8MS9TWHW

6493

8 mars 2023 08:16

8 mars 2023 08:21

Increasing the level of feed autonomy is usually considered as a prerequisite for conversion of cattle farms to organic management. This study is aimed at generating references for organic dairy and beef production through a technical and economic assessment of feed autonomy in commercial farms. Data were collected in 2014 and 2015 on 11 farms located in distinct agricultural regions of Wallonia, Belgium. Dry matter (DM) production, animal performance and all cash in- and outflows were recorded. Economic efficiency (EE) was computed as the share of the feed margin, i.e., the gross product minus the total feed and processing costs, in the gross product. The mean level of mass feed autonomy (FAm) was 94 ± 6%. Feed production costs (p < 0.05) and feed purchase costs (p < 0.001) were negatively correlated with FAm so that the total feed cost decreased with FAm (p < 0.001). All farms with EE > 65% had a level of FAm ≥ 90%; however, one farm with FAm ≥ 90% had a mean EE of 55% over both study years. This observation suggested that a 90% level of FAm is necessary, but not sufficient, to be economically efficient in organic cattle farming. Four production systems with EE > 65% and thus FAm ≥ 90% were finally characterized based on the observed crop rotations, overall DM yields, stocking rates and animal performances.

None

• AB - Spécifique
• CRA-W
• GEO Belgium
• wallonia
• beef cattle
• dairy cattle
• economic efficiency
• farm
• feed autonomy

Organic agriculture

12

335-352

2022

1 janvier 2022

10.1007/s13165-021-00372-0 Le DOI est une URL unique de référencement d'une publication. Il est donc plus fiable et permanent qu'une URL classique