Ways to have good economic results in Montmorillonnais's extensive sheep farms

This study demonstrates the special character of extensive farms located in the midst of large meat sheep farms in Montmorillonnais tan unfavorised zo ne south of Vienne, France). Characteristic production systems are found in this region, from extensive (with a stocking rate of less than 0.85 LU.ha( -1) PFS) to intensive (1.40 LU.ha(-1) PFS). There are large differences bet ween these systems, even between the various extensive systems among which two sub-groups can be distinguished. The first include extremely autonomous extensive specialists and second are extremely extensive systems with crop s. Some intensive farmers make a decent net income as do some grazers and s pecialised extensive farmers. The three essential factors are the margin pe r ewe, the work productivity and the infrastructure costs. On extensive far ms, the best results are found for moderate numerical productivity (1.15-1. 30 lamb per ewe), which make maximal use of grazing and minimal amount of i nput. The animals spend more time in pasture, reducing the amount of hay ne eding to be harvested. Some extensive farms obtain good results on small us able agricultural area if they have a high degree of for age autonomy and i f their infrastructure costs are limited. (C) Elsevier/Inra.