Why do we breed Fleckvieh?

by Dr Thomas Grupp, Bayern-Genetik GmbH

This question has been on my mind since I started my professional life, which is mainly focused on Fleckvieh breeding and Fleckvieh genetics.

Our ancestors recognized very early the value of the imported Fleckvieh animals from Switzerland (Simmenthaler, Saanen, Frutiger, Freiberger), but the successes in pure breeding in the former kingdoms of Bavaria and Wurttemberg were rather modest. The great importance of the “Simmenthaler” from Switzerland (all Fleckvieh strains were called Simmenthaler from the cattle traders) lay in the crossing with countless adapted local breeds, which all had problems in the performance range (milk, meat, draught). The crossbreeds were clearly superior to the local breeds. However, it was only at the beginning of the 1930s that milk, beef and draught were consistently selected, after the government had centralised the breeding efforts.

Simmenthaler x Neckar cattle – very successful cross with local “breeds” in the 19th century

(@Voltz, 1862)

After the World War II, the so-called “economy Fleckvieh type”was bred very strongly, small to medium-framed Fleckvieh animals, which had lower maintenance requirements. This, however, generated major problems (udder attachment, calving problems) and the onset of specialisation in dairy or beef breeds demanded a rethink on the part of those responsible for breeding. Frame score and udder as well as milk performance were then the focus of the breeding efforts.

The legendary Bayern-Genetik bull HAXL was a stroke of luck and ultimately the saviour of the Fleckvieh breed.

BFG BERNIT 25672/OW – born 20/03/1949 – at the age of 6.5 years

(@Bayern-Genetik)

Today the Fleckvieh breed is the last important dual-purpose breed in the world and the prospects are more than good. One recognizes also from scientific view the importance of “efficiency” per ha of agricultural utilizable area as well as the clearly better carbon footprint. Fleckvieh is on the verge of a global renaissance if those responsible for breeding make the right decisions.

With the introduction of genomic selection, however, breeding work is shifting more and more from the stable/ pasture to the office – mating decisions are increasingly based on breeding values, without the animals being inspected. I consider this development to be very questionable.

So what do we have to do?

Our work is based on the one hand on objective performance testing in suckler herds (birth weight, 205-day weight, weaning weight, cow/calf ratio at weaning, 365-day weight, etc) and the recording of milk, beef and fitness performance in the dual-purpose Fleckvieh. Genomics gives us great help in discovering hereditary diseases and genetic tests for quality characteristics of milk and meat (ß-casein, K-casein, tenderness, marbling, etc.)

The breeding goal for the type and exterior always depends on the climatic conditions. I am very grateful to the Fleckvieh Society of Australia (FSA) for inviting me to judge at the Royal Show in Canberra. These shows are an excellent tool for Fleckvieh breeders and commercial farmers to value the status of their breed. Since Australia has similar climatic conditions like South Africa, Namibia or Botswana, the FSA can import valuable know-how for the beef sector there.

I personally believe that the breeders’ trip to South Africa last year was very fruitful for some of your members and positively influenced the breeding work on their farms. The shows are of great importance and they should never degenerate into a fancy event, the basic rule for me – “Farm your show cattle and show your farm cattle”.

BFG RANDY daughter Luzie – our favorite type cow of Bayern-Genetik for dual purpose farms

(@Grupp)

Ibenstein Petra – our favorite type for extensive beef production – yellow covered animals are more adapted to heat!

(@Krafft)

In the future, cattle breeding will increasingly be the focus of consumer attention. Animal welfare, health and fitness traits as well as quality aspects of milk and beef are points that we have to pursue sustainably in breeding.

The “masculine bull” and the “feminine cow” – sexual dimorphism, very important in the future Beef industry – Milk, the cheapest concentrate from efficient cows.

(@Grupp)

Here Fleckvieh has the best preconditions of all cattle breeds worldwide. Fleckvieh milk has special characteristics, not only in cheese production but also in the development of Fleckvieh calves in suckler herds.

“You can produce milk without beef, but you can’t produce beef without milk”. This saying by Peter Massmann of South Africa is of great importance to me. Fleckvieh is the breed with the best protein production with high daily gains on the suckler cow and in the feedlot. Feed efficiency is of crucial importance in the future.

We already have the best breed in our hands – let us all work together to develop this “gift of god” respectful and responsibly for ourselves but also for our breed.