"The Swiss Original Braunvieh"

ORIGINS AND HISTORY

The country of origin, the cradle of the Braunvieh is, of course, Switzerland. Documentary evidence shows that the Benedictine monks residing at the Einsiedeln Monastery started breeding these cattle as early as approximately 1,000 years ago. In the beginning of the 19th century, different types of Brown Cattle had still been kept in Central and East Switzerland. The interchange of the different types by and by resulted in today's Swiss Brown Cattle (not to be confused with Brown Swiss dairy cattle).

The inclement environmental conditions and keeping the livestock up in the alps let their mark on the Swiss Braunvieh and as a result of the natural selection and the breeding work of the mountain dwellers, an excellent breed resulted, much appreciated and in demand in foreign countries as well.

After the foundation of the Swiss Braunvieh Breeding Association in 1897, the breed has been standardized and improved still further. At that time breeding still had three objectives - a cow needed to be able to provide milk and meat and also to be used as a draught animal. Thus an animal with an all round nature developed: robust, a prolific breeder, long-lived, strong, adaptable and very well balanced in build and color.

In the late 60's animals with an increased milk output and stronger bulk came into demand. In order to achieve these objectives much faster, many Braunvieh breeders reached for "Brown Swiss" genetics from America for pairing. Convinced breeders of Original Braunvieh stuck to their pure breeding ideas and improved the milk production performance by strong selection within the Original Braunvieh population under strict maintenance of the meat output rate.

THE SITUATION TODAY

Around 500 breeders of Original Braunvieh have organzied themselves within the framework of an Association. Their animals are entered into the official herd book of the Swiss Braunvieh Federation in Zug, Switzerland as Swiss Original Braunvieh and are marked, as soon as they satisfy the examiners that they are pure-bred. Swiss Original Braunvieh cows milk extremely well and produce offspring that are suitable for fattening at any age level.

Swiss Original Braunvieh calves have been recorded with daily weight gains of between 1.20kg and 1.30kgs (2lb 10oz to 2lb 14oz)representing high productivity coupled with excellent meat quality.

WHERE CAN YOU KEEP ORIGINAL BRAUNVIEH

Basically anywhere - on topographically difficult terrain - in districts with inclement environmental conditions and poor fooder basis - in extremely moist or dry areas - in tropical or cold climates.

In winter Braunvieh cattle grow a double coat i.e.
a soft downy coat near the skin and long, thick hair on the outer.
In summer their coat is sleek and short

At maturity a Braunvieh bull usually weighs between 2,100 and 2,500 pounds (954 to 1136 kgs)

At maturity a Braunvieh cow usually weighs between 1,200 and 1,500 pounds (545 to 682 kgs)

Calves at birth range from 35kg to 45kg

Braunvieh are some of the most efficient producers on grass and in the feedlot