The Red Poll is a native breed traditionally kept for a dual purpose function, with small numbers of milking Red Polls still kept as dairy herds. It is naturally polled and a good doer, thriving off forage which makes it well suited to less intensive systems.
Red Poll cows and their crosses are considered first rate mothers, who are milky and docile. Red Poll steers and bullocks are also in demand as prime beef animals with their meat being tender and full of flavour.