Which breed fits your needs?

The right breed is key to success

Breed diversity offers a perfect solution for every breeding strategy. The choice of the right breed in the right production system is the key for long term and sustainable cattle production. Swiss cattle have been used for centuries all over the world, whether is it for milk, meat or dual purposes. According to the median temperature in your location and the feeding scheme at the farm level, the breed you need to develop the production is not always the same. Please use this breed optimizer to discover the optimal breed for you.

Economic growth

  • Long-lasting income over the lifetime of the cow
  • Productive and robust cows adapted to grassland
  • Breed improvement to sustain value creation

Animal and human health and nutrition

  • Swiss breeds are selected to achieve good production on pasture
  • Cows’ health and functionality are essential to improve their longevity
  • Pasture-raised animals are healthier for human – feed no food

Climate action and responsible production

  • The right breed adapted to the condition of the environment build resilience
  • Grassland cattle breeds contribute to the agro-biodiversity
  • Cows on pasture promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystem

News & Success Stories

Simmental: where the original comes from!

The Simmental (german for Simme Valley) in Switzerland is the birthplace of one of the most spread breeds in the world: the Simmental!

Original Braunvieh, dual purpose, heat adapted Swiss Breed

In Zeerust (North part from South Africa), Cois Harman is breeding Original Braunvieh with success.

Swiss Red Holstein growing in Romania

Romanian dairy farmer Liviu Peica visited various Red Holstein farms in Switzerland in 2005.

Suitable breeds for your needs:

Result

Results


Milk & Meat

Swiss Fleckvieh (SF)

Fertility
Protein
Milk Production
Udder Health
Meat Production
Lifetime
Heat Resistancy
Conformation
Robustness
Pasture

Feed Type

Maize
Total mixed ration

Pasture

Climate

< 22 ℃

22 ℃ - 32 ℃

Altitude

< 1300 MASL

1300 - 2600 MASL

> 2600 MASL


  • Most popular dual purpose breed in Switzerland
  • Longevity and functionality in one package

Simmental (SI)

Fertility
Protein
Milk Production
Udder Health
Meat Production
Lifetime
Heat Resistancy
Conformation
Robustness
Pasture

Feed Type

Pasture

Savanna Pasture

Climate

< 22 ℃

22 ℃ - 32 ℃

Altitude

< 1300 MASL

1300 - 2600 MASL

> 2600 MASL


  • The strong built and healthy cow
  • Top for difficult conditions

Original Braunvieh (OB)

Fertility
Protein
Milk Production
Udder Health
Meat Production
Lifetime
Heat Resistancy
Conformation
Robustness
Pasture

Feed Type

Maize
Total mixed ration

Pasture

Savanna Pasture

Climate

< 22 ℃

22 ℃ - 32 ℃

≥ 32 ℃

Altitude

< 1300 MASL

1300 - 2600 MASL

> 2600 MASL


  • > 1000 years of breeding
  • 100% full blood pedigree
    dual purpose breed


Milk

Red Holstein (RH)

Fertility
Protein
Milk Production
Udder Health
Meat Production
Lifetime
Heat Resistancy
Conformation
Robustness
Pasture

Feed Type

Maize
Total mixed ration

Pasture

Climate

< 22 ℃

22 ℃ - 32 ℃

Altitude

< 1300 MASL

1300 - 2600 MASL


  • Switzerland is the Home of the last 5 EU Champions
  • Longevity, persistency and high production

Brown Swiss (BS)

Fertility
Protein
Milk Production
Udder Health
Meat Production
Lifetime
Heat Resistancy
Conformation
Robustness
Pasture

Feed Type

Maize
Total mixed ration

Pasture

Climate

< 22 ℃

22 ℃ - 32 ℃

≥ 32 ℃

Altitude

< 1300 MASL

1300 - 2600 MASL

> 2600 MASL


  • The best breed for cheese production
  • Works great in all different climate conditions

Holstein (HO)

Fertility
Protein
Milk Production
Udder Health
Meat Production
Lifetime
Heat Resistancy
Conformation
Robustness
Pasture

Feed Type

Maize
Total mixed ration

Climate

< 22 ℃

22 ℃ - 32 ℃

Altitude

< 1300 MASL

1300 - 2600 MASL


  • High production cows
  • Deep cow families


Meat

Limousin (LI)

Fertility
Maturity
Calving Ease
Stature
Meat Production
Suckling Capacity
Heat Resistancy
Conformation
Robustness

Feed Type

Maize
Total mixed ration

Pasture

Climate

< 22 ℃

22 ℃ - 32 ℃

≥ 32 ℃

Altitude

< 1300 MASL

1300 - 2600 MASL


  • The most used beef breed in Switzerland
  • The fastest growing beef breed in Switzerland

Angus (AN)

Fertility
Maturity
Calving Ease
Stature
Meat Production
Suckling Capacity
Heat Resistancy
Conformation
Robustness

Feed Type

Maize
Total mixed ration

Pasture

Savanna Pasture

Climate

< 22 ℃

22 ℃ - 32 ℃

Altitude

< 1300 MASL

1300 - 2600 MASL


  • Known for great meat quality
  • The extensive production cow

Original Braunvieh Beef (BM)

Fertility
Maturity
Calving Ease
Stature
Meat Production
Suckling Capacity
Heat Resistancy
Conformation
Robustness

Feed Type

Pasture

Savanna Pasture

Climate

< 22 ℃

22 ℃ - 32 ℃

≥ 32 ℃

Altitude

< 1300 MASL

1300 - 2600 MASL

> 2600 MASL


  • The heat resistant Swiss Original Beef Breed

Simmental Beef (SM)

Fertility
Maturity
Calving Ease
Stature
Meat Production
Suckling Capacity
Heat Resistancy
Conformation
Robustness

Feed Type

Pasture

Savanna Pasture

Climate

< 22 ℃

22 ℃ - 32 ℃

Altitude

< 1300 MASL

1300 - 2600 MASL


  • The robust and calm Swiss Original Beef Breed