AI and controlled breeding: the GAEC des Patureaux, a factory of champions!

In the heart of the Deux-Sèvres region, in Epannes, Jean-Pierre and Marie-Noëlle CAILLE passionately run a breeding operation of 70 Blonde d’Aquitaine dams : the GAEC des Patureaux.

The GAEC des Patureaux has bred no fewer than 6 AURIVA bulls, a heritage of excellence that marks the success of the farm. In this article, Jean-Pierre and Marie-Noëlle talk to us about the importance of AI and their good breeding practices, as well as the selection criteria that have enabled them to create numerous catalog references, including the unmissable NARUTO.

GAEC des Patureaux

70 Blonde d’Aquitaine calves
75% AI calves
2 employees and 1 salaried
OS membership and VA4 performance check
150 ha of UAA including 63 ha of natural grassland and 75 ha of forage area
Production of grazers, fattening of cull cows and sale of breeding stock

In 1994, Jean-Pierre CAILLE joined the family GAEC, and gradually the Charolais gave way to Blondes d’Aquitaines registered with a “competition” orientation. In 2000, after Jean-Pierre’s parents retired, Marie-Noëlle set up her own business.

The farm is spread over two sites: the first, a historic site equipped with a barn, accommodates around twenty cows with their calves and twenty heifers. The individual, modular huts can be adapted according to the season for calving or fattening cull cows. The second, more recent site features a small 25-place stall and a large 58-place stall.

Meticulous control of reproduction

Breeders carry out autumn calving at 2 years of age from August 15th to November 1st. During this crucial period, the cows are fitted with SMARTVEL and taken to individual pens equipped with cameras for extra surveillance.

The aim is to achieve 70 calvings a year, with a renewal rate of between 28 and 35% depending on the year. With an average VIF of 375 days, the breeders outperform the breed average of 403 days. Jean-Pierre points out: “The consequence of a high VIF is that, depending on the year, you may not reach your calving targets. If you stop inseminations on January 15, the last ultrasound scan may hold a few surprises and lead to good cows being culled prematurely.“

For Jean-Pierre and Marie-Noëlle, feed management in the run-up to calving is essential for successful calving. Cows and heifers are supplemented in the run-up to calving with mineral-rich supplements (copper, manganese, trace elements, etc.): ” We changed our method a few years ago. We used to supplement with buckets, but now we supplement with grain and mineral racks. All calving-related problems such as non-deliveries or matrices have dropped considerably, and calves are also more vigorous. “explains Jean-Pierre.

At GAEC des Patureaux, 75% of calvings come from AI, and by combining good practices at calving time with rigorous selection for calving aptitude, the breeders have achieved a radical improvement.

"The switch to AI has also greatly contributed to these improvements, we're not going back! Today, we're proud to say that we've just completed 350 calvings since 2018 without a caesarean section, with less than 20 code 3 calvings out of the 350. For us, it's essential that cows calve on their own. We try to do as many AIs as possible; we'd do more if we didn't have this very tight breeding period. The bull is only used for catching up.

Jean-Pierre et Marie-Noëlle CAILLE

Genetic Selection at GAEC des Patureaux: a succession of excellence

For breeders, the No. 1 selection criterion in their herds is calving ability, which is fundamental to them. Jean-Pierre explains: ” Calving ability is well established in the herd, but it’s a trait we’re very vigilant about, as it can deteriorate very quickly, with just one bull. In fact, we’ve had two bitter experiences with naturally-bred bulls. “.

Secondly, breeders take docility into account. They used to be confronted with a line of cows with a lot of temperament, but now they are uncompromising on this criterion: ” We don’t want cows like that anymore. Our animals are now much more docile, due in part to our management, but also to the positive evolution in temperament transmitted by the AI bulls. “.

Breeders also cite milk, meat and breed qualities ” which are the icing on the cake! ” as important criteria. Jean-Pierre exclaims: ” It’s difficult to classify these traits, because for me they’re all on the same footing, yet it’s impossible to make a mating that will meet all our criteria. That’s why AI is so advantageous, because it allows us to get as close as possible to a mating that will meet the maximum number of criteria, while at the same time bringing variability to our herd. “

Breeders are loyal partners of AURIVA and carry out breeding programs with their technician every year. ” We have a very good relationship with the AURIVA team, I started with AURIVA genetics and I’ve never changed, I remain loyal because I’m satisfied with the offer.

The collaboration began in the 2000s, with the breeders producing embryos several times with one of the herd’s flagship cows: HORCA (RAMO/BALLON), which later produced the AURIVA bull TOURNESOL (LANDAIS/RAMO).

HORCA has produced two sons of LEO, who have brought many maternal qualities to the herd, including calving ability and milk production. One of his sons will sire AURIVA: VALDI (TELESCOPE/FALLOU).

HORCA’s daughter LAGUNA (FLAMBEUR/RAMO) also produced 140 embryos on the farm, with an average of 25 embryos per collection. She gave birth to AZALEE (OURAGAN/FLAMBEUR), who went on to sire AURIVA : INFINI (ARLEQUIN/OURAGAN).

A daughter of AZALEE, EFFILOCHE(TOKAPI/OURAGAN) will in turn produce a QM AURIVA bull: HELLO (ANIS/TOKAPI).

The latest bull to join the AURIVA catalog is the already iconic NARUTO (JACKPOT/FRELON). FRELON had been purchased by breeders at a CI AURIVA sorting. For the anecdote, Marie-Noëlle tells us how NARUTO was born:

” We were staying with friends when we heard the SMARTVEL alarm. It was the year of the N’s, so we asked the couple’s little boy to choose the name. Watching his favorite manga, the little boy christened the calf NARUTO “.