Changes to Grazing Practices Discussed at Sommet de l’Élevage Amid Drought
Grazing-based livestock systems need to adapt to more frequent climate shocks, Yannick Fialip, president of the interdepartmental organization Sidam, said in connection with Sommet de l’Élevage. He said the issue concerns not only seasonal grazing on mountain pastures but also farms that use grassland throughout the year.
Among the possible changes, Fialip cited the use of different types of pasture, starting grazing earlier in spring and extending it later into autumn—and, in some cases, into winter. He also pointed to the need to adapt livestock buildings to extreme temperatures. Farms are already using misting systems, improving ventilation, and changing how they manage their pastures.
The issue also matters to dairy farms that rely on pasture-based feed. Fialip stressed that moving to more resilient systems requires funding. He identified farm-gate prices that cover producers’ costs and support under the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy as necessary conditions.
