Historical overview of Simmental-Fleckvieh in non-European countries Claus Peter Massmann Foreword

Antoinette Jacobs Editor of the Simmentaler Journal (Official publication for breeders in , Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe)

What a privilege to write the introduction for an exceptional piece of historiography. We as breeders’ society are privileged to make this overview available online for Simmental-Fleckvieh breeders and enthusiasts world-wide. An educational piece of work by the extraordinary Simmentaler legend, Mr. Peter Massmann. Southern Africa had the privilege of his involvement as early as 1976, when he became the first Chief Executive of the Simmentaler Cattle Breeders’ Society of Southern Africa. Since then and up to his retirement in 2007 his unconditional commitment, dedication and burning passion has always been visible. The Society of Southern Africa has reached great heights thanks to this giant in the industry.

Mr. Massmann’s involvement in the Simmental-Fleckvieh world started in 1970 in Germany. With his personal experience of the breed in all the major beef-Simmental-countries, he is the ideal candidate to have done this research. He went the extra mile on this one.

Some of his subject credentials: From the late 1960’s to mid-70’s, as liaison officer of the Federation of German Fleckvieh breeders, responsible for the establishment and advancement of Fleckvieh in the then “new Simmental countries” in North and South America, Australasia and the UK as well as Namibia and South Africa where the breed was established already. This involved information visits with foreign customers to Fleckvieh studs, advice with the purchase of animals and representing Fleckvieh at events/shows in the UK, South America, Australia and South Africa. Subsequently, 31 years Chief Executive of the mentioned breeders association and served for 22 years on the Board of the World Simmental-Fleckvieh Federation. Some accolades: From the Word Federation the “Golden Book Award”, a Special Award for organizing the largest Simmentaler show in the world and the Honorary Live-membership; Special Awards from breeders associations in Britain, Argentine, Germany, South Africa and Namibia; First foreigner to be honoured with the prestige German “Bavarian Lion Award”.

This overview provides valuable information on the breed’s origin, its expansion from Switzerland, the history of herdbooks and breeders associations as well as many interesting anecdotes from non- European countries. From the Romans chasing animals over the Alps to Italy, the unique offloading method in Africa consisting of a swim to the shore followed by a 300km walk through dessert and mountains to the farms. Also the connection with presidents who were the first importers namely President Martinus Steyn to South Africa and Mr. Theodore Havemeyer, the President of the U.S. Golf Association, to the USA as well as the pioneer monarchs importing to Germany.

Different names, different spellings but one thing is certain it is the breed to have proven itself over and over and definitely a breed to breed with.

Enjoy reading this historiography.

2 Content links

Preface 3 Chapter 1 One breed, many names 4 Chapter 2 Pre-1950 imports by non-European countries 5 Chapter 3 Some post-1950 historic personal memories 15 Chapter 4 The first Herdbook beyond European borders 18 Chapter 5 Simmental-Fleckvieh breeders associations 20 Chapter 6 Pioneer imports due to breed’s milk attribute 23 Chapter 7 This research opened the doors for establishing Simmental-Fleckvieh as a beef breed in many countries 25 Chapter 8 Showing goes hand in hand with stud breeding 26 Chapter 9 References 29

Salute our pioneer breeders: “We cannot detract from their accomplishments. We cannot add to their glory. We can only look back with reverence, appreciation, respect and resolution to build on what they have done.” (Gordon B Hinckley)

Preface The objective of this historical report is a pre-1950 overview of Simmental-Fleckvieh (SF)1)… (i) … in non-European countries with, (ii) … a breed association (society) that is member of the World Simmental-Fleckvieh Federation (WSFF) and, (iii) … proven evidence of pre-1950 imports.

This report is mainly based upon information from breeders associations, official SF publications and my involvement in the establishment of the breed in a number of non-European countries.

Peter Massmann, August 2020, South Africa, [email protected]

1) Because the breed has many names I will generally use the WSFF name i.e. Simmental-Fleckvieh and within country context the local name.

3 Chapter 1 1 One breed, many names

The breed is not as privileged as other breeds which are known worldwide under one name (Angus, Holstein etc.). Simmental, Simmentaler, Simental and Simmenthaler are all named after the valley (“tal” in German) of the river “” in the canton of in Switzerland where the breed originated. The medley of names started in Switzerland with amongst other , Berner Rothscheckvieh, Frutiger, and the popular Berner-Fleckvieh or Berner Schecken; all SF types. Names of herdbooks (existed before associations) in the late nineteenth century were “Berner Fleckvieh- Rasse” and “Rote Alp-Fleckviehrasse”, and the first cooperative associations Berner-Fleckvieh (1890) followed by Simmentaler-Fleckvieh (1936). The name Fleckvieh is older than Simmentaler/ Simmenthaler and originates in Switzerland and not on Germany/Austria. The World Show in Paris used Berner Vieh (1856) and Simmentaler (1889). According to historical records I cited, the original name in the first non-European importing countries was Simmenthaler or Simmentaler.

Present-day names (deprived from the country’s association name): •• Simmental and Swiss Fleckvieh (app. 2/3 Red Holstein 1/3 Simmental) (Switzerland); •• Simmental (Australia, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, France (previously Pie Rouge), Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Sweden and United Kingdom); •• Simental (Brazil); •• Fleckvieh (Austria, Germany, Netherland, Spain); •• Pezatta Rossa (Italy); •• Simmentaler (Africa); •• Local names but “Simmental” is used as international name: (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia).

Note: I don’t classify the French breed “Montbéliarde” as SF because countries with both SF and Montbéliarde have separate herdbook registries and associations. The French authorities tried to cross Simmental with Montbéliarde in the 1970s, but Montbéliarde breeders refused.

World body name change The World Simmental Federation was formed in 1974 (I was privileged to be co-author of the constitution). The inclusion of Fleckvieh in the name interestingly did not come from a Fleckvieh country. Encouraged by the Australian Fleckvieh Society and Dr. Thomas Grupp from Germany I proposed, as a delegate from South Africa (name Simmentaler), a name change to Simmental- Fleckvieh which was accepted by the 2002 members meeting.

Origin of the name Simmental (1968) During the first international SF gathering in 1972, in Germany, Don Vaniman (CEO of the US association) told me that North America had difficulties in pronouncing the “er” in Simmentaler (or Simmenthaler) and used Simmental because “taaaal” roles nicer on the tong than “er”. They never considered Fleckvieh which was too difficult to pronounce in English. I, therefore, conclude that the name Simmental originated in North America.

4 Chapter 2 2 Pre-1950 imports by non-European countries

Berner Fleckvieh and Berner Schecken (both SF) during the Swiss export boom days. [Schweizerischer Fleckviehzuchtverband]

Swiss cattle market in 1889 with 5000 animals. In 1945 (reliable source), 4294 animals travelled to Subsequently, 149 train trucks were loaded for export. Czechoslovakia in 14 trains. One train consisted of 40 carriages [Schweizerischer Fleckviehzuchtverband] and 8 cattle attendants, and the trip took 48 hours to the Czech border. [Schweizerischer Fleckviehzuchtverband]

The homeland of SF is the (Highlands) of Switzerland where the breed was created from various types. One wonders if Bernese Spotted Cattle, and not watches, were in the 1800s and early 1900s the number one export product of Switzerland. Without me being able to find evidence; it had to be the largest herdbook cattle exporter in the world at that time.

