Introduction:
Best known as the bassist of the legendary country band Alabama, Teddy Gentry has spent decades proving that his passion extends far beyond music. In recent years, Gentry has emerged as a respected voice in sustainable cattle farming, particularly in the American South. His journey into agriculture is not rooted in theory, but in lived experience, experimentation, and a deep respect for nature.
Gentry grew up on a small cotton farm in northeast Alabama, raised by his grandfather and mother. When his music career took off in the early 1980s and his first RCA royalty check arrived, he made a deliberate decision not to return to cotton farming. Instead, he purchased his grandfather’s old farm and began a new chapter, one that would eventually reshape his understanding of cattle production in the South.
At the beginning, Gentry admits he “didn’t know one end of a cow from the other.” Like many producers, he started with traditional British breeds such as Hereford and Angus. However, these cattle struggled in the Southern climate, particularly under heat, humidity, and fescue-based forage systems. Rather than forcing unsuitable genetics to work, Gentry chose to study, research, and adapt.
Through years of reading, data analysis, and observation, he came to a clear conclusion: efficiency and adaptability matter more than size, growth extremes, or fashionable genetic metrics. Gentry emphasizes that modern cattle have become too large and inefficient, pointing out that the average beef cow in the United States produces only about four and a half calves in her lifetime. In his view, profitability depends on fertility and longevity, not maximum weights or exaggerated carcass traits.
This philosophy led to the development of the South Poll breed, a carefully designed composite built to thrive in Southern environments. By blending genetics from adapted breeds such as Senepol, Barzona, Red Angus, and Hereford, Gentry aimed to create cattle that could tolerate heat, maintain slick hair coats, utilize low-quality forage, and remain productive for 15 to 20 years. His ideal cow weighs between 900 and 1,100 pounds, breeds back consistently, weans a high percentage of her body weight, and does so year after year with minimal inputs.
Gentry also stresses the importance of temperament and maternal traits. Gentle cattle eat better, handle stress more effectively, and ultimately produce more tender beef. Equally critical is udder quality, which directly impacts longevity and labor efficiency. In his operation, any trait that interferes with fertility or lifespan is considered unacceptable.
Beyond genetics, Gentry advocates for holistic land management. Healthy soil, abundant grass, rotational grazing, and natural systems such as dung beetles all work together to support healthy cattle. “Healthy soil grows healthy grass, and healthy grass grows healthy cows,” he often says.
Teddy Gentry’s message is clear: success in cattle farming is not about chasing extremes, but about balance. By prioritizing adaptability, fertility, longevity, and environmental harmony, producers can build operations that are both profitable and sustainable for generations to come.