Senepol
Polled Heads - Gentle Nature
The N’Dama, a native (Bos Taurus) of Senegal, North West Africa was crossed with the British breed, Red Poll. The two breed composite was developed on the island of St Croix in the Caribbean, at the beginning of the 20th century. The result of infusing the Red Poll was a combining of the N’Dama’s superior traits of heat tolerance, insect resistance and ability to thrive on poor quality forage, with the carcass quality, high fertility, feed efficiency, quiet nature and renowned maternal and milking ability of the Red Poll. The Senepol has been a fixed breed now for almost a century. The Senepol breed combines 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 coloured red, black or brown.
The popularity of the Senepol breed has grown immensely and, with the use of imported semen and embryos and a solid upgrading system, the numbers have grown accordingly.
The popularity of the Senepol breed has grown immensely and, with the use of imported semen and embryos and a solid upgrading system, the numbers have grown accordingly.
- Naturally Polled
- Heat Tolerant
- Insect Resistant
- Docile Temperament
- Fertile
- Maternal
- Tender Beef
Characteristics
NATURALLY POLLED
The Senepol is naturally polled (hornless). This is a very desirable trait, since it reduces labour requirements, impacts positively on management of the herd and limits bruising of the carcass in feedlots or off the veld. When bred to other, horned breeds, the Senepol heredity will ensure that most of the progeny are also polled.
HEAT TOLERANCE
The Senepol is one of the very few Bos Taurus breed that has the heat tolerance necessary for efficient beef production in hot regions. The Senepol's short red coat presents a striking sight as they graze in the noonday heat while other breeds seek the shelter of shade. Research done by the USDA has established that Senepol cattle maintain cooler body temperatures than most other breeds, which in turn leads to the Senepol grazing, on average, approximately 1 1/4 hours longer per day.
During very hot summer conditions one may notice that rosette-like "patterns" appear along the back of Senepol cattle. This is a natural occurrence due to the efficiently functioning baggy sweat glands that reduce the body temperature of the animal.
DISEASE & INSECT RESISTANCE
American USDA research has indicated that Senepol cattle have greater immunity when compared with other breeds. This is due to the N'Dama influence and the natural selection that was applied in the development of the Senepol on the island of St. Croix. Furthermore, Senepol herds rarely experience pink-eye or cancer of the eye.
The short, fine coat ensures that the Senepol carries fewer external parasites such as ticks. This fact has been verified by Senepol breeders from across South Africa.
FERTILITY
The Senepol's genetic make-up from two Bos Taurus breeds has resulted in a reproductively efficient animal. Veterinarians have report that Senepol females have a straight cervix which makes A.I. easier. Senepol females exhibit good, visible signs of oestrus and when flushed, the average yield per Senepol cow is 6.5 usable embryos.
Senepol bulls are aggressive breeders with excellent scrotal circumference. Most bulls produce top quality semen by the age of 12 to 14 months. The penile sheath is neat which helps avoid breeding pasture injuries that often result from excessively pendulous sheaths.
MATERNAL EFFICIENCY
Senepol cows are generally of medium frame and possess the innate mothering and milking ability to rear their calves well. Average adult cow size is roughly between 499-544kg, with cows often weaning off calves in excess of 50% of their body weight while maintaining an efficient calving interval.Cows have neat, well-attached udders with good teats and teat placement which ensures longevity in the cow herd. Many cows remain productive in the herd until they are 15-18 years old.
Senepol cattle are early maturing, making it possible for replacement heifers to calve at two years of age.
EASE OF CALVING
Senepol cattle are known for their ease of calving and light birth weights. Actual birth weights of over 400 full blood Senepol calves in the U.S.A. taken on the day of calving showed an average of 31kg. Their generally quick deliveries prevent calf bruising and/or restricted oxygen to the brain and result in excellent vigor of Senepol calves.
DOCILE TEMPERAMENT
Since the very early stages of the development of the Senepol breed, animals have been strictly selected for ease of handling and docile temperament.
The docile temperament of the Senepol is passed on to their progeny when used in cross breeding programmes.
STRONG HEREDITY / PREPOTENCY
Senepol cattle are ideal for use in most cross breeding programmes due to their strong heredity factor. Between 80% and 100% of Senepol cross calves will be polled and show the typical Senepol characteristics. They have performed so well in crossbreeding programs that many cattlemen call the Senepol the universal cross-breeding animal.
American USDA research on Senepol cross animals has shown heterosis levels of 5.4% for birth weight, 6.2% for weaning weight, and 6.4% for gain per day, surpassing the 3-4% level normally expected in Bos Taurus/Bos Taurus crosses.
QUALITY TENDER BEEF
Senepol cattle have done well, and won, a number of slaughter competitions in South Africa. Most recently Senepol beef received rave reviews from some of the judges, including Canadian beef specialist, Mark Schatzker, at the Ultimate Beef Challenge. Australian research indicated the presence of the, much sought after, tenderness gene in Senepol beef.
