The Rhaetian Grey
(Photo : Rätisches Grauvieh Schweiz)
The Rhaetian Grey has been back in Switzerland since the 1980s and even acknowledged as a separate breed since 2021. As the small-framed grey cow with finely curved horns produced too little milk, it began to be replaced in this country by the Swiss Brown during the 1920s. Fortunately though, some of the animals had previously been sold to neighbouring countries, so from 1985 onwards, it was possible to buy back animals that corresponded to the old Swiss line. That marked the start of conservation breeding in Switzerland, with support from the foundation ProSpecieRara and enthusiastic breeders.
The Rhaetian grey cow has been back on Swiss alpine pastures since the 1980s (Photo: Rätisches Grauvieh Schweiz).
So what characterises the Rhaetian Grey? According to Franz Emmenegger, President of the breeding association Rätisches Grauvieh Schweiz, one thing is clear: It is not just its small frame, grey coat and beautiful horns. What really makes it stand out is its versatility, as clearly illustrated, Franz Emmenegger points out, by the life of one cow by the name of VIAMALA: Born on 16/12/2004, VIAMALA grew to be a healthy dairy cow. She was very tame and sociable. It is said that she could be milked on the alpine pasture without being tied. After some years, when her milk yield declined, VIAMALA was sold and, from then on, allowed to rear her calves herself, as a suckler cow. At the age of 16, VIAMALA could no longer cope with the steep slopes and was sold in the valley, where she gave birth five more times. In total, VIAMALA brought 17 calves into the world. As she was so sociable, it was also very easy to put her to use pulling logs and she was a favourite among holidaymakers on the farm. VIAMALA died of old age when she was 20.
The Rhaetian grey cow is versatile. Here, Franz Emmenegger practices pulling tree trunks with his cow “Feli”. (Photo: Rätisches Grauvieh Schweiz)
However, VIAMALA is just one of many representatives of the Rhaetian Grey, a breed that can be utilised in a wide variety of ways: Alongside its good qualities as a dairy, suckler and working cow, the Rhaetian Grey is often used for landscape conservation or even therapeutic purposes. Much of the Rhaetian Grey population, which is still small, lives on ProSpecieRara’s so-called ‘ark farms’, many of which welcome visitors: The intention is not only to enable the Rhaetian Grey to thrive, but also to enable people to experience it! You will find more information at www.raetischesgrauvieh.ch.
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