How much milk does the Simmental breed of cows give. Simmentals: description and characteristics of the breed of cows, reviews about the Simmental

Every experienced farmer is familiar with Simmental cows. Many ranchers prefer these animals because of the desire to increase their income while minimal cost. Behind a short time Simmentals are able to gain a lot of weight, and also give a large amount of milk. They emphasize the result of many years of work of breeders, combining the best qualities of beef and dairy cattle.

It is known that the Simmental breed is one of the oldest breeds on the planet, which appeared in Switzerland and grazing for centuries in the most beautiful Alpine meadows along the banks of the Simm. Over time, they spread across the European continent and gained worldwide recognition. . After being widely popularized by breed leading breeders began to work, wanting to improve its quality and characteristics. Currently, Simmentals are one of the most popular and profitable breeds that are found throughout Russian Federation, but the largest number of individuals is concentrated in farms ah Central Black Earth regions.

Origin story

When choosing the right breed cows for home keeping, as well as the development of a business for the sale of milk and meat, a novice farmer should take into account a number of important aspects:

1. Can an animal adapt to new climatic conditions.
2. Are there any difficulties in home care.
3. What is the productivity of the animal.

Simmental cows and bulls show all three characteristics and are a great solution for promoting a home farming business.

The exact date of appearance and birthplace of the breed, unfortunately, is unknown. However, many scientists are of the opinion that the progenitors of the Simmentals were wild bull tours, which were once crossed with the Galloway breed of cows.

However, some European researchers put forward a different theory, believing that the representatives of the breed were brought to Switzerland from the Scandinavian Peninsula, where the current breed characteristics were formed. It happened somewhere in the fifth century AD, however, there is no exact confirmation of such data. Often the breed is called Bernese, which is associated with the first mentions that spoke of grazing cattle on the banks of the Bern River.

Already in the 19th century, several individuals were brought to Russia, where after some time they became the best and most productive animals in five regions. former USSR. It's no secret that Swiss butter has always been of the highest quality - the same goes for the milk from which it was made. Nevertheless, the Swiss paid special attention to the quality of the meat product. For centuries, Simmentals have been grazed in the open air, fed on juicy mountain grass. As a result, it was possible to breed an excellent breed that gives delicious milk and high-quality beef.

Gallery: Simmental breed of cows (25 photos)

Characteristics of the Simmental breed of cows

To expand your understanding of the breed, you should carefully study its main characteristics and advantages.

Basically, this variety is classified as powerful, large and muscular. Cows have muscular legs, which are necessary to easily support such an impressive weight. The head is rather large, and the horns are slightly curved. The neck of medium length passes into a wide and strong chest.

Bulls have a characteristic muscular dewlap. They also have a long and thick tail, at the end of which there is a fluffy tassel.

The following characteristics are mentioned in the description of the breed:

Among distinctive features allocate the following:

Productivity

Productivity indicators can be divided into three groups:

1. Nadoy.
2. The amount of meat.
3. Calving.

Milk yield reaches 3-5 tons natural product during lactation. The exact figures are determined by the area where the animals are bred. For 15 years of life, an adult cow gives about 52 tons of milk with a fat content of 4%. There were cases when it was possible to achieve a better milk yield of 6 tons of milk with a fat content of 5.5%, as well as 8 tons of a product with a fat content of 5.5%.

As for the amount of meat, already one-year-old bulls weigh about 400 kilograms. Almost every day they gain from 1 to 1.5 kilograms of mass. The taste of the meat is excellent. It is very soft, non-greasy and tasty, with a characteristic structure of coarse fiber. One cow gives about 55% of meat. The same indicator in bulls reaches 65%. Due to their rapid growth and ability to quickly gain weight, representatives of the breed can become a very valuable source of beef.

puberty

The period of puberty comes very quickly. The first offspring of the heifer leads at the age of 2.5 years. A little more than a year passes between each calving. Childbirth takes place easily and with little or no human assistance. And because of the excellent maternal instinct in cows and very tasty milk, calves grow very quickly. A few hours after birth, they try to get on their feet, and soon they move to the udder on their own.

