One reason for this was the specialization of farmers according to natural conditions, with some focusing on areas that combine grassland farming and dairy cattle, and others on favorable locations that operate partly without livestock and specialize in the production of arable crops. Furthermore, the complete mechanization of farming played a significant role in this decline of arable farming in the Alpine region. While the purchase of specialized machinery, essential for arable farming, is not profitable for smaller farms, it is a fundamental prerequisite for modern farming practices on larger areas.
The fact that various cereal varieties were initially being bred at the Federal Institute in Admont led to variety trials with different arable crops, with the aim of comparing the bred strains with other, already registered varieties. Subsequently, the breeding work was discontinued, although Austrian breeders continued to show great interest in results regarding the suitability of their varieties for cultivation in alpine regions. These documents were also forwarded to the district agricultural chambers and their advisors (SOLOTAREV-NEKY and HEIN, 1986; HEIN, 1987-1990; HEIN and EGGER, 1991-1993; HEIN and WASCHL, 1994-2001). Later, direct advice to farmers was added in the form of excursions and field days. Due to general cost-cutting measures across all federal institutions, variety trials have been increasingly restricted over time, resulting not only in a reduction of the number of trials but also in a reduction of the range of varieties tested. The outsourcing of the Food Agency has so drastically reduced the number of variety trials in the wider Alpine region that there is no longer any official testing of varieties for the entire Alpine area. Nevertheless, information on the suitability of varieties for cultivation in specific regions, their susceptibility to disease, their winter hardiness, and also their yield potential in less favorable climatic locations is essential for farmers, as variety selection plays an even more crucial role in these climatically disadvantaged areas than in more favorable locations. Furthermore, it must be considered that varieties specifically bred for the requirements of the dry eastern regions are generally not equally well suited to the cooler and wetter conditions of the western parts of the country. Despite all the restrictions on agricultural activities, there are still valleys and basins in the Alpine region where arable farming is practiced on approximately 80,000 hectares, and where seed is also produced. The Lungau region is one such area, a climatically dry island in the heart of the Alps, where potato seed can be produced exceptionally well. This basin is also well-suited for seed propagation of cereals because the amount of rainfall during the summer months is not as high here as in other Alpine valleys.
An important argument to consider in these deliberations is the "cultural value" of a variety. This criterion, a key element of variety management, is defined as follows: "A variety has cultural value if, in the totality of its value-determining characteristics, it promises an improvement over comparable approved varieties in 1) cultivation, particularly with regard to resistance to pests, 2) the utilization of the harvested crop, or 3) the utilization of products derived from the harvested crop" (Austrian Descriptive Variety List, 2002). Especially in regions less favored by the climate, cultural value often plays a decisive role in the selection of a particular variety.
In the context of combining several farming activities, arable farming in the Alpine region represents one of several possibilities for generating agricultural income. Grain production, in particular, allows for either direct sale of the grain or processing into bread and baked goods. Potatoes can also be sold directly from the farm, with organically grown potatoes certainly easier to market than those from conventional farming. Such offerings are particularly interesting in connection with tourism, especially when the local restaurants are also involved. Furthermore, the production of on-farm feed through silage maize must be considered, which plays a crucial role, particularly in combination with dairy farming. The production of on-farm feed grain must also be included in these considerations, as straw production is also important in livestock farming. Additionally, grassland farms require arable land that can be used for crop rotation with clover grass or forage crops. Business calculations are performed for this purpose, based on the collected data.
Climate change, which is particularly pronounced in the Alpine region, will undoubtedly lead to long-term changes in the cultural landscape (FORMAYER et al., 2001). Already noticeable changes include an increase in average temperature, a decrease in precipitation in the southern and eastern parts of Austria, and an overall completely different distribution of precipitation than before (STEINACKER, 2001; BMLFUW). Climate researchers are intensively investigating the phenomenon of climate change and attempting to predict future scenarios for Central Europe, and especially for the Alpine region, using a variety of models (MRASEK, 1999). These models predict a decline in cold winters and a rise in the snow line due to the general temperature increase. This suggests that agriculture could become attractive again in Alpine regions in the coming years, especially when water becomes scarce in the low-precipitation areas of Austria, making it difficult to cultivate various crops. Particularly in the last two years, above-average drought in the eastern parts of the country caused severe damage to cereal and maize crops. Thanks to breeding advances, it is now possible to bring varieties suitable for harsher climates to market. This development is especially evident in silage maize over the last 25 years, with an increasing number of varieties with lower maturity ratings being added to the variety list and gaining market share. This has allowed silage maize to penetrate areas that represent so-called marginal climatic conditions for silage maize, where very early varieties can achieve quite high yields and also produce sufficient dry matter for high-quality silage.
Another argument for arable farming in the Alpine region is the preservation of the diverse forms of the cultural landscape. Traditional elements in this area have included cultivated fields as well as meadows and pastures. Land used solely for grassland does not offer as much biodiversity in flora and fauna as land combined with arable farming. Agriculture has also significantly contributed to shaping the cultural landscape, which is why the remaining elements should be given appropriate importance.
