258 JUDGING BEEF AND DUAL PURPOSE CATTLE 



dual purpose function. The general Shorthorn character 

 should be kept in mind in judging dual purpose animals of 

 the breed. 



Red Polled. — The Red Polled breed is the most significant 

 breed which has been developed entirely for dual purpose 

 production. It is a native of Norfolk and Suffolk counties, 

 England, having become disseminated rather widely in certain 

 states in this country. The breed is characterized by a solid 

 red color, except white is permissible up to the navel and on 

 the switch. The breed possesses a polled head and a very 



Fig. 109.— Red Polled bull. 



well-balanced dual purpose capacity. The t-\'pe of this 

 breed varies considerably, this being a condition difficult 

 to govern in any dual purpose animal, not necessarily be- 

 cause of the breed but because of the likelihood of different 

 standards being maintained by various breeders. The 

 weight of mature males varies from 1800 to 2000 pounds 

 on the average. As would be expected in a dual pur- 

 pose animal the form is usually not as deep, broad, or 

 compact as in the special beef breeds. The Red Polled 

 is somewhat lacking in natural flesh and in the development 

 of the hindquarters. The quality is regarded as fair and the 

 temperament somewhat nervous. The chief objections to 



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