What is a Braunvieh?
One of the most common questions a Braunvieh breeder receives is, "What is a Braunvieh?" or "What kind of a crossbreed is Braunvieh?"
History
Braunvieh first of all is not a crossbreed or a new breed developed using two or more breeds. In fact, Braunvieh may be the oldest pure breed on earth, with records dating back to 800 B.C. Recently, archeologists have found cattle bones among the ruins of the ancient Swiss Lake Dwellers similar to those of the present day Braunvieh. This would date these cattle in the region to the Bronze Age.
The breed is associated with the scenic Swiss Alps. Development of the breed came into its own in the 18th century in the mountain valleys of Switzerland and production records on milk and meat performance were established in the 19th century. Today, roughly 40% of the cattle in Switzerland are Braunvieh and they have spread throughout the world. Due to their high performance and adaptability, Braunvieh are used in all major countries of the world. Braunvieh are found in over 60 countries extending from the Arctic Circle to the tropics at altitudes varying between 0 and 12,500 feet. World population of Braunvieh is over 7,000,000 head. Herdbooks are being kept by breeders' associations in 42 countries.
Distribution
Other than its homelands of Germany, Austria, Itlay and Switzerland, Braunvieh have spread into all continents except the Poles. Extraordinary adaptability has put Braunvieh in countries such as South Africa, India, Canada, Japan, Yugoslavia, Mexico, France, Russia and all climatic zones of North and South America and of course Australia. Approximately 130 head of Braunvieh were imported into the United States from Switzerland between 1869 and 1880.
This was the basis for the development of the American Brown Swiss that was declared a dairy breed in 1890, and therefore became a different breed. There, separate herdbooks are kept for the cattle, sometimes referred to as European type Brown Swiss and American Brown Swiss. The majority of the Braunvieh cattle in Switzerland as well as other European countries today have been crossed with Brown Swiss.
The Swiss Braunvieh Association registers all Braunvieh cattle in Switzerland, but the cattle that have no Brown Swiss in their pedigree are certified to be Original and have the words Original Braunvieh stamped on the certificate of registry. There is an association of breeders in Switzerland organized for the purpose of preserving and promoting the Original Braunvieh breed, the Swiss Original Braunvieh Association (SOBA).
Braunvieh in Australia
In 1972 when the import bans were lifted, many European breeds were introduced including Braunvieh. Breeding records since 1975 using an Up-grading program with Braunvieh semen over four crosses to Purebred resulted in the first Purebred born in 1984. The first live cattle entered in June 1989 from New Zealand, with Fullblood Swiss Braunvieh entering in April 1990. Subsequent importation of cattle and embryos from Denmark and Canada and semen and embryos from US and Switzerland have greatly expanded Braunvieh in Australia.
With Braunvieh becoming readily available, commercial cattle breeders are using them over black and grey cows in the south, and over Bos Indicus cattle in the north. The Braunvieh muscle, feed efficiency and maternal traits have a positive benefit in all these different applications. Add the benefits of their ability to withstand extreme temperatures and their docile nature, the Braunvieh is well suited to the Australian climate.
Physical Characteristics
Braunvieh is a German word which translated into English means Brown Cow. Their hair is various shades of brown, predominately mousy brown, but ranging from light brown with gray to very dark brown. The border of the muzzle is very light, as is the poll, and often a lighter colored dorsal stripe is seen. The udder and inside of the legs and underline also being the lighter shade. A darker, smokier shading is often evident around the shoulders and neck compared to the rest of the body. The switch of the tail is dark brown to black. The skin is pigmented, the muzzle is black, and the hooves are dark and very hard. Body weights range from 500 to 700 kgs for adult females and 900 to 1,200 kgs for adult males. Steers at optimum slaughter weight are 590 kgs at 13 months of age.
The Braunvieh is a well-muscled animal with correct feet and legs, due to generations of natural selection in the Swiss Alps.
Braunvieh are known as a balanced breed, possessing body confirmation for optimum physiological performance. This and the fact that their hair is sleek and fine in warm weather and can grown heavy in response to extended cold weather makes Braunvieh adaptable to different environments.
The physical characteristic that this breed is rapidly becoming noted for is the carcass traits that are needed to carry the beef industry into the next century. Braunvieh sired steers have consistently hung up top carcasses all around the country. This is the breed to lead the beef industry into the future.
Braunvieh put it all together: Maternal, Muscling, Marbling, and Performance.
