Austrian heatwave sends cattle to early slaughter Grain harvest forecast down 19% as Alpine pastures dry out12 August 2026 12 August 2026 1 minute read 1 minute read By: By: Global Ag Media EuropeThis year's scorching European summer is hurting agriculture even in water-rich Austria, where the heat has stunted crops' growth and cows are being brought down from parched Alpine pastures and sent to slaughter early, Reuters reported, citing farmers. Since that increases farmers' costs, especially if they have to buy extra feed, some are sending cattle to slaughter early. "There are some pastures where there are no more cattle already," said Fessl, who heads an association of pasture-based cattle farmers in the state of Upper Austria, explaining that the situation varies on each hill and mountain. Farmer Roland Radner cut down most of his corn early as the yield was so poor. "Due to the extreme heat of the past few weeks, many of our tomatoes have been affected by blossom-end rot.