Simmental

The type is recorded in the Simme valley since the Middle Ages, and it traveled: to Africa in the 1890s and 1900s, across Europe, and at its Soviet-era peak to a Russian population estimated in the millions. It came to North America in 1967.

One thing that history left behind is range. The breed spans an unusual spread of types within itself, from dairy-leaning European strains to large-framed beef animals, which is part of why the word Simmental can describe two quite different cattle.

Cows run 1,300 to 1,800 lb at 54 to 56 inches; bulls 2,400 to 2,900 lb at 59 to 62 inches, horned or polled, classically red on white. The breed is particularly known for the rapid growth of its calves, and for delivering more combined weaning gain and milk yield than any other breed.

Docility is one of the traits the Canadian Simmental Association names as outstanding in the breed, and the American Simmental Association gives breeders the tools to select for it directly. Breeders score cattle at weaning or as yearlings from 1, docile, mild and easily handled, to 6, extremely aggressive, and the association's docility EPD predicts how much more or less likely a bull's calves are to score a 1 than another bull's. The evaluation was updated in April 2026, so compare bulls on current numbers.

Size matters in the handling. Texas A&M's guidance for youth show projects puts Simmental with the Continental breeds it recommends for older, stronger and more experienced handlers, because of their size and fast growth.

Cornell's general guidance on beef cattle safety holds here too: a cow with a newborn calf can be very aggressive, so avoid walking between her and the calf, and no bull can be trusted.

Its European history as a milk, meat and draft animal is why the breed still carries more milk than most beef breeds. Simmental cows raise heavy calves, and Simmental influence is the usual way a commercial herd adds milk and growth without giving up carcass merit.

They are now often seen as SimAngus, a deliberate cross that pairs Simmental growth and milk with Angus marbling and moderation.

The trade is size and appetite. A big-framed, high-milking cow needs the feed to match, and on short grass she will be the first one in the herd to lose condition. Budget forage for the frame you are buying.

Ask what type you are looking at, because the breed contains multitudes: a European-style dual-purpose animal and an American beef Simmental are different purchases. The American Simmental Association registers both purebreds and the SimAngus-style percentage cattle, so read the percentage on the papers, not just the breed name.

Recent sale prices on HoofnHorn, where there are any, are further down this page.