 via cheque/cash/card, with €5 per week late fees after 30 days from birth. Processes 5,000+ registrations annually.
• Breed Improvement Scheme / Semen Marketplace Online semen directory and marketplace offering top-quality semen from premier Hereford bulls (both horned and polled AI sires). Members can browse, compare, and purchase genetics to elevate herd quality, with semen supplied via partner AI stations (Dovea Genetics, Progressive Genetics, Munster Bovine, Eurogene).
• Hereford Shows and Sales Calendar and management of national and regional Hereford shows and sales including the Premier Spring and Autumn Bull Sales, Heifer Sales, National Hereford Show, National Hereford Calf Show, and regional shows held at GVM Tullamore, GVM Kilmallock, and Central Auctions Nenagh. Includes entry fees and participation for members.
• IHBS Adverts Platform Self-serve online advertising platform enabling Hereford breeders to list bulls and cattle for sale to a targeted community of Irish Hereford buyers nationwide.
• Official Breeding Programme EU-approved breeding programme for Hereford cattle in Ireland, maintained in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/1012 and approved by the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine. Available as a downloadable PDF document.
• European Hereford Conference 2026 International conference hosting Hereford breeders from across the world, featuring educational sessions, competitions, and networking opportunities, hosted by the Irish Hereford Breed Society.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5000+ pedigree registrations annually
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ICBF (Irish Cattle Breeding Federation)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for genomic testing, data recording, and Eurostar genetic evaluations. All pedigree Hereford cattle registrations are processed through ICBF. Their HerdPlus service handles genomic test kit ordering and results.
• GVM Tullamore MartcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue for Premier Hereford Spring and Autumn sales, National Hereford Show, and National Calf Show. Central auction location for society sales.
• GVM Kilmallock MartcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue for Hereford bull show and sales serving the Munster region.
• Central Auctions NenaghcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue for Hereford bull show and sales serving the Mid-West region.
• Dovea GeneticsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAI station providing access to Hereford bull semen for breeding programmes.
• Progressive GeneticsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAI station providing access to Hereford bull semen for breeding programmes.
• Munster BovineminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAI station providing access to Hereford bull semen for breeding programmes.
• EurogeneminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAI station providing access to Hereford bull semen for breeding programmes.
• Irish Hereford PrimecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPrimary sponsor of the society providing €10,000 in travel bursary funding for youth competition teams representing Ireland internationally. Sponsors shows, sales, and Next Gen events.
• KepakminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeef processor partner hosting farm tours and stock judging for bursary candidates as part of the competition programme.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Others

• Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF): Core infrastructure partner that processes all IHBS pedigree registrations, genomic testing and Eurostar evaluations; not a peer in the registry sense but the indispensable data services provider behind IHBS operations.

Direct peers

• Irish Limousin Cattle Society: Irish national breed society for Limousin cattle providing equivalent pedigree, registration, show and breed improvement services to IHBS, competing for the same beef breeder member base.
• Hereford Cattle Society (UK): UK equivalent national Hereford breed society; operates the same registry, breeding programme, shows and youth engagement model as IHBS but serves the British Hereford population under a different national jurisdiction.
• Irish Angus Cattle Society: Irish national breed society for Aberdeen Angus cattle; operates the same registry, pedigree registration, show circuit and member services model as IHBS but for the competing Angus breed.
• Irish Simmental Cattle Society: Irish national Simmental breed society offering comparable registry, membership, AI sire and show/sale services to the IHBS within the same Irish pedigree cattle market.
• Irish Charolais Cattle Society: Irish national breed society for Charolais cattle; offers parallel pedigree registration, breed improvement and show/sale infrastructure to IHBS for a competing continental beef breed.

Broad incumbents

• American Hereford Association: Largest national Hereford registry in the world, providing pedigree registration, genetic evaluation (Herdbook) and member services; broader portfolio and scale than the IHBS but operates the same breed-registry business model.

Regional players

• Canadian Hereford Association: Canadian national Hereford breed registry providing the same pedigree, breeding programme and member services as the IHBS, but operating exclusively in Canada rather than competing in Ireland.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/irishherefordprime
• Xx.com/IrishHereford

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Irish Hereford Breed Society