Gasconne Beef Breed, an Explorative Study of Trans-Border Differences in Management and Commercialization

This study describes the management and products of the Gasconne cattle in two neighbouring countries (Spain and France), as a model study in trans-border breeds, analysing if they are significantly different depending on the place where they are located. Fifty-seven Gasconne breeders were interviewed (32 in Spain and 25 in France). The survey examined several aspects of the productive farming system and trading procedures. Descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis were used to understand the relationships be-tween variables and establish the difference between countries. The herd size was similar in both countries but not the animal age distribution. Moreover, statistical differences were found in the replacement rate and age at weaning, both higher in France. Different reproductive management was also found between coun-tries. Thus, seasonal reproductive control and the use of artificial insemination were only common in France. The herd production system was, in general terms, more intensive in France than in Spain. There was significant percentage of breeders, in both countries, which carried out their own fattening. The main products supplied and their trading channels were also different. Thus, yearlings and calves were the most common products in Spain whereas in France the focus was on cows, young calves for fattening and oxen. With respect to the trading channel, the sale of live animals directly to other breeders or slaughterhouses, was the most common option used in Spain compared to the sales to cooperatives, intermediaries and butchers reported in France. It has been demonstrated that there are significant differences among produc-tive systems of the same breed even between neighbouring regions.