Red Poll
Cattle
Helen's Red Polls
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Red Poll cattle are a
traditional British breed, native to East Anglia and
were originally formed by crossing the Suffolk
Dun cow (a dairy type) and the Norfolk Red (which was
beefier) in 1870. they are called red poll(ed)
cattle. The cattle are of medium size, long-lived, hardy (having been bred to live outside
through the Suffolk winter) and beautiful with good rich milk and naturally tender meat with little fat
but good marbling. The meat tastes exceedingly good with a rich, full flavour. In addition, meat from native,
grass-fed cattle typically has higher levels of polyunsaturated, omega-3 fats
than the more intensively reared, grain-fed continental breeds. Traditional breeds of cattle like
the Red Poll thrive in non-intensive, low input, natural farming environments with a
simple grass diet so they are well adapted to life in our
lush green countryside and are ideal
for grazing land managed to conserve wildlife habitats and encourage biodiversity. The Red Poll has a strong maternal
instinct and looks after its calf exceptionally well. All this means that they are easy
to keep and are, therefore, well suited to organic farming systems and small holders looking for a calm and
docile animal, with no horns. In recent years there has been a
notable increase in the numbers of herds and the overall number of animals but it is still
officially listed as a Rare Breed and is protected and promoted by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.
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