Waldemar - he "rules" in the cattle shed
From the perspective of Gut Aiderbichl
(written by Gisela Pschenitschnig)
When he was just three years old, ox Waldemar was destined for the slaughterhouse. However, the big, stocky Waldemar had a patron - his farmer's wife. She prevented him from having to make this final journey.
After a good talk between the farmer's wife and Dieter Ehrengruber,the way to freedom was paved. Waldemar started his journey to Henndorf and shall walk free around the farm - if his temperament allows it - with Sammy, Sarah and Bambi.
He has said goodbye to tethering
AMA brought forward the end of tethering in Austria by a few years, and so it will end on the 1st January 2024. Milk, dairy products, meat and meat products may no longer come from farms with permanent tethering from that date on.
The permanent tethering of cattle, even in combination with grazing, exercise or other opportunities for movement on less than 90 days per year, has been prohibited by law in new buildings since 2005. Only in previously built stables, it is still permitted until 2030. Starting from the 1st January 2024, there will no longer be any permanent tethering on AMA Quality Seal dairy farms.
The change was made for the well-being of the animals, and it should be an important step in the direction of animal welfare. Continuous tethering does not take into account the cattle's urge to move. In addition, tethering does not allow them to live out their pronounced social behavior. Consequently, tethering does not take into account the needs of the cattle.
Waldemar likes to think back to his people
Our Waldemar comes from tethering too, but his people have definitely treated him well. Waldemar is "chilled", in no time he has learned to recognize certain voices and then says a deep "Muuuuuuh!". Before I go to my office in the morning to work on the animal stories, I pass directly by the stable of Sammy, Sarah, Bambi and now Waldemar.
"Good morning, my darlings, are you all well?". I call them one by one by name, and good-natured, big cow eyes look at me gently, and a soft "Moo!" comes from all sides. Waldemar has quickly become accustomed to approach the fence when I talk to them. He has such a beautiful head and horns. Between the horns he has a curly splendor - lots of little, white, wonderful curls. With his miserable long eyelashes, he beguiles my heart and I hold out my hand to him, which he then licks with his rough, warm tongue.
"Waldemar is a smart one..."
Waldemar is smart, a charmer, a heart-turner and likes to look at Sarah in his side stall. However, Sammy the Scottish cattle has an eye on it. Bambi turns away mischievously when Waldemar launches a flirting attack on her.
The wish of Dieter Ehrengruber is that Waldemar comes into the free run. But we have to wait a little bit. Seen that he is smart, he will stick to Sammy, Sarah and Bambi and learn from them how to walk calmly and leisurely across the yard.
"You can't get very far straight!". - Antoine de Saint Exupéry
Waldemar should now get to know his stable and his friends. Together with Sammy and his ladies, he should find the right way over the farm in Henndorf.
Sincerely, your Gisela
