Optimization of feeding, crops rotation and fertilization in cereal farms with pigs : methodology and results

The evolution of economic environment and law regulations forces pig farms to adapt themselves permanently. One of the issue is the complementarity of productions in farms. For pig farms involved in cereals and pulses production, a multidisciplinary research was led considering that competitive issues come from the optimization of the production system in order to get the best economic efficiency and with respect to its constraints : ground potentialities, crops rotation, feeding needs of pig herd, manure management, observance of environment standards.With the help of available optimization and simulation systems, a modelized approach was carried out, which involved two patterns based respectively on crop and pig production priority.This enabled a detailed analysis of the selected farms in four French regions and led to propose a method and results which could be used in practical conditions by pig breeders.In both alternatives, a feeding scheme in accordance with environmental standards was compared to the usual practice in animal feeding (regarding protein and phosphorus levels).The farm income is improved in every situation and sometimes very strongly. An economic advantage can be noticed within the pig priority pattern and the use of low nitrogen feeds generates extra costs in the studied conditions.Optimization process concerning crops rotation together with animal feeding and fertilization appears to be very important in order to improve the income of these farms, and so contribute to their long-lasting ability and competitiveness.Results emphasize on the importance of more and more accurate management methods attending new expertise.