Rising costs, falling production… the drought accentuates the distress of cattle breeders

“I have never seen such a dry year since I moved in twenty years ago. The cows stopped grazing in mid-July. The grass is burnt, testifies Ludovic Billard, organic dairy farmer in the Côtes-d’Armor. In this year 2022, even Brittany is not spared by the waves of heat and drought which are sweeping over all of France. Breton grass green has given way to yellow doormats.

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“Normally, in Finistère, summer temperatures are around 24-25°C, and it is raining. This year, the last rains date from the beginning of July and, since the beginning of August, temperatures have exceeded 32-33°C, adds Gwenaël Le Berre, owner of La Ferme de Kerdroual, in Gourlizon (Finistère), who has a herd of 160 Angus cows. ” A month ago [à la mi-juillet], the heat stroke had not burned the pastures, continues Mr. Le Berre. This time, the grass is burning in the sun, it’s catastrophic. » Same story for cattle breeders in other French regions, more used to these periods of drought.

“In the East, doormats have become a habit, explains Daniel Perrin, dairy farmer in Fraimbois (Meurthe-et-Moselle) and general secretary of the National Federation of Milk Producers. Apart from 2021, we have had four successive years of drought before. This year, since June 15, we haven’t had any more rain and the heat has a blowtorch effect on the grass. » Even at height, the cows have nothing left to eat. “We are at 1,000 meters above sea level. When an animal puts a hoof on the ground, it only kicks up dust says Patrick Bénézit, whose farm is located in Cantal.

“Harvest Halved”

“worrying, stressful situation” : the observation is shared by all the farmers whose cattle graze in the fields. For them, no other choice but to make up for the lack of food. “Since the 1^er August, we give hay to the animals,” says Mr. Bénézit. Of course, not all farms have the same resources. “In 2021, the year was exceptional, we were able to make four grass cuts and the corn harvest was excellent, says Mr. Perrin. I have been using this stock to feed cows for almost three weeks. »

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For others, these reserves have already melted away. “I have just opened the stock for this winter”, laments Mr. Billard. The concern is even greater when the grass harvest has not been very successful this spring. “I had a month of stock left from 2021, but the one for this winter is only half full. In some areas of Lozère, it is even more serious, with fodder losses of up to 80%”, emphasizes Mr. Bénézit.

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