The Aubrac breed is a moderate-framed, highly maternal breed from southern France that was developed centuries ago for production of forage-based beef. The Aubrac region supports little grain production, so economic reality has propelled selection for productive and efficient beef cattle.

As the U.S. industry moves toward more moderate-framed, deeper-bodied and practical cattle, Aubrac have caught the attention of many cattlemen.

French and U.S. Aubrac breeders have placed strong emphasis on cows that calve on a regular basis -- or they leave the herd. Maternal calving ease is exceptional. Cows have sound udders and optimal milk production for our major beef producing areas in the United States.

Aubrac cattle will complement British cattle and add muscle in the resulting crosses. They are not as heavily muscled as extreme continental cattle, and therefore avoid the problems associated with those genetics, including calving difficulty and reduced carcass quality.

Introduced to the United States in three separate importations -- the first in the late 1970s, the second in the early 1990s and the third in the mid-1990s -- the Aubrac breed in North America today enjoys strong genetic diversity as a result of these importations.

Some of the U.S. breed's original founders include the Svomas of Wisconsin; Dr. Wayne Vanderwert of Missouri; Eric Grant of Colorado/Missouri; Scott Fredrickson of Montana; and Wayne Bollum of Minnesota, all of whom have remained committed to the breed since the early 1990s or earlier.