In the 1800s N'Dama Cattle were imported to the Caribbean Island of St. Croix from Senegal, West Africa. The N'Dama, a Bos taurus breed, was well suited for the Caribbean because of its heat tolerance, insect and disease resistance, and its ability to thrive on poor quality forage. Bos taurus animals are humpless. Bos indicus animals are humped such as Brahma and Zebu. Therefore, Senepol cattle do not have Brahman influence. (See articles for additional information)

http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/ndama/Ndama1web.jpg

By 1889, Henry C. Nelthropp of Granard Estates was one of the largest N'Dama breeders with over 250 head, which he maintained as purebreds. Nelthropp's son, Bromley, wanted to develop cattle that would combine the traits needed for superior levels of milk and beef production in the Virgin Islands' tropical environment. Attempts to import higher producing cattle from temperate regions had failed; the cattle having broken down quickly from heat and nutritional stress. In 1918, Red Poll genetics were introduced to the Nelthropp's N'Dama stock to improve milking ability, fertility and to make them polled.

Red Poll Cow

http://sophronitesredpoll.com/features.html

This blending of genetics proved quite successful, and formed the foundation of the Senepol breed.

Senepol on the farm of Carl and Sharon Parker; Rogersville, Alabama

Since 1949 when the Nelthropp herd was dispersed to local breeders, the development of the Senepol breed on St. Croix was continued by four primary breeders. From their beginnings, the island herds maintained genetic records which grew into the Senepol breed registry. On-farm performance testing began in the mid-1970s with the establishment of the Virgin Islands BCIA (Beef Cattle Improvement Association). In 1977 a plane carrying 22 Senepols left for the U.S. mainland and 30 years later the Senepol Cattle Breeders Association recognizes over 500 breeders and more than 60,000 animals in database. Today Senepols can be found thriving in 21 states and around the world.