Brown Swiss

Brown Swiss cattle originated in the Swiss Alps more than a thousand years ago, evolving from hardy mountain breeds valued for both milk and meat. Renowned as excellent foragers, they thrive across diverse landscapes and climates, producing high-quality milk that has seen the breed exported worldwide as both purebred dairy cattle and for crossbreeding.

Light brown in colour with a creamy white muzzle and dark pigmentation around the nose and eyes, Brown Swiss are naturally resistant to skin cancer. They are also recognised for their strong, well-balanced legs and feet, contributing to exceptional longevity, with many cows remaining productive until 12–15 years of age. Their milk is prized for its outstanding butterfat-to-protein ratio, making Brown Swiss a reliable and efficient dairy breed.

Genomic testing for the Brown Swiss cattle industry

We are proud to work with Brown Swiss cattle producers to provide affordable, accessible and accurate genomic testing solutions.

We invest in cutting-edge technologies that empower producers to make breeding decisions that are faster, smarter, and more profitable.

Brown Swiss cattle testing options

Cattle parentage verification

Cattle parentage testing uses DNA analysis to accurately identify the sire and dam of an animal. By comparing genetic markers from calves and potential parents, the test provides a reliable confirmation of pedigree, helping producers to:

Improve breeding accuracy
Preserve the integrity of breeding records
Enable efficient herd management
Identify underperforming animals, educating culling decisions
Long term genetic improvement within herds

Bovine VERSA 85K

A great fit for the Brown Swiss breed, the Bovine VERSA 85K is 85,000 SNPs of both Bos Taurus and Bos Indicus content. This chip has been developed to increase accuracies for both pure bred and composite cattle and analyse traits of impact to the Brown Swiss breed to assist with breeding decisions.