It appears that the Romans bought livestock in the Bernese Oberland and chased them over Alpine passes to Italy. German Kings, Princes, Bishops, Dukes and other leaders1) imported Swiss SF types (Simmentaler, Frutiger, Berner Rotscheck, Berner Fleckvieh, Saanen) in the 17th and 18th century to upgrade many local strains to Fleckvieh. Not long after these imports Germany became the first country to export SF in 1893 to a non-European country viz. German South West Africa.

Based on the 1900-1929 Swiss export statistics which were not divided into breeds, they exported more than ½ mil cattle primarily to neighbouring countries as well as Eastern Europe. As far as I could gather SF had the largest share of this. The 1930-1950 export statistics were split into breeds/countries and the main importers of SF were Germany (16 000), Czechoslovakia (8 800), France (5 000), Hungary (4000) and Italy (3000).

1) 1606, Bishop of Bamberg; 1620, Count Palatine of the Rhine; 1626, Duke Albrecht of Bavaria and more

5 First imports by Non-European countries Because Swiss export statistics before 1929 are not divided into breeds, exports to non-European countries are unknown. I found unsubstantiated statements of SF imports to Guatemala (1897), Uruguay (1905) and Argentina (1922). However, a comprehensive web search, enquiries to the relevant breed associations, universities and my Swiss sources did not confirm any pre-1950 imports to these countries. Exports to Brazil, the USA, South Africa and South West Africa are described below.

1930 to 1950 Swiss SF exports to non-European countries were: Algeria (235), Brazil (13), Chile (18), Israel (47), Morocco (35), Peru (3) and South West Africa/Namibia (27). As already mentioned I will only focus on non-European countries where I could find proven evidence of pre-1950 imports and which have a SF breed association recognised by the WSFF.

1893 It all started with a swim in the Atlantic Ocean The history of SF outside Europe started in 1893 when the former German colony German South West Africa (Deutsch-Südwestafrika)2) imported Fleckvieh and a few other German breeds to improve the performance of the indigenous cattle. It is significant that of the imported breeds viz. Braunvieh, Fleckvieh, Pinzgauer, Rotbunte, Rotvieh, Rotbunte, and Friesland only SF survived in large numbers3).

From 1893 to 1903, the landing operation of imported livestock was a massive task since there was no harbour or pier in the tiny seaside town Swakopmund. After an exhausting six week ship journey the animals were offloaded out at sea by ship-cranes into wide but small landing-crafts and these were navigated by special Kru tribe men from West Africa to just behind the surf from where they were “launched overboard” to swim ashore with the assistance of the Kru experts. All this could only happen in a calm sea environment.

From 1903, Simmentaler did not have to swim ashore anymore because a breakwater (Mole) or artificial harbour was built. Goods, passengers, and livestock were offloaded from big steamers by crane into small flat-bottomed boats and uploaded onto the Mole with cranes like here. The “Mole” was replaced in 1905 by a 280m timber jetty. [Namibian National Archives]

2) From 1884 to 1918; thereafter South West Africa under the administration of the Union of South Africa (Part of British Empire); since 1990 independent Republic of Namibia. 3) The current Namibian stud cattle population consists of 80% Zebu, Sanga and Composites. The balance is made of 10 British and Continental breeds of which nearly 50% are Simmentaler.

6 This was just the beginning of the rigorous walk of more than 300km to the farms (railway only from 1902). The first part of the route was a 80km walk through the Namib Desert 4) without water to a Rhenish Mission where they rested and were horseshoed. Thereafter, they walked another 200-300km to an altitude of around 1500m to the owners who obtained them at a subsidized price from the state. From the lush German pasture to a harsh dry new environment with fodder shortages (15 hectares of pasture needed per animal), only 300 to 500mm annual rainfall and plentiful parasites.

Imported animals walked the first 80km through the desert sand and then got iron hoof shoes for the rest of the 300km trip to the interior. [Swakopmund Museum, Namibia].

Notable occurrences in the first non-European SF country •• The first SF breeder outside Europe was Mr. Albert Nitze who imported Fleckvieh in 1893 when he sold his farm in Germany and settled just outside Windhoek where he established vegetable gardens and a small dairy with his Simmentaler. When he died in 1898 the Catholic Mission bought the place and continued many years with pure breeding.

SF was originally imported to improve the milk of the indigenous breeds. Here a hardy F1 Simmentaler x local Damara cross. [ J Warning]

4) The Namib Desert is the oldest desert in the world, having endured arid or semi-arid conditions for at least 80 million years.

7 Gustav Voigts [S Voigts] Ernst Rusch [R Rusch]

•• Some animals imported in 1885 went to Messrs. Gustav Voigts and Ernst Rusch, the origin of the famous “Voigtland” and “Ruschberg” studs which still exists today. Fourth generation breeder Mr. Stephan Voigts told me that his great-grandfather placed on record that his cattle ran in herds of 200 and had to search for grazing more than 5km from the watering place where they were watered by hand from a five-meter deep well. According to Africa’s “Mr. Simmentaler” (“Sieg” Gehle), Georg Rusch (son of Ernst) was an enormous expert on the breed and Gehle”s greatest teacher on what a correct animal should look like.

•• Third generation SF breeder Mr. Reinie Rusch: “Local animal diseases like the cattle-plague, anthrax and lung sickness occurred regularly and destroyed whole herds of cattle irrespective of breed. Regarding tick-borne diseases, the new arrivals had no natural immunity and thus were more susceptible to these diseases. The 1897 Rinderpest erased many herds.”

•• After World War 1 the anti-German mandate-government of South Africa (see 2) pg. 6) strongly propagated British breeds and the local Afrikaner, obtainable from next door South Africa. This affected the development of the “German” Simmentaler negatively. Had it not been for a few dedicated and enthusiastic pioneer breeders who believed in the breed, it would most likely not have survived those difficult years and would not have expanded in South Africa and in some other non-European SF “beef countries” (refer Chapter 7).

•• The largest milk producer in South West Africa after World War 2 was Mr. Ulrich Kaiser who milked 600 Simmentaler cows (two teats for the bucket and two for the calf). He was also the first farmer in Africa to introduce artificial insemination in 1953. The stud was continued by his son Ulrich Jnr, whose son Dirk is today the third generation breeder of the “Waltershagen” stud.

8 •• Simmentaler also has a diamond connection. Mr. August Stauch, who started the world-famous diamond rush in 1908 in the Namib Desert, later farmed with Simmentalers. His daughter Marianne inherited the herd and her son Michael Krafft continued breeding under the stud name “Ibenstein”.

Stauch’s herd 1926 [M Krafft]

•• A 1921 letter from a South African addressed to Mr. G Voigts: “Please let me know the price of your Seven-Dollar stud bulls”. Mr. Voigts scratched his head and finally asked his secretary: “Seven Dollar – Seven Daler – Simmentaler”.

