We visited 2 different farms in March when we attended the 25th Anniversary of Genetic Austria and the National Show; I have been going to Austria for over 20 years.
The improvement in Milk Yield and the Udder Quality of the cows is breath taking - The Fleckvieh Breed is the fastest growing breed in the World today. With the difficult times we are all facing in Milk Production, the Fleckvieh cow stands out on her own. Milk, Fat & Protein, Excellent Beef Value for calves and cull cows, and low vet bills.
Our First Farm Visit: Welcome to Milchhof Steiner, one of the top herds in Austria
Farm Description
Workforce:
Martin and Karin with children Magdalena, Mathias and Stefan
Hannes and Bernadette with children Tobias, Johanna, and Andreas
Parents Adolf and Anna
Hannes and Bernadette with children Tobias, Johanna, and Andreas
Parents Adolf and Anna
Sea level:
356 m
Rain fall:
650-750 mm
Area data:
141 ha agricultural land
- →55 ha grassland
- →86 ha farmland
- →180 ha forrest
Livestock:
155 cows
200 pieces of female offspring
20 fattening bulls
200 pieces of female offspring
20 fattening bulls
Feeding:
AGR (basic ration)
- →50 % grass silage, 50 % corn silage
- →Concentrated food
- →Straw / Hay
- →Beer spent grains
Special technologies:
3 GEA milking robots
Cubicle housing system with deep bays with straw mattress
Deep-bed stall with straw for calves
Cubicle housing system with deep bays with straw mattress
Deep-bed stall with straw for calves
Sales strategy:
milk for dairy industry (NÖM)
Sale of cows in 1st lactation or pregnant heifers at auctions at Bergland
Sale of male calves at Bergland
Sale of cows in 1st lactation or pregnant heifers at auctions at Bergland
Sale of male calves at Bergland
Breeding strategy:
100% genomically tested bulls
high performing, healthy cows
Focus on dual-use characteristics (milk and meat production)
Good exterieur
Polled livestock
high performing, healthy cows
Focus on dual-use characteristics (milk and meat production)
Good exterieur
Polled livestock
Special successes:
Breeder of the following bulls: GS HANNES Pp, GS POLLED Pp, GS VILL, GS MAURIZIO, GS EBERHARD, GS EDMUND Pp, GS WLAN PP, GS WINTODAY Pp, SIGNA Pp, GS MAGNAT Pp
Performance:
| Year | Cows | Milk kg | Fat % | Fat kg | Prot % | Prot kg | F+P kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 23.7 | 6,389 | 4.28 | 273 | 3.35 | 214 | 487 |
| 2002 | 60.7 | 8,768 | 4.04 | 354 | 3.48 | 306 | 660 |
| 2012 | 129.9 | 10,372 | 3.89 | 403 | 3.46 | 359 | 762 |
| 2022 | 143.5 | 10,640 | 3.89 | 413 | 3.38 | 360 | 773 |
| 2023 | 142.7 | 10,377 | 3.82 | 397 | 3.43 | 356 | 753 |
| 2024 | 147.9 | 10,591 | 3.92 | 415 | 3.44 | 365 | 780 |
| 2025 | 154.7 | 11,229 | 3.82 | 429 | 3.46 | 389 | 818 |
Age at first calving: 26 months
Performance in 1st lactation: 9,198 kg
Life-performance: 25,250 kg
Output-performance (Average): 36,304 kg
Cell Counts (Average): 108
Insemination Index: 1.8
Calving interval: 365 days
Total Merit Index: 47 female pieces > 130
Total Merit Index of used bulls (average): 134