The Importance of Sheep Farming in the Swiss Alps

Sheep farming has a long tradition in Switzerland, especially in the Alps and on the southern side of the Alps. If you hike in the Alps today, you will most likely come across a flock of sheep that not only shapes the landscape but also fulfils important tasks.

Sheep are mainly kept for meat production, although the importance of sheep milk production is increasing. But they also play a central role in agriculture. These frugal and robust animals are also known as 'living lawnmowers' because, as ruminants, they mainly feed on hay and grass, continuously eating and digesting food all day long. Their grazing helps to maintain the alpine landscape, as they keep the meadows open and thus - if managed correctly - contribute to the preservation of biodiversity.

A special event is the pasturing: around 200,000 sheep, about half of the Swiss sheep population, spend the summer on the alpine pastures, where they find lush and nutrient-rich plants. In regions such as Graubünden, Lower Valais, Vaud and Uri, you often see large, herded flocks, while in other cantons smaller, unherded groups are common.