Cattle team

Facilities

Our infrastructure is designed to meet the physiological and sanitary needs of cattle at every stage of their development.

• Lactation Building (65 stalls): Dedicated to high-yield cows, this facility is equipped with a video monitoring system allowing for continuous observation without stressful human interaction.
• Heifer and Dry Cow Building (100 stalls): Equipped with a crush featuring an integrated weighing system and an ergonomic squeeze chute to ensure safety during technical interventions.
• Benchmark Nursery: A specific building dedicated to calf monitoring from birth to puberty, including specialized restraint equipment that guarantees the safety of both the animals and the operators. The building also contains smart bunks (electronic feed bins) as well as automated milk and pellet dispensers
• Straw-Bedded Housing: Compliant with European standards, these areas ensure optimal comfort, natural thermal insulation, and the expression of social behaviors..

Specialized Equipment

• On-site Laboratory: Equipped with laminar flow hoods for immediate sample processing and secure storage capacities (4 °C, −20 °C, −80 °C).
• Precision Weighing Tools: Integrated systems allowing for regular weight monitoring without excessive animal handling.

Identification, Traceability, and Management

The reliability of our data is based on cutting-edge instrumentation and strict individual monitoring:

• Electronic Identification: Every animal undergoes full traceability from birth, ensuring an unalterable data history.
• Automated Measurements: Consumption data is recorded via weighing bunks, alongside continuous monitoring of biological and zootechnical parameters.
• Climate Control: Use of passive ventilation systems and environmental sensors to guarantee stable and reproducible rearing conditions.

Experimental Expertise

Our team possesses specialized know-how for conducting complex research projects:

• Production Monitoring: Precise quantitative and qualitative assessment of milk production.
• Reproductive Biotechnologies: Proficiency in Ovum Pick-Up (OPU) techniques, embryo collection, and embryo transfer.
• Veterinary Monitoring & Imaging: High-precision ultrasound examinations.
• Behavioral Expertise: In-depth analysis of animal behavior through video monitoring and telemetry sensors.
• Regulatory Support: Assistance in obtaining authorizations from ethics committees and the Ministry of Research.

Research Themes

The platform supports structural research programs, notably with the backing of the Centre-Val de Loire Region:

• Fertility and Reproduction: In-depth studies on the fertility of Holstein dairy cows.
• Intensive Phenotyping: Acquisition of precision data (growth, nutrition) to analyze developmental mechanisms.
• Nutritional Impact: Study of pre-pubertal diets and their effects on subsequent milk production performance.
• Strategic Partnerships: Collaboration with industry stakeholders to utilize feed specifically formulated for experimental requirements.

Work with us: Would you like to benefit from an ISO 9001-certified environment and unique expertise for your preclinical trials or research projects??