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International audience ; The Livradois-Forez (LF) a small region of fairly low mountains in France where herbivores livestock, mainly cattle, is largely based on grass. In this territory, goat farms are a minority but appear as an attractive way to produce on small areas (fragmented and heterogeneous land) and use of ecosystems with limited potential. The objective of this study was to analyse the diversity of goat farming systems (GFS) and assess their ecological intensification position. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 farmers, a sample selected to cover the diversity of livestock forms in this territory. Our approach is constructed on three concepts: the farming system, the framework of the farming activity and agro-ecology for animal production. We identified four types of GFS operation discriminated by the place of goat livestock in the farm and the mobilization of available resources. We present the correspondence between types of operation and ecologically-intensive practices profiles, and expound it. We show the interest of the approach to identify what promotes or limits the development of these systems into more ecologically-intensive forms. Keywords. Agro-ecology-Farmer practice-Livestock farming systems-Sustainability Diversité des fonctionnements d'élevages caprins en Livradois-Forez et formes d'intensification écologique Résumé. Le Livradois-Forez est une région de moyenne montagne où l'élevage d'herbivores, principalement bovin et largement basé sur l'herbe, prédomine. Dans ce territoire, les élevages caprins sont minoritaires mais apparaissent comme une voie intéressante pour produire sur de faibles surfaces (foncier éclaté et hétérogène) et utiliser des écosystèmes aux potentialités limitées. L'objectif de cette étude est d'analyser la diversité des fonctionnements de ces systèmes en cherchant à les positionner par rapport à une direction plus « écologiquement intensive ». Des enquêtes semi-directives ont été réalisées auprès de 18 éleveurs choisis pour couvrir au mieux la ...

International audience ; The Livradois-Forez (LF) a small region of fairly low mountains in France where herbivores livestock, mainly cattle, is largely based on grass. In this territory, goat farms are a minority but appear as an attractive way to produce on small areas (fragmented and heterogeneous land) and use of ecosystems with limited potential. The objective of this study was to analyse the diversity of goat farming systems (GFS) and assess their ecological intensification position. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 farmers, a sample selected to cover the diversity of livestock forms in this territory. Our approach is constructed on three concepts: the farming system, the framework of the farming activity and agro-ecology for animal production. We identified four types of GFS operation discriminated by the place of goat livestock in the farm and the mobilization of available resources. We present the correspondence between types of operation and ecologically-intensive practices profiles, and expound it. We show the interest of the approach to identify what promotes or limits the development of these systems into more ecologically-intensive forms. Keywords. Agro-ecology-Farmer practice-Livestock farming systems-Sustainability Diversité des fonctionnements d'élevages caprins en Livradois-Forez et formes d'intensification écologique Résumé. Le Livradois-Forez est une région de moyenne montagne où l'élevage d'herbivores, principalement bovin et largement basé sur l'herbe, prédomine. Dans ce territoire, les élevages caprins sont minoritaires mais apparaissent comme une voie intéressante pour produire sur de faibles surfaces (foncier éclaté et hétérogène) et utiliser des écosystèmes aux potentialités limitées. L'objectif de cette étude est d'analyser la diversité des fonctionnements de ces systèmes en cherchant à les positionner par rapport à une direction plus « écologiquement intensive ». Des enquêtes semi-directives ont été réalisées auprès de 18 éleveurs choisis pour couvrir au mieux la diversité des formes d'élevage dans ce territoire. notre cadre d'analyse est basé sur trois concepts : le système d'élevage, le cadre d'exercice de l'activité d'élevage et l'agroécologie en élevage. Nous identifions 4 types de fonctionnement discriminés par la place de l'atelier caprin dans l'exploitation et la mobilisation des ressources disponibles. Nous montrons la correspondance entre types de fonctionnement et profils de pratiques « intensives écologiquement » et l'explicitons. Nous discutons de l'intérêt du cadre d'analyse proposé pour comprendre ce qui favorise ou contraint l'évolution des systèmes d'élevage vers des formes écologiquement plus intensives. Mots-clés. Agroécologie-Durabilité-Pratiques de conduite-Système d'élevage

