BISMARK is this week’s “Name that Beef Bull” Answer

This week’s “Name that Beef Bull” Quiz Game goes back to the “Exotic Era”.  This popular sire was the first Simmental bull imported from Switzerland in 1967.  During his peak, this sire saw such demand that it was necessary to advance order his semen.  Can you guess the name of this bull?   –   29SM0001 (18601) BISMARK SHB MM 2297 M’Bucheggberg

• BISMARK arrived in 1967 in the first contingent importation of Simmental bulls from Switzerland.  As a pioneer in the AI industry, ABS was fortunate to have the first selection of calves assembled for export.  With an emphasis on progeny results, BISMARK was immediately bred to herds in the United States and Canada with his first calf crop arriving in the spring of 1969.  His popularity quickly spread and during this popular Exotic Beef Breed cow period it was not uncommon to require advance orders for his semen.
• Replacement heifer production was BISMARK’s strongest attribute with high calving ease scores.  Cattlemen liked his moderate birth weights, dark pigmentation that was ideal for mating back to Hereford cows and added muscle.  During the “Exotic Era” BISMARK progeny dominated the National Simmental Sale including two daughters bringing $9,000 and $7,500 respectively.  BISMARK remained a mainstream ABS Simmental Sire listed in the directory  until 1975.  It is without question this legendary sire contributed to the unmatched-to-date 1 Million units of beef semen sales recorded in 1973.

29SM0001 (18601) BISMARK

Bred by: Isch Moritz of Aetigkofen, Switzerland.  Leased from National Beef, Ltd.

Heavyhearted in DeForest, Wisconsin, ABS Global is the world-leading provider of bovine genetics, reproduction services, technologies and uddercare products.  Marketing in more than 80 countries around the globe, ABS has been at the forefront of animal genetics and technology since its founding in 1941. ABS Global is a division of Genus plc.