Red Poll Cattle Society About Us
Prize Red Poll

Red Poll Cattle Society

The Red Poll Cattle Society is a registered Charity in the U.K. and was founded in 1888 to encourage the development of Red Poll cattle and promote their use within the livestock industry.

If you are interested in owning Red Poll Cattle or are an existing owner and want to generate sales, we offer benefits to Members who wish to advertise their cattle on the website.  If we can help with this or any other information, please contact us for more details.

Become a member The Red Poll world is made up of members from every walk of life and has links throughout the world. Learn More
Breed Standard The breed was evolved to combine the production of the very highest standard of beef with a satisfactory milk yield. Learn More
Forms RPCS forms available here to download. Learn More
Links Here are a few links to external sites that we think you may find interesting. Learn More
Newsletters RPCS newsletters past and present available for download. Learn More
Rules and Regulations Our Bye-Laws and Articles of Association. Learn More

Welcome to the Red Poll Cattle Society

The Red Poll Cow is one of the traditional native British dual purpose breeds(beef and milk).

It is naturally polled (hornless). It thrives on low input management systems and is an efficient converter of forage requiring little or no additional feed. An easycalving docile cow and an excellent mother. Steers and young bulls finish well and produce outstanding quality meat.

The Red Poll Cattle Society serves its members by encouraging the development of Red Poll cattle and promoting their use within the livestock industry.

The majority of Red Polls in the UK are used as suckler cows (i.e. they are allowed to rear their calves until weaning at about 8 months); although a small number of milking herds continue. Milking cows will give average yields of 5,000 litres @ 4.2% butterfat and 3.5% protein.

If you are interested in owning Red Poll Cattle or are an existing owner and want to generate sales, we offer benefits to Members who wish to advertise their cattle on the website, though the Society does not warranty any animals on the website for sale or purchase. If we can help with any other information, please contact us for more details.

We also have some great events for students and younger members who are keen to get involved with the Red Poll Cattle Society.

About the society

The Society operates through a Council which is responsible for the promotion of the Red Poll breed in general and in particular to maintain the beef and milking qualities of the breed thus adding value to the membership.

Council has defined its' role bby passing the following resolution:

"The Council of the Red Poll Cattle Society recognises that there are a variety of valid herd objectives amongst its' members and a number of strategies to meet those objectives.  Council confirms it is not its' role to promote any one objective or strategy but to support all its' members with such assistance as they may require.  Council further recognises that it should encourage the use of Red Poll cattle and the resulting product so as to expand the overall market."

The Council does this in the following ways:

Adminstration
The Secretary, Ray Bowler, is responsible for the administration of the Society as to membership, registrations, transfers, semen & stock sales and stock required.  He will also co-ordinate the Regional Field Officer system.  Ray is happy to answer any queries that members or potential members may have and can be contacted on 01245 600032 or secretary@redpoll.co.uk

Finance
Terina Booker is Treasurer and carries out the day-to-day financial work from 52 Border Cot Lane, Wickham Market, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP13 0EZ.  Tel: 01728 746959 or email: terina.booker@btinternet.com.  All payments should be sent to Terina.  Invoices carry the address and information for BACS payments if members wish to use that system.

Regional Field Officers
The Society has appointed secretary@redpoll.co.uk, who will then pass the details to the relevant RFO and place the details on the website if wished. A commission of 2.5% is payable by vendors to the Society for all cattle sales posted on the website or via Regional Field Officers. Purchsers can request inspection of cattle on their behalf by their Regional Field Officer, at the cost of the RFO's travelling expenses.

Registrations
Registrations of calves cannot be done via the website at the moment.  Contact Ray Bowler, the Secretary, on 01245 600032, or email secretary@redpoll.co.uk for information.

Website
The chair of the Publicity & Promotion Committee, Sally Grimwood, manages the website.  She can be contacted on 01728 832821 or 07780 964978 or email: sally.g53@live.com

Herd Book
The Society maintains and publishes a Herd Book annually which is sent free of charge to registering members.

Magazine
A magazine, The Red Poll News, is published regularly and can be sent by email to members.

Workshops
The Society runs an Annual Field Day and several workshops on various technical mattesr.  Recently workshops have been held on finishing cattle, assessing bulls and cows, and fertility issues.

Events
An Annual Dinner is held in the Autumn and various regional events are held such as farm walks, herd competitions and social events.

New Young Members
The Society is keen to attract young members and holds handling and judging competitions for student and junior members.

Our Strategy & Mission Statement
The Council measures and details its' plans in the Strategy Document.

Signet Subsidy
To encourage the collection of Breed Data, the Society offers an annual subsidy of £125 to members who join the Signet Beef Recording Scheme.  The subsidy is paid on production of a paid Signet invoice.  For further details, please contact the Secretary.

Milk Recording Subsidy
To encourage the collection of Breed Data, the Society offers an annual subsidy of £125 to members who undertake milk recording with NMR. For further details, please contact the Secretary.