RINDERZUCHT AUSTRIA

Breeding Cattle from AUSTRIA ZAR - Federation of Austrian Cattle Breeders

Due to Austria’s outstanding production Members Organisation Tasks conditions, cattle farming here has had a long history and tradition. Our diverse 8 chambers of agriculture Representation of and rich environment and up-to-date 8 federal recording organizations interests Subsidies Management breeding programs (GESUNDheitsmoni- 18 breeding associations ZAR Marketing toring.RIND) have created robust, 6 breed organisations Research healthy and high-yielding cattle breeds 5 AI-centers Education for different production and manage- ment systems. Austria’s primary cattle 100 % breeds are: Fleckvieh/Simmental,­ Brown Intensive contacts with simi- Swiss, Holstein­ Friesian,­ Pinzgauer, lar organizations­ worldwide and Grauvieh Cattle as well as various special ­memberships within the European Breeding and genetics breeds for beef production and other head organization like (Interbull, ICAR, ZuchtData Performance testing special purposes. Cattle farming still COPA-COGECA, Babroc, FBF etc.) are Herd book holds the most important position within maintained by ZAR. the agricultural economy of Austria. The umbrella organisation for cattle At the national level, there is inten- breeding in Austria is ZAR (Federation of sive and ongoing cooperation with the the new EU-wide “Animal Identifica- Austrian Cattle Breeders). ­Ministry of Agriculture, the Chamber of tion Decree 1760/2000 (replaces decree Agriculture, Agrarmarkt Austria, the Uni- 820/97)”, all newborn calves became­ Main tasks of ZAR: versity of Natural Resources and Applied marked with two ear tags. • Quality and performance control Life Sciences, University of Veterinary • Processing performance data Medicine, the Agricultural and Fore- • Genetic evaluation stry Data-Collection Center and other (jointly with ZuchtData) ­national organizations. • Representation of cattle-breeding interests and related interests in this Nowadays, ZAR is the nerve center of agricultural sector Austrian Cattle Breeding on a national • Coordination of research activities in and international level. cattle farming • Comment and evaluation of proposed By means of the cattle data base of legislation at the federal, national and Agrarmarkt Austria, animal transport is The tasks of the ZAR are coordinated in EC level (animal welfare, animal health monitored and documented six working, in one control, and in six services, and relevant agro-political­ systematically. After introduction of ­breeding committees. decisions)

2 ZuchtData

The processing of all performance and programs is provided. These breeding identification control data is done by programs have been developed jointly ZuchtData in close cooperation with the with the University of Natural Resour- Agricultural and Forestry Data-Collection ces and Applied Life Sciences Vienna Center. and the breeding associations which are continuously­ provided with upda- Pedigrees and performance data are ted information according to the given guaranteed by the registered breeding ­conditions. associations. In the areas of performance testing Areas of Activity: and herd book, ZuchtData provides­ • Breeding and genetics maintenance and the further develop- • Performance testing ment of the central data base with • Herd book RDV- (Rinderdatenverbund) software and reports. The main purpose is ­ For breeding and genetics the operati- to manage the data of selected onal and technical implementation and performance and herd data. ­development is realized jointly with data processing centers in Germany. Milk performance data recording is carried­ out according to the AT and Further, the provision of data for ­Lactation-period (ICAR) methods. A ­breeding programs, including controlling, wide range of fitness data are recording consulting, and analysis of the breeding ­within these tests.

Beef performance data recording Daily report is done as an individual test in a test ­station as well as individual and progeny Farm Herd-management Data tests in the field.

Over 2,700 beef cattle breeders sup- Online Performance evaluation Data input ply data for gain performance and Database ­reproduction.

Milk samples Additionally important is the training, courses, and advisory services provided for functionaries and employees of the Results Laboratory member organizations by ZuchtData.

