BRAUNVIEH ASSOCIATION OF 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 Braunviehs 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

herdbooks 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.

The Braunvieh is a 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 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, Beef Empire Days, Garden City, KS, and

Texas A&M Ranch to Rail program.

This is the breed to lead the beef industry into the new millennium. Braunvieh put it all together: Maternal, Muscling, Marbling, and Performance.