- Ruminants
- Dairy and beef cattle
- Dairy cows
- Calves
Discovering best practices in cattle farming: VITALAC organises study trip to Galicia
Have you ever wondered what is being done elsewhere on cattle farms? At VITALAC, we are committed to offering opportunities for learning and discovery. It is in this spirit that we regularly organise study trips abroad.
For 2024, we took 25 of our reference customer farmers to Galicia, a region in north-west Spain, in early June. This four-day stay was an opportunity to discover innovative and effective practices, guided by the expertise of Amélie Cornillet and Philippe Arzul, veterinarians specialising in ruminants at VITALAC. This trip was organised in partnership with two of our suppliers.
A look back at this Spanish study trip and its key lessons.
At VITALAC, we value innovation and the exchange of ideas within the farming community. With this in mind, we regularly organise trips with our reference customers. But who are these reference customers? They are partner farmers on whose farms we test our new products, methods and processes, and where we carry out studies.
These farmers play an important role by testing, on their own farms, what will later be offered to all our customers. Their feedback is valuable and helps us refine our solutions before rolling them out more widely.
The aim of these trips is twofold: firstly, to gather innovative ideas and inspiration, and secondly, to share this knowledge with all our customers once it has been validated by VITALAC experts and our test customers. In this way, every trip becomes a source of mutual enrichment, ensuring that all our customers benefit from the best practices and most effective innovations for their farms.
Sources of inspiration
At VITALAC, we know how enriching it is for farmers to meet their peers and share their experiences. That is why we organise study trips in France and abroad, to encourage these valuable exchanges.
Meeting fellow farmers
At the beginning of June, a group of 25 VITALAC customers farmers travelled to Spain for a four-day stay. The aim of the trip was to visit dairy cattle farms renowned for their productivity and performance (producing 40 to 50 kg of milk per cow.) Our farmers were able to discover Spanish expertise in herd management.
These visits are an opportunity to compare practices, validate their own methods and draw inspiration from approaches used elsewhere. They help identify areas for improvement and optimise performance. At VITALAC, we are convinced that these exchanges contribute to innovation and to the success of our customer farmers.
4 days immersed in 3 innovative dairy farms
Over four intensive days, we had the opportunity to visit three dairy farms in detail, equipped either with milking robots or modern milking parlours. These visits provided a valuable source of information and inspiration, particularly regarding building layout.
Heat stress management: a major challenge
In a region where summers are particularly hot, managing heat stress in herds is crucial. Our discussions highlighted a range of effective strategies to tackle this issue. We discussed building ventilation in depth, as it is a key factor in ensuring animal welfare.
Ventilation and insulation
Ventilation was widely discussed, with particular attention paid to roof insulation, strategically positioned openings and sprinkler systems. These innovative solutions not only improve animal comfort, but also optimise farm productivity.
Sharing experience and knowledge
Four our customer farmers, sharing practical experience and applying new ideas on their own farms are central to our mission at VITALAC. During our recent trip, the group had the opportunity to talk with Spanish farmers and their nutrition advisers, discussing a wide range of herd management techniques.
Exchanges and comparisons
This type of trip offers a valuable opportunity to compare approaches, share opinions and talk about personal experience. Participants were able to discuss farming and nutritional practices with their Spanish counterparts, gaining valuable insights and discovering innovative methods that could be applied on their own farms.
Presence and expertise of VITALAC specialists
Amélie Cornillet and Philippe Arzul, our VITALAC experts, accompanied the group throughout the trip. Their presence was essential in answering questions, clarifying doubts and explaining specific technical points. For each question raised, they provided concrete answers, either in the form of precise technical advice or by suggesting products adapted to the farmers' specific needs.
The language barrier was not an obstacle thanks to Amélie Cornillet's fluency in Spanish, which facilitated exchanges and ensured smooth, effective communication between all participants.
What did participants appreciate most?
"The group atmosphere and friendliness."
"The organisation and facilitation."
"The quality of the farms visited."
"The availability of the farmers who welcomed us."
"Discovering new methods"
"The importance given to cow comfort."
"A lot of information and ideas about buildings."
This trip was an enriching experience for everyone, offering not only new knowledge but also the opportunity to build strong relationships with fellow farmers from different backgrounds. At VITALAC, we are proud to encourage these exchanges and contribute to the continuous improvement of our customers' farming practices.