•• Miesbach (South East of Munich), one of many German regional Fleckvieh associations, was at that time the most important source of imported animals (From 1893 to 1910, 64 bulls and 50 females).

•• At my request Mr. S Gehle (“Mr. Simmentaler”) gave his opinion on well-known pioneer herds as follows: “As a Livestock Extension Officer in the late 1940s, I came across several beautiful Simmentaler herds. In the central district Georg Rusch, Gerhard Voigts, Helmut Rust, Mrs. Weitzel and A Schumann. In the east W Kauert and Epukiro Mission Farm. Further north Mrs. Seelig, Schonnie Schonecke, Ulrich Durr, Ulrich Kaiser, L von Chevallerie, Tobias Gunzel and Heinz Halberstadt.”

Thanks to Simmentaler breeder Mr. Heinz Stoeck the Namibia Postal Service issued a special stamp series at the 100th anniversary of the breed in 1993. Here the “first day cover”. (Note stamp collectors: There is a mistake, the harbour on the bottom right stamp is the deep-water harbour in the town Walvis Bay and not the artificial harbour (Mole or Jetty) in Swakopmund where the offloading took place. [Author]

9 From the lush German pasture to a harsh dry environment with After several generations of local pure-breeding, the fodder shortages (15 hectares of pasture needed per animal), adaptability has greatly improved. Here, from 1939, the only 300 to 500mm annual rainfall and plentiful parasites. But first colour photo I could find of an SF outside Europe. she calved. Around 1905. [Sam Cohen Library, Swakopmund] [Diaserie Blenck, Bildarchiv Uni-Frankfurt]

Type change Initial imports were from Germany but as a result of the world wars imports were suspended (1913–1929 and 1939–1949) and a few breeders imported from Switzerland to keep their studs going. This was problematic because the Swiss type of the time was coarse, heavy-boned and too large which caused criticism. This changed in the 1950s and 60s with German imports of an early maturing and smaller well-muscled type. Early in the 21st century I did a blood analysis to trace the European origin of the Namibian and South African Simmentaler population and found an approximate ratio of 70[German] : 25[Austrian] : 5[Swiss] : 0[French].

The old hard doing, oversized Swiss type (l) was replaced with the “modern” Fleckvieh type (r) [ J Warning]

1894 USA imports, a golf connection Mr. Theodore A Havemeyer imported SF in 1894 from Switzerland to his farm in New Jersey. This is in line with a news-report I traced in Switzerland about the export of 14 pedigree SF to the USA. His reason for the import: “Owing to the persistent inbreeding the stamina and health of many Jerseys were on a yearly decline. I think the Simmenthaler are going to be of enormous benefit in our country and used on Jersey we shall get the health and stamina with an abundance of milk and butter of the

10 Simmenthaler, with the refined appearance and butter of the Jersey.” He published a four-page booklet “Simmenthaler cattle at Mountain Side Farm, Mahwah, N.J.”

Havemeyer, the grandson of a German immigrant, was not only a successful businessman but also the first president of the U.S. Golf Association and co-founder of the famous Newport Country Club, host to both the first U.S. Amateur and the first U.S. Open. It seems that this North American pioneer was successful with his program because “The Farm, Field and Fireside” reported in 1896 that Messrs D Sloane, Mass. and WM Low, N.Y. followed the example of Havemeyer and imported Simmenthaler for crossbreeding with Jerseys. An US-German newspaper reports that a Swiss cattle dealer exported 27 Simmenthaler stud heifers in 1896 to a farm in Philadelphia.

Havemeyer passed away in 1897 and I could not trace any further imports until 1970 when a fullblood Simmental bull was imported from Canada. The veterinary situation must have played a role because the “Rock Island Argus” of 1915 reports that due to foot and mouth disease in Switzerland there is no chance of imports.

Quotes from a long article in “Indiana Farmer” of 1896: •• “John Mayer, Havemeyer’s son in law, asked his friend Col. Jean de Watteville, President of the Simmenthaler Breeders Association in Switzerland, to help with the selection and from 100 preselected animals the best 14 were ultimately chosen. •• In Switzerland, these cows will give all the milk and butter and do all the work on the farm until they average about 10 years when they are dried off and fattened for beef. This will bring five cents more a pound in Berne than will any other breed. Their butter is sold in Berne and Paris. The veal is the finest in the world. Evening Bulletin, Jan 1898: “The American animal painter Cecil Palmer has never done anything better •• In Switzerland these cows do all the work than when he sketched Havemeyer’s Simmenthaler of the farmers, hauling out the manure bull which attracted much attention at last year’s New and ploughing. They are very quick walkers York livestock show. Whether the Simmenthalers are a beef or dairy breed or whether they fill the bill of that and seem to be endowed with unusual much talked of creature whom we have heard of but intelligence. They are very quiet and gentle, have never seen – the general purpose cow – we leave seldom making any objections to milking, others to decide.” and showing a passionate fondness for the company of mankind.” 1905 South Africa – A Presidential connection The third non-European country to import SF was South Africa when President Martinus Theunis Steyn imported a bull and cow from Switzerland (suggest read up about him). After the Anglo-Boer War (1889-1902) the Boer President was struck down by paralysis and his wife decided to take him to Europe (1902-1905) for the best medical treatment. The trip was funded by friends, and he was received with open arms by the people in Netherlands and Switzerland. Author J Meintjies: “From his wheelchair, Steyn admired the lovely Swiss landscape, the white mountain peaks, the lakes, the green grass and the forests. He also admired the Siementhaler cattle and said he would like to breed them on his farm Onzerust in South Africa.

11 The presidential connection. President MT Steyn (l) was the first person to The World Simmental-Fleckvieh import SF to South Africa in 1905. They were bred by Mr. Hektor Etter (r), Federation Golden Book award was Switzerland who was the President of the Swiss breeding association from presented posthumously to President 1893 -1923. [Foto Argief, and Swiss Breeders Association] MT Steyn in 1983. Here the author hands over the plaque on behalf of the World Federation to Judge MT Steyn (grandson) and his wife on the farm “Onze Rust”, the home of the first Simmentaler in South Africa. [Landbou Weekblad]

Pictured is “Toni” SA Herdbook no 1 (born on 17/12/1903) who was imported to South Africa in 1905 by the legendary President MT Steyn. [Foto Argief, Onze Rust]

South African Anecdotes •• I asked the President grandson, Judge MT Steyn, to comment on his granddad’s encounter with the breed: “During his stay in the , he could not believe that the cows he had come across in the Swiss village look like beef cattle but milk like dairy cattle. (South Africa had only beef and milk cattle, no dual purpose - author). This is where a Siementhaler connection was established. There can be no doubt that the President rendered South African agriculture a signal service by introduction of this premier breed.”

