The N'Dama, a native (Bos Taurus) of Senegal, North West Africa was crossed with the British breed, Red Poll. The two breed composite was developed on the island of St Croix in the Caribbean, at the beginning of the 20th century. The result of infusing the Red Poll was a combining of the N'Dama's superior traits of heat tolerance, insect resistance and ability to thrive on poor quality forage, with the carcase quality, high fertility, feed efficiency, quiet nature and renowned maternal and milking ability of the Red Poll. The Senepol has been a fixed breed now for almost a century.
 |  |
| N'Dama the native Bos Taurus of Senegal | British breed Red Poll |
Senepol Cattle
- solid red colour, ranging from dark red to a lighter ginger colour
- in general have a very short hair coat type
- are naturally polled
- have good eye and skin pigmentation
- a docile temperament - being easily managed and handled in extensive pastoral conditions
The development of the breed placed high natural selection pressure on structural soundness, hardiness and fertility. The island environment of St Croix encompasses both wet tropics with high humidity and rainfall and hot, dry savanna country. Tropical parasites and cattle tick are abundant and the native feed low in quality. This 'home' of Senepol has produced a tough, adaptable breed of cattle with the ability to thrive under harsh conditions, maintaining fertility, tropical resistance and feed efficiency whilst producing an excellent eating quality carcase.