Damon Mcknight
Austria has a lot of cows because cattle farming and milk production are the most important lines of production in its agricultural sector. The country's beef market is characterised by oversupply, with about 1.85 million to 1.9 million cattle in Austria. The Federal Association of Austrian Cattle Breeders (ZAR) is the umbrella organisation of all Austrian Cattle Breeding Organisations, with 22,000 farms and over 400,000 cows working to improve the breeding population for individual breeds. The country also has a centuries-old tradition of herding cows from mountain pastures back to foothill farms, which has become a modern tourist attraction.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cattle breeds maintained | 23 |
| Total number of cattle | 1.85 million |
| Number of suckler cows | 185,000 |
| Number of cattle farmers | 55,400 |
| Number of cattle farms | 50,400 |
| Average herd density | 36 cattle per farm |
| Production value in 2023 | 926 million euros |
| Percentage of animal production | 20% |
| Self-sufficiency rate in 2023 | 148% |
| Percentage of dairy cows in total cow stock | 70% |
| Gross beef production per year | 220,000 tonnes |
| Percentage of production value (including milk) | 63% of total animal production |
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What You'll Learn
Austria's beef market is characterised by oversupply
Secondly, Austria's agricultural landscape is predominantly grassland, with almost 60% of its utilised agricultural area falling under this category. This abundance of grassland makes cattle farming and milk production the most important lines of production in Austrian agriculture. With a large number of cattle farms and farmers, it is not surprising that there is a high volume of beef produced in the country.
Additionally, the average Austrian cattle farmer keeps around 28 cattle, and there are about 55,400 cattle farmers in the country as of 2024. This contributes to a substantial collective cattle population, which further exacerbates the oversupply situation. The majority of Austrian cattle farms are also managed as part-time farms, with off-farm income supporting the farming operations.
The structural disadvantages of small-sized farm units make it challenging for Austrian cattle farmers to compete with larger farming operations in other beef-producing countries. This has led to higher costs for labour, depreciation, and feed, impacting the industry's overall profitability and ability to manage supply and demand effectively.
To address the challenges posed by oversupply, Austrian beef schemes have implemented prime quality programmes to enhance the reputation of their beef and secure its marketing. These schemes focus on vertical integration, involving all partners in the supply chain, from animal feed suppliers to retailers and supermarkets. The integration ensures consistent production standards, programs, and branding, which has gained the trust of consumers.
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Cattle farming and milk production are the most important lines of agricultural production in Austria
Austria's beef market has traditionally been characterised by "oversupply", with a self-sufficiency rate of about 148% in 2023. The country's primary cattle breeds include Fleckvieh/Simmental, Brown Swiss, Holstein Friesian, Pinzgauer, and Grauvieh Cattle, as well as various special breeds for beef production and other purposes. One such special breed is the Ennstaler Bergscheck, an ancient Austrian breed that was known for its meat quality in the 18th and 19th centuries. Other popular breeds include Charolais, a large-sized, white to cream-coloured cattle breed with excellent meat yield, and Galloway, a robust breed from Scotland.
Austria has a strong focus on the systematic improvement of its breeding population for individual breeds. The Federal Association of Austrian Cattle Breeders (ZAR) is the umbrella organisation coordinating the efforts of 18 cattle breeding associations and over 22,000 farms with more than 400,000 cows in the herd book. Milk production testing in Austria adheres to the guidelines of the International Agreement on Recording Practices.
Cattle farming is deeply ingrained in Austrian culture and traditions. The country hosts cow-herding festivals that attract tourists from around the world. During these festivals, cows are herded down from mountain pastures to foothill farms, adorned with decorative headbands and garlands to celebrate a safe and productive summer. The return of the cows is marked by folk music, dancing, and an abundance of treats made from the summer's milk.
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Austria's primary cattle breeds
Austria's agricultural landscape is dominated by cattle farming and milk production, with about 1.9 million cattle and 55,400 cattle farmers. The country's primary cattle breeds include Fleckvieh/Simmental, Brown Swiss, Holstein Friesian, Pinzgauer, and Grauvieh.
Fleckvieh/Simmental
The Fleckvieh breed is one of the most widespread in Austria, with 1.5 million cattle across the country. They are known for their calm nature and good meat and milk yield.
