Study on guided grazing in the starting blocks

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As part of LIFEstockProtect, several areas in Austria, Bavaria and South Tyrol are being monitored over a period of four years in order to assess the impact of grazing on vegetation and biodiversity.

At the beginning of July, an initial inspection took place on the pastureland of the Schlandrauner Alminteressentschaft in South Tyrol, which had shown interest in a collaboration. In addition to LIFEstockProtect employees, representatives of the local forestry station, the vegetation ecologist responsible for selecting the study areas and the vice-chairman of the interest group were also present.

What is guided grazing?

In guided grazing, the grazing cattle graze the vegetation on the land under the guidance of a shepherd, depending on the suitability of the pasture. This makes it possible to make optimum use of the vegetation and maintain it as pasture for the long term. This method has great potential to prevent excessive feed losses and the emergence of pasture weeds. On alpine pastures, for example, tethering the animals prevents them from moving straight to the highest pastures below the mountain ridge, where they would graze the young grasses and herbs. As a result, hardly any fresh fodder can grow there, while the lower-lying and more productive pastures age unused.

What happens in Schlandraun?

Shepherd Hubert Stieger is responsible for around 500 sheep from several owners. His shepherd’s hut is located at an altitude of around 2300 meters and he spends the entire summer there. Since the start of the season, he has been trying to get the groups of sheep used to each other and build up a cohesive herd by penning the animals with pasture nets.

It is important to the Alpine pasture owners to make the best possible use of the pastures entrusted to them and to preserve them so that they can be passed on to future generations. As this is a cultivated Alpine landscape, this is only possible through targeted grazing practices. The first prerequisite for this is the availability of sufficiently calved animals and, secondly, good knowledge and care in the grazing itself. With a grazing plan from LIFEstockProtect and the constant presence of the shepherd, this would be possible!

What do Shepherd and the Alpine pasture interest group about livestock protection?

In an emergency, they are prepared for this thanks to the guided grazing that has already been implemented. By coupling the animals and the presence of a shepherd, basic protection measures are in place. Guided grazing can therefore not only improve pasture care and feed quality, but also better protect the animals from attacks.

LIFEstockProtect will work closely with Schlandraun over the next four years and provide support during the alpine pasture season.