Know what are the amazing Characteristics, age and uses of Simmental cow?

 Simmental Cattle: Characteristics , Life Span & Use

Simmental cattle are a dual-purpose breed from Switzerland, primarily raised for milk production, agricultural work, and also for meat production. This breed originated in the drainage areas of the Simme River Valley in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland, which is a tributary of the Kandern River. The name Simmental cattle is derived from this Simme River Valley. It is one of the oldest breeds in the world and is currently found globally.

The physical coloration of Simmental cattle is typically red and white, placing them in the category of red-white cattle. One of the characteristics of this breed is that the effects of age on their mouths and digestive systems are minimal. While most cows experience wear and darkening of their teeth, making it difficult for them to chew fodder in old age, Simmental cows generally do not face such problems. This is why countries like the United States, Australia, Germany, and Argentina imported this breed in the 1900s.

Simmental cattle are raised in several European countries, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, as a dual-purpose breed. They are primarily used for milk production, as well as agricultural work, where Simmental bulls are employed as draft animals. Bulls of this breed are also castrated for meat production to promote rapid body growth and enhance meat yield. Such castrated bulls are referred to as “steers.”

Origin and History of Simmental Cattle

Simmental cattle are an ancient breed from the European continent, having gained significant importance in global animal markets due to their remarkable ability to adapt to environmental conditions. Simmental cattle are indigenous to Switzerland, descending from Bos taurus cattle. Their origin traces back to the Simme River Valley in Switzerland. The Simme River is a tributary of the Kandern River, flowing through the Bernese Oberland region of Bern canton in Switzerland.

The development of Simmental cattle occurred when cattle were utilized for multiple purposes. They were raised not only for meat production but also for heavy milk production and hauling. Simmental cattle are suitable for all three purposes. However, in present-day Switzerland, Simmental cattle are primarily raised as a dual-purpose breed.

The Simmental breed exhibits significant heterosis traits, making them favorable for use in crossbreeding programs to achieve better results. To support the preservation and development of the Simmental breed, the World Simmental Fleckvieh Federation (WSFF) was established in 1974. This organization is the world’s second-largest international stud cattle association, founded in South Africa and Namibia.

Currently, the WSFF has registered breeders from 28 countries and over 15.3 million registered Simmental cattle. Simmental cattle are known by various names in different regions, including Fleckvieh, Abondance, Piemontese Rosa, Montbéliarde, and Simmental.

The registration and performance testing system of the South African Society has received global recognition through the WSFF. The WSFF includes 98,000 breeders from 11 countries in Europe, primarily raising Simmental cattle for dual purposes, including both meat and milk production.

In Europe, over 1.7 million cows are officially classified as dairy cows. These dairy cows produce approximately 6,000 to 6,500 kilograms of milk annually, with a fat content exceeding 4%. Germany and Austria have 850,000 dairy cows. The calves or bulls from these cows, which possess good reproductive quality, are designated as stud bulls and sold at auctions. These stud bulls can reach weights of 600 to 650 kilograms within 17 months and gain up to 1.3 kilograms in weight each day.

Since the late 1960s, the demand for Simmental breed has significantly increased outside the European continent. Currently, there are official WSFF-recognized herd books in 15 countries. In countries like South Africa, the primary use of Simmental breed is for meat production. One of the main reasons for its popularity is that the Simmental breed is highly suitable for crossbreeding. This breed possesses genetic traits such as heterosis (hybrid vigor), which leads to offspring from crossbreeding exhibiting better meat production than their parents.

Outside the European continent, Simmental cattle were first raised in Namibia in southwestern Africa. In 1893, Namibia imported its first Simmental cattle. This import occurred when the German Empire occupied several colonies from 1884 until the end of World War I, including areas of modern-day Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Namibia, Cameroon, Togo, and Ghana. The imported Simmental cattle were used for crossbreeding with local cattle to improve milk and meat production, taking advantage of the genetic characteristics of heterosis present in the Simmental breed.

