Cattle breeds
Evolène

The first traces of domesticated cattle in Switzerland were discovered in Valais: bones dating back around 6,000 years. The Hérens and Evolène breeds are descendants of those cattle. Evolène cattle mainly differ from their more famous sister breed in terms of colour: They are typically pied, with white patches on their foreheads, and often also on their bellies, tails and backs. It was precisely these patches that almost spelt disaster for Evolène cattle around 150 years ago.

They defied all adversity

Back in the 1880s, the Hérens breed was redefined and designated as a breed with uniform colouring. This meant that animals of the pied variety were no longer desirable. They were to be eliminated from livestock breeding, by withdrawing federal subsidies and imposing bans. However, some stubborn admirers of the pied cattle refused to accept this. It is said that they cherished these animals dearly, guarding their stables, for example – sometimes with loaded guns. They were certainly somewhat rebellious and combative – much like the cattle themselves, a breed known for fights among females. Their admirers’ motto was: “The Evolène breed is the free man’s breed!”

Officially recognised as an endangered breed since the 1990s

It is thanks to those breeders that the Evolène survived. From the 1980s onwards, awareness of the need to preserve the diversity of species and breeds was growing, also with regard to farm animals. That was when ProSpecieRara was set up: a foundation committed to conservation breeding of endangered livestock breeds, among other things. In the 1990s, the Evolène was recognised as a separate breed and the small population was steadily increased. With around 500 animals in total today, the breed is still considered endangered, but at least no longer has to be hidden away.