Around the year 500AD European herdsmen who ran their cattle on small, widely scattered rocky pastures had begun to develop a breed of red and white cattle from the native red Bavarian type. These early cattlemen selected animals that could withstand the harsh conditions of the region and still produce meat and milk.
The name Pinzgauer derives from the district of Pinzgau in Austria near Salzburg and from the Pinz Valley of Austria. The designation 'Pinzgauer' appears for the first time in documents of the 1600s and herd books from the region dated in the 1700s show that selective breeding had been going on for some time.
This region of origin is irregular in topography, very rocky, and unpredictable in terms of weather. Temperatures may drop quite suddenly so these Pinzgauer ancestors had to have the hardy constitution to deal with such extremes. These early tough origins have probably done much to enable Pinzgauers to survive, and in fact flourish in a variety of often difficult conditions around the world. By the end of the eighteenth century selective breeding resulted in fairly fixed breed characteristics and the animals began to catch the eye of cattlemen from other parts of greater Europe. Soon Pinzgauers were seen grazing in the fields of Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Germany and Yugoslavia.
In the early nineteen hundreds South African farmers travelling in Europe were impressed by the Pinzgauer's adaptability and qualities and soon large numbers of breeding cattle were on their way to their homeland. The breed proved to be a phenomenal success in South Africa's arid conditions, to the extent that South Africa now has the largest herd of Pinzgauers in the world.
This adaptability and hardiness was further proved with the Pinzgauers highly successful introduction to Canada in 1972 and the US in 1974.
Pinzgauers continue to thrive in a wide range of extremely varied climatic conditions proving their remarkable adaptability. From the mountains of Europe, the frozen prairies of Canada to the semi arid areas of South Africa, the breed has thrived.
The first record of Pinzgauers in Australia was in the early 1900’s. It is not known for sure how they got here but some may have come on to Australia at the same time that they were imported to South Africa. Such is the dominance of their unique markings that traces of that early herd can still be seen in the paddocks of the Hunter Valley. In 1990 renewed interest was shown in Pinzgauer with a quantity of embryos and semen being imported from Canada. Selective breeding complemented with genetics imported from South Africa and Europe has seen the breed developed in Australia as a beef breed. Originally a horned breed, intensive effort has been put into breeding a polled dominant breed and this is now showing results.
Ron & Barb Kellener of Dungog in the Hunter Valley NSW have had Pinzgauer cattle for over 90 years. As Ron is 90 years old, he says they have had pinzgauer cattle since he was born. Ron says they kept their colour and distinct marking all those years without any infusion of pinzgauer semen.
The Hunter Valley region story goes that a ship from South Africa docked to Newcastle in 1910 had four pregnant pinzgauer cows on it and they were left behind when the ship returned to South Africa as they were too pregnant to return. Ron says he obtained some pinzgauer semen in the late 1980s.
Officially the first Pinzgauer came to Australia in 1988 from Canada. One heifer in calf and one bull to Ingham in Queensland by Jens & Karin Hinrishsen. In 1989 seven people imported 16 head of pinzgauer pregnant heifers. James Lonergan from Mudgee NSW 4, Ian Bush Bowning NSW 2, Jim Donald Cobram Vic 2 head, Jim Smith Bamawn Vic 2 head, Doug Lockwood Drouin Vic 2 head, Barry Walker Lockington Vic 2 head, Alan Starling Kingston SA 2 head. David Russell bought from James Lonergan’s heifers Mossvale Burrawang NSW 2 head.
Karl Stoeckler & Colin Finger both of Ripplebrook Victoria imported 5 pregnant heifers direct from Austria, including horns, 3 for Karl and 2 for Colin.
Other farmers that imported semen in the late 1980s and 1990s were Stewart Brooksmith New Zealand, Ray James Narine SA, Roxene Kingston Forest Tas, Ian Boardman NSW, Ray & Laurelle Price NSW.
In 1989 these seven people organised two steerings meeting to be held in Shepparton Vic to set up by-laws and a constitution. In 1990 our first AGM was held at the North Albury Golf Club NSW. At our first AGM Jim Donald was electected president, Colin Finger Vice President, David Russell Minute Secretary, Doug Lockwood Treasurer, with the Kiama Stud Registration Centre to be our Secretariat. Australia was divided into four regions, with each region having three councillors with one retiring after the first 12 months and two retiring the next 12 months or all being available for re-election :-
- 1 NSW & ACT
- 2 Victoria & West Australia
- 3 Queensland & NT
- 4 South Australia, Western Australia & Tasmania
Over the 29 years we have had quite a few presidents:
- Jim Donald 2 years
- Doug Lockwood 10 years
- Bruce Walker 6 years
- John Murdica 2 years
- Ivan Dunkley 1 year
- David Wells 3 years
- Ray Price 3 years
- Paul O’Brien 2 years
Doug Lockwood and David Russell
Minute Secretaries have been:
David Russell, Jim Smith, Annie Walker, Lynne Wells, Ray Price and Lynne Wells.
Treasurers :
Doug Lockwood, Karl Stoeckler, Jim Smith, John Murdica and Ray Price.
Members :
In the 29 years we have had 195 members, maybe not all prefix members, but over 100 have had prefix stud registrations. The remainder bought cattle off members, but did not become members, after being offered membership.
The number of registered cattle over the 29 years is 2117 registered head.
To my information and memory this is true and correct formation of the Pinzgauer Society over the last 29 years. Anyone with any further information or records would be greatly appreciated.Doug Lockwood
