Impact of a rise in energy prices on different farm production systems: a simulation study[Répercussions d'un renchérissement de l'énergie sur divers systèmes de production agricoles. Etude de simulation]

Impact of a rise in energy prices on different farm production systems: a simulation study. The impact of a drastic rise in energy prices on different farm production systems was simulated and the system which procured the highest income for the different energy prices was sought through linear programing. The production systems change relatively slowly but their income is heavily affected. In spite of a high energy consumption per surface unit and a lower energy output/ input ratio, intensive dairy farming appears more resistant than cereal farming, both at the level of the choice of productions as that of the income. This can be explained by the fact that energy costs are lower compared to incomes in dairy farming, but also by its more stringent production structure constraints. In spite of the limits inherent to a microeconomic model study, this simulation is interesting as it draws the attention to the fact that energy costs have remained relatively low uptill recent years because of its low prices. Furthermore, energy consumption should be reconsidered within the production system and assessed in economic terms in order to appreciate how energy influences production systems through its price.