Since the beginning of the century, the livestock of the Canton du Valais has heavily decreased. In particular, the Hérens population has diminished even faster since the years sixties. In 1983, the breeding stock was still 12'110 animals. According to the Swiss Federal livestock count of 1988 and the Herdbook figures of the Association, the population is increasing again. Today the Hérens Breed represents 0,9% of the Swiss livestock and 42% of all cattle kept in the Canton du Valais.

Up to the year 1956, the decrease of the Hérens Breed was comparable with the evolution of the total livestock or rather, was a little bit less. The faster decrease then, that can be observed since 1956, can mainly be explained by the appearance of better paying professions in industry, trade and tourism. But it also can be explained by the change of grazing management towards more intensive productions like winegrowing, vegetable gardening and fruit growing. This evolution took mainly place in the bottom of the Central Valais and in the hillside situations of the right edge of the Rhone river, formerly the proper area of Hérens cattle breeding.

The difficult conditions of husbandry, the parcelling of the properties and the typical structures of small farming units have always been the main environmental factors of the Hérens cattle. Factors that have largely contributed to the decrease of the breed.

Consequently, the decrease of the Hérens Breed has mainly been a matter of geographical and environmental factors.

Evolution of total breeding stock and Hérens population in the Canton du Valais from 1911 to 1993

* Estimation

Source: Swiss Federal Livestock count

Evolution of the cow population in Canton du Valais according to the breeds