On 20 September, the FUGEA and the Fermes universitaires de Louvain co-organised the 8th edition of a trade fair related to autonomy for fodder in Corroy-le-Grand.
Some 500 farmers, agronomy students, experts and professionals from the world of agriculture shared their experience and research findings, and discussed the technological aspects of fodder autonomy, in the presence of Ministers Willy Borsus and Céline Tellier, and Professor Marthe Nyssens - Prorector for Transition and Society at UCLouvain.
Fodder autonomy is a solution for developing robust and resilient systems, and it must be supported.
This day dedicated to fodder autonomy began with an outdoor phytolicence course divided into 5 different modules given by CIPF, Natagriwal, Protect’eau, CePiCOP and Fourrages Mieux.
The theme was as follows: Specific tools (MAEC - Méthodes Agro-Environnementales et Climatiques) and cultural adaptations (soya, silphia, sorghum, sowing of grassland under cover, ....) to limit the use of phytosanitary products and/or improve the fodder autonomy of the farm.Throughout the day, participants were also able to attend the following workshops:
- Fermes universitaires de Louvain - Agriculture in transition:
self-sufficient organic livestock rearing and fattening, use of leguminous plants, low-input crops - CRA-W - Optimising the value of fodder: some possible solutions
- Greenotec - Conservation agriculture to improve soil health
- Fourrages Mieux - Planting grassland under cover: a means of adaptation to droughts
- Centre de Michamps - How to adapt fodder mixtures to climate change
- AWAF and Natagriwal - The role of ligneous plantations in fodder autonomy and animal welfare: principles and points of attention for successful plantations
Ten micro-parcels of fodder mixes were sown in September 2022 especially for the occasion, thanks to the seed companies TMCE, Agri Farm, Jorion Philip-Seeds, Walagri and Monseu.
Demonstrations of grassland destruction equipment, led by Fourrages Mieux, concluded the day.
Review the event in pictures and video
Picture credits: Roger Job