Maize silage and pulse crops for feed autonomy in mixed farming

The farm of Christophe Tardé in Mouzeuil-Saint-Martin, Vendée, spans 120 hectares and achieves 71% feed autonomy through integrated crop-livestock practices. It raises 650 goats and 285 kids on 22 hectares of pasture, utilising irrigable argillocalcareous and marshy soils for alfalfa and corn. The farm dedicates 56 hectares to silage and 15 to cereals and legumes, with a focus on non-GMO feed, including 6.5 hectares of soy introduced in 2016. Alfalfa yields 10–12 tonnes of dry matter per hectare, cut 4–5 times annually and conserved via baling and drying. A bale dryer enhances forage quality, supporting higher intake. The farm employs 3.7 FTEs, with 1.7 salaried, and maintains robust storage infrastructure. Feed autonomy evolved from cereal supplementation (2001) to colza meal (2006), soybean meal (2008), and corn silage (2014), with vetch replacing soybean meal in 2015. Annual feed requirement is 101,834 kg MAT, with 29,650 kg purchased (80% by boat). The farm generates a gross product of 144,800 €, EBE of 70,600 € (33% margin), and net income of 37,000 €. Feeding costs amount to 375 € per 1,000 litres of milk, with remuneration at 93 € per 1,000 litres.