Breed Origin
In the 1800s, N’Dama breed cattle were imported from Senegal, West Africa to the Caribbean island of St. Croix, Virgin Islands. ON’Dama, a Bos Taurus was a great alternative to the Caribbean because of its resistance to heat, insects, pests and diseases but also by the ability to thrive on poor pasture.
In 1889, Henry C. Neltropp, one of the largest set of N’Dama possessed a herd of 250 head, which was a herd of purebred animals. Bromlay son of Henry C. Neltropp wanted to develop cattle that would combine the skills of top level production with environmental conditions in the Virgin Islands. Previous efforts to introduce cattle from temperate regions had failed due to heat stress and nutrition that these animals suffer when subjected to the harsh climate and pasture on the island.
In 1918 Red genetics were introduced to the flock of Poll Neltropp in order to improve maternal ability, fertility and give character to the animals owl. This mix of Red Poll N’Dama animal was a relative success to found the basis of race Senepol.
After 57 years the herd Neltropp was dispersed to local breeders and breed development was continuous in 4 herds primary. Since the beginning were collected and stored information about the animals, which formed the basis of the current system of registration of the breed association. On-farm trials started in mid-1970 with the founding of the BCIA, the Virgin Islands. In 1977 a pioneer charging air with 22 Senepol cattle breed was brought to America. Today, after 29 years of SCBA (Senepol Cattle Breeders Association) has 500 farmers and more than 60,000 animals in your system registry data. Today Senepol can be found in 21 states and around the world in countries such as Australia, Paraguay, Colombia, Argentina, Panama, Canada, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Mexico, Philippines, Zimbabwe, Brazil or where adaptation to the tropical climate was a prerequisite for the development of the livestock industry with quality and efficiency.
In 2000 the first animals to Brazil, imported from the best herds and the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Croix). The two leaders involved initial import genetic breed and best female Senepol with fantastic evidence. Thanks to this gene, the Brazilian purchasers increased the quality barn making Brazil a world of genetics.
Development
The isolation of St. Croix protected Senepol fashions and influences that have suffered the cattle breeds of the USA. The Senepol never surrendered to be a race of small structure, compact and with plenty of fat, which was the school that set the rules for selecting cattle that era that led to the pineapple and animals. Also not involved in the race frame sizes large and exaggerated that led some breeds the opposite of efficiency. The selection of Senepol was characterized by a continuous selection for ability to survive harsh climatic conditions and nutritional Saint Croix.
St. Croix is the largest and most southerly of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Selection
Before Senepol come to the U.S. had little or no market for the race between the creators of the island. The purpose of Senepol was eating the poor pastures of the island to convert to meat to be consumed by the inhabitants themselves of St. Croix. Generic information such as calving interval and performance development were stored as data. For decades the sons and daughters of the most consistent animals were kept as spare the flock. It was this intense selection pressure that provided the basis of race Senepol generations.
Genetics
The selection for higher levels of performance has the characteristics of a strain Senepol quite strong. These features convey a point and uniform consistency in the calves that will help in the success of livestock. The results when using Senepol positive features to add to the flock is quite significant.
Qualities
- Rusticity
- Heat tolerance
- Folder during the hottest hours of the day
- Bulls with full capacity to cover the field
- Precoda
Males and females - fully reproduce as early as 16 months.
- Longevity
- full productive capacity up to 16 years old.
- Sexual libido
- An adult bull for 50 cows in the field.
- Standardization
In - crossing with any race, transfers evenly all its features to the pups.
- Docility
Allows - retirement of the sting.
