Simmental

Simmental is one of the most versatile breeds in beef production at the present time excelling in both beef and maternal traits. Their coat colour varies from a yellowish brown to straw coloured to red and there are white markings on the head, shoulders, belly and legs. They have large deep bodies, strong bone and good muscular characteristics. The adult weight of Simmental dams can range from 600 kg to 900kg.

The Simmental originated from the Simmen Valley in Switzerland. Simmental is one of the most adaptable and numerous breeds having being established in all five Continents of the world. The coat colouring varies from pale to dark depending on what part of the world the animal is bred. Simmental would be considered to be one of the heaviest milk producing beef breeds, even without any dairy influence, leading to good mothering ability and high growth rates in calves. The first importation of Simmental cattle to Ireland was in 1971 from Austria, followed by more importations from France, Germany and Switzerland in the same year. Embryos and semen have also been imported from Canada, US and Denmark in more recent times.  As well as being used for producing beef in terms of high quality weanlings for export and beef bull production the excellent maternal traits see Simmental commonly used in replacement heifers. Their docility and good fertility makes them popular with suckler farmers. Irish breeders have focused on improving the beef traits in the breed without compromising the maternal traits in recent years and these qualities have attracted interest from countries such as US, Canada and Denmark who are sourcing semen from Irish Simmental sires.

Advantages to Simmental:

• Excellent supply of milk, without dairy influence
• High growth Rate
• Good fertility, dams go back into calf quickly
• Easy calving
• Docile and easily managed