[islandfarmgirl]

We have Senepol beef cattle on the ranch surrounding our farm, and my father in law owns eight cow/calf pairs in that herd. I am a complete newbie to the draft animal world and am wondering if the breed would work as oxen.

Senepol are a polled Bos Taurus cross of Senegalese longhorns (N’Dama) and Red Poll, developed in the Caribbean in the early 1900s. Senepol are selected for docile temperament, heat tolerance and low maintenance. Grown bulls can be over five feet at the shoulder and 1800+ lb. There has been some attempt at a Senestein – a Senepol/Holstein cross, to help the Holsteins tolerate our 85 degree year round weather in the Caribbean, but the local dairy business has mostly dissolved in the last few years.

The ranch here has always been a genetic breeding farm, not production, so I don’t know much of anything about steers. Will keep reading this forum, but wondered if anyone had feedback on this breed or other heat tolerant breeds, and any tips on judging how trainable an animal might be.

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