Beef Country - Simmental New Zealand: Delivering growth, yield and temperament

In this episode, Jo Scott speaks with Tom Sanson, Vice President of Simmental New Zealand. Tom highlights why Simmental bulls are ideal terminal sires, citing growth, carcass yield, and docility. He explains hybrid vigour and its benefits in crossbreeding systems. 

The discussion includes tips for bull buyers, the importance of aligning with like-minded breeders, and updates on the IGES evaluation system. Tom also points listeners to online tools like Helical and encourages farmers to explore Simmental genetics to boost performance and profitability.

Guest:

• Tom Sanson, Vice President, Simmental New Zealand

Host:

• Jo Scott, Genetic Specialist, Targeted Breeding

 

Simmental New Zealand continues to promote the value of terminal genetics in commercial beef systems, with Tom Sanson highlighting the breed’s key strengths—exceptional growth, carcass yield, and docility. He explains how Simmental bulls contribute significantly to hybrid vigour, offering a low-cost performance gain when used over mixed-age cows or within structured crossbreeding programmes.

Tom encourages commercial farmers to align with stud breeders who share similar production goals and environmental conditions, ensuring more consistent and effective genetic outcomes. He also discusses the importance of structural soundness, accurate performance recording, and the growing use of Simmental bulls in systems that balance maternal replacements with terminal efficiency.

With the transition to the IGES evaluation platform and improved access to carcass data through Helical, Simmental New Zealand is well-positioned to offer greater genetic accuracy and transparency. As demand grows for functional, high-yielding cattle, Simmental continues to deliver practical, proven options for forward-thinking commercial operations.

 

Simmental New Zealand Bull sales:

Find out about the different sales happening across the country that feature Simmental bulls here: https://app.helicalco.com/public/sim-nz/catalogs

 

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