Pinzgauer Cattle in other Countries
Pinzgauer cattle have their origin in various strains of the Tauern valleys of Salzburg and Tyrol. The breeders of Pinzgauer cattle in the primary breeding area have formed the Association of Pinzgauer Cattle Breeders ("ARGE Pinzgauer Rinderzüchter"); its members include breeders in Salzburg, Tyrol, Carinthia, Styria, South Tyrol, and Bavaria.
Pinzgauer cattle are bred in the primary breeding area especially as a dual-purpose breed. In the future, cow stables will shift the focus increasingly to the Pinzgauer cattle as beef cattle. The findings of a scientific study conducted by Prof. Franz Pirchner at the Technical University of Munich attest to the excellent quality of Pinzgauer beef.
An experiment conducted by Dr. Leonhard Gruber (BAL Gumpenstein - Research Institute for Agriculture in Alpine Regions) regarding basic-feed consumption efficiency shows that Pinzgauer cattle reveal very high rates of consumption efficiency. This characteristic makes for a major advantage as far as the use of our grassland areas is concerned. Organic farmers are also interested in higher levels of basic-feed consumption efficiency, because the use of concentrated feed is limited by various directives.
The Pinzgauer breed had its heyday during the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. Some of the breeding areas in the Slovak Republic and Romania date back to that time. Over time, there were additional exports to all parts of the world.
- Bertie van Zyl
Pinzgauer Cattle in Africa
At the turn of the century, the first Pinzgauer cattle were shipped to South Africa. Since then, they have been used for beef production in that part of the world. The current stock of Pinzgauer cattle in South Africa is approximately 4,500 head. Bertie van Zyl, the president of the International Pinzgauer Cattle Breeders Association, is considered the leading breeder. On his farm, he keeps about 3,000 Pinzgauer cattle. The Pinzgauer breed has won several championship titles for beef cattle at leading exhibitions in Pretoria. Given the strict selection for meat for over a century, today's South African bovine population has been established as typical beef cattle.
IIn neighbouring Namibia and also in Swaziland, you will also find Pinzgauer cattle on local farms, which usually co-operate with the South Africans. Remaining stocks from exports to Egypt, Libya and Algeria in the 1970s and 1980s are also still around, even though they currently have very little contact with these countries.
Pinzgauer Cattle in the Americas
Canada:
Canada has a Pinzgauer population of about 7,000 head. Canadian farmers consistently breed hornless animals. This is due to Austrian imports of semen from the genetically hornless "Haller line" in the past. 2003 will see the International Pinzgauer Cattle Breeders Congress on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the first imported Pinzgauer cattle and of the 25th anniversary of the Canadian Pinzgauer Association.
United States:
In the United States, the number of Pinzgauer breeders is growing steadily; current estimates speak of about 25,000 Pinzgauer cattle. Their special beef quality plays an important role. The APA (American Pinzgauer Association), which has about 600 members, is actively recruiting new members and participates in various shows.
Brazil:
Brazil has two well-known farmers that breed Pinzgauers: a total of approximately 500 Pinzgauer cattle. In particular, they are trying to improve breeding progress through embryo transfer.
There are also individual farmers in Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia.
Pinzgauer Cattle in Australia
Some 10 years ago, Pinzgauer cattle made their way to Australia via imports from Canada and Austria. Thirty-eight farmers are currently keeping a total of 1,000 Pinzgauers. Australia's biggest success to date was the Royal Easter Show in 2000, when the Pinzgauer collection won first prize out of 18 different breeds of beef cattle.
Pinzgauer Rind in Europa
The Pinzgauer breeding area in the Slovak Republic is located in the Tatra Mountains. Approximately 35,000 Pinzgauers are used primarily as dual-purpose cattle for dairy and beef. Austria and the Slovak Republic are currently working on a project for a common system of genetic evaluation, because both countries share many of the same breeding targets. The Slovak population has evolved very well over the last few years thanks to consistent breeding and improved management.
Slovak Republic:
The Pinzgauer breeding area in the Slovak Republic is located in the Tatra Mountains. Approximately 35,000 Pinzgauers are used primarily as dual-purpose cattle for dairy and beef. Austria and the Slovak Republic are currently working on a project for a common system of genetic evaluation, since both countries share many of the same breeding targets. The Slovak bovine population has evolved very well over the last few years thanks to consistent breeding and improved management..
Poland:
Poland has some Pinzgauer cattle. The semen imports were however mostly used for crossbreeding.
Romania:
In Romania, Pinzgauers are treated as an independent breed by the breeders association. Romania still had remaining stocks from the time of the monarchy. The cattle are spread across the mountains northwest to the Vltava river, the Western Carpathian Mountains and in southwesernt Transylvania. The total head count is at about 35,000. For the last few decades, the Pinzgauer breed has been reinforced, in particular, by imports from Austria.
