Demo will show off breed's dual ability
More milk and better beef will be underlying themes of a livestock demonstration at Elders FarmFest 2026 using Traditional Simmental and Fleckvieh cattle.
The Traditional Simmental and Fleckvieh Society of Australia milking demonstration will include two milking cows of the breed and a milking demonstration at 10am each day of the show. The demonstration will include a talk about the breed and its origins, the dual-purpose characteristics of the breed and its suitability as a commercial dairy breed in the Australian dairy industry.
The location of the milking display will be in Demo Area No.4, Site LS13. For the beef cattle, they will be located at site LS17and LS29
The demonstrations will be carried out by Karyn Cassar and Carissa Wolfe, co-owners and managers of Benmar Farm, which has included a dairy, stud and commercial beef, agri-tourism, and on-farm training.
Ms Cassar said the breed's versatility will be on show. "For the dairy side, it shows their suitability in the Australian dairy industry and why they are the second most numerous dairy breed of cattle in the world," she said.
"The beef cattle on display are the feature breed of the show and will have a great line-up of Traditional Simmental Fleckvieh cattle, displaying their suitability for use in beef herds."
Dual purpose Traditional Simmental and Fleckvieh cattle. Picture by Mel Sambrook
Breeders keen for FarmFest spotlight
The adaptability and docility of Traditional Simmental and Fleckvieh cattle will be on display at this year's Elders FarmFest as it takes centre stage with a feature breed show.
The bull feature breed show and competition will take place on Wednesday, June 3 from 8.30am to 11am in the Livestock Arena.
On the following day, Thursday, June 4, the females will be first up in the Livestock Arena from 8.30am to 11am.
Traditional Simmental and Fleckvieh breed spokesperson Trevor Anderson said there were more than 60 entries for the stud section.
"All the breeders are pretty keen," he said.
The breed boasts the ability to be dual-purpose, with both beef and dairying credentials.
Mr Anderson said the cattle may be somewhat underappreciated in Australia, despite being one of the largest registered breeds in the world.
"Everybody says their cattle are adaptable and can go into any climate. Well these guys are the only ones which are in every climate and actually being productive. They don't just live there.
"A lot of people we have introduced into the breed didn't realise how versatile and how handy they are."
He said Traditional Simmentals and Fleckviehs are generally known for their rapid weight gain.
"This means your carbon footprint is less, you get your money quicker," he said.
"Quite a few of the guys we've sold bulls to, their bigger weaners go straight to feedlots. They don't have to background them.
Their adaptability and quiet temperament are key attractions for breeders investing into them, particularly as recipient (recip) cows for embryo transfers.
"They have always been known as great mothers, probably because of that bit of milking ability," Mr Anderson said.
"Our cattle are generally super quiet."