Additionally, a unique characteristic of Simmental cattle is their minimal aging effects on the mouth and digestive systems. While most older cows struggle with chewing fodder due to the wear and darkening of their teeth, this problem is generally less common in hybrid Simmental cows. According to a research report, 75% of cows showed various types of dental lesions. The most common issue was tooth darkening, observed in 39.7% of cases, while 26.13% of cows exhibited tooth wear problems. The rate of dental lesions in local cows was 84%, while the rate was 63% in hybrid Simmental cows.

The conclusion of this research report indicates that hybrid Simmental cattle have fewer mouth and dental problems, making them the most suitable breed for reproduction in this region.

The introduction of Simmental breed in South Africa began in 1905 by the President of the Free State Republic, M.T. Steyn, when he established a stud on his farm “Onze Rust” near Bloemfontein. However, the breed did not gain significant recognition initially.

The true significance of Simmental breed became evident in the early 1960s when it was utilized in crossbreeding, resulting in substantial successes. During crossbreeding, the heterosis capacity (benefits from hybridization) of this breed was clearly demonstrated. When used in crossbreeding with local breeds, these crossbred cattle showed better meat production capabilities than their parents. This distinctiveness continued to increase the popularity of Simmental breed, leading to a rapid rise in demand. During the 1960s and 1970s, a significant number of Simmental cattle were imported into South Africa. Initially, this import was from then South-West Africa (now Namibia), followed by the import of Fleckvieh-type cattle from Germany and Austria. However, there was no import of this breed from Switzerland and France.

After 1975, the development of locally adapted Simmental cattle in South Africa led to a significant reduction in the need for imports. Local crossbreeding efforts have adapted this breed well to the dry and harsh regions of South Africa, where it is primarily raised for meat production.

Today, the Simmental breed in South Africa is recognized for its high quality, adaptability, and successful crossbreeding with local breeds, establishing it as a dominant breed in the region.

Distribution of Simmental Cattle

Simmental cattle originated from the drainage areas of the Simme River Valley in Switzerland. Over time, their remarkable adaptability and production capabilities have led to their spread across all six continents. The global population of Simmental cattle is estimated to be between 40 to 60 million, with more than half residing in Europe.

Outside of Europe, Simmental cattle were first bred in Namibia, southwestern Africa, where they were imported in 1893. By the end of the 1960s, the import of Simmental cattle from Switzerland to other countries began. Some sources indicate that they were imported to Italy as early as the 1400s.

During the 19th century, the Simmental breed was imported into Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and most parts of Russia, eventually reaching South Africa in 1895. Guatemala imported the first Simmental cattle into the Western Hemisphere in 1897, followed by Brazil in 1918 and Argentina in 1922. In 1976, they were also sent to the Republic of China.

Breeding Society of Simmental Cattle

In 1964, Simmental breeders from Namibia and South Africa established a breeding society to promote the development of Simmental cattle in Southern Africa. The primary objective of this society is to provide breeders with advanced techniques for breeding Simmental cattle, such as crossbreeding and grading up. This information is independently delivered by recognized breed advisors. The society focuses on optimal breeding of Simmental cattle and offers modern registration systems, including the renowned BREEDPLAN. This genetic evaluation system provides a critical list of production traits to estimate the breeding capacity of producing cattle. The estimation of breeding capacity is determined through the calculation of Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs), which are derived from individual animal performance, including birth weight and growth.

Today, this breeding society has a substantial animal population, making it the third largest among the 32 non-dairy breeds in Southern Africa, following the Bonsmara (a local synthetic breed) and Brahman (Zebu). The Simmental breeding society boasts a higher number of female cattle than other British and European non-dairy breeds, which indicates better breeding potential.

Other significant objectives of the society include breed improvement, the development of Simmental cattle, and genetic enhancement. Additionally, it acts as a registration authority under the Animal Improvement Act of 1998, offering breeders free access to facilities such as pedigree, breeding values, and calf records via the internet.

In the 1980s, the society initiated programs for the preservation of semen from high-fertility bulls for artificial insemination, development testing plans for young bulls, and a “Star Cow Register” for outstanding cows. In 1988, the Simdex system (Simmental Breeding Index) was introduced to assist in measuring the productivity and efficiency of cows using a breeding index.

