Extract from: Guide for Graziers, September 2006
NSW Department of Primary Industries

FAVOURITE FIRST-CROSS COWS ARE THE TOUGH SEASON PERFORMERS

Brian Cumming, Beef Cattle Officer, Albury

With about 80 breeds of cattle in Australia, there’s no problem finding one suited to maintaining high calving levels under most producers’ environments.
These are the cows whose maturity pattern is matched to the level of feed they receive. They are the ones that can keep a bit of fat on their back, making it easier to get back in calf early in the joining period.
Every one has their favourite breed – usually it’s one that has proven itself by performing well – and cows that keep getting back in calf early, after easily having their calf, are very endearing.
The trick is to find a second favourite breed, of similar performance and strong in maternal traits, and combine the two.
These first cross cows perform just as well because of their similar maturity, but as crossbreds they are the drought performers.
They are the ones that maintain high levels of fertility when the feed starts getting scarce. Their hybrid vigour for the lowly heritable traits such as fertility really comes to the fore as the season gets tougher.
Cows of European and British breed combinations also perform well provided two things are checked.
Firstly, the European sire used must breed daughters of similar maturity pattern to any British cattle that have proven themselves in the environment in question.
They must be moderately framed, and again, able to put some fat on their backs.
Secondly, the breeds used must be recognized as having strong maternal qualities.
The Simmental, Gelbvieh, Maine Anjou and Brown Swiss are examples of maternal European breeds.
Simmental and Gelbvieh have Group Breedplan analyses, making selection of the most appropriate bull within the breed even more accurate.
Followers of the Simmental breed have seen some amazing things happen.
Introduced into Australia more than thirty five years ago, the breed rose in popularity, and was promoted as the breed to cross with Herefords.
They complemented the Hereford’s strengths, and added growth and muscle but within a similar colour.
Investors soon became attracted to them, and what followed was the greatest demonstration of how powerful genetic selection can be.
Unfortunately for the breed, and the commercial cattleman, the selection was in the wrong direction.
For many years, there appeared to be a single minded attempt to increase frame size only. The cattle grew taller, quicker, leaner, lighter muscled, and later maturing. The promotion of this type in the show ring was behind the selection.
For a while they sold well but their market soon went to other stud breeders. The commercial cattleman went elsewhere, and demand for the cattle fell.
In a bid to save the breed, some sensible commercial producers bred more moderate framed, more muscular cattle with an ability to lay down some fat. The taller and more extreme cattle were retired from the system.
The Simmental has now regained some of its lost popularity.
For the last six years, the cattle have been sensible, commercially viable animals with a strong place in the industry.
It’s the story of a breed that just about lost any market, but saved itself at the last hour and is now certainly worth another look.

Albury Albury District Office (Agriculture)
602 Olive Street
Albury NSW 2640

PO Box 49
Albury NSW 2640

Phone: 02 6041 6500
Fax: 02 6041 6499
Speed dial: 4000