The Senepol is naturally polled (hornless). This is a very desirable trait, since it reduces labour requirements, impacts positively on management of the herd and limits bruising of the carcass in feedlots or off the veld. When bred to other, horned breeds, the Senepol heredity will ensure that most of the progeny are also polled.
HEAT TOLERANCE
The Senepol is one of the very few Bos Taurus breed that has the heat tolerance necessary for efficient beef production in hot regions. The Senepol's short red coat presents a striking sight as they graze in the noonday heat while other breeds seek the shelter of shade. Research done by the USDA has established that Senepol cattle maintain cooler body temperatures than most other breeds, which in turn leads to the Senepol grazing, on average, approximately 1 1/4 hours longer per day.
During very hot summer conditions one may notice that rosette-like "patterns" appear along the back of Senepol cattle. This is a natural occurrence due to the efficiently functioning baggy sweat glands that reduce the body temperature of the animal.
DISEASE & INSECT RESISTANCE
American USDA research has indicated that Senepol cattle have greater immunity when compared with other breeds. This is due to the N'Dama influence and the natural selection that was applied in the development of the Senepol on the island of St. Croix. Furthermore, Senepol herds rarely experience pink-eye or cancer of the eye.
The short, fine coat ensures that the Senepol carries fewer external parasites such as ticks. This fact has been verified by Senepol breeders from across South Africa.
FERTILITY
The Senepol's genetic make-up from two Bos Taurus breeds has resulted in a reproductively efficient animal. Veterinarians have report that Senepol females have a straight cervix which makes A.I. easier. Senepol females exhibit good, visible signs of oestrus and when flushed, the average yield per Senepol cow is 6.5 usable embryos.
Senepol bulls are aggressive breeders with excellent scrotal circumference. Most bulls produce top quality semen by the age of 12 to 14 months. The penile sheath is neat which helps avoid breeding pasture injuries that often result from excessively pendulous sheaths.
MATERNAL EFFICIENCY
Senepol cows are generally of medium frame and possess the innate mothering and milking ability to rear their calves well. Average adult cow size is roughly between 499-544kg, with cows often weaning off calves in excess of 50% of their body weight while maintaining an efficient calving interval.Cows have neat, well-attached udders with good teats and teat placement which ensures longevity in the cow herd. Many cows remain productive in the herd until they are 15-18 years old.
Senepol cattle are early maturing, making it possible for replacement heifers to calve at two years of age.
EASE OF CALVING
Senepol cattle are known for their ease of calving and light birth weights. Actual birth weights of over 400 full blood Senepol calves in the U.S.A. taken on the day of calving showed an average of 31kg. Their generally quick deliveries prevent calf bruising and/or restricted oxygen to the brain and result in excellent vigor of Senepol calves.
DOCILE TEMPERAMENT
Since the very early stages of the development of the Senepol breed, animals have been strictly selected for ease of handling and docile temperament.
The docile temperament of the Senepol is passed on to their progeny when used in cross breeding programmes.
STRONG HEREDITY / PREPOTENCY
Senepol cattle are ideal for use in most cross breeding programmes due to their strong heredity factor. Between 80% and 100% of Senepol cross calves will be polled and show the typical Senepol characteristics. They have performed so well in crossbreeding programs that many cattlemen call the Senepol the universal cross-breeding animal.
American USDA research on Senepol cross animals has shown heterosis levels of 5.4% for birth weight, 6.2% for weaning weight, and 6.4% for gain per day, surpassing the 3-4% level normally expected in Bos Taurus/Bos Taurus crosses.
QUALITY TENDER BEEF
Senepol cattle have done well, and won, a number of slaughter competitions in South Africa. Most recently Senepol beef received rave reviews from some of the judges, including Canadian beef specialist, Mark Schatzker, at the Ultimate Beef Challenge. Australian research indicated the presence of the, much sought after, tenderness gene in Senepol beef.
Breed Standards
- DESCRIPTION OF A MATURE SENEPOL BULL OR COW:
- GENERAL APPEARANCE:
- Size and trueness to type, character and masculinity.
- Symmetry, carriage, Top- and Underline.
- Quality of Skin, Hair and Bone.
- There must be uniformity in conformation; the various parts of the body must be in proportion to one another.
- The cow must be true to type and show her dual purpose qualities, being beefy and having good milk indications.
- The size must be correct according to age.
- The animal must show Character and Quality. A well-boned frame is a recommendation.
- Top- and Underlines should be good and even.
- The bull must show masculinity and move well.
- The skin should be fine and soft to the touch, denoting quality.
- The colour should be even and preferably dark red.
- HEAD:
- In the case of the bull, it should be decidedly masculine and strong.
- The head should be fine, neat and polled.
- The forehead must be well dished and deep from frontal bones to jaw.
- The eyes should be full and lively, but not prominent.
- The nostrils must be set well apart.
- The muzzle should be broad with well fitting jaws.
- NECK:
- The neck should be neatly attached to the shoulders and the head.
- It should be clean with not too much loose skin.
- SHOULDERS, WITHERS AND CHEST:
- The shoulders should be sloping and well fixed to the body, especially at the withers.
