ENGLISH TEXTS
also have cows in their pastures! This is the case for many professionals in central France. After years of crisis, the cattle market is booming, to the point that value curves have crossed: while a mare, even in foal, may attract only one bid at auction and be knocked down for € 1,000 or € 2,000, the price of a cow now reaches € 3,500 to € 4,000— almost double what it was two years ago.“ Before, mares improved the bottom line,” explains Bruno Vagne of the Allen breeding operation, based in the heart of the Charolais region.“ A mare’ s production brought in as much as five or six cows, but today the situation has reversed.” Over the past twenty years, the size of the French cattle herd has declined by 2 – 3 % per year. In 2005, French production matched consumption, which has remained relatively stable since.“ There are therefore no longer enough cows in France, hence the increase in their value,” explains Bruno Vagne.“ In terms of workload, one mare is equivalent to six cows. In recent decades, horses helped keep cattle, but today they rather undermine results. The risk is that breeders with eighty cows and two or three mares will part with those broodmares to buy ten more head of cattle.” Many mixed breeders who once considered reducing their cattle herds now
rely on cows to ensure the prosperity of their farms, bringing visibility and stability, since the price of a calf is more or less known as soon as it hits the straw. Diversifying activities and production is also a way to withstand the crisis.
MEE- TING
BACK TO ARTICLE
LIKE FATHER, LIKE DAUGHTER!
BY EMMANUEL RIVRON
Partners since 2019, Philippe and Camille Peltier have started afresh and quickly found their cruising speed. Thanks to a well-oiled organization and a clearly defined division of roles, father and daughter achieved their best season in terms of victories in 2025 and are hoping to continue at the same pace this season!
GALORAMA. Were you surprised when Camille told you she wanted to become a trainer?
Philippe Peltier. No, not at all. Camille was absolutely passionate from a very young age. She was“ always under my feet” at the racecourses. I didn’ t discourage her, but I warned her that it’ s a tough profession. Nevertheless, Camille followed a general academic path because you’ re never safe in this line of work. She completed a BTS in Accounting and Management through a work-study program with Guy Chérel before gaining experience in England, Ireland and Australia, not to mention France with André Fabre. She learned the trade a bit everywhere, which helped her a great deal, as did her experience in amateur riders’ races, where she won around thirty races.
G. How did the first months of collaboration between father and daughter go?
P. P. It wasn’ t necessarily easy at first because I had my“ old fart” ideas. One must not forget that I had worked alone for about thirty years. There were a few arguments, it has to be said, and fortunately my wife was there to act as a buffer. On top of that, our first months as partners coincided with a bout of rhino at the yard, followed by COVID. But since we had some promising youngsters, we didn’ t panic too much.
G. What did Camille bring to the yard?
P. P. Camille brought freshness to a profession where you must never rest on your laurels. Youth gives you a boost! The fact that she speaks English is a real asset for the yard, now that we have an international clientele. I gave her responsibilities and now it’ s up and running. You have to trust each other. This partnership is a real plus for me and has relieved me a lot, especially since there are races every-
# 16 166