The good wife and I took our four children and their spouses to the very beautiful country of Switzerland for a couple weeks. Just got home less than 24 hours ago.While there, we visited an antique tractor show in Frauenfeld. Was a very large and interesting show with over 700 antique tractors and related pieces of equipment. Yes, they love old tractors just like we Americans. The show had a lot of similarities to our shows along with some differences. I really enjoyed seeing everything and their pride in their equipment. Not too many Swiss farmers speak English so I couldn't visit much with them..... had lots of questions.... but was a very enjoyable time while there. I took a bunch of pictures but my computer doesn't allow me to put them on here so, sorry, I cannot share pictures. Sure wished I could speak Deutsch (German).
- Thread starter qwertyell
- Start date
Yes its a gorgeous country and the air is SO clean I was there way back in 1968 ( Plus I had a brief 2 hour stay in Zurich this year on the way to China). plenty of Allis B tractors buzzing around back then! Did you see any Hurlimanns? They were a tough looking tractor I seem to remember, they were specially built for going up the steep hillsides i.e.they had a low centre of gravity.
Great trip! Did anyone explain how they get young people to continue farming there? Government subsidies, to supplement minimal farm income particularly from very small farms. Monthly government checks as long as they continue to farm. It's considered very important to preserve the small farm tradition.
These photos were from the Alps near Lucerne last June:
We were fortunate to have US Swiss friends who live in a small town there part-time. Mountain hiking was exactly like the travel borchures, unbelievable. Even heard many cuckoos. Tradition says that if you have money in your pocket and you hear a cuckoo, you will have money all year. It worked!
This traditional farmhouse dates back 500 years, the family home of our host, now occupied by her brother who was excited to see me again after I took him snow backpacking in the Colorado Rockies almost 30 years ago. His father (no subsidies back then) sold off the farm and the old house is now surrounded by a modern subdivision.
These photos were from the Alps near Lucerne last June:
We were fortunate to have US Swiss friends who live in a small town there part-time. Mountain hiking was exactly like the travel borchures, unbelievable. Even heard many cuckoos. Tradition says that if you have money in your pocket and you hear a cuckoo, you will have money all year. It worked!
This traditional farmhouse dates back 500 years, the family home of our host, now occupied by her brother who was excited to see me again after I took him snow backpacking in the Colorado Rockies almost 30 years ago. His father (no subsidies back then) sold off the farm and the old house is now surrounded by a modern subdivision.
New Glarus had some Swiss farming notes at couple of the fests- farm sizes vary some, small tractors most practical on most of the alpine farms and the little Massey 35 popular along with small IHC Farmalls of H, C and British B250 to B454 models. US farm tractor sometimes has a small rifle or shotgun rack/mount on it- the Swiss model will have the same or occasional full auto capable rifle in clip on fender- farmer will be working as usual but he is militia alert duty status or something that has a take your duty rifle to work day muster. Does take care of the varmits chasing chickens or sheep. RN
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