I’m delighted to introduce myself as the new Marketing Manager for the Hereford Cattle Society. I stepped into the role at the start of 2026 after more than a decade working in agricultural marketing, professional bodies and the wider livestock sector.

My career has taken me through a variety of marketing and communications roles across agriculture, including positions at AgriBriefing, Genus ABS and, most recently, The Institute for Agriculture & Horticulture (TIAH), where I led strategic campaigns, digital projects and industry event activity. I’ve also worked as a freelance marketing consultant, supporting organisations across the agricultural and livestock sectors with content, campaigns and digital strategy. I hold professional marketing qualifications from both the Chartered Institute of Marketing and the Digital Marketing Institute, reflecting my commitment to keeping my skills current and delivering best-practice, results-focused marketing.

I live in Cheshire with my long-suffering husband, two dogs and a rather opinionated cat. When I’m not working, you’ll most likely find me with a book in hand (anything from crime fiction to business titles), out on a countryside walk, at a rural show or visiting farms. I also love playing board games with friends and discovering new places to eat local, seasonal food – a farm shop loves to see me coming!

I genuinely love all things marketing – from shaping strategy and brand positioning to crafting social media content, email campaigns and stories that resonate with real farming life. I’m a passionate champion of British farming and have a deep admiration for the resilience, innovation and care shown by farmers and breeders across the country, particularly those investing in the Hereford breed.

A big part of my role is to listen, collaborate and make sure our marketing reflects the breadth and depth of our membership. We invite members to contribute ideas for future marketing initiatives – any suggestions or insights are welcome and can be submitted using the marketing ideas form. These ideas will be reviewed regularly for potential development into campaigns or projects.

I’m particularly keen to hear real farm stories – from commercial wins, show successes and breeding breakthroughs to the day-to-day realities of running a herd. I believe the most powerful way to showcase the benefits of the Hereford breed is through the voices of the farmers who work with them, sharing their first-hand, authentic experiences. I’m looking for contributions from every kind of system – from small pedigree herds to large commercial enterprises, beef-from-dairy and everything in between – so we can reflect the full breadth of how Herefords are working on farms up and down the country. Tell me about your farm story here!

To kick things off, I’ll be hosting a 30-minute webinar on our marketing strategy on 10 March at 7pm, where I’ll share more about our plans and how members can get involved. Register to attend here. 

In the meantime, I’d love to hear from you – whether you have feedback, ideas, or a story to tell –  please feel free to get in touch at marketing@herefordcattle.org or by using one of the forms above.

As we begin 2026, I am pleased to welcome members and supporters to the first edition of Hereford Happenings for the year, and to the first produced in this new style. This format marks a step forward in how we communicate, share updates, and keep members informed about what is happening across the Hereford world. It is intended to be clearer, more accessible, and more relevant, and I look forward to continuing this approach throughout the year with your ongoing feedback.  

The year has started with real momentum. Activity began early, and one of the first highlights was a visit to the Stirling show and Sale in late January. It was extremely encouraging to see a strong turnout, particularly in a region that has traditionally been strong Angus and Shorthorn territory. The standard of cattle on show was excellent, and the overall quality and presentation reflected very positively on the breed. My thanks go to all exhibitors and to everyone involved in making the event such a success.  

February then saw another important milestone with our first February sale for a number of years. I was delighted with the level of support shown, including both males and females. We saw some very encouraging trade, with females reaching five-figure prices and males selling strongly up to £8,500. A big thank you also goes to Halls for hosting and managing the sale so effectively, and congratulations to everyone who entered and sold stock.  

Looking ahead, Hereford Happenings itself will be emailed six times a year, on an every-other-month basis. The aim is to provide regular, meaningful updates on what is happening across the society and the wider Hereford community. This publication is very much a two-way conversation, and we welcome feedback, ideas, and contributions as we continue to refine and improve how we share information.  

One of the most significant developments to report is in the area of DNA testing. I am very pleased to confirm that we have signed a new three-year agreement with Weatherbys. This brings a major benefit for members, as the cost of DNA testing has been significantly reduced due to advancements in testing technology. All six of our genetic conditions are now included on a single chip, meaning only one sample is required for genomics, parentage verification, and genetic condition testing.  

Learn more about Test Types here

The six conditions covered are delayed blindness (DB), mandibulofacial dysostosis (MD), hypertrichosis (HY), diluter (DL), idiopathic epilepsy (IE), maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), and the Poll gene (Poll). The base cost for DNA testing, including parentage, is now £30, with individual conditions available at £7 each. This makes comprehensive testing far more accessible and should help support informed breeding decisions across the membership. We anticipate further efficiencies as new systems are introduced later in the year.  

In support of this, we are currently exploring new software systems designed to improve how data is entered, managed, and accessed. The goal is to make recording and reporting quicker, easier, and more accurate, while allowing better integration with existing farm management systems and electronic recording equipment. This system is being tested now, with the intention of a wider rollout later in the summer of 2026. It will also streamline registrations, transfers, DNA results, and billing processes, helping reduce costs and improve service for members.  

Finally, I am delighted to welcome Jemma Naish, who joins us as our new Marketing Manager. Jemma will lead a refreshed approach to how we promote the breed, with a strong focus on reaching commercial farmers through a wider range of platforms and formats. The aim is to better communicate the benefits of Hereford genetics and to strengthen connections across the wider Hereford family to commercial breeders.  To kick things off, Jemma and I will be hosting a 30-minute webinar on our marketing strategy on 10 March at 7pm, where she’ll share more about our plans and how members can get involved. Register to attend here. 

As always, the team is here to help. Please do get in touch with any questions, ideas, or event opportunities, you can email us at hello@herefordcattle.org

I look forward to catching up with many of you at shows and sales over the coming months. 

Seth.

As part of the programme, the Society is planning a series of exclusive pre- and post-conference tours to give delegates the opportunity to experience UK Hereford herds, farming systems and rural life first-hand. Pre-conference tours are scheduled for 5–10 June 2028, with post-conference tours planned for 19–24 June 2028.​

Expressions of interest now open

The Society is now inviting expressions of interest from members, farms, estates and rural businesses who may be interested in hosting a visit as part of these tours. At this stage, organisers are simply looking to understand the range of potential hosts and visit ideas, with no commitment required from those submitting the form.​

We are keen to hear from all types of farms and businesses with stories to share — from long-established pedigree herds to progressive commercial systems, new entrants and family-run farms, or those that have taken a unique or innovative approach to breeding and management. Historical locations are also very welcome, including sites with heritage buildings, landmarks or even stately homes that help tell the wider story of British agriculture and rural life.

These visits will celebrate the diversity of the UK’s Hereford cattle, farming heritage, local culture and rural excellence, offering delegates a genuine insight into the people and places behind the breed.

How to get involved

Those interested in being considered as a potential host are invited to complete a short online Expression of Interest form here. 

If you would like to express your interest but would prefer not to complete the online form, please contact the Society office on  01432 272057 and a member of the team will be happy to take your details over the phone or by email.

Submissions are open until 31 March 2026, after which the Society will begin mapping out routes, themes and logistics for the pre- and post-conference tour programme.

For any questions about hosting or the tour plans, please contact the Society office at whc28@herefordcattle.org.