Goat Dairy Farm in Hérault: Pasture Management and Forage Optimization

The farm in Hérault (Occitanie) manages 114 goats and 3 UMO across 341 hectares, focusing on pasture-based dairy production with 59,000 litres of milk annually. It relies on grazing (49%) and supplementary Crau hay (51%), facing challenges in forage autonomy, hay quality variability, and rising feed costs. Soil constraints and the 2022 drought affected sainfoin trials. The farm conducts regular diagnostics, including StratPasto and soil analyses, and plans to expand pasture by 8.5 hectares, establish sainfoin on 2 hectares, improve water access, and pursue silvopastoral integration with local authorities and forest owners. Productivity is 518 litres per goat and 19,000 litres per UMO.