An animal experiment has been taking place since mid-January in a parcel of vines in Champagne with dwarf pigs from New Zealand. Their asset, they are light and more effective than sheep for weeding.
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The entire barnyard, or almost, will have been put to use in the vineyard. The horse that moves crates of grapes, then sheep to weed without herbicides or polluting machines, but with mixed success and even geese! Now pigs are appearing at the foot of the vines. Attention, not just any. These are friendly pigs, dwarfs, with cream or even light brown coats, originating from New Zealand. Two specimens have been snorting in a plot of vines in Champagne, in the Marne, since mid-January 2023.
It all started with an observation made by vine and soil professionals. Finding the best method, ecological and economical, to control thistles and other “weeds” in the rows is not easy. Far from there. Especially since the soil of the Champagne hillsides must not be damaged. The mechanical machines being too heavy, some winegrowers tested the sheep. Sometimes with good surprises and revitalized floors. But the sheep are capricious and above all, they can attack the young shoots of vines.
Faced with this situation, Olivier Zebic, an innovative agricultural and wine consultant based in the Marne, in the middle of the Champagne AOC, became aware of a particular breed of pigs. Mahori domestic pigs, called ‘Kunekune’. “I said to myself, if they do like the sheep, but all year round, it’s better. In addition, they eat the roots, they prefer that to the aerial parts of the vine. It’s great for removing thistles ou weeds. Above all, given their size, they do not turn the earth like a boar, on the surface. It is very impressive“. An expert for 20 years, originally from Avize (Marne), this agricultural engineer trained at INRA in Montpellier also knows that each eco-grazing experience is closely observed. Returning to Champagne for a few years, he measures the issues ecological, observes the effects of pollution of all kinds in nature, and wants to contribute its stone to the building.
The expert posted this experiment in connection with a champagne house on social networks and was overwhelmed by calls from professionals. Overwhelmed by success. “I first started in Bordeaux in 2022. We have seen very good results“. He still compares with the sheep.”A sheep shears, but not always efficiently. And not 100% of a plot. The problem is that when the vine grows, they prefer the young shoots, so they have to be removed”. In New Zealand, he says, “We put electric collars on them, we are not far from animal abuse… Some even have muzzles. It’s horrible, all that so that they don’t eat the vine”.
An agronomist, trained in oenology, the man of science and of the land is in contact with an innovative agricultural campus, Hectar (co-founded by Xavier Niel) it is there that he got wind of these animals and their potential. By participating in innovation juries. “I saw that they were small, dwarfs, with a peculiarity: they can’t lift their heads. And therefore do not attack the vines in height”. Olivier Zebic therefore brings some of them from the other side of the planet to test their talent in Bordeaux. “I said to myself, something has to be done, I am based in Reims, so obviously I started talking about it, in conferences. At the Viti wine fair in Epernay. Many winegrowers were interested and even amused”.
Among them, the Bonnaire champagne, located in Cramant, in the Côte des Blancs, a popular area of the vineyard. “First grazing session in Champagne for the Kunekune pigs on our plot ‘Les Terres des Buissons’ in Cramant. Due to their unique morphology, these pigs provide a possible alternative to mechanical weeding. To be continued”, writes the house on Facebook. The winemaker in question, Jean-Etienne Bonnaire confirms that this is an experience that deserves some perspective. But it arouses interest and curiosity.
“I would like this to be conclusive, he tells us, because it is an alternative to soil compaction, much better than the mechanical straddle. It’s more ecological. Even if you have to feed the pigs and transport them. It’s interesting, because the work can be precise, without damaging the vines. With tractors, you can do damage, whereas the Kunekune pig won’t go deep into the ground. These animals seek out the roots of quackgrass. But we will remove them as soon as the buds come out. We won’t take any risks. We will go until the end of March. It will then be necessary to see the efficiency of the work. This technique has never been tried in Champagne. It will also be necessary to see if they will not damage the installations, the ratchets (what remains of the vine, after uprooting). We have many interested colleagues. A neighbor even asked me if we had any for sale, but no, it’s experimental. With the sheep, there is a technical impasse. Even if it’s better than weeding with a machine”.
A life-size test whose results are awaited, because they could be used as a school. “I think we have to stop the herbicides, continues Olivier Zebic. But the alternative is tillage, an ecological disaster, because it destroys it. We have plant cover, but we have to control this grass. So these dwarf pigs can be a solution for the future. The more it advances, the more I think it’s a solution, sheep, it’s average, it’s expensive… It’s good for Instagram but it’s not enough.
I want to set up a chain of dwarf pigs in Champagne, to provide a solution, if it works.
Olivier Zebicagricultural consultant
For the moment only two Kunekune pigs are grazing in Cramant, not far from Epernay. Six others are due to arrive on February 8 from Bordeaux. “We organize reproduction. I want to set up a chain in champagne, to provide a solution, if it works”. Aware that this is only a step, Olivier Zebic believes that he it is better to put ten pigs at once than two. With a possible effect on mildew. “Because this parasitic disease is preserved in the winter in the dead leaves and the pig eats them! It’s a personal assumption. There is also a real interest from winegrowers. If we work the soil, we risk eroding it and in the context of climate change, there will not be much left.
Question cost, this system of weeding with dwarf pigs wants to be competitive. It would not cost more than another, but not less. It will nevertheless take some time before drawing clear scientific conclusions. The assembly of champagne winegrowers (AVC) recently mentioned points to be worked on in the medium term, and tillage is one of them. The file remains open, there will be a sequel. Pig who denies it.