Maine-et-Loire. The Park unveils the winner of the “Meadows and Rangeland Agro-ecological Practices” competition

After a successful first edition, the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Natural Park once again organized the “Agro-ecological Practices – Meadows and Rangelands” competition in Maine-et-Loire (read our article again). The awards ceremony was held on October 18 at Bourgueil Abbey. The 1^is The prize is thus awarded to Adrien Poudré located in Gennes-Val de Loire. After his visit, the jury of experts unanimously chose to distinguish this breeder for the remarkable work carried out on his meadow on the Ile de Gennes. They noted in particular the presence of remarkable flora with more than 50 species recorded. The preserved pollarded ash trees also support numerous birds, mammals and insects such as the Alpine Rosalie, an emblematic species threatened with extinction. Finally, the attention paid to plant cover, the absence of input to maintain the balance of the meadow and the adaptation of practices in line with the flood-prone context of the banks of the Loire have largely contributed to this recognition. This Saumur breeder is now in the running for the national competition at the 2025 Paris Agricultural Show.

2^th edition of the competition in Anjou

This year, 4 breeders from the Natura 2000 site “Loire Valley from Ponts-de-Cé to Montsoreau” applied. Located in the east of the department, this famous territory presents a strong challenge for the preservation of wet meadows, in particular for the exceptional avifauna that they shelter. Very present along the Loire, the conservation of these meadows depends on maintaining traditional extensive mowing or grazing practices. The jury largely highlighted the commitment of all the candidates to biodiversity, quality food and the maintenance of meadows in our landscapes: Marie-France Brilhault in Gennes-Val de Loire, SAS Élise and Philippe Chauveau in Montreuil-Bellay and the EARL des Loges in Curçay-sur-Dive.

Promote exemplary agro-ecological practices

Component of the General Agricultural Competition, the “Prairie and Rangeland Agro-ecological Practices” competition aims to reward exemplary practices which actively contribute to the preservation of natural heritage while producing quality fodder. The competition brings together agricultural and environmental stakeholders in the field and raises public awareness of the importance of agriculture for maintaining biodiversity and the attractiveness of territories.