…
Switzerland
Drought in Switzerland: Alpine pastures run dry, farmers fear emergency culls
Herz — Switzerland Desk · · 30s summary · 2 min read
The essentials
Drought is depriving Switzerland's alpine pastures—seasonal mountain grazing lands—of drinking water for livestock, threatening the survival of mountain herds. According to the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, each dairy cow drinks up to 100 liters of water per day, yet high-altitude water reserves are depleting despite adequate grass stocks. Alpine farmers fear emergency culls if the water shortage persists. Last week's thunderstorms provided only temporary relief: soils, streams, and groundwater aquifers remain in growing deficit. The drought is also raising the risk of forest fires across Switzerland.
- Alpine dairy cows drink up to 100 liters of water per day.
- Water is scarce on alpine pastures despite adequate grass reserves.
- Emergency culls are feared if water shortages continue.
- Recent storms have not restored soil and groundwater aquifer levels.
- Drought is increasing the risk of forest fires across Switzerland.
What we know
Switzerland's alpine pastures—high-altitude grazing lands used for seasonal livestock farming—lack water to supply the herds. According to the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, each dairy cow drinks up to 100 liters of water per day, a demand that mountain springs and reservoirs struggle to meet.
Mountain farmers still have adequate grass stocks to feed their animals. It is the lack of water, not feed, that threatens livestock survival on the heights.
Amid this crisis, fear of emergency culls—the forced slaughter of animals when they can no longer be kept on alpine pastures—is spreading among mountain farmers. If water shortages persist, some may be forced to bring their herds down or cull them prematurely.
100 liters
of water consumed daily by a dairy cow on Swiss alpine pastures
A hydrological situation that is not recovering
The thunderstorms that occurred in the week leading up to July 18, 2026 provided only short-lived relief. Soils, streams, and groundwater aquifers remain in growing deficit across Switzerland.
Rising forest fire risk
The persistent drought also aggravates the danger of forest fires across Swiss territory.
What remains uncertain
The available data do not specify the number of farmers directly affected or the exact geographic extent of the water shortage on alpine pastures. The duration of this episode and expected evolution of water reserves are not documented in the consulted sources. Moreover, the German term "Notschlachtungen" (emergency culls) has no verified official definition in the sources available to us—it is used here in the sense employed by the Neue Zürcher Zeitung. Similarly, the term "Alp" (alpine pasture) does not have a relevant verified encyclopedic entry in the consulted sources.
What is the current situation on Swiss alpine pastures?
According to the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, dairy cows drink up to 100 liters of water per day. Grass is still available, but the lack of water prevents livestock from being kept on the pastures, and emergency culls are feared if conditions do not improve.
What does the term 'emergency cull' mean in this context?
It refers to the forced slaughter of animals made necessary by a situation where they can no longer be kept on the pastures—in this case due to lack of water. This technical term is used by the Neue Zürcher Zeitung; it has no verified official definition in the consulted sources.
Topics
Related articles
Latest articles
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to react.