Breed advantages

When searching for descriptions of the breed, you can find many advantages that are typical only for these amazing creatures. Of the shortcomings, only the high content of bones in meat is mentioned. Advantages:

How to keep Simmental cows at home

If you intend to breed cattle (cattle) on your farm, pay attention to the unique variety of cows - the Simmental breed. Special conditions keeping and breeding these animals are not required. It is enough to graze them in the meadow and milk them in a timely manner. As for the frequency and duration of milking, such parameters are determined taking into account individual characteristics.

After the birth of offspring, a young cow is milked about twice a day. Older individuals need three or even four times milking. Try to stick to a clear regime - this will avoid many troubles. The cow will learn to be punctual and will return home on her own by the time of milking, trying to carry the rest of the herd along with her. You can milk Simmentalok manually or with the help of special milking machines.

In the summer, cows can be kept outdoors practically around the clock. The main thing is that they have somewhere to hide in case of possible precipitation. To do this, build a special canopy. IN winter period cows should equip a warm barn with good ventilation. It's okay if other domestic animals are placed in the building - cows do not conflict with them.

When caring for cattle, carefully inspect them for fleas and lice. For prevention purposes, the entry of infected individuals into the corral should be limited. Most often, fleas attack young calves, so they need to be examined especially often and carefully.

Important features of care and breeding

Although there are no serious difficulties in caring for these representatives of the cattle breed, some subtleties still need to be followed.

The first calving occurs at 2.5 years, while the interval between births exceeds 12-14 months.

For every day of life, the animal gains up to 1 kilogram of weight, so you need to feed it plentifully and efficiently. In order for fattening for meat to be successful, it is important to correctly compose the menu. Simmental diets should include boiled corn mixed with water. Among the important components of a proper diet are hay in the amount of 1-2 bales per day, as well as compound feed - 2-3 kilograms per head. In addition, animals need to be fed with juicy feed, root crops and cake.

Due to the unpretentiousness in the choice of food, raising calves is not difficult. Small creatures quickly adapt to new conditions and do not require complex care.

The speed and productivity of growth is determined by many factors. If care is appropriate established rules, in one day the calf gains about 1 kilogram of weight. As for calving, they occur very easily and without complications. Mortality rates are below average, so breeding success is very high. The birth rate is very high, and there is a high percentage of twins.

Conclusion

It is not difficult to buy representatives of the Simmental breed of cows. On the territory of the Moscow region alone, there are several dozen private farms selling not only dairy and meat products, but also calves, cows, and young bulls.

Simmentals are a highly sought-after cow breed that is very popular and loved by many farmers. This is due to many virtues that are peculiar only to these animals.

Today, Simmentals are raised for both meat and milk. For the first purpose, young bulls that have not reached the age of one are used, as well as old cows that are incapable of reproduction.

Attention, only TODAY!

Stately, healthy, powerful beauties of meat and dairy are all Simmental breed of cows, one of the leading in the mixed direction. For a private trader, this breed is good for its versatility, for a farm - the ability to quickly re-profile the economy when demand changes.

Origin and distinguishing features

The Bernese canton of Switzerland, where the Simmen River flows, gave the world a magnificent breed of Simmental cattle. No more than 2-3 animals were kept in each peasant yard, which were supposed to give the children milk to drink, provide the family with meat, and transport heavy carts.

So universal simmentals were bred, which are characterized by:

• red-and-white or fawn-and-white color, often with a white head;
• flat broad back with slightly pronounced withers;
• large heavy body of rectangular habitus;
• well-built muscles.

Simmental cow after the first calving gives 15-18 liters of milk per day, after the fifth - up to 25 liters. For lactation - up to 4.7 tons. The fat content in the milk of first-calf heifers reaches 4.1%, with age it drops to 3.9%. Among the livestock there are individuals that give milk with a fat content of up to 6%.

