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Our Cattle
Cows
The Simmental has historically been used for dairy and beef, and as draught animals. They are particularly renowned for the rapid growth of their young, if given sufficient feed. Simmentals provide more combined weaning gain (growth) and milk yield than any other breed.[4] They also have lower frequency of dental lesions compared to other breeds.
Japan was effectively isolated from the rest of the world from 1635 until 1854; there was no possibility of intromission of foreign genes to the cattle population during this time. Between 1868, the year of the Meiji Restoration, and 1887, some 2600 foreign cattle were imported. At first there was little interest in cross-breeding these with native stock, but from about 1900 it became widespread. It ceased abruptly in 1910, when it was realised that, while the cross-breeds might be larger and have better dairy qualities, their working capacity and meat quality was lower. From 1919, the various heterogeneous regional populations that resulted from this brief period of cross-breeding were registered and selected as "Improved Japanese Cattle". Four separate strains were characterised, based mainly on which type of foreign cattle had most influenced the hybrids, and were recognised as breeds in 1944. These were the four wagyū breeds, the Japanese Brown, the Japanese Black, the Japanese Polled and the Japanese Shorthorn.[4]: 8
The Japanese Brown developed in southern Japan, in Kōchi Prefecture on Shikoku island, and in Kumamoto Prefecture on Kyushu island. The principal foreign influences on the breed were from the British Devon, Korean Hanwoo and Swiss Simmental cattle breeds.[4]: 8
In 1960 the total breed population was reported to be over 525 000.[4]: 23 In 1978 it was reported as 72 000, and in 2008 it was 18 672.[1] The Japanese Brown constitutes about 4.8% of the national beef herd.[6]: 17 The conservation status of the Japanese Brown was listed by the FAO as "not at risk" in 2007.[7]: 71
A small number were exported to the United States in 1994.
Bulls
Simmental cattle are known for:high libido bulls with large scrotal size (the bulls have demonstrated the ability to manage high mating loads) More combined weaning gains and milk yield than other breeds of cattle High milk production levels (the Montbeliard are good milkers and are usually placed close to Holsteins in milk yields) Heavier and earlier finishing heifers and steers obtained as crosses between Simmentals and other breeds.
While improved carcass quality is an obvious advantage to using Akaushi or any other Wagyu breed, Akaushi offers many other added benefits.
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Bull longevity – Akaushi bulls typically live 10+ years and often double the quality grade and minimize yield grade 4s and 5s
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Cow longevity – Akaushi cows average 8 years of calving and are known for their high fertility, calving ease and quality udders, feet and legs
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Environmental adaptability – The Akaushi breed is successful across all climates, including cold, heat, high altitude, etc.
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Increased consistency – In both cattle and meat type
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Hybrid Vigor – Allows for rapid improvement in just one generation and increases the fertility of the animals if a producer seeks to keep back replacement heifers
