Following a welcome address by our Head of Research and Innovation, Andreas Steinwidder the workshop began with a theoretical session. Albin Blaschka, Managing Director of the Austrian Center for Bear, Wolf, and Lynx, started with an overview of herding practices involving livestock guardian dogs and herding dogs. The workshop participants agreed that more herders will be needed in the future. With the decline in grazing livestock on Austrian alpine pastures and the ongoing effects of climate change, it is no longer possible to optimally utilize all available grazing areas. Maintaining these alpine pastures requires managed grazing practices, and herders will also face a new responsibility: protecting their flocks.
Shepherd and livestock guardian dogs can be used to provide support. Thomas Schranz demonstrated what such livestock guardian dogs look like and how they work with his two Maremma Sheepdogs. The dogs were introduced to a flock of sheep – the interesting thing was that the sheep were unfamiliar with dogs, and the dogs were unfamiliar with our sheep. The introduction went smoothly; the sheep were cautious and curious but showed no fear. After the initial contact, the dogs were released and stayed with the flock as if they had always been part of it. Thomas Schranz's practical knowledge and description of his experiences using these dogs complemented this presentation.
The second session focused on the training and professional development of shepherds. The first part addressed personnel in sheep farming, specifically within the framework of the Eurasmus+ project EU4Shepherds. This project promotes the exchange of information and the training and professional development of shepherds. Silke Schaumberger (University of Agricultural and Environmental Education) presented the project's activities and the associated platform.
The second part focused on technical livestock protection. The HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein is a livestock protection competence center and exhibits various livestock protection fences, which can also be tested practically. Reinhard Huber (HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein) presented the individual fences, outlining their advantages and disadvantages. Participants were then able to assemble the different fence materials themselves and practice handling them.
A final discussion regarding a solution for managing large predators revealed that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. No two farms are alike; conditions and circumstances are usually different, but a workable solution should be found for everyone. This includes everything from managing large predators and herding to implementing technical livestock protection measures. The costs for the additional effort required for livestock protection must be covered by the government.
Author: Reinhard Huber
Photos: Albin Blaschka, Silke Schaumberger and Michael Kogler
Video of our sheep's first taster day with livestock guardian dogs
