Senepol Embryos for Sale from Davis Rairdan
Davis Rairdan has the only Senepol embryos for sale in Canada.
Because Senepol cattle are an heat tolerant breed, Davis-Rairdan
exports quantities of embryos to warmer climates. The docile Senepol
temperament makes for easy handling. The meat produced is of high
quality and carcasses always score well in carcass competitions. Senepol are 100% Bos Taurus.
Breed Characteristics
- Disease & Insect Resistance
USDA research indicates that Senepol have greater immune response
when compared to other beef breeds. This is due greatly to the
N'Dama influence in Senepol, and is also aided by generations
of natural selection being applied on the island of St. Croix.
- Polled
- Calving Ease/Calf Vigor
- Maternal Efficiency
Senepol are similar to Angus in calving ease and light birth
weight. The huge advantage they offer is tremendous calf vigor.
Breeders everywhere are proud of the increased survival of Senepol-sired
calves because they jump up and nurse quickly. Maternal Efficiency,
is aided by the moderate size, fleshing and foraging ability
of the Senepol cow. Adult cows average 1,000 to 1,200 lbs.,
and consistently wean off 50% or better of their body weight
while maintaining an efficient calving interval.
- Heat Tolerance
USDA research establishes the cooler temperatures maintained
by Senepol compared to Brahman, Angus and Hereford cows while
grazing during the summer months in Florida. The same study
revealed that F1 Senepol calves (both Hereford sired out of
Senepol cows, and Senepol sired out of Hereford cows) maintained
rectal temperatures almost identical to fullblood Senepol.
Senepol possess Heat Tolerance, and they pass it on in crossbreeding
programs.
Grazing studies performed at the USDA Subtropical Research Station,
Brooksville, Florida, during the summers of 1990-91 concluded
that Senepol grazed an average of 10.7 hours per day as compared
to 9.3 hours a day for Herefoed cattle. A grazing advantage
of 1.4 hrs/day.
- Longevity
Every cattleman who visits St. Croix for the first time is amazed
at the number of 15-20-year-old cows that are still in production.
Often overlooked, perhaps no characteristic is as "multiple-trait"
oriented, or as meaningful to the overall profitability of a
cow/calf operator as Longevity.
- Foraging/Fleshing Ability
- Udder Quality
- Easy Handling
Generation after generation of Senepol have been selected for
handling ease. This is an area where Senepol can greatly compliment
other Heat Tolerant breeds.
- Feedlot Performance
Senepol continues to prove their ability to perform in areas
other than the subtropics. Purebred and cross steers, have performed
well repeatedly in Nebraska, Colorado, Virginia, Oklahoma and
Texas panhandle feedlots.
- Crossbreeding Specialist
This breed compliments many breeds and helps to bring their
advantageous traits to areas where heat tolerance is needed.
In USDA research, thel crosses have expressed more heterosis
than any Combination of British x British or British x Continental
crosses.
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Senepol History & Development
In the 1800s N'Dama Cattle were imported to the Caribbean
Island of St. Croix from Senegal, West Africa. The N'Dama,
a Bos taurus breed, was well suited for the Caribbean because
of it's heat tolerance, insect & disease resistance
and the ability to thrive on poor quality forage.
In 1918, Red Poll genetics were introduced to the N'Dama
stock to improve milking ability, fertility and make the
polled. This blending of genetics proved quite successful,
and formed the foundation of the Senepol breed. As more
Red Poll influence was added, strict selection pressure
was applied for:
1. early maturity & maternal efficiency
2. polled & solid red color
3. definite heat tolerance
4. gentle disposition
On-farm performance testing began in the mid-1970s with the
establishment of the Virgin Islands BCIA. In 1977 a plane
carrying 22 Senepol cows left for the U.S. mainland; 20 years
later, the Senepol Cattle Breeders Association recognizes
over 500 breeders and more than 14,000 Senepol records. Today
Senepol can be found thriving in 21 states & around the
world in such countries as Venezuela, Mexico, Philippines,
Zimbabwe, Brazil and many others where their tropically adapted
production is needed. |
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