Management priorities of livestock farmers: A ranking system to support advice

This study lies within the research framework of information systems of livestock farmers and examines advice and guidance methods. It aimed to investigate the relative importance farmers give to the different tasks they must accomplish (i.e., “domains”). Surveys were carried out on 24 meat sheep farms and 30 beef cattle farms located in the Massif Central (Limousin and Auvergne regions) of France. Livestock farmers were asked to rank nine domains within each of three criteria: attractiveness, importance and satisfaction. Two domains systematically appeared in the forefront: herd composition and breeding, which form the core of farmers' work. The domains ranked highest and lowest were similar in both sheep and cattle farming. The herd-composition domain was universally accepted by sheep farmers for the attractiveness criterion, demonstrating a specific attachment to raising this species. The major difference between farms of the two livestock species lay in the domains most highly ranked in attractiveness: they are focused on the animal in sheep farming (herd, breeding, feed) and focused on resources in cattle farming (forage, grazing). Technical domains were ranked high in importance (for system persistence). Domain rankings were weakly related to five strategies identified that farmers used to acquire information in managing farm systems. These preferences may enable agricultural advisors to understand better the priorities of the farmers they assist. For example, the domains ranked lowest in satisfaction could constitute advice priorities and provide a way to initiate dialogue with farmers. A variety of advice sources (e.g., written, oral, Internet, individual and collective-based) should be maintained to accommodate the variety of information-acquisition strategies.