The introduction of the Senepol into the States from the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1977 brought to the Continental United States the world's only Bos Taurus heat tolerant cattle breed. Searching for a breed combining heat tolerance with desirable beef traits, such as high carcass quality and strong maternal traits, Bromley Nelthropp crossed the West African N'Dama with the British Red Poll. From that base, as he developed the breed on the Island of St. Croix, he selected carefully and specifically for red color, good conformation and early maturity, no horns, gentle disposition and definite heat tolerance.

After four decades of development, herd books were established and the Senepol was registered as a breed in 1954. Senepol were originally introduced into the States in 1977 and have experienced wide-spread growth. The herd population is increasing rapidly through extensive embryo transfer to keep pace with the demand. Breeders have found that the Senepol is perfectly suited for the Sunbelt and presents a profitable package of heat tolerance, disease resistance, calving ease, fertility, maternal traits, carcass quality, hybrid vigor, polledness and docility.

The unique characteristic of the Senepol is that it is the only breed of the Bos Taurus species that is heat tolerant. This makes it a particularly good choice in the Sunbelt where heat and drought are uncontrollable factors affecting beef production. Because of their heat tolerance, Senepol will graze throughout the hottest part of the day. They will often rest in the sun rather than walk any distance to find shade. This enables them to waste less energy than animals that must search for cooler areas during hot days. They are not stressed as they work during the day and can survive, if necessary, for several days without water. Ranchers using intensive grazing to maximize grass production have found the Senepol to be especially well suited to that management practice because it is not necessary to provide shade in individual cells.

Ranchers using vast acreage to take advantage of low input foraging also find them particularly well-suited to that management practice. This is due to the fact that the Senepol originated and developed in very poor sub-tropical grazing conditions where they thrived on whatever vegetation was available.

Senepols are responsive to handling and learn very quickly what is expected of them. It is not likely that corrals and fences will be abused by the Senepols. Many small-herd cattle owners find the Senepol to be quite suitable for operations with only one worker to work the cattle. Because of their alertness. as well as their docile. even temperament, the Senepol makes an excellent choice for 4-H and FFA youngsters especially as first project animals. One of the most appealing traits of the Senepol breed is calving ease.

From the early development of the breed to modern times, Senepol cattle failing to calve unassisted under pasture conditions simply went to slaughter. Calving problems have been largely bred out so that breeders generally report better than 95 percent calf crops at weaning. Calves average 65 to 80 pounds at birth, approximately 800 to 850 at twelve to fourteen months. Actual birth weights taken on the day of calving showed an average birth of 69 pounds on over 400 fullblood Senepol.

Pinkeye is virtually non-existent in Senepol herds. In large herds where Senepols came in daily contact with non-Senepol cattle that contracted Pinkeye, no cases were reported among the Senepols even though no Pinkeye vaccine or fly tags were used. Similarly, cancer eye has not been reported in the Senepol herd.

Preliminary findings from research looking into the natural immune system of four different beef cattle breeds indicate that the Senepol appear to have a higher level of natural immune function as compared with the other three breeds. Indications are that the Senepol may be able to fight diseases more effectively than other breeds. The N'Dama inbred insect resistance has also been inherited by the Senepol.

Senepol perform well in the feedlot with excellent rate of gain, marbling ability and curability. No heavy seam of fat is found in the Senepol carcasses. In research testing, purebred Senepol steers graded similar to English or Continental cattle. The Senepol inherited the Red Poll's exceptional mothering and milking ability and will wean calves in excess of 50% of their body weight while retaining an efficient calving interval. In a dairy situation on St. Croix, Senepol cows produced 25 pounds of milk per day for 268 days of lactation.

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