Simmentals are one of the oldest cattle breeds in the world. Named for the Simme Valley in Switzerland, where they originated, they have been breed recorded since 1806.

Spot the difference - Simmental/Friesian weaner with whiteface friend.

So valued were Simmentals in their homeland for their milk and meat qualities and as draught animals, the Swiss government limited their export in the 18th century to ensure a supply of the cattle for the country’s own needs.

Now, however, they can be found all over the world, and have increased in numbers rapidly since the 1960s.

Simmentals typically vary in colour from pale gold to dark red, with white lower legs and head.

In the United States, black pigmentation has been bred into them, and more than 80% of American Simmentals are black.

They can be horned or polled. Cows can weigh over 700 kg and bulls as much as 1300kg. Their large, heavily muscled frame produces a high yielding carcass.

Although primarily used for beef production, in some parts of the world their exceptional milking ability sees them used for dairy purposes either as partbreds or purebreds.

The first Simmentals introduced to this country were Atom and Alice, a German bull and cow imported via Scotland in 1972, when New Zealand could source live cattle only through the United Kingdom.  The first heifer calf sold for a world record $47,500, an amount of money which at the time could have bought two houses.

Demand was hot, and further shipments of purebred cattle and semen followed, many snapped up by Australian farmers who could purchase only from New Zealand due to quarantine regulations.

With very few purebreds in the country, New Zealand experienced the fastest growth in numbers of any breed, and the golden cattle assumed a value reflecting their colour.

Many city and even overseas investors sought to join the ‘gold rush’, paying huge prices.

Eventually demand levelled off as New Zealand conditions began to tell on hastily imported genetics from cattle accustomed to being housed in Europe.

Nowadays, however, breeders have selected Simmentals that will perform well in New Zealand grass fed regimes, and the breed is to be found in all parts of the country.