Livestock farming practices in suckling farm systems in the Highlands of the Reunion island

Abstract

Cattle farming is the main agricultural activity in the Highlands of the Reunion Island. "Professional" suckling farming represents 8828 cows for 497 farms. They are modest sized farms (18 cows on the average) whose animal performances are lower than their metropolitan counterparts. The aim of the study was to analyse the practices of the suckling farmers with the purpose of improving their management. We carried out herd monitoring on 10 farms from 1999 to 2002 within this framework. This monitoring was based on the measurement of animal performances and on the recording of the farmers' practices in terms of livestock and grazing management. This article presents the analysis carried out on 3 categories of practices: the allotment, grazing management and supplementation. There are various practices underlain by different socioeconomic objectives. Thus, strategies can be founded on the maximisation of the animal performances, the stocking rate or simplification of the management.