Cattle : BRAUNVIEH

Country of origin : Switzerland.

Australian Status: 

International status: About 7 million animals, spread over 60 countries.

Arrived in Australia: 1990.

Australian Population: 202: 90 females, including appendix. 2022: 141 cows (thank you LBC for census details to Yan).

History: The name means 'brown cow'. Also known as German Brown cattle. Developed in the mountains of Switzerland, Austria and Germany. A very old breed, thought to be at least 1,000 years old, found on stock lists of monastries from the 9th century AD. There was a lively cattle trade from east Switzerland to Italy over the mountains. Various areas had their own types. In the nineteenth century many were exported to America and became the Brown Swiss breed there.

The name Braunvieh was adopted in the countries of origin in 1880 when rules were made governing the movement of cattle, previously they were known as the Schwyzer breed, after the canton of Schwyz. The first breeding co-op was started in 1887 and in 1897 the Swiss Braunvieh Breeders Association was formed.

The first live Braunvieh came to Australia in 1990 although from 1975 semen had been allowed in and an upgrading program meant the first pure calf (regarded pure after four crosses back) was born here in 1984. 

Popular for crossing to Brahman in hot climates.

Breed Traits: Dual purpose, meat and milk. A medium sized beast able to live happily in mountain conditions. Well muscled, docile temperament. Colours are light grey to mid-brown with a pale muzzle, bulls being darker than the cows. Excellent mothers. Good milk production means healthy fast growing calves. Popular to cross over both dairy and beef breeds.

Often the difference to these and Brown Swiss, which both developed in the same areas, is that the Braunvieh is used more for beef and the Brown Swiss more for milking.

Organisation: The Australian Braunvieh Association from which most of the information herein is gained. https://lbcentre.com.au/Australian_Braunvieh_ Association.php 

Additional Notes:

Photo : Typisches Braunvieh in den Schweizer Alpen by Cooper, WikiMedia Commons

Page by Janet Lane

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