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Phil,
Mary & Jamie Withers
Strathalbyn SA 5255
Email: info@nalpa.com
"NALPA"
is situated 23 km east of Langhorne Creek in South Australia. It covers
an area of 4,000ha (10,000 acres) and is in 350mm (14 inches) rainfall
area. A family owned/managed property on the shores of Lake Alexandrina.
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The Nalpa Simmental stud was established in 1972, based on the Fleckvieh Simmental genetics available from Europe at the time.
The early herd was comprised of graded Simmentals. Our Simmentals have been upgraded through our Poll Shorthorns, for which the "Withers" family is highly regarded. In Australia, when European breeds such as Simmental were first introduced imported semen was used over the existing british breed cows. Once the cross became 15/16 Simmental, it was considered a Purebred. Our aim has been to breed Simmentals that have the markings & traits of the original Simmentals.
It has made us one of the best & most durable Simmental herds in Australia. Adding the "poll" gene will not compromise this aim.
We retain a Poll Shorthorn commercial herd (250), the cows are an integral part of our operation.
Beef cattle production is our main business and cross breeding with the Simmental bull over Poll Shorthorn cows provides us with low cost, hardy cattle with progeny that can be sold at a premium in a variety of markets as they develop.
Phil Withers is a cattleman of the highest calibre. His livestock breeding and understanding is exceptional. He has judged at Royal Shows throughout Australia and is an expert in breeding Simmental.
Jamie acquired his Bachelor of Business degree (Accounting) at the University of South Australia and now has the management role in computer technology and genetics. Jamie has travelled widely overseas researching beef marketing and Simmentals and brings up to date information technology and practice to the team.
"Nalpa" has a proud history of beef cattle production. It has a wealth of experience over the years from which new entrants to the industry can profit.
We pride ourselves on our involvement with our clients & providing them with exceptional livestock without compromising tradition. Our clients recognise this excellence & benefit from our commercially realistic approach.
Additional history - Phil and Mary Withers are both from highly regarded Poll Shorthorn studs, having come from families with experience and knowledge of what is involved in obtaining success over a long period of time.
Nalpa
- working within our environment to strive for
profitability and simplicity
- Our commercial cows calve unattended.
- A low level grain and roughage supplement is given to our show and sale bulls.
- We place an emphasis on maternal traits and structural soundness
- Easy doing (soft), well-muscled, fertile and quiet cattle are required
- Minimum supplementary feeding is required.
- Quiet, professional handling is practised at all times.
Astute breeders in the early 1970's in Australia recognised "Simmental" would, over British breeds, improve weight gains (weaning and mature), provide higher saleable meat yields and hence command premium prices with less fat cover.
Years of natural selection in the Swiss mountains with its harsh environment developed a hardy, docile, adaptable breed with growth and maternal qualities that ideally suit a range of environment and beef markets.
Simmental X heifers regularly meet steer specifications, resulting in higher returns for all of the progeny.
Nalpa has always had Poll Shorthorns and the Simmental infusion lead to a thriving commercial operation.
"Simmental" gives us the edge.
- Semen available for sale
Lot 1 - P.R.P. Douglas (P) - 12 straws @ $A40
Lot 2 - Brundish Lars - 5 straws @ $A35
Lot 3 - Witchwood Kentucky - 6 straws @ $A20
Lot 4 - Kindar Galaxy - 8 straws @ $A20
Lot 5 - Mr Dusty Dignified 10P - 1 straw @ $A20
Lot 6 - TCCL Firefox 53T - 1 straw @ $A20
Lot 7 - ABC Big n Tall Junior - 1 straw @ $A20
The above Semen can be bought as individual lots or as a whole. Enquiries welcome.
- Commercial sales results 2006
September - 70 Simmental X Poll Shorthorn steers 16-18 months old Average = 460 kg sold to Charlton Feedlot , Victoria @ $2.25/kg live weight. An exceptional result, considering that by mid October comparable cattle were making $1.60 -1.80/kg, a minimum of $200 less per head.
Mid October - 20 Simmental X Poll Shorthorn heifers 16-18months old Average = 460kg sold to Woolworths supermarket for $1.90/kg. Comparable cattle in the regional saleyards were making $1.50 at best.
- Commercial sales results 2007
September - 52 Sim X Shorthorn steers 16 -18 months sold to Rockdale Feedlot @ $1.90/kg live weight. Excellent result - reflects premium Aust feedlots prepared to pay for top quality steers with proven performance. NB: Grain prices at record high levels & feedlots becoming more selective with the cattle they purchase.
