Red Poll

The Red Poll is a naturally hornless English cattle breed developed in East Anglia from Norfolk red beef cattle and Suffolk dun dairy cattle. It has a solid red coat, medium frame, roomy body, and quiet temperament, with the absence of horns fixed as part of the breed rather than produced by dehorning. Historically it served as a dual-purpose cow: enough milk for the dairy or household pail, plus calves that finished into useful beef animals on grass and farm feeds.

Red Poll herds suit many small farms and pasture-based producers that want manageable cows, maternal ability, and fewer horn-related handling problems. They are not usually selected to match specialist Holsteins for milk or continental beef breeds for rapid growth, so buyers should look at the line's production history and breeder goals. Good grass, mineral supplementation, and moderate winter feed keep them productive in temperate climates. Registries in Britain, North America, and other countries maintain herd books, and conservation-minded breeders value older family lines as well as commercial performance.

Colors: Belted, Black, Black and White, Blaze Faced, Blue Roan, Brindle, Brockle Faced, Brown, Brown and White, Deep Red, Dun, Gray, Lineback, Mottled, Red, Red and White, Red Roan, Roan, Silver, Solid Black, Solid Red, Speckled, Spotted, White, White Faced, Yellow