The best conditions for the best hay milk

At the end of our tour this year, we visit the heritage farm of the Schmuck family. The "Müllerbauer" farm has existed since the 14th century, and the mill, where flour for the family's own needs is still ground today, was first documented in the 11th century. A visit to the Schmuck family's farm quickly reveals how much technology has advanced over the past 1,000 years.

The compost barn, newly built in 2023, shines in full splendor. It was constructed because the existing barn from 1963 became too small for the 20 dairy cows and their offspring. For the Schmuck family, animal welfare was the top priority during the construction. This commitment is evident in the fact that each cow has 13 m² of resting space. These conditions ensure a high standard of living for Georg and Eva's dairy cows year-round.

In addition to the 30 dairy cows, the farm is home to cats, rabbits, birds, and chickens. Four generations live and work together on the farm, sharing the workload and ensuring the continued existence of the heritage farm. The grandfather is a passionate hay crane operator, while Georg's parents care for the cows on the Lofer Alm during the summer, where the dairy cows spend 90 to 100 days a year. Together, they maintain the farm in the valley, and even the children, cousins, and other relatives play an active role in the family business. Georg, who completed his Master's degree in agriculture at Klessheim in 2020/2021, took over the farm in 2023 and immediately began building the new barn and modernizing the hay drying system.

The Schmuck family cultivates 26 hectares of grassland and one hectare of arable land for potatoes and grains, which they process into flour in their own mill. The hay is dried to a storable residual moisture level of less than 13% using an HSR 60 VARIO ELITEs dehumidifier in four hay boxes located next to the cows' resting area. It is then fed to the cows using the HSR Hay Crane 90.26 VARIO.

The hay boxes, measuring 55 and 90 m² with a filling height of 6 meters, are situated directly beside the resting areas for the 20 Holstein and 10 Jersey cattle. The switch from round bale drying, which the Schmuck family managed themselves until 2022, to loose hay drying was a deliberate decision to ease the workload. Round bales are now only pressed occasionally, as they are easier to transport to the alpine pasture.

Unlike many modern hay barns, the Schmuck farm does not feature a photovoltaic system on the large roof. Instead, Georg plans to green the roof in 2025 to make the interior even more comfortable for his beloved dairy cows. As mentioned – animal welfare is the top priority here.

Instead of a photovoltaic system, the Schmuck family sources the electricity for their hay drying system from their own hydropower plant, which generates approximately 50 kWh of electricity with a flow rate of 200 liters per second.

All in all, it is a well-thought-out concept that once again demonstrates how HSR customers think ahead and place great value on sustainability, animal welfare, and the future of our planet.

You are welcome to take a closer look at the Schmuck family's farm in St. Martin near Lofer. Our brand-new video tour is now available (German only):

With their comfortable holiday apartments, rooms, and chalet, you can even book an unforgettable vacation on-site and gain an inspiring insight into the barn or the Lofer Alm. For more information on the holiday accommodations, visit:

www.chalet-almhuette.at