3 Austria‘s cattle breeds at a glance

Special value is placed on the Fleck- vieh’s fitness characteristics including fertility, longevity, calving ease, udder health, milking speed, somatic cell count, and persistence. A large percen-­ tage of young Fleckvieh cattle are on alpine grazing which results in good overall health and longevity­ of life. Breeding target: 38 % Milk, 16 % beef, 46 % Fitness A Cattle with good development and performance capacity along with good conformation with 6,000 kg milk in the 1st lactation and over 7,000 - 9,000 kg milk in later lactactions with 4.2 % fat and 3.7 % protein Population: 1.597,493 Registered cows: 279,691 Herds: 16,056 Share of breed: 77.4 % (7.5 % of cows on alpine grazing) Life weight: 650 - 850 kg Height of the rump: 140 - 150 cm Fleckvieh/ First calving (months): 30.0 Productive life span (yrs.): 3.8 Simmental Milk performance 2012 (all cows): 7,039 - 4.15 % F - 3.42 % P (305 Days) Beef performance: With over 1.6 million animals, the Registered cows: 5,013 ­Fleckvieh/Simmental is the most widely- Herds: 683 spread breed of cattle in Austria. Test station: 1,486 g Fleckvieh can be found from the Carcasse weight: ca. 57.2 % ­mountains of the Alps to the wide Auction sales: 1,229 g plains east of Vienna. Recently, great EUROP Classification E and U: > 85.7 % gains have been made in the genetic Production options: milk productiveness of the Fleckvieh Dairy or beef type dual purpose through breed management to the breed, excellent for crossing in suckler point that the Fleckvieh rivals pure cow herds and beef production and milk-­producing dairy breeds. ­commercial crossing for dairying. Suitable to all production and climate conditions, fertility, longevity, fit for pasture and loose housing.

Fl e ckv ieh Austria A-3910 Zwettl Pater-Werner-Deibl-Str. 4 Tel. +43 (0) 5 0259 49-160 Fax +43 (0) 5 0259 49-193 www.fleckvieh.at

4 Brown Swiss

Brown Swiss cattle can primarily be found within the western and central part of Austria. The high performance capacity of the Brown Swiss enable the cows to achieve a very high level of milk Share of breed: 7.3 %, 28.8 % of all cows production with a high Kappa-Casein B on alpine grazing. content. The fitness traits of fertility,­ cal- Life weight: ca. 700 kg ving ease (95 % normal calvings),­ udder Height of the rump: 140 - 150 cm health and excellent feet and legs are First calving (months): 31.6 major positive foundational­ traits of the Productive life span (yrs.): 3.79 breed. The Milk performance 2012 (all cows): longevity of the breed (highest 7,094 - 4.15 % F - 3.46 % P (305 days) ­percentage of continual performance Production options: Fitness breed, cross- over time amongst all breeds) is breed with milk and beef breeds, beef further enhanced by the high percentage­ breed (Original Braunvieh). Suitable to all of young calves heifers being grazed­ on production conditions, being under and alpine pastures. intensive, being under extensive conditi- Breeding target: ons, suitable for pasture and loose housing. 48 % Milk, 5 % Beef, 47 % Fitness Milk performance: 10-fold life weight B ra unv ieh Austria with a narrow fat protein difference A-6020 Innsbruck, Brixner Str. 1 ratio. Population: 150,000 Tel. +43 (0) 592 92 1822 Registered cows: 52,524 Fax +43 (0) 592 92 1829 Herds: 5,087 www.BraunviehAustria.at

Holstein Life weight: 650 – 750 kg Height of the rump: 145 - 156 cm Holsteins can be found throughout all First calving (months): 29.2 of Austria. Holstein Friesians and Red Productive life span (yrs.): 3.5 Holsteins are high-yielding dairy ani- Share of breed: 5.9 % mals. The goal is to breed a ­profitable, Milk performance 2012 (all cows): long-living, highly-productive­ dairy 8,473 - 4.10 % F - 3.29 % P (305 Days) cow. This is deemed achievable ­provided the cattle are adaptable, are Production options: able to convert a high mass of forage Suitable for high milk yield and very efficiently, stable health, good fertility adaptable for all production conditions rate, and a sound genetic foundation. in dairying. The Holstein’s highly­ functional udders with good milking speed allow a high H o l stei n Austria milk production throughout many lac- A-8700 Leoben, Pichlmayergasse 18 tations and match well with up-to-date Tel. +43 (0) 3842 25333 60 milking technology. Fax +43 (0) 3842 25333 47 www.holstein.at Breeding target: 45 % Milk, 40 % Fitness­ , 15 % conformation, Population: 121,202 Registered cows: 41,120 Herds: 4,049

