Fat cattle force farmers to call for ‘new model cow’
Many Swiss cows are getting too heavy for soft Alpine pastures, too wide for their stalls and too gluttonous for their owners. An interest group is now calling for cows to be bred that are smaller, lighter and more easily sated.
Some cows are more than 1.60 metres (5’3”) in height and tip the scales at more than 800 kilograms (1,760 pounds).
“Every year cows are getting three millimetres taller on average – this trend must be stopped,” said Markus Gerber, president of the breeders’ association SwissherdbookExternal link.
Michael Schwarzenberger, a teacher of animal husbandry at the agricultural educational and advice centre in Arenenberg, northeastern Switzerland, explains that many stalls were built 25 or 30 years ago based on how big cows were at the time.
“For today’s cows it’s often a bit tight, especially when they lie down. What’s more, the heavy cattle trample over the fields and meadows and churn them up. And not only do they need more fodder to produce the same amount of milk, they also consume more energy and protein, which increases their concentrated feed requirements,” he said.
Markus Gerber explained that when it came to insemination, breeders look for bulls that promise udders that are as productive as possible. “But this automatically means larger animals. Less importance should be placed on this aspect of breeding,” he said.
More
More
Cows continue to suffer for ‘beauty ideal’
This content was published on
Why are some breeders nervous at this year’s Expo Bulle, the Swiss National Holstein and Red Holstein Show?
Switzerland’s almost 700,000 cows produce on average 7,500 litres (16,500 pounds) of milk a year – double the amount produced in the 1960s. “Elite cows” can produce around 12,000 litres, according to Schwarzenberger.
“Our model cow is one that remains productive and healthy and that turns the staple food that grows here – grass and maize – into milk as efficiently as possible and with as few antibiotics as possible,” he said.
The interest group New Swiss CowExternal link therefore recommends using bulls for insemination that promise offspring that are smaller but more productive and healthier: a good weight, it said, would be 500-600 kilos with a height of 1.40-1.50m.
Hans Rüssli, spokesman for the Swiss Farmers’External linkAssociation, said Switzerland had decided in the 1990s to prioritise ecology over optimum performance. He explained that since then the motto has been “smaller animals with a smaller appetite”.
“But the farmers themselves decide what makes economic sense,” he said.
More
More
The man trumpeting in favour of cow horns
This content was published on
Can one man persuade 100,000 people to care if cows have horns or not? Maybe if he’s as bull-headed as Swiss farmer Armin Capaul.
Protein in abdominal fat could help shape obesity treatment
This content was published on
The study analysed fat cells from different locations in the body, and found that those in the abdomen have unique properties.
North African asylum claims fall after rapid Swiss processing
This content was published on
The accelerated procedure, now out of its test phase, has resulted in a significant drop in applications from North African countries.
This content was published on
The artist's song "The Code" focuses on their journey as a nonbinary individual. It is one of the favourites to win this year's contest.
Swiss climate activists block vehicles near Gotthard tunnel
This content was published on
Around ten climate activists briefly blocked the A2 motorway near the northern entrance of the Gotthard tunnel on Thursday.
Watches belonging to Michael Schumacher up for auction
This content was published on
Schumacher's family is auctioning off eight rare watches from his collection in Geneva. The Christie's auction will take place on Monday.
Joya Marleen and Baschi named best solo acts at Swiss Music Awards
This content was published on
St. Gallen singer Joya Marleen and Baschi from Basel were named artists of the year at the Swiss Music Awards 2024 on Wednesday night.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Army helicopters bring water for thirsty cows
This content was published on
As the dry weather continues, Swiss army helicopters have been bringing emergency water supplies to cattle farmers in high mountain pastures.
This content was published on
Swiss public television’s (SRF) Rundschau programme has revealed that some Swiss dairy farmers feed their cows palm oil supplements to boost milk production. Whilst there is nothing illegal about the practice, it does contradict efforts of the farming lobby to have palm oil imports curbed. The lobbying efforts, coordinated with environmental organisations, are designed to…
This content was published on
In Switzerland, only about 10% of cows have horns. Yet the images in Swiss advertising and tourism literature suggest otherwise.
This content was published on
The common-sense advice, in the form of cartoons, lists various things walkers should and should not do when strolling through open alpine pastures. “Do not scare the animals or look them directly in the eye,” the organisation advises. “Do not wave sticks. Never stroke a calf.” The leaflet appears to be targeted at urban visitors.…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.