The French Massif Central: a key region for European beef production

French farmers handle the biggest suckling herd in Europe with more than 4 million cows.

The Massif Central in the centre of the country cannot be overlooked as it holds 1.8 million suckler cows, representing 43 percent of the national herd and 15 percent of the European herd. In this area almost one farm out of two keeps beef cattle.The region is well adapted to beef production which is based on grassland and in some parts also on the ability for growing cereals and corn silage.

About 60 percent of the production targets lean markets. Strong and diversified supply chains have been developed for both the weaner and the finished cattle markets with quality labels and specific production (for example suckled calves – “veaux de lait sous la mère”, heifers – “Fleur d’Aubrac”, suckled calves and grain fed – "Veaux d’Aveyron et du Ségala"). Finally there are numerous abattoirs, including some with a capacity of more than 35 000 tons of carcass weight per year.

Despite the importance of weaner and beef production in the region, beef farming needs to address the following challenges: 

• Make the production more profitable, especially regarding the capital which have to be invested (in average EUR 300 000 per labour unit),
• Replace farmers which are getting older and closer to retirement (48 percent are more than 50 years old),
• Recover cow numbers which have been decreasing since the 2011 drought by 4 percent, 
• Restructuring of companies beyond the farm gate to be more competitive (dilution of fixed costs, pick-up of animals in isolated areas …)

Stakeholders (from farmers to slaughterhouses) are discussing to organize themselves and reinforce the production. They are currently defining a strategy in which information and added-value will be shared along the supply chain.

More information (in French language) can be found here