L’élevage des veaux laitiers par des vaches adultes, une technique innovante en élevage biologique

Summary

In contrast to the "top-down" dissemination of generic breeding techniques, farmers also contribute to the production of knowledge and know-how that should be integrated into research work. In the framework of the European Grazy DaiSy project, this study aims at identifying innovative practices of suckling dairy calves using cows in organic farming. In order to know them better, validate them and disseminate them more widely. Twenty socio-technical surveys were conducted on farms in two territories (Grand-Ouest and Lorraine). Two main practices stand out, namely breastfeeding of renewal heifers by nurse cows (P1) or by biological mothers over a short period (P2). This study is more interested in P1 because a larger number of farmers setting up this practice has been met. Three farmers profiles have been identified, namely "organic pioneers", "extensive small farms" and "new bio-intensive crops". The representations of the farmers composing these different groups have many similarities in particular that they all seek an improvement in technical performance (growth and health) on their renewal heifers as well as the reduction of strain and labor strain. However, notable inter-group distinctions are made in relation to economic performance and vision on animal welfare. Nursing cows are only one practice, among others, put in place by breeders, leading to an economical and autonomous system in analogy to the framework of thinking of agroecology.