Where's the Beef? Hereford Traditional Cache

Cows have been with us since the early Neolithic period, occupying an important role in our development as a society and culture. This is in tribute to that ubiquitous bovine that has made such an important contribution to the history of the wild, wild, west, including some of histories more famous mavericks .

All caches are along the frontage road and are not accessed from the freeway.

Hereford cattle are a British breed, from Herefordshire, England developed for meat. When I was a kid we called them ballys or baldies because of their white face. They are noted for their hardiness and adaptability to a variety of climates. Less expensive than Angus, the compact, short-legged Herefords are more efficient then most breeds at converting pasture to prime beef, and this quality along with hardiness is the principal reason they are often cross-bred with other breeds, particularly Angus. Once much more common in the Utah area, they are now seldom seen, although many of the beef cattle in the area can trace part of their ancestry back to the hereford.

The Rare Breed, starring Jimmy Stewart and Maureen O'Hara, is about the introduction of Herefords into the west. Anything with Jimmy Stewart and Maureen O'Hara in it has to be good.

The idea of this series is a community project honoring the Bos among us.

As you drive the road, please feel free to place your own tribute cache to that great animal- the cow.