Origins and limits of extensification in Charolais breeding. Analysis of some cases observed in Burgundy[Déterminants et limites de I'extensification en élevage charolais. Analyse de quelques cas observés en Bourgogne]

Compared to others, the so-called "extensive" (land-using) agricultural production technologies are those which use relatively less labour and/or capital per unit area. This "extensivity" in terms of production factors per unit area generally results in "extensivity" in terms of production per unit area. Consequently, the incentive to extensification is envisaged as an instrument of supply control within the framework of the CAP, or even as an alternative to rural abandonment. Since extensivity or intensivity is a ratio of production factors, elementary and static microeconomic theory accounts explains it through the price ratios of these factors, which determine the optimal structure of the use of these factors. A more elaborate dynamic economic analysis takes into account the liquidity constraints and expectations involved in the often disturbed path to this optimal structure. Thus, observed at a given moment, the extensive nature of a farm or a regional agricultural system does not necessarily match with optimum situation resulting from a given ratio of factor prices, available technology and natural conditions, but may rather reflect a provisional or critical state. It is this last design that guided the observation and analysis of several cases of meat cattle farms considered extensive in the area of the Charolais livestock of the French Burgundy region. The surveys of these farm thus show that accidents, even crises, or anticipations and opportunities in the farms or the regional system development, lead to situations of extensivity.