Cattle farming has been part of life at the Valtnerhof for generations. For many centuries, the animals were housed in the rear part of the farmhouse. When the old tie barn no longer met modern animal welfare standards, we began planning a new, animal-friendly loose-housing barn in 2014.

Due to the limited space in the village, we had no choice but to relocate the dairy barn to the opposite side of the valley. After a long planning phase and a short construction period, our 9 cows and 7 young cattle moved into their new home – just 200 m from the farmhouse.

From the beginning, our goal was to give the animals the same freedoms they would enjoy on pasture: free access to feed and water, plenty of space and calm, fresh air, and above all – light.

AToday, we can proudly say: the barn has proven itself. The cows are thriving – and they thank us with excellent milk quality. Our daily work has become much easier, and we’ve been able to expand the herd. The barn has since been extended and equipped with a robotic milking system, allowing for gentle and stress-free milking around the clock – beneficial for both cows and quality.

Would you like to visit our dairy barn?
We’d be happy to arrange a tour on request – a special experience for guests of all ages, offering an authentic glimpse into mountain farming life.

We place great value on high-quality forage from our own meadows and on a healthy, needs-based feeding plan for the herd. The milk from our Brown Swiss cows is collected fresh each day by the Drei Zinnen Dairy Cooperative, where it is processed into delicious local products. As one of around 150 family-run farms in the cooperative, we invite you to visit their cheese showroom and take home a taste of South Tyrol.

In summer, our young cattle graze on the Sarl-Alm, a shared mountain pasture above Lake Dobbiaco. The herd of about 100 animals is cared for by a dedicated herder, while we focus on haymaking in the valley.
The Sarl-Alm is also a hidden gem for hikers!