I have been in Austria 6 weeks now. How quickly my adventure is winding down! Thankfully I still have 2 weeks to enjoy! :)

Triticale field at sunset.

This week on the Holzinger farm I tried to learn more about their operation. I even got the chance to actually help milk the cows, which growing up on a farm with beef cattle is something I've never really had the opportunity to do before. Approximately one year ago the Holzingers installed computerized programming system to help them monitor their milking operation. Each cow has an electronic collar around their neck. These collars can be recognized by scanners that identify the cow and important production information specific to that individual. The milking parlor fits six cows at a time and each stall is set up with an electronic scanner to record how much milk each cow is producing. This is all documented on a computer program so they can track information for the entire herd. In addition to milk production the program also helps document important dates, like calving, breeding, vaccinations, hoof care, etc. The Holzingers also made some physical changes to their operation by adding on to the barn creating a “running stall” for the cows that are milking. They also now utilize artificial insemination to breed the cows. Altogether, the cows produce about 400 liters of milk per day, or about 146,000 liters per year. The Holzingers receive 45 Euro cents per liter, which includes a 4 Euro cent premium due to the fact that they only feed hay to their cattle rather than silage. Not surprisingly it’s called” Heumilch,” which translates directly to hay milk.

Electronic collar to help document information.

Host brother Stefan explaining the dairy's computer program.

Recent addition to the dairy barn.

Milking cows!!!

Other farm work this week included hauling home some hay and fertilizing a different hay meadow with manure from the dairy. It is quite popular here to just haul the cut hay loose, rather than bale it like you typically would in Kansas (although you will see hay bales sometimes). Daniela explained that they can pick up the dry hay with the same wagon as the fresh grass they cut to feed the cows, so it makes more sense to utilize the same machinery rather than buying a baler. Also, given that Austria is generally cooler and wetter than Kansas it is sometimes necessary to haul hay home before it is completely dry. In that circumstance they have a blower system that can dry the loose hay, so they don’t have to wait for the hay to be completely dry in the fields like you would if you were baling it.

Spreading manure with host dad Manfred.

Helping rake up bits of hay in the field.

Using hay crane to store hay in the loft after unloading.

Apart from the farm work this week we also spent some more time at the lakes on hot afternoons. It actually has been quite warm here this week, so the cool water has felt nice. On Wednesday Daniela, my host parents, and I took a guided boat ride around Attersee, which is the largest lake in the nearby area. Thursday we walked a trail that had educational stations to teach about the Celtic people who used to live in that area. By coincidence we met one of the trail’s guides who was getting the campfire ready for a group of kids and invited us to help make the fire and bake bread dough on a stick before the kids arrived. I liked to call it “Celtic Fire Bread,” although I think the actual name translated to “stick bread.” Friday evening we had the chance to watch my host brother Stefan train with his group of volunteer firefighters. In Austria there are firefighter competitions, which are very popular. They basically race to see which firefighter team can assemble their equipment the fastest, without any mistakes and perhaps perform a small task. They are quite a big deal around here, but I told them I had never heard of anything like that in the U.S. Saturday we went and visited one of Daniela’s co-workers. He raises/buys/sells snakes, and owns other exotic animals. I was not expecting to see a snake farm while in Austria, but why not? My favorite animal was the miniature kangaroo he had acquired earlier this year. The ironic part is there is a saying that is popular: “No Kangaroos in Austria.” This is because foreigners often get Austria and Australia confused. Now I can say there ARE kangaroos in Austria and I have pictures to prove it! :) Wanted to get a picture of me with the kangaroo, but he wouldn't let me get close enough to pet him.

Popular destination :)

Voyage on the Attersee!

Roasting "Celtic Fire Bread!"

Parseltongue, anyone? (Sorry for HP fans only...haha)

Yes, that is a baby boa constrictor I'm so uncomfortably holding :)

KANGAROO IN AUSTRIA!!!!

However, I think my favorite activity this week was conquering a mountain in the Alps! Okay, so it was a little one, but how many people can say they've spent a day hiking through the Alps? One of Daniela’s friends, Sylvia, took us to Ahornstein (I hope I am spelling that correctly) on Monday. Sylvia is actually getting her masters in Agriculture Economics and Animal Sciences, which happen to be the areas I am majoring and minoring in at K-State. We traveled to a part of the mountains in Salzburg where agri-tourism is a very important part of the economy. Last summer Sylvia worked at an alm on the mountain, which is a small farm that serves as restaurant available to hikers in the summer months. They produce almost everything they serve, or buy it locally. It is hard work, but you can find alms dotted all over in this range of the mountains. I really loved the physical work of hiking up the mountain, but I my legs are not in good enough shape to do it on a regular basis! The peace and quiet was comforting and the view was absolutely outstanding. Worth every sweat drop!

Sylvia & Daniela leading the way.

Can't do it justice, but the view was astounding!

Made it to the top!

Wahoo! The way back is downhill!

This week I made my American meal. But more interestingly, I got to try quite a few very traditional types of Austrian food. We ate different types of knödel at the Holzingers' and Daniela's friend Andrea invited us over for Kaiserschmarrn.

Host family & grandparents for American dinner.

A type of knodel eaten with onion soup.

Knodel with a ham filling.

Kaiserschmarrn (pancake-like bits) and pears.

 Also had the chance to attend another Landjugend festival this weekend, which was quite fun and a nice way to say goodbye to the people I met in Pöndorf.  Thank you to the Holzinger family for hosting me!

Andrea, her niece, me, and Daniela before the festival.

Host/exchange sibling picture!

I even got my own Pondorf Landjugend shirt!!!! Thanks guys!!!

Holzinger Family (L to R): host brother Stefan, host mom Christine,
host sister Daniela, host dad Manfred, and me

Sunday afternoon I traveled to the city of Klagenfurt where I will be staying with my last host family in Austria, so stay tuned to meet the Smole family! Praying everyone at home is doing well! Also best of luck to all the Jackson County 4-Hers during the fair this week! Wish I didn't have to miss it!