Swiss Holstein

The Swiss Holstein is the Swiss variant of the international Holstein-Friesian breed of dairy cattle. It results from systematic cross-breeding, through artificial insemination between 1966 and 1973, of the traditional dual-purpose black-pied Fribourgeoise from the Canton of Fribourg in western Switzerland with Canadian Holstein stock.

Swiss Holstein
Other namesSchweizerisches Schwarzfleckvieh
Country of originSwitzerland
Usedairy
Traits
Weight
  • Male:
    1200 kg[1]:308
  • Female:
    700–800 kg[1]:308
Height
  • Male:
    158–168 cm[1]:308
  • Female:
    144–154 cm[1]:308
Coatblack-pied
  • Cattle
  • Bos (primigenius) taurus

History

The Fribourgeoise, later known as the Schwarzfleckvieh, was a traditional Swiss breed of cattle from the Canton of Fribourg in western Switzerland. In 1966, restrictive regulations on artificial insemination were lifted, and frozen semen from Canadian Holstein bulls began to be imported in quantity. In 1973, some 29 000 doses were used.[1]:308 In the same year, the last remaining pure-bred Fribourgeois bull died,[2] and the breed became effectively extinct.[3]:88 The modern Swiss Holstein is considered to derive from it.[4] The breed has spread throughout Switzerland, and constitutes approximately 13% of the national dairy herd. In 2011 there were about 102 000 cows, with 459 bulls.[1]:308 In 2015 a population of 90 000 was reported.[4]

Characteristics

The Swiss Holstein is a large black-pied breed of dairy cattle.[2] It produces large quantities of milk, but is less well-suited than the Braunvieh and Simmental to the extensive pasture management that is traditional in Switzerland.[1]:308

Use

The Swiss Holstein is a dedicated dairy breed. Average milk yield is 8095 litres per lactation. The milk has, on average, 3.94% fat.[2]

References
  1. Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding (sixth edition). Wallingford: CABI. ISBN 9781780647944.
  2. Breed data sheet: Fribourgeois/Switzerland. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed January 2017.
  3. Daniele Bigi, Alessio Zanon (2008). Atlante delle razze autoctone: Bovini, equini, ovicaprini, suini allevati in Italia (in Italian). Milan: Edagricole. ISBN 9788850652594.
  4. Breed data sheet: Holstein-Friesian/Switzerland. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed January 2017.
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