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 "6 july 2009

Cattle (Limousins)
Finished stock :
Young cow
3.28 €/kg
(<66 months at slaughter, carcass wt 340-400kg, Grade U-)
Cull cow
3.08 €/kg
(<9 years at slaughter, carcass wt 340-400kg, Grade U-)
Maiden "heavy" heifer
3.53 €/kg
(>28 months at slaughter, carcass wt 340-380kg, Grade U-)
Steers
3.33 €/kg
(14-18 months at slaughter, carcass wt <350kg, Grade U+)
Steers
3.27 €/kg
(14-18 months at slaughter, carcass wt <400kg, Grade U+)
Stores :
Bullocks
2.71 €/kg
(+/- 300kg live wt)
(premium of 0.15€/kg if < 9 months old)
Heifers
2.43 €/kg
(+/- 280kg live wt)
(premium of 0.15€/kg if & 9 months old)
Lambs
5.00 €/kg
(premium quality)
Events
8-9-10 October 2007
Introduction to Agriculture at the CFPPA Ahun. An introductory course (and completely free of charge) aimed at those looking to establish on a farm in the Creuse.
7-9 October 2009
www.sommet-elevage.fr
Sommet d'Elevage, Clermont Ferrand
Open Day at CELMAR (beef & sheep co-operative), at Malonze, La Souterraine (Creuse)
Tech'Ovin
1-3 September 2009 Tech'ovin sheep fair at Bellac, Limousin
Space - the Livestock show
www.space.fr
15-18 September 2009 Principally, milk, pigs & poultry show at Rennes in Brittany.
Useful Information

Current (February 2010) bank lending rates on a 15 year loan are 3.7%

Looking to improve the lot of its sheep farmers France will, as from 2010, give an extra subsidy of 21€/ewe (can be increased to 24€ if adherent to quality scheme). The remaining "recoupled" part of the SAP is now integrated into an improved SFP grass/ha based on the most n° of ewes held in refrerence years 2005-08. Sheep farmer syndicates expect reform to give 30€/ewe.

All farmers with grassland will beneit from new DPU "herbe" to 80€/ha for 1st 50 ha (i.e. 4000 €) and 35 €/ha for rest.

The government has improved the 50% tax relief measure for young farmers for their first 5 years in increasing the relief to 100% in year 1, as well as maintaining the 50% relief for the following 4 years.