French livestock farmers face crisis due to severe drought

Farmers in various French regions, including Haute-Marne and the Vosges, are facing severe economic and operational challenges due to extreme drought and heatwaves. The current weather conditions are described as the worst since 1921 in some areas, leading to significant shortages in hay and forage.

In Haute-Marne, livestock breeders report that the lack of fodder is forcing them to decapitalize, as they struggle to feed their herds despite falling meat prices. Annette Richard, president of the Bassigny breeders, noted that rising fuel costs, falling milk prices, and wolf attacks are further straining the sector, warning that many young farmers may not be able to sustain their operations.

In the Vosges, traditional livestock farming is also under threat. Heatwaves have depleted hay reserves and impacted production, affecting the finances of family-run farms. Similarly, polyculture and livestock farmers in other areas report yield drops of up to 50% for hay and 30-40% for crops like silage maize. While some farmers have been forced to purchase external fodder, others may be compelled to sell their livestock due to a lack of resources. Farmers have expressed dissatisfaction with current state aid, suggesting that tax reductions might be more effective than targeted subsidies.