International audience ; The Livradois-Forez (LF) a small region of fairly low mountains in France where herbivores livestock, mainly cattle, is largely based on grass. In this territory, goat farms are a minority but appear as an attractive way to produce on small areas (fragmented and heterogeneous land) and use of ecosystems with limited potential. The objective of this study was to analyse the diversity of goat farming systems (GFS) and assess their ecological intensification position. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 farmers, a sample selected to cover the diversity of livestock forms in this territory. Our approach is constructed on three concepts: the farming system, the framework of the farming activity and agro-ecology for animal production. We identified four types of GFS operation discriminated by the place of goat livestock in the farm and the mobilization of available resources. We present the correspondence between types of operation and ecologically-intensive practices profiles, and expound it. We show the interest of the approach to identify what promotes or limits the development of these systems into more ecologically-intensive forms. Keywords. Agro-ecology-Farmer practice-Livestock farming systems-Sustainability Diversité des fonctionnements d'élevages caprins en Livradois-Forez et formes d'intensification écologique Résumé. Le Livradois-Forez est une région de moyenne montagne où l'élevage d'herbivores, principalement bovin et largement basé sur l'herbe, prédomine. Dans ce territoire, les élevages caprins sont minoritaires mais apparaissent comme une voie intéressante pour produire sur de faibles surfaces (foncier éclaté et hétérogène) et utiliser des écosystèmes aux potentialités limitées. L'objectif de cette étude est d'analyser la diversité des fonctionnements de ces systèmes en cherchant à les positionner par rapport à une direction plus « écologiquement intensive ». Des enquêtes semi-directives ont été réalisées auprès de 18 éleveurs choisis pour couvrir au mieux la diversité des formes d'élevage dans ce territoire. notre cadre d'analyse est basé sur trois concepts : le système d'élevage, le cadre d'exercice de l'activité d'élevage et l'agroécologie en élevage. Nous identifions 4 types de fonctionnement discriminés par la place de l'atelier caprin dans l'exploitation et la mobilisation des ressources disponibles. Nous montrons la correspondance entre types de fonctionnement et profils de pratiques « intensives écologiquement » et l'explicitons. Nous discutons de l'intérêt du cadre d'analyse proposé pour comprendre ce qui favorise ou contraint l'évolution des systèmes d'élevage vers des formes écologiquement plus intensives. Mots-clés. Agroécologie-Durabilité-Pratiques de conduite-Système d'élevage

International audience ; Promoting the development of farming systems towards more sustainable forms, in particular maintaining production without harming the environment, means being able to analyse these systems in their complexity and dynamic, at the same time providing the means to assess their ecological intensification. The approaches to these livestock systems have to be adapted to this aim. This is what we have done as part of a study on the diversity of goat farming systems (GFS) in Livradois-Forez, a small region of fairly low mountains in France. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 farmers, a sample selected to cover the diversity of livestock forms in this territory. We analysed the operation of livestock systems, looking at the system configurations (dimensions, buildings and equipment, labour force, combinations of farming activities, production project) and the combination of management practices (crops, herds and valorisation of products). We also analysed the place of the goat system within the family farm's long term trajectory. To assess the ecological intensification in GFS, we mobilized the five agroecology principles for the design of sustainable livestock systems proposed by Dumont et al. (2013): (i) adopting management practices aimed at improving animal health, (ii) decreasing inputs for production, (iii) decreasing pollution by optimizing the metabolic functioning of the farming system, (iv) enhancing diversity within animal production systems to strengthen their resilience and (v) preserving biological diversity in agro-ecosystems by adapting management practices. We present this approach and illustrate its application to our case study. We show the interest of understanding the diversity of livestock forms and identify what promotes or limits the development of these systems into more ecologically-intensive forms. '

International audience ; Promoting the development of farming systems towards more sustainable forms, in particular maintaining production without harming the environment, means being able to analyse these systems in their complexity and dynamic, at the same time providing the means to assess their ecological intensification. The approaches to these livestock systems have to be adapted to this aim. This is what we have done as part of a study on the diversity of goat farming systems (GFS) in Livradois-Forez, a small region of fairly low mountains in France. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 farmers, a sample selected to cover the diversity of livestock forms in this territory. We analysed the operation of livestock systems, looking at the system configurations (dimensions, buildings and equipment, labour force, combinations of farming activities, production project) and the combination of management practices (crops, herds and valorisation of products). We also analysed the place of the goat system within the family farm's long term trajectory. To assess the ecological intensification in GFS, we mobilized the five agroecology principles for the design of sustainable livestock systems proposed by Dumont et al. (2013): (i) adopting management practices aimed at improving animal health, (ii) decreasing inputs for production, (iii) decreasing pollution by optimizing the metabolic functioning of the farming system, (iv) enhancing diversity within animal production systems to strengthen their resilience and (v) preserving biological diversity in agro-ecosystems by adapting management practices. We present this approach and illustrate its application to our case study. We show the interest of understanding the diversity of livestock forms and identify what promotes or limits the development of these systems into more ecologically-intensive forms. '

International audience ; Promoting the development of farming systems towards more sustainable forms, in particular maintaining production without harming the environment, means being able to analyse these systems in their complexity and dynamic, at the same time providing the means to assess their ecological intensification. The approaches to these livestock systems have to be adapted to this aim. This is what we have done as part of a study on the diversity of goat farming systems (GFS) in Livradois-Forez, a small region of fairly low mountains in France. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 farmers, a sample selected to cover the diversity of livestock forms in this territory. We analysed the operation of livestock systems, looking at the system configurations (dimensions, buildings and equipment, labour force, combinations of farming activities, production project) and the combination of management practices (crops, herds and valorisation of products). We also analysed the place of the goat system within the family farm's long term trajectory. To assess the ecological intensification in GFS, we mobilized the five agroecology principles for the design of sustainable livestock systems proposed by Dumont et al. (2013): (i) adopting management practices aimed at improving animal health, (ii) decreasing inputs for production, (iii) decreasing pollution by optimizing the metabolic functioning of the farming system, (iv) enhancing diversity within animal production systems to strengthen their resilience and (v) preserving biological diversity in agro-ecosystems by adapting management practices. We present this approach and illustrate its application to our case study. We show the interest of understanding the diversity of livestock forms and identify what promotes or limits the development of these systems into more ecologically-intensive forms. '

