WHAT IS A RED POLL?
A dual purpose breed of cattle that once was very popular in the USA. Now,
the breed is considered rare and in some countries it is listed as "vunerable."
Her majesty The Queen of England has established The Red Poll Cattle Society and
it is to help promote the breed and its important traits. The breed went out of
favor when there was no need for dual purpose breeds. No one needs oxen to pull
a plow or a wagon, nor is there much interest in milking a cow or having one
that can be milked once a day and still raise a calf. Some breeders did try to
promote and some breeders tried to carry on and develop the breed as a dairy
animal, but were not successful because of the capable Holstein breed. Some
breeders continued to believe the tenderness of the meat and the quality of
grass fattened beef would be very important. The first in current times to
appreciate her traits were the Australians, who developed the Low-line and use
Red Poll in cross breeding programs. A smaller beast, not a miniature breed,
but practical for small landowner, she is worthy of consideration when introducing
younger children to animal care. Whether 4-H or learning responsibility or experiencing
the fun of presenting their animal to be judged, this breed has some traits of importance.
The words "we breed cattle, not papers" became a motto for the breed as they
tried to focus on characteristics of economic importance. They succeeded when
their cattle were selected for research in Australia and the USA. It has been
consistently indicated that a positive relationship between good temperaments
and feedlot performance for both temperate and tropical cattle. The selection
of beef genetics for temperament and tenderness and ability to forage has put
this small breed in a good market postion as a cross on Bos Indicus. Now, as
more concerns over efficiency the breed is finding favor in drought areas. It
has been said that by selecting for marbling and rib-eye you will receive a
premium, but today you must have feed efficiency too. Red Poll cross steers
have had live weight average of 1060 pounds while they produced a warm
carcass weight of 656 with a Carcass Weight Day of age of 1.63 with a Rib-Eye
of 15 Sq. In. Because of the docile temperament, Red Poll is a good choice for
younger or older owners. As a cow she fattens her calves quickly on a rich milk,
and many allow her to keep her calf on her until it is 8 or even 9 months old.
Her fertility is not compromised by this extended nursing and as she is an easy
fleshing animal, so if on acceptable pasture she handles this without loss of
condition. Red Poll has exceptionally tender meat, and most inherited a genetic
predispostion for tenderness, the tenderness gene. Red Poll are all hornless.
They have earned a reputation for "doing well" even on poor weedy pastures. As
efficient forager, they have a place in a sustainable working landscapes. As
small breed they are finding their way onto small acreages as some consumers
want to take control of their own meat production, you may see more of this
quiet and calm animal. Calm animals do not have as many health problems as
high strung or flighty animals, it is believed that this breed will again be
appreciated for its practical important genetic traits. Do come again and read
Udder-nonsense or here is a link UdderNonsense
and here is Red Poll information as above only in a more youthful format.
Go More about Red Poll Cattle
Go Red poll a little history.
Picture Cow
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