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S immental cattle. By Anna McQuaid and Chloe McKenna . Aims. Our aims are the.. Characteristics of S immental cattle. Why farmers use them. The value of them when slaughtered. B ackground information on breed of cattle. Pictures and videos. Interesting facts. .
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Simmental cattle By Anna McQuaid and Chloe McKenna.
Aims. Our aims are the.. • Characteristics of Simmental cattle. • Why farmers use them. • The value of them when slaughtered. • Background information on breed of cattle. • Pictures and videos. • Interesting facts.
The characteristics of Simmental cattle. • Simmentals originated from Switzerland. • Mature Weight: Bulls: (1,000 to 1,200 kg) Cows: (550 to 800 kg) • Colour: From blonde to chestnut to cherry red, with white markings on the head, underside of brisket and belly. • The legs and tail switch are generally white and there may be white patches on the body. • Often dark pigmentation around the eyes and large eye patches. • Horns: Simmentals are naturally horned, but Simmental regulations require dehorning for registration.
Why farmers use simmental cattle? North America • Farmers use Simmental cattle for dual purpose beef/milk breed. • Over the past 30 years, the Simmental breed spread to other continents, including North and South America, Africa and Australia, where Simmentals are used for beef production. South America South Africa Australia
Values. • High, long term fertility • Longevity • Calving ease • Short intervals between calving • Excellent mothering ability • Good grazing ability • Early maturity • Good growth rates • Easy to handle • Feed conversion and efficiency • Uniformity in type & colour
Background information. • Simmental is a breed of cattle whose history dates back to the Middle Ages. • Early records indicate that Simmental cattle were the result of a cross between large German cattle and a smaller breed indigenous to Switzerland • Total numbers are estimated between 40 and 60 million Simmental cattle worldwide, with more than half in Europe. • Guatemala imported the first Simmental cattle into the Western Hemisphere in 1897, with Brazil following in 1918 and Argentina in 1922. • In 1976 they were also shipped to the Republic of China.