Young animals are capable of fast fattening, adding up to 1 kg of live weight per day. Beef bulls are castrated at the age of 2-3 months, and they fatten up more tender and fatty meat, giving out a slaughter weight of 1200-1400 kg. Simmental skin is widely used, the amount of which from one carcass is up to 50 kg.

Video: this hero will probably drag on all 1.5 tons

Content Requirements

The Simmental breed of cows is accustomed to the Spartan conditions of the highlands. In regions with a cold climate (Belarus, the Urals, Siberia), in winter, animals are kept in barns with an air temperature of 10-12 degrees, and when fresh grass appears, they are transferred to pastures. In the south of Ukraine and Russia, the stall period is reduced down to year-round loose housing.

To obtain maximum production, livestock should receive a variety of high-quality feeds, including succulent ones (silage, root crops). A strong skeleton is properly formed with sufficient availability of calcium and phosphorus in the feed.

Simmental cattle breeding

In European countries, Simmentals are purebred. Hundreds of meat-and-dairy bulls and heifers are obtained by artificial insemination from a selected high-class producer.

In Ukraine and Russia, this breed is often crossed with others, getting the so-called simmentalized cattle: strong, hardy, productive. One of the brightest breeds, which owes its origin to the Simmentals, is the Sychevskaya.

Advantages and disadvantages of the breed

The main advantage of Simmentals is that they belong to a mixed direction of productivity. They produce excellent tasting milk, suitable for the production of hard cheeses, and soft beef with an optimal fat content. With proper feeding, you can get a high percentage of marbled meat from them.

The disadvantages include the exactingness of the variety of feed. In addition, some individuals inherit the elephantine hindquarters with an almost straightened hock. Such animals quickly get tired when walking on a pasture, they cannot perform draft work.

A huge farm or a modest barn for one stall - the Simmental breed of cows will find a use for itself everywhere. These large, calm, naturally healthy animals will provide the farm with everything necessary: ​​from meat and dairy products to hides and assistance in field transportation.

Video

Igor Nikolaev

Reading time: 4 minutes

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The Simmental breed belongs to one of the oldest cattle breeds. Her homeland is Switzerland. The breeding book of the breed begins in 1806, but there are earlier references to animals in church and secular books.

Local residents who lived in the Simmental Valley were engaged in cattle breeding. The breed got its name from the name of this valley. Animals were valued for their beauty.

Cows and bulls of light color proudly paced the green lush meadows of Switzerland. Simmentals were considered noble animals. Their unique productivity was noted.

KRS refers to the meat and dairy direction. Features of cattle attracted foreign breeders. Already at the beginning of the 17th century, Swiss cattle began to be imported to other countries. At the end of the 18th century, the Swiss Cattle Breeders' Association banned the export of Simmentals. They began to export the seminal fluid of sires.

The Simmental breed has undergone changes. This is how the German, Austrian, American, Australian subspecies of Simmentals are distinguished. In Russia, bulls were used to breed Bestuzhev, Kalmyk, Kazakh white-headed breeds of cattle.

Characteristics of the breed

Cattle have a light color, spotted, light fawn. There is a reddish color. Bulls are darker than cows. Swiss purebred cattle have a white nasal speculum. Light hair in the area around the horns, on the limbs.

The physique of the animals is strong, compact, the chest is wide. The muscular system is well developed, but muscles are not noticeable under thick skin. Simmental skins are highly valued in the market. The head of the animals is massive with a wide forehead.

Purebred individuals have horns. Many Simmental subspecies are polled. The hair on the head is white. Reddish around the eyes. Swiss cows have only white hair on their heads.

