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. Currently, an elaborate computer network stores and updates all registration information.

    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 2005, registrations totaled 10,076 and 4,014 Brown Swiss cattle were transferred.

    Demand for registered Brown Swiss continues to soar as 639 people purchased their first Brown Swiss in 2005! The jump in new Brown Swiss owners is a real testimonial to the nationwide enthusiasm for 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." 

    In 2005, there were 890 active national members in the Brown Swiss Cattle Breeders' Association of the USA. This, too, is a reflection of the increased interest in Brown Swiss.

    The Brown Swiss cow has made tremendous milk production increases over the last few years. Last year, Brown Swiss milk production per cow increased 199 pounds. The average 305-day ME pounds of milk production in the Brown Swiss breed is 21,242 (DHIR).

    Milk producers throughout the world are adding Brown Swiss to their herds daily, because of the good milk, protein, and butter fat production. Their correct feet and legs allow them to stay in the milking herd for more lactations than many other 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. 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. It 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, Ohio and Iowa.

    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. The volume of milk plus the protein produced by Brown Swiss makes the best milk for the fluid and cheese markets. 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, Brown Swiss producers regularly 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. Strength and good feet and legs are the foundation of the breed's longevity and world-wide popularity. 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.