Brown Swiss cattle

"Brown Swiss" redirects here. For the Swiss Brown edible mushroom, see Agaricus bisporus.
Brown Swiss
Heifer
Conservation statusFAO (2007): not at risk[1]: 143 
Other namesAmerican Brown Swiss
Country of originUnited States
Distributionworld-wide
Use
Traits
Weight
  • Male:
    900 kg[2]: 142 
  • Female:
    590–640 kg[2]: 142 
Coatusually pale brown
  • Cattle
  • Bos (primigenius) taurus

The Brown Swiss or American Brown Swiss is an American breed of dairy cattle. It derives from the traditional triple-purpose Braunvieh ("Swiss Brown") of the Alpine region of Europe, but has diverged substantially from it. It was selectively bred for dairy qualities only, and its draft and beef capabilities were lost. Milk yield was measured in 2013 at 10231 kg (22600 lb) per year;[2]: 142  the milk has about 4% butterfat and 3.5% protein[3] and is suitable for making cheese.

In the twentieth century the Brown Swiss became a world breed, with a global population estimated in 1990 at seven million head. It has been much used for cross-breeding[2]: 142  and has influenced a number of modern breeds.[3]

In English "Swiss Brown" refers to the original Braunvieh breed, as opposed to "Brown Swiss" for the American breed.[4]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference barb was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference cabi was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference marl was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding, p.142