Modern livestock production is mainly focused on highly specialized breeds—some for milk, others for meat. Dairy cows are used for milk production, while beef breeds are fattened, often in combination with dairy herds in the “Beef on Dairy” program.
Simmental Fleckvieh introduces a different breeding philosophy. This breed combines the best of both worlds: Cows produce high-quality milk, while males achieve impressive growth rates and meat quality. There is no other genetic foundation in the world that so successfully combines both production traits.
The Cradle of Dual-Purpose Breeding
Simmental Fleckvieh originates from southern Germany and Austria, where over a million cattle are raised. While France leads in large-scale farms, Germany and Austria are dominated by smaller farms with carefully selected livestock.
Key Data for 2023:
- Average annual milk production per cow: 8,354 kg
- Fat content: 4.17%
- Protein content: 3.52%
- Milk production per cow increased by 1,000 kg in the last 10 years
- Breeding flexibility: from intensive farms to extensive pastures
- Daily milk yield: 40 kg, with a trend towards exceeding 10,000 kg annually
- Excellent adaptation to organic and extensive farming
Exceptional Growth Potential
While most dairy breeds produce male calves with low market value, a 50-day-old Simmental Fleckvieh calf sells for 450 to 800 euros. Crossbred calves can reach 1,100 euros.
Fattening bulls reach 800 kg, with an average daily weight gain of 1,500 grams, ranking them among the best beef breeds in Europe.
Robustness, Fertility, and Longevity
Due to their strong musculature, many mistakenly believe that Simmental Fleckvieh is primarily a beef breed. In reality, this breed offers the perfect balance between milk and meat production. Cows that produce 40 kg of milk per day remain long-lived and highly fertile. Simmental Fleckvieh is known for low sterility rates and excellent reproductive ability.
Example from practice: A cow named Liebe from Radon lived 29 years and produced over 170,000 kg of milk.
Genetic Progress and Selection
Simmental Fleckvieh breeding has been carefully monitored for over a century. Since the 1950s, artificial insemination has become widespread. Today:
- Over 90% of inseminations are artificial
- Genomic selection provides reliable data on productivity, economic viability, and animal health
- The Single Step method combines pedigree data with genomic analysis for superior selection quality
Polled Breeding – The New Standard
In recent decades, more farmers have switched to polled genetics, offering numerous advantages—fewer injuries, easier handling, and greater economic efficiency. In the beef sector, Simmental Viande and Red Simmental lines already have a significant number of polled animals.
Genetic Diversity and Low Inbreeding Rates
While some dairy breeds are limited to a few genetic lines, Simmental Fleckvieh offers remarkable genetic diversity, with an inbreeding coefficient of just 3.6%. Each year, farmers can choose from 19 different bull lines for insemination.
Climate Resilience and Efficiency
Simmental Fleckvieh enables high milk and meat yields with reduced environmental impact. Its long lifespan and ability to adapt to various climates make this breed an excellent choice for modern livestock farming.
Conclusion
Simmental Fleckvieh is rightfully the best dual-purpose breed in the world. Its top productivity, durability, longevity, and economic efficiency stand out. This breed represents the best possible choice for farmers seeking a secure and sustainable breeding option.
