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With the heat wave, farmers are changing the way they work. These high temperatures follow a drought that has already undermined hay supplies for animals.
In Vienne, Tuesday June 14, a farmer moves his cows due to high temperatures. “I put them in the shade so that they can, precisely, shelter from the hot weather”, explains Jérôme Berthomier, cattle and goat breeder. Up to 40 degrees could be reached, which increases the risk of abortion for animals. The breeder is also worried about his hay supply. High temperatures promote fire outbreaks. “We are very vigilant, we have probes (…) we stir the hay to see if there is no overheating”he explains.
On another farm, a breeder works earlier and avoids using certain machines that could cause fires. “We are working as if over a period from July 14 to August 15”, notes Michel Caillé, cattle breeder. This heat wave comes after several months of drought. Here the animals are fed with winter hay stocks.