Established in 1997, Irish Hereford Prime is Europe’s largest and oldest Hereford producer group with members all across Ireland. Members receive a bonus for stock that meets Irish Hereford Prime’s strict certification requirements.

Sourcing new Hereford sires and sharing the latest research findings are also among the many other practical benefits of membership.

Irish Hereford Prime is distributed to restaurants and hotels by Sysco Ireland and is available as part of the SuperValu Signature Tastes and Centra Inspired By ranges.

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Farmer of the year

Every year, a farmer is awarded the Irish Hereford Prime farmer of the year accolade, for their outstanding contribution to the programme.

For 2025, Edward Delahunty who farms with his father Martin in Freshford, Co Kilkenny, has been awarded the title. A long-term Irish Hereford Prime beef producer and a strong advocate for the commercial benefits of the Hereford breed, Edward is married to Lucy, and has three children: son Conor and daughters Olivia and Eve.

Originally a winter milk herd with 100 cows on the platform, this spring will see the herd become a full spring-calving herd

Operating a successful contracting business with a mix of dairy, tillage and beef, means the Delahuntys rely on their strong team of staff and family to function efficiently and effectively.

Originally a winter milk herd with 100 cows on the platform, this spring will see the herd become a full spring-calving herd.

The cows are 70% Holstein and 30% Friesian type, achieving 6,500 litres on average, with 520kg milk solids.

Sire selection

In terms of sire selection, the Delahuntys buy in all their replacement heifers which in turn allows them to run three Hereford stock bulls on their farm, rotating one bull at every milking and running one with replacement heifers.

When Edward goes to purchase a new Hereford stock bull, he says that he looks at the animal first and foremost, but also looks at its Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) Eurostar indexes.

They also buy in 30 Hereford-cross calves annually, both male and female from neighbouring farmers

Overseeing a considerable contracting business and running their own tillage enterprise, the Delahuntys use 100% stock bulls on their farm due to the busy spring they tend to encounter every year.

They also buy in 30 Hereford-cross calves annually, both male and female from neighbouring farmers, which are brought through to finish.

Why Hereford?

Edward uses a Hereford bull over other traditional breeds as he believes they are about 10% heavier at finish when reared through his system.

His opinion on the Hereford breed is extremely positive and believes there will be more Herefords born in Ireland in the coming years.

“They are a very docile breed, my father Martin is getting older, but he is still out around the farm, so for us having bulls that are easy to handle is important,” Edward said.

“They are also very saleable cattle, which is combined with ease of calving and excellent calf vigour, a great ability to suck soon after they are born.”

The Delahuntys have been loyal suppliers to Irish Hereford Prime over the years, with a huge affinity to the Hereford breed and its positive attributes. Looking ahead, Edward has a very positive outlook on farming with the current demand for protein, both in a beef and a dairy context.

“Profitability in farming is more positive now than ever and it is in fact regulations that are the biggest barrier for young people starting out,” he said.