• The growth of a bull at the withers is 155-160 cm, cows are 150 cm.
• A bull is born with a weight of 40 kg, a heifer - 35 kg. Calvings usually pass without complications. There is an accelerated growth and weight gain in young animals. Calves are able to gain up to 1200 g per day. At 8 months, bulls weigh 320 kg, heifers 270 kg. The breed is considered precocious. The first insemination of heifers is carried out at the age of 14 months.
• By 12 months, a calf can weigh up to 500 kg. They lead him to slaughter at 18 months. Its weight reaches 680-700 kg.
• The weight of adult bulls of the Simmental breed is 1100 kg, cows - 900 kg. Slaughter yield 62%.
• There is little fat in meat, 12%. For bulls provide a period of fattening.
• Cows have good milk production. For lactation, they give more than 3.5 tons of milk. Fat content - 3.9%. In Russia, Simmental dairy and meat cattle are bred. During lactation, a cow can produce up to 10 tons of milk. The fat content is unique - 4.56%. Record holders were noted in the farms of the Central Black Earth region.
• The udder of cows is well developed, has a cup-shaped shape. The nipples are cylindrical, pointing down. The distance between them is sufficient to carry out hardware milking.
• The productivity of cows increases up to 7 lactations.
• Lifespan - up to 14-before calving.
• Simmental gobies have good immunity. The content of the livestock is not difficult. In food, cows are unpretentious, but they show high productivity with good nutrition and maintenance. They do not show strong expressions of emotion.

Experts note that Simmental cows often calve as twins. The number of such females is 5% of the total population.

If same-sex twins develop during multiple pregnancy, then livestock breeders should not worry. Full-fledged calves will be born. With heterosexuality, the heifer always remains barren. She is fattened along with the bulls. She will not be able to give calves and milk.

How to take care of cattle?

Simmental cattle tolerates a humid climate, low temperatures, but not frost. In cold weather, they can only be walked. In summer, animals graze on pastures, in winter they are put in stalls.

Simmentals tolerate both free and stall content well. This does not affect productivity, but livestock breeders still prefer to place cows and bulls in separate stalls or stalls. With this content, you can control how much the animal eats feed.

In summer, Simmentals are placed in open pens with a canopy. Feeders and drinkers are organized under a canopy. During the grazing period, animals are on the range all daylight hours. The feeding regimen of the transitional period is taken into account. The first spring grazing is carried out on scarce pastures.

Animals receive a full winter diet. In the future, pastures are selected with better quality, with lush grass. The number of concentrates, vegetables is reduced. Before walking, animals must be given hay. Roughage is necessary for the normal functioning of the rumen.

• In summer, the livestock eats herbs ad libitum.
• Animals are given 2 kg of hay per 1 kg of weight. If a cow weighs 500 kg, then her hay norm is 10 kg.
• Concentrates in the summer give 150 g per 1 centner of weight: about 750 g. Choose combined feed with mineral supplements. This is also necessary for good quality milk, and for the health of the cow. In summer, milk yields increase. Together with milk, a lot of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium salts leave the animal's body. The lack of salt must be replenished.
• A cow receives 70 g of food salt.
• Water - 70 liters per day.

In winter, the diet for cows is made up of hay, silage, haylage, and vegetables.

A certain amount of silage can be replaced with vegetables: potatoes, turnips, pumpkin, zucchini. Cows are very fond of watermelons, but you can’t give them a lot. Feed can provoke a violation of gastrointestinal motility.

For Simmental gobies, a different diet is prescribed. It is aimed at an accelerated increase in body weight.

• At 1 month, young animals are fed with colostrum, up to 8 liters per day. Additionally, calves are entitled to 100 g of concentrates. The dry mixture is steamed and served in a semi-liquid form. Instead of concentrates, you can cook oatmeal.
• At 2 months, the calf receives 4 liters of whole milk and 4 liters of skimmed milk. They begin to give hay, up to 200 g. The portion of concentrates is increased to 700 g.
• 3 month - 8 liters of skim milk, 1 kg of hay, 500 kg of potatoes, 1.5 kg of grain mixture.
• 4 months - continue to give milk, 2 kg of hay, 1 kg of vegetables, 1.6 kg of grain. They begin to give silage - 500 g.
• 5 month - 4 liters of milk, if the calf wants, 2 kg of silage and hay, 1 kg of potatoes, 2 kg of grain mixture.
• 6 months - do not give milk, 3 kg of hay, 6 kg of silage, 1 kg of vegetables, 2 kg of concentrates.

