Fleckvieh cattle population in the world

The Fleckvieh breed is one of Europe’s oldest breeds and with its total population of approximately 41 million animals is the second largest breed in the world. The breed was developed to be highly productive on mostly grass based diets and to produce higher amounts of fat and protein for cheese making. Fleckvieh cows are being bred throughout the whole world today. The cows are healthy, hardy and show an excellent adaptability to the different geographical and climatic conditions. Easy calving, regular fertility and a long productive life are, besides the high performance potential for milk and beef, the basis for efficient production.

The Fleckvieh-Simmental breed has proved very successful in crossbreedings. There are approximately 2,000 young Fleckvieh sires sampled every year worldwide. With this vast genetic pool to select from and with high selection intensity, optimal yearly genetic gains can be realized.

Fleckvieh cattle population in the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic has the third largest Fleckvieh cattle population in the world and is a long-time member of the world and European associations of Fleckvieh breeders. There are 1,055 breeders and 155,500 cows registrated in the National Fleckvieh Herd Book. The population of Fleckvieh is checked for genetic disorders which are practically absent in local genetic lines of the breed at present. A sufficient genetic variability is maintained within the population to secure its long-term development. Very good conformation of udders and feet and legs together with the medium body size of animals is optimal with respect to longevity and in connection with a good conversion of nutrients also for a high feed efficiency.

CRV Fleckvieh bulls are sampled in large herds where a lot of bulls are compared to each other. Bulls are evaluated under different conditions from lowland to mountain areas on farms with a different level of management and used technologies etc. Milk production is estimated by Test Day Model (TDM). Beef performance of this dual purpose breed is run on more levels. Own performance of all young bulls selected for breeding is controlled on the performance stations. All breeding bulls have to undergo a test on the station to determine their growth ability under standardised conditions. Progeny testing of the beef performance is organized through progeny test stations. Also the data from field test (abbatoirs) are used for genetic evaluation system. The results from these stations and linearly scored muscularity of daughters are included in the total merit index (SIC).

Population Czech Republic
• Total cows 200,000
• Cows in milk recording 90 %
• Herd book cows 143,000
• Herd book farms 770
• Age of calving 28.9 months
• Calving interval 399 days
Milk yield of the herdbook cows 2009: 6,519 kg of milk with 4.01 % fat and 3.43 % protein

Population Bavaria (Germany)
• Total cows 1.25million
• Cows in milk recording 76 %
• Herd book cows 650,000
• Herd book farms 19,500
• Age of calving 29.6 Months
• Calving interval 391 days
Milk yield of the herdbook cows 2009: 7,096 kg of milk with 4.13 % fat and 3.48 % protein

Bavarian and Czech breeding programme

The results of performance and genetic evaluation are prerequisites for a modern, tightly organised Fleckvieh breeding programme. The goal of this programme is to raise the genetic level in the entire population and, therefore, to ensure the economic success of the farmers who use the Fleckvieh breed in their herd. The cows with the best breeding value results are usually pre-selected as potential bull dams once they’ve completed their first lactation. In the final selection the type and linear traits are being judged in particular.

Breeding goal of CRV Fleckvieh

• Improve cow population for dual purpose milk and beef with emphasis on milk production
• Breed uniform cow population with correct body conformation and higher stature
• Confirm health, good reproduction and longevity as base of profitability
• Adaptability for new conditions of technology
• Strong udder with good texture and correct teat placement
• Functional feet and legs

Milk production per 305 days of lactation	6,500-7,500 kg
Milk production increase from 1st to 2nd/3rd lactation	+ 1,000 kg
Milk components	4.2 % fat and 3.7 % protein
Lifetime milk production	30,000 kg
Daily gain since birth	more than 1,300 g
Adult weight	650-850 kg
Height at sacrum	140-150 cm

Crossbreeding with dairy breeds
Fleckvieh can score particularly well as a breeding partner in regions or countries with a high proportion of dedicated dairy breeds. Many dairy producers are fighting health problems in their herds and recognise that, given falling returns from milk, a supplementary income is required to keep their operations profitable. The experience gathered over several years from operations with rotational or upgrading crossbreeding programmes have resulted in advantages due, in particular, to:
• reduced mastitis and somatic cells counts
• increased protein content in milk
• more body reserves, substance and muscling in dairy cows
• improved fattening traits of calves (including higher returns for culled cows)
• healthy cows with a good longevity

Crossbreeding with tropical breeds
Due to their milk abundance Fleckvieh cows are well known and desired for crossbreeding programmes resulting in high-value weaned calves. Crossbreeding Fleckvieh with indigenous breeds has proven to be a success in many subtropical countries. It combines the advantages of Fleckvieh with the heat tolerance and disease resistance of local breeds. The advantages are:

• docile temperament and well-balanced herd behavior
• high milk performance of suckler cows
• good maternal traits
• high daily gain of calves in conjunction with good meat quality
• pigmentations are particularly desirable around the eyes

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