French conference on ruminant research: 30 years of partnership between INRAE and the French Livestock Institute

Abstract

The “Rencontres autour des Recherches sur les Ruminants”, commonly known as the 3R, were born in 1994 from the joint desire of INRA and Institut de l'Élevage (The French Livestock Institute) to create a meeting that would bring together all those involved in research, training and development to communicate and discuss scientific and technical innovations for ruminant livestock farming. The event quickly became a success, attracting between 600 and 800 participants on an annual, and since 2016 biennial, basis. Initially focused on technical issues, the topics covered at the 3Rs have broadened considerably to cover all aspects of the sustainability of livestock farming, in particular the relationship with the environment and society. The presentation formats have also been diversified to enable all the players, both in the field and in research, to present their work in a convivial setting that encourages exchanges. The complete collection of written papers presented at the 3R is available on the conference website (https://journees3r.fr/), and a partnership with the INRAE Productions Animales journal has been established to promote the invited keynote papers. This event, which has become a must-attend event in the world of ruminant farming, will continue to evolve in the image of livestock farming, remaining a place of discovery and learning, meetings and transfer.