Parasitisme chez les génisses au pâturage en relation avec les pratiques des éleveurs en agriculture biologique

La gestion du parasitisme au pâturage est un défi majeur pour l’éleveur, particulièrement en conditions bio. Par ailleurs, une exposition contrôlée contribue à construire une immunité tout en ayant un impact limité sur les performances animales.→ Objectifs: (i) déterminer les relations entre pression parasitaire et pratiques des éleveurs dans des fermes bovines bio(ii) identifier des pratiques à recommander aux éleveur

Pasture Management to Reduce the Risk of Acer pseudoplatanus Poisoning While Preserving Ecological Sustainability

peer reviewedIn spring, grazing equids may suffer from a severe rhabdomyolysis syndrome named atypical myopathy. This environmental intoxication results from ingestion of toxins contained in Acer pseudoplatanus seedlings. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of herbicide spraying and mowing to reduce the toxic pressure of sycamore seedlings. In a first experiment, the efficacy of three herbicides to eradicate seedlings was compared to mowing. In a second experiment, the influence of the mowing timing on pasture productivity was determined. In both experiments, sycamore seedling counting, grass height and botanical composition were determined. In experiment 2, the final harvest biomass and its nutritional value were also determined. Herbicides and mowing both reduced the number of seedlings, which nevertheless disappear naturally over time without intervention (i.e., in control areas). As opposed to mowing, herbicide spraying altered the composition of the pasture flora. Both sprayed and mowed seedlings remain toxic until full decomposition. Early mowing (i.e., early April) did not affect the harvest yield. Late mowing (i.e., end of April) reduced the harvest yield but its nutritional value fitted the horses’ need. In conclusion, mowing is the best strategy to reduce the risk of Acer pseudoplatanus poisoning in grazing equids while preserving ecological sustainability and nutritional value of pastures

Contribution to the definition of an overall research program for organic farming in Wallonia: identification of priorities for the 2015-2020 period

In order to identify research priorities in the organic farming sector, a three step approach was performed in 2014- 2015: (A) Ninety farmers were interviewed, in 2014, on an individual basis. Sixty of these farmers performed animal production (ruminant or mono-gastric); (B) Ten focus groups were organized with representatives of (1) advisory services, (2) administrations and farmer unions and (3) research institutions; (C) Priorities identified in (A) and (B) were compared to (1) the priorities identified, in 2015, by the “producer representatives”, in the organic sector and (2) the funded or pre-called thematic of regional and European research programs. This work underlines and confirms the necessity, for organic farmers, to develop more autonomous production systems, from a livestock feeding and soil fertility maintenance point of view. The comparison of these different sources of information highlights the link existing between the definition of previous regional research programs and expectations from the field. This questions the efficiency with which research innovations are spread among the sector as these problematics remain open. Farmers are asking for action and contextualized research. Such a research posture, highly promoted by H2020 programmation, would improve the diffusion of results

Contribution à la définition d’un programme de recherche global pour l’agriculture biologique en Wallonie : identification des priorités pour la période 2015-2020

In order to identify research priorities in the organic farming sector, a three step approach was performed in 2014- 2015: (A) Ninety farmers were interviewed, in 2014, on an individual basis. Sixty of these farmers performed animal production (ruminant or mono-gastric); (B) Ten focus groups were organized with representatives of (1) advisory services, (2) administrations and farmer unions and (3) research institutions; (C) Priorities identified in (A) and (B) were compared to (1) the priorities identified, in 2015, by the “producer representatives”, in the organic sector and (2) the funded or pre-called thematic of regional and European research programs. This work underlines and confirms the necessity, for organic farmers, to develop more autonomous production systems, from a livestock feeding and soil fertility maintenance point of view. The comparison of these different sources of information highlights the link existing between the definition of previous regional research programs and expectations from the field. This questions the efficiency with which research innovations are spread among the sector as these problematics remain open. Farmers are asking for action and contextualized research. Such a research posture, highly promoted by H2020 programmation, would improve the diffusion of results

