Simmental Cattle

Simmental Cattle

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)

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.

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 to 2900 pounds at mature weight, while the females can range from 1200 to 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)

External links

* [http://www.simmental.org/ American Simmental Association] — Official website of the American Simmental Association
* [http://simmental.co.nz/ Simmental New Zealand] — Official website of the New Zealand Simmental Cattle Breeders Association
* [http://www.cattle.com/BreedsofCattle/breed_information.aspx?id=5 Simmental Breed Information] — Cattle.com
* [http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/simmental/ A History of the Simmental Breed] — Oklahoma


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Look at other dictionaries:

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  • Simmental — also Simmenthal noun Etymology: Simmental, valley of the Simme River in Switzerland Date: 1906 any of a breed of large usually buff or dull red and white cattle of Swiss origin that are used widely throughout the world for meat and milk …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Simmental — /zim euhn tahl /, n. one of a large breed of cattle, yellowish brown to red and white, originally of Switzerland, used for milk and beef and as a draft animal. Also, Simmenthal, Simmenthaler /zim euhn tah leuhr/. [1905 10; after Simmental, the… …   Universalium

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  • Simmental — /ˈsɪməntal/ (say simuhntahl) noun one of a breed of cattle of Swiss origin, pale yellow to dark red in colour, excellent for milk or meat production. {from Simmental, valley of the Simme river in central Switzerland} …  

  • Simmental — [ sɪm(ə)ntα:l] noun an animal of a red and white breed of cattle farmed for both meat and milk. Origin 1950s: named after a valley in central Switzerland …   English new terms dictionary

  • French Simmental — is a French cattle breed.HistoryThe breed originates from Simmental cattle from Switzerland. They were imported to France at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1930, the stud book was opened. The breed was named Eastern red pied. (in french,… …   Wikipedia

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