5 Pinzgauer

The autochthonous Pinzgauer breed is one of the last in the Alpine region with the capacity to adapt well to harsh ­environmental conditions. The highly developed maternal instinct and calm Milk performance 2012: temperament make Pinzgauer a more 6,235 - 3.88 % F - 3.28 % P (305 days) and more important breed for suckling Beef production: herds. With excellent juiciness, fine Carcasse weight: 55 % fibers, and good marbling, the Pinzgauer Auction sales: 1,163 g beef is also of very high quality. Production options: Breeding target: Dairy dual purpose breed and/or beef 36 % milk, 14 % beef, 50 % fitness breed, crossbreeding with beef and dairy 6,000 kg, 4.0 % fat, 3.45 % protein with breeds with excellent capacity to adapt; high longevity, enormous resistance and best suitable for pasturing. health. Population: 45,109 Registered cows: 7,273, Herds: 1,001 Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Pinzgauer Share of breed: 2.2 % Rinderzuchtverbände Life weight: ca. 650 kg; A-5751 Maishofen, Mayerhoferstr. 12 Height of the rump: 142.1 cm Tel. +43 (0) 6542 68229 14 First calving (months): 34.2 Fax +43 (0) 6542 68229 81 Productive life span (yrs.): 3.7 www.pinzgauer-cattle.com 40.9 % of all cows on alpine grazing www.pinzgauerrind.at

Grauvieh

Around 1,000 small-scale farms utilize this medium-sized, multi-purpose breed in the inner-Alpine regions (on 70 % of the Alpine pastures over 1,600 meters elevation). The special strengths of the Grauvieh cattle include their low 100 % of young cattle and 45.1 % of all ­maintenance, outstanding forage cows on extreme alpine grazing. ­digestibility, ease of calving, vitality, Milk performance 2012 (all cows): robust stature, functional udders with 4,913 – 3.94 % F – 3.28 % P (305 days) excellent milk quality. This makes them Beef production: especially suitable for low input systems. Daily gain up to 1 year: 1,202 g Carcasse Breeding target: weight: 58 – 60 % – best beef quality, 25 %, milk, 20 % beef, 55 % fitness fine fibres and good marbling Milk: 5,000 kg, 4.0 % fat, 3.4 % protein Produktion options: Beef: good daily gain and best beef Dairy breed for harsh conditions, ­quality beef breed for any kind of production Population: 18,467 ­conditions, suitable for cross-breeding Registered cows: 3,732; herds: 918 with all breeds. Share of breed: 0.9 % Beef: Registered cows 1.477, Herds: 354 Tiroler Grauviehzuchtverband Life weight: approx. 600 kg A-6020 Innsbruck, Brixner Str. 1 Height of the rump: approx. 131 cm Tel. +43 (0) 592 92 1840 First calving (months): 34.1 Fax +43 (0) 592 92 1859 Productive life span (yrs.): 4.7 www.tiroler-grauvieh.at

6 Beef Breeds

In addition to the traditional dual-­ purpose breeds like the Fleckvieh, ­Pinzgauer, and Grauvieh Cattle, a variety of non-domestic beef breeds have established themselves in Austria. These beef breeds are being utilized in pure breeding as well as commercial cross-breeding with ­­ dual-purpose domestic breeds. Currently, 22,942 cattle are registered in 2,546 herds from the following breeds: Charolais, Blonde d’Aquitaine, Blue Belgian, Limousin, Angus, Beef- Fleckvieh, Scottish Highland, Galloway, Hereford and others.

