Le roseau commun (Phragmites australis) : un capital naturel utilisé en litière pour le logement des vaches allaitantes

Abstract

The common reed (Phragmites australis): a natural capital used as bedding for housed suckler cows Description of the subject. The INRAE Saint Laurent de la Prée research farm, located in marshland, is looking for alternatives to cereal straw for housing its suckler cows. Objectives. This study aimed to explore the use of common reed (Phragmites australis) as bedding for suckler cows, through examination of its practical and economic aspects. Method. Conducted for two successive years (2018-2019), this study consisted of comparing different types of bedding composed of either reed or cereal straw in a free stall for suckler cows. Measurements were taken on the water absorption capacity of the bedding, the cleanliness of the cows with equal frequency and quantity of bedding provided, the composition of the compost from this bedding, and finally, the cost price of the reed. Results. Straw has a higher water absorption capacity than reed. The average weight gains of straw were approximately +63 and +41% in years 1 and 2, respectively, compared to reed. However, cows housed on reed were generally found to be in a similar state of cleanliness as those housed on straw. Reed compost has a fertilizing value very close to that of straw compost. The cost of reed was 53 €·t-1 and 92 €·t-1 for years 1 and 2. The cost of harvesting reed is competitive compared to the purchase of straw (100 €·t-1 straw delivered), and it is all the more so as the reed bed is close to the farm. Conclusions. Reed used as bedding for the housing of suckler cows could be an alternative to straw in marshland farms, provided that reedbeds are managed according to their biology and the biodiversity they contain.

Keywords

• suckler cows
• absorption capacity
• bedding
• natural resources
• wetlands