Menu
Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
New media
New media comments
New profile posts
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Members
Current visitors
New profile posts
Search profile posts
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles and first posts only
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Forums
Cattle Boards
Breeds Board
Whats wrong with Simmental cattle?
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Help Support CattleToday:
Message
<blockquote data-quote="simme" data-source="post: 1819788" data-attributes="member: 40418"><p>Some people pretend they believe that present day simmental cattle are largely angus and praise the qualities of the "original" simmental. The "simmental" genetics that came to North America were multiple breeds from Europe. The big cattle that came from Switzerland were the actual simmental by name. But the American Simmental Association accepted the Fleckvieh breed from Germany and Austria. And the Abondance, Montbeliard and Pie Rouge breeds from France. And the Pezzata Rosa breed from Italy. Those breeds were accepted as american "simmental" but were from distinct breed registries from Europe. So, were all those original american "simmental" really simmental? I guess all those breeds were related, but still they were different breeds in Europe and were developed over a very long period by crossing cattle in an attempt to best fit their local conditions and needs.</p><p></p><p>I am sure that there have been infusions of outside genetics into the "pure" closed breeds - angus and hereford. But selection can also make significant changes in a breed. I can't buy that all the changes in cattle from belt buckle size to elephant size to moderate size were due to "cheating". Don't overlook selection within a breed as a way to change cattle - for better or worse.</p><p></p><p>Are present day cattle better or worse than those from 50 years ago? How many people here owned cattle 50 years ago and can remember their characteristics and performance? Sometimes we tend to evaluate on what we find pleasing to look at. But there are characteristics that affect the economics that need to be considered. Think birth weight, calving issues, weaning weights, docility, rate of gain/time on feed, feed efficiency, quality grade, yield grade, marbling, backfat/trim, fertility, etc. For simmental, the birth weight and calving issues are pretty much gone. The udders and teats are much better. They grade better and marble better. They are easier keeping. Calves are up and nursing sooner and have fewer issues in the feedlot. I think cattle are mostly better overall than before. But, some breeds seem to have moved backwards on feet and udders. Seems like the more extreme you select in some traits, the more attention you need to put into maintaining other traits. That thought can be applied to far more than cattle.</p><p></p><p>Except for the petting zoo, the purpose of most beef cattle is to ultimately produce beef for eating. The characteristics of that meat for the consumer is independent of breed and the bias within the various levels of the production and marketing side of the beef business. Chickens and pigs are raised in controlled environments. Cows are not. That leaves a lot of room for selecting cattle that fit your situation. But the next buyer/owner up the chain has no appreciation of your needs - only whether the cattle fit their needs.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="simme, post: 1819788, member: 40418"] Some people pretend they believe that present day simmental cattle are largely angus and praise the qualities of the "original" simmental. The "simmental" genetics that came to North America were multiple breeds from Europe. The big cattle that came from Switzerland were the actual simmental by name. But the American Simmental Association accepted the Fleckvieh breed from Germany and Austria. And the Abondance, Montbeliard and Pie Rouge breeds from France. And the Pezzata Rosa breed from Italy. Those breeds were accepted as american "simmental" but were from distinct breed registries from Europe. So, were all those original american "simmental" really simmental? I guess all those breeds were related, but still they were different breeds in Europe and were developed over a very long period by crossing cattle in an attempt to best fit their local conditions and needs. I am sure that there have been infusions of outside genetics into the "pure" closed breeds - angus and hereford. But selection can also make significant changes in a breed. I can't buy that all the changes in cattle from belt buckle size to elephant size to moderate size were due to "cheating". Don't overlook selection within a breed as a way to change cattle - for better or worse. Are present day cattle better or worse than those from 50 years ago? How many people here owned cattle 50 years ago and can remember their characteristics and performance? Sometimes we tend to evaluate on what we find pleasing to look at. But there are characteristics that affect the economics that need to be considered. Think birth weight, calving issues, weaning weights, docility, rate of gain/time on feed, feed efficiency, quality grade, yield grade, marbling, backfat/trim, fertility, etc. For simmental, the birth weight and calving issues are pretty much gone. The udders and teats are much better. They grade better and marble better. They are easier keeping. Calves are up and nursing sooner and have fewer issues in the feedlot. I think cattle are mostly better overall than before. But, some breeds seem to have moved backwards on feet and udders. Seems like the more extreme you select in some traits, the more attention you need to put into maintaining other traits. That thought can be applied to far more than cattle. Except for the petting zoo, the purpose of most beef cattle is to ultimately produce beef for eating. The characteristics of that meat for the consumer is independent of breed and the bias within the various levels of the production and marketing side of the beef business. Chickens and pigs are raised in controlled environments. Cows are not. That leaves a lot of room for selecting cattle that fit your situation. But the next buyer/owner up the chain has no appreciation of your needs - only whether the cattle fit their needs. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Cattle Boards
Breeds Board
Whats wrong with Simmental cattle?
Top