Cooperative model for calf breeders

In the Pays de la Loire region, around thirty beef calf breeders have chosen a cooperative model through the Coopérative des éleveurs de Vendée, Anjou, Poitou (Cevap). This cooperative focuses on raising crossbred calves within the Bleu Blanc Cœur supply chain, which emphasizes specific production standards. The Cevap, established in 1982, represents 10 percent of the region's beef calf production but only 2 percent of the national total.

Unique structure in the French market

The Cevap is one of only two cooperatives of its kind in France, alongside the Coopeva in Brittany. The cooperative was formed to give breeders more control over their production, from raising calves to marketing the final product. Its president, Pascal Paquier, explains that the goal was to ensure breeders had a direct role in the market rather than being passive participants.

Energy autonomy through agroforestry

Pascal Paquier, a breeder from La Tessoualle, has implemented agroforestry to achieve energy independence. About fifteen years ago, he planted 1,000 trees across 33 hectares to heat water for his 500 calves. This has saved him an estimated 3,000 euros annually, despite a 30 percent increase in gas prices over the same period.

Integrated supply and financial support

Under the Cevap model, breeders do not independently purchase feeder calves, veterinary products, or feed. The cooperative manages these purchases and ensures transparent distribution of calves to farms based on market needs. To support this system, the Cevap established a banking department in the 1990s, providing cash advances to breeders and guaranteeing the return of fattened calves at production cost.

Shift to a more flexible model

Cyril Morinière, a breeder from Chaudron-en-Mauges, joined the Cevap two years ago after years with an integrator. He chose the cooperative for its responsiveness and because his previous system, using 38-calf pens, no longer met the integrator's requirements. The Cevap offers a more flexible and breeders-focused approach.

Focus on niche markets and quality

The Cevap has shifted to niche markets, avoiding reliance on traditional quotation systems. The cooperative sells calves at the cost of production, emphasizing quality over price. All breeders are certified in the Bleu Blanc Cœur supply chain, which avoids genetically modified organisms and uses flax oil instead of palm oil. This approach allows for better valuation despite limited market reach.

Challenges and financial strain

The Cevap has faced financial challenges, including a sharp rise in raw material costs in 2022, particularly the doubling of milk powder prices. This has led to reduced bank support and forced the cooperative to merge with the Vendée cooperative Cavac. The merger has helped the Cevap withstand recent increases in feeder calf prices.

Membership decline and future outlook

The Cevap has experienced a decline in membership, from 50 to 32 in five years, due to retirements and stalled expansion projects linked to the economic effects of the war in Ukraine. The cooperative is currently at break-even, with a production capacity of 20,000 calves annually. Despite these challenges, some breeders, like Cyril Morinière, remain committed to the cooperative and plan to modernize their facilities.