Online Reporter
Judith Phiri, Zimpapers Business Hub
ZIMBABWEAN breeders are working with American breeders in a programme to crossbreed Simmental and Angus to create the SimAngus composite, known for enhanced traits that increase productivity and profitability.
The benefits of crossing the two breeds are an ideal balance of maternal and carcass traits, including growth, meat yield, marbling and calving ease, due to breed complementarity and heterosis.
In an interview, renowned Simmental cattle breeder, Mr Obert Chinhamo who is the Simmental and Simbrah Breeders Society of Zimbabwe chairperson, said the Simmental could be crossbred with any breed.
“You can cross it with the Brahman or Angus as well as any breed of your choice. Angus is also one of the biggest breed in the world and America. So, some breeders in America have partnered with us to produce what’s called the SimAngus in a very big programme they are running.
“This is because they want the traits that they get from the Simmental breed. So by virtue of crossing with the biggest breeds in the world means we are the biggest out-crosser,” he said.
He said 2025 was the year of the Simmental and Simbrah as a society they we are going out promoting the breeds to clients across the country, region and world over.
Mr Chinhamo, the owner of Biano Farm tucked in rural Esigodini, Matabeleland South Province, said Simmental was a breed that is a pedigree line or a pure line, while Simbrah was a composite in the sense that it’s a combination of two breeds (Simmental and Brahman).
He added: “Simmental is a dual purpose animal it combines your beef side and dairy side. The farmer chooses whether they want to milk or beef it. We bring the genetics and make the available in the country and other people from outside the country can still access our bulls and semen because this is a breed which is very good at crossbreeding.”
