According to Identitas, there were over 1.5 million cattle in Switzerland at the end of 2020, and under one fifth of them are male. A distinction can be made between milk production and meat production when it comes to cattle. There are breeds that have been bred predominantly for one of these two functions, as well as combined breeds.
Dairy cattle
The typical and most common dairy cattle breeds are Holstein-Friesian (red and black), Braunvieh (Brown Swiss), Fleckvieh (Simmental) as dual-purpose cattle, and Montbéliarde.
Beef cattle
In Switzerland, a total of 32 breeds are reared for meat production. Most of them do not have “pure” Swiss blood and many also originate from crossbreeding with mainly American cattle. Pure Swiss beef cattle breeds are Braunvieh (Central Switzerland), Hérens (Valais), Evolène (Valais), Tyrol Grey (Grisons) and Simmental (Bernese Highlands). Other breeds also reared in Switzerland are Angus, Galloway, Charolais, Hereford, Limousin and now also Wagyu.