Running a successful Simmentaler stud in the Barkly East mountains

The dual-purpose Simmentaler is known for its adaptability and good temperament. Tjokkie Nel, who runs a stud near Barkly East, spoke to Gavin Isted about the success he has had on this seemingly harsh terrain.

- Tjokkie Nel

Des 'Tjokkie' Nel has been breeding Simmentaler cattle near Barkly East, Eastern Cape, for more than 20 years. In 1990, after completing high D school at Tweespruit Agricultural School in the Free State, he joined the South African Police Service (SAPS) in East London. After seven years here, he left to join his father Dawie on the family farm Skilderkrans in the mountainous area of Barkly East, where they ran separate Simmentaler production operations.

HISTORY OF THE SIMMENTALER BREED

The Simmentaler breed dates back to the Middle Ages. According to the Simmentaler Cattle Breeders' Society of South Africa's website, the breed is named after the area where the cattle were first bred, the Simme River valley in Switzerland.

The society states that the Simmentaler is a descendant of the aurochs (Bos taurus primegenius), the now-extinct wild breed of cattle that was indigenous to Europe.

Nel has always favoured the breed, as it does well on the veld in mountainous regions, can walk long also has good distances and is highly adaptable. It temperament, which makes it easy to manage, and both bull and heifer calves are weaned at six months old at an average weight of 242kg. In addition, its hybrid vigour makes the Simmentaler ideal for crossbreeding.

THE STORY OF THE SKILDERKRANS STUD

Dawie took over the farm from his own father in 1960, and in the beginning, running a mixed cattle farming operation. In 1964, he bought eight Simmentaler cows and calves in Namibia and was so impressed with the breed that he decided to start the Skilderkrans Simmentaler Stud, which was subsequently registered in 1993.