Producer-paid prices, events & useful information

The aim of this page is to update past clients and potentially-interested parties of the current agricultural situation in France, to impart any general advice and to inform of any new developments and schemes available to farmers here in France, plus any forthcoming events.

Producer-paid prices

Latest producer-paid prices furnished by CELMAR, Central France's most dynamic cattle & sheep co-operative, for the week commencing "30 January 2012

Cattle (Limousins)
Finished stock :
Young cow
3.47 conformation U+ €/kg
(<66 months at slaughter, carcass wt 340-400kg, Grade U-)
Cull cow
3.45 conformation U+ €/kg
(<9 years at slaughter, carcass wt 340-400kg, Grade U-)
Maiden "heavy" heifer
3.85 conformation U+ €/kg
(>28 months at slaughter, carcass wt 340-380kg, Grade U-)
Steers
3.92 conformation U+ €/kg
(14-18 months at slaughter, carcass wt <350kg, Grade U+)
Steers
3.87 conformation U+ €/kg
(14-18 months at slaughter, carcass wt <400kg, Grade U+)
Stores :
Bullocks
2.79 lims & 2.46 charo €/kg
(+/- 300kg live wt)
(premium of 0.15€/kg if < 9 months old)
Heifers
2.38 lims & 2.16 charo €/kg
(+/- 280kg live wt)
(premium of 0.15€/kg if & 9 months old)
Lambs
€/kg
(premium quality)
Events
5-7 October 2011
www.sommet-elevage.fr
Sommet d'Elevage, Clermont Ferrand. France's Principal beef, sheep, heavy horse show. Farm visits (in english) & thousands of stands
Space - the Livestock show
www.space.fr
13-16 September 2011 Principally, milk, pigs & poultry show at Rennes in Brittany.
Useful Information

Warning of a new virus affecting cattle & sheep - Schmallenberg virus identified in Germany and the Netherlands, has now reached UK. The most serious impact is the birth of deformed, brain damaged calves and lambs.

For those in the grassland extensification plan (PHAE 2) - think about compiling your previsional muck spreading plan for 2012. Do not forget to update it following muck/fertiliser spreading.

Farming in France is no more profitable than elsewhere. It is easier to establish the potential viability of a farm before taking it on than learning to your distress after !

If renting land - check, prior to signing the rent contract, the yearly-reviewed (in each département) permittted rent max & min limits per ha. Many of you are getting caught out and paying far too much !

If buying cattle in France be advised to get a health guarantee (billet de garantie conventionnelle) in the event that any animals proving positive (following purchase) to : BvD, paratuberculosis, besnoitosis & neosporosis, the acquirer is fully reimbursed by vendor.