Livestock farming from Geneva

The Canton of Geneva is not particularly known for livestock farming, but all main types of farm animal are raised here along with some specialty livestock.

Cattle

The number of cows suckling young is slightly inferior to the number of dairy cows. Cows in the first group are raised with their calves, with all the animals destined for meat production. Dairy cows, however, are raised for their milk; their young are taken from them so that the milk can be used for dairy purposes. In 2005, there were 2,547 head of cattle in the canton.

Sheep

Over 2,000 sheep graze Geneva’s countryside. A Swiss breed, the blanc des Alpes, or Swiss White Alpine, predominates. Their characteristics include good meat yield and high rate of fertility, with ewes lambing more than once a year. Geneva breeders introduced the Rouge de l'Ouest to Switzerland. This French breed is characterized by the pinkish color of its head and limbs, and it produces excellent meat. In Geneva, sheep are mainly raised for their meat. Lamb designates the meat of an animal less than one year old.

Goats

Currently, there are some 250 goats in Geneva. Different breeds include Chamoisee (brown with black markings), which are good milk producers, yielding up to four liters a day. The Grisons Striped Goat (black with white on the face and limbs) is also found. This breed produces milk as well. A few Nubian goats give high-quality milk, rich in fat and protein, although they produce little of it. Raising this breed is still in the experimental stages in Geneva. Goats are raised mainly for their milk, from which cheese is made. Goat meat is also sold.

Lamas and alpacas

Fewer than 50 llamas and alpacas graze Geneva’s pastures. Llamas, originally from South America, differ mainly from alpacas in size (llamas are larger), the shape of their ears, and straight backs well adapted to pack carrying. Alpacas are raised more for their fine wool than their meat.

Buffalo

Buffalo count among Geneva’s specialty livestock. Laurent Girardet raises some 160 head at his farm in Collex-Bossy on the Right Bank. The animals, fed on grass in summer and hay from the Girardet farm in winter, are put out to pasture for at least two years before slaughter.

Pie chart of livestock farming in Geneva.