The Happy Venture stud came into existence in May 2001 when 11 cows were bought from the well-known Corzel stud. The stud was further extended with a number of cows from our commercial stud, animals already adjusted to the extensive farming conditions. To us it is important and we accentuate traits like toughness and adaptability which are exhibited in the reproduction ability of cows.

Our biggest asset was the purchase of the first stud bull, Ben (DM98155C0) from the well-known Kamab stud of Diethelm Metzger from Namibia. We were blessed to have been able to acquire such a top bull as our first stud bull. Ben had excellent BLUB values which were passed on to his progeny and the stud now boasts excellent BLUB values. Ben’s daughters are the foundation that the stud is built on.

Another fundamental aspect of the stud is the breeding of F1s from a few red and white Brahman cows. We are trying to establish a strong link through these cows, because they are not related to any of the well-known bloodlines.

We are currently using a Poena Simmentaler bull, Macarara Yodick, with great success among these cows and other half-bred heifers.  We deem the Poena factor to be very important and are therefore using quite a lot of semen from Poena bulls to inseminate cows.

To us, it was a great honour, when Happy Venture’s Dalton was selected as the Simbra Society’s new K1 bull in 2006. During the 2005 National Sale, Dalton was sold for R46,000 – the most expensive Simbra Bull.  

The American Poena, Full House, has also been used to further establish the Poena gene. His first offspring are expected soon.

We regard it as very important to be actively involved in the Simbra breed to be able to contribute and expand this excellent breed. We partake in many shows, because we regard them as an opportunity to present and to compare our cattle with the best on show. We are also actively involved in the Sim Study Group and the Overvaal super bull programme.

Our selection policy is determined by the following factors: fertility, growth, muscling and temperament.  Although we regard the Poena factor highly, we do not compromise on the above mentioned traits. Currently the Poena factor is of great economic importance to the stud breeder as well as to the commercial farmer.

For us it is a privilege to present a joint production sale with Marimbra Simbra, SSS Simbra and Mica Simbras. We are proud to be a part of the Quatro Simbra group. It was the logical way forward, because we have the same breeding objectives and benchmarks. We also share a passion to breed top quality Simbras. We regard the interaction and collaboration with other breeders as very important.