Farm's presentation

E.P.L.E.F.P.A. de BAZAS

Farm’s Presentation

Cattle workshop

Herd’s Size :

Category	Age	Number
Suckler cows	+ 3 years	60
Heifers	2 years +	14
Heifers	1 year +	13
Calves	6 to12 months	30
Calves	0 to 6 months	31
Oxen	1 to 2 years	7
Oxen	2 to 3 years	7
Oxen	+ 3 years	7
Sire	3 years	2
		172

 Sales :

Category	2014 (2013)
	Average weight (kg) nb	Average unit price €/kg	Average price €
Suckler cows	424 (432) 3 (10)	5,40 € (4,93 €)	2292 € (2126 €)
Oxen	514 (529) 5 (6)	5,76 € (5,41 €)	2964 € (2867 €)
Grazing calves	311 6 (6)	2,84 €	883 € (794 €)
Calves	199 (151) 6 (4)	10,26 € (10,13 €)	2073 € (1352 €)

Breeder’s sales during 2014 : 3 weaned heifers 2132 €

1 heifer (Aquitanima) 1870 €

1 cow (Aquitanima) 2170 €

1 heifer 15 months 1150 €

Sales previsions for the end of 2014 : 2 heifers 1650 €

2 cows (Direct sale) 8000 €

2 calves (Direct sale) 4000 €

2 culled cows 4000 €

 The decreasing number of cows sold can be explained by the will to increase the herd’size from 60 to 65 suckler cows, so there was less culled cows.

The better prices in 2014, can be explained by direct sale and also by the quality : performance quality and product quality. .

• For the beginning of the 2014 calving campaign

25 calving including 9 primiparous 

3 abortions  2 accidents + 1 unknowm reason

• Mating schedule for 2014 :

Mating schedule to prepare the next automn-winter calving campaign : it concerns 14 heifers and

21 cows.

 This mating schedule is explained by the exploitation’s fodder system, it needs early calving in autumn.

Poultry workshop:

Different poultry production :

• Chicken : More than 10 000 sold during a year :

average age = 87 days

average weight = 2,29 kg

average feed conversion factor = 2,85

mortality rate = 2,6

• Capons : Around 3 000 per year (July to December)

Average age = 150 days

Average weight = 4,2 kg

Average feed conversion factor = 3,45

Mortality rate = 2,9

• Guinea fowls : more than 10 000 per year

average age = 100 days

average weight = 1,9 kg

average feed conversion factor = 3,73

Mortality rate = 2,8

Plan for the next year :

To ensure stocking throughout the year and to propose other products (free-range chicken), an old building will be renovated.

Crop production :

Crop distribution

Permanent Grass 46 ha

Italian Ray-Grass 14 ha

Association Italian Ray-Grass

+ Purple clover 3,35 ha

Lucerne 4,12 ha

Sorghum 4,5 ha

Maïze 10,70 ha

Triticale 10 ha

• Forage crop :

Grass Silage	Area	Qty harvested	Yield	Comment
RGI (Italian Ray Grass) Artificial Pasture	14 ha	41 TDM	3 T/ha	1st cutting
Catch crop	9 ha	45 TDM	5 T/ha	1 single cutting vegetal cover and quality fodder
Artificial Pasture GANS	12 ha	39 TDM	3,25 T/ha	Temporary pastures (productive old pastures)

Other silage	Area	Qty harvested	Yield	Comment
Sorghum	4,5 ha	28 TDM	6,25 T/ha	ITK delicate variety No irrigation

Hay	Area	Harvest 2014	Yield
Permanent GRass	40 ha EA 6 ha Expalliance	302 BR EA 53 BR	2,17 TDM/ha
Artificial Pasture 2nd and 3rd cutting	18 ha	194 BR	3,5 TDM/ha

 Forage assessment in excess : ratio stock/need = 1,45

 So this year we reached forage self-sufficiency qualitative as quantitative. Rainfall was exceptionnal this year for grass growing.

• Straw cereals :

10 ha triticale : 298 quintals   130 q are stored for self-consumption, the remaining is sold (70 q)

Straw for the litter:

Year	Area	Number bales	Yield
2012	20 ha	235	10,5 bales/ha
2013	9 ha	104	8 bales/ha
2014	10 ha	72	5,6 bales/ha

Necessary buying : around 50 Tonnes – Price about 79 €/ Tonne

• Maïze :

10 ha 70 maïze harvested for grain production – yield around 86,35 q/ha

 This year wasn’t good for crops like cereals. Soil fertility seems to be problematic especially for the maïze crop. The presence of this crop in the crop distribution is only justified if the products are used for the animal workshop or if we need them in the crop rotation.

When we examine the last results of this production, it’s important to reflect on the place of it in the crop distribution : less profitability, more work, considerable water need.

Equestrian center :

• Cavalry composed of 12 horses
• 116 regular riders including 53 students
• Suggested activities : activities during WE, holidays,
• Services to disabled people

      4. Strategic prospects :

Self-sufficiency production for the cattle herd

Objective : to produce a maximum of meat from the exploitation’s possiblities !

• Fodder self-sufficiency : pasture types and harvesting mode
• Pasture’s area increasing : cattle lots and plots management
• Fattenig up from fodders and cereals produced on the farm
• Cattle’s productivity mastery

A crop distribution dedicated to cattle breeding

• Crops and crop distribution choices :
  • To privilege artificial pasture
  • Winter cereals to feed the cattle and crops’ rotation
  • maïze : silage replaced with sorghum, increased value of the maïze by feeding the cattle with maïze grain
• Crop production assigned to animal feeding (cattle, poultry and horses)

An offer more diversified, an increased added value

This needs an increase in products’ value.

• Create a free-range chicken workshop with a new and more regular product.
• Increase the direct sale’s workshop
• Increase the breeding animals, especially female’s sale
• Riding lessons during holiday periods

A way to produce differently : agro-ecology and simplification

The school’s farm has a key role to play, it can conduct the reflexion about the territory.

Agro forestry’s development