Réduire les besoins en stocks : témoignage sur une pratique d'élevage dans le Morbihan

Minimizing the need for forage supplies : example of a livestock farm in the Morbihan

The best way to cut down on the cost of conserved forage is to minimize the need for it within the production system. This example focuses on a livestock farming Brittany,where the farming practices and strategy implemented by J.-Y. Penn provides an interesting insight into alternative options... bearing in mind that weather conditions in this region promote good grass growth. As grazed forages the cheapest of forages, this livestock farmer makes the most of available pasture by synchronizing milk production and grass growth : calving takes place in the Spring, the cows produce 3 250 kg milk/year and have access to pastures 10 months out of 12... The amount of hay in the herd's diet (1,7 t DM/cow) is also minimized because of the reduced need for conserved forage (drying off period, animals sold at the beginning of the winter...). This study examines the strategy behind this grassland farming system which consists in adapting to annual variations in grass growth: over the last 20 years, this livestock farmer learned to adapt his way of managing pastures and harvesting forage crops to changing weather conditions from one year to the next (damp weather, dry weather) and feeding grass to livestock as it is produced (tight flow).