But natural livestock farming in the mountains is hard work, and not tremendously profitable. Because livestock farming in the lowlands is so much easier, the prices we can achieve for our alpine beef and milk products such as cream, butter and cheese are also very low.
That is why our valuable cattle are used “from head to toe” and the skin is also highly valued. For centuries, our alpine cattle have produced particularly tough, breathable, healthy and vibrant leather for tanning.
For us alpine farmers, the crucial “fifth quarter” of our revenue comes from the sale of the hides. Without leather production, the arduous animal husbandry in the Alps would no longer exist today.