With farming’s carbon footprint under scrutiny, one way forward for livestock producers is to source locally grown feed and reduce their dependence on imports. Dried lucerne now accounts for 7.5% of French vegetable protein production, and grower organization the Coop de France Deshydration (French crop dryers association)
suggests that the crop can make a significant contribution to the demand for locally grown proteins in the future
France is a major producer of lucerne (also referred to as alfalfa), growing approximately 300,000ha, of which 67,000ha is destined to be dehydrated (dried). While the crop is grown across France, 80% of cultivating areas for lucerne intended for drying are located in the Champagne-Ardenne region where it is a significant commodity representing about 8% of the rotation and generates 1,500 direct and indirect jobs. There are also large growing areas in the Dordogne and western France.
