Simmental Milk Performance Impressive

Recently released annual milk performance data for different breeds by the National Herd Improvement Service in Australia demonstrates the impressive performance of Simmental.

The results show the average milk produced by Simmental at 5,763 litres is second only to Holstein. Average milk produced per day of lactation for Simmental is also only just lower than that of Holstein and well above other breeds and breed crosses.

Total Fat and Total Protein levels for Simmental are very impressive compared to other dairy breeds and crosses.

The results show that Simmental has a very real place to play either as a purebred or when crossed with other dairy breeds to produce high milk yields with high fat and protein levels.

The major benefit in using Simmental as a dairy cow is the added value of their calves when sold as bobbies or reared to heavier weights. The Simmental cow has also demonstrated high fertility, health and longevity advantages, further enhancing the breed's value as an alternative dairy breed.

 

DAIRY BREED PERFORMANCE LEVELS

 
  Source:  NHIS - printed The Weekly Times, 09/01/02  
Breed No Cows Milk Fat Fat Protein Protein Lactn Lngth Milk/Day Lactn
    (Litres) (%) (kg) (%) (kg) (days) (ltr/day)
Holstein 654,737 6,048 3.91% 237 3.22% 195 305 19.83
Simmental 397 5,763 3.94% 227 3.26% 188 300 19.21
Commercial Dairy 126 5,687 4.05% 230 3.38% 192 304 18.71
Meuse-Rhine-Issel 17 5,486 4.28% 235 3.46% 190 319 17.20
Holstein/Jersey cross 38,285 5,143 4.37% 225 3.44% 177 294 17.49
Aust Red Breed 5,831 5,106 4.22% 216 3.44% 176 296 17.25
Illawarra 11,547 5,043 4.06% 205 3.45% 174 301 16.75
Brown Swiss 3,020 5,025 4.18% 210 3.46% 174 308 16.31
Ayrshire 7,494 4,797 4.08% 196 3.32% 159 297 16.15
Red Poll 42 4,703 3.99% 188 3.29% 155 282 16.68
Guernsey 4,144 4,626 4.37% 202 3.51% 163 309 14.97
Aust Milking Zebu 76 4,587 4.19% 192 3.34% 153 316 14.52
Jersey 91,964 4,335 4.91% 213 3.70% 161 296 14.65
Dairy Shorthorn 660 4,268 3.84% 164 3.27% 139 285 14.98
AFS 193 4,028 4.33% 175 3.60% 145 281 14.33
TOTAL 940,712 5,682 4.02% 229 3.28% 186 302 18.81