The Simmental is a cattle breed that originated in Switzerland and is widely raised for both milk and beef.
The breed takes its name from the Simme Valley in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. It belongs to the group of European cattle descended from the ancient red-and-white cattle of the Alpine region. Simmental cattle are commonly red or red-and-white, although exact markings vary among populations.
Historically, farmers valued Simmentals for several uses: draft power, milk production, and meat. Modern breeding programs often emphasize growth, carcass quality, fertility, and milk yield. In many countries, Simmental cattle are also used in crossbreeding to combine their growth and maternal traits with characteristics from other breeds.
Simmental should not be confused with Limousin or Hereford cattle, which are primarily associated with beef production. The breed is also known by related names, including Fleckvieh in parts of Europe.