Jack Twiford  
Twiford Ranch   

JJ Cattle Co.
West Ranch Partnership
642 Horseshoe Rd.
Glendo, WY 82213
307-735-4391

Braunvieh is a German word meaning Brown Cattle.  There were at least 12 types of brown cattle found in the mountains of Switzerland during the 1600's.  These animals showed a wide variation in type and size depending on where they were raised and they form the basis for the modern Braunvieh.  Focused selection began in the canton of Schwyz.  By the 19th century, breeders began to export these animals to surrounding regions.  A breeders society was formed in Switzerland in 1897 and is called Schweizerischer Braunviehzuchtverband.  In 1974, they accounted for 47% of the cattle found in Switzerland, second only to Simmental.   These cattle have been exported throughout the world including western Europe, former eastern block countries and Russia.  In many cases the breed was used to improve the quality of the local cattle.

In Europe, the Braunvieh are still primarily used for milk production.  In comparison to the European Holstein-Friesian they are approximate equal in average daily gain, % milk fat, % milk protein, calving ease and calf mortality.  The Braunvieh are lower in milk yield, muscularity, age of sexual maturity and milkability.  The Holstein-Friesian has retained more beef characteristics than the American Holstein.

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