Brown Swiss
History & Facts

View the BSA history review by decades. (Acrobat)
Become a Member of the Brown Swiss Historical Society. (Acrobat)

View the Penn State Calf and Heifer Growth Chart. (Acrobat)

The Brown Swiss Cattle Breeders’ Association of the USA was formed in 1880 when a group of Brown Swiss breeders organized themselves in Worcester, Massachusetts. The main purpose of the Association was to establish an official herdbook for Brown Swiss cattle. The herdbook was put under the care of the Secretary-Treasurer of the Association who at that time was Mr. C. B. Metcalf.

From 1881 to 1942, a herd record book listing all animals registered and transferred was published. By 1942, the numbers had become too large and the printing costs too high. From 1942 through 1980, the Association relied on a card file system to serve as an official herd book.

When a computer was installed in the national office in June of 1980, a data file system to store the official herd book records was developed. While this system served its purpose, the next major upgrade occurred in 1995 when a PC-based network system replaced the mini-computer system. In 2008, a modern online database system was developed by InSinc, allowing breeders to register cattle online in real time.

The national headquarters of the Brown Swiss Cattle Breeders’ Association of the USA is in Beloit, Wisconsin. The Association purchased their building at 800 Pleasant Street in Beloit in December of 1936 and moved there in 1937.

As has been the case for many years, two of today’s primary functions of the Association are the registry and transfer of Brown Swiss cattle. In addition, the Association provides accurate performance data, such as production records and type classification information, in the form of performance pedigrees.

In 2008, registrations totaled 10,824, which has been fairly consistent since 1996, and transfers were up as 4,086 head changed hands. Domestic demand for registered Brown Swiss by new Brown Swiss owners is a real testimonial to the nationwide enthusiasm for Brown Swiss. In 2008, there were 789 active national members in the Brown Swiss Cattle Breeders’ Association of the USA and over 900 national junior members. This too is a reflection of the high interest level in Brown Swiss.

As Watertown, Wisconsin dairy producer, John Winkelman, who milks Brown Swiss and Holsteins, states in the June 2, 2000 edition of the Wisconsin State Farmer, “there are many advantages over the Holstein such as good feet and udders, and the ability to handle the heat better. During last year's hot spell, the Swiss in the herd had no problems breeding while the Holsteins did have problems.” Winkelman also states, “Right now they are the hottest breed in the country, because their milk is higher in protein.”

The Brown Swiss cow has made tremendous milk production increases over the last few years. Since 1997, the milk production has increased over 2,500 lbs. The average 305 day ME pounds of milk production in the Brown Swiss breed is 22,026 pounds of milk, 875 pounds fat, and 726 pounds protein.

Milk producers throughout the world are adding Brown Swiss to their herds daily because of the good milk, protein and butter fat production, and their correct feet and legs that allow them to stay in the milking herd for more lactations than many other breeds. And Brown Swiss have one of the lowest somatic cell count averages of all dairy breeds.

Another strong attribute of Brown Swiss cattle is they do well in all weather conditions. They thrive in the hot climates of South America, and many Brown Swiss are found in Brazil and the Dominican Republic. The Brown Swiss breed is one of the oldest dairy breeds in the world, and originated in the valleys and mountain slopes of Switzerland before historic records began. Today, many Brown Swiss can be found in Europe. In the United States, they are found throughout the country, with the largest concentration of Brown Swiss being in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Ohio.

Most dairy historians agree that Brown Swiss cattle are the oldest of all dairy breeds. The beautiful brown cows were developed in the northeastern part of Switzerland. Bones found in the ruins of Swiss lake dwellers date back to probably 4000 BC, and have some resemblance to the skeleton of today’s Brown Swiss cow.

The world population of Brown Swiss cattle is reported to be approximately 7 million, which ranks either first or second in world wide population of dairy cattle. Some Brown Swiss you see grazing across the United States’ beautiful countryside are descendants of importations of 25 bulls and 140 females from Switzerland.

The milk of the Brown Swiss cow is coveted by cheese makers. Brown Swiss breeders benefit from the best fat-to-protein ratio of any of the dairy breeds for production of most cheeses. For this reason, many times Brown Swiss producers receive more for 100 pounds of their milk than milk producers of other breeds.

Throughout the world Brown Swiss cattle are noted for their dairy strength, and outstanding feet and legs. Brown Swiss cattle enjoy a reputation for their longevity, and ability to produce large volumes of milk and reproduce longer than cattle of other breeds.

Perhaps the queen mother of all dairy breeds is the late-great Jane of Vernon. Almost all Brown Swiss today trace to this magnificent cow who lived from 1929 to 1945. She garnered Grand Champion honors at national Brown Swiss shows in 1932, 1933, 1934, and 1936. Jane of Vernon was bred by the late Orbec Sherry of Viroqua, Wisconsin.

In more recent history, Brown Swiss have excelled at World Dairy Expo and other major shows. Winning Supreme Champion status at WDE in 2003, was Old Mill E Snickerdoodle 883215, bred by Allen Bassler Jr of Upperville, Virginia. Previous winners of this prestigious honor were Hoosier Knoll Jade Monay in 1994, bred by William Albert Hendress of Wolcott, Indiana, and Lyndale Convincer Elaine in 1988 and again in 1989, bred by Roland & Twyla Hellbusch of Humphrey, Nebraska.

Old Mill E Snickerdoodle 883215 >3E94' was also named Supreme Champion at Harrisburg (Eastern National) and Reserve Supreme Champion at WDE in 2008. Savage Leigh Trixy >2E93' reigned Supreme Champion at Western National in 2008, and GS Ensign Tootie >2E94' was Supreme Champion at the Southern National in 2008.