Paper short abstract:

Extreme weather situations create severe issues for Alp economy in Switzerland. Alp-farm workers´ perception of the weather and their ways to cope with the challenges enable to understand the pragmatic perspective and reveal insights into the seasonal farm life of workers.

Paper long abstract:

Marlies, 64 year old cheesemaker from Wallis explains: "Breaking off stones increased in the last years. Bolders cover the upper parts of the pastures. The appearance of the pastures changed in all periods but recently pasture space increased" (7.8.2013).

In 2013 summer-grazing in south-western Switzerland started tree weeks later than usual since the snow melted later. Additionally ongoing rain in June/July delayed plant growing and the pastures remained muddy. Cosequently the animals suffered from different hoofdiseases.

In the previous season 2012, the workers on Varneralpe faced 20 cm of snow falling at 9/19. For 3 days it was impossible to look after the livestock spreat on 120 ha at 2300 m sealevel. The snow followed an extreme hot and dry summer. Absence of rain caused troubles in watersupply for the suckler cows and calves. Repeatingly the watercanal providing the wells was not fet with water.

These extreme weather situations in the Alps create serious challenges, in an environment, in which human and animals strongly depend on the weather. While in some places melting permafrost grounds flood streams and pastures during the summer. And breaking down rocks destroy hiking routes and involve a risk for tourists, animals and herds(wo)men. Other Alpfarms lack water. Additionally the visual appearance of the mountainous landscape changes.

My presentation will highlight the view of seasonal workers on Alpfarms and their everyday situation in the mountains. Further I will provide examples of extreme weather situations and possible cosequences for summer-grazing.