•• In his book, J. Meintjes quotes the President’s wife Tibbie: “As they passed through pastureland, his thoughts turned to “Onzerust” (his ranch in South Africa), so far away in the heat and the dust of the dry fields, and his eyes rested with admiration on the Siementhaler cattle. The sleek animals were grazing peacefully on the slopes, and it was no surprise to Tibbie when Steyn expressed a desire for Siementhaler to be send to Onzerust”

12 Enormous contributions, Southern Africa (Namibia and South Africa) Based on conversations with pioneer breeder families and my own experience, the choice of who played the biggest role in the early development of the breed and the establishment of a Southern African breeders’ association are:

Breeder, administrator, businessman, leader Mr. Gerhard Voigts, son of pioneer breeder Gustav Voigts served the breed with distinction from before the 2nd World War until he retired from active Simmentaler involvement in 1968. Everyone appreciated his friendly, generous style of leadership, a real diplomat and thorough gentleman. He chaired the South West Africa association since 1950 and became in 1963 also the first chairman of the Southern African (South West Africa and South Africa) association. The CEO of the Studbreeders Association of Southern Africa (all livestock): “The role Mr. Voigts played in all facets of the development of the breed in Southern Africa, and more specifically South West Africa, cannot be overstated. His skilled guidance and inspiration has been the cornerstone of the breed’s success for many decades.”

Livestock Extension Officer Mr. Siegfried Gehle, generally known as “Mr. Simmentaler”, played an important role in South West Africa until he moved to South Africa in the early 1950s where he became the father of organized Simmentaler breeding and unparalleled promoter of the breed. While in South West Africa he was a co-creator for the implementation (1949-51) of the world renowned Omatjenne interbreed testing project (Chapter 7). He also created the world’s first beef SF “Standard of Excellence” detailing the desirable traits of the ideal animal and regularly imported animals for pioneer stud breeders from mainly Germany. The CEO of the Studbreeders Association of South Africa: “He can be considered the father of organized Simmentaler stud breeding in South Africa and was an expert on judging many beef breeds.”

Gerhard Voigts [S Voigts] Siegfried Gehle [S Gehle]

13 Dr. “Joksie” Warning, who studied in Germany, was also a Livestock Extension Officer in South West Africa who from 1951-63, travelled yearly thousands of kilometers on dirt roads to provide breeders with advice and inspect animals for herdbook approval. He played an important role in the presentation of visual assessment courses. Warning also imported animals for breeders and was the first to introduce the early maturing, shorter post-WW2 Fleckvieh type.

Mr. and Mrs. Helmut Rust. For more than a decade and with little compensation they kept the South West African registration records up to date and also inspected animals for herdbook entry. The year before the new Southern African society was formed the Rust’s travelled thousand of kilometers to visit every breeder for final inspections and updating the registration cards which they then handed over to the Studbook authorities in South Africa.

The first WSFF Golden Book awards to someone outside Europe was awarded 1981 to G Voigts and S Gehle. The other two gentlemen also received this prestigious award in 1982 (J Warning) and 1990 (H Rust).

1905 Brazil First imports were by the State Secretariat of Agriculture, São Paulo to improve the beef and milk production of the local cattle. They sold the bulls to breeders in the more developed cattle ranching areas. The then secretary of agriculture of this State, Dr. Carlos Botelho did a lot to establish the breed and created agreements with European research centres/universities. Two exchange student veterinarians from Belgium played a big role with further imports. Follow up imports were in 1907 and from 1910 to 1912 after which imports stopped until the 1970s.

The first Simental (Brazil spelling) cattle breeder was Colonel Francisco Orlando Diniz Junqueira who farmed in Barretos-SP. The most prominent pioneer breeder was Mr. João Vieira da Fraga from the Espirito Santo State. He won as a gift for his pioneer work, a Simental bull named Presente (a gift in Portuguese) and also acquired many of the SF animals of the Ministry of Agriculture. After his death, his son Agostinho Caiado Fraga (Fraguinha) continued SF breeding around 1940 and promoted the breed with great determination. He initiated the founding of the Brazilian Association of Breeders Simental in 1963 and can rightly be called “Mr Simmental Brazil”.

Alan Fraga from Brazil reports: “Tangerino at 20 months of age, the fourth animal with Simmental genetics born in Brazil in October 1906, son of the OYAMA and a Caracu cow, the coat was light yellow covered with white ends.” Note: The Caracu is a well-adapted, hardy Brazilian dual purpose breed.

As already explained, a comprehensive historic web search, enquiries to breed associations and my Swiss sources did not confirm any pre-1950 imports to other non-European countries.

14 Chapter 3 3 Some post-1950 historic personal memories

First imports to “beef SF” countries were Argentine 1967; Canada 1967; USA (1967 semen from Canada and first purebred 1970), Colombia 1968; UK and Ireland 1970; Norway 1970, Uruguay 1971; Australia and New Zealand 1972, Sweden 1973, Mexico 1973 and Denmark 1975.

Although post-1950 happenings are actually not relevant in this project I would still like to mention a few historical issues were I was involved in Germany as an advisor with the selection of export- animals and the promotion of the breed in the new “SF-countries”.

North America (1967) (Refer to Chapter 2 for pre-1950 US import)

The first Simmental landed in 1967, in Canada from France. Semen was used in Canada and the US to upgrade the domestic stock to purebred Simmental. These ½, ¾ and ⅞ Simmental fetched “unusual” high prices.

Direct imports from Europe to the US were impossible but semen imports from Canada started in 1967 to upgrade local breeds to purebred Simmental. Notwithstanding the import restrictions from Europe, Simmental experienced an unbelievable boom period in the US. Only five years after forming the American Simmental Association (ASA), the chairman announced that the breed has grown from 28 to 100 000 registered head. (Note: Mainly animals in the upgrading stage).

Canadian pioneer breeder Travers Smith imported the first bull Parisian in 1967 from France (a ¾ Swiss SF). Smith was a man of vision who in 1968 visited 20 states in the US, talking day and night to farmers about Simmental. One source: “He drove thousands of miles, spent thousands of hours and gave so unselfishly of himself to spread the word Simmental throughout North America.” Without a doubt, Mr. Simmental North America.

Beef Today: “There will be no “Parisien” US and Canada herdbook No 1, first Simmental imported to Canada in 1967 and monuments needed for Travers first semen into US 1968. Weight as two-year old 950kg. [SBL] Smith or Parisien. There’s a lasting monument spread across North America. It’s a living and moving monument, made of Simmental breeders, and cattle.” [SBL]

15 Canadian Lethbridge Herald (August, 1970). “August 11th being an historic day in U.S. cattle history. That was the day that Amor, a year-old bull sired by Parisien, crossed the Alberta- Montana border as the first fullblood Simmental import into the United States. He had been sold by SBL to a private U.S. syndicate called Simmental Breeders of North America comprising Oklahoma (1) and Texas (6) cattlemen for a record price of $154,000 U.S. L to r: Ruben Reyes, Albert West, Jesse Malone and Travers Smith.”

We as exporters (in my case Germany) normally selected 1½ to 2-year-old animals for export but, due to veterinary restrictions, now had to pre-select calves under six months for our Canadian clients. This was quite an adjustment in visual assessment because the appearance of hand-reared calves can change a lot from 5 to 24 months (no suckler farming).

