In a landmark moment for Cayman’s livestock sector, the Department of Agriculture hosted the island’s first live auction of purebred Red Poll cattle – an important step toward strengthening food security and building a premium local beef industry.
The auction, which took place on 30 Aug. in Lower Valley, drew 14 farmers from across Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands. Eleven young animals – five heifers and six bulls – were put up for bidding, each representing the promise of stronger genetics and a more sustainable future for Cayman’s livestock sector.
The atmosphere was spirited, with approved bids ranging from $1,250 to $4,100. Eight animals were sold to farmers in Grand Cayman, while three went to Cayman Brac, for where a portion had been reserved to ensure fair access.
“This was the very first time we’ve auctioned cattle from the Jamaica Red Poll nucleus herd here in Cayman, and we’re proud to say we raised them right here under local conditions,” said Department of Agriculture Director Wilbur Welcome.
“Farmers have seen firsthand that these cattle perform well in our climate, and by passing on these strong genetics, we’re helping to build better herds and strengthen Cayman’s food security.”
The event was the latest step in a strategy launched in 2023 by Agriculture Minister Jay Ebanks, when 22 Red Poll cattle – three bulls and 19 heifers – were imported from Jamaica. Known for their resilience, docility and ability to thrive in tropical conditions, the breed has been carefully integrated into Cayman’s farming landscape.
At a national level, the goal is to reduce reliance on imports and build a premium Caymanian beef brand. In 2023, Cayman had just 1,551 head of cattle, while more than 7,000 tonnes of beef – worth over US$6.8 million – was imported, mostly from the US. That’s about 10 kilos per person each year.
For farmers, the auction presented an opportunity to invest in the future of their herds.
“My motivation for taking part in the auction was to improve the genetics of my herd. This will lead to the production of higher-quality beef cattle,” said Grand Cayman farmer Rodney Rivers.
“This breed is well-suited to Cayman’s climate and produces moderate-framed beef cattle on grass. It means better beef, better bulls for stud service and a stronger foundation for local cattle farmers.”
In Cayman Brac, livestock farmer Witney Tatum echoed the sentiment.
“Red Poll is one of the best breeds you can have. I intend to use the bull to upgrade my herd. It’s a high-performance animal, and it’s the first time I recall Cayman Brac farmers had animals allocated just for us. That was so fair,” he said.
The Red Poll programme is already showing results. According to Acting Deputy Director of Agriculture Demoy Nash, local calves have been adapting “exceptionally well” to Cayman’s conditions and their performance is in keeping with their genetic potential.
Plans are also underway for an artificial insemination programme and semen bank, expanding access to quality genetics on-island.
Nash said the auction was a significant step toward building a stronger local herd and positioning Cayman to produce high-quality, homegrown beef for years to come.
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