- The vertebrae forming the withers must project slightly above the shoulder blades and be level with the rump.
- The withers should not be too heavy and should be strong.
- The brisket should be deep, wide and be well formed.
- The chest should be well rounded and wide between the fore legs.
- BACK, LOIN, CROPS AND CHINES:
- The back should be level, strong and broad. It must be well fleshed.
- The loin should be wide, strong and deeply fleshed.
- The junctions of back to loin and loin to rump should be strong.
- The crops (i.e. just behind the shoulders) should be well filled and level with the shoulders.
- HEART-GIRTH, SPRING OF RIB, BARREL AND DEPTH OF FLANK:
- The heart-girth should be deep and well filled.
- The ribs must be well sprung.
- The barrel should be well rounded and deep.
- The flank should be deep and well filled and must form an even underline with the barrel.
- HINDQUARTERS, RUMP, HIPS, PINBONES, THURL AND THIGHS:
- The rump should be level, square and flat, showing length and breadth.
- The hips should be evenly rounded and not prominent.
- The pinbones should be set well apart and be well covered.
- The thurl must be broad, well set up and well fleshed.
- The hindquarters should be long from hip to pinbones and not patchy at the rump ends.
- The thighs should be deep and well fleshed.
- TAIL SETTING:
- The tail-head should be well set in and level with the top line.
- The tail should be long, broad and tapering finely to a good switch.
- TWIST AND BUTTOCKS:
- The animal should be well let down in the twist.
- The buttocks should go well down on the second thigh.
- The second thigh should be broad and well fleshed on the outside.
- LEGS, HOCKS, HOOFS, STANDING AND WALKING:
- The legs should be at the four corners of the body well set apart.
- The hocks should be strong. Sickle or cow hocked animals show weakness.
- Viewed from behind there should be good width between the legs. They should be squarely placed and straight when standing.
- The hoofs should be medium sized and deep with toes even.
- The bull and the cow should walk well, with free movement.
- MALE ORGANS AND RUDIMENTARY TEATS:
- The male organs must be well developed.
- The rudimentary teats should be placed well apart, be well forward and well developed.
- UDDER AND TEAT PLACEMENT:
- The udder should be well developed and well attached.
- The udder should come well up between the hind legs and run well forward.
- The floor of the udder should be flat without being cut up between the quarters, and should be level with the floor of the barrel.
- The teats should be of moderate size, set evenly at the four corners of the udder and should hang vertically.
- MILK INDICATIONS:
- The milk veins should be well developed on the udder, run well forward and enter the body cavity through large milk wells.
- The hair on the udder and in the twist should be silky.
- In heifers there should be ample skin folds in the twist to make for a good udder and udder tissue should be well developed.
- GENERAL APPEARANCE:
- DISQUALIFICATIONS:
- Any colour other than red in the male and female excepting white on the udder and in small amounts on the bottom line. White in the switch of either a male or female is permissible.
- Horns, slugs, abortive horns or any horny substance adhering to the skin over the seat of the horns.
- An undershot or overshot jaw, short or crooked tail or any other deformity.
- OBJECTIONS:
- Any hairs other than red except in the switch or on the bottom line.
- Defective quarters on the udder.
- Defective eyes.
- An uneven or light colour.
- reach puberty earlier than Bos Indicus breeds
- females are renowned for their ease of calving and calves for their fast ‘get up and go’ vigour
- heifers will calve as two year olds under normal management conditions
- longevity is well documented, breeders often still efficiently producing calves well into their teen years
- average birthweight of calves is 34kg
- average mature weight of cows is 500 – 700kg at pasture
- bulls average 800 – 950kgs at pasture
- bulls have a high libido, are fertile and aggressive breeders from an early age.
Senepol cattle have been referred to as the “cross breeding specialist” for those breeders looking for heat tolerant Bos Taurus cattle. In the tough dry climates that the United States has encountered over the past few summers, Senepol cattle have excelled, still maintaining good weaning and yearling weights with cow breed back.
Disease and Insect Resistance
USDA research indicates that Senepol have greater immune response when compared to other beef breeds. This is likely due to generations of natural selection being applied on the island of St. Croix.
- Senepol have a greater immune response compared to other beef breeds. This fact has been largely attributed to the N’Dama influence. N’Dama cattle are highly resistant to the Tsetse fly, a carrier of the disease Bovine Trypanosomiasis (Sleeping sickness). This trait is of importance in Australia where Buffalo fly is prevalent.
Slick coat gene - An identified gene (Sk – Dr Tim Olsen) confers a very short haired, sleek coat when an animal carries a copy of the gene. To date Senepol is the only breed available in Australia that is known to be a carrier of this gene.
- The gene is associated with the heat tolerance of the Senepol breed.
- Smooth coated animals in tick infested country will carry less tick burden than hairy coated animals. The natural licking (grooming) process, as well as the animal’s inherent tick resistance, greatly reduces tick larvae from maturing. The Senepol and its slick haired crosses, from field counts conducted in Queensland, appears to have a very high level of genetic tick resistance.