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Original Fullblood
Braunvieh is one of the most sought after breeds in today's beef
industry. Braunvieh genetics are improving herds all over the world. While
other major breeds are scrambling to design a product that will meet the
demand for maternal performance, muscling and carcass quality, the Braunvieh
breed has consistently provided that product for generations. Braunvieh
cattle have proven to be adaptable to all climates, including the extreme
heat and humidity found in Mexico and South America. Mexican producers
brought the first Braunvieh cattle (called European Swiss) into that country
in the late 1800's and early 1900's. The Mexican breeders appreciated this
highly developed dual-purpose breed that showed excellent adaptation to
their country. Braunvieh cattle have adapted well and have thrived in those
areas of low technological development and harsh environmental conditions.
Most areas of Mexico are still using the Original Braunvieh as a
dual-purpose animal (meat and milk) as they have a great demand for high
protein milk in that country.

Original Braunvieh are also performing in the United States in harsh
environments. Data is available to show that Braunvieh is consistent in
producing a carcass that is superior in quality to other major breeds. The
most progressive carcass testing occurs in Sterling, Colorado each year when
pens of steers representing the various breeds are fed in a contest and are
measured on such categories as daily gain, feed/gain, and cost/gain.
Carcasses compete in the category of cutability, quality, and yield grade.
Braunvieh influenced carcasses competed with other major breeds of beef
cattle for many years. The highest award given in the contest is the Max
Fulscher Award, named after the man who was instrumental in creating the
Great Western Beef Expo and is awarded to the pen of animals in which every
animal in that pen produces a carcass that has a quality grade of choice or
better and a yield grade of 1 or 2. Braunvieh influenced carcasses have won
more awards than all of the other pens combined with 9 Max Fulscher
awards. This is significant for the cattlemen who is trying to compete in
today's beef cattle market. Commercial cattlemen who are choosing Braunvieh
bulls as a terminal cross on their commercial are earning premiums today
with a heavier carcass with less back fat and a higher quality carcass.
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