Together with the grain mixture, Simmental bulls receive mineral supplements. At 6 months, the calf should eat 20 g of table salt, 25 g of phosphate. In summer, instead of silage and vegetables, the calf gets green grass. Such a diet allows him to gain 400-450 kg in six months. Further, the portion of feed is increased.

When the bull reaches a weight of more than 700 kg, it is put on fattening. During this period, nutrition is not balanced. The duration of fattening is 3 months.

When choosing a cow breed for home or farm keeping, it is necessary to pay attention to such criteria as excellent adaptation to the climate, unpretentiousness in care, and excellent productivity. All these qualities are present in the Simmental cow. In order for a cow to give high-quality milk, it is necessary to provide her with suitable housing conditions.

Appearance and characteristics of the Simmental breed of cows, pros and cons

Only knowledge of the external qualities of this breed will allow you to purchase an animal of pure breed. In height, the cow can reach 150 cm, and the length of the body is 160 cm. It has a wide bone, powerful muscles. Thanks to this, it is possible to achieve proportionality of all parts of the body. You can find out how long a chicken lives without a head.

However appearance can be described as rude. Animals have a wide withers, which harmoniously merges with the back. The back smoothly passes into the lower back and sacrum. The presence of a wide croup in a cow affects the development of its reproductive system. Therefore, she belongs to and will be able to give a lot of milk.

What the Ayrshire breed of cows looks like can be seen from.

The straight limbs are set correctly, the hooves are pink. Sometimes you can see cattle with such a disadvantage as the setting of the hind legs, reminiscent of the setting of elephants.

The neck of cows is short, gradually turning into a deep sternum. Bulls can still boast of having dewlaps. The udder at and Simmental is large, has a rounded shape, as well as elastic skin. Sometimes you can meet females with uneven development of the udder. The presence of large teats allows you to get the shape of the udder in the form of a cone or cylinder. What a Jersey cow is is indicated in.

On the video - Simmental breed of cows:

The Simmental breed is characterized by a coarse, large head and a large forehead. Purebred cows have a nose and scales in a light pink color scheme. The horns are white or yellow-brown in color. The breed is presented in a fawn or cream-colored color scheme. However, today you can see cows with red coloration. What is the price of a cow of a cow of the Holstein breed, you can find out by clicking on.

Advantages

Simmental cows, like, have a large number of positive qualities. Such animals do not require special attention, they have a quiet and friendly character. Thanks to a strong immune system, they never get sick. In addition, the following advantages can be distinguished:

• when breeding cows, you can get high-quality meat and milk;
• small cubs do not require special attention in terms of food, so you can save money on purchasing expensive feed;
• if you provide the animal with good nutrition, then per day its weight will increase by 1 kg;
• perfectly adapt to any climatic conditions;
• can be used for crossing with other breeds;
• good health and quiet character.

Flaws

The main disadvantage of this breed is that they have a large number of bones in the meat. As a result of this pulp, not so much is obtained. If breeding Simmentals, or at home, then you need to take into account the fact that the next generation of animals will have certain disadvantages in terms of appearance.

Content Features

The process of caring for these animals is no different from keeping other breeds, such as. The cow needs regular food and drink. In addition, it must be driven to the pasture, where it can refresh itself and saturate the body with the necessary vitamins.

The number of milkings depends on the particular female. To answer the question, you need to know that for large and mature cows you need 4 milkings, but young ones can only be milked 2-3 times a day. The best option will be if the milking process occurs at the same time. Then the animal will be able to easily assimilate such a regimen. You can milk a cow by hand or using a special machine. Such a breed tolerates milking much more easily than other cattle.

In summer, the cow can be located on the street. To do this, it is necessary to equip her with a canopy. In the warm season, she can even spend the night there.

In winter, it should be in a heated and well-ventilated room, where there is a constant temperature regime. In addition to the fact that there will be a Simmental cow in the barn, the presence of other animals is also possible.

This article states. For those who want to breed, in addition to cattle, also poultry.

Price

It will be possible to buy a cow of this breed for 50,000 rubles (it costs the same).

2196 09/18/2019 6 min.