A leader in performance recording Not commonly known is that the American Simmental Association (ASA) was a leader in science orientated testing and had a few firsts in the non-European SF world: 1971: Publish a Sire Summary using Boeing Airlines powerful computers; 1984: Conducted first genetic evaluation using Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP); 1997: Produced first multi-breed genetic evaluation. Others followed.

Travers Smith planted this performance-orientated seed because he believed in performance testing… “Travers contention was that judging cattle by type instead of performance was our ruination.” (Simmental Shield). He propagated a non-competitive-showing clause in the Simmental constitution. My former colleague Don Vaniman (CEO of ASA) invented the ASA slogan “Visual analysis tells you what an animal appears to be, his pedigree tells you what he should be, his performance and progeny tells you what he actually is.”

16 Argentine (1967) After initial imports, the local association decided that their newly appointed Technical Officer Dr. Alfredo Dussel should visit Germany’s to learn more about the new breed. However, the Germans thought it would be better if I take him to South Africa to acquaint him with the suitable type for suckler beef production. Afterward, we returned to Germany to select a shipment of Fleckvieh with beef characteristics.

UK and Ireland (1970) In 1970 the first Simmental entered Great Britain from Germany and to Ireland from Austria. In the first few years, I was responsible for the pre-selection and export processing of the German animals. The British Simmental Society had a remarkable import system where they appointed a few experienced cattle experts to select 200 calves (7 – 12 months) at a time, which we transported per charter ship to Scotland where the animals were allocated by a lot-system to permit-holder breeders. In the initial years, the trade in import permits between UK breeders and future breeders in New Zealand/Australia was very lucrative. I was particularly thorough with the pre-selection of AI bulls (Neff, Herod, Neptune, etc) for the Scottish Milk Marketing Board buying commission. Semen export to mainly Australia was very remunerative for the Board.

Australia and New Zealand (1972) Both countries had a difficult start because import regulations prohibited the direct import of animals from Europe, but NZ could import Simmental born in the UK, and Australia those born in NZ. Semen imports were restricted to UK/Ireland AI bulls. Many British breeders sold their import permits to New Zealand and Australian breeders even before the animals landed in Britain. A popular agreement was that the first calf of the imported animal was exported to New Zealand and its calf to Australia. The first purebred Simmental in Australia was a bull calf imported in 1973 from New Zealand. In the first five years, the UK imported 1 800 Simmental and exported 1 470 to New Zealand.

I was requested to inform Prof Ostrowski (Head Animal Science, University Buenos Aires) about the new breed. Here during a Australia imported the first Fleckvieh semen in 1972 from bulls visit to a stud in Southern Germany that was also attended by which a Scottish AI station imported from Germany. Here Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh who visited family in the area. the popular Scottish Herod, out of the great Bethina (which I I was impressed by the wise questions The Duke’s raised about admired often) from the Ulm breeding area. [Scottish Milk the breed. L. to r Prof Ostrowski, author, the Fleckvieh breeder, Marketing Board] Prince Philip and family member Prince Kraft. [Schwabisch Hall Zuchtverband]

17 Chapter 4 4 The first Herdbook beyond European borders

Initially, herdbooks were kept by individuals or agric. co-ops before breed associations took over. According to “Mason’s World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds” the first pedigree book for cattle in the world was published in 1822, in England by Mr. George Coates for Teeswater and Durham cattle (predecessors of Shorthorn) followed by the Hereford Herdbook (also private) in 1846. The management of these was taken over by the Shorthorn (1874) and Hereford (1876) breed associations.

However, my research shows that the Bernese government in Switzerland opened their first “genealogical register” (herdbook) sixteen years (1806) before the above mentioned “first herdbook”, containing amongst others SF under a couple of names. Due to the small herds in Switzerland, breeders in an area joined together in the last decades of the 1800s and formed regional livestock cooperatives to manage the herdbooks. In 1920, they formed a Commission (Kommission für die Schweizerischer Stambuchzuchtbücher) which took over the cooperative herdbooks and the first Herdbook was published at the 1925 Bern show. It can be assumed that 1920 was the beginning of a national association driven herd book.

At the end of the 19th century, Austria and Germany had more than 100 cooperative herdbooks which, at the turn of the century, were amalgamated into herdbooks run by the regional breeder associations under a national umbrella Fleckvieh Federation.

Drawing (first camera only 1888) of SF breed founder bull Hans No1 at the 1877 Fribourg, Switzerland show. [F Voigt-Steiner]

During the pioneer herdbook times in Switzerland, the breed was structural very big because beef was an important income of this triple purpose breed (beef, milk and labour). Here the famous bull Sepp, born 1890. [100 Jahre Schweizerischer Fleckviehzuchtverband]

18 The first SF herdbook registrations outside Europe This historical event took place in South Africa were stud animals of breeds without an breeders association were registered at the “South African Stud Book Association” which operated under the Pedigree Act. The “South African Studbook, 1907” contains the registrations of the cow Miss and bull Toni imported in 1905 by President MT Steyn1) under the breed name “Swiss Cattle” (subsequently called Swiss Simmental and then Simmentaler). It also published details of the first registered SF born outside Europe, a calf born in March 1906 to imported cow “Miss”.

The next country with herdbook facility’s was German South West Africa2) where Simmentaler breed associations were formed 1921 and 1930 with record-keeping by breeders according to association rules. The first SF herdbook outside Europe which was controlled by an SF breed association3), was established by the “Simmentaler Breeders Society of Southern Africa” in 1950, in South West Africa (which from 1964 handled registrations for breeders in both Namibia and South Africa.)

Although the first SF landed in 1904 in Brazil, I found no evidence of the establishment of a herdbook before the association was founded in 1963. Other non-European SF herdbooks were established between the late ‘60s and early ‘80s in Brazil, Argentine, Mexico, Uruguay, Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, Ireland, Sweden, and Denmark.

The 1907 South African Herdbook page containing information of the first SF registration outside Europe. [Author]

An original entry in the private Herdbook of the Voigtland stud (still going strong) which was monitored by the then South West Africa Simmentaler Society. This animal, born in 1921, contained the “approved signature” of the Government Inspector Mr. Douglas Thomson because visual inspection was a prerequisite for registration. [ S Voigts]

1) President of the independent Boer sovereign republic (1854) in Southern Africa which later became a British colony and eventually a province of South Africa. 2) From 1884 – 1918, Deutsch-Südwestafrika (German South West Africa); thereafter South West Africa (under the administration of the Union of South Africa - Part of British Empire) and since 1990 the independent Republic of Namibia. 3) Note: The above-mentioned “first herdbook” in South Africa was not under the auspices’ of a breeders association (that did not exist), therefore this is the first breed association herdbook outside Europe.

19 Chapter 5 5 Simmental-Fleckvieh breeders associations

Firstly, in the country of origin: Due to the small herds in Switzerland, breeders in an area joined in the last decades of the 1800s and formed regional livestock cooperatives to handle the herdbooks. In 1890 many of them established the first SF association called Berner-Fleckvieh (Verband Schweizerischer Berner- Fleckviehzüchtender Viehzuchtgenossenschaften). Interestingly, the cooperatives continued with herdbook-keeping and the new association dealt with the establishment of a national breeding aim, breed promotion and a national bull sale which took place in 1898 with 330 bulls. The last few livestock cooperatives joined and by 1936 the association was renamed “Schweizerische Herdebuchstelle für das Simmentaler-Fleckvieh” (Swiss Herdbook Office for Simmentaler-Fleckvieh).

