About The Breed
About 500 AD., Alpine herdsmen, who ran their cattle on small, widely scattered, rocky pastures, had begun to develop a breed of red and white cattle from the native red Bavarian cattle. These early cattlemen selected animals that could withstand the harsh conditions and still produce meat and milk. Farmers in the highly productive valleys and other lush areas of Bavaria, developed larger, brown and spotted (flecked) breeds of cattle from the same original, native seedstock. Later in history, Pinzgauer attained their present form and color. The designation "Pinzgauer" drives from the "Pinzgau" district in the province of Salzburg, Austria, and appears for the first time in documents of the 1600's. Herd books dated in the 1700's show that selective breeding had been going on for some time, and there are records of exportations of "Pinzgauer Cattle" to Rumania, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia in the 1820's. In 1871 Pinzgauer cattle were sent to the Paris World Exhibition. In the early 1900's, a number of breeding cattle were exported to South Africa, which has the second largest herd of fullblood animals in the world today.
Adaptability
Chestnut brown hair and pigmented skin with varying amounts of white hair along the back, tail and barrel are characteristic colors of the breed. Pigmented skin on the head protects eyes from ultra rays, thus making eye disease virtually non-existent. Smooth hair and pliable skin play an important role in adaptability, allowing this breed to thrive in hot or cold climates. Hard, dark, closed hooves and strong leg bone formation give Pinzgauers excellent ranging ability and resistance to hoof rot.
Fertility
The Pinzgauer bull is a fertile aggressive breeder. As a yearling he will weigh from 1,200 to 1,400 pounds and a scrotal circumference of 37 cm is not uncommon. (Extensive research has proven that scrotal size is directly related to sperm production.) The mature Pinzgauer bull, 2,000 to 2,800 pounds, remains fertile and lives a long, productive life. The docile nature of the breed makes it possible to keep older bulls without encountering temperament problems. Pinzgauer cows are extremely fertile, easy calvers and excellent mothers. Ease of calving and longevity mean extra calves per cow which translates into dollars for the cow/calf man. Tests have established the fertility rate at 91% with the intergestational period averaging approximately 285 days. Ability to perform, even under extreme conditions, has made the breed one of the most sought after from an economic standpoint.
Mothering Ability
Mature females weigh from 1,300 to 1,600 pounds possessing a strong mothering instinct. High milk production and calving ease make Pinzgauer cows an efficient addition to any herd. Careful selection for both meat and milk production has resulted in a female that maintains herself well enough to rebreed early in the season and produce enough milk to wean a heavy, growthy calf. Well-attached udders with good teat formation are also traits of the breed.
Efficiency
With cattle management in the future calling for an increased efficiency of production, the attributes of the Pinzgauer make it one of the most desirable breeds in North America. So, if you're looking for high fertility, feed efficiency, adaptability, resistance to disease, uniformity, lean carcass, and gainabilty, search no farther. Pinzgauer, The Practical Breed.
CROSSBREEDING - AN ECONOMICAL ALTERNATIVE
Cattlemen today are looking for increased production without adding excessive size and feed costs. Pinzgauer, when crossed with the British breeds, will not only increase milk production and weaning weights, but will also produce a more desirable carcass.
Pinzgauer, when crossed with Charolais, will produce calves that, when put on feed, will reach the ideal slaughter weight of 1,100 - 1,200 pounds at 12 - 14 months of age.
The Pinzgauer x Simmental is a growthy type, but not excessively large, thus keeping feed costs low while maintaining milk and beef production.
Fertility problems within some breeds can quickly be eliminated with the infusion of Pinzgauer blood.
Since the first Pinzgauer were imported, breeders have selected for a practical beef unit. Evidence of this is reflected in all aspects of the breed. Most important is carcass data compiled on cattle fed in different regions and under various conditions. They continually display rapid weight gains and command top rail prices with few grading below Al or 2.
Another point to consider is that the prices paid for Pinzgauer cattle continue to remain constant and realistic.
The keys to economical, efficient beef production are:
• Fertility
• Milk production
• Feed efficiency
Pinzgauer possess these qualities, and will prove they are profitable because they are "Practical".