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Brown Swiss
Origin
Switzerland
Type
Dairy
Size
Large
Weight
1,300–2,000 lbs
Color
Light brown to gray-brown
Temperament
Docile
About Brown Swiss
Brown Swiss are one of the oldest dairy breeds in the world, descended from the Braunvieh cattle of the Swiss Alps. They rank among the highest-producing dairy breeds, and their milk's near-ideal protein-to-fat ratio makes it especially prized for cheesemaking. Famously calm and a bit stubborn, Brown Swiss are hardy in both heat and cold, mature slowly but stay productive for many years, and their strong feet and legs hold up well on rough terrain — a frequent pick when homesteaders debate their first family cow.
Key Traits
- ✓Ideal milk for cheesemaking
- ✓Long productive life
- ✓Hardy in heat and cold
- ✓Strong feet and legs
- ✓Calm easygoing nature