Time out for our grazing animals on the holiday farms

When the stable is empty and our cows
to allow oneself a break

For some cows in summer, it's time to get out of the stable and up into the mountains with lush green meadows. Some stables are therefore empty in the warm summer months . You should take this into account when planning your holiday on the farm and ask the farm again.

But even without animals in the stable, there are many ways to pass the time on a farm. Such as helping in the stable, collecting eggs, harvesting hay, cooking, etc. Many holiday farms also offer guided hikes for young and old in their alpine huts and often tell exciting experiences of shepherds and dairymaids and stories about the customs of the region. You can also enjoy the wonderfully fragrant mountain herbs and colorful flowers on hikes in the great outdoors.

Alpine time on the holiday farms

Depending on the weather, the holiday season for some grazing animals starts in mid-May to mid-June and ends before it gets too cold and wintry again, around mid-September . The animals are usually transported in livestock trucks or, if possible, driven on foot to the higher pastures. The herd is led by an experienced leader cow, the head of the herd. Some sheep, goats and horses also enjoy grazing on the lush pastures in the local mountains. Alpine pastures offer very nutritious fodder , which the grazing animals eat on their own.

The return of the animals is celebrated with festivals in many communities in Upper Austria, Carinthia, Salzburg, Styria, Tyrol and Vorarlberg. The cattle are decorated and driven from the alpine meadows into the valley with hand-tied bushes and bells. Our tip: It's better to book early if you want to be part of this spectacle, as the sleeping accommodations at the holiday farms are quickly booked out .

The best snack is on an alpine pasture

Some holiday farms also offer alpine excursions . Who doesn't know what it's like to stay in a cozy alpine pasture after a strenuous hike and let yourself be pampered with homemade delicacies . Homemade, fresh bread, cheese, butter, milk and homemade schnapps are often offered with the regional dishes.

On you and you with the cow

Encountering cows cannot be avoided on many hiking trails, but instead of taking selfies with the grazing animals and petting small calves, you should definitely observe the following rules: stay calm, do not feed animals, cows are not cuddly animals and should not be petted, large distance from young animals - it's better not to mess with the mother cow and entry into fenced pastures is prohibited! The following applies to behavior on the Alpine pasture with dogs : keep the four-legged friends on a short leash and avoid encounters with the mother cows.

Farm holidays even in the off-season?

There is also a lot going on on local farms in spring, autumn and winter. The livestock needs to be looked after, the fields need to be cared for, machines need to be maintained, the garden needs to be planted and much more. This means you can often help out in the business and occasionally look over the farm boss's shoulder while she cooks.

No matter what time of year, on the holiday farm of your choice, it will definitely never be boring and if you want, you can also experience a relaxing and quiet time . There is something for everybody!