Drought Forces Austrian Farmers to Sell Livestock Amid Fodder Crisis

Austria's livestock farmers are in an "extremely precarious situation" due to record-breaking drought conditions, according to Michael Wöckinger, head of livestock at the Chamber of Agriculture of Upper Austria. The lack of fodder and, in some areas, water has forced many farmers to sell off animals or dip into their winter reserves. Wöckinger described the situation as exceptional, noting that usual fodder harvests from grasslands were meager even in spring, followed by a dry spell in June. Even with potential rainfall, the parched ground may struggle to absorb it, and the quality of any regrowth is uncertain. "It is bone dry," he stated. Many farmers had reserves from 2025, a good fodder year, but these are now running out. "In some places, farms are already having to resort to fodder stored for the coming winter. This means many farms are reducing their herds, meaning selling animals, because there is simply no fodder base," Wöckinger explained. This forces the slaughter of healthy animals simply because there is no feed. "You don't just give away a healthy cow that gives milk, that is growing, that is healthy. It is also a psychological burden." Economically, the situation is grim as the price of cows is falling due to high supply and weak demand. Traditionally, Switzerland has been a strong export market, but it is also suffering from drought, reducing its import quotas. Wöckinger warned of significant medium-term "knock-on effects," including a future reduction in calf populations, which farmers may not yet be fully considering. While silage corn might offer some relief, it too has failed in certain regions with shallow soils. Importing fodder is expensive due to rising prices caused by the general scarcity.

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The record drought is bringing the livestock industry into an 'extremely precarious situation'.