The Simmental breed is a leader in beef production in South Africa. Performance tests conducted from 1993 to 1998 showed that this breed consistently ranked high in various indexes, including breeding index, weaning weight of calves, one-year weight of heifers or bulls, and feedlot growth.

The Simmental breeding society utilizes modern BLUP breeding value technology, allowing for the comparison of various cattle based on their breeding values. BLUP (Best Linear Unbiased Prediction) is a statistical technique used in animal breeding evaluations. Its primary goal is to differentiate between the genetic and non-genetic factors affecting an animal’s performance, enabling the identification of the best animals for breeding. These breeding values are available for free on the Simmental website, aiding buyers in selecting the right animals. Furthermore, the society evaluates significant weight, milk, and breeding traits for cattle using BREEDPLAN International.

Alternative Names of Simmental Cattle

The name Simmental cattle is derived from the Simme River Valley in Switzerland. The Simme River is a tributary of the Kander River in the Bernese Oberland region of the Bern canton of Switzerland. In German, the term “thal” or “tal” translates to “valley,” making the literal meaning of Simmental “Simme Valley.”

Simmental cattle are known by different names in various countries. In European countries like Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, they are referred to as “Fleckvieh.” In France, they are recognized as “Pie Rouge,” “Montbéliard,” and “Abondance.” In Italy, this breed is called “Pezata Rosa.” These diverse names reflect the breed’s popularity and its dual-purpose utility.

Main Uses of Simmental Cattle

Simmental cattle are a dual-purpose breed primarily raised for milk and meat production. Originating from the Simme River Valley in Switzerland, they are also utilized for all three purposes in some countries, including South Africa. In addition to meat production, Simmental cattle have been used for heavy milk production and draft work.

1. Milk Production

In most European countries, Simmental cows are bred for heavy milk production. There are over 1.7 million Simmental cows in Europe primarily raised for milk. These dairy cows produce approximately 6,000 kilograms of milk per lactation.

2. Dual-Purpose Breed

Simmental cows are utilized for both milk production and agricultural work, with male bulls also employed in farming tasks.

3. Draft Work

In South Africa, Simmental cows are raised for all three purposes. Primarily, they are used for crossbreeding to enhance meat production in local breeds. The hybrid breeds resulting from crossbreeding produce more meat than their parent breeds.

Simmental Cattle Characteristics

Body:

• Simmental cattle are a heavy-set breed, typically red and white in color. The weight of Simmental cows generally ranges from 700 to 900 kg, while bulls can reach up to 1300 kg.

Color:

• The usual color of Simmental cows is golden red and white, evenly distributed across the body. They may also have white spots or markings.

• However, American Simmentals are often predominantly black or red, and lighter-colored Simmentals are classified as Fleckvieh.

Head and Eyes:

• Typically, their heads are white, with a white band/line on the shoulders. Most Simmentals have colored pigmentation around their eyes, helping reduce eye problems caused by bright sunlight.

Horns:

• Simmental cattle usually have horns, but some may be polled (hornless). The horns curve upward. A notable feature of this breed is its heavy dewlap.

Hump:

• Simmental cattle belong to the Bos Taurus lineage, which is hump-less, leading to the term “humpless cattle” for Bos Taurus.

Average Measurements of Simmental Cattle

The average lifespan of a healthy Simmental cow is about 15 to 20 years.

Simmental Bull (Males):

• Height: 150 – 170 cm (4.92 – 5.58 feet)
• Body Length: 210 – 250 cm
• Weight: 1,050 – 1,300 kg (2,315 – 2,865 lb)

Simmental Cow (Females):

• Height: 135 – 150 cm (4.43 – 4.92 feet)
• Body Length: 200 cm
• Weight: 700 – 900 kg (1,545 – 1,985 lb)

Production of Simmental Cattle

Simmental cattle are primarily bred for dual purposes across Europe, especially in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. They are used for milk production, agricultural work with bulls as draft animals, and for producing meat through steers.

Production Stats:

• Average Milk Yield Per Lactation: 6,500 kg
• Fat Percentage in Milk: 4.2%
• Protein Percentage in Milk: 3.5%
• Calving Interval: 12 months