In the picturesque region we know as Switzerland, the breed known as Original Fullblood Braunvieh was developed into a dual-purpose breed.  The cattle were driven into the mountains during the Summer months where they grazed on sweet mountain grasses.  The cows were protected during inclement weather and retreated to chalets built specifically for that purpose.
 

Through generations of careful selection for dual-purpose traits and sound breeding practices the Original Fullblood Braunvieh breed was developed into a very hardy breed, capable of adapting to a wide range of environmental conditions.

In the 19th Century these hardy animals were exported into other parts of the world and primarily used to improve the quality of the local cattle.

Between 1869 and 1880 approximately 130 head of Original Braunvieh were imported into the United States from Switzerland.  These animals formed the nucleus for the American Brown Swiss Dairy breed.  This was achieved through genetic selection for milk production.  The American Brown Swiss Dairy breed have been exported all over the world and are very hardy and survive in tropical and other harsh conditions.

Back in Switzerland, a group of breeders, concerned about the purity of the breed, formed the Swiss Braunvieh Breeders Association in 1897.  Animals began to be recorded into the official herd book of that association in Zug, Switzerland.  The three objectives of that association were to maintain the purity of the breed, to develop standards for the breed, and to assure that the breed maintained it's triple purpose characteristics (meat, milk, and work).  Through improved breeding practices and standardization of criteria the Original Braunvieh has evolved into a hardy breed with the following characteristics:

1.  Good natured (docile)

2.  Prolific breeders (maternal)

3.  Strong legs (hardy)

4.  Long lived (productive)

5.  Adaptable

6.  Dense brown hairy coat and blue eye pigmentation that helps resist extreme heat and solar radiation.

7.  Resistant to several problems that are common to other breeds.

During the 19th and early 20th Centuries there was unrestricted importations of livestock from one country to another.  The oldest documents available show that Original Braunvieh were first imported into Mexico in the late 1800's.  The Mexican breeders loved the hardy traits of the Original Braunvieh and continued to import animals into Mexico, using them to improve the native cattle in that country.  The Mexican breeders were diligent about preserving the characteristics and bloodlines of the Original Braunvieh and did not cross-breed them with the American Brown Swiss, which by that time had been established in Mexico.

Between 1947 and 1967 all importation of foreign cattle was stopped due to outbreaks of hoof and mouth disease.  Mexican producers interchanged bulls of various bloodlines in order to preserve the breed and to keep from inbreeding.  In 1967, when a quarantine mechanism was established, importation into Canada began.  The first bull to be imported into Canada was Aron 4696 in 1967.  A few years later the bull Ueli was imported into Canada.  Breeders from Mexico bought semen and calves from these bulls, which brought new bloodlines into that country.

In the mid 1970's importations began again into Mexico, but over time it became cost-prohibitive for adult animals to be imported so breeders bought calves out of the best herds in Switzerland.  The Mexican Swiss Cattle Breeder's Association was founded in 1967.  Separate herd books are maintained for Original Fullblood Braunvieh and the Brown Swiss Dairy breed in that country.  Mexico has the largest numbers of Original Fullblood Braunvieh in North America and the most diverse bloodlines.

In 1983, a group of Original Fullblood Braunvieh were imported into the United States by Harlan Doeschot of Firth, Nebraska.  From those few cattle, the breed was established in the United States utilizing additional bloodlines from Canada.

Bloodlines

The oldest records available on the Original Braunvieh breed of cattle is from the Monastery of Einsliedein.  The only bull known to arrive into North America from these bloodlines is the bull Lord 3611 Euthal.  Lord is considered "outcross" to other bloodlines available since he was purchased directly from Swiss breeders.  There are approximately 5 other "outcross" sires that were Swiss Imports, notably Optimist 2879 Gossau, Norman 5506 Bubikon, Araber16417 Elm, Orpheus 4918 Fischental, and Aron 4696 Egg.  Females out of outcross bloodlines at Charmax include:

There are approximately ten known bloodlines dating back to Swiss origins.  Bloodlines imported into other countries such as Germany, Italy and others is not known at this time.  Of importance for the Original Braunvieh breeder is that there are bloodlines available that can be traced back to the Original Swiss Herdbook.  This is important, not only for the sake of maintaining the purity of the breed, but also to enhance breeding decisions and maintaining diversity within the herd.  Some of the bloodlines are very rare and have not been readily available in the United States.

