Simmental Cattle

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards.
Please improve this article if you can. (February 2007)

Simmental cow on alp pasture (Engstligenalp)

English Simmental Bull

Simmental cross calves

Image:Double-D-Blk-Chyna2.jpg

Grand Champion Simmental Heifer

The Simmental or Simmenthal breed originated in western Switzerland. Simmentals are one of the oldest and most widely distributed breeds of cattle in the world today. They were known to man as Simmentals as early as the Middle Ages and as “large spotted cattle of red, yellow, and white". (5)

1 History
2 Breed Characteristics
3 Uses
4 External links

[edit] History

Up until the 1990's, the American Simmental's fur hide was yellow, red, and white.(2) Today they are predominantly black. One reason for this change is commercial breeders believe they will receive better market price if they are black and believed to have Black Angus influence. The original yellow, red, and white color can still be found in the U.S., but the majority of Simmental or Simmental-influenced cattle are now black or red. Another reason for this change is to enhance the appearance of the animals and make them more uniform in appearance. This can also be beneficial in the show ring.

[edit] Breed Characteristics

The Simmental breed is one of the more docile and easy breeds to manage and is most commonly known for their extreme muscle pattern and leanness. Original Simmental cattle were large in their frame size and shallower in their rib design, but today’s breed characteristics tend to be more moderate in their size and have more internal capacity. Simmental bulls on average range from 2000- 2900 pounds at mature weight, while the females can range from 1200-1700 pounds.(1) Typically the females have a productive reproductive lifetime of ten to twelve years and are known for their exceptional milk production while having a calf at side. Simmental females tend to have the highest daily milk yields and highest calving ease scores, but they also have the heaviest fall weighted calves along with the lowest pregnancy rates.(3)

[edit] Uses

Advertisers commonly promote selling Angus cattle beef to their customers through their markets. What most consumers do not know is that Simmental genetics are included in those certified Angus beef. Advertisers have recently been advertising that only Angus beef is used in hamburgers and steaks, but the advertisers also use Simmental meat to make their hamburgers and steaks. Laura’s Lean Beef harvests cattle that have primarily Simmental genetics because of their leanness as well as tenderness and flavor. Simmental beef is sold in businesses everywhere, including restaurants that are commonly known to the public. Not only are Simmental chosen for their exceptional leanness, they are also commonly bought and sold because of their ability to adapt to a variety of climates.(5) Many breeders and commercial cattlemen desire Simmental genetics within their herd because of their easy fleshing ability, or low management and they have a natural pesticide control. Having more skin and not as much hair gives Simmental Cattle natural pesticide control, therefore insects will not bother the cattle as much as other breeds with longer hair. Because of their calm, docile nature, Simmental Cattle can be worked with less stress, which makes them a desirable breed. They are also one of the few breeds that can be found in almost any state in the United States.