Bergmähder
As Bergmähder even Mahdalm , meadow areas are referred to often very steep slopes in high mountains. They are unsuitable for grazing , but represent an important additional area for mountain farmers to obtain hay for their cattle . This form of hay production is known as wild hay .
The process of mowing these mountain mowers is called " Mahd " or "Bürgmahd". It used to be a breakneck adventure, if not weeks of agony in all weathers. All available forces in the region or valley were sent to the mowing with scythes . They were equipped with so-called leg irons , nailed wooden shoes. Today, mowers specially designed for use on slopes make the work of mountain mowers easier. In valleys in which there was hardly any space for meadows in addition to fields, the best alpine pastures were reserved for mountain mowers for the procurement of winter fodder.
More and more mowers are becoming overgrown today because it is no longer worthwhile for farmers to cultivate them. Only conveniently located mowers are still used.
The Alpe di Siusi in South Tyrol is the largest mountain mowing area in the Alps .
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c Werner Bätzing : Kleines Alpen-Lexikon: Environment • Economy • Culture (= Beck's series of knowledge . Volume 1205 ). 1st edition. Munich 1997, ISBN 3-406-42005-2 , p. 160 .