Brown Swiss
Also known as Braunvieh in German, this breed originates from Switzerland and is characterised by its dual-purpose nature, being suitable for both dairy and beef production. The name translates to "brown cow" in English, reflecting the colour of these cattle, which are grey to brown with white ears and muzzles.
Holstein Friesian
This breed is known for its high milk yield, with an average production of 9,000 litres of milk per year.
Pinzgauer
The Pinzgauer breed was once used as a draft animal but is now primarily used for beef production. They are light-coloured cattle, with white spots covering 75-80% of their fur, and are known for their peaceful temperament.
Grauvieh
Also known as Tyrol Grey, this breed is native to the Austrian Alps and is known for its lively and good-natured temperament. They are well-suited to alpine environments and are often kept outdoors.
In addition to these primary breeds, Austria is also home to several other cattle breeds, including the Ennstaler Bergscheck, Carinthian Blondvieh, Murboden, Tux-Zillertal, and Charolais. These breeds are either wholly or partly of Austrian origin and are known for their unique characteristics, such as the white or pale yellow colouration of the Carinthian Blondvieh.
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Austria's cow-herding festival
In late spring, the reverse cattle drive, known as Almauftrieb, takes place as farmers herd their animals from the valley up to the mountain pastures for grazing during the summer. This upward movement is not usually accompanied by festivities.
Come autumn, the cows are brought back down from the high pastures to the valley to prepare for the winter season. This downward cattle drive is a festive and highly anticipated event, attracting thousands of spectators. The cows are adorned with vibrant garlands, ringing cowbells, and spectacular floral headdresses, signalling a safe and accident-free summer. The farmers often include Catholic iconography in the headdresses as a way of thanking God for the cows' well-being.
The return of the cows is celebrated with parades, folk music, dancing, and feasts. Farmers, dairymen, residents, and visitors come together to honour the cows' successful summer production. The festival also features a farmers' market, offering treats made from the summer's milk, such as Kasspatzln ("little cheese sparrows") and Schlutzkrapfen, half-moon pasta pockets filled with creamy potato and browned butter.
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Austria has a low BSE risk status
Austria has a robust cattle farming industry, with approximately 1.85 million cattle, including 185,000 suckler cows. The country's beef market has traditionally been characterised by "oversupply," with a self-sufficiency rate of about 148% in 2023. Cattle farming and milk production are the most important lines of production in Austrian agriculture, as nearly 60% of the country's utilised agricultural area is grassland.
Austria's low BSE risk status is significant for maintaining the health of its cattle population and ensuring safe trade and travel. BSE, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy, is a disease of the nervous system in bovines with a long incubation period of two to over ten years. It was first diagnosed in the United Kingdom in 1986 but likely existed in the country's bovine population since the 1970s or earlier. The disease has been reported in at least 25 other countries, mainly in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America.
The successful implementation of control measures has led to a significant reduction in the incidence of classical BSE, and its global sanitary impact and public health risk are now considered extremely low. This positive development has addressed the public health crisis triggered in the 1990s by the likely transmission of classical BSE to humans, which is assumed to cause variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD). To date, the number of identified vCJD clinical cases remains extremely low.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) plays a crucial role in assessing and managing BSE risk. Countries that cannot demonstrate compliance with the requirements for "controlled" or "negligible" BSE risk are considered to pose an "undetermined" risk. Members with a BSE risk status recognised by WOAH must adhere to surveillance and risk management practices as per the standards adopted in May 2023. Additionally, countries seeking to reinstate a suspended status must submit an application fulfilling the requirements outlined in the Terrestrial Code.
Austria's low BSE risk status is advantageous for its cattle industry and public health. It enables the country to engage in international trade while ensuring the safety of its bovine population and human consumers. The effective control measures and low incidence of classical BSE contribute to a more sustainable and safe cattle farming industry in Austria.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria's landscape is predominantly grassland, making cattle farming and milk production the most important lines of production in agriculture.
There are around 1.85 million cattle in Austria, with 185,000 being suckler cows.
Austria's primary cattle breeds are Fleckvieh/Simmental, Brown Swiss, Holstein Friesian, Pinzgauer, and Grauvieh Cattle.
No, cows in Austria are also used for other purposes, such as cheese-making and landscape maintenance.
