Grazing management and pasture maintenance
Look at the films
Three entertaining films give an insight in the everyday work of passionate farmers in the Alps. How do the farmers and herders keep healthy animals, pastures in a good quality and enhance the diversity of species? How do they maintain their pastures? What proved its worth? What proved to be a failure?
They trigger light bulb moments in experts as well as lay persons and therefore are ideal to prepare for the alp season.
FROM FARMER TO FARMER: GRAZING MANAGEMENT AND PASTURE MAINTENANCE
Film 1: Non-intensive farming is worth it
Daniel and Hedi Siegenthaler. Alp Windbruch, organic family farm in Schangnau, Canton of Berne. 1200 – 1420 metres above sea level.
It is important to Daniel Siegenthaler to maintain his summer pastures in a sustainable way. It’s worth it: The pastures are in a good condition; the cattle are healthy and fit after summering and abundant plant and animal species please the whole family. This organic farm receives additional direct payment for hay meadows and low moors which are rich with orchids. In addition he can use the clippings as litter.
Film 2: Independent team manages a large summer dairy farm
Thomas Roffler and his team. Community farm of Grüsch, Canton of Graubünden. 1600 – 2200 metres above sea level.
This community farm is professionally managed by an independent team. The herder Adrian Werder explains how he portions high and step pastures. Thanks to a new milking parlour the cows and the staff have shorter ways. During summer nearly 1400 litres of milk are produced every day out of which the dairyman Bruno Werder makes cheese. Klaas Niggli organizes pasture maintenance with the community of Grüsch.
Film 3: Innovative pasture maintenance with dairy goats
Armin Andenmatten and Kirsten Anhalt. Leased summer farm in Aminona, Alpage du Scex, Canton of Valais. 1800 – 2500 metres above sea level.
150 milk goats crop the fast growing young growth, green alder and the yellow gentian. Like this Armin Andenmatten can keep the valuable pastures free. The herder Manuel Forte explains how he prevents cattle treading with the portion meadow also in high altitudes. With the milk of cows and goats Kirsten Anhalt makes several products, which they sell in Zermatt and Crans-Montana.