Summer is over. The alpine farmers in traditional costumes bring their cattle from the mountains back into the valley in Upper Bavaria. A spectacle.
Schönau am Königssee – Cows were brought home from the alpine pastures on ships at Königssee after the summer. The animals of the Saletalm in Upper Bavaria, adorned with bells and wreaths, were driven across the water on boats on Saturday in cool, sunny autumn weather. Numerous onlookers followed the spectacle.
More cows from another pasture should follow in a few days. In contrast to the Allgäu, where there are large cattle drives, in Upper Bavaria, as a rule, every farm brings its animals into the valley for itself.
Overall, the alpine farmers see a good season. “There was enough feed all summer,” said Hans Stöckl, managing director of the Upper Bavarian Alpine Farming Association. The heavy rain ensured good grass growth on the alpine pastures. However, the upwelling was delayed on the higher mountain pastures. Some of the cattle were only allowed to graze two weeks later – in June – because it was cold for a long time and there was snow.
A total of around 55,000 cattle, sheep, goats and horses are brought to the high Alps and alpine pastures in Bavaria in the summer. dpa
