CRV Around the World

CRV Ambreed doesn’t only exist in New Zealand, we have companies all over the world. There are major companies in; Brazil, supplying for South America,
The Netherlands, for Western Europe, which is also our Head Quarters,
Czech Republic, running service for Central Europe,
USA, supplying for North America,
And here in Hamilton, New Zealand representing Oceania.
Each of our sister companies breed slightly different types of cattle, because of the things needed in different parts of the world.

HOLLAND

CRV in Western Europe is in Arnhem, the Netherlands. This company is also the big Head Quarters of all CRV.
Some breeds of cattle Holland have are quite similar to what we have in New Zealand, but some are very different.

Holstein-Friesian

One that you will know well is the Holstein-Friesian. These originated from the northern provinces of the Netherlands. They are today’s highest dairy producing animal in the world. Holstein in Europe are however different to that we have in New Zealand, because of the way the yare bred, and what they are bred for. They breed their Holsteins focusing on component quality. This means the things they look for are perfect quality in things like the different parts of milk their cows produce. These cattle also look very similar to any other Holstein-Friesian, black and white, or red and white.

 

Belgian Blue 

;is a breed special to Europe and very rare in other places.

They are ‘double muscled’. This is because of a natural genetic mutation which makes their muscle growth accelerate, which gives them their sculpted, heavily muscled appearance and very lean meat. The Belgium Blue originated in central and northern Belgium. They were first used as milk and beef cattle, but now are mostly used for their beef. They are named for their mottled blue-grey hair colour, which can also range from black to white in shades of subtle blue.

MRI Cattle (Meuse Rhine Issel)

;were developed in South and East of the Netherlands in the catchment areas of the Meuse, Rhine and Issel rivers. MRI had been developed as a duel purpose breed – for both beef and milk production. The breed is described as medium sized but solidly built cattle. MRI are red and white in colour, often quite creamy looking.

CZECH REPUBLIC

Our Central Europe company is in Vestec, Czech Republic. They breed cattle much the same as in the Netherlands, except they have one breed exclusive to the area.

Fleckvieh

;cattle started in 1830 when original Simmental cattle from Switzerland were imported to Bavaria and to Austria. Fleckvieh is another dual purpose breed – producing high quality beef and milk.

 

BRAZIL

Our sister company, running in most of South America, is in Sertaozinho, Brazil. In Brazil the climate and environment is very different so the breeds of cattle most popularly bred are a different kind altogether from most others.

Nelore

;is a breed of Zebu.  Because Nelore are Zebu, they are a different species to other s, they are ‘bos indicus’ whereas the species of most other cows, that originated in Europe are ‘bos taurus’. The bos indicus (Zebu) originate from India. Nelore specifically originated from the Ongole cattle brought to Brazil from Nellore, India. Zebu are ideal for the South American climate and environment because they are very resistant to high temperatures and have natural resistance to various parasites and diseases commonly found in those areas.
Some physical features that set Zebu apart from other cattle and help them to survive in the South American terrain are a large hump over the shoulders and neck of the animal, longer legs to help walking in water, and long droopy ears.
Nelore are now known for their excellent hardiness,
fertility, and longevity.

Gir

;is another principal Zebu breed, originating in India. There are two types of Gir; Gir and Dairy Gir. One is bred for its beef, while the other is used for making milk. Gir, being Zebu, is typically resistant to heat and tropical diseases just as Nelore.
They have a very distinctive appearance, with a rounded, domed forehead, long floppy ears and horns which spiral out and back. Gir are generally mottled, with colours ranging from red through yellow, to white, black.

Girolandais

;are a cross CRV breeds, it’s a mix between Gir and Holstein-Friesian.

USA

Our company in Wisconsin, USA breeds cattle much the same as other places, mostly Holstein-Friesian, only bred differently for the needs of the North American environment and expectations.