A little less, yes, but longer and with the resources of the farm.

Hervé COLLOMBAT - Viriville (38)

Hervé COLLOMBAT took over his parents’ farm in 1997 in VIRIVILLE (38) at an altitude of 420 meters, between the Chambaran plateau and the Bièvre plain.

In 2018, he begins his transition to Organic Farming after 40 years of developing a Holstein herd with an intensive vision, and 2021 is the year of the end of conversion. To obtain animals capable of succeeding in this radical change of behavior, Hervé thought of crossbreeding, but above all found the answers in SYNETICS PATURE + genetics.

His Holsteins now produce 7017L at 30.3 TP, 37.1 TB, and the herd’s average longevity has improved to the point where it now exceeds the symbolic 3-lactation mark. The straw utilization coefficient has remained excellent at 1.5 over the last 2 campaigns, with reproduction using only sexed semen for the Holstein doses and conventional YPERIOS for the remainder (80% Excellence Charolais and 20% INRA95).

Hervé is the perfect representative of those farms that have chosen to take a strong turn on their farm, out of conviction, a vision of long-term profitability, a desire to have animals that bring comfort to daily life, and a sustainability between mixed farming and livestock farming.

1.5 FTE
Organic Farming
85h of UAA
50% grass, including 14Ha in rotational grazing
50% to be split between soybeans, wheat, corn and meslin

40 Holstein
7017L
30.3 TP and 37.1 TB

For me, the perfect cow is one that can move to grass, accept variations in temperature and feed without collapsing in production, rate and reproduction. My philosophy as a cow-loving breeder and my profitability dictate that my perfect cow should last a very long time.

Hervé COLLOMBAT

The strict selection plan was based on genotyping and the identification of a few key elements such as body condition, HS/LP ratio and fertility. Rates without lowering milk potential are the next target for improving the shortfall seen today.

The PATURE+ AURIVA bulls of recent years have included OHEME, OFFREDO, SPECULOS and the versatile PACOLINE. Profiles such as TORNADO, SURIBAY P and SHAKAPONK will be those of the coming year.

Our favorite females :

► In adults: HIBISCUS (EKOPE/RIONEL AD) for his long career still active at 11 years old, his adaptability to my change of strategy. I’ll also remember his offspring who have left their mark on the herd, like his daughter MAGNOLIA (by HOSPADOR) and her 5 pregnancies with just 6 inseminations.

► A mong the youngsters: ULTRA (SPECULOS/NUACES), a heifer from March 2023, a daughter of SPECULOS/NUACES who has all the guarantees to make a career as a producer and sire. A well-built body with 0.8 HS, 0.7 LP and 0.7 EC, good members and 854 in milk and +2.3 TP, +1.5 TB and +2 STMA