“Polled” means, lacking horns, either naturally or genetically. A common misnomer is that surgically removed horns creates a polled cow. The true term for this cow after surgery would be “dehorned”. The process of creating a polled cow or dehorning a cow is done in order to protect them from getting caught in bunks while they are in feedlots, amongst other cattle in the herd, and while farmers are tending to them. Horns unlike antlers will remain permanent from birth after a cow has passed the developmental period in their life.

The original polled wagyu are a special breed that never found their way off of the island of Japan. Due to Japanese breeding practices, the breed is now at risk with as little as 200 still existing. But through genetic selection and specific breeding practices, the polled gene has been brought to other parts of the world. This has been done through crossbreeding of the angus and wagyu breeds.

At JDH we make it a priority to protect our cattle in the most humane ways possible. Care is taken into tracing genetics and implementing breeding practices to create polled wagyu. A polled wagyu will experience less stress and possible injury from horns allowing it to live a happier life on the farm. In the case that the cow is born with horns a few criteria are evaluated and a decision is made to either remove horns or allow the cow to keep them.

If the cow exhibits the necessary traits then removal will be scheduled. This is done before the cow has reached an age that would cause more harm than good through horn removal. As the cow ages bone and keratin, which makes up most of the horn we see, fuses and becomes harder and requires more invasive surgery to be done. This trauma which JDH refuses to do voluntarily can stay with the cow several months after the procedure is finished. The simplest procedure for the cow’s wellbeing is scheduled before a couple months of age. After the surgery and some recovery time, the cow is released back out and carries on with life as if nothing had happened.

Heterozygous polled animals will give you a combination of polled and horned progeny depending on what they are crossed with.

When crossed over full blood Wagyu, which are 100% horned (hh), 50% of the progeny will be polled.

When crossed over heterozygous polls, 25% of the progeny ae homozygous polled, 50% heterozygous, and 25% horned

When crossed over homozygous polls, 50% of the progeny are homozygous polled and 50% heterozygous polled

Homozygous polled animals will always give you polled progeny, even when crossed over horned animals.

When crossed over full blood Wagyu, which are 100% horned (hh), every calf will be polled.

When crossed over Heterozygous polls, 50% of the progeny will be homozygous polled, and 50% will be Heterozygous.

When crossed over homozygous polls, 100% of the progeny will be homozygous polled.