Nutritive value and legume content of multi-species swards managed under four cuts per year on organic farming

Increasing forage production is a key strategy to reach feed self-sufficiency on cattle farms. On organic farms, multi-species swards (MSS) are commonly sown and often contain at least 5 plant species. Our objective was to monitor the forage yield, nutritive value and botanical composition of different MSS along the growing season on commercial farms. In 2015, five MSS (MSS1 to 5) were studied on three farms located in Wallonia (Farm1: 3 MSS; Farm2: 2 MSS; Farm3: 2 MSS). MSS3 was present in the three farms. Recorded parameters included the proportion of plant species per cut, and the dry matter (DM) yield, chemical composition, digestibility and nutritive value after pre-wilting. Annual DM yield was mainly linked to sward management and agricultural area (few differences between MSS within farms). Across all cuts, on average (weighted mean), crude protein content (CP) was less than 15% DM, and organic matter digestibility reached 75%. CP increased from cut 1 to cut 3. Plant species proportion varied according to the cut, farm and MSS

Parasitism and farmers' practices in heifers under organic farming management

Organic farmers are requested to allow cattle grazing as much as possible. However, this can lead to parasitism issues and thereby affect livestock performance. This study aimed to determine 'good practices' with respect to parasitism control in grazing heifers under organic farming conditions using a participatory approach. Six organic farms, including three dairy and three beef production systems, were monitored in 2015 and 2016. Recorded variables included the heifers' growth and parasitic pressure in terms of eggs abundance in faeces for three distinct parasites, grass availability, the nutritional value of grass and feed supplement, if any, and the farmer's practices regarding the grass and herd management. The relationship between recorded variables was investigated by principal component analysis (PCA). The PCA revealed a positive correlation between heifers' growth and the number of plots. However, heifers' growth and the number of plots were both negatively correlated with stocking rate, occurrence of anti-parasite treatment, and parasitic pressure. In conclusion, this study highlighted the importance of rotational grazing and low stocking rate for control of parasitic pressure and ensuring heifers' development

Réponses aux questions fréquemment posées concernant l'alimentation des chevaux et les pratiques de gestion visant à réduire le risque de myopathie atypique

peer reviewedaudience: researcher, professional, student, popularizationIn 2014, atypical myopathy (AM) was linked to Acer pseudoplatanus (sycamore maple) in Europe. The emergence of this seasonal intoxication caused by a native tree has raised many questions. This manuscript aims at answering the five most frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding (1) identification of toxic trees, reduction of risk at the level of (2) pastures and (3) equids, (4) the risk associated with pastures with sycamores that have always been used without horses being poisoned and (5) the length of the risk periods. Answers were found in a literature review and data gathered by AM surveillance networks. A guide is offered FAQ1: a guide is offered to differentiate common maple trees (FAQ1). In order to reduce the risk of AM at pasture levell: (FAQ2): avoid humid pastures, permanent pasturing, spreading of manure and for pasture with sycamores in the vicinity and avoid sycamore maple trees around pasture (FAQ2). To reduce the risk of AM and, at horse level (FAQ3 ): during risk periods, reduce pasturing time according to weather conditions and to less than six hours a day during risk periods for horses on risk pasture, provide supplementary feeds including toxin-free hay, water from the distribution network, vitamins and a salt block (FAQ3). AFAQ4: all pastures with a sycamore tree in the vicinity are at risk (FAQ4). FAQ5: Ninety-four 94% of cases occur over a two 3-month periods, starting in October and in March, for cases resulting from seeds and seedlings ingestion, respectively (FAQ5).SAMA(RE

Atypical myopathy: the top 10 latest news

Cet écrit reprend le top 10 des dernières nouvelles relatives à la myopathie atypique dont certaines ne sont pas encore publiées.SAMA(RE

La myopathie atypique: le top 10 des dernières nouvelles

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