Why Brown Swiss?

FUNCTIONALITY

The Brown Swiss breed has an excellent and appreciated calving ease and a good fertility as a result of its ability to stay in good body condition in diff erent physiological stages. It shows a good temperament favoured by its docility. A low somatic cell count and as a consequence a high resistance to mastitis is a further advantage of the breed. The Brown Swiss breed guarantees sturdiness and durability and an easy management. It allows remarkable savings especially on veterinary bills.

Calving Ease

The calving ease of the Brown cows is excellent and appreciated worldwide. No statistically relevant diffi culties have
ever been reported. In addition to a back sloped towards the back, the Brown Swiss cows have wide coxofemoral articulations which favours calving.

Fertility

Fertility is favoured by the ability to stay in good body condition in diff erent physiological stages. The trend of the BCS (Body Condition Score) in the diff erent physiological stages shows regular and only slight changes, which guarantees good body condition also in the most demanding production stages. This favours fertility as well as calving intervals, which are shorter for the Brown Swiss breed (110/115 days) than in other dairy breeds (about 130 days).

Temperament

The need of a longer care of the calf is probably the reason of the more docile and calm temperament of the Brown cows, which has a positive infl uence on the herd management, including milking and other operations. Milking ability meant as easy milk fl ow has been greatly improved by selection which has taken advantage of the specifi c genetic indexes that have been developed internationally.

Low Somatic Cell Count and Mastitis Resistance The almost complete absence of milk leakage, either before or after milking, determines a lower number of somatic cells in the Brown Swiss milk than in other dairy breeds. Since the Brown Swiss cows are more resistant to mastitis, treatment costs are remarkably limited. This also improves milk quality and milk quantity due to a lower production loss.   Easy Management The Brown breed guarantees sturdiness and durability and an easy management and allows remarkable savings especially on veterinary bills. Most features of the Brown Swiss breed described in this brochure represent the technical and functional qualities of the breed, which is easy to manage, has a natural resistance to unfavourable conditions and off ers undoubted direct and indirect economic benefi ts. The veterinary costs compare favourably with other more productive dairy breeds.