Gathered in general assembly Under the chairmanship of Bruno Delouvrier, the members of Elvea Sud-Massif Central drew up a contrasting assessment of the year 2024. If certain bovine sectors record good results, others, like that of the calves under the mother, worry. In a department like the Cantalwhere theagriculture and thebreeding are pillars of the economy, these signals deserve special attention.
Fairs in the lot and cantal
First trend indicator: The two fairs organized by the operator have confirmed a rather favorable economic situation for certain meat breeds.
HAS Montet-et-Bouxal (Lot)the Mars fair recorded an increase of 20 cents per kilo carcass. Out of 69 animals sold, the average price has established 7,18 €/kgwith an exceptional auction exceeding 10 €.
HAS Saint-Flourin the CantalTHE aubrac and Crusaders Aubrac – which represented 75 % of the 77 animals presented – saw their courses also climb 20 to 25 cents, to reach 7,58 €/kg on average.
Less Salers, but better quality
Concerning the sector Red Label Salers, Stéphane Fourtechnician, notes a continuous drop in contributions since 2022. “There are about 70 animals less each year,” he said. An evolution due to the decrease in the number of farmed farms, but which is accompanied by an improvement in quality: “Cows are better finished, which justifies the price progression.”
The group Bigard Castreswhich provides 90 % of slaughterings (up 18 %), is supplemented by 82 animals slaughtered in Aurillacat the request of butcher shops Late et Labor. Prices are on average to € 2361 per animaleither 5,76 €/kg For 410 kg carcasses.
Aubrac beef: heavier carcasses
In the sector Aubrac farmer beef199 animals from 52 farms were killed this year, a drop of about twenty heads compared to 2023. Carcasses are heavier (423kg on average), from animals aged 6 to 10, mostly classified as R+.
The breeders affiliated with Elvea benefit from better valuation, with an average price of 6,43€/kgeither 2720 € per animal. “The courses are oriented upwards, in line with the conventional market,” comments Marie Thérontechnician.
Calves under the mother in danger
The greatest concern concerns the sector of calves under the motherrecognized by two labels rouges. In five years, the number of animals delivered has been two : only 1611 calves Coming from 59 farms in 2024, against more than 3000 before.
-In question, the Economic competition of gradeswhose more profitable courses divert the breeders. The price of the calf, still stable to 7,31€/kgbegins to show signs of bending.
Aid plan to stop the decline
Faced with this critical situation, a Operational program (PO) has been set up. He plans Incentive aid allocated according to the number of calves produced, co -financed in equal parts by the European Union and the operators:
- 2125 € from 5 to 18 calves,
- € 4,413 from 19 to 37 calves,
- € 8,560 from 38 to 171 calves.
“Not all operators are committed to it, but we decided to go there to save what remains of the sector,” said Bruno Delouvrier. Fifteen breeders have already joined, representing a financial commitment to € 73,000 for Elvea.
Services in support of the agriculture of tomorrow
On the Services aspect, 29 buildings files were deposited in 2024 by 19 breeders, including housing and storage projects. For small work subsidized by the Region (watering, restraint, etc.), 11 dossiers have already been deposited, a figure called to grow strongly in 2025.
Elvea Sud-Massif Central also accompanies farms through:
- 82 surface,
- 280 Breeding qualifications,
- 74 Breeders connected to Oibase,
- 60 Participants in group orders (vaccines, dewormers …) via the Breeding Plan (PSE).
-
413 members and 39 customers, including 316 in Cantal. 85 buyers, including 27 central south-massif contributors.
