Polled Hereford

breed of cattle

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 1, 2026

Quick Summary

The Polled Hereford is a breed of beef cattle that originated in the United States around 1900. It is a strain of the traditional Hereford breed, distinguished by the absence of horns, achieved through the selection and breeding of naturally hornless individuals.12

Key characteristics of the Polled Hereford include:
* Appearance: Typically red with a white face and white markings.13
* Temperament: Known for a good disposition.4
* Hardiness: Able to thrive under various conditions.14
* Productivity: Bred for beef production, with early maturity and efficient feed conversion.124

This breed has become widespread throughout the United States and has been exported globally, valued for its desirable beef qualities and adaptability.14

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

6 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

origins of agriculture
Beef cattle
The Polled Shorthorn and the Polled Hereford breeds were established by locating and breeding the few naturally hornless animals to be found among the horned herds of Shorthorns and Herefords, first established as distinctive breeds in England. It is of particular note that the originator of the Polled Herefords made…
Read More
The Polled Shorthorn and the Polled Hereford breeds were established by locating and breeding the few naturally hornless animals to be found among the horned herds of Shorthorns and Herefords, first established as distinctive breeds in England. It is of particular note that the originator of the Polled Herefords made…
Read More

Hereford
In the United States a Polled Hereford strain was developed around 1900 by selecting naturally hornless registered Herefords. The number of Polled Herefords has increased rapidly; herds are found throughout the United States, including Hawaii, and the strain has been widely exported.
Read More
In the United States a Polled Hereford strain was developed around 1900 by selecting naturally hornless registered Herefords. The number of Polled Herefords has increased rapidly; herds are found throughout the United States, including Hawaii, and the strain has been widely exported.
Read More

livestock farming
Beef cattle breeds
The Polled Hereford is a separate breed of cattle originating from hornless mutations in 1901. It has the same general characteristics as the horned Hereford and has gained substantial favour because of its hornlessness and often faster rate of weight gain.
Read More
The Polled Hereford is a separate breed of cattle originating from hornless mutations in 1901. It has the same general characteristics as the horned Hereford and has gained substantial favour because of its hornlessness and often faster rate of weight gain.
Read More