Autumn at the Domaine

At Domaine de Graux, we pride ourselves on raising hardy breeds like the Aberdeen Angus and the Mangalica, which graze outdoors year-round. Our animals are fed primarily on grass and fodder, ensuring quality meat while enhancing animal welfare and limiting their environmental impact.

This approach promotes biodiversity and helps improve soil health. When cattle graze crop residue post-harvest and cover crops, they help clean fields and return nutrients to the soil for spring planting. This synergy of animal and crops respects nature while making the land more fertile. By integrating livestock farming, we establish a beneficial balance between animals, plants, and the soil.

A healthy herd during the cold season

In the fall, Astrid devotes a large part of her work to preparing the shelters for winter. It is essential to clean them, mulch them, and make any necessary repairs to ensure a healthy and comfortable environment for the colder period ahead.

To support the animals’ immune system and metabolism, fall is the ideal time to provide them with preventative nutritional supplements. Astrid provides them with non-iodized salt stones, organic trace elements with garlic (an excellent natural dewormer), apple cider vinegar, and lots of love! All of this care helps limit veterinary interventions while strengthening the animals’ health in the face of the challenges of the cold season.

As the rains return, wildlife seeks shelter

Autumn also brings its share of challenges: the return of rain and shorter days require good organization and suitable equipment to make the most of working hours. After a long dry period during the summer, farmers welcome the rain because it rehydrates the soil. The milder temperatures are also a real comfort for the animals on the estate.

It’s also the time when wildlife, including hedgehogs, titmice, and many other species, comes out of hiding to begin preparing their homes for winter. All play an essential role in the natural balance of our ecosystem. We take care to respect these living spaces, where we install nesting boxes and shelters to encourage the presence of these precious animals, which help regulate pest populations.