Evolène

Evolène cattle are a rare Swiss mountain breed from the Valais, especially the Val d'Herens area around the village of Evolène. They are small to medium horned cattle, traditionally dual-purpose, with red, brown, or black patches on white and a compact build suited to steep alpine pastures. Their white spotting helps separate them from the closely related Hérens cattle, which are usually darker and more solid in color.

Most Evolène herds are kept by smallholders, alpine farms, and rare-breed breeders rather than large commercial dairies. The cattle are used for household milk, suckler calves, local meat, and conservation grazing on terrain where heavier breeds may be less convenient. Horns and strong herd-ranking behavior call for thoughtful handling facilities and enough space at feed barriers. Because numbers are low, breeding plans usually emphasize maintaining family lines and avoiding a narrow genetic base as much as increasing production.

Colors: Belted, Black, Black and White, Blaze Faced, Blue Roan, Brindle, Brockle Faced, Brown, Brown and White, Dun, Gray, Lineback, Mottled, Red, Red and White, Red Roan, Roan, Silver, Solid Black, Solid Red, Speckled, Spotted, White, White Faced, Yellow