Shepherds in the Rhön: Worries about wolves and the future of sheep farming!

Shepherds in the Rhön: Worries about wolves and the future of sheep farming!

In the picturesque Rhön, summer brings not only sunshine, but also worries for the region's shepherds. On August 14, 2025, Kassel District President Mark Weinmeister visited Klaus Keidel's sheep farm in Gersfeld-Schachen. This visit is part of a summer trip during which Weinmeister would like to find out about the problems of rural areas. He will be accompanied by the Hessian state parliament member Sebastian Müller and the mayor of Gersfeld, Steffen Korell. A central topic of the meeting is the RhönWollets project, which has been in existence for four years now and is intended to bring a breath of fresh air to sheep farming.

The innovative approach involves Rhön sheep farmers processing their sheep's wool into fertilizer pellets. Janet Emig, an agricultural consultant, explains that in Europe, wool is often considered slaughterhouse waste, making processing unprofitable. The fertilizer pellets help cover the costs of sheep shearing and the associated labor. So far, over 15 tons of sheep's wool have been brought onto the market, and nine Rhön shepherds are actively taking part in the project. This shows that creativity and collaboration are crucial for the future of sheep farming.

Challenges for the shepherds

But the joy of the project is overshadowed by serious challenges. Klaus Keidel regrets the withdrawal of the supermarket chain Tegut from the marketing of lamb, which is a central pillar for many shepherds. They also struggle with bluetongue, which causes sheep to die despite vaccination. The pressure on the animal disease fund is growing as it does not reimburse the actual costs, which further complicates the situation for farmers.

Another critical issue is the attacks by wolves on sheep and goats. There have been several attacks in the Rhön in recent years. Meeting participants agreed that short-term removal of problem wolves was necessary to protect the region's most important livestock. Sebastian Müller also points out the need for legal changes, both in Hesse and at the federal level. This is considered essential to ensure sheep and goat farming in the region.

Importance of sheep farming for nature conservation

Sheep and goats are more than just farm animals; They play a crucial role in landscape management and nature conservation in the Rhön. Without their presence, the region's unique cultural landscape could suffer significantly. The meeting clearly demonstrated the need for the shepherd community to stand together to find solutions and raise their voices to policy makers. However, with a little perseverance and a good knack for innovative approaches, the future of the Rhön sheep farm could be secured.