History

Origins and Founder:

In the late 1990s, Teddy Gentry, the bassist of the band - Alabama, embarked on a mission to create a new breed of cattle. His vision was to develop a breed that could thrive in the challenging conditions of the southeastern United States—specifically, the heat and humidity that often affect this region.

Breed Composition: Gentry’s innovative approach involved blending four maternal Bos Taurus breeds:

  • Hereford
  • Senepol
  • Barzona
  • Red Angus
By skillfully combining these breeds, he aimed to create a heat-tolerant and grass-efficient cattle breed that would flourish in the southern climate.
Image
View Video

Characteristics

South Polls exhibit several key traits:

  • Emphasis on Fertility, Longevity, and Calm Disposition: Gentry prioritized breeding for high fertility rates, long lifespans, and a calm temperament, ensuring a productive herd over the long term. South Polls are easy to handle and manage. Ideal for ranchers seeking low-stress livestock.
  • Moderate Framed Efficiency: Their frame scores between 3-4, are key to them being able to thrive in low input grazing systems. Cows usually weigh around 1,000 to 1,100 pounds.
  • Heat Tolerance/Slick-Haired Adaptation: With slick hair coats, red hides and heat-adapted genetics, these cattle are heat-tolerant, allowing them to thrive in different Southeastern/Midwestern US regions. Even during scorching summers, they graze efficiently.
  • Maternal Traits: Cows exhibit excellent maternal instincts and are known for their great udders with moderate milking ability.
  • Efficient Grass-to-Beef/Easy Fleshing/Carcass Traits: South Polls are easy fleshing due to their moderate frame and efficient feed utilization ability. They thrive on a grass-based diet, reducing the need for supplemental feed.They maintain condition without excessive inputs, making them valuable in grazing systems. Ultrasound and actual carcass data confirm their tenderness, comparable to or even better than straight-bred English cattle.
  • Low Input Requirements: Well-suited for sustainable, low-input grazing systems, South Polls minimize the need for supplemental feed, making them cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

In summary, South Poll cattle offer adaptability, cost-effectiveness, and high-quality meat—qualities that benefit graziers and sustainable beef production.

The Role of South Poll in Shaping the Future of Beef

Since their inception, South Polls have increasingly gained popularity. They are particularly favored in the Midwestern and Southeastern parts of the U.S., where their adaptability and efficiency have made them valuable assets for ranchers and farmers. The South Poll Grass Cattle breed is indeed gaining traction as agriculture shifts toward more sustainable, grass-based farming systems. Their growth and expansion are driven by their suitability for sustainable grazing practices, adaptability, efficiency, and the production of quality beef. As more farmers prioritize environmentally friendly and economically viable approaches, South Polls are likely to play an essential role in the future of grass-based farming.
View Video