Choice of Crops in Swine Farms in Brittany

This study examines the factors that influence how pig farmers in Brittany allocate their agricultural land. Researchers conducted qualitative interviews with 28 breeding-to-fattening swine farms across the region to assess how feed supply, effluent management, regulatory constraints, farm structure, economic considerations, agronomic needs, and human factors shape crop rotations. Analysis revealed three distinct rotation types: a high-wheat and maize rotation in specialized farms with on-farm feed production; a diverse forage-based rotation in mixed pig-cattle farms; and rotations with more oilseed rape and varied cereals but less maize in farms without on-farm feed production. The results highlight evolving land use in high-density pig production areas and inform future land management discussions.