Kieckhefer Simmentals :: NEW WEBSITE!
From 1972 until May of 1981, Kieckhefer Simmentals owned and managed by Fritz Kieckhefer was the leading breeder of Fullblood Simmental in the United States, winning Premier Exhibitor and Premier Breeder at most major shows as well as Division and Grand Champion Honors at the NAILE, National Western, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Dixie National, and many state and regional fairs. Kieckhefer Simmental held 11 Production Sales culminating with their Dispersal Sale in 1981. Landmark events during these sales were the sale of the first Purebred Simmental in the United States and the first Polled Fullbloods in the United States. On May 29-30, 1981 Kieckhefer Simmentals dispersed their entire herd selling 191 lots to buyers from 21 states and Canada for $986,450 to average $5,216 per lot. Fritz returned to college obtaining a law degree and practiced law until just recently when he semi-retired. Several of his clients were Simmental breeders, and remain clients today.
In November of 2011 Fritz made the decision to re-enter the Simmental Cattle breeding business, and has acquired over 60 cows, bred heifers, and open heifers. He chose Black Simmental over Fullbloods due to their fleshing ability, consistency, marketing potential, and youth program. His goals are the same as 30+years ago; to produce quality Simmental cattle with excellent performance and confirmation. “I believe in EPD’s and the SHOW RING. They complement each other. The Simmental cattle today are efficient, easy calving, and sound whereas the Fullbloods of 30+ years ago were hand calvers, hard doing, and not particularly sound.”
The breeding tools which Kieckhefer Simmentals will use as they did 30+ years ago are to use the best AI bulls available, and embryo transfer from cows out of the best cow families available. All of the cows at Kieckhefer Simmentals are registered Purebreds with a few Simangus and will be used as Recipient Cows except for about 8 Donor Cows. Cattle will be marketed by Private Treaty, Consignments Sales, and within two years semi-annual production sales with Tingle Farms of New Castle, Kentucky.
“90% of my Simmental are Black Baldies, and will continue to be so. The Baldies distinguish my cattle from the Purebred Angus which are prevalent here in Shelby County, Kentucky. Also, the chrome has its advantage in the Show Ring, and the white faces remind me a little of the original Simmental from Europe.”
