World Brown Swiss Conference 2025 in Bogotá, Colombia
From 16 to 20 July 2025, the World Brown Swiss Conference brought together breeders and delegates from across the globe in Bogotá, Colombia. Organised by the Colombian Brown Swiss Federation, the programme combined technical lectures, farm visits in the Andes and an impressive show held during AGROEXPO Bogotá.
Werner Duss, Sire Analyst Brown Swiss
Brown Swiss at 3,000 metres
Participants visited three specialist Brown Swiss farms located between 2,700 and 3,100 metres above sea level. Despite the proximity to the equator, the temperate climate allows a grazing-based system, supplemented with concentrates. Daily yields ranged from 22 to 27 kg of milk per cow, with a notably high fat and protein content that is greatly valued by local dairies and cheesemakers.
In demand worldwide: Swissgenetics and SEMEX in Colombia
Genetics were another central theme of the trip. Swissgenetics, represented by Angelo Pozzatti, who was honoured by the Colombian Brown Swiss Federation for his dedicated work over recent years, has cultivated an exceptional commercial network in Colombia in collaboration with Canadian partner SEMEX. Currently, genetics from renowned Swissgenetics sires such as BRICE, AMIR, COLLAPS, CHILLY, OWEN, DARIUS, MAGNUM and HARVEY are in use in Colombia. Many of these bulls are highly valued by local breeders for bringing the traits they want: milk production, health, longevity and adaptability to the Andean climate. COLLAPS and OWEN are enjoying growing popularity, as was clearly evident at AGROEXPO Bogotá, where daughters of these sires had notable success in the ring.
Adaptability is key
The technical conference within the World Conference offered a platform for insightful presentations from Europe, North America and South America. This year’s focus was the adaptability of Brown Swiss to diverse climatic conditions. Speakers highlighted that, thanks to their genetic and physiological characteristics, Brown Swiss can be kept profitably in a wide range of environments, from the high Colombian Andes, to production herds in North America and Western Europe, and even the arid regions of Australia.
Heat tolerance in Brown Swiss was emphasised in particular. Several presenters who keep both Holsteins and Brown Swiss reported that their Brown Swiss cows show markedly more stable performance at higher temperatures, an advantage that could prove decisive in the face of climate change.
AGROEXPO Bogotá – in the spotlight
Another highlight of the trip was a visit to AGROEXPO Bogotá, Colombia’s largest agricultural fair. The Grand Champion title was awarded to COLLAPS son Santa Cecilia Collaps ANTHONY, who impressed with his balanced conformation, a well-developed rump and very clean, ideal feet and legs. Among the females, modern international genetics also dominated: the progeny of Elmstar HF DESIGN-ET stood out, with his daughters winning several classes. In addition, a class was won by a daughter of the famous conformation sire Studer’s BS O Malley OWEN further demonstrated this line’s strong adaptability in South America.
Takeaway: Brown Swiss enjoys international success
Participation in the World Brown Swiss Conference in Colombia impressively underlined the breed’s global progress and adaptability to highly varied conditions. In the highlands around Bogotá in particular, the breed showcased its huge potential: robustness, strong fertility, stable milk yields and excellent components make Brown Swiss an ideal choice for many regions worldwide.