Braunvieh is not a crossbreed or a new breed developed using two or more breeds it is a fullblood BEEF breed.
Braunvieh is a German word, which translated into English means Brown Cow.
Braunvieh boast feminine females that can milk with strong framed, well muscled, masculine bulls which in comparison to other European breeds is a precedent.
ORIGINATED the history of the Braunvieh breed of cattle goes back to the central European countries of Switzerland, Germany and Austria. Braunvieh just may well be the oldest pure breed on earth, with records dating back to 800 BC.
BROWN their hair is various shades of brown, light grey to mid brown. The border of the muzzle is white, as is their ears, and often a lighter colored dorsal stripe is seen, the muzzle is black. The skin is pigmented, and the hooves are dark and very hard.
HORNED however there are now polled purebred Braunvieh in the market place. Horned sires over polled females the offspring are polled.
MODERATE FRAME Braunvieh are moderate sized, well muscled yet by no means extreme. Cows have a mature weight of 500 to 750 kg and bulls from 900 to 1250 kg. Crossbred Braunvieh cattle generally wean at 250-350kg depending on conditions.
CROSS BREEDING ability is at the fore front of the breed with Braunvieh cross females maximising economic benefits with increased milking ability whilst still holding onto moderate muscling attributes. The growth rates and weights are inline with most European breeds however Braunvieh provide marbling and tenderness qualities that other breeds cannot. Braunvieh bulls will also produce a very high percentage of polled calves from a cross breeding program.
LONGEVITY Braunvieh cows frequently have 15 calves or more, and, consequently, fewer breeder replacements are required and a profitable local market can be established for surplus heifers.
MOTHERING ABILITY of the Braunvieh female is far greater than cows of any other European breed. Their fierce mothering ability is evident throughout the calves life and their milking capacity is phenomenal. Cows will suckle calves without difficulty until 9 or 10 months old for the vealer trade.
DOCILITY Braunvieh’s are quiet….. Bulls in this stud can be halters caught in mobs of cattle and lead to new paddocks or trailers with ease. Breaking for the show ring and handling in the yards have never been a problem considering we’re not around the cattle every day they are very adaptable.
FORAGING ABILITY, correct feet and legs, due to generations of natural selection in the Swiss Alps have proven themselves through out the 7 states of the Australia and 60 countries of the world. This and the fact that their coat is sleek and fine in warm weather and can grown heavy in response to extended cold weather makes Braunvieh adaptable to different environments.
CALVING EASE birth weights range from 35-45kg depending on bulls and female management. Cattle at this stud generally calve at 24-28months however we have had females calve well under 24 mths without trouble.
Advantages
- Prime beef production with first cross terminal sires benefit with Braunvieh
- First Cross Females will have extra milk potential leading to extra weight = more $
- Sound Structure, moderate muscling, ability to lay fat down and marbling = carcass
- Colour compatibility in cross breeding regimes is an asset that many other breeds can’t provide