Big french heifers grazing in Brittany

A typical grazing operation in Brittany still has the cost of a barn to house the cows through the winter.

Normandy-Holstien cross cow in Brittany, this native French breed of cows has been used in many crossbred systems but wasn't popular with any of the farmers I visited.

French farmers planning their next blockade of Paris streets. No not really, discussing the results from this latest pasture cut.

Saint Urbain, Brittany

Moving to Brittany I've have a great week visiting many farms. I have seen a wide range of approaches to deal with reducing milk price and increasing costs.

Crossbred calves are beginning to be appear on a small number of pasture based farms.

A number of farms have been experimenting with various crossbred systems for long enough to be milking a range of crossbred dairy cattle.
Montbeliarde-Holstein cross heifers.

Heifers in a Brittany pasture based system.

One of the significant issues facing dairy farmers in France is the challenge of putting together a contiguous parcel of land. This railway bridge dissects a heifer grazing area.

Monty Heifers grazing

Every mob seems to have their own tune depending on the type of bells they are wearing

Montbeliards grazing

I've had a great few days visiting both grazing and indoor Montbeliarde farms. The range of milk price paid to farmers in this area is huge with the farms which sell milk to specialist cheese producers having to meet greater restrictions but also getting paid more.

Monty herd producing organic milk for the production of Gruyere cheese.

The sound of a herd of cows grazing with bells on is something special.

Monty heifer