Autumn

Falling temperatures, ever-shortening days, and the vibrant colors of the forests make it unmistakably clear: autumn has arrived, bringing with it a time of change and preparation. Just as nature prepares for winter, our mountain farmers also face many tasks. Final clearing work is carried out, and mountain huts are renovated to prepare them for the harsh weather conditions. For the animals on the alpine pastures, the alpine summer is also now over. They are led back to the valley pastures during the traditional cattle drive, before spending the winter protected from the elements in the stable. Additionally, necessary maintenance work is undertaken at the home farm. Once again, autumn proves to be a time of transition for mountain farmers, and of intensive care for their farms and nature.

A view through a window into a rustic kitchen with a wood-burning stove, hanging jackets, and a table laden with various foods.

Burning of the cleared piles

As we demonstrated in the summer, "Schwenden" (clearing by burning) is necessary for the preservation and protection of alpine pastures. Klaus Schreyer and his friends fell and chop selected trees for this purpose, piling up branches and heavy tree sections. After about two to three weeks, these cleared piles are then burned. Transporting the material away would simply not be economical, as it would only be possible on foot or by helicopter due to the inaccessibility of the terrain. In addition to preventing the areas from becoming overgrown again, burning the piles also prevents pests from nesting in the cleared material and infesting the adjacent forest. If burning is to take place, the project must be officially reported in advance, strict legal regulations must be observed, and surrounding fire departments must be informed. Otherwise, the fire and the massive smoke development could trigger unnecessary rescue operations.

Four people felling and processing logs in the forest, two sawing with chainsaws, two chopping wood with axes.

Four men felling and cutting trees in a wooded mountain area on a sunny day.

Two men in hats walking on a grassy, wooded hillside next to several controlled fire pits with smoke.

Three men in straw hats and work trousers checking a small brush fire in the mountain forest on a sunny day.

Mountain farmer in work clothes and straw hat tending a fire pit in the forest on a grassy hill.

Man in work clothes carrying a pitchfork on his shoulder, standing in a green alpine meadow in front of a forest.

Two farmers extinguishing smoke and fire on a grassy mountain slope, one throwing a bucket.

Forest clearing with burning logs, smoke, and sunbeams shining through tall conifers.

Weather resistance and sustainable structures

Maintaining buildings in the mountains is a constant challenge, as the weather at higher altitudes is significantly harsher than in the valley. Regular renovation work is therefore unavoidable, especially on roofs, which need to be re-tiled approximately every 20 years. The weather-exposed sides of the huts also require good protection. The Mayr family uses fir shingles from their own forest for this purpose. Thanks to their sawmill and their son's craft training, they can carry out the work themselves. Another important aspect is stable maintenance: floors and walls are regularly cleaned with hot water to ensure hygiene. The Hölzl family has also converted their old stable into a free-range barn, offering the animals more space and better access to the outdoors. Despite their significant self-contribution, the financial burden remains substantial and creates a certain uncertainty, which is further exacerbated by frequently changing legal requirements.

Shirtless man with tattoos working intently on a wooden roof outdoors.

Three men in front of a rustic wooden hut with red flowers in window boxes, while one takes photos of the other two.

Three men installing roof tiles on a pitched roof in a sunny mountain landscape.

Two men working on scaffolding near a roof in a rural, wooded area.

Two men on a pitched roof, one kneeling shirtless and working, the other standing with a blue shirt and red ladder, with green alpine pastures and mountains in the background.

Craftsman roofing a pitched roof with grey tiles in a green mountain landscape.

Several men are roofing a large roof with dark tiles in a mountainous, tree-filled landscape.

Two craftsmen are working on a wooden wall of a building; one is standing on scaffolding and attaching shingles.

A man with a hat operates a Bosch cordless drill during woodworking.

Three men work on wood outdoors with power tools on an improvised workbench in front of a hut.

A boy works in the stable, shoveling straw and manure near cows, while a man in work clothes and rubber boots stands next to him.

A craftsman working with wood outdoors in front of a forest and mountains.

A craftsman installs wooden shingles on a building with a power tool.

A person cleans a dark, dusty stable with a high-pressure cleaner, with a beam of light falling through the window.

Happy mountain farmers stand in front of a wooden stable; one holds a broom and the other an electrical cable plug.

Aerial view of a farm with several buildings, surrounded by green meadows and trees in sunlight.

Cow shed illuminated at night with cows visible through windows, with snow and footprints in front.

A man works at a milking parlor, visible through a window in a wall fitted with pipes.

A craftsman with a green headscarf repairs pipes on a tiled wall.

A craftsman opens the rear doors of a delivery van loaded with tools, in front of a farmhouse.

Shell construction of a stable with construction materials, concrete pillars, and cables on the floor.

Interior view of a modern, bright cow shed with a concrete floor and feeding facilities, currently unoccupied.

