History of the Hays Converter

Abstract

The Hays Converter breed of beef cattle was developed in Alberta, Canada, by Harry Hays in the 1950s. Hays combined specific individuals of the Hereford, Holstein, and Brown Swiss breeds to create an animal with exceptional growth and maternal abilities. In 1975, it became the first breed of cattle developed in Canada to be recognized under the Canadian Livestock Pedigree Act. The breed still exists in small numbers across Canada and represents an important part of Canadian agriculture history.