Heat forces Lower Austrian farmers to bring cattle down early

Persistent heat is forcing farmers in Lower Austria to bring cattle down from mountain pastures earlier than ever because feed is running short, ORF reported.

At the Kleinzeller Hinteralm mountain pasture in the Lilienfeld district, about 150 animals belonging to 24 farmers would normally be grazing in August. The number has now fallen to 90, as farmers have brought animals back to the valley in recent days.

The cattle are finding less lush grass, while even small thunderstorms, which have often helped the pastures through dry periods, have failed to arrive this year, said Josef Mayerhofer, chairman of the Lower Austrian Association for Alpine Pasture and Grazing Management.

While only some pastures previously suffered from prolonged drought, all of Lower Austria’s pastures are affected this year, Mayerhofer said. Many farmers are using water tanks to supply their animals, with fire brigades also helping in some cases. Several springs at the Kleinzeller Hinteralm are still providing enough water.

Lower Austria has about 280 alpine farmers and around 5,000 cattle. Many animals normally remain on the pastures until the end of September. Their early return is worsening conditions on the farms, where some farmers are already feeding their winter reserves or trying to buy additional feed.

Feed is becoming difficult to obtain nearby, Mayerhofer said. Supplies are most readily available from other federal states. The Chamber of Agriculture has therefore set up a nationwide feed exchange.

Many farmers do not yet know how they will manage the situation. Some are already considering sending breeding cattle for slaughter, Mayerhofer said, warning that this would reduce the number of animals available in coming years.