Wednesday, August 19, 2026 - Severe drought is forcing Swiss farmers to bring livestock down from Alpine pastures earlier than planned as water sources and grazing areas dry up.
The Jura Arc, French-speaking Switzerland and parts of eastern Switzerland have been particularly affected, but farmers across the country are facing critical conditions. The Swiss Alpine Economy Federation says many affected farms are bringing only part of their herds down to conserve limited water and fodder supplies.
The crisis is also reaching farms in the valleys, where drought has reduced fodder reserves needed to feed animals after they return from the mountains. Some farmers have already been forced to slaughter livestock earlier than planned because they cannot secure enough feed.
The shortened grazing season is also threatening dairy production, with Alpine cheese output expected to remain below average this year and Gruyère d’alpage production forecast to fall by about 10% compared with 2025.
The worsening conditions are putting immediate pressure on farmers, livestock and Switzerland’s food supply. Bringing animals down early means higher feeding costs at a time when drought has already reduced available fodder, while lower milk production threatens traditional Alpine cheese output.
With water and feed supplies under growing strain, Swiss farmers are now facing an increasingly urgent battle to protect their herds through the rest of the summer.
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