The Irish Hereford Breed Society (IHBS) has announced that Nigel Heatrick from Glaslough Herefords in Co. Monaghan, has taken on the mantle as the cattle breed society president.

The Monaghan-based pedigree Hereford breeder and dairy farmer stepped into the role on July 1, replacing the outgoing president, Darren O'Rourke from Co. Limerick who had successfully completed his term.

Heatrick president is currently serving his first term on the Irish Hereford Breed Society Council.

A statement from the cattle breed society said: "Nigel’s passion for the Hereford breed was instilled in him from a young age.

"Nigel’s father Sam showed Herefords at both the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) and the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) before Nigel got involved, and ever since, Nigel has had a lifelong involvement with showing cattle, supporting the Hereford breed and attending all of the society sales."

The new society president also previously served on the board of Irish Hereford Prime for a number of years.

The Glaslough Herd owned by Nigil Heatrick is well known and respected in Hereford pedigree breeding circles and has enjoyed many great successes over the years.

In 2007, the bull Glaslough Esquire was purchased by the Irish Hereford Breed Society for artificial insemination (AI) use through its Breed Improvement Scheme.

More recently, the herd won the Ulster Bull of the Year in 2024 at Arva Show, with his September 2023 born bull, Glaslough Buster HH.

Buster went on to sell as a stock bull to the Dunlever Herd of Michael Bird in Co. Meath.

The Glaslough Herd now consists of 30 breeding females that Nigel keeps on his dairy and beef farm, with the help of his wife, Theola, and his mother, Dorothy.

The society statement said: "Nigel is an asset to the council and we wish him success during his year as president from July 1, 2025 up to June 30, 2026.

"The council also wish to thank the outgoing president, Darren O’Rourke for his commitment to the role and his good work during his term also."