Extreme drought in Alps forces early cattle relocation and threatens farms

An extreme drought across the Alpine arc is forcing farmers to relocate livestock weeks earlier than usual and depleting water and pasture resources, raising fears of severe economic losses. In Switzerland, Austria, France, and Germany, the lack of rain and persistent heat have left mountain pastures parched, with streams drying up and grass growth stunted.

Impact on livestock. Jeanette Jöhl, a Swiss farmer, told Tagesanzeiger she had to move her 120 cows from high-altitude pastures to the valley, calling it unprecedented Source: euronewses. Many farmers have also brought down recently calved cows, which require more water and feed. Heat stress is a growing concern: for cows, temperatures above 16°C cause strain, and for pigs above 20°C Source: euronewses. In previous dry summers (2015, 2018), helicopters were used to bring water, but costs are now prohibitive Source: infobae.

Economic strain. The drought is pushing up costs and reducing income. In Switzerland, Proviande reported 230 more cattle sent to slaughter in one week compared to the previous year, and reference prices have fallen Source: euronewses. French farming associations are urging emergency government aid. Tobias Häring, a farmer in Germany's Black Forest, warned, "If the year is this dry again, it will be truly serious" Source: infobae.

Regional responses. Austrian authorities are considering early cattle descent; where infrastructure exists, water is trucked up from valleys. Politicians in the Swiss canton of St. Gallen are exploring water reservoirs similar to those used for snow-making, though pumping requires electricity Source: euronewses.