Red Poll facts for kids
The Red Poll is a special type of cattle breed. It was created in England in the late 1800s. This breed is known for being "dual-purpose," meaning it's good for two main things: producing beef and milk. The Red Poll breed came from mixing two older breeds: the Norfolk Red (which was good for beef) and the Suffolk Dun (which was good for milk).
What Red Poll Cattle Look Like and How They Are Used
Red Poll cattle are, as their name suggests, red! They are usually a deep red color. They might have a little bit of white on their tail switch (the bushy end of their tail) and on their udder (where milk is produced).
One cool thing about Red Poll cattle is that they are naturally polled. This means they are born without horns, which makes them safer and easier to handle.
These cattle are mostly used as beef cows. They are great at being "suckler cows," which means they are good mothers who successfully raise their calves. You can also find some Red Poll herds that are used for dairy farming, especially in England and in Texas in the United States.
Sometimes, Red Poll cattle are used for something called conservation grazing. This is when animals graze in a specific area to help manage the land and keep it healthy.
The History of Red Poll Cattle
The Red Poll breed started by crossing the Norfolk Red and Suffolk Dun cattle. Both of these original breeds are now extinct. The Suffolk breed was also naturally polled (without horns). The Norfolk cattle had horns, but breeders carefully chose animals so that the Red Poll breed would not have horns.
The breed was first named "Norfolk and Suffolk Red Polled cattle" in 1863. People agreed on the first official description of the breed in 1873. The first book listing all the registered animals was put together in 1874.
Over time, the name changed. In 1883, it became "Red Polled." Then, in 1888, it was shortened to "Red Poll." This was also when the Red Poll Cattle Society was formed to help manage and promote the breed.
Red Poll cattle are considered part of something called the "Suffolk Trinity." This group includes three important breeds from Suffolk, England: Red Poll cattle, Suffolk sheep, and Suffolk Punch heavy horses.
Red Poll Cattle Around the World
Red Poll cattle were brought to Australia in the mid-1800s. Today, they are mainly used there for producing beef. One of the first known breeders in Australia was James Graves, around 1870. However, there might have been some herds even earlier.
These cattle also came to the United States in 1873. They were brought by G. P. Taber to New York State. The Red Poll breed is actually the oldest registered dual-purpose cattle breed in the United States!
Recently, Red Poll cattle are becoming popular again in some parts of the western US. They are good for small ranches and for families who want to raise their own beef. Their calm nature makes them easy for new farmers to handle. They are also popular in youth programs like 4H.
Red Poll cattle first arrived in New Zealand in 1898. But a proper herd wasn't started until 1917, when 22 animals were brought over from Australia.
