Station 03
A regional network of local partners working together
A Layer: Haute Maurienne Vanoise Co-operative
Our Co-operative is located in Haute Maurienne, the heart of the Beaufort PDO production area. Haute Maurienne has 6 ski resorts, the Vanoise National Park, and is located next to the Italian border.
We process 5 million litres of milk a year, of which 80% is turned into Beaufort and 20% into Bleu de Bonneval sur Arc.
We have 2 separate production sites: one in Lanslebourg (the original) producing around 10,000 wheels of Beaufort per year, and a second workshop in Sollières producing 50,000 pieces of Bleu de Bonneval sur Arc per year.
As co-ops have merged, their original locations have been kept and turned into shops for distribution. Today there are 8 boutiques in the following villages: Modane, Aussois, Termignon, Lanslebourg, Lanslevillard, Bessans and Bonneval sur Arc.
B Layer: Our 40 farms
The Co-operative is owned by about 40 farms. They entrust their milk collection, processing, maturing and marketing to employees (around thirty, without counting the sales teams) who are qualified professionals: cheesemakers, maturers, etc.
The Co-operative shareholders elect 15 of the farmers (ideally one representative per village) to form the Board of Directors. It is up to the Board to make strategic decisions, set milk prices and allocate profits. Producers remain in charge of their own work. Decisions made by the board are validated at the Annual General Meeting.
C Layer: Agricultural areas
Because of the harsh climate, high altitude, and steep slopes we stagger the use of valley pastures according to the season. This ensures that we use the mountain land in the best and most sustainable way.
Down the valley: farming gets organised around villages, including areas specifically used to produce local fodder. Hay is harvested and stored in the village in order to feed herds throughout the winter (October to June). Local hay is highly regarded as it contains a wide variety of flowers. These flowers give their fragrance to the cows’ milk, giving the cheeses delicate flavours.
The ‘montagnette’: areas at medium altitude where the herds graze during spring and autumn. During summertime hay is harvested for the winter. However, there is very little of these “montagnette” areas in Haute Maurienne. Because of its high altitude, herds go almost directly from the bottom of the valleys to the mountain pastures.
Mountain pastures: from mid-June to September (the so-called “100 days”) the herd and some of the farmers’ families migrate to the mountain pastures. Mountain pastures include meadows (between 1500m and the limit of vegetation) as well as chalets and pastures. These areas are vital for mountain livestock farming. While hay reserves are being prepared for the winter at the bottom of the valley, the herds can graze on the mountain pastures. Thanks to its biodiversity, mountain grass is highly nutritious.
Did you know?
Farmers have always wintered a part of their herds. Cows were sent away for boarding as there wasn’t enough room in the cowsheds.
Here in Haute Maurienne, wintering was carried out in partnership with our Italian neighbours. Until a few years ago, more than 200 cows were sent to Italy (Susa Valley) to spend the winter with Italian farmers. In exchange, the farmers took milk, calves and manure as ‘income’.
Today, this practice continues exclusively on French soil, and most of the cowsheds are no longer ‘under the houses’ in the village, but in modern and spacious buildings.
Kids visit
Discover the 3 mountain areas where I graze according to the season!
Mountain pastures
In summertime, from June to September I climb mountains. It’s called the “emmontagnée”. Up there, I eat very good grass. It’s full of flavour which helps make good milk, rich in many flavours.
The Montagnette
During spring and autumn, I graze a little further down the mountain. This is called the “montagnette” area. Here, in Haute Maurienne region, this practice is fairly rare.
Down to the valley
When it gets colder, I go back down to the village. It’s called the “démontagnée”. Here, we’re at 1,200 metres of altitude. In summer, my farmers harvest the hay to feed me during winter. That’s when I prefer staying warm, in the cowshed, from October to June.
