NEW president of the Hereford Cattle Society is Robert Thomas, owner of the Risbury herd, from Risbury Court close to Leominster in Herefordshire.

Robert has been farming at Risbury Court, close to Leominster in Herefordshire since taking over from his father-in-law in 1985. Prior to that he had farmed with his father and brother at Weston Court near Pembridge.

Having enjoyed a life-long involvement with the breed, he worked at The Haven, in Dilwyn, back in the late 1960’s. He also comes from two generations of Hereford cattle enthusiasts, with his grand-father, Jack Thomas, registering his first Hereford calf, Blossom, in 1916 when farming at Home Farm, Norton, Radnorshire.

Jack’s son, Geoff, Robert’s father, continued to breed Herefords first at The Rhyse in Lyonshall, and later with his brother Ivor, at Merryhill. Later, Geoff re-established his herd at Weston Court along with Robert and his brother Philip.

On moving to Risbury Court with his wife Diane and their children, Robert continued breeding Herefords under the Risbury prefix.

More recently he has concentrated on the beef market supplying pure-bred Hereford beef to local butchers on a regular basis.

South West breeder, Jonathan Moorhouse of Cato Herefords, Taunton, Somerset, has been elected vice-president.