Simmental Cattle Breed – Everything You Need to Know

The Simmental Cattle breed is not only considered one of the oldest Swiss cattle breeds, but it is also one of the most popular cattle breeds worldwide. There are believed to be around 41 million heads of Simmental cattle worldwide.
Both the Fleckvig cattle common in Germany and the Pie Rouge cattle breed common in France are strains of the Simmental cattle breed.
They are a medium to large breed of cattle that are well known for both their good milk and meat production making them a true dual-purpose cattle breed.

SIMMENTAL CATTLE BREED OF CATTLE QUICK PROFILE OVERVIEW
The Simmental cattle breed are considered to be one of the oldest cattle types in the world.
Country of Origin:	Switzerland
Other Names:	Swiss Fleckvieh
Main Purpose:	Milk and meat
Can be used for	Breed, Meat, Milk, Draft
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Ideal Climate:	Heat, Cold, Most Climates
Conservation Status:	Not Listed by the *ALC Status/Rarity: Not at risk
Health Issues?	No known health issues
Good Starter Cattle?	Novice to intermediate Cattle farmer/keeper level
Cattle Associations:	British Simmental Cattle Society, American Simmental Association, Canadian Simmental Association, and Simmental Australia
Cattle Clubs:	Please refer to the British Simmental Cattle Society, American Simmental Association, Canadian Simmental Association, and Simmental Australia for more information on the Simmental breed of cattle
Where to buy them?	Please refer to the British Simmental Cattle Society, American Simmental Association, Canadian Simmental Association, and Simmental Australia for more information on the Simmental breed of cattle
Child Friendly?	Livestock should not be left unattended around unsupervised children
General Information:	The Simmental cattle breed is well suited for the harsh Irish climate as they survive without much fuss in Swiss Alpine conditions where the winters can get really harsh. In heavy sunny areas, the pigmentation around the eyes and cows udders allows for the withstanding of the beating sun with no skin problems.
Note: *ALC stands for American Livestock Conservancy

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Simmental cattle are a large breed of cattle with long powerful thick legs, the cows have a blockish well-developed physique whilst the males are stockier, rounder and have more muscle definitions. The males head is rounder than the females which is more rectangular with a straight profile. They usually have a fluffy coat and ears with a small tight dewlap.
Size:	Large
CATTLE ⇒ COW BULL Breed Color: Red or white spotted Gold or white spotted. Or the dominant shade of the breed varies from a pale yellow-gold to a very deep dark rich red. They normally have a white face. Red or white spotted Gold or white spotted. Or the dominant shade of the breed varies from a pale yellow-gold to a very deep dark rich red. They normally have a white face. Some bulls have been known to black Breed Weight: 700 to 900 kg 1300 kg Breed Height: 135 to 150 cm 150 to 160 cm Horns: Polled or have short horns that grow up and curl backward Polled or have short horns that grow up and curl backward Temperament: Docile and easy to handle Docile and easy to handle by they are very large animals and bulls should always be considered dangerous Matures at age: 6 to 8 months or 9 + months 6 to 8 months or 9 + months Puberty Age: 6 to 15 months 9 to 1o months Breeding Age: 13 to 15 months 1 year Breeding Traits: See Cow breeding & Milking Info Cover 25 to 30 Cows in 1 season

COW BREEDING & MILKING INFORMATION
Most Cattle produce milk but not all of them are used in the dairy Cattle capacity for their milk. Cows only calve once a year and should have 12 to 14-month inter-calving cycle. They have a very good dairy quality which is held in quite high esteem to those who use the Simmental for dairy production. The cows are excellent mothers with good maternal instincts, easy calving with little to no birthing difficulties. They are also said to be very quick and easy to milk with a high milk yield that improves the conditions of the calves in suckler herds.
Breeding Period/cycle:	Usually lasts 6 to 24 hours Most ave. 12 to 16 hours Cows usually come on heat every 21 days.
Estrous cycle:	Ave. 17 days to 24 days Heifer – usually ave. 20 days Cows – usually ave. 21 days
Gestation Period:	Usually, around 279 to 287 days but most gestation is 283 days. Cows that are carrying bull calf’s their gestation period is usually a little longer than cows that are carrying heifer calves.
No. Calves/Litter:	1 calf at a time. Cows rarely have twins or triplets, but it can happen
Lactation Period:	Cows lactation period can last for up to about 10 months (305) days.
Milking From:	1 to 6 weeks after Calving
Drying off Period:	The cow should have a 12 to 14-month inter-calving cycle. Drying off period for around 60 days before she can calve again.
Milk Quality:	Good, Butterfat = 4.2%, Protein = 3.7% Quantity: 1st lactation = 6000 kgs Per: Lactation period 2nd onwards = 9000 kgs Per: Lactation period
Milk Ideal for:	Calves, drinking, and other dairy products
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CATTLE MEAT PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Simmental cattle breed have a high quality of meat and mature relatively fast. They convert food to weight very efficiently in any kind of pasture most owners report that the Simmental breed to be docile with is supposedly good for the PH balance of the meat. The daily weight gain for a Simmental is 1.44 kg with a carcass weight of 57.2%. They have a high carcass yield with a good ratio of meat to bone with minimal waste. The meat is well marbled for tenderness and makes for a full-flavored juice beef.
Meat Production?	Yes, Quality: Good
CATTLE ⇒ VEAL BEEF Ave. Maturity Age: 6 to 8 months 9 months up to 4 years
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CATTLE SKIN PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Most meat Cattle will have a skin by-product, and these are usually used in some form or just as a hide. The Simmental cattle breed may not be specifically bred for their hides but it does come in as a useful by-product of the cattle breed meat production.
Skin Production?	No, Quality: Good
Skin is used to Produce:	Calf/cow skin leather products such as shoes, car seats, fine leather coats, gloves, handbags, belts, furniture, rugs, etc.
CATTLE ⇒ CALF ADULT Age they Produce from: 6 to 8 months for Calf skin 1 to 2 years old for Normal leather

HISTORY

Although the first herd book for the Simmental cattle breed was not established until 1806 the is documented evidence that this breed has been around for a lot longer than that.
Documentation is said to show evidence and large red and white cattle that were highly productive being found much earlier by secular and ecclesiastical property records of Western Switzerland.

The records show that these large red and white cattle were highly sought after due to their rapid growth and excellent milking and beef qualities along with their gentle nature.

Around 1785 the Swiss Parliament limited the export of the cattle due to a cattle shortage and the country having to meet their own food needs.

The first Cattle association, “The Swiss Red and White Spotted Simmental Cattle Association” was started in 1890.

The breed was gradually dispersed throughout the world until around the late 1960s.
During the 1900s the cattle were dispersed to countries such as Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and Russia. In 1895 the breed reached South Africa, The Western Hemisphere in 1897, Brazil in 1918 and Argentina in 1922.

Simmental cattle arrived in the United States in 1887 in Illinois, New Jersey in 1895 and New York and New Mexico in 1916 to 1920.

The American Simmental Association was formed in 1968.

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