Record Drought in Upper Austria Forces Farmers to Sell Livestock

Empty Feed Stores and Rising Costs

The Upper Austrian Chamber of Agriculture has been monitoring the development for weeks and sees an increasing number of farms under pressure. Wöckinger explained that, in addition to traditional dairy farms, cattle and sheep keepers are also affected. Anyone who no longer has their own feed and cannot buy any on the market at reasonable prices faces the decision to reduce their livestock numbers.

For many farmers, selling livestock is a drastic step that is often tied to years of build-up work. A disbanded herd cannot be replaced in the short term, and the genetic line that was bred over decades is also lost with the sale. Wöckinger pointed out that such structures often cannot easily be restored after a drought.

Consequences for Milk Production and Livestock Numbers

Representatives of IG Milch also view the situation critically with regard to domestic milk production. If a larger number of farms cull animals, a medium-term decline in regional milk volumes threatens. The industry is therefore calling for swift support, such as compensatory payments or an early disbursement of subsidies, in order to secure the liquidity of the affected farms.

Comparable problems are also being reported from Switzerland, where this year's drought has likewise led to feed shortages. Farmers there are partly responding with cross-regional purchases or the slaughtering of animals, which is influencing prices on regional slaughter livestock markets. According to industry observers, these cross-border knock-on effects will also impact the Austrian market.

Weather Forecasts and Demands on Policymakers

The weather forecasts for the coming weeks give little reason for optimism, according to the Chamber of Agriculture. Should the drought persist or even intensify, further farm closures and an accelerated decline in livestock numbers are to be expected. In this context, Wöckinger spoke of a development that can hardly be stopped without sufficient rainfall.

Farmers' associations are now demanding short-term aid measures from the federal government and the state to cushion the worst consequences. These include liquidity assistance as well as tax relief and unbureaucratic support for the purchase of basic feed. At the same time, experts point out that investments in climate-resilient cultivation methods and a broader feed base will be necessary in the long term in order to better equip farms against weather extremes in the future.

Consumers could also feel tangible effects from this development: if slaughterings rise in the short term, the supply of beef and veal may temporarily increase, while in the medium term a tighter supply and higher prices are to be expected. According to industry observers, initial price movements on the wholesale market are also emerging for milk and dairy products.