Our breeding goal at Charmax Braunvieh is to have a variety of females out of the various bloodlines available and mate these females with the very best of the Swiss Import sires and/or sons of these Swiss Import sires.  We have a diverse set of donor cows representing the best bloodlines available.

1.  Ural 7005-127 Lungern (Fahnrich x Gloggli)  - One of the most influential bloodlines in the Braunvieh breed as we know it today.  Progeny from this bloodline were exported from Switzerland into Canada, Mexico and the United States.  The five sons of Ural with famous progeny that have influenced much of the Braunvieh breed are Reno (Romo), Robert, Prinz, Winzer, and Zier (Jordan). The Prinz line includes the sires Preusser, :Elino, Jvan, Passgal 5995 (Admiral, Markus).  The Winzer line is extensive but the most notable sire from this line is Sambo, imported into Nebraska  in the 1980's.  Females from this line represented in the Charmax lineup are:

2.  Markus 1076-716 Fallanden (Hugo 662-716 Fallanden x Elita 358-716) - Progeny from this bloodline were exported into Mexico, Canada and England.  Most extensive bloodline is through Munot 6058.  Notable sires from this bloodline are Nobel, Don Cruz, Marko and through Marker 7941-200 Lehn is SJGM Boss.

3.  Gallus 4548-23 Oberamt (Olmar 3845 Sihital x Wintra) - One of the most elite bloodlines, with progeny imported into the United States, Canada, and Mexico.  Most notable lines are through Gino 8004-262 and Riss 5901-41.  Sires include Felix 11059 Appenzell, Fries Appenzell, Urs Appenzell, all of which were imported into Mexico and Riss 9937, imported into the United States, and Nelson, imported into Canada.  Females at Charmax representing this bloodline include:

4.  Karlo 17428-97 Kussnacht - Sire from this line is Asinus 21250-57 imported into Africa.  Charmax Braunvieh has donor female out of Asinus..

5.  David 3871-23 Obermat - Sires out of this line were imported into Mexico and Canada.  Notable sires include Delfin 11050 and Dado B2249, both of which were imported into Canada.  Dado was sold into Mexico and became influential in several herds in that country.

6.  Riss 4424-265 Stein (Nellon 2782 Obsee-Lungren x Meisli 3578 Stein) - One of the most sought after bloodlines in the Braunvieh breed.  Sires from this bloodline were imported into Mexico and Canada.  Most notable sires include Leu B3245 and Robi 14201, imported into Canada, and Rolf Wartau, imported into Mexico.  The Robi bloodline, through NR Norman Milor 40X has produced many champions.  The progeny are phenotypically  correct, heavy muscled and tend to have excellent and consistent offspring.  Herd sire CMF JR at Charmax is out out of this bloodline and is producing a new generation of excellent Braunvieh calves.  Females represented are:

7.  Adel 3892-293 Valens - The only known progeny of this bloodline to be imported into Canada was Zeno 4826, sire of Fluehli Eiger B5432.

8.  Pino 3023-9 Gossau - Rare bloodline - progeny through Baer 13758-60.  Charmax Braunvieh has donor females from this bloodline.

9.  Vabo 2949 Traschlau - Progeny from this bloodline imported into Canada.  Lord Euthal's dam is out of this bloodline.

10. Nero 8457-191 Appenzell (Alpino 9112 Hochdorf x Drina 3360 Tablet) - Rare bloodline - Sons of Dorli 6314 (Fries, Felix) go back to this bloodline.  Imported into Mexico during the 1970's.  Charmax Braunvieh has donor females from this bloodline.

 

Limited semen is available from a number of Original Swiss Import sires from these bloodlines.  Our goal is to be able to offer semen from these bulls and/or semen from direct sons of these Swiss Import bulls.  Call for availability.