Denis Vernet has just returned home to France after spending harvest and sowing with Ferrier family at Jil Jil, just north of Birchip. Denis was kind enough to answer some questions from BCG project manager Louisa Ferrier about his time in Australia and farming in France.
What have you studied and where?
I have a masters degree in agronomy specialising in sustainable cropping. I studied at a school of engineering and agronomics called Montpellier SupAgro. I have always wanted to be a farmer but I had the chance to study as well as to meet heaps of interesting people!
Tell us about your farm – who do you farm with?
My farm name is “Ferme des FABRES” because the place is called “Les Fabres”. My great grandfather bought the farm at the beginning of the 20th century. We are now sharing the 500 hectare farm between my grandmother’s side of the family, and her brother’s side. On our half, we have 4four family members on the farm. There is my father, two of my uncles and myself who run the 265 hectare property.
Where is your farm?
My farm is located in the south-east of France, in Provence, in the region called “Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur”. It’s between the Mediterranean Sea and the Alps. The nearest town is called Montagnac-Montpezat or Montagnac-les-Truffes.
What products do you grow and when do you grow them and harvest them?
We produce 135 hectares of aromatic plants. We distil everything on the farm thanks to the distillation centre we built in 1995 in conjunction with my cousin. These crops include:
- 100 hectares of lavender, planted in February for 10 or 12 years and harvested once a year in early July
- 10 hectares of fennel, sown around April for three years and harvested once a year in August
- 14 hectares of Clary sage, sown in August for two years, and harvested once a year in early July
- 7 hectares of coriander, which will be sown in October as an annual crop and harvested at the end of June.
- 3 hectares of “Immortelle” (Helichrysum italicum), planted for five or six years in April and then harvested once a year every July
On the other half of the farm we produce 124 hectares of crops.
Winter crops are sown in October and harvested around the end to June early July:
- 90 hectares of durum wheat
- 17 hectares of field peas
Spring crops are sown in February and harvested at the end of June
- 17 hectares of chick peas
We also have 2 hectares of apple trees. All of the apples and juice is sold directly to locals.
What markets do you sell your products to?
We sell all the cereals to a cooperative. The durum wheat is sold to the pasta brand Panzani based in the city of Marseille. The chickpeas are mainly sent to North Africa
We work in a cooperative for essential oil too :
- We sell lavender on the world market for industrial products like soap, laundry products with lavender perfumes etc.
- We sell the fennel to a famous French drink brand called Pernod-Ricard. The company produces the famous alcoholic beverages called “Pastis” and “Ricard” which both contain an anise flavour
- Coriander is sold to the world market for Pepsi Cola production
- Salvia and “Immortelle” are for fragrances on the French market
You have worked in the Birchip region twice now at John and David Ferrier’s, what did you enjoy about it?
It was my dream since I was a child to come work an Australian harvest. My time in Australia was better than in my dream especially thanks to the Ferrier family! I just loved the good family work atmosphere, similar to the one on my farm. We’ve done lots of work which is what I came for of course, but it was always lots of fun. They were open-minded and knowledgeable. There were always interesting people around, so I was learning something new everyday which is why I enjoyed working in Birchip. After work, or during days off (yes, we had some!) it was always a good social experience to spend time with all the family and the locals. I felt at home with my Australian family and I miss them.
What do you think about Australian agriculture compared to France?
Everything is HUGE in Australia compared to in France, especially the paddocks and the machinery. The main difference is that Australian farming is the most efficient way of farming I’ve ever seen. Australian farmers don’t have subsidies, meaning they save all the money they can. I was really impressed with John, David and Dee’s use of weather data, soil sample results and models to aid them in making decisions for the next year. In my opinion, the direct drilling is the future of farming but sadly it’s not as developed in Europe as it is Australia. I believe that Australia’s innovations in agricultural practices and technologies are key to producing a more sustainable and efficient farming future.
The other main difference, other than the lack of subsidies, is the chemicals used. Australians use chemicals that have been forbidden to use in Europe for at least 20 years because they are considered too dangerous for human health and the environment. In France the chemicals we use are less powerful and more expensive, so we have to spend more time and money applying them. I reckon the chemicals used by Australian farmers provide better results. I think Europeans are too scared to use the chemicals used in Australia, however I think Australians should be more aware about the health effects that these chemicals have on the farmers that use them.