September - 31 Sim X Heifers 16-18 months sold to Woolworths supermarket
@ $3.40/kg dressed. A premium of $0.70/kg dressed($100 + per head) cf regional saleyards.
- Commercial sales results 2008
October - 57 Sim X Shorthorn steers & heifers sold to EU market.
16-18 months old Average = $A1325.99/head. Average Fat = 11.6mm
Mostly steers in consignment. Ideally suited to EU market. Finished on-
property.
September - Further sales to Woolworths of mainly SimX heifers.
World Congress 2010
Please consider visiting Nalpa as part of the 2010 World Congress to be held in Australia. The Congress will be held in Melbourne, Victoria. We are 90 minutes drive from Adelaide, South Australia towards Melbourne.
- Crossbreeding - a more profitable beef business
At Nalpa we have been crossbreeding since 1972. Our program in our commercial operation of using a Simmental bull over Poll Shorthorn cow and selling all of the progeny is superior to our straight-bred competitors because of our higher yields, use of hybrid vigour to increase growth, and the ability to meet the narrow fat cover ranges required in premium markets, eg,Woolworths(Safeway) supermarkets.
- Why
Nalpa Simmentals are superior to our competitors
Our Simmentals are easier to handle, better adapted to harsh Australian conditions, have a "middle of the road" maturity pattern and thus providing more selling options(market flexibility) and have superior performance whilst being low maintenance. Plus, they are solid red with pigment where possible and can be easily identified in saleyards as true Simmentals. Not Black, Not Angus look-a-likes and not Red Angus look-a-likes. Visitors are welcome at any time of the year to view our operation. Many of our clients have British breeds such as Angus, Poll Hereford, etc. Our type of Simmentals provide our clients with more hybrid vigour than our black conterparts.
- Nalpa Zoe - Example of a Nalpa heifer
Judges comments: Exceptional length, femininity & depth, a clear winner.
Below: Nalpa Zoe Photo- 26 July 2005 at home(Nalpa)
NB: Frame 7
- European Bull Sale 2009
The European Bull Sale is to be held on Friday 20 February 2009 at the Naracoorte Showgrounds in South Australia.
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Field Day
Nalpa has an open day (once a year) which is an opportunity to display what we produce & for visitors to enjoy our hospitality and understand more about our operation.
The Simmental stud is an integral part of a large crossbreeding commercial operation. It also provides client feedback which is much appreciated.
On-property Field Day 2009 Sunday February 8. Welcome to visit us at any time during the year, by appointment.
- Origin
of German-Fleckvieh Genetics in South Australia
Phil Withers was the first person to judge Simmental cattle in Australia at the Adelaide Royal Show 1974. One of the exhibitors was the son of Mr Frank Young (Jimmy Young). Frank Young was an expert selector of Simmental and formed part of the Scottish Milk Marketing Board(MMB) that went for the German Simmental type. Why? The German's concentrated more on weight gain for selection via a very extensive testing system.
The Scottish MMB imported (into Scotland from Germany): Scottish Herod, Scottish Neff, Scottish Neptune,Scottish Marquis. New Zealand and Canada also imported outstanding German genetics: For example, SV Bavarian. NALPA cattle are heavily influenced by German Simmental genetics since 1972.
German ZIMBO genetics reflect this type of Simmental and adds the POLL gene.
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Poll Bull "Zimbo"
The move towards "polled" cattle is evident and over the next few years we will be using Nalpa Ashville(P), our young stud sire, along with "Zimbo" (polled Fleckvieh - Germany) to produce polled cattle with qualities equal to their 'horned' counterparts.
Simmental are naturally horned and the emphasis placed on selecting good polled cattle is a long and challenging process. We believe that these polled genetics represent the best currently available and look forward to promising results.
- Rising 2 year old bulls for Sale
See our Sale Bull Page for more
September 8, 2008
Jamie was re-elected as the President of SA Beef cattle breeders.A position which involves representing the interests of South Australian beef cattle breeders both stud and commercial.
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The progeny of Nalpa Ashville(P) and Nalpa Vincent are showing:
softness, growth rates, balance, muscling, moderate frame size and docility traits that stamp them as outstanding examples of the Simmental breed. Suitable for both short and long feeding programs.
We aim to breed low maintenance & high performance cattle and the current drop are proof of a successful breeding program.
At Nalpa we are a large scale commercial operation with our Sim X Shorthorn steers and heifers continuing to have the finishing ability and growth rates that make us one of the most highly regarded cattle breeders in South Australia.