In 2012, approximately 190,000 ­fertilizations were carried out utilizing Fleischrinder Austria these special beef breeds and another Pichlmayergasse 18, A-8700 Leoben 30,000 utilizing Beef-Fleckvieh. Also Tel. +43 3842 25333 40 significant are the sales of bulls for Fax +43 3842 25333 11 commercial suckling herds as a basis www.fleischrinder.at for pasture utilization.

Special Breeds

The association ÖNGENE (the Austrian associations are usually integrated Association for the Conservation of within the relevant beef breeding Genetic Reserves), along with the ­associations at the state level. Apart from Austrian states and Ministry of the Pinzgauer and the Grauvieh,­ the ­Agriculture has developed a program following special breeds share in this for the conservation of genetic material program: Murbodner, Carinthian for individual breeds. In endangered Blondvieh, Waldviertler Blondvieh, Tux-­ breeds in which the number of cows Zillertaler, Original Braunvieh, Ennstaler falls below a certain level, the main Bergschecken, and Pustertaler Sprinzen. ­target of these programs is not the Given their robustness, these spe- selection of high-performance gene- cial breeds are most suitable for beef tic material, but the maintenance of ­production under harsh environmental a diverse genetic basis. Since most of conditions or within part-time farm sys- these endangered special breeds are tems. genetically more appropriate for the production of beef, the individual ÖNGENE c/o Institut für Biologische Landwirtschaft und Biodiversität Austrasse 10 A-4601 Wels - Thalheim Tel. +43 (0) 7242 470 12 Fax +43 (0) 7242 470 11 15 www.oengene.at

7 RINDERZUCHT AUSTRIA

Top Genetics from Austria Annually, over 40,000 breeding cattle (heifers, cows, and breeding calves) are marketed at over 140 auctions (50 % are exported to over 60 nations worldwide). All breeding cattle and embryos from Austrian producers are free from tuberculosis, brucellosis, leucosis, BVD, IBR/IPV, and BSE. Veterinarial attention and care for the herds as well as the sharing of health data collected, helps to insure an excellent standard of animal health among Austrian cattle breeds. Annually, the Austrian cattle-breeding program is represen- ted at over 25 international­ fairs and conventions. Consequent breeding work, up-to-date breeding programs, enthusiastic cattle breeders, Champions at the state-of-the-art data processing and modern technology in artificial insemination­ are the Federal Simmental Show base of our success.­

Export of breeding cattle: Fleckvieh/ Project Management and Development Coordination of research activities in the Simmental, Braunvieh (Brown Swiss), Planning: Targeted support for initiati- cattle farming. Holstein Friesian, Pinzgauer, Grauvieh, ves and projects that serve the improved Public Relations: Trade fairs, conventions, and various beef and special breeds. ­marketing of Austrian breeding cattle. publications, photo database on In various projects, ZAR has become a Herd book: jointly with performance http://bilder.rinderzucht-austria.at primary contact for various partners both recording and the breeding associations. in and outside of Austria. For years, the quality of Austrian bulls has Quality and performance control, Cattle-breeding interests are represen- represented the highest quality available processing performance data. ted in all agro-political decisions. in Europe. The international promotion and marketing of Austrian semen and embryos is carried out by the export platform „Genetic Austria“ (www.genetic-austria.at).

Artificial Insemination: This is the most important tool for the implementation of the breeding programs and the guarantee for successful genetic progress. In the main ­cattle breeds, around 95 % of the cows are artificially inseminated.

All five Austrian artificial insemination cen- ters are certified by the European Union.

The Austrian cattle breeding associations have a pool of highly-trained and expe- rienced experts from the sectors of animal ­production, artificial insemination, bio­ technology, population genetics, marketing, data processing, and communications.

ZAR - Zentrale Arbeitsgemeinschaft österreichischer Rinderzüchter Dresdner Strasse 89/19, 1200 Wien Tel: +43 (0) 1 334 17 21-0 Fax +43 (0) 1 334 17 13 e-mail: [email protected] www.rinderzucht-austria.at www.zar.at http://bilder.rinderzucht-austria.at ZAR-201212-1000-eng