Brotweg—A Path of Bread in an Alpine Environment: New Mechanical Solutions for Grain Processing in Steep Mountain Slopes

Abstract

A remarkable area of the cultivable land in South Tyrol has an inclination above 30%, which precludes the use of conventional machines for its cultivation. The project “Brotweg” is facing this problem by developing technologies for grain cultivation in a steep mountain environment up to an inclination of 70%. Furthermore, a technical solution for the whole grain processing after harvesting up to the production of bread is evolved. With the help of an entire facility the grain processing can be performed directly at the farm, which allows the farmer to act more independent while increasing his profitability. The aim of this project is to offer farmers an alternative or a supplement to livestock and dairy farming. It will improve and facilitate the working condition for farmers. To reach these goals many issues must be solved: (a) Mechanical solutions for grain seeding and harvesting in steep slopes must be developed. One of the main challenges thereby is to prevent erosion. (b) A solution for grain processing and conservation on the farm must be found. The existing structures of a farm are limiting the size of the facility. (c) The grain is processed to bread directly on the farm and distributed in a further step. The whole processing path must satisfy all safety restrictions, environmental terms and consider all possible geological problems of a steep mountain slope. We present the implementation of a grain processing facility in an existing farm structure and the development of the seeding and harvesting machines for steep slopes.