Saying goodbye to the alpine summer

The alpine cattle drive marks the end of summer for mountain farmers and their livestock – a deeply rooted tradition. For the Leitner family, who manage two alpine pastures, the cattle drive follows a well-organized grazing cycle: The young animals start in April on the lower alpine pasture (Niederalm), then move to the high alpine pasture (Hochalm), and return to the Niederalm in late summer before being brought back to the valley. This ensures each pasture is optimally grazed. The drive, usually at the end of September, requires the support of the entire family and several helpers. Weather, forage availability, and water sources on the alpine pasture influence the exact timing. The festive decoration of the animals, originally a sign of an accident-free summer, is part of this tradition. The alpine cattle drive is a cultural event in the Alpine region that celebrates the connection between humans, animals, and nature.

People hike with rain gear and hiking poles on a foggy alpine meadow in front of a wooded hill.

Fog-shrouded mountain meadow with a herd of cows and several people accompanying them.

A person in outdoor clothing with a stick stands on a grassy alpine meadow in front of a brown and white cow with a bell around its neck in foggy weather.

Cows on a foggy alpine meadow with a fir forest in the background and a person with a hood.

Farmers with cows on a foggy, green mountain meadow.

Farmers lead cows on a foggy mountain path with rocks and coniferous trees in the background.

Three people drive cows across a muddy meadow on a foggy day.

Farmers lead a herd of cows on a forest path in light rain.

A farmer with a stick leads a herd of brown and white cows along a mountain path in a green Alpine landscape.

Two women in outdoor clothing, one with a black hat and yellow jacket looking to the side, with brown cows and green trees in the background.

Several people help a cow walk into a livestock transporter in a meadow, with a tractor behind them.

A man with a hat and stick walks with an umbrella through a green, overgrown meadow in a foggy mountain area.

A man in traditional attire leans with a stick on a forest path, surrounded by dense green trees.

Traditional Stall Milking

Traditional stall milking requires the farmer to move from cow to cow and attach the milking equipment directly. This method allows for close contact with the animals, enabling quick detection of health issues like mastitis. The proximity also fosters a special bond between farmer and animal, which many farmers value. However, this type of milking is physically demanding, as it often involves working in a bent posture. The heavy milking equipment also needs regular cleaning, which is time-consuming. Despite the emotional connection, stall milking is strenuous and labor-intensive due to these factors.

A farmer feeds calves in individual metal enclosures outdoors on a farm.

Two farmers in protective clothing operate milking machines in a modern dairy barn.

Close-up of a young calf with yellow ear tags and curly fur on its head.

A farmer stirs milk in a bucket in a milk processing room with a metal container and open doors in the background.

A man in a green jacket feeds a calf in a barn with a large bottle.

Two farmers in work clothes are milking cows in a barn, while one cow peeks through a door.

Electric milking machines with blue motors and black hoses on a white-tiled wall.

A farmer in a plaid shirt and straw hat milks a brown and white cow in a barn.

Two farmers are milking cows in a barn, with one woman holding a milking machine and smiling.

Boy petting a brown and white cow in a barn with several cows.

Milking Parlor – A More Efficient Option

The milking parlor offers significant advantages in efficiency and ergonomics. Here, several cows can be milked simultaneously, which greatly speeds up the process. Regina Hölzl milks about seven to eight cows at once, saving up to two-thirds of the time compared to the traditional method. Since the work is done standing, the physical strain is reduced. However, a milking parlor requires high investments and sufficient space. Additionally, a free-stall barn is usually necessary to ensure cows have easy access. Despite the efficiency benefits, the construction of a milking parlor is therefore usually dependent on economic factors and long-term goals.

Female farmer in blue work clothes and gloves milking a cow in a barn.

Close-up of a person wearing gloves milking a cow, with milk flowing from the cow's udder.

A person is milking a cow in a barn with a milk-promoting device.

Milk is frothed in a large stainless steel tank with stirrers.

A woman and a man in rubber boots stand in front of a farm, while a cow emerges from the barn.

Female farmer in a headscarf operating an automatic milking system for cows in a modern milking shed.

Person in a green headscarf operating a milking machine in a milking parlor with cows.

An open container with a yellow label and the inscription 'Melkfett' stands on a wooden surface.

Old, dusty control device with a numeric keypad, symbol buttons, and a display mounted on a wall, with parts marked with numbers 5 and 6.

Traditional Milking in the Barn

The traditional method of milking in the barn requires the farmer to go from cow to cow and attach the milking equipment directly. This method allows for close contact with the animals, enabling quick detection of health problems such as mastitis. The proximity also fosters a special bond between farmer and animal, which many farmers value. However, this type of milking is physically demanding, as it often involves working in a bent posture. The heavy milking equipment also needs to be cleaned regularly, which is time-consuming. Despite the emotional connection, milking in the barn is strenuous and labor-intensive due to these factors.

Two smiling men in an apple orchard, each standing with a box full of apples in front of a fruit plantation under nets.

A small child in a striped hat and blue vest is placing apples into a wooden box in a fruit storage facility.

Two men carrying baskets and a box of apples through an apple orchard under nets.

A man in a blue polo shirt with a basket full of apples is picking apples in a row orchard under a protective net.

Two men picking apples from trees in an orchard during daylight.

Woman holding a box of fresh apples in a farm shop with shelves full of bottles and more apple boxes in the background.