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History

Braunvieh: A Brief History And Description

History:

Braunvieh is quite possibly the oldest pure breed of cattle in the world. Fossils of cattle, similar to modern day Braunvieh, have been found in Switzerland dating back to over 800 BC. Contrary to popular belief, Braunvieh is not a crossbreed and is not a Brown Swiss.

The word Braunvieh is German for “Brown cow.” The breed developed over thousands of years in the harsh environment of the Swiss Alps and the alpine valleys. These conditions led naturally to a sure footed, moderate sized, hearty animal that was easily adaptable, and able to thrive in a variety of environments on a variety of forages. A cow from one valley might be sold to a farmer in the next valley and would be expected to live and be productive on different types and amounts of forage.

The breed was improved during the Middle Ages with the oldest record on milk production being from 1050 AD. Over time Braunvieh cattle evolved, with each valley and region having it’s own characteristics of this versatile breed. Constant was the pressure to raise surefooted, efficient, and adaptable animals that fulfilled the needs of the alpine residents.

As many families owned a small number of animals, they would often share a bull in a given area. In addition, many cattle lived in close proximity to their family on the small Swiss farms (think of the movie Heidi). Cows lived and worked alongside their humans, evolving to meet the changing needs of the population and reinforcing the functional traits the breed is known for today.

In this environment, cattle needed to be adaptable, efficient, hearty, docile, and easy to work with. Braunvieh needed to be all things to all people. These cows were a source of milk and meat, both for their families own consumption and to sell. All this had to be done on limited forage, often in difficult to access places.

During the 1800’s the breed came together and agreed on the overarching characteristics of a Braunvieh cow. This is when the modern day Braunvieh really began to take shape. She needed to be brown, medium sized, with good feet and legs, well muscled, with good conformation. She needed to be dual purpose, producing a certain amount of milk relative to body weight.

During this time there was some division within the Braunvieh breed as some breeders focused on milk production while others focused on meat production, but Braunvieh were always expected to do both. Performance records were kept on milk and meat production allowing the breed to identify standards and standouts. These records gave producers a basis to identify and propagate high performance animals.

In the early 1900’s, Swiss breeders became even more organized and set up strict criteria for a Braunvieh cow to be registered in the herdbook. These criteria

included; approval by 2 judges, and production of a minimum amount of milk during her first lactation. In addition, if a calf's dam did not meet these standards, the calf also could not be registered. Cows and bulls had to be performance tested and meet minimum standards, or they were removed from the herdbook. At any time, if a bull or cow failed to maintain these standards they were removed from the herdbook and not allowed to be used as breeding stock. Registration, therefore, was not only determined by birth, but also based on these standards. In this way only the best cattle could be registered in the herdbook and only the best cattle could be used for breeding stock.

Additionally, up breeding was not allowed, in essence closing the herd book.

In 1869 seven pregnant Braunvieh heifers from Switzerland, and one bull, were introduced into the United States. Along with future importations, these animals ultimately became the basis for what is today Brown Swiss dairy cattle. Brown Swiss were developed over time and are considered distinct and separate from the Braunvieh breed. However, they both originated from the same breed in Switzerland, and are therefore related.

Braunvieh were exported to Mexico in the mid 1900’s and are known as Ganado Suizo Europeo. They are very popular in the tropical and gulf regions of Mexico for the same reasons they are raised around the world: adaptability, efficiency, docility, functionality, and heartiness. Braunvieh flourish in the foothills and other areas where many other breeds struggle to survive. Their sure footedness makes them ideal for the rocky and uneven terrain present in many areas in Mexico. Even though they were developed in the mountains, Braunvieh are one of the few breeds of cattle that flourish in both cold and hot climates. Over the years some of the Mexican blood lines have made their way into the United States.

In 1969 the first Braunvieh bull Aaron was imported into Canada and, along with several females, became the basis for Starline Braunvieh. These cattle were selected in Switzerland for beef production. Braunvieh again proved their adaptability, functioning well in western Canada adjusting easily to the harsh winters and rangelands. In Canada, Braunvieh are registered with the Canadian Brown Swiss Association. Some animals are also registered with the Braunvieh Association of America allowing for animals and genetics to be exchanged over the years.

The Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) in Clay Center, NE began sampling Braunvieh in 1973-1974 for cycle II of the Germplasm Evaluation Program (GPE). Bulls used included Aaron (CA8719), Ueli (CA9342), Kasimer (BM4), and Grober (CA15).

Braunvieh are currently part of the Gerplasm program ongoing today. The MARC has sold cows and semen over the years, also contributing to the genetic base of Braunvieh in the United States.

In the early 1980’s Bell Rule Genetics imported animals directly from Canada and genetics from Canada, England, and Switzerland. In 1984 Braunvieh were imported directly into the United States from Switzerland. Harlan Doeschot of Golden Link

imported the yearling bulls Senat (SI5), Suro (SI21) and Sambo Jordi (IM1) along with the first cow Ledi (SI6). The next year 6 bulls and 4 heifers were imported including Riss Fabian (SI10), Forelle (SI54), and Erle (SI55) among others. In 1984 the Braunvieh Association of America (BAA) was founded to support a herd book as well as promote and supervise the breed in the US. The genetic basis for today’s Braunvieh cow derives from these varied importations with significant exchange occurring between all of these sources over the years.

