Simmental - More dollars
in your pocket sooner
About the Breed
Simmentals - when you are onto a good thing stick to it!
Simmental is a breed of cattle originating from the Simme Valley in Switzerland whose history dates back to the Middle Ages when the first Simmental Cattle were produced. Initial popularity was due to the breeds suitability as a dairy, beef and draught animal and in different continents it is still used for those purposes today. In Germany and Austria the Simmental is known as the Fleckvieh and in France as the Pie Rouge. Today the breed is the second most numerous in the world (following Bos Indicus) with estimates ranging from 40 to 60 million worldwide on all inhabited continents.
In Africa, North and South America, Australia and Australasia the breed is used predominantly for beef production while its popularity in Europe is as a dual purpose breed. The adaptability of this breed along with the genetic decisions made over many years by Simmental Breeders in Australia shows when comparing the breeds sale averages and clearance rates to its main competitors in Queensland (i.e. Charolais and Limousin).
Simmental Infused Cattle
In Australia they are known for:
- Weaning earlier and at heavier weights
- High Fertility
- Longevity
- Docility
- Better Milk Production
- High Carcass Yield and Grading
Our Strategy
Find out more about Lone Station Simmentals approach to Continually Improving Genetics, Maintaining Genetic Diversity and Accurate Recordkeeping on the ‘Our Strategy’ section.
Critical for Success
Genetic Selection is critical to our success at breeding and selling Simmental Bulls in Queensland.
As a stud breeding operation every year our objective is to breed a higher number of Simmental calves more closely aligned with the needs of the commercial cattle producer. This means that each year the herd should improve and the decisions made in our own sire and genetic selections should not take our breeding program backwards.
Regardless there is risk with bull selection and sometimes the desired outcome is not achieved regardless of the approach taken. On this basis females in the herd are our most important asset with substantial records kept of all aspects of female performance. These vital metrics include calving performance, weights at weaning and joining, actual genetic characteristics of progeny, sale prices achieved for progeny, temperament and productive life span.
Lone Station Simmentals Approach to Genetic Selection
Goal
More saleable beef for our clients earlier, ideally with less inputs with genetic traits to support performance and longevity in Queensland’s varied conditions.
Objectives
- Sire medium birth weight calves to maximise progeny on the ground yet not lose the benefits inherent in a good sized calf.
- Give the producer flexibility to sell progeny at any age by genetically selecting animals that put-on weight at all stages in their lifetime.
- Increase resilience in the breed in the form of fat coverage, smooth coat type and multi-generational exposure to ticks and fly to increase longevity and performance.
Tactics
The following tables show the characteristics used by Lone Station to select bulls, females and genetic packages for stud use.
Lone Station Simmentals Approach to Genetic Selection
Characteristic | Mandatory | Desired | Optional |
|---|---|---|---|
Sound Feet and Step | X | ||
Structurally Correct | X | ||
Weight for Age | X | ||
Ample and consistent fat coverage (8/8) 20 months age | X | ||
Eye Muscle Area (122->), Intramuscular Fat (4.0->) 24 months age | X | ||
Scrotal Size-Med to Large (38->45) 24 months age | X | ||
Smooth Coat | X | ||
Polled/ Horned | X | ||
Sirey Appeal | X | ||
Temperament | X | ||
Bred in Tick Country | X | ||
Registered 8/8 Purebred | X |
Female Selection
Characteristic | Mandatory | Desired | Optional |
|---|---|---|---|
Calving Rate | X | ||
Calving ease | X | ||
Temperament | X | ||
Longevity | X | ||
Cattle Tick Load | X | ||
Smooth Coat | X | ||
Medium Frame | X | ||
Polled | X | ||
Growth rate of progeny | X | ||
Sale price average of progeny | X | ||
Structurally Correct & Sound Feet | X | ||
Colour | X |