Among farmers, the most popular cows are meat and dairy direction. However, in some countries and regions, combined type cattle can be found everywhere. The Simmental cow is a classic breed of meat and dairy. It is one of the most ancient breeds in Europe, the first descriptions date back to the 5th century. Today, the appearance and productivity of Simmental cows have undergone great changes - breeders have done a great job of improving the basic qualities. From the article you will learn the history of the origin of these amazing animals and the virtues due to which Simmentals have become widespread.

Origin of Simmental

The Simmental or Bernese cow breed is one of the oldest in the world. Therefore, researchers do not consensus about the origin of these animals. It is believed that these are the descendants of Scandinavian cows brought to Switzerland in the 5th century. Already at that time, this country was known for its high-quality cheese and high-class beef, so for long years selective work, the breed acquired pronounced dairy and meat productivity characteristics. The cows got their name in honor of the Simma River (Bern), in the valley of which cattle have been raised for many years. Today, cattle of this breed are a highly productive breed of a combined direction that can be found on five continents, but they have gained particular popularity in Europe, North America and Australia. These cows were brought to Russia only in the 19th century.

To date, the Simmental breed of cows is one of the most popular. There are more than 42 million head of this cattle all over the world.

Description and characteristics of the breed

Simmental bulls and heifers have a strong and strong body, as well as high rates of meat and milk productivity. In addition, they have a long lifespan. Peak milk yield occurs only at 5-6 lactation. From an economic point of view, this is one of the most profitable types of cattle in the world. Cows and bulls of this breed have an accommodating disposition and friendly character. Females have a pronounced maternal instinct.

Type of productivity, how much meat can give

The Bernese breed demonstrates high productivity in all areas. Calves are born large - up to 46 kg, and after 6 months their body weight increases up to 4 times. Subject to the conditions of feeding per day, weight gain is up to 1.1 kg. Adult females weigh 550-630 kg, bulls reach a mass of 850 to 1000 kg, but there are real champions. Cows fed according to the technology give up to 56% slaughter yield, bulls 10-12% more. The meat is high in calories and moderate in fat, and is often used to prepare various gourmet beef dishes.

Milk yields are also high. For one lactation, a heifer gives up to 5.5 thousand liters of milk. Milk has an average fat content - 3.8-4.1% and a low content of somatic cells in it.

Among the Simmentals there are champions in milk production. For example, in the last century, results of 14 thousand kg or more of products for one lactation period were recorded.

Appearance

Outwardly, they are large animals. The height at the withers in bulls reaches 135 cm, and in bulls - up to 145. The body length is about 160 cm. Simmentals have a proportional and rough constitution, a wide bone and powerful, pronounced muscles. The wide withers smoothly pass into the back, and then into the long loin and sacrum. Representatives of this breed have a wide croup, which is extremely important for normal childbirth.

The legs are set straight, the hooves have a pink tint. Pathology may occur when the hind limbs are set incorrectly, but this does not affect performance characteristics. The neck is muscular, turning into a powerful chest. Bulls have a pronounced dewlap. The udder of females is round and voluminous, with a loose structure, but elastic skin. Often the posterior lobes develop better than the anterior lobes, which should be taken into account during lactation.

The traditional color is fawn or fawn-colored, but red-and-white color can also be found. Purebred Simmentals have light pink noses and eyelids. The horns are white, but yellow-brown at the tips is acceptable.

The main color of this breed is fawn, fawn-motley, red-motley.

Pros and cons of bulls and heifers

The wide distribution of the Simmental breed around the world is due to the large number of advantages that this type of cattle has. The main advantages of the breed:

• This ;
• unpretentiousness in food, as well as a long period of milk feeding;
• rapid weight gain;
• adaptation to adverse conditions of detention;
• the possibility of inbreeding, Simmentals are often used to improve the qualities of other breeds;
• calm disposition and obedience.

