Reintegrating livestock in a specialized vineyard region: unravelling actor perceptions in southern France

Abstract

Reconnecting neighboring specialized crop farms and livestock farms through exchanges of grain, fodder, crop by-products, and manure or grazing animals could be a solution to address limiting factors such as labor organization at the farm level. Despite such potential interests, this kind of collective organization rarely occurs and few initiatives are documented. We here documented existing crop-livestock collaborations and examined perceptions of local actors (including farmers) on their advantages and disadvantages, and potential for mainstreaming. To this end, we focused on a case study in southern France in which livestock were reintegrated in a specialized vineyard region and that involved multiple actors beyond farmers (e.g., farm advisers, municipal and cooperative representatives) and types of land use, such as arable land, vineyards, and scrubland. We conducted and analyzed 27 semi-directed interviews to understand the perceptions of the multiple actors involved. We highlighted the diversity of local partnerships between crop farmers, vine growers, and livestock farmers, including shepherds. Our research documents for the first time the complexity of these organizational systems for reintegrating livestock in a vineyard region, beyond only farmers. Existing coordination systems between crop farmers, vine growers, and shepherds or other livestock farmers provide several advantages for soil quality and management of weeds, interrows, or cover crops. Farmers, advisers, and regional agency representatives have a relatively positive perception of such collaborations and the role of livestock; however, most local cooperative representatives do not consider them relevant and do not encourage them. We highlighted a lack of coordination between farmers and of financial support for shepherds. Strengthening ties with policymakers and researchers could support these agroecological initiatives. Training and funding landscape facilitators and creating targeted policies would allow cross-sectorial options, enhancing rural development while managing the risk of wildfires.