Combining barn drying for dairy self-sufficiency

Pierre and Véronique Cossement operate the Ferme du Buis, a self-sustaining dairy farm using fast rotational grazing and barn hay drying. This integrated system enhances animal health, milk quality, and environmental management while eliminating antibiotics. After transitioning from intensive farming (1990–2007), they prioritized grass-based feeding, prairie quality, and on-farm milk processing. The model ensures ecological sustainability, creates local jobs, and requires precise daily management of pasture maturity and weather windows.