Like all other breeds, Simmental cows have some disadvantages that should be considered when choosing this cattle. Main cons:

• high bone content in the animal carcass;
• productivity largely depends on the region of cultivation;
• low fat content of milk;
• frequent pathologies of the limbs - "elephant's foot" or twisted knees of the front legs;
• in females, the udder is often unevenly developed, which leads to the formation of a large amount of subcutaneous fat in this place.

In Russia, the Simmental breed is bred mainly on agricultural land in the Central, Southern and Volga regions. In cold conditions, the productivity of the animal is reduced, which is important to consider when choosing Simmentals for a private farm.

Features of content in Russia

Productivity and health largely depend on conditions. The Simmental cow does not tolerate cold and drought well, so it is important to maintain optimal temperature and humidity in. Must be equipped with a ventilation system in the barn and sewerage. The possibility of walking is a key point in keeping Simmentals, in summer it is more convenient to carry it out on a pasture or a fenced area, in winter it is required to equip an area covered with straw. Cows require 3-4 single milkings in the summer, in winter the number can be reduced to 2-3. In addition, it is required to maintain cleanliness in the barn.

You can read about the ventilation system in the barn.

Simmental breeding

Simmental cows are suitable even for novice farmers, as they rarely have problems with childbirth or insemination. can be done naturally or artificially. Cows show high pregnancy rates of up to 93% and a short calving period (up to 378 days). Twins are born in 5%, there is a high weaning of calves. Everything about young cattle can be read in.

Sexual maturity is reached early, and the first calving is possible already at the age of 28 months. Childbirth is easy, often without any complications. An adult female is able to give birth on her own, and she also has a well-developed maternal instinct. Calves have a high survival rate, tolerate even adverse conditions of detention, and are unpretentious in food. The weight of a newborn calf is 35-46 kg.

After birth, the young immediately rise to their feet.

Caring for a bull cow

Animals must be kept clean, and the coat should be brushed regularly. It is advisable to follow a daily routine that cows get used to well. You need to drink Simmentals only with clean water, with a temperature of up to 22 degrees. the same as any other cattle. As food use:

• succulent feed;
• roughage;
• concentrates;
• vitamin complexes.

To avoid joint problems, it is important to offer cows licks made from salt, which they need for their bones. Pregnant cows need food with a high protein content, as they increase metabolic processes. For this purpose, legume hay, haylage or silage are used. Read about how to make a cow feeder in the barn with your own hands.

As bedding for a barn, any warm material is suitable - peat, straw or sawdust. It is absolutely impossible to keep cows of this breed on concrete.

Diseases of Simmental cattle

Simmentals have good health, they rarely develop diseases typical for cattle. In females, due to the peculiarities of the development of the udder, there is a predisposition to mastitis - inflammation of the mammary glands. The disease is often observed in older cows, after 4-5 calving.

To provide high level productivity of livestock of this breed, it is necessary to draw up the right diet.

Starting from the first years of life, this breed may have problems with the joints - the "elephant leg" is often diagnosed, as well as curvature of the knees of the extremities. This does not affect production quality, but may worsen the condition of the animal. Veterinary examinations should be regular, at least 3 times a year, it is especially important to carefully examine the females during the calving period. Regardless of the size of the livestock, vaccination is required, which is mandatory for cattle. These are vaccinations against anthrax, foot-and-mouth disease, salmonellosis, leptospirosis and other dangerous diseases. Vaccination is always carried out in stages and to everyone, from newborn calves and replacement young animals to dry cows and heifers.

Video

This video talks about the benefits of Simmental cattle.

conclusions

1. Cows of the Simmental bull breed are one of the most ancient representatives of cattle. They are bred in Switzerland, today they are widely distributed throughout the world.
2. They demonstrate high milk and meat characteristics, so the breed is classified as a mixed breed.
3. Simmentals are large cattle, the weight of which can reach up to 1 ton. Females are slightly larger, have good lactation rates. For one period, the cow produces up to 5.5 kg of low-fat products.
4. The breed has good health, endurance and tolerates even adverse conditions well. In a bad climate, productivity characteristics are somewhat reduced.
5. Virtually no propensity to disease. Females often develop mastitis, and calves are often born with abnormal limb development.