Description:

Braunvieh are categorized into two main groups: Fullblood and Purebred.

Fullblood Braunvieh are 100% Swiss genetics and designated by the prefix OB (Original Braunvieh) in the herdbook. They are horned with traditional coloring. Purebred Braunvieh can be anywhere from 82% to 99% Braunvieh, may be horned, scurred, or polled and any color. Many purebred Braunvieh are traditional colored, but they can also be dunn, brindle and several lines are now homozygous black. The Braunvieh Association of America does not specify or track color for registered animals. Any animal DNA tested for color through the association will have this information available on the website.

The association also recognizes a “BeefBuilder” or percentage category comprising from 20% to 81% Braunvieh genetics, which are recorded in the database. Another designation recognized within the association is BraunX. These animals must be DNA verified homozygous polled and homozygous black and contain between 55% and 81% Braunvieh genetics with the remainder being majority angus from animals registered Angus. Animals that are over 82% Braunvieh who are homozygous black and homozygous polled are registered as Purebred. Finally, Braunvieh also recognizes a Mini classification within the BeefBuilder category. Animals designated as Mini cannot measure more than 43” at the hip.

Color: Traditional Braunvieh are a mousy brown to a grey brown with creamy to white ears and a distinct white muzzle. The ears are often large and set at right angles or slightly drooped with large hairs covering the front. This ear conformation helps them shed heavy snow to prevent frost bite or injury. Males are usually darker than females. Both males and females have a lighter to white underbelly and legs. This is not albinism but some lines are known to carry more white than others. Cows and bulls often have a white dorsal stripe, more visible in bulls. Calves of both sexes are grey white to almost a steel grey with some being more silver. All darken over time. The underlying skin is black, with the tongue, eyelids and nose being dark grey. The eyes are black with black skin around the eyes.

Conformation: Braunvieh have a larger dewlap at the neck than the navel and a medium neck. Chest should be broad and deep with a strong and level back. Front legs

should be straight with a 90 degree set. Back legs should be strong and well fleshed. They should have a good range of flexibility in their walk with a balanced gait and length of stride. Feet may be large but with correct angles and forward facing. Hooves are dark to black and hard. Females should appear feminine with a sound udder and medium muscle development. Males should appear masculine with more pronounced muscling and good development of reproductive organs.

Temperament: Braunvieh tend to be gentle, calm and easy to handle. The females are known for being attentive mothers with excellent maternal instinct.

A few notes: Braunvieh have black eyes and dark surrounding skin. They are generally considered to be less susceptible to pink eye and eye diseases than some other breeds, but not immune. The hooves are dark to black and hard. Along with correct angles in the feet and legs their hooves provide for incredible adaptability and surefootedness in difficult terrain. This is a trait that was naturally selected for over centuries in the mountains of Switzerland. They are also less prone to foot conditions such as foot rot. The ears are adapted to extreme cold and snowy conditions as stated above. With these traits in tow, Braunvieh are extremely adaptable to a variety of harsh, challenging and quickly changing conditions. They come by this naturally having evolved in the difficult, harsh and changing conditions of the alpine valleys.

Braunvieh today:

Today Braunvieh are raised in over 60 countries worldwide from the arctic circle to the tropics. They are found between sea level and 12,500 feet elevation. Braunvieh are present in all major countries with over 40 countries having associations and herdbooks helping to track and improve the breed. Countries with a notable large presence include Switzerland, Italy, South Africa, Mexico and India. This broad distribution represents many diverse environments and management systems, highlighting the breed’s adaptability and functionality.

Braunvieh are generally considered a very maternal breed. They are attentive mothers that can produce enough milk to meet the demands of any calf if provided with adequate resources. It is not uncommon to see Braunvieh nursing one or two extra calves. Examples of orphan calves faring well without a mother abound as they are adopted by the herd and able to find plenty of milk. Braunvieh are docile, as stated above, and considered easy to work with. They are smart and alert but not overly wary. Braunvieh are fertile and possess good longevity with many cows active until 14+ years of age.

Braunvieh also bring efficiency and carcass improvement. Centuries of grazing in the Swiss Alps selected for cattle that could find forage, survive on limited resources and provide producers with plenty of meat on those limited resources.

In the United States, the breed is governed by the Braunvieh Association of America. This body oversees the herdbook and participates in several programs aimed at breed improvement including genetic evaluation (genomics), feed outs, a comprehensive sire evaluation program, national sale, as well as youth programs and shows. A Junior Braunvieh Association of America (JBAA) functions in parallel and is run by junior members with BAA oversight. The BAA is active in genetic improvement programs, participating in the IGS database and utilizing genomic data to enhance EPD’s.

Braunvieh developed over centuries in the Swiss Alps and alpine valleys, often in small herds in close proximity to their family. Because of these environmental pressures they naturally evolved into a hearty, efficient, adaptable, sure footed, docile animal. The breed really came into its own during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s as the breed association in Switzerland became more organized, setting strict standards and guidelines for registration and breeding stock. Braunvieh spread throughout the world, eventually filtering into North America during the mid to late 1900’s. The Braunvieh Association of America was started in 1984 maintaining the official herdbook for the breed in the United States. Today’s Braunvieh cattle and their Association continue to produce highly functional and adaptable cattle for the beef industry at large.