Source: Australian Braunvieh Association
Braunvieh Association of America
History
Braunvieh first of all is not a crossbreed or a new breed developed using two or more breeds. In fact, Braunvieh may be the oldest pure breed on earth, with records dating back to 800 B.C. Recently, archeologists have found cattle bones among the ruins of the ancient Swiss Lake Dwellers similar to those of the present day Braunvieh. This would date these cattle in the region to the Bronze Age.
The breed is associated with the scenic Swiss Alps. Development of the breed came into its own in the 18th century in the mountain valleys of Switzerland and production records on milk and meat performance were established in the 19th century. Today, roughly 40% of the cattle in Switzerland are Braunvieh and they have spread throughout the world. Due to their high performance and adaptability, Braunvieh are used in all major countries of the world. Braunvieh are found in over 60 countries extending from the Arctic Circle to the tropics at altitudes varying between 0 and 12,500 feet. World population of Braunvieh is over 7,000,000 head. Herdbooks are being kept by breeders' associations in 42 countries.
Distribution
Other than its homelands of Germany, Austria, Itlay and Switzerland, Braunvieh have spread into all continents except the Poles. Extraordinary adaptability has put Braunvieh in countries such as South Africa, India, Canada, Japan, Yugoslavia, Mexico, France, Russia and all climatic zones of North and South America and of course Australia. Approximately 130 head of Braunvieh were imported into the United States from Switzerland between 1869 and 1880.
This was the basis for the development of the American Brown Swiss that was declared a dairy breed in 1890, and therefore became a different breed. There, separate herdbooks are kept for the cattle, sometimes referred to as European type Brown Swiss and American Brown Swiss. The majority of the Braunvieh cattle in Switzerland as well as other European countries today have been crossed with Brown Swiss.
The Swiss Braunvieh Association registers all Braunvieh cattle in Switzerland, but the cattle that have no Brown Swiss in their pedigree are certified to be Original and have the words Original Braunvieh stamped on the certificate of registry. There is an association of breeders in Switzerland organized for the purpose of preserving and promoting the Original Braunvieh breed, the Swiss Original Braunvieh Association (SOBA).
Braunvieh in Australia
In 1972 when the import bans were lifted, many European breeds were introduced including Braunvieh. Breeding records since 1975 using an Up-grading program with Braunvieh semen over four crosses to Purebred resulted in the first Purebred born in 1984. The first live cattle entered in June 1989 from New Zealand, with Fullblood Swiss Braunvieh entering in April 1990. Subsequent importation of cattle and embryos from Denmark and Canada and semen and embryos from US and Switzerland have greatly expanded Braunvieh in Australia.
With Braunvieh becoming readily available, commercial cattle breeders are using them over black and grey cows in the south, and over Bos Indicus cattle in the north. The Braunvieh muscle, feed efficiency and maternal traits have a positive benefit in all these different applications. Add the benefits of their ability to withstand extreme temperatures and their docile nature, the Braunvieh is well suited to the Australian climate.
Physical Characteristics
Braunvieh is a German word which translated into English means Brown Cow. Their hair is various shades of brown, predominately mousy brown, but ranging from light brown with gray to very dark brown. The border of the muzzle is very light, as is the poll, and often a lighter colored dorsal stripe is seen. The udder and inside of the legs and underline also being the lighter shade. A darker, smokier shading is often evident around the shoulders and neck compared to the rest of the body. The switch of the tail is dark brown to black. The skin is pigmented, the muzzle is black, and the hooves are dark and very hard. Body weights range from 500 to 700 kgs for adult females and 900 to 1,200 kgs for adult males. Steers at optimum slaughter weight are 590 kgs at 13 months of age.
The Braunvieh is a well-muscled animal with correct feet and legs, due to generations of natural selection in the Swiss Alps.
Braunvieh are known as a balanced breed, possessing body confirmation for optimum physiological performance. This and the fact that their hair is sleek and fine in warm weather and can grown heavy in response to extended cold weather makes Braunvieh adaptable to different environments.
The physical characteristic that this breed is rapidly becoming noted for is the carcass traits that are needed to carry the beef industry into the next century. Braunvieh sired steers have consistently hung up top carcasses all around the country. This is the breed to lead the beef industry into the future.
Braunvieh put it all together: Maternal, Muscling, Marbling, and Performance.
Source: Australian Braunvieh Association
Braunvieh Association of America