Senepol: Difference between revisions
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==Breed history== |
==Breed history== |
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N'Dama cattle were imported to St. Croix from [[Senegal]] in the 19th century, being better suited to the climatic conditions than European breeds. One of the largest herds of over 250 head was owned by Henry C. Nelthropp at the Granard Estates. In 1918 Henry's son Bromley bought a Redpoll bull from [[Trinadad]] to improve the cows' milking ability and remove their long horns. More Redpoll bulls were used in the following years and the cattle were selected for solid red color, natural polling and heat tolerance. These offspring were dispersed to four main herds on the island. The name Senepol was adopted in 1954 and a breed registry was established in the late 1960s. Aided by the [[United States Department of Agriculture]] the College of the Virgin Islands Extension Service began on farm performance testing in 1976. In 1977 22 cows were taken to the United States and the breed has since spread across the southern states. There are now more than 500 breeders with more than 14,000 registered cattle. They are also found in Australia, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Venezuela, Mexico, Philippines, Zimbabwe and Brazil.<ref>[http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/senepol/index.htm Oklahoma State University breed profile]</ref><ref>[http://www.senepolcattle.com/history Senepol Cattle Breeders Association breed history]</ref> |
N'Dama cattle were imported to St. Croix from [[Senegal]] in the 19th century, being better suited to the climatic conditions than European breeds. One of the largest herds of over 250 head was owned by Henry C. Nelthropp at the Granard Estates. In 1918 Henry's son Bromley bought a Redpoll bull from [[Trinadad]] to improve the cows' milking ability and remove their long horns. More Redpoll bulls were used in the following years and the cattle were selected for solid red color, natural polling and heat tolerance. These offspring were dispersed to four main herds on the island. The name Senepol was adopted in 1954 and a breed registry was established in the late 1960s. Aided by the [[United States Department of Agriculture]] the College of the Virgin Islands Extension Service began on farm performance testing in 1976. In 1977 22 cows were taken to the United States and the breed has since spread across the southern states. There are now more than 500 breeders with more than 14,000 registered cattle. They are also found in Australia, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Venezuela, Mexico, Paraguay, Philippines, Zimbabwe and Brazil.<ref>[http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/senepol/index.htm Oklahoma State University breed profile]</ref><ref>[http://www.senepolcattle.com/history Senepol Cattle Breeders Association breed history]</ref> |
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==Disease and Insect Resistance== |
==Disease and Insect Resistance== |
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Revision as of 14:43, 15 May 2013
The Senepol breed of beef cattle were developed on the Caribbean Island of St. Croix from N'Dama cattle, imported in the late 19th century, by crossing with Red Poll cattle. The Senepol breed combines the N'Dama characteristics of heat tolerance and insect resistance with the docile nature, good meat, and high milk production of the Red Poll. They are polled, short haired, and colored red, black or brown.
Breed history
N'Dama cattle were imported to St. Croix from Senegal in the 19th century, being better suited to the climatic conditions than European breeds. One of the largest herds of over 250 head was owned by Henry C. Nelthropp at the Granard Estates. In 1918 Henry's son Bromley bought a Redpoll bull from Trinadad to improve the cows' milking ability and remove their long horns. More Redpoll bulls were used in the following years and the cattle were selected for solid red color, natural polling and heat tolerance. These offspring were dispersed to four main herds on the island. The name Senepol was adopted in 1954 and a breed registry was established in the late 1960s. Aided by the United States Department of Agriculture the College of the Virgin Islands Extension Service began on farm performance testing in 1976. In 1977 22 cows were taken to the United States and the breed has since spread across the southern states. There are now more than 500 breeders with more than 14,000 registered cattle. They are also found in Australia, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Venezuela, Mexico, Paraguay, Philippines, Zimbabwe and Brazil.[1][2]
Disease and Insect Resistance
USDA research indicates that Senepol have greater immune response when compared to other beef breeds. This is due to the N'Dama influence in Senepol, and is also aided by generations of natural selection being applied on the island of St. Croix. In the 1950s, with sugar cane becoming less economic, the United States Department of Agriculture put resources into the teaching of scientific breeding under Richard Marshall Bond.[3]
References
- ^ Oklahoma State University breed profile
- ^ Senepol Cattle Breeders Association breed history
- ^ This was covered in an article on the Virgin Islands in the February 1956 National Geographic.
External links
- Senepol Cattle Breeders Association
- Australian Senepol Cattle Breeders Association
- The Senepol Cattle Breeders' Society of South Africa
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