In Germany and Austria, the first organized Fleckvieh recording was also handled by cooperatives and the first regional breeders’ associations (a district system which still exists today) was formed in 1882 in Germany (Messkirch) and in 1894 (Ried) in Austria.

The first SF breeders association was formed in 1890 in a casino in Bern – the gamble that paid off. Here the minutes. [100 Jahre Schweizerischer Fleckviehzuchtverband.]

First SF breeders’ associations outside Europe In 1921, nearly five decades before the rest of the non-European world, the former German South West Africa1) established the Simmentaler Association for South West Africa (Simmentaler Zuchtverein fuer Südwestafrika) with E Rusch as chairman. However, things did not progress well and in 1930 they formed a new association (“Zuchtverein fuer das Simmentaler Rind in Südwestafrika”) with Mr. Gustav Voigts as chairman and Mr. A Stauch vice-chairman. The depression in the 1930s and World War 2 consequences (no imports from Germany) led to the end of this association.

Notwithstanding these setbacks as well as the post-war prejudice of the South African administration against German cattle breeds, Simmentaler survived and frontiersman-breeders formed the “Simmentaler Breeders’ Association for Southern Africa” on 13 Sept 1950 in Windhoek, with Mr. Gerhard Voigts (son of Gustav above) as President.

1) From 1884 – 1918, Deutsch-Südwestafrika (German South West Africa); thereafter South West Africa (under the administration of the Union of South Africa - Part of British Empire) and since 1990 the independent Republic of Namibia.

20 For the record: At the time of founding, South West Africa was under South African administration and this new breed association decided to affiliate with the “South African Stud Book Association” (which operated under a Livestock Pedigree Act) to form one organisation for breeders’ in South West Africa and South Africa. After difficult negotiations, led brilliantly by Mr. Gerhard Voigts, the first “over country border SF association” in the world was established in Windhoek on 31 October 1963 and Mr. Voigts became chairman. (Association promulgated February 1964)

Thorough registration The constitution of the association formed in 1930 in South West Africa included a mandatory score- system for registration, whereby the following ten characteristics were scored out of five: •• (i) Head, horn, neck; (ii) Shoulder, width of breast and body depth; (iii) Back, loin and spring of ribs; (iv) Back and pelvis; (v) Bone strength, stance of legs and walking; (vi) Colour, skin, and hair. (Collective maximum 6x5 = 30 points); •• The scores for the following multiplied times 3: (vii) Pedigree and breed purity; (viii) Growth and fattening ability; (ix) Milk characteristics. (Collective maximum 45 points); •• Score multiplied by 5: (x) Overall appearance. (Max 25).

The maximum score is therefore 100 and the minimum for registration was 70 for bulls and 65 for females. Approved animals were tattooed with ZS (German “for breeding”) and the herdbook number in the left ear.

1930 was not only known for a revitalised association for South West Africa but also for a consignment of nine Fleckvieh from Germany including this bull on the front page of the local agriculture magazine. Caption: “The 2¼ year old bull “Mylord” imported by Wecke und Voigts from Bavaria.” [Sam Cohen Library, Swakopmund]

21 Even though Brazil imported their first Simmentaler2) already in 1904, an association of Simental2) breeders’ was only established in 1963 in the State of Espirito Santo.

The driving force behind the formation of the Brazil Simental Association in 1963 was Mr. Agostinho Caiado Fraga.

Other non-European SF associations were established in Argentine 1968, Canada 1968, USA 1968, UK and Ireland 1970, Norway 1970, Uruguay 1971, New Zealand 1971, Australia 1971, Sweden 1973, Denmark 1975, Mexico 1982 and Colombia 1988.

Non-European associations with most SF registrations Although it happened after 1950 it is of historical value. The American Simmental Association was formed in 1968 and the well-known reporter Charles R. Koch comments on the first members meeting: “Probably never before in the history of breed associations has there been such an enthusiastic launching of such an organization. The enthusiasm is even more impressive in view of the fact most of the charter members of the association have never seen a purebred Simmental of either sex; that the only representatives of the breed now in this country are F1 calves sired by artificial insemination. Some 260 cattlemen from Florida to the State of Washington converged upon the Cosmopolitan Hotel, in Denver to attend the first annual meeting of this association and a high percentage of them left the meeting as dues-paying charter members at $100 per crack.” The Western Livestock Journal: “The American Simmental Assn. had 34 members up to the coffee-break time at the first annual meeting in Denver. Approximately 50 people were expected to show up at that meeting but 250 jammed the room, representing almost every major beef breeding state and Canada. At coffee-break time another 84 cattlemen joined the association and before nightfall the membership had increased further.”

The Canadian Simmental Association was also founded in 1968 with pioneer Travers Smith as first President, Fenton Webster as Secretary and the office was in Cardston. The Canadians played an important pioneering role in the introduction of the breed in the USA which could not import genetics from Europe. However, the US imported large amounts of semen from Canada to upgrade domestic stock to purebred Simmental and the breed experienced an unbelievable boom period in the US which was also to the benefit of the Canadian exporters.

Those were the days. From Travers Smith catalogue, ¾ Simmental x Hereford cross $18 000. [Simmental-sbl. blogspot.com]

2) Names in those years

22 Chapter 6 6 Pioneer imports due to breed’s milk attribute

Mr. Theodore A Havemeyer from New Jersey, USA imported SF in 1894 from Switzerland, not for beef production but (quote) “to improve the stamina and health of my Jerseys and maintain the good milk production”. The US Department of Agriculture classified “Simmenthaler” (spelling) in 1898 as a dairy breed.

The first Brazilian imports by the Secretariat of Agriculture of São Paulo were aimed to improve the milk production of the local cattle.

In the first half of the previous century, the dual-purpose qualities of the breed were utilized in South West Africa (present-day Namibia) for milk and beef-production under extensive semi-arid conditions. The milk component of this system was called “Dairy Ranching” and one of the systems included: Calves are kept on their own at night in a corral near the farmstead (protected African wild animals). In the morning, they are allowed to suckle for a short time (stimulate milk-let-down) and then the mothers are milked (in tough times, only two teats). The cows remain in the corral with their calves until noon, when they are released to walk long distances for their natural grazing and return the next morning. The infrastructure did not allow fresh milk production and on-farm cream separators were used to produce cream for the local creamery. No additional food was fed because the environment did not tolerate a high milk production.

Stephan Voigts, fourth generation Simmentaler breeder: “In the 1920-30s cow prices fell from German Mark 160 to 20. It was meaningless to sell cows if you get more than double the slaughter prize for cream production. Simmentaler farmers did financially better than the British beef breed farmers who could not milk their cows due to insufficient milk. Milk became so important that my grandfather imported the bull Kurfuerst in 1923 from a good milk-line. His dam produced 18 litres without concentrates. Because many bull-buyers insisted on proof of milk, granddad introduced milk recording in 1925”.

