Farmers’ view on the reintroduction of grazing for dairy cows in the Niort plain (France)

A survey was carried out to assess farmers’ views on dairy cow grazing in a region where, due to a lack of water and biodiversity protection, the replacement of maize by grass is encouraged. The results show that farmers think that grass is possible only for certain types of farm and cattle. Reverting to grazing involves a decrease in production per cow per year, and farmers with huge investments in cowsheds or who exhibit at agricultural shows cannot accept these consequences. But there are some young farmers, with the ‘right’ type of fields, who are concerned with ecological issues, and whose fathers have grazed cattle in the past, who are reverting to grazing. Issues related to grazing management, especially how to manage a mixed ration with grazing and winter feed, are discussed