National audience ; The European Union encourages the extensification of grassland on beef and sheep farms to better master production and to avoid reduced land use. Good conditions, however, are necessary to realise extensification in order to maintain a flock's productivity and particularly its economical results, while maintaining control of the natural vegetation. A long term trial (5 years) was undertaken on an INRA experimental farm located in unfavourised area (800 m altitude). On the farm, two identical sheep flocks were managed with a 30% stocking rate (cattle equivalent/ha) difference. The experimental procedures were adapted every year to achieve optimum grass utilisation under both systems. Extensification did not reduce the ewes' performance and it improved the lambs' carcass weight by 6% in spite of a 26% reduction in the consumption of concentrate and a 50% decrease in grass production cost per ewe. The economical balance, over the whole experimental period, favoured the extensive system. The overall gross margin surplus, 3/4 of which was due to input reduction, was sufficient to cover the structural changes induced by extension. The extensive system results were, however more irregular and required better long term planning over several years, particularly for resource management and for stock carry-over. The technical skill required is at least equal to that required for intensive production. This experiment represented a potential means for improving farming methods. Nevertheless, this potential will not be attained unless the farmers receive technical and economic support for the extensive systems such as the grass subsidy- that was established in France in 1993. ; L'Union Européenne encourage l'extensification des surfaces fourragères dans les élevages bovins et ovins, en vue de maîtriser les volumes de production et éviter la déprise. Mais cette extensification doit être menée dans de bonnes conditions afin de maintenir la productivité du troupeau et surtout ses résultats économiques, tout ...

L'Union Européenne encourage l'extensification des surfaces fourragères dans les élevages bovins et ovins, en vue de maîtriser les volumes de production et éviter la déprise. Mais cette extensification doit être menée dans de bonnes conditions afin de maintenir la productivité du troupeau et surtout ses résultats économiques, tout en conservant en bon état d'entretien les surfaces d'herbe. Un essai de longue durée (5 ans) a été mis en place dans un Domaine de l'INRA situé en montagne (800 m d'altitude), comparant deux troupeaux ovins de même effectif conduits avec une différence de chargement de 30 % (en UGB/ha d'herbe). Le protocole de conduite a été ajusté chaque année pour aboutir à la meilleure utilisation possible des surfaces de chacun des systèmes. L'extensification n'a pas entraîné de réduction des performances des brebis et a amélioré de 6 % le poids de carcasse des agneaux, malgré une diminution de 26 % de la consommation d'aliments concentrés et de 50 % des frais fourragers par brebis. Sur l'ensemble de l'essai, le bilan économique est en faveur du système plus extensif. Le supplément de marge, obtenu pour les 3/4 grâce à la réduction des intrants, permet de faire face aux charges de structure entraînées par l'agrandissement. Les résultats du système extensifié sont plus irréguliers et exigent une anticipation plus forte des décisions, notamment dans une gestion pluriannuelle des récoltes avec constitution de stocks de report pour la sécurité. Les exigences de technicité sont au moins aussi grandes qu'en conduite intensive. L'expérimentation présente un potentiel de réussite, qui ne pourra être mis en oeuvre par les éleveurs qu'avec un accompagnement technique et aussi des mesures soutenant les systèmes extensifs comme la Prime à l'Herbe instaurée en France depuis 1993. ; The European Union encourages the extensification of grassland on beef and sheep farms to better master production and to avoid reduced land use. Good conditions, however, are necessary to realise extensification in order to maintain a flock's productivity and particularly its economical results, while maintaining control of the natural vegetation. A long term trial (5 years) was undertaken on an INRA experimental farm located in unfavourised area (800 m altitude). On the farm, two identical sheep flocks were managed with a 30% stocking rate (cattle equivalent/ha) difference. The experimental procedures were adapted every year to achieve optimum grass utilisation under both systems. Extensification did not reduce the ewes' performance and it improved the lambs' carcass weight by 6% in spite of a 26% reduction in the consumption of concentrate and a 50% decrease in grass production cost per ewe. The economical balance, over the whole experimental period, favoured the extensive system. The overall gross margin surplus, 3/4 of which was due to input reduction, was sufficient to cover the structural changes induced by extension. The extensive system results were, however more irregular and required better long term planning over several years, particularly for resource management and for stock carry-over. The technical skill required is at least equal to that required for intensive production. This experiment represented a potential means for improving farming methods. Nevertheless, this potential will not be attained unless the farmers receive technical and economic support for the extensive systems such as the grass subsidy- that was established in France in 1993.