von Gast Blogger
03 September 2018
SUMMER
Almabtrieb: When the cows come back home...
Cows are as much a part of Tyrol as lederhosen and dirndls, dumplings in the alpine pastures, or the breathtaking mountain scenery that surrounds us. In summer, the animals spend their time on the alpine meadows and the surrounding grazing areas. When they return from the mountains to the valleys in autumn, this is celebrated with a colorful festival called "Almabtrieb."
Summer freshness in the alpine pastures
At the beginning of May, when the first juicy grass has grown and is ready as feed for the ruminants, the cows are already happy again. After a long winter in the barn, it means: summer freshness in the alpine pastures.
Cows in the Stall
Cows are brought from their respective stables to the alpine pastures by tractor trailer. There were 240 in Leutasch in 2017. But not all are allowed to go. Mother cows and female calves have a free pass to the green pastures. Young bulls over six months old, however, have to settle for the grazing areas in the valley. "We cannot send bulls to the alpine pastures. Most become sexually mature around six months, and that would be too dangerous because we would then be bringing home cows that should not be pregnant from the alpine pastures in the autumn," explains Florian Mössmer, a young farmer from Leutasch. He himself has 48 head of cattle in the area around the Rotmoosalm in Gaistal during the summer.
Cows in the pasture at dawn near Rotmoosalm
Brown, spotted and grey cattle live peacefully alongside highland cattle, Galloway cattle, 20 horses and sheep throughout the summer.
But of course, the cows up there are not left to their own devices. Herdsmen are responsible for checking on them and reporting whether any of the cows might be injured or even sick. They must have seen all the animals at least once every day. During the summer, milking is not done for a long time.
Herders on the Day of the Alpine Cattle Drive with Decorated Cow
The festive gathering
Already on the day before the cattle drive, the farmers gather in the Gaistal to prepare for the big day. The livestock is herded from the individual pastures and held at the height of the Gaistalalm in a meadow, an enclosed area.
In the evening, the herders, dairy maids, and farmers come together, for a cattle drive needs to be well planned, after all, around 130 tons of "live weight" will be moving downstream. An adult cow weighs around 650 kilograms, calves around 150. And if you’ve ever been chased by a running cow, you know: they can get pretty fast.
Mother cows with their traditional accessories
The large bells that are hung around the necks of mother cows are polished until they shine, and the wide leather straps are carefully cleaned. Mirrors, which the cows wear on their heads, are also a fixed annual component in a mountain pasture drive. But the most impressive accessory at the cattle drive is the headgear, known as the "Aufbüscheln" of the cows. Crowns made of mountain pine, rowan branches, and colorful ribbons are placed on some of the cows. It is an imposing and graceful sight when the heavy animal trots proudly and contentedly into the valley with it.
The year has gone well – the animals are being "bushwhacked"
However, not every year do the spectators of the Almabtrieb get to enjoy seeing the adorned cows. "Cows are only adorned when the summer has gone well and we do not have to mourn the loss of a single animal," Florian Mössmer explains to us. Unfortunately, this was not the case in 2017. Two cows fell in the mountains of the Gaistal during the summer. Therefore, the cows were accompanied down into the valley this year without their crowns, but with bells and mirrors instead.
Cows Grazing, Adorned with Traditional Accessories
The Long Way to the Valley
After around four months in the alpine pasture, the big day has finally arrived. "The cattle know they are going home again", the herders and farmers are certain. They are a little nervous, especially the young animals that have never experienced this spectacle before.
From Gaistal, it takes about an hour and a half to cover around six kilometers to Leutasch Weidach. The shepherds and herders lead the way, trying to keep the first cows in check with long sticks and salt in their pockets. If the front ones start running, the following mass pushes forward. An hour and a half of intense concentration and hard work for the farmers.
The large meadow in front of the church is the destination for now, as a small church fair is held there to celebrate the alpine descent. The cows are grazing here for the first time again in the valley, and the farmers have earned a cold beer. From there, it finally continues to the respective meadows and fields of the farmers.
If you listen very closely, you can hear it: the cows are already counting down the days until winter is over, May arrives, and the next adventure in the alpine begins.
The Shepherds on the Day of the Cattle Drive
The cattle drive down from the mountains will take place at the beginning of September, depending on the weather, and will be announced on our homepage in the event calendar.
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