Diversifying farm species offers benefits

Associating several species within the same farm can offer many advantages, both economic and technical. Revenue diversification, optimization of land use, and complementarity with grazing are among the benefits this practice provides to farmers, provided they properly prepare their project.

Choosing the right breeds for the farm

Choosing one breed over another is never a coincidence. Behind every herd, there is a farmer with the simple objective of finding the animals that best match their farm and ambitions. Often at the beginning, there is only one breed. For Jean-Pierre and Valentin Cante, farmers in Châtillon in the Allier, it was the Charolais.

Expanding with poultry production

A year ago, they decided to expand and build a 1500m² shed that can accommodate 30,000 chickens. "We needed something that would not take too much time and that would be profitable," admits Valentin. Thanks to the support and advice of the Sanders factory, a French industrial animal feed company, they built this building.

Prioritizing animal welfare

This building also ensures perfect animal welfare. "They deserve to be as comfortable as we are in our homes," says Jean-Pierre, the father. Now, on their nearly 180-hectare farm, part of it is dedicated to poultry, and it is a choice they do not regret.

Economic advantages of diversification

The major advantage of this practice is obviously economic. "The biggest interest is already to diversify the sources of income. We will not put all our eggs in one basket: if one production is not functioning as well as another, we will have something to bounce back on," says Lucille Devedeux, a business advisor at the Chamber of Agriculture of Puy-de-Dôme.

Using existing land for new production

The addition of a poultry workshop as a complement to the Charolais herd creates an additional source of income, without requiring additional land. The farmers used land they already owned. "It is true that we had to make some adjustments, notably to make the ground flat and be able to build the workshop on it, but the space itself was already ours, it was part of our farm," specifies the father.

Diversification for future stability

Farmers can choose to diversify their activities when the future of one of their productions becomes less favorable or when an important equipment needs to be renewed. The advisor cites the case of a dairy farmer: "If the milk price is not there or if the milking room is nearing the end of its life, rather than investing in a new milking room, we will rather develop another production."

Coexisting species on the same farm

All breeds can be raised together because "in any case, they are not mixed in the literal sense; they evolve on different lands but within the same farm," recalls the advisor. It is therefore perfectly possible to have dairy cows with a pig workshop, beef cattle with a poultry workshop, pigs with a grain production...

Complementarity between horses and cattle

An association of animals that is not often highlighted concerns horses and cattle. Gilles Gapihan, retired head of the beef service at the EDE of Puy-de-Dôme and equine commissioner for the Livestock Summit, explains the beneficial complementarity of these species. First, horses allow for better maintenance of pastures: by eating the remaining grass left by cattle, they prevent farmers from having to use a flail mower and thus reduce fuel costs and labor time.

Grazing complementarity

The association between cattle and horses also provides complementarity in grazing. They do not exploit pastures in the same way, this allows for a better distribution of organic matter. Finally, their presence can facilitate the management of the herd. Horses can play a role of "dominants." When they move, cattle tend to follow them, "this brings calm and docility within the herd," he concludes.