The then largest Simmentaler milk producer in South West Africa was Ulrich Kaiser who milked 600 cows. His son Ulli reports: “We only milked in the open corral, two teats were milked and the other two were left for the calf to drink. In 1942 the turnover was £ 2250 for cream and £ 2200 for slaughter cattle and bull sales. In 1950 the relation was £ 4700 for cream, £ 500 for fresh milk and £ 11300 for beef and bull sales.”

German South West Africa in 1908. The author’s grand-father South West Africa. Cream-cans were transported daily from at a “Milk Refreshment Hall” on a farm. Milk produced by the nearest train station to the creamery for butter/cheese mainly Simmentaler-crosses “was served”. production. [Bildarchiv Uni-Frankfurt] [Sam Cohen Library, Swakopmund]

23 Third generation breeder Reinie Rusch: “My dad always spoke about the Simmentaler cows which every day produced a full bucket of milk under harsh natural conditions. The ability of the Simmentaler cow to utilise sparse grazing to feed her calf and produce milk for cream production helped a lot to propagate the breed. This production system played a prominent role until shortly after WW2.”

In his book about President MT Steyn, who was the first person to import Simmentaler in 1905 to South Africa, Somerset Playne writes: “Cattle breeding is the principle industry on his farm and since 1905 he has been importing Swiss cattle of the “Siementhaler type” with the view of improving the milking qualities of his Afrikaner herd (indigenous breed). To illustrate this statement it may be observed that one of the Afrikaner cows at the President farm gave eight bottles of milk ... less than a gallon and a half ... each day, but now a descendant of the Swiss cross will yield as much as 20 bottles.”

South West Africa. The “bucket in the corral” system described South West Africa. Original caption on front page of national above was used once a day. [U Kaiser]. agriculture magazine: “Simmentaler bull (milkline) imported for farm Voigtland, SWA in 1927.” [S Voigts].

Brazil also imported SF to improve the milk production of The “Desert Evening News”, Utah reports in July 1897 about the local cattle. Alan Fraga supplied this: “Imported bull born Simmenthaler imports: “The claim is made for the cows that on February 2, 1903 in Switzerland and imported by Colonel they yield between 400 and 500 pounds of butter a year. We Francisco Orlando Diniz Junqueira arriving in Brazil in 1905.” should like to see some the millionaire gentlemen who are importing these cattle make an official test of their milk and butter making power. [Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress]

24 Chapter 7 7 Research that opened the doors for establishing Simmental-Fleckvieh as a beef breed

The earliest research on the suckler beef characteristics of SF under ranching conditions started in 1950 at the South West Africa Department Agriculture Research Farm “Omatjenne” and the results of these interbreed tests were released in the 1960s. They played a significant role in the breed’s establishment as suckler beef breed because the European exporting countries, where all cows were milked, used these results to propagate the breed as beef breed in the “new SF countries” of the Americas as well as the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. At the first suckler beef SF World Symposium (1972 in Germany – 2 years before a world federation was formed) the main paper was about the Omatjenne research.

These tests were conducted under extensive beef production conditions (450mm rainfall) and the aim was to determine the net income in terms of oxen slaughtered from 30 cows per breed over a ten year period. The choice of breeds was based on population in 1949 and consisted of the indigenous breed Afrikaner, the British breeds Aberdeen Angus, Hereford, Red Poll, Shorthorn, South Devon and Sussex, as well as the continental dual-purpose breeds Simmentaler, Brown Swiss and Pinzgauer. Simmentaler did the best in the most important criteria i.e. income generated from

One of the Simmentaler used in the Omatjenne tests Omatjenne results: Income from beef sold per cowherd over a 10 year period. beef sold per herd which incorporated fertility, mortality, pre- and post-wean growth rate, dressing % and carcase grading. (Right top)

Another remarkable achievement, which was also revealed at the 1972 SF World Symposium, was the South African Agriculture Department beef breed growth test results. This was the first time in the world that the post-wean growth rate of suckler SF was officially compared at an official testing centre to other beef breeds. (Right bottom) Postwean growth at an official 140-day growthtest-station for breeds that tested more than 500 bulls over the ten year period.

25 Chapter 8 8 Showing goes hand in hand with stud breeding

The Bernese provincial government established exhibitions (without judging) in 1806 and in 1856 “Berner Vieh” (forerunner of SF) was exhibited at the European show in Paris. Dates of the first competitive shows: Switzerland 1857 (Bern); Germany 1868 (Mannheim); Austria 1873 (Vienna). From a report of the 1861 Zurich show, I note that the “Berner-Fleckvieh” was judged by nine judges who, independent of each other, scored every animal with 1 (average), 2 (beautiful), 3 (very beautiful) or 4 (excellent) for these traits: Breed purity, colour, head, forehand, centre, hind limbs and body balance. Animals were placed according to the combined scores of the nine judges.

Swiss show 1868. Sketch (camera only 20 years later) of a 3-year old “Siebenthaler” bull (l) with an immense wither height of 196cm and a 6-year old “Simenthaler” cow (r), height at withers 154cm. [A. Biegler, Switzerland]

Pioneer shows outside Europe 1897: The American businessman Mr. Theodore Augustus Havemeyer exhibited (no judging) his imported “Simmenthaler” (correct spelling) bull at the 1897 New York Exhibition (see Chapter 2 for picture). The Mower County newspaper: “Among the most interesting cattle at the New York livestock show were the Simmenthaler imported by Mr. Havemeyer. The Simmenthaler bull at the livestock show weighed, at 8 years old, 2080 pounds. He was an immense fellow, much milder looking than either the Jersey or the Guernsey bull. The milk of the Simmenthaler cows is richer than that of Holstein-Friesian, about as rich as Guernsey milk. These cattle also make excellent beef, and it is in their double capacity of milk and meat producers that they are valued in their native Switzerland.” This report is dated 7 April 1897 and I note that Havemeyer passed away on 26 April 1897.

1899: The first competitive non-European SF show took place in Windhoek in the then “German South West Africa”. Shorthorn, Friesland, Simmenthaler and their crosses were judged together. According to the “Windhoek Anzeiger” there were 15 exhibitors with 133 animals of a few breeds and the “Simmenthaler’s were entered by Messrs Lass, Rusch, Schmerenbeck and Nietze.” Simmenthaler’s of Mr. Ernst Rusch won two classes. Here a hand-sketched certificate he won in 1902 for the cow class.

26 1905: Another non-European country where SF was exhibited (no judging) was in South Africa when the President of the former Boer Republic proudly showed his imported bull from Switzerland in Bloemfontein under the breed name “Swiss Cattle”.

1908: The first SF was exhibited in Brazil by the government of the State of Minas Gerais.

