>>2751046Finally a decent reply.
Yes, I am. At least during summer.
For boots I usually work in rubber boots (~30 CHF). I also use them in the terrain. Plenty of creeks and swampy areas. Alternatively I use old swiss army full-leather boots (130 CHF, 2pair of socks recommended!).
My employer is going for SCARPA boots. Pricey but worth it.
We have cows and cattle. The area is around 24 hec and divided in 3 "sectors", bottom, mid and high. We start with the livestock in bottom and move them up as the summer goes on. In August we slowly head down again. Today we finally moved our 62 cows to the top sector. The cattle are still in bottom but will be in "mid" in like 7-10 days. Depending on weather, grass, condition of the pasture and our schedule.
The cows need to be milked twice a day. Starting at 0430 we fetch them and lead them to the stable. They go grazing again at around 0830. In the evening we fetch them at around 1630 and send them out into the night again at like 2000. In the meantime I check on the cattle. That's counting the cattle and check for their health. Especially if they all walk properly. Or if they have open wounds. Or show signs of being sick otherwise. Same applies for the cows,too.
I also care for the cheese. We store around 2 tons right now and need to coat/"smear" it daily.
Meanwhile the farmer and his wife produce the cheese.
Also we need to put up plenty of fences. Cutting weeds from the pastures. Cleaning the milking equipment.
It's enough work for the farmer and his wife, me and 2 other employees.
Different "Alps", the term for a summer-only-farm in Swiss German have different conditions. Some only have 1 or 2 sectors. Some just sell their milk. Others go for cattle only, sheep or goats. Mother cows or raising male cattle. Some only have pigs. Or horse.
But cows are most popular.
We sleep in the shelters in the regarding sectors. It's kinda close to the livestock. Like 10 minutes walk.
Again, other "Alps" have different setups....
