South Poll cattle were developed by Teddy Gentry in North East Alabama. Teddy's career has been in music. He is the base player for the group "Alabama". His passion was to develop cattle ideally suited to the ecology and environment of South Eastern United States.
He succeeded admirably, after a significant investment in consultants and technology. South Poll are a four way cross of Barzona, Senepol, Polled Hereford and Red Angus.
The Barzona are excellent mothers, as are the Senepol and Red Angus. The Angus and the Hereford provide genetics for excellent beef taste, quantity and tenderness. Senepol and Barzona cattle developed in hot climates. The Senepol is popular in the tropics, and is well adapted to high levels of humidity and insect load.
Another goal for Teddy was that the cattle move away from a grain-based culture. These animals thrive on grass and forage, without grain supplementation.
Was the effort successful for beef producers in Central Florida? By all means, yes! We are now in our fifth year of South Poll production. Raised side by side with our Angus, we find the South Polls to produce meat that is leaner than the Angus, but no less tender. Angus meat seems to have more moisture, probably due to the intra muscular fat ("marbling") for which they are famous. But South Poll filets are "cut it with your fork" tender. Flavor is all you would expect in both breeds.
Docility is an indicator of tenderness in beef, and both the Angus and South Poll breeds are docile and easy to handle. Our handling methods are designed to assure they continue to be docile. Cattle prods and yelling are forbidden. We work with the cattle often, and this contributes to their sense of safety and security with us.
The South Polls are far more likely to feed in the heat of the day than the Angus. The black coat absorbs more heat, and causes the Angus to prefer the cooler dawn, dusk and night as times to be active. Interestingly, the red cattle don't need as much help in repelling biting flies as the black Angus. No one seems to know why, but our guess is that it is probably color!
Safe, healthy, quality foods responsibly provided
Deep Creek Ranch, Inc.
South Poll Mamas enjoying their day. Our cattle are docile, and handled gently and it shows in their trust of the photographer.
