The Simmentaler – a balance of milk and beef
The name Simmentaler is derived from the Simme river valley (“tal” in German) in Switzerland, where the breed originated. The breed is a descendant of the Aurochs (Bos Taurus primegenius), the indigenous cattle of Europe, and its low relationship with Zebu, Sanga and British breeds renders it the ideal breed for cross breeding due to increased hybrid vigour (heterosis).
Outside Europe, Namibia was the first country where the breed was successfully established. The first imports were in 1893 by the government of the then German Colony, that promoted import for cross breeding, with a view to “improving the milk and beef production of the indigenous animals.
The most important reason for the popularity of the breed in the first half of the previous century was its dual-purpose characteristics. In the 50s, the then South West Africa with no dairy cattle produced on average of 9,2 million pounds of butter and 367 300 lb cheese per year. These dairy products were produced predominantly by Simmentaler and Simmentaler crosses.
At present the number of Simmentaler breeders in Namibia is only exceeded by the Brahman. More than half of all stud breeders in Namibia that farm with breeds of British and European origin, breed Simmentalers. South Africa (SA)
The first Simmentalers arrived in South Africa in 1905 when President MT Steyn of the Republic of the Free State established a stud on his farm Onze Rust, near Bloemfontein.
The breed had, however, maintained an inferior position until the early sixties when the excellent performance of the Simmentaler in official interbreed tests were revealed.
It soon became clear that the demand was exceeding the supply and in the period 1960 to 1970 large numbers had been imported into South Africa, initially from the then South West Africa, and later Fleckvieh from Germany and Austria.
From Switzerland and France there were no noteworthy imports. Since 1975 imports have decreased considerably as a result of the development of a locally adapted Simmentaler.
Breeders‘ Society in Namibia
reeders in Namibia and South Africa established a breeders society for Southern Africa in 1964. Today this young breeders society is, as far as animal numbers are concerned, the third largest of 32 non-dairy breeds, surpassed only by the Bonsmara (local synthetic) and Brahman (Zebu).
In comparison with the 16 other British and European nondairy breeds, Sim mental er has more female animals than the 2nd, 3rd and 4th largest breeds combined.
The main objective of the Society is to provide its breeders with comprehensive advisory services. This is handled by independent accredited Breed Advisors.
This comprehensive onestop service package costs a breeder with 100 animals the equivalent of two culled weaners per year.
Breeding programmes are conducted in accordance with the breeding objectives of the breed. Other important objectives are the commitment towards animal improvement in Southern Africa, the promotion and genetic improvement of the Simmentaler, to act as registering authority in accordance with the Animal Improvement Act 1998, free access to the pedigrees, breeding values, calving records and other particulars via the internet, and sustained improvement of services to its members at market related tariffs.