Development of the Braunvieh 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. Herd books are being kept by breeders' associations in 42 countries.
Braunvieh in North America 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. American Brown Swiss have since spread to Canada, Mexico and throughout the world including Switzerland. In the mid-nineteen hundreds, Original Braunvieh were imported by Mexico where they have flourished as a beef breed. In Mexico, they are used in a commercial capacity to upgrade the beef characteristics of the indigenous Zebu cattle. There, separate herd books are kept for the cattle, sometimes referred to as European type Brown Swiss and American Brown Swiss.
Canada's first importation of Original Braunvieh, the bull Aron, was in 1968. Subsequently, more bulls and females were imported directly into Canada in several importations between 1968 and 1985. These were selected in Europe with emphasis on beef production. In Canada, Original Braunvieh cattle are registered by the Canadian Brown Swiss Association and are referred to as Beef Brown Swiss. They are registered separately from the Dairy Brown Swiss. Many breeders in Canada are members of the Braunvieh Association of America and some of their cattle are registered in the United States.
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. The calves are born very light colored with white hair, they darken to various shades of gray to brown when they get their new coat.
Body weights range from 1,200 to 1,500 pounds for adult females and 2,100 to 2,500 pounds for adult males.
Steers at optimum slaughter weight are 1,100 pounds at 13 months of age.
The Braunvieh is a very docile, long-bodied, 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's 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 including renowned steer test like The Great Western Beef Expo, Sterling, Colorado, the Beef Empire Steer Test in Kansas and Texas A&M Ranch to Rail program.
This is the breed to lead the beef industry into the next millennium. Braunvieh puts it all together:
Maternal, Muscling, Marbling, & Performance.
Braunvieh? What kind of cross breed is that?
"The most asked question directed at Braunvieh breeders is, "What is a Braunvieh?" or "What kind of a crossbreed is Braunvieh?" "They have to be a Gelbvieh Brahma Cross, right?" I'm sorry, but that is incorrect!
Braunvieh is not a crossbreed or a new breed developed using two or more breeds. On the contrary, 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.
Copyright © 1998- 2010 A. W. Thorne Land &Cattle, Inc. All rights reserved.
A.W. Thorne
Land & Cattle, Inc.
435707 E370 Rd
Adair, Oklahoma 74330
Office: 918.783.5477 Fax: 918.783.5417
Joan: 918.284.0175 A.W.: 918.527.2002
What is the Braunvieh Breed? Where did they come from? They look like Beefed up Brown Swiss? Everyone is familiar with the cows from the Alps that are dressed with flowers and bells when they come down from the Mountains for Winter. Braunvieh cattle have been Purebred and Dual purpose cattle for Centuries!
Good sound foot, perfect udders and stout muscle pattern are only a few of their traits. Bred for Beef, Milk and Draft.. "This is the large docile breed associated with the scenic Swiss Alps in Switzerland.
BRAUNVIEH Brown Cow in German!
For more information contact the Braunvieh Association of America or us at: Thorne Ranch mailto:joan@thornecattle.com Interested in receiving the Braunvieh World Magazine contact the BAA. They would be more than happy to send you an issue or add you to the subscription list.
Braunvieh can be Black Purebred - Homozygous Black and Homozygous Polled also from breeding up from an Angus base to Purebred status. Black Icon is one of only a few in the breed that is 93.75% Braunvieh and 6.25% Angus. (Right) Fullblood Braunvieh Bull TLC Bud J9103
Photo credit above to Pam Grunwald taken in Gridelwald Switzerland in Sept 1990. The celebration of the Cows in Switzerland. Coming down from the Mountains for Winter they parade through the town streets to their owners barns. Dressed up with a wreath of flowers. Each breeder has his own bell tone on their cattle bells! So they can distinguish their cattle in the Alps or fields.
