The Irish Hereford Breed Society is set to host the 2026 European Hereford Conference in Co. Kilkenny this coming August.

The five-day event will take place at the River Court Hotel in Co. Kilkenny and will include a series of farm tours as well as a trip to the Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show, where the 2026 National Hereford Show is set to take place.

A series of conference meetings and sessions will also take place over the course of the event.

The European Hereford Conference takes place every four years and brings together Hereford breeders and industry representatives from across Europe and beyond.

The international event brings Hereford cattle breed enthusiasts from across the world together to share knowledge, discuss breed development and explore the future role of the Hereford animal within modern beef production.

The European conference taking place in Ireland this year will allow breeders "the opportunity to further their international collaboration within the Hereford community," according to the Irish Hereford Prime producer group.

Delegates attending the event in Ireland this August will experience:

Farm visits showcasing Irish Hereford genetics and production systems;
Hereford judging at the Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show;
Conference sessions including country reports and industry discussion;
A gala dinner celebrating the strength and heritage of the breed.

The event promises "a warm Irish welcome, meaningful discussion, and an opportunity to strengthen connections across the global Hereford network," according to Irish Hereford Prime.

This year's event will mark the 17th European Hereford Conference. The 16th European Hereford Conference took place in France in October 2022.

The conference featured a four-day schedule, including a visit to the Sommet d'Élevage Livestock Show.

The 2026 European event follows on from the 2025 World Hereford Conference, which took place in the the US state of Kansas in October 2025.

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