Expectations of the breeders
The breeder expects an economically efficient, unproblematic and inconspicuous cow.
The costs for replenishing livestock are about 35% of the variable costs, therefore the
productive life trait is economically the most important trait. From this point of view breeding
improvement of fitness- and health traits are expected from breeders. It is a challenge for
organisations to further develop health traits. In tandem with greater consideration for fitness
in the breeding programme we should also think about raising the certainties (safeties?) of
breeding values as preconditions for insemination permits. Important information in regard to
stability is provided by second evaluations of daughters from testbulls after the third calving.
When buying testbulls two extreme strategies are being discussed. “Innovative” breeding
programmes call for embryo transfer in young stock, in other programmes (e.g. “Linie II) test
bulls from cows with a long productive life are bought, even if there is a lower total merit
index. Particularly the latter is in great demand by breeders. In the long run this strategy will
be established if breeders accept tested bulls with a medium breeding value. A possible
alternative would be the testing of bulls from younger cows with an up-to-date genetic,
descended from a stable cow family with high productive life traits.

Avoid reduction in diversity
In 2005 42% of the testbulls bought in Austria are descendants of only five sires. The
situation is even more dramatic in Bavaria. Tests on Jersey cows in the United States have
shown that an increase in inbreeding entails a shorter productive life. Reduction in diversity
can only be avoided if for the mating with bulldams also excellent bulls are accepted that are
not absolutely top-of-the line sires. (e.g. HAGAN, DIONIS, BOSPOR).
Red Holstein - Genetic proportion
Within the last years the genetic proportion of Red Holstein in the Austrian Simmental-
Fleckvieh population has risen slightly. A higher proportion of RH-genes in the selection of
testbulls is not desirable. An evaluation in Bavaria has proved that among 34 testbulls with
RH genes above 25% (from 1990 ) only three have reached the permission for insemination.
The main reason for rejection was weakness in feet and legs and the number of somatic cells.
(Lunz, 2005) Furthermore, the dual-purpose breeds have greater economic value.

Bull testing
While in Bavaria every livestock farmer must inseminate a certain percentage (20-25%)
with testbulls, in France the testing of bulls is organised in special “test-companies”. The
method chosen in Austria meets the aim of objectivity and the consideration of the complete
population. It is called the “zweitkalbskuhregelung” = a regulation that uses cows for second
calving. That this regulation is successfully implemented, shows the high acceptance of 90%
in some of the provinces.

Financing of breeding programmes
The liberalisation of the sperma market forces breeding organisations to merge. We must
create structures which enable us to use the best selected bulls across the borders of the
provinces. In order to maintain a wide and objective performance testing the financial
support from the government will be needed.

Exterieur
The exterieur must serve the improvement of productive life. Differences in the exterieur to
pure milk breeds must be clearly specified. A great strength of Fleckvieh is the capacity in the
area of breast and hips. Muscularity (“Substance”) is not only valuable in regard to the dualpurpose,
but cows with sufficient substance are generally also high performance cows. With
the udder traits the following aspects must be considered in breeding: udder depth, udder
support, teat growth and placement. For Simmental-Fleckvieh breeding we should not apply
“Holstein-criteria” for the udder.
At cattle shows those cows should shown that are champions in their own herd. Simmental
must produce a more individual and self-assertive profile. At common shows of Simmental –
Fleckvieh and cross-breeds (RH x Fleckvieh) one cannot make out which direction the
Fleckvieh breeding is taking. We should not make the mistake of showing exclusively the
cows with best exterieur regardless of any other breeding values. When cattle shows turn into
sheer exhibitions the question comes up for breeders and organisations whether it is worth it.