About Pinzgauers |
Pinzgauers have been around in Australia
since the late eighties. However it was in the mid nineties that cattle people began
to sit up and take notice of this quiet beef breed with so much going for it. This
growing awareness and respect has been recognised in the show ring with major awards
being received by the breed in Australia's most prestigious shows in both individual
and interbreed classes.
Pinzgauers both purebred and cross bred have featured very well in carcase competitions adding to their credibility as a strong contender in the beef market.
Pinzgauer Cattle studs are all over Australia including Gippsland, Geelong region,
Ballarat, Goulburn, Gladstone, East Palmerston, Bundaberg, Yarra Valley, Tasmania and
South Australia.
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Link to go to the Australian
Pinzgauer Breeders Association - http://www.pinzgauer.org.au/ |
Breed characteristics. |
Pinzgauers have pigmented skin under a chestnut
red coat and white markings on the back, tail and barrel. They adapt readily and
easily to a variety of climates. Eye problems are rare. Smooth hair and firm, flexible
skin prevents tick and other insect infestations. Hard, dark, closed hooves and strong
leg bone formation give Pinzgauers excellent ranging ability, ideal in conditions
where they are forced to graze far from water. Their inherent structural soundness
and stamina, their ability to adapt to a variety of environmental conditions, and
their quiet disposition are only a few of the qualities that make Pinzgauers the
cattleman's choice in a seedstock or commercial herd situation. |
Pinzgauer/Shorthorn cross steer at 10 months. |
Pinzgauer Bulls |
Pinzgauer bulls demonstrate masculine characteristics
early in life and are fertile, aggressive breeders, yet usually remain docile to
manage throughout their breeding life. Mature bulls average 900 kilograms and up,
while mature females level out at approximately 540kg to 720kg. More moderately sized
in relation to the "big is better" theory, Pinzgauer progeny still have
above average weaning weights, gainability and feed conversion, but they maintain
the easy calving ability that cattlemen prefer.
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Pinzgauer Cows |
Pinzgauer females usually calve easily. The Australian
Pinzgauer Association’s continued focus on the careful selection of 'calving
ease' sires helps to ensure young heifers have an easy birth and provide a vigorous
first calf in what will be a long and productive breeding life. In fact longevity
of breeding life is the norm with some cows still calving at 13-16 years of age.
Udders are well-formed and hold up well during lactation, and it is not uncommon
for a Pinzgauer female to wean a 270+ kg calf. The ability to rebreed while nursing
is another important economic trait Pinzgauers exhibit. It is very important for
brood cows to produce and wean a heavy calf and do it year after year. |
Probably the most notable quality of the Pinzgauer,
as a mother, is its superb milk production ability. Undoubtedly due to their origins
as a dual purpose breed Pinzgauer cows are “designed” to produce large
quantities of high quality milk. This abundance of milk production ensures high weaning
weights of between 250 and 350 kg. Even “first calf” Pinzgauers exhibit
strong mothering instincts and exceptional milk production. no matter what the conditions.
As such Pinzgauer and Pinzgauer cross cattle provide excellent fast growing steers.
horned or polled, Their quiet temperament makes them very manageable in the paddock
and the yards making them an ideal choice for small farms with limited facilities
as well as large commercial operations. |
Pinzgauer beef has less fat without losing tenderness
and flavour. Pinzgauer beef provides the best of both worlds...tender, juicy, flavourful
beef without a lot of fat or waste. Isn't this just what the consumer wants? |
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