PINZGAUER CATTLE
- Pronounced "Pinz-Gower," this breed is easy to look at and nice to have around. No bovine colour scheme catches the eye better than a sturdy burgundy brown body with two bold horizontal white stripes running from front to rear. Pinzgauers make an outstanding sight against a backdrop of rich green pasture and spruce trees.
- The breed originated in the 1600's in the Pinzgauer region of Austria. It is also common to parts of Bavaria. Four hundred years ago, they were principally used for milk production. Since then they have evolved as a sound dual purpose animal with excellent meat production characteristics. From the time of their arrival in North America in 1972, they have been used almost exclusively as meat animals.
- Mature bulls typically weigh around 2200 lbs. while the females weigh from 1350 to 1700 lbs. Their heads are always a solid, deep chestnut colour and their tails are always white. Bodies are dark brown with a distinctive white stripe running down their back from wither to tail and another running along their bellies right from their tail, across their legs to the brisket. Because their head, legs and feet are darkly pigmented, the Pinzgauer is resistant to pink-eye and foot-rot. They are also favoured in hot climates because of their loose skin which helps them handle heat and insects.
- Birth weights are generally in the 85 to 90 lb. range while weaning weights run from 600 to 800 lbs. Pinzgauers are relatively short-legged and long bodied. This makes them an excellent choice for cross-breeding with Charlais, Simmental or any of the tall, leggier breeds. The resulting offspring are often tan - a popular colour with the meat buyers.
- The Pinzgauer's heritage as milk producers complements good fertility and mothering characteristics. Calves bloom on the rich, ample milk supply.
- One of the best features of the Pinzgauer cattle is their easy going disposition. Even a stranger can walk among the herd and may even be followed around by moony-eyed bovines looking for a back scratch. Let's face it - those racing stripes are strictly for looks!