L'efficacité économique de l'intensification laitière et la nécessité des aides de l'Etat

By comparing economic results with a ten-year interval of two sets of dairy farms followed up by the local farm management centre, it is shown that although the intensification has greatly increased the farm income, this increase is almost entirely consumed by that of operating capital. The intensification process then becomes a necessity as it is the only way to obtain an income increment which otherwise would have to be taken off the disposable family income. A process is thus engaged which becomes a purpose in itself. Under these circumstances, public aids appear absolutely essential for the existence and development of intensive dairy farms.