Exotic species
There are also exotic cattle species in Switzerland.
Yak
The yak comes from the highlands of Central Asia. In Switzerland, it is primarily kept for meat production. Yaks are undemanding in terms of their needs and are thus well suited for mountain regions.
Zebu
The zebu also comes from Asia. As it copes very well with heat, it is spread throughout the world. On Swiss farms, you can find zebu breeds such as the Nelore, Brahman or dwarf zebu. Farming families often market their meat directly in the farm shop.
Water buffalo
Water buffaloes produce milk with twice as much fat and much more protein than that of a normal dairy cow. Processors use buffalo milk to make specialities such as mozzarella and yoghurt. When it comes to food, the animals are extremely undemanding.
Bison
Bison, which are also known as American buffalo, originally come from North America and are a member of the cattle family. They live in herds and primarily feed on grass. In Switzerland, bison are kept by 12 farming families.
Camels also produce milk in Switzerland. Their milk contains around three times as much vitamin C as cow’s milk. In contrast to Arabian and African countries, the production of camel milk is a niche segment in Switzerland. Farmers also use the animals for agro-tourism offers such as camel riding. A distinction is made between dromedaries, which have one hump, and Bactrian camels, which have two humps.
Llamas and alpacas belong to the same family. The animals, which originate from South America, are used for meat and wool production and are suitable for agro-tourism offers such as trekking. Alpacas and llamas can be best distinguished by their size. With a shoulder height of around 1.20 metres, llamas are considerably taller than alpacas, which have a shoulder height of 90 centimetres.
The ostrich is the largest bird in the world. In Switzerland, there are several specialised farms for which ostrich meat forms an important cornerstone of their business. The meat is sold directly from the farm.
Deer farming is growing at a low level in Switzerland. The farmers primarily keep fallow deer as well as sika and red deer. While deer have been considered agricultural livestock since the 1990s, they also continue to be regarded as wild animals. For this reason, keepers require a wildlife permit. Deer live in enclosures with fences that need to be at least 2 metres in height.
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Animal welfare
Many farmers do more than the strict Animal Welfare Act requires. They take part in animal welfare programmes and produce for labels. Checks are conducted to ensure that the rules are observed.
Cattle
The cow is a trademark of Switzerland. Whether dairy or suckler cows – Swiss meadows are home to various breeds, ranging from the Braunvieh to Angus cattle.
