Edible nature conservation – Cows as conservationists

A farm walk with Alois Kiegerl in West Styria offered a clear look at what he means by "edible nature conservation": his Murbodner cattle not only provide high-quality meat but also help to preserve species-rich meadows, pastures and alpine landscapes. "If no one cultivates these areas anymore, it is doubtful how they can be maintained as grassland," says Alois, pinpointing a key challenge. Together with botanist Maik Preßnitz, the group visited diverse grassland areas in both the valley and the alpine pastures. The afternoon impressively demonstrated that agriculture and nature conservation need not be at odds—what matters is how, and with what intensity, we manage our landscape.

You can read a detailed report on the event, complete with plenty of photos, soon here!