After an active year as vice-president, Mark Roberts of the Bromley herd has been elected as president of the Hereford Cattle Society.

Running his own successful mixed farming business, Mark has lived at Bromley Court, Hoarwithy, Herefordshire all his life after returning from studying for a degree in economics and agricultural economics in 1981.

His connection with the breed started when his father had kept a herd of 80 British Polled Herefords – developed from a one-off outcross with a Galloway in the 1950s, which were very sought after for suckler and dairy herds in the 1970s but failed to get international recognition. Growing up with these cattle led him to an admiration for large herds of hardy, unpampered, naturally athletic and dark coated cattle. These are still the type Mark likes and has tried to breed since restarting a polled herd in 2005. In 2005 he re-introduced pedigree Herefords.

Mark has sat on council since 2015 and has been chairman of the local area association for the last two years.

“I am proud of what has been achieved by others in the breed over the last 10 years. Breeders have developed a type of cattle which are commercially viable, strong and competitive," said Mark.

“The council has faced up to, and is addressing the need to, promote our breed and its qualities to increase market share and premium value. I am excited to be involved in this modernised approach that our breed secretary and council are shaping and to help to strengthen the Society moving forward.

“I don’t see myself as a top breeder but will try to use my position and opportunity to explain the council’s aims and decisions as I travel and meet breeders through this year”.