A new life for Edelweiss the cow
"Edelweiss", edelweiss on the mountain up there ....
Edelweiß belongs to the dying breed of Pustertaler Sprinzen. Before the young cow moved into her new forever home at Gut Aiderbichl, she lived on a beautiful Salzburg farm and spent her summers on the alpine pastures.
The vets advised against insemination because Edelweiss was diagnosed with a perianal (area around the anus) deformity. The number of cattle on the farm had to be reduced and, as Edelweiß was unable to perform as a suckler cow and therefore also as a dairy cow, a new home was sought for Edelweiß. Dieter Ehrengruber spontaneously agreed to take in the special cow because he knows the enormous story behind the Pustertaler Sprinzen.
Edelweiss “is definitely too good to end up on a plate”
Knowing that Edelweiss belongs to a breed of cattle that is threatened with extinction, the farmers wanted their cows to lead a good and happy life. Edelweiss was introduced to us by them as sweet, gentle, peaceful and friendly, and that’s exactly how she is: uncomplicated, she stands in the herd of cattle at the farm and elegantly keeps to herself. She knows that she is the “new girl” in the herd and that it should be like with people: at the beginning you behave quietly and get to know your surroundings before you get involved in discussions at the hay rack.
Has the Pustertal Sprinze been splashed with colour?
The Pustertal Sprint is naturally white in colour. Ears and the area around the muzzle and eyes are pigmented, while the rest of the head has spots of colour, the sprints. The name “sprint” comes from the white transitions to the red, brown or black coloured parts of the body, which look as if they have been splashed with colour. The white hair of edelweiss is coloured with brown “splashes of paint” and the brown spots around their muzzle bring a smile to edelweiss’ faces. This makes them easy for visitors to recognise.
The breeding of sprints in Austria
Since 2000, the cattle breed has been considered highly endangered. 25 years later, around 380 breeders in Austria keep around 3,500 breeding animals (source: Sprint breeding in Austria). The home of the Pustertaler Sprinze in South and East Tyrol. At the time of the k.u.k. Monarchy, the Pustertaler was the best cattle breed. As a result of the First World War, the population declined because the cattle trade to Vienna came to a standstill. In the 1990s, a support programme was launched for the preservation of the Pustertal Sprinze. The current aim of the breeding programme is to preserve and maintain the genetic diversity of this old breed of cattle.
Edelweiss will spend her life in the pasture
Due to its excellent meat quality and fattening ability, the Pustertaler Sprinze is highly valued in the meat industry. Edelweiss can escape this destination due to its deformity. Happy ending for Edelweiss!
Never forget who you are.
– Mufasa, “The Lion King”
By: Gisela Pschenitschnig, Gut Aiderbichl
