🚶♂️ Herds and migration
Nowadays, in the summer season, large numbers of animals graze in our mountains. These are mainly cattle herds, but also sheep, which are moved from the plains in June to pastures at around 1,500–1,700 metres and return to the plains towards the end of September.
🔔 The Saint John tradition
This migration, called “transhumance”, takes place in June on the days of Saint John. The older cows, the herd leaders, are fitted with large cowbells and set the pace, guiding all the others.
⛰️ On the alpine pastures
Once at the high pastures, the animals are kept entirely in the open air, free to move in search of fresh grass, watched over by a few herders with trained dogs.
🧀 Production
Only a few mountain huts are equipped for cheese-making.
🐂 Cattle and time at altitude
In the case of cattle, these are mostly young animals raised for meat production; they remain at altitude until late September, when temperatures generally drop and compel a return to the plains.