Around the mountain pasture: animal customs and traditions

Thinking of Tyrol immediately conjures up images that are almost clichéd: majestic mountains, lush meadows where cows graze peacefully and rustic alpine huts nestled picturesquely in the landscape. Nature and tradition are inextricably interwoven here. But even though time has changed many things - Alpine pastures that used to be difficult to reach on foot are now easily accessible by car or cable car, and modern equipment makes work easier - there are some things that don't change. And that's a good thing!

Tradition and biodiversity on the alpine pasture

Alpine pastures have always played an important role in Tyrolean agriculture. Research carried out by the University of Innsbruck has shown that as early as the Neolithic Age, Alpine inhabitants used the high-altitude meadows for grazing. Over the centuries, many traditions and customs have developed as a result. One of the best known is probably the Cattle drivewhich heralds the start of the fall season. For this article, I spoke to farmers who told me more about the cattle drives and the breeding of old livestock breeds. I visited some of these old and endangered animals on the Arztaler Alm and I am very happy to tell you about them.

A Tyrolean cultural asset

When we think of pigs, we probably all have the same image in mind: a fat, pink animal, right? Of course, that's not wrong. But there is much more - an astonishing variety of species. Of course, this also applies to sheep, cows, goats and chickens. In today's agriculture, however, the focus is primarily on performance, according to the motto: the more, the better. More eggs, more milk, more meat. Only "more" biodiversity does not seem to be so important. However, this targeted breeding means that some things fall by the wayside, including animal welfare. This is one of the reasons why the Mair family from the Gasthof Neuwirt in Ellbögen decided to breed old livestock breeds. "For us, it's not just about profit, we see these old breeds as a cultural asset and thus keep the tradition alive," says Alois Mair. "My family has specialized in these breeds for as long as I can remember. We have been an Ark farm for around 25 years."

What is an ark farm?

Many people know that species of wild plants and animals are dying out every day. But did you know that this fate also threatens many of our livestock and domestic animal breeds? To be honest, I didn't. Ark farms actively campaign for the preservation of these old breeds and at the same time inform the public about their importance. They offer a platform to raise awareness of biodiversity and show how these animals can be sustainably integrated into agriculture. Ark farms thus actively contribute to preserving a piece of living cultural history.

Pigs with sunburn

Pustertal Sprinzen, Tux cattle, Blobe goats or Turopolje pigs: breeds that many people have probably never heard of. This is a shame, because these are old animals that are threatened with extinction and must be protected at all costs. Why? As already mentioned, there are many reasons. Among other things, these breeds are particularly robust and cope well with alpine conditions. One example: Did you know that the well-known pink piggies get sunburnt quickly? Especially in the hot season, the animals like to be outdoors. "Our pigs spend the whole summer on the alpine pasture. Due to their dark color, they are more protected from the sun than their pink relatives," Alois Mair tells me. This naturally has an effect on the well-being of the animals and ultimately on the quality of the meat. Animals that spend a lot of time in nature and on the pasture lead a happier life - this naturally also applies to cows and sheep.

Up to the Arztaler Alm

If you would like to see the animals for yourself, you should visit the Neuwirt Inn for a visit. Here you can enjoy a wonderful vacation and/or delicious, original Tyrolean specialties. "Most of our products come from our own farm," says Alois Mair. If you like, you can also visit the animals on the Arztaler Alm visit. Especially if you are looking for an alpine pasture off the beaten track, the Hike to the Arztaler Alm is perfect. From the Hinterlarcher parking lot (fee required), it takes around one and a half hours to hike to the alpine pasture, either via the forest road or the trail. Once at the top, a well-earned refreshment and, of course, the animals await.

A camel on summer vacation

As for the animals: I immediately fell in love with the cute little pigs! But the cattle and sheep are also incredibly sweet to look at, and you can tell that they are allowed to lead a good life. The animal I saw first, however, has absolutely nothing to do with old, endangered livestock breeds: a camel! Yes, you read that right - a camel also spends its summer vacation on the Arztaler Alm. "It belongs to a friend," Alois tells me. "He asked me if the camel could spend the summer on the mountain pasture, and as it's a lovely, peaceful animal, I naturally said yes."

Summer on the mountain pasture

The time spent on the mountain pasture is of great importance for both the animals and the farmers. While sheep, cattle and horses enjoy the lush alpine meadows with their valuable herbs, the farmers in the valley can bring in the fodder for the winter. "If the animals stayed in the valley all year round, there would be a shortage of winter fodder," explains Alexander Danlerwho works as a shepherd in Fotschertal in summer and tends the sheep. The rest of the year he works as a municipal worker. He uses his vacation and time off to be with the animals on the mountain pasture in summer. Having people like him is a great stroke of luck. If it weren't for people like him who look after the mountain pastures, we would have a big problem - we should all be aware of that.

Summer is coming to an end

Unfortunately, even the most beautiful summer comes to an end. In the Innsbruck region, the Cattle drive marks the end of the alpine summer every year and is a special experience for locals and guests alike. It traditionally starts with the Sheep drive in Axamswhich always takes place on September 6, followed by the ceremonial cattle drive the following week on September 14 Cattle drive.

Transhumance of the sheep

On September 6, around 1,100 to 1,200 sheep are driven back to the village from the Seealm in the Fotschertal valley - popularly known asthe"Hintra-Alm" - as part of the so-called transhumance of the sheep. Around midday, the animals are brought back to Axams where their arrival is celebrated with a small festival - without much fanfare, but with a lot of heart for tradition and customs. "Around 25 members of the association take part in the drive, all generations are welcome and even the youngest children can join in," Thomas Brecher, Chairman of the Axams Sheep Breeding Association, tells me.

Watch out, the cattle are coming

One week later, on September 14, the cattle drive Cattle drive. Around 500 animals return from the Almindalm and Seealm in the Fotschertal as well as from the Schafalm in the Axamer Lizum. It takes around 15 "gschdandene Mander" to "tame" such a large herd. The cattle, herdsmen and shepherds arrive in Axams around midday. The festively decorated animals are a particular highlight: the herdsmen lovingly tie so-called "Büschlschl" made from alpine flowers and Swiss stone pine branches - all purely natural materials, as Thomas Brecher emphasizes: "Only what grows on the alp is used - nothing artificial."

In the neighboring community of Mutters the cattle drive is also celebrated on September 14. Tradition and a love of customs are at the forefront of the cattle drive - a real piece of Tyrolean culture!

Information about

Arztaler Alm
Oberellbögen 2, 6083 Ellbögen

Hike to the Arztaler Alm
From the Hinterlarcher parking lot in Oberellbögen, which is subject to a fee, follow the forest path through the natural Arztal valley to the Arztaler Alm

Gasthof Neuwirt
Niederstraße 119, 6083 Ellbögen
Homepage

Great Axamer sheep drive
When: 6.9.2024, starting at 12:15
Where: Roundabout, village center, Hauptstraße, Georg-Bucher-Straße and Innsbruckerstraße, 6094 Axams

Axamer Almabtrieb of the cattle
When: 14.9.2024, starting at 12:30
Where: traffic circle, village center, Hauptstraße, Georg-Bucher-Straße and Innsbruckerstraße, 6094 Axams

Mother's cattle drive of the cattle
When: 14.9.2024 start at 12:30
Where: Music pavilion, Kirchplatz, 6162 Mutters

Cover picture: © Werner Kräutler