The Presidents bull. Six week sea voyage from Europe to Cape Town, 1000km by slow-train to the farm and shortly thereafter to the show in South Africa. [Foto Argief Onze Rust]

Parisian was exhibited all over North America [Photo W Browarny] The first competitive non-European SF show was in German South West Africa [Photo R Rusch]

Although after 1950, but of historical value Late 1960s: The Canadian SF pioneer Travers Smith, who imported the first bull “Parisian” in 1967, exhibited him passionately all over North America to hundreds of cattle breeders. Travers did not like competitive showing and suggested the following for the new Canadian association’s Rules: “Simmental cattle will not be entered in any competitive live shows because the judging criteria of live shows are inconsistent with sound performance selection programs and Simmental may be displayed at exhibitions and fairs for purposes of sales promotion. Performance data will be emphasized.” Don Vaniman, pioneer CEO of the USA association was also against showing: “Visually appraising breeding cattle in the showring has interfered with comprehensive within-herd performance selection. The showring is promotional, but seldom breed-improving. Yes, the showring is a wonderful place to meet and visit with old friends. But how can it measure and select breeding cattle for the future based on one day’s parade of only visual analysis all done by one judge for all breeds of cattle?”

27 1976: A memorable occasion was the first World Show in South Africa (under auspices of the newly formed World Simmental Federation) which was attended by 200 foreign visitors from seventeen countries and just as many local breeders. Just under 500 Simmentaler from South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe were judged. Our breed association imported a representative group from Austria, France, Germany, and Switzerland which were judged on stage in a theatre, also a world first.

At the opening of the first SF World-Show Flr Mr. Ernst Senckenberg, President World Simmental Federation; Mr. Willie Angus, President Southern African Association; South African State President Dr. Nico Diederichs. [Pretoria News]

1996: The World Congress show in South Africa was certified by the World Simmental-Fleckvieh Federation as “the largest ever Simmental-Fleckvieh show in the world”. Just over 70 exhibitors from South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe had 1006 entries. This excludes the 620 entries in the progeny group classes. My research shows that this record still stands. The show was attended by 220 foreign guests from 20 countries and 300 locals. An extraordinary achievement was the excellent average intercalving-period of 375 days for the 92 cows over 4 years.

The judging arena at the largest SF show ever and the grand champions. [Photos W Southwood]

28 References

Personal communication and reports The Red and White Spotted Simmental Cattle. H Lorscher. Kommission Schweizerischer Viehzuchtverbande, Switzerland. Baker D; Australia The South African Stud Book, Vol 2, 1907. Cape Town, South Africa. Banuet A; Mexico Tierzucht und Tierkrankheiten in Deutsch-Südwestafrika. W Rickmann. Barneco A; Switzerland 1908 Richard Schoetz, Berlin . Bigler A; Swissherdbook, Switzerland Visual Evaluation of Simmental-Fleckvieh. CP Massmann. Bayern Genetik- Borstlap R; Namibia Genetik GmbH, Germany. Brown, R; USA De Ocampo, A; Argentine Newspapers; Magazines; Brochures; Journals Dussel A; Argentine Society Afrikanischer Heimatkalender, Albert Nietze (16/10/1893) Fraga A; Associaçao Brasileira de Criadores da Raça Simmental, Brazil American Simmental Association Beef Briefs. “History of the Simmental Freeman B; British Association Breed.” Gautschi U; Swissherdbook, Switzerland. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. Gehle S; South Africa USA Germann, E; Swiss Association Chronik zu unserem 125 jährigen Verband. U Gautschi, Swiss Gottschalk, A; Bavarian Institute, Germany Herdbook Grupp, T; Germany Der Deutsche Correspondent. Baltimore, Md., 12 Aug 1970 Kaiser U; Namibia Der Sonntags-Correspondent. Baltimore, Md, 1899. Kaumeyer G; Canada Der Tierzuchter, Oct 1972. “Beitrag S Gehle und R Borstlap. Krafft M; Namibia Early years of Simmental in North America. simmental-sbl.blogspot. Massmann U; Namibia com. Moore J; USA Evening Bulletin. Oahu, Hawai, 29 Jan 1898 Ocampo R; Argentine Farm, Field, and Fireside, 6 June 1896 Oswald C; Switzerland Farmers Weekly, 16 Dec 2005. P Massmann, “Simmentalers 100 years Peterson E; American Association, USA in SA.” Rodriguez J; Colombia FWG Information, Nr 5. May 1919 Rusch R; Namibia Indiana Farmer, 1895, v. 30, no. 52 (Dec. 28) Steele G; England Internet Library Sub Saharan Africa, Colonial picture archive. Stock H; Namibia http://www.ilissafrica.de/ Swaney J; MMB Scotland Kommission Schweizer Viehzuchtverbande. “Viehexporte 1900-1954” Vaniman D; American Simmental, USA Lethbridge Herald, Newspaper Archive Vincent R; Australia Mower County Transcript. Lansing, Minn., 07 April 1897. Voigts G; Namibia Sam Cohen Library, Swakopmund, Namibia. Reports in numerous Voigts S; Namibia “SWA Farmer” and “Windhoek Anzeiger”. Wyss W; Switzerland Simmental Shield, August 1974, Don Vaniman Young, W; Scotland Simmentaler Arbeitsgemeinschaft Namibia Brochure, 1993. P Massmann, “Eeufeesboodskap”. Simmentaler Arbeitsgemeinschaft Namibia Journal. 1993. H Stoeck. “A Books century of Simmentaler breeding in Namibia”. 100 Jahre Schweizerischer Fleckviehzuchtverband. Fleckviehzuchtverband, Simmentaler Journal, 1992. S Gehle. “Die kern van Simmentaler”. Zollikhofen, Switzerland. Simmentaler Journal publications from 1978 to 2018. P Massmann. 121 Years Rock Solid in Namibia. Simmentaler Breeders Society of Numerous articles. Namibia. The Saint Paul Globe. St. Paul, Minn., 10 Oct. 1898 75 Jahre Schweizerischer Fleckviehzuchtverband. Verbandsdruckerei, Universitatsbibliothek Frankfurt a Main. Der Bildbestand der Deutschen Bern, Switzerland. Kolonialgesellschaft. Ansiedlerschicksale, Elf Jahre in Deutsch-Südwestafrika 1893-1904. H von WSFF Congress special publication, Pretoria, South Africa, 1996. P Falkenhausen. Massmann, “Milestones” Das Alte Swakopmund. K Rautenbach. Namibia. WSFF Symposium, Prague, Czech Republic, 2007. P Massmann, Die Entwickelung der Deutschen Fleckviehzucht. A Gottschalk. ASR “Simmental-Fleckvieh as a beef breed.” München, Germany. WSFF World Congress Technical Papers. Pretoria, South Africa, 1996. Die Fleckviehzucht in Südwestafrika. JF Warning. SWA Wissenschaftlichen R Rusch. Gesellschaft, Windhoek WSFF World Congress Technical Papers. Pretoria, South Africa, 2002. Eine Weltrasse, Das Simmentaler-Fleckvieh. F Vogt-Steiner. Verlag S Voigts. Zuchter, Switzerland. WSFF World Congress, Dallas, USA, 1992. P Massmann. “Breeding Fleckvieh Entwickelung einer Weltrasse. ASR, Munchen, Germany. Simmentals for extensive ranching conditions.” Simmentaler Book,1964-2014. CP Massmann. The Simmentaler Cattle Breeders of Southern Africa.

29