Drought drives surge in cattle slaughtering in Salzburg

The number of cattle slaughtered each day at the Alpenrind slaughterhouse in Salzburg has risen from about 250 to 400, ORF reports. Many farmers are being forced to drastically reduce their herds because of drought, with no end in sight without substantial rainfall.

The agricultural sector across Salzburg is facing severe problems after receiving no significant precipitation since the winter months. Groundwater reserves are falling, and cattle feed is also becoming scarce.

Experts say supplies of water for livestock and drinking water in Salzburg’s agriculture are no longer guaranteed. Animals are being brought down early from several alpine pastures because of water shortages, while slaughtering planned for the autumn is being brought forward.

Alpenrind is the largest cattle slaughtering operation in the wider region and is dealing with an extreme increase in daily slaughterings. Bruno Deutinger, the Salzburg Chamber of Agriculture’s director of livestock breeding, said a reversal of the trend would require widespread, substantial rainfall.

Deutinger warned that some farms could become trapped in a vicious circle. If water and feed run out, animals are slaughtered early to reduce herd sizes. This means farmers lose income, putting their livelihoods at risk.

Salzburg currently has 160,000 cattle. Half are dairy cows and suckler cows, while the remainder are calves and bulls.