How was this demonstration carried out (e.g. commercial farm/demonstration farm/ through existing project)

This demonstration, which concerns the enhancement of hedges, was carried out on a commercial farm (at Jean-Baptiste Roy's) which has been practicing it for several years. The demonstration took place in several parts (the demonstration linked to Carbon Credits by IDELE was presented in parallel):

- Feedback from the breeder on the practice of valuing his hedges and on the request for carbon credits

- Feedback from the livestock adviser, who carried out the CAP2ER environmental diagnosis on his farm, and which serves as the basis for the calculations of carbon credits (and for the FCAA project submission)

- Feedback from the ‘Saône et Loire’ facilitator of the FNCUMA (agricultural equipment pooling body) on the use of tree shredding material from hedges, to make chips that can be used as litter.

- Explanation of the IDELE, on the FCAA system at the national level but also at the level of the 'Bourgogne Franche Comté' region

What type of beef system was this demonstration applied to?

The demonstration took place on a farrow-to-fattener operation. The use of wooden pads as litter can be done both in the fattening workshop and in the farrowing workshop.

What benefits were seen after trying out this demonstration?

- Improve the resilience of the farm to climatic hazards: wood chips to compensate for a lack of straw (example: in the event of drought)

- Improvement of the environmental indicators of the farm: higher carbon capture, sustainable management of the hedges, autonomy on the litter, maintenance of the meadows

- Improvement of animal welfare (comfort, shelter, etc.)

- Bring economic value to hedges

What were the main obstacles in implementing this innovation?

- A greater valorization of outlets, and not only to be used for animal bedding.

- Have the technical and agronomic knowledge of the sustainable management of hedges (different types of hedges, different interviews to be carried out, species making up the hedges)

- For adjoining hedges, total non-ownership by the operator

- Cost and time of setting up the hedge

What additional costs/savings occurred in implementing this innovation?

-              Cost:

o Planting of valuable trees and species

o Equipment and mechanization (or membership of an FNCUMA, organization for pooling equipment for farms, having the appropriate equipment)

-              Economy:

o Gain through the recovery of carbon, and the increase in its storage by this practice

o No external purchases to ensure animal bedding

Would you recommend this innovation to other farmers in your area (please explain why)?

 This practice is recommended for two reasons:

- for environmental benefits (soils, climate, biodiversity)

- to increase the resilience of the farm to climatic hazards (litter/straw). This point even seems essential, because of climate change, because breeders are on the front line!

LINKS TO AUDIOVISUAL MATERIAL (please attach images and videos separately in the communications and disseminations folder in sharepoint)

https://twitter.com/EleveursBovins/status/1538933247605874696?s=20&t=40hN95EK9jo0D7-Un2GXJw 

Date report Delivered

20th June 2022

Prepared by (Lead Partner)

FNB

Other Partners Involved

IDELE, FNCUMA, FEDER (